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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-01-13 Finance Committee Minutes di of IL" Cam" i ittee, y Chu� � ®'° �",� �� a �11 ICI It"es�, I���� ���1�, : ���u��WWW� lllllll'ih6ioi'iii�ltll?! �t�dlt�I i1'll` IIII l°jli,°hill l i Call To Order: Mr. O'Connell called the meeting to order at 7:01 PM. The open session meeting took place in the Select Board Meeting Room at Town Hall on 120 Main Street. Presento,Chair Denevan O'Connell, Vice Chair Christine Allen, Regina Kean, Eva Pastor, Nancy Sarro, Brianna Stetson, Keith Chaney, Dustin Silk, and Jeanne Irwin. PUBLIC COMMENT Tony Delmonico of Amesbury expressed his concerns regarding the schools budget and stated the hope is that they can come to some resolution. Jeff Arciero of 93 Wintergreen Drive expressed his concerns regarding the schools budget and stated that the deficit may not be from frivolous spending but from the budgeting process itself. Nadia Chinchilla Marto of 64 White Birch Lane discussed why her family chose North Andover and the school system for their daughter's education. Ms. Chinchilla expressed her concern with eliminating the Kittredge School due to the deficit. INTRODUCTION OF NEW MEMBER Mr. O'Connell introduced Jeanne Irwin as the new member of the Finance Committee. Ms. Irwin stated she has been working throughout the schools for 24 years in different capacities. Mr. O'Connell stated Ms. Irwin's background is impressive, and she will be able to help in regard to what they are currently facing as a committee. CAPITAL PLAN Town Manager, Melissa Murphy-Rodrigues and Finance Director Dennis Keohane were present. Mr. O'Connell stated the Capital Plan was presented at the Tri-Board Meeting but asked for them to review it again with the Committee. Ms. Murphy-Rodrigues stated they present a five year Capital Plan but that the next fiscal year is only shown at Town Meeting. Ms. Murphy-Rodrigues discussed the FY26 infrastructure projects. Mr. Chaney asked about preventative maintenance to asphalt whether it be parking lots or sidewalks;is there a reason they still do not do any. Ms. Murphy-Rodrigues stated they do, do some;a lot of it is through the operating budget. Ms. Murphy-Rodrigues stated she can connect Mr. Chaney to the DPW to discuss further. Ms. Murphy-Rodrigues discussed the FY26 building projects. Ms. Murphy-Rodrigues discussed the FY26 equipment projects. Mr. O'Connell asked if Ms. Murphy-Rodrigues could discuss the new textbook adoption. Ms. Murphy-Rodrigues stated Ms. Lathrop provided her with grades 6-8 but there are programs for others as well;it is the cost for new English language arts and mathematics textbooks and instructional materials. Ms. Murphy-Rodrigues discussed the sewer rate study. Ms. Murphy-Rodrigues discussed the FY26 funding plan. Ms. Murphy-Rodrigues stated over the next five years, they anticipate seeing an increase in cost for water and sewer. Mr. O'Connell asked if Ms. Murphy-Rodrigues could discuss the funding reserve for capital. Ms. Murphy-Rodrigues stated what they have been doing as a policy is that because they have so many projects moving forward, they have been capturing the debt into the capital fund as it comes off; continuing to use it as capital then pulling it over to di ilnia,*',J IL" Cam" i ittee, y Chu� � ®'° �",� �� a �11 ICI It"es�, I���� ���1�, : ���u��WWW� lllllll'ih6ioi'iii�ltll?! �t�dlt�I i1'll` IIII l°jli,°hill l i pay for the debt as the debt comes on so tax payers will not see spikes in their bills. Ms. Murphy-Rodrigues stated they will be increasing the request for the fields by$60,000. MOTION: Ms. Kean motioned to give a favorable recommendation to the FY26 Capital Improvement Plan. Ms. Allen seconded. Motion approved 9-0. DISCUSS COMMITTEE'S POLICIES AND PROCEDURES Mr. O'Connell stated every year they review this document to make improvements. Mr. O'Connell stated that given that there have been some changes within laws and regulations, it would be a good idea to do a comprehensive review of them. Mr. O'Connell volunteered to collaborate with the Town Counsel, the Town Manager, and the Town to ensure the document is up-to-date with current laws and regulations. Mr. O'Connell stated once completed, he will bring it back to the Committee for review and discussion before voting to approve it. UPDATE FROM REVENUE AND FIXED COST COMMITTEE Mr. O'Connell stated the Revenue and Fixed Cost Committee has not had to meet since the Tri-Board Meeting. Mr. O'Connell stated he does not believe there is a need for them to meet again. Mr. O'Connell stated there have been no changes at all. FOLLOW-UP DISCUSSION FROM TRI-BOARD MEETING/TOPICS FOR UPCOMING MEETINGS Mr. O'Connell stated they will discuss the budget once it is transmitted to them. Mr. O'Connell asked the Committee members if there was anything they could think of that should be added to the upcoming agendas. Ms. Kean stated possibly discussing what the other options are and their impact if someone does not like the proposed budget. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM NOVEMBER 12, 2024 & DECEMBER 16, 2024 Ms. Sarro asked for a change of wording on the first page and to give a brief explanation of what the difference is between a deficit and shortfall on the November 12, 2024 meeting minutes. MOTION:Ms. Kean motioned to approve the Open Session minutes of November 12, 2024 with the corrections. Ms.Allen seconded. Motion approved 9-0. MOTION:Ms. Allen motioned to approve the Open Session minutes of December 16, 2024 as presented. Mr. Chaney seconded. Motion approved 9-0. Mr. O'Connell stated he would like to move the next meeting (February 3, 2025)to another date. Mr. O'Connell stated he would like to push the meeting out a week to ten days so they can have the school's budget information prior to their next meeting. di F, ilnia,*,,J IL" Cam" i ittee, y Chs 11 � a lllllll'ih6ioi'iii�ltll?! �t�dlt�I i1'll` IIII l°jli,°hill l i ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Ms. Allen made a MOTION, seconded by Ms. Kean to adjourn the Finance Committee meeting at 7:46PM. Motion approved 9-0. Respectfully submitted. Nicole Civitarese Executive Assistant Documents used at meetina Capital Improvement Plan Minutes from November 12, 2024 & December 16, 2024