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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-03-20 Finance Committee Minutes Finance Committee Minutes of March 20, 2023 Present: Vice Chair Christine Allen, Nancy Sarro (remote), Brianna Stetson, Keith Cheney, Regina Kean (remote), Ken Gray Not Present: Present Non-Member: Finance Director Lyne Savage Ms. Allen called the meeting to order at 7:00PM. The open session meeting was recorded in person with two remote members in the Select Board Room at North Andover Town Hall 120 Main Street North Andover. PUBLIC COMMENT None COMMUNITY PRESERVATION COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS Brian Roache, Chair of Community Preservation Committee and Tim Tschirhart, member of Community Preservation recommendations. Ms. Allen asked if there is a particular project for the Historical Preservation and Affordable Housing. Mr. Roche stated Affordable Housing has a kitchen and bathroom renovation that have been delayed. Mr. Roache will look into Historical Preservation to find out what that project is. Mr. Gray asked what the state match is. Mr. Roche stated it is a percentage of the receipts at the state level. Ms. Keene asked about if the parking is still being considered at the Library. Stan Lampert of 43 Stonecleve Road, Trustee of Stevens Memorial Library, stated that parking is still on the list, but it is not part of the CPC request. Ms. Allen asked how the restoration of the boundary wall will take place and what is the purpose. Mr. Roche stated it is mainly for aesthetics. Ms. Kean asked where the location of the wall is. Mr. Roche stated it can be viewed from within the cemetery. FY24 SCHOOL DEPARTMENT BUDGET Dr. James Mealey and Dr. Gregg Gilligan were present at the meeting to present the FY 24 School Budget. Mr. Cheney asked what is referred to as Recovery Services. Dr. Mealey explained services of funding that come came in during the pandemic. Ms. Kean explained Recovery Services are social emotional learning, reading, specialists, and administrative support. Ms. Kean asked what the trend is for out of district placements. Dr. Gilligan stated it is lower than it has been previously. Dr. Gilligan stated it has been there has been more effort put into professional development and staffing to service as many North Andover children as possible. Ms. Stetson asked if out of district students are going to other public schools. Dr. Mealey stated no it is to other private schools or collaborative schools. Dr. Gilligan spoke about TOPS school which has been created for students ages 18 to 22. Mr. Gray asked if overall enrollment has stabilized. Dr. Gilligan stated it is about 4600 which is a little lower than usual but overall down about 100 students. Mr. Cheney asked if the pressure points are in the 5.5% increase. Dr. Mealey stated yes. Ms. Sarro asked if overtime the services for recovery services will eventually be unneeded. Dr. Gilligan stated many of the positions in the recovery services were in the plan and it has been expedited due to available funds by Recovery Services. Ms. Allen stated the concern with the inequality that each school parent organization reads as an example with the Library and books. Dr. Gilligan stated there is the ability to add librarians and books for all schools through the operating budget. Ms. Kean mentioned the importance of identifying the most important aspects that can be possibly be funded through operating fund rather than relying on PTO funding. Dr. Mealey stated there is a sensitivity in inequalities and they try to mitigate and make sure other schools are caught up as well through grants and funding that is being received. Ms. Allen asked if there are any issues with the warrant letter. Ms. Allen mentioned a discussion to possibly having a Community Preservation section in the warrant letter APPROVAL OF OPEN SESSION MINUTES FROM MARCH 6, 2023 MOTION: Mr. Cheney made a MOTION, seconded by Ms. Stetson, to approve the Finance Committee open session meeting minutes of March 6, 2023. Roll Call Vote: Stetson: yes; Cheney: yes; Gray: yes; Kean: yes; Sarro: yes; Allen: yes. Motion approved 5-0. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Mr. Gray made a MOTION, seconded by Mr. Cheney, to adjourn the Finance Committee meeting at 8:45 PM. Roll Call Vote: Stetson: yes; Cheney: yes; Gray: yes; Kean: yes; Sarro: yes; Allen: yes. Motion approved 5-0. Respectfully submitted, Jillian A. Brothers Executive Assistant Documents used at meeting: Presentation from Community Preservation Committee Presentation from School Department Minutes