HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-04-10 Finance Committee Minutes
Finance Committee
Minutes of April 10, 2023
Present:
Vice Chair Christine Allen, Nancy Sarro, Regina Kean, Ken Gray,
Brianna Stetson
Not Present:
Keith Chaney
Present Non-Member:
Finance Director Lyne Savage
called the meeting to order at 7:32PM. The open session meeting was recorded via remote.
regarding remote meetings.
VOTE ON ARTICLE 19- Report of the Community Preservation Committee-Appropriation from
Community Preservation Fund
Ma. Sarro stated she went to the site where the wall is and felt this is not a traditional New England wall, but rather a row
of stones and cannot envision how the restoration will take place. Ms. Sarro stated she is unsure about cherry picking the
projects. Ms. Allen made a motion to not support the restoration of the barn and to not support the restoration of the wall.
Ms. Kean asked to hear from the rest of the committee before moving forward with the motion. Mr. Silk asked for a
summary of the last meeting since he was not in attendance. Ms. Allen summarized information that Bill Callahan from
the Community Preservation Committee gave at the last meeting. Ms. Kean mentioned she watched the Community
Preservation Committee meeting and felt the committee relied upon what is legally allowed to be done with the funds and
less on the concerned with the public access and benefit from the project. Ms. Kean also mention the concern with public
access to the Stevens Coolidge mural that you are not allowed to access the building without paying to get in. Ms. Sarro
mentioned it would be helpful to know the criteria that is applied whether it is the use of funds or public access. Mr.
O'Connell mentioned it is what is in the best interest for North Andover.
MOTION: Ms. Allen made a MOTION, seconded by Mr. Kean, for favorable action on the following projects:
1. $86,800.00 Phase 2 of Lake Access Project (recreation)
2. $131,610.00 Parson Barnard House Restoration (historic preservation)
3. $61,600.00 Historic Artifact Preservation (historic preservation)
4. $182,754.00 Stevens Library stairs (historic preservation)
5. $30,500.00 Historic Preservation Master Plan (historic preservation)
6. $225,000.00 Second Burial Ground Restoration (historic preservation)
7. $25,000.00 Preservation of Historical Records (historic preservation)
8. $150,000.00 Stevens Estate Stables (historic preservation)
9. 10% allocation for Affordable Housing (affordable housing)
10. $515,000 Acquisition of 0 Bradford Street (open space)
11. $50,000.00 for administrative expenses
Motion
approved 8-0. Motion approved 8-0
Ms. Kean stated concern with the wall where the public does not benefit from this just the three abutters as well as
concern with other residents looking to restore their walls and where would it end for the cemetery wall. Ms. Allen stated
the funds requested are quite significant.
MOTION: Ms. Allen made a MOTION, seconded by Mr. Kean, for unfavorable action on Restoration of Boundary Wall.
Roll Call Vote: Stetson: yes; Pastor: no; Silk: yes; Gray: nono. Motion
approved 5-3.
Mr. Gray stated the Community Preservation Committee had already debated on the project so he will defer to their
recommendations. Ms. Kean stated preserving the barn will not benefit the public. Ms. Pastor reminded the committee
that an unfavorable action could make more residents feel that the Community Preservation Committee is not confident in
the decision they have made. Ms. Allen stated not in favor since the use of the barn has not been stated and it is not for
public benefits, as well as the many funds put towards the cemetery each year.
MOTION: Ms. Allen made a MOTION, seconded by Mr. Kean, for unfavorable action on Preservation of Barn at 419
Johnson St. Roll Call Vote: Stetson: yes; Pastor
no. Motion failed 4-4.
Ms. Allen reminded the committee when Stan Limpert stated that the Historical Commission did not recommend the
project but rather acknowledged that it is a historical property.
MOTION: Ms. Allen made a MOTION, seconded by Mr. Kean, for unfavorable action on Stevens Coolidge Ballroom
Motion failed 2-6.
MOTION: Ms. Sarro made a MOTION, seconded by Ms. Pastor, for favorable action on Stevens Coolidge Ballroom
Motion passed 6-2.
DISCUSSION OF WARRANT LETTER
stated there will be a few more edits. Committee members discussed various edits for the warrant letter
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: Ms. Kean made a MOTION, seconded by Ms. Allen, to adjourn the Finance Committee meeting at 8:38 PM.
Motion
approved 8-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Jillian A. Brothers
Executive Assistant