HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-10-15 Board of Selectmen Minutes BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OCTOBER 15, 1998
CALL TO ORDER: Keith A. Mitchell, Chairman, reconvened the meeting that was recessed on
Tuesday, October 13, 1998 at 7:30 p.m.
ATTENDANCE: The following were present: Keith A. Mitchell, Chairman;
William B, Duffy, Jr.; Donald B. Stewart; David M. Torrisi; Robert J. Halpin, Town Manager.
ALSO PRESENT: Attorney Martin Healey, representing Wheelabrator Technologies, was present for
the discussion of the final version of the letter to Governor Cellucci.
FY 1999 REVENUE ADJUSTMENTS: The Town Manager presented options for FY'99 budget
adjustments.
The first agenda item is raising the $708,625 FY'98 budget deficit. Sources to cover this are State aid in
excess of budget($228,000), water enterprise surplus fund balance ($234,000),reduce solid waste tip fee
from$130 to $113 per ton($143,000)and appropriate free cash($103,625). Mr. Halpin reviewed the
various projections for the solid waste tip fee through 2005. Other FY'98 deficit options include using
additional free cash as an alternative to either the water surplus balance or reducing the solid waste
account, reducing the water fund and general fund expenditures.
The projected revenue shortfall in the FY'99 water enterprise fund is $335,000. Options to eliminate this
shortfall include reducing debt service budget($52,000), reducing water reserve fund($58,108), reducing
GAC replacement($112,000) and increasing the water rate by$0.13. Some other options are a rate
increase of$170,000 would avoid reductions in water fund reserve accounts,transfer$170,000 in free
cash together with the proposed rate increase,transfer entire projected shortfall from free cash or raise all
or some portion on tax levy and reduce general fund expenses.
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING:
Article 2. William Duffy made a MOTION, seconded by David Torrisi,to make a FAVORABLE
recommendation on Article 2 which rescinds unissued bond authorizations as authorized by Article 12,
Item 14 of the 1989 Annual Town Meeting in the amount of$152,210 for water system rehabilitation for
a revised authorization of$1,347,790; vote approved 4— 0.
Article 3. William Duffy made a MOTION, seconded by David Torrisi,to make an UNFAVORABLE
recommendation on Article 3 which would transfer$250,000 from free cash to a stabilization fund; vote
approved 4— 0.
Article 4. William Duffy made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart,to recommend the following
actions relative to covering the FY'98 deficit during FY'99:
Lottery—FY 1998 Surplus $228,000
Water Surplus 234,000
Solid Waste 143,000
Expenditure Reductions 103,000
Vote approved 4— 0.
William Duffy made a MOTION, seconded by David Torrisi,to recommend the following action to cover
the projected revenue shortfall in the Water Fund during FY'99:
Reduce Debt Account $ 52,000
Board of Selectmen Minutes October 15, 1998 Page 2
Reduce Reserve Account 56,000
Reduce GAC Account 112,000
Expenditure Reductions 113,000
Vote approved 4— 0.
David Torrisi reserved the right to review the expenditure reductions proposed prior to the Town Meeting
this coming Monday night. Other members agreed.
William Duffy made a MOTION, seconded by David Torrisi,to recommend the following action with
respect to the FY'99 General Fund Budget:
Reduce Health Insurance $100,000
Transfer Free Cash 118,000
Add Youth Worker ( 12,000)
Add Police Detail Working ( 20,000)
Capital
Vote approved 4— 0.
Article 7. David Torrisi made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart,to recommend FAVORABLE
action on Article 7 which would layout Settlers Ridge Road as and for a public way; vote approved 3 — 1
(William Duffy voted nay). (It was noted that Town Counsel believes that from a procedural standpoint
a vote may not be possible at this town meeting).
Article 8. William Duffy made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart,to recommend FAVORABLE
action on Article 8 that would amend the appropriation of debt service due in FY'99 for the acquisition of
land—Foster Farm, Foster Street; vote approved 4— 0.
Article 9. William Duffy made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart,to recommend FAVORABLE
action to appropriate funds for the West Side Sewer project as drafted by Bond Counsel; vote approved 4
— 0.
OLD BUSINESS:
MRI Solid Waste Incinerator. David Torrisi made a MOTION, seconded by William Duffy,to send a
letter to the Governor concerning the Board's desire to have state officials come to North Andover to
discuss the cumulative impacts of incineration in the North Andover/Merrimack Valley area and discuss
the future of the North Andover MRI solid waste incinerator,provided however,that in referring to the
Governor's veto of financial assistance to the NESWC communities to pay for the Air Pollution Control
retrofit,the letter should specifically quote the relevant portion of the legislation which states that the
funding could have been used for either the retrofit or the closure of the plant; vote approved 4— 0.
David Torrisi made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart,to adjourn the meeting at
9:30 p.m.; vote approved 4— 0.
Ann M. Keating
Acting Secretary David M. Torrisi, Acting Clerk of the Board