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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-02-10 Board of Selectmen Minutes BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES FEBRUARY 10, 2014 CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Rosemary Smedile called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM at Town Hall Meeting Room. ATTENDANCE: The following were present: Rosemary Smedile Chairman; Richard Vaillancourt, Clerk; Tracy Watson, Licensing Chairman; William Gordon, and Andrew Maylor, Town Manager and Ray Santilli, Assistant Town Manager. NOTE: Donald Stewart was absent. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Richard Vaillancourt made a MOTION, seconded by Tracy Watson, to approve the Open Session Minutes of January 27, 2014, as written. Vote approved 4-0. COMMUNICATIONS, ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND PUBLIC COMMENT: Welcome to Merrimack College Students Certificates of Appreciation Postponed until the next meeting North Andover Candidates' Forum on March 3, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. The League of Women Voters of Andover/North Andover will be hosting a North Andover Candidates' Forum on March 3, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. in the Meeting Room at Town Hall with more information forthcoming. Letter to State Senator Kathleen O'Connor Ives regarding potential North Andover transportation projects State Senator Kathleen O'Connor Ives requested a listing of potential North Andover transportation projects to be considered for funding in the Transportation Bond Bill. The Town Manager responded to request on February 5, 2014 with various projects that would be significant to the town. Copies of this letter were sent to Senator Bruce Tarr, Representatives Jim Lyons and Diana DiZoglio. FY2013 Audit Report— Powers &Sullivan, LLC (independent auditors) Richard Sullivan and representatives from Powers & Sullivan, LLC the Town's independent auditors were present and reviewed their report and findings. The overall financial picture is very good with no serious internal problems; the auditors said they have an unqualified opinion meaning an accurate report. The Management letter was short with a few comments and recommendations; four out of six prior year recommendations were resolved and two in the near future. There are only three recommendations for the current year, Audit of Student Activity Funds, Police Detail and Ambulance Receivables, Trust Account Reconciliations. Informational Comments on Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB) Statements for Pensions and OPEB and Reserve Fund for Future Payment of Compensated Absences. Mr. Sullivan commended the work of the Finance Director Lyne Savage and her staff for all their work. It was a pleasure to work with the Town's financial team and thanked them for their assistance. FY2014 Six-Month Financial Status Report— Lyne Savage, Finance Director Finance Director Lyne Savage was present and gave the Board a FY2014 six month financial status report. Collections for Property Tax Revenue, Tax Title Motor Vehicle Excise Tax, Meals Tax, ambulance Service collections, and Inspection Fees are on target for this time of year; with slight increases since last year. Expenses in all departments are running at approximately 50% of target at this time. The snow and Board of Selectmen Minutes February 10, 2014 2 ice budget has a deficit which was expected because of all of the snow. The Enterprise Funds Water& Sewer collections are on target for this time of year. The Stevens Estate collections are at 67%which is down compared to last year and expenditures running at 58% down 6.6%. The Estate will need to generate approximately an additional $30,000 in revenue in order to breakeven. We will continue to monitor the monthly reports closely. CONSENT ITEMS: Adoption of Financial Reserve Policies The Town Manager presented a final version of his FY15 Budget Policy Statement. The primary change is the `Other Post-Retirement Benefits (OPEB)' stabilization Fund has been more clearly defined. The Finance Committee approved and adopted the Financial Reserve Policies at their last meeting on February 4, 2014. The Board of Selectmen is requested to approve and adopt this final version tonight. Tracy Watson made a MOTION, seconded by Richard Vaillancourt, that the Board of Selectmen approve and adopt the Financial Reserve Policies as presented. Vote approved 4-0. Approval of Affordable Housing Trust Fund grant to Bread & Roses Housing The Affordable Housing Trust voted at their meeting of February 4 to grant$110,000 to Bread & Roses Housing to develop one (1) unit of affordable housing at 91 Waverly Road in North Andover. Per the provisions of the Town of North Andover Bylaws, Chapter 28— Housing Trust Fund, §28-5, Paragraph M, the grant must be approved by the Board of Selectmen. A member of the Affordable Housing Trust and a representative of Bread and Roses Housing were present at the meeting. Tracy Watson made a MOTION, seconded by William Gordon that the Board of Selectmen approves the grant of$110,000 from the North Andover Affordable Housing Trust to Bread & Roses Housing to develop one (1) unit of affordable housing at 91 Waverly Road, North Andover. Vote approved 4-0. LICENSING COMMISSIONERS: Richard Vaillancourt made a MOTION, seconded by William Gordon, to open a meeting of the North Andover Licensing Commission. Vote approved 4-0. Donna Warne requests a Common Victualler License for Corporate Chefs, Inc. at 1600 Osgood Street William Gordon made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile, that the Board of Selectmen acting as Licensing Commissioners approves a Common Victualler License for Corporate Chefs, Inc. at 1600 Osgood Street, North Andover. Vote approved 4-0. William Gordon made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile, to close a meeting of the North Andover Licensing Commission. Vote approved 4-0. TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT: Capital Project Status Report The Town Manager provided a status summary of on-going capital projects as well as a milestone timeline through the end of September 2014. The Capital Plan was approved by the Finance Committee. The Town Manager will be presenting his FY15 Recommended Budget at the Board's next meeting on February 24, 2014. ADJOURNMENT: William Gordon made a MOTION, seconded by Richard Vaillancourt, to adjourn the meeting at 8:00 p.m. Vote approved 4-0. Adele J. Johnson Executive Assistant Richard Vaillancourt, Clerk of the Board