HomeMy WebLinkAboutFCMeetingMinutes_03.29.06 TOWN OF NORTH ANDOVER, MASSACHUSETTS
Finance Committee Regular Meeting 6:30PM March 29,2006 Town Hall
Attendance: Mike Batsimm, Vice Chair; Steve Dawe; Mike Giarratano, Eva Hamori; Jack Watkins,
and Paul Stewart. B Fink,Peter Reed, Mr. X, and Ms Y also attended the meeting.
The Vice Chair called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. and welcomed Steve's continued presence on
the committee. Paul volunteered to undertake the role of scrivener du jour.
Jack moved to approve the Minutes of the March 23 2046 Meeting as printed in the handout, Eva
seconded, no discussion, passed 5-0-1 with the Vice Chair abstaining.
Old Business:
A. The Library Board of Trustees, many strong, and Sue Ellen Holmes, Director, presented a short
report on the history and projection of Library services and needs.
B. SpEd Budget Request Update—The FY06 SpEd year-end projection requested last time will not
be forthcoming for some time(e-mail from Barbara Whidden). There was dismay that our request
would not be answered promptly, but also understanding that there are a number of other things
going on at the School Department at this time. Steve reported that he had asked Lyne whether
the data previously provided (spent+encumbered+projected salaries)was expected to equal the
total currently projected for FY06. He reported that she said that there may be other things that
also factor in. In discussion later in the meeting, Keith agreed to continue requesting this
information from the School Committee.
C. Outstanding Warrant Book Issues—Paul reported that the Articles had been numbered and Joyce
Bradshaw had sent him a reordered but not yet quite complete Warrant. Paul agreed to follow up
with Joyce to determine the state of the Warrant and to provide the latest to the FinCom by e-mail
before our next scheduled meeting(tomorrow). Paul also reported that the Citizen had been
selected as the printer and he had negotiated a final delivery date with them of early on April 10.
That drives the following FinCom schedule:
I. Meet Thursday, March 30
2. Meet Tuesday, April 4
3. Meet Thursday, April 6
At the end of which the final FinCom materials will have all been delivered (presuming some
intermediate deliveries as well). The Committee agreed to work on considering and making its
recommendations and assigning or agreeing on its explanations on the various Articles during
those three upcoming meetings.
D. FY2007 Recommended Budgets—Mike Giarratano updated his findings on utility bills by
handing out an 11/29/2005 e-mail stating that electric rates had gone from $0.0565/kWh to
$0.10625. At 7:33PM Chair Keith Mitchell made the scene. There was general discussion of the
schedule and of what was possible in the Warrant book as opposed to what should be released
thereafter or presented at Town Meeting. Steve requested that the Chair request the School
Capital Asset(?)Plan and Paul mentioned that we were still waiting for a complete CIP;Keith
will follow up. Paul passed out copies of his `bubble chart' memo dated March 22 and related
draft Revenues and Expenditure spreadsheets; a short discussion of some questions ensued. The
question was raised as to alternatives to the current trash collection and disposal system; Paul will
ask NASWAC to make a presentation when they can discuss alternatives.
The time being 8:33PK Jack MOVED, our illustrious Vice Chair Seconded, and the vote was
unanimous that the meeting be adjourned.