HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-03-02 Finance Committee Minutes
Finance Committee
Minutes of March 2, 2022
Present:
Chairperson Denevan O’Connell, Regina Kean, Dustin Silk, Brianna Stetson, Eva Pastor, Nancy Sarro and Jennifer Luz
Absent:
Edward MacMillan and Christine Allen
Mr. O’Connell called the meeting to order at 7:00PM. The open session meeting was recorded in person in the Select Board Room at
North Andover Town Hall 120 Main Street North Andover.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Stan Limpert of 43 Stonecleave Rd complimented Laurie Burzlaff and her committee for the effort put into the final report of
Facilities Master Plan II.
DISCUSSION WITH TOWN MANAGER AND FINANCE DIRECTOR
Facilities Master Plan II
Ms. Rodrigues gave a presentation on Facilities Master Plan II. Ms. Luz asked Ms. Rodrigues with the MSBA scenario what happens
if it does not come through, does it impact the capacity within the levy. Ms. Rodrigues stated if it does not come through, the next plan
would be to use exclusions. Ms. Luz asked if all deadlines are made, will the funding be given. Ms. Rodrigues stated there will be a
vote on the project. Ms. Sarro asked why there is an override rather than a debt exclusion. Ms. Rodrigues stated they are the same
thing, in this case, the words are being used interchangeably.
FY23 Town Manager’s Budget
Ms. Rodrigues, Lyne Savage, William Mitchell, Andrew Shapiro, Chief Gray and Laurie Burzlaff were present at the meeting. Ms.
Rodrigues gave presentation on FY23 Town Manager’s Recommended Budget. Ms. Rodrigues stated FY24 will be another good year.
Mr. O’Connell asked why. Ms. Rodrigues stated there are permits pending that will be finalized in FY24 as well as accepting, as a
community, a local option that captures growth on portions of businesses. Mr. O’Connell asked Ms. Rodrigues when 10% affordable
housing threshold will be achieved. Ms. Rodrigues stated if/when Royal Crest zoning passes at Town Meeting North Andover would
get to 10.5% as well as inclusionary zoning being considered at Town Meeting. Ms. Sarro asked if there is a metric that the state offers
as a guide to number of police officers per square mile. Ms. Rodrigues stated no. Ms. Pastor asked if there is a reason why there are no
police captains. Ms. Rodrigues stated will be looking into it going forward in the five-year staffing plan. Ms. Kean asked what was the
number of police to be hired in the upcoming fiscal year. Miss Rodriguez stated 4. Mr. Silk asked how the number of additional police
officers was determined. Ms. Rodrigues stated it is what the town can afford at this time.
DISCUSSION WITH SUPERINTNDENT AND ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT
Dr. Greg Gilligan and Dr. James Mealey were present at the meeting and gave a presentation on the FY23 School Budget. Ms. Stetson
asked what the rate of student populous that is out of district and has changed since COVID. Dr. Mealey stated he has not seen much
of impact in out of district from COVID. Dr. Mealey stated he has seen, over the last five years, the impact of adding programs in the
district and being able to seeing students be able to stay in the district. Ms. Kean asked Dr. Mealey what ESSER funding is. Dr.
Mealey stated ESSER funds are the federal grants provided to deal with pandemic. Dr. Mealey stated ESSER III funding is now being
used more for recovery positions. Ms. Luz asked if it is money that has to be spent this year. Dr. Mealey stated there is budgeting for a
portion of its use for this year. Mr. O’Connell asked about the ESSER III funding referred to as $1,040,000. Dr. Mealey stated it is
covering extra hours and things that allow to help to keep the school running. Ms. Kean asked if it is grant funding. Dr. Mealey stated
yes, it is three years of grant funding. Ms. Luz asked if all recovery positions will stay on in FY24. Dr. Mealey stated some positions
will remain. Ms. Luz asked if the recovery positions that are being added will remain for future years. Dr. Mealey stated some of the
positions will remain and some will be replaced by other necessary positions as indicated in the presentation. Ms. Kean asked about
level services for FY22 that were added for the new schedule. Dr. Gilligan stated when the new schedule was added, the five positions
were in addition. Ms. Sarro asked if to keep the same services in FY23, is it $1.2 million plus ESSER funding. Dr. Mealey stated
combined with, yes. Ms. Kean asked about free cash. Ms. Rodrigues stated the school used all free cash for their services.
DISCUSSION ON FINANCE COMMITTEE POLICIES AND RULES OF PROCUDURES
MOTION: Mr. Silk made a MOTION, seconded by Ms. Pastor to accept the Finance Committee Policies and Rules of Procedures as
written. Motion approved 7-0.
DISCUSSION ON WARRANT LETTER DRAFT
Mr. O’Connell stated each member will be responsible for a write up on their given topic in the warrant letter. This will be discussed
and assigned at next meeting.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM JANUARY 25, 2022
MOTION: Mr. Silk made a MOTION, seconded by Ms. Sarro to approve the minutes of January 25, 2022 as presented. Motion
approved 7-0.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: Mr. Silk made a MOTION, seconded by Ms. Luz to adjourn the Finance Committee meeting at 8:47 PM. Motion approved
7-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Jillian A. Brothers
Executive Assistant