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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-03-31 Finance Committee Minutes r v TOWN OF NORTH ANDOVER FINANCE COMMITTEE Meeting Minutes Meeting Date March 31, 2020 Meeting Location: Via Conference Call Sasha Weinreich, SW Chairman X Ed MacMillian EM, Vice Chair X Timothy Tschirhart, TT X Divya Bhatnagar, DB Charles Trafton, CT Jennifer Luz, JL X Thomas Ringler, TR X Kevin Foley, KF X 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. Nonfinance Committee Members in attendance Mark DiSalvo (MD), Town Moderator Melissa Rodrigues (MR), Town Manager Lynne Savage (LS), Finance Director/Town Accountant Pledge of Allegiance Call to Order Discussion starts on or about 7:04pmm/:00:00on video time S W: Thanks everyone for joining in. SW: Did a roll call to see what members joined into the conference call meeting. SW: Stated that we are going to hear from the Town Moderator, Mark DiSalvo (MD)and he is going to give us some additional information regarding the Town Meeting for 2020 and also what things are happening in the Legislature and how that will impact North Andover and potentially a time line for the Spring in our Town. SW: With that being said she handed it over to MD Discussion with Town Moderator Mark DiSalvo regarding 2020 Town Meeting Discussion starts on or about 7:06 m/0:02:00 on video time MD: Much appreciated and I want to pay particular thanks for the invitation. 1 3-31-2020 (VIA Conference Call) MD: Continued with stating that first of all it is the Selectmen's responsibility as the Town Manager will relate to, to call the Town Meeting. At that moment it is the responsibility of the Town Moderator to conduct, a safe, fair, open and efficient Town Meeting. MD: Then stated at that moment the law allows The Town Moderator unilaterally with consultation with BOS and Public Safety officials to postpone a meeting at any time, prior to its start. MD: Stated that he has helped over the last several weeks to craft and work on Legislation in concert with the Massachusetts Municipal Association to allow, when passed; 1. The BOS upon a majority vote along with the Town Moderator to postpone Town Meeting 2. Continue postponements with BOS and/or with Town Moderator MD: Stated he has no idea if the Town Meeting will be postponed. But stated it would be prudent for us to carry on government,just as you would if we were having a Town Meeting on May 191. The Finance Committee asked a variety of questions to MD regarding if the Town Meeting be possibly cancelled along with the warrant(s), schedules, also questioned how much flexibility does the Finance Committee have, etc. SW and the Committee thanked MD for joining us. Potential financial impacts to North Andover due to COVID-19 Discussion starts on or about 7:26 m/0:22:00 on video time MR: As far as Town Meeting goes we are watching Legislation very closely. MR: However, the major items for us are; 1. The ability to have Revolving Accounts continue 2. The ability to have our Free Cash, and not to have to be recertified, and to be able to use the Free Cash into the next Fiscal year, if the Town Meeting got moved past June 3 Oth 3. One Self-Budgeting (not ideal). MR: Went on to say that her and LS had conversations regarding the FY20 and FY21 budget, and they felt lucky because a majority of our budget is made up of taxes (more than 70%) and also spoke of the Building Permit Fees, that have been actually quite good. We have not yet seen a Financial impact yet. MR: Continued with the only thing I see negative is the Stevens estate, because of events being cancelled. LS: Agreed that she does not see any major issues right now. Concerns of the impact the COVID-19 will have on the Town was expressed by some of the Finance Committee members, because of the massive amount of unemployment, and everything that will be impacted. MR: Felt that the impact will not be seen until FY22. 2 3-31-2020 (VIA Conference Call) The conversation on the impact of the COVID-19 continued, along with comments and questions such as hiring new employees, or should that be put on pause, expenses today, overtime, helping other communities in need, and are we able keep our public safety departments safe, donations, etc. SW: Are there any additional questions. Public Comment Discussion starts on or about 7:59 m/0:055:00 on video time SW: Read email questions from Thomas Duggan regarding current balance of the various Reserve Accounts maintained by the Town, Revenues related to the crisis, and how will The Finance Committee lead a discussion with Town members relating to the COVID-19 crisis. MR, LS and SW responded to Thomas Duggan's questions. SW and the Committee thanked MR and LS for joining us tonight. Old Business Discussion starts on or about 8:04 pm/0:01:00 on video time SW: Went on to say that in terms of the Warrant Letter her recommendations would be to continue to move forward(business as usual), because the timeline has not changed. That does not mean what we write in the letter will not change, it just means we need to meet a current deadline. The Finance Committee spoke of the current situation and how they plan on approaching their topics on the Warrant Letter. The Finance Committee continued to speak on a variety of items with regards to the Warrant Letter, and their concerns and struggles with the situation at hand, and how can they relay this ever-changing financial situation into their Warrant Letter. TR: Felt that this will be the most important Finance Letter he will be writing in the 6 years that he has been a member of the Finance Committee. SW: Reiterated that this Warrant Letter has to be totally completed by April IOth SW: Spoke of the different ways that they can vote on the Warrants. SW: Stated that our main objective is to concentrate with our letter and discuss the Budget and facts as it currently stands. We also have the opportunity to write something additionally, especially if the Town Meeting gets moved(keep that in the back of your mind) SW: Thanked everyone for joining in tonight. 3 3-31-2020 (VIA Conference Call) 8:26 PM Adjourn EM: Made a motion to adjourn the meeting CA: Second the motion All were in favor to adjourn Document Table -Agenda Finance Committee Meeting for March 31, 2020 -MUNIS Account Summary Trial Balance for FY20/Jul-Apr 4 3-31-2020 (VIA Conference Call)