HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-03-20 Finance Committee Minutes
Finance Committee
Meeting Minutes of March 20, 2024
Present:
Vice Chair Christine Allen, Brianna Stetson, Nancy Sarro, Regina Kean, Dustin Silk, Ken Gray and Eva Pastor
Not Present: Keith Chaney
Present Non-Member:
Finance Director Lyne Savage
Ms. Allen called the meeting to order at 7:00pm. The open session meeting took place at Select Board Room at Town
Hall 120 Main Street.
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Ms. Allen stated that next meting was originally scheduled for Tuesday March 25 but it is Town Election Day so this
meeting will be rescheduled and an email with be sent out with the new date.
Public Comment
None.
Discussion of Shared Services with Finance Director Lyne Savage (out of order)
Ms. Savage explained the Department of Shared Services which are services shared by the municipal and school. Shared
Services consist of the Audit, Purchasing, IT and Facilities. The changes that are happening this year is that moving all of
the utilities and facility maintenance into Facilities budget and into Shared Services, which is why there is a big increase.
Ms. Savage explained that will be a cost saving since it will all be pulled together. Ms. Allen asked about IT if it is all
shared with school or just a portion. Ms. Savage mentioned there are 3 to 4 employees that are dedicated only to the
School Department.
Ms. Allen asked about the equipment technology and if the equipment technology was replaced and has been moved to
Shared Services. Ms. Savage stated a portion of the Town expense pays for some network and software of the School. Ms.
Allen asked if there has been a difference in heating fuel since it has been bundled. Ms. Savage stated we will not see
anything until after this year since it is just started to be budgeting together. Ms. Kean asked if the utility and heating will
not be in the School budget but will be in Facility budget. Ms. Savage stated yes. Ms. Allen stated there has been $1.6
million dollars that have been moved to Shared Services. Ms. Stetson asked if the printer that does the translation comes
from Shared Services budget. Ms. Savage stated it comes out of the IT budget.
Presentation of Community Preservation Committee (CPC) with Chair Bill Callahan
Bill Callahan, the chair of CPC, was present at the meeting and gave a presentation of the FY25 CPC Funding
Recommendations:
CPC Finances
Total Fund Balance $17,331
Appropriations
Encumbrances
Open Space $6,728
Historic Preservation $2,271
Affordable Housing $1,368
Undesignated $6,964
Projected Revenue FY25
State Revenue $600
Interest Income $300
CPA Surcharge FY25 $2,200
State Trust Fund FY25 $650
Total Available July 31 $10,714
Project Amount
Housing Authority
Generators $75
14-16 Brown Ct -
Affordable Housing $500
1836 Meeting House $480
Stevens Estate Stables $150
RecPlex *bonded
Bandstand $210
Patriots Park $21
Lake Cochichewick Access $983
Total $2,419
Projects not recommended
-Library North Lawn $763 Applicant asked to reduce scope and re-apply; CPC felt amount excessive
-Historic Bell $30 No history on bell; project asks for funds to create a structure to house the bell which
is not allowable under CPA laws
-Digitization of North Andover Citizen $14 Not an allowable use of CPC funds per Mass DOR
Mr. Gray asked if there was a dollar figure not to exceed. Mr. Callahan stated $2.5 million is what they have all agreed to
not exceed. Ms. Allen asked about the Rec Plex and asked if the Town Manager felt comfortable with the 10 years. Mr.
Callahan stated yes. Mr. Gray asked about who will the Rec Plex accommodate. Ms. Allen stated it is for everyone,
walking paths, softball fields all from young children to senior citizens the Rec Plex will accommodate. Ms. Sarro asked
about the pending lawsuit. Mr. Callahan stated there is one remaining in litigation.
Mr. Callahan mentioned one additional project which is the North Andover Bandstand which will be the replacing the
wood with concrete, adding power to the stage and about 600 ft.². Ms. Allen mentioned it is needed to make a little larger
for bands to be safer on the stage. Ms. Kean asked about the Lake Cochichewick project if a person is responsible for
implementing it. Mr. Callahan stated no, the Town will take on the project.
Discussion of the warrant letter
Ms. Allen asked if any members had any questions regarding the warrant letter. Ms. Kean suggested adding information
about the bond rating.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: Ms. Kean made a MOTION, seconded by Ms. Stetson, to adjourn the Finance Committee meeting at 8:07PM.
Motion approved 7-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Jillian A. Brothers
Executive Assistant
Documents used at meeting:
Community Preservation Committee 2024 Projects
Finance Committee Letter
Shared Services spreadsheet