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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-03-19 Finance Committee Minutes TOWN OF NORTH ANDOVER FINANCE COMMITTEE Meeting Minutes Meeting Date March 20th, 2018 Meeting Location: School Administration Building, 566 Main Street Timothy Tschirhart, TT, Chairman X Ed MacMillian EM Jennifer Goldman, JG,Vice Chair X Divya Bhatnagar, DB X Karin Blake, KB X Charles Trafton CT X Thomas Ringler, TR X Angela Ciofolo, AC X Liz Gerron, LG X Sasha Weinreich, SW X Note: All FINCOM votes are subject to change upon receipt of new information. Note: Documents used in this meeting are listed in Document Table, herein. Non Finance Committee Members in attendance Eric Kfoury (EK), Director of Community Development Brian LaGrasse (BL), Health Director Donald Belanger(DBL), Inspector of Buildings Cahla Ahlstom (CA), Assistant Director of Elder Services and Outreach Coordinator Cathy Darby(CD), Director of Human Resources Joe Sergi (JS), Counsel on Aging Lyne Savage (LS), Town Accountant Call to order 6:47 TT: Welcomed everyone to tonight's meeting, and wanted to preface words that Andrew Maylor wrote (page 17 of the Fy19 Budget Book); Promoting Economic Development, Asset Improvement and Maintenance-The FYI Town Manager's Budget includes funding to create a"vision" and related action steps to improve economic viability of the Main Street Corridor, working with Merrimack College and private developers to create "campus edge", and the practice of"pay-as you go" capital projects and fund a diverse set of reserves" (summarized in minutes). 1 March 20,2018 Continued Review of Operating Budget Community Development-Eric Kfoury Discussion starts on or about 6:49 vm/:00:02:00 on video time (Reference pnes141- 149 of the FY19 Budget Book) TT: Stated to EK, that we have been asking the presenters to talk about responsibilities, accomplishments in the prior year and plans for the future. EK: Before I start I want to recognize Brian LaGrasse, Health Department Director and Don Ballanger, who is the Inspector of Buildings, both are here tonight, Jean Enright is not here tonight and is at tonight's Planning Board meeting and Jennifer Hughes of Conservation is on vacation. EK: Continued his presentation by listing all the departments that were under him. EK: Speaking of the online permitting system that is now being implemented, it is easier for the public to use, and is user friendly. It has been extremely successful. Most of the departments are using it. The Health Department is almost set up with online permitting,but it is still working on a few issues,before it is up and running,but it will happen soon enough. EK: Spoke of how the online system works and the process, along with tracking permits, and the steps that the online system goes through, such as the sign off from each department all the way to the final approval (The Building Inspector will not issue the final approval until there is sign off on everything), This allows all the departments to see what is going on in each of the departments. EK: Spoke of files that have been sent out for scanning. This will allow the history of properties to be easily accessible. TR; How do we compare to other towns regarding our online system? EK; Responding to the question, not to brag, but ours is more comprehensive DBL: Wanted to add that the Commonwealth is asking us questions, because our online system seems to be working so well. It has been very successful. LG: Is this online system a commercial product or something that was designed in house. EK: Responded that the name of the software is Viewpoint. CT: Asked how payments are done EK: Responded by saying that people pay various ways, credit cards, cash, and there is also an option to pay by check. It seems like most people pay by credit card. EK: Stated that the applications for Conservation are done through the State. EK: Spoke of all the work, programs and projects that are being done by all the various departments that are under him. 2 March 20,2018 EK: Planning is the Department I work closest with and went on to say that he works with the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission (MVPC) on the Housing Production Plan and we coordinate this with the Master Plan. EK: Spoke of the communities desire to have a downtown, where they can shop eat, and walk (connectivity). Also spoke of the desire from the community for culture in the downtown area. EK: How can we do this and reach our goals for the downtown district commenting that he anticipates that there will be zoning changes. The Finance Committee members along with EK discussed and asked a variety of questions to EK such as transportation, incentives for business owners, attracting new business, business growth and attracting the right business, a possibility of a business facade program, housing and how we address it(with older residents), developing Route 114, FY 19 Goals, Staffing, how goals get accomplished, team work in town, among community, employees, Boards etc. JG: Encouraged the Finance Committee members to all look at the Master Plan, it will answer all your questions. EK: Stated that you can find The Master Plan on the Town's website TT as well as the Finance Committee Members Thanked EK, BF and DBL for coming tonight. Elder Services—Irene O'Brien, Cathy Darby Discussion starts on or about 7:34 pm/00:47:00 on video time (Reference pages 176-180 of the FY19 Budget Book) CA: Introduced herself to everyone, stating that she is here tonight in place of Irene O'Brien, Director of Elder Services who was under the weather. CD: Wanted to acknowledge the presence of Joe Sergi, who is the President of our Counsel on Aging. TT: Stated that maybe I am bias due to my age,but this has always been one of my favorite parts of the budget. Please tell me about your accomplishments and goals CA: Stated as far as accomplishments that the activities that work we have focused on expanding them. If it is not broken don't fix it. CA: Compared younger seniors to their parents, older seniors use the Senior Center more regularly. CA: Commented that the younger seniors are not walking through the door, they are active and most are still working,but the time will come when they will not be able to afford that gym membership and(and some other luxuries)they will come to the Senior Center for a$4.00 (gym related)class. CA: Expressed her concerns and wishes to be active in the planning of the New Senior Center (that will be located at the old Knights of Columbus out on Sutton Street). 3 March 20,2018 TT: will it be an issue to have the Senior Center located in the newly proposed location CA: As the Outreach Coordinator CA commented that some of the programs are brought to the seniors, this is also done with the help of the "Friendly Visitors",program. CA: Also stated for those that like to go to the Senior Center for some it may be a reach for them to get to the Senior Center. We do have van drivers that will be able to transport them to the Senior Center. CA: Spoke of different games and activities that are done at the Senior Center, and also spoke of the benefits of social engagement for the seniors at the center, so they are not isolated. CD: Spoke of Meals on Wheels and that on Holidays, there is no service there is a gap in this service. They got some Volunteers from the Senior Center that stepped up on Veterans Day to provide these seniors with food. They did not want a gap in this service especially on Veterans Day. CA: Spoke of a support group program for the caregivers, it is a Pilot program called the, "Respite Care Program". This program allows the caregiver to drop off their loved ones, (who need the care). This program is from 9:OOAM-2:OOPM and is 2 days a week and includes 2 meals. This allows caregivers a break to run errands and have some needed time for themselves. It is important that caregivers do not neglect themselves. CA: Spoke of the Health Care Nurse, Caroline Ibbitson (works for the Health Department) who took over the Blood Pressure program/clinic 2 days a week. Seniors in distress feel much more comfortable to know that there is an RN available. CA: Also stated that they have a wonderful relationship with the Veterans Department as well. JS: The only thing I could add is more community involvement and support with the Senior Center. JS: Spoke of possible fundraisers and hoping for more enthusiasm with people getting involved in fundraisers for the Senior Center. TT and the Finance Committee members thanked CA, CD, and JS for coming tonight. First Pass Review-Finance Committee Town Warrant Letter Discussion starts on or about 8:10 vm/00:01:25 on video time TT and the Finance Committee Members spoke of the draft of the Town Warrant Letter. TT Stated that that we need another push to get it polished. Feedback is critically important. TT: Felt that the two take a-ways on this letter should be on OPEB and the Schools. TT: Spoke of the Drop Dead due date for this Town Warrant Letter is March 25th 4 March 20,2018 New Business Discussion starts on or about 8:25 pm/01:37:00 on video time LG: Wanted to remind everyone to be careful about deliberations and not to communicate to the Committee something that could be perceived as deliberations in your e-mail. If you are not sure when you send something out use the Blind Carbon Copy(BCC). We do not want to be in violation of any of the Open Meeting Laws. Approval of Minute March 6, 2018 Discussion starts on or about 8:26 pm/01:38:00 on video time SW: made a motion to approve minutes as written for March 6th KB: Second All were in favor to approve the Minutes as written Public Comment No Public Comment at the meeting tonight TT: I want this statement to go on record that I so much appreciate the members of this team (speaking to all of the finance committee members), the honesty, the volunteerism, and the attendance on this Committee. I want to make this statement a Public Record. Thank you! Ad'ournment 8:37 PM LG: made a motion to adjourn SW: Second the motion All in favor to adjourn Document Table Agenda Finance Committee Meeting for March 20, 2018 Minutes for March 6, 2018 Town Manager's Recommended Budget Report for Fiscal Year 2019 5 March 20,2018