Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-04-22 Finance Committee Minutes 4 • • Finapice Committee Meeting Minutes ol`Ap ril 22, 20 Call To Order: Ms. Allen called the meeting to order at 7:OOPM. The open session meeting took place in the Select Board Meeting Room at Town Hall on 120 Main Street. Present: Vice Chair Christine Allen, Regina Kean, Brianna Stetson, Keith Chaney, Jeanne Irwin and Dustin Silk. Not Present: Chair Denevan O'Connell, Nancy Sarro and Eva Pastor PUBLIC COMMENT Timothy Tschirhart of 283 Campbell Road expressed how well done the Finance Committee report was. Shannon Gately of 40 Phillips Court expressed her frustration and disappointment in the lack of accountability, inaccuracies of facts, and insinuations made at the last meeting. NEW BUSINESS Vote on revision to Financial Reserve Policy MOTION:Ms. Kean motioned to approve the revisions to the Financial Reserve policy as presented. Mr. Chaney seconded. Motion approved 6-0. Vote on Community Preservation Committee Article -Article 9 Timothy Tschirhart was present. Mr. Chaney asked Mr. Tschirhart to speak more about the oversight of how funds are used. Mr. Tschirhart stated they utilize the Town. Mr. Tschirhart stated the invoice needs to be properly documented, they would receive proof that the work was completed, and then it goes to Bill Callahan for approval. Mr. Chaney asked regarding the bid process, how are these bids awarded. Mr. Tschirhart stated the bids have to follow the same rules of municipality. Mr. Chaney asked if they follow generally accepted guidelines as it relates to awarding the bids. Mr. Tschirhart stated yes. Mr. Chaney asked once awarded, are they making sure that they are managing the invoices and the speed of which the project is done. Mr. Tschirhart stated as long as they stay within the budget, there can be as many change orders, but they cannot exceed the budget. Mr. Tschirhart stated Bill Callahan has requested AIA standards. Ms. Irwin asked in regards to the cemetery project, is the tomb restoration the part that is not able to be bid on because it is too highly specialized. Mr. Tschirhart stated yes. Ms. Irwin asked if it was documented with the inspector general's office. Mr. Tschirhart stated it is through the town. Ms. Irwin asked if it was a grant that was paying for this. Ms. Allen stated the Community Preservation funds come from taxes that go into this account. Ms. Irwin asked who evaluates the projects. Mr. Tschirhart stated the Committee evaluates and assesses them. Ms. Irwin asked if any of the other projects were approved or proposed for less than what their actual anticipated costs. Mr. Tschirhart stated there may be, but the most they are going to give is based on the quotes that they provided. Ms. Stetson stated under the burial ground tomb restoration, there is a stipulation that the applicant must receive multiple bids. Ms. Kean asked if they had discussed the application process for the historical home repair project. Mr. Tschirhart stated yes. Ms. Kean asked what they were envisioning for the application process. Mr. Tschirhart stated it will include information on the person's income. Mr. Tschirhart stated they have asked the Historic Commission to actually create those guidelines. Ms. Allen asked Ms. Kean if she felt more 4 • • Finapice Committee Meeting Minutes ol`Ap rit 22, 20 comfortable if they had a document prior to voting this through. Ms. Kean stated even with that she does not know if she is supportive of this. Ms. Kean stated this is not benefitting all of North Andover. Mr. Tschirhart stated historical homes are not necessarily owned by people who can afford to rehab them. Mr. Tschirhart stated the historic plan document talks about houses that have historic nature that become deteriorated due to there being no money for the homeowners to help fix them. Ms. Kean asked where the other historic properties are. Mr. Tschirhart stated around the mills and anything that would be dated before 1940. Mr. Tschirhart asked if there was a better document of the money eligibility and how the money was supposed to be spent, would they feel more comfortable. Ms. Kean stated yes. Ms. Stetson asked if there were major differences between the Springfield and Cambridge applications. Mr. Tschirhart stated it is based on income level and cost of materials not labor. Ms. Kean stated the stipulation should also state exterior maintenance. Ms. Kean suggested a stipulation of a combination between the Historical Commission and the Affordable Housing Trust. Ms. Irwin asked if the funds that are appropriated are not used where does it go. Mr. Tschirhart stated they have a closeout procedure and that money goes back into the Community Preservation pool. Ms. Irwin asked regarding the Historical project or the Affordable Housing project, do they already have projects in queue. Mr. Tschirhart stated no. Ms. Irwin asked if this would be it for FY26. Ms.Allen stated yes. Ms. Allen discussed the importance of the second burial ground restoration project. MOTION:Ms. Kean motioned to recommend FAVORABLE ACTION on all CPC proposed projects with the exception of the historical home repair project. Mr. Chaney seconded. Motion approved 6-0. Vote on Transfer to Special Education Stabilization (CP)Article -Article 28 Ms. Kean explained the Special Education Stabilization fund. MOTION:Ms. Kean motioned to recommend UNFAVORABLE ACTION on Article 28. Mr. Chaney seconded. Motion approved 6-0. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM APRIL 7, 202 TABLED ADJOURNMENT MOTION:Ms. Kean made a MOTION, seconded by Mr. Chaney to adjourn the Finance Committee meeting at 8:04PM. Motion approved 6-0. Respectfully submitted. Nicole Civitarese Executive Assistant 4 • • Finapice Committee Meeting Minutes ol`Ap rit 22, 20 Documents used at meeting CPC Recommendations Policy Presentation Minutes from April 7, 2025