HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-01-18 Finance Committee Minutes
TOWN OF NORTH ANDOVER
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Meeting Minutes
Meeting Date February 18, 2020
Meeting Location: School Administration Building
Sasha Weinreich, SW Chairman X Ed MacMillian EM, Vice Chair X
Timothy Tschirhart, TT X Divya Bhatnagar, DB X
Charles Trafton, CT X Jennifer Luz, JL
Thomas Ringler, TR X Kevin Foley, KF XXX, AC
Christine Allen, CA X Angela Ciofolo, AC X
Note: All FINCOM votes are subject to a re-vote upon receipt of new information.
Note: Documents used in this meeting are listed in Document Table, herein.
Non Finance Committee Members in attendance
Melissa Rodrigues (MR), Town Manager
Lyne Savage (LS), Finance Director/Town Accountant
Denise Casey (DC), Assistant Town Manager
Pledge of Allegiance
Call to Order
Discussion starts on or about 7:00 pm/ 0:00:30 on video time
SW: Thank you everyone for coming. I really appreciate it. For everyone watching on TV today
we have a very large audience and we are excited to have everyone here. We have the Town
Manager, Melisa Rodrigues here to present the “FY2021 Town Manager Recommended Budget”
(dated February 18, 2020).
Town Manager’s Presentation of Proposed FY21 Operating Budget
Discussion starts on or about 7:01 pm/ 0:01:00 on video time
Reference: “FY2021 Town Manager Recommended Budget” (dated February 18, 2020).
MR: Not sure if anyone here tonight had a chance to review the budget or watch the presentation
when it was presented at the BOS Meeting.
MR: I am basically going to run through the same presentation with all of you. Then I will be
happy to answer any questions.
February 18, 2020 Page 1
MR: Commented on new growth, and how property taxes are a bit higher than originally
projected.
Also stated that she met with the Building department, Planning and Assessors Department.
MR: About 72% of the Town’s revenue comes from property taxes. The total amount of
revenues for the FY21 Budget totals $195,518, 926, a 4.01% increase from last year (not
including free cash for reserves and capital).
MR: Also stated that operating transfers are decreasing.
MR: Spoke of the FY2021 Budget expenditures and stated that the total for FY21 is
$111,217,162.
MR: Went through and summarized all the charts, slides and graphs from her presentation.
MR: Continued with Budget Expenditure Breakdown stating that the Budget includes an increase
of 4.07% in department spending from FY20 (excluding reserves).
MR: Commented that the Municipality Budget is increasing by $967,952, School Budget
increased by $2,291,648 and Support Service increased by $23,000.
MR: Spoke on health insurance and how they are spending less on health insurance than they did
seven years ago.
MR: Commented that DC created a Health Insurance Model that has been very helpful and
allows us to take a look at costs.
MR: Commented on the excess funds from health insurance and that they are being placed in a
finance reserve account, which will allow for greater budget transparency, while we still fund the
reserves that we need to operate. This will make a big difference in our budgeting.
MR: Spoke on a variety of items such as, Capital Stabilization, Free Cash, Staffing, OPEB, the
general fund, job sharing as well as various departments in the Town.
MR: Spoke of the introduction of a therapy dog to the Police Department and also the costs
involved.
MR: Went on to say they are consolidating DPW salaries for payroll efficiencies.
MR: Commented that they are increasing funding for cyber security and also spoke of the two
software programs that they will be introducing, Cleargov and Flashvote.
MR: Spoke of the increase in the operating Budgets for both the Sewer Enterprise Budget
(increase $170,059 from FY20) and the Water Enterprise Budget (increase by $358,954).
MR: Commented on the hydrant flushing, flow testing and hydraulic model update project (they
will do 750 hydrants per year for a total of 1500 hydrants) it a public safety issue but also
improves the quality of the water.
MR: Moved onto the Stevens Estate Enterprise Budget and commenting that they are decreasing
from $496,380 to $360,129. While the budget is decreasing in total, it is not a reduction in
service, also speaking of the additions that have been added to Stevens Estate.
MR: Stated that we want to be conservative, but if the Stevens Estate does not meet expectations
then we will need to do some budget cuts.
MR: Wanted to thank the Department Heads and Division Directors for their support and also
gave a special thanks to LS and DC.
February 18, 2020 Page 2
SW: Invited anyone that had any questions or comments to MR, LS or DC with regards to
tonight’s presentation.
The Finance Committee asked questions and made comments to MR, LS and DC, regarding the
Budget.
Health insurance, OPEB, expenses, inflation areas, budgets, Columbia Gas, buying power,
grants, smart buildings, energy projects, decreasing costs, Stabilization Fund, schools, new
growth in town, revenue, free cash, importance of budget transparencies, etc., these were some
of the questions, comments and topics that were discussed and questioned after the presentation.
SW and the Finance Committee stated that the presentation was incredibly helpful and thanked
all that attended tonight’s meeting.
Public Comment
Discussion starts on or about 7:45 pm/ 0:45:00 on video time
Stan Limpert of 43 Stonecleave Road stated that he only had compliments to all those involved.
Also felt positive on the transparency and utilization of money. It is wonderful to see a great
leadership team and to have everyone here.
This should not be just school focused but also the municipal side should not be left out of the
discussion.
SW and the Finance Committee thanked everyone for coming tonight.
Approval of Minutes January 28, 2020
Discussion starts on or about 7:52 pm/ 00:52:00 on video time
CA: Made a motion to approve the minutes for January 28, 2020
TT: Second the motion
All were in favor to approve the January 28th, 2020 Minutes
7:55 PM Adjourn
TT: Made a motion to adjourn the meeting
CA: Second the motion
All were in favor to adjourn
Document Table
-Agenda Finance Committee Meeting for February 18, 2020
-Minutes from January 28, 2020
-Capital Improvement Plan General Fund 2021-2025
-Town Manager’s Recommended Budget FY 2021
- FY21 Revenue Fixed Cost Projections - RFCC Worksheet
- FY21 Revenue Projection Detail
- FY2021 Town Manager Recommended Budget” (dated February 18, 2020)
February 18, 2020 Page 3