HomeMy WebLinkAboutFCMeetingMinutes_02.10.11
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TOWN OF NORTH ANDOVER
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Meeting Minutes
Meeting Date:011
10 February 2
Meeting Location: Town Hall, First Floor Meeting called to order: 6:45 PM
Conference Room
Mark Rodgers-MR, Chairman Thom Dugan-TD
X
X
Ramsey Bahrawy -RB, Vice Robert Norbedo-RN
Chairman
Ben Osgood-BO Matthew Remis-MRem
X X
Alan LeBovidge-AL Herb Cunha-HC, Minutes
X
Peter Besen-PB Pat Sifferlen, PS, Admin
X X
Bonnie Wilkinson-BW
X
Non FinCom Members in Attendance
OTHERS: -Mark Rees, MRees-Town Manager
Note: All FINCOM votes are subject to change upon receipt of new information.
Note: Documents used in this meeting are listed in Document Table, herein.
II. Previous Minutes Approved
DATE:27 Jan 2011 Minutes approved
3 Feb 2011 Minutes approved
III. New Business
AGENDA ITEM: A. Snow and Ice Update (Lyne)
Discussion: -MRees: He referred to Memo for Snow & Ice prepared L. Savage. On Page 3, exceed
by $161.4k, total expense is $901.5k FINCOM vote is required to allow DPW to
exceed budget, thus authorize overage to be payed.
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AGENDA ITEM: A. Snow and Ice Update (Lyne), continued
Discussion: Vote Taken: BO made a motion for FINCOM to authorize DPW to spend over
the snow and ice budget.
again later.
Discussion: MR asked about plan to cover overage.
MRees: He will work with L. Savage to scour the Departments to locate funds.
Seconded by TD.
Vote: Yes, unanimous, passed
AGENDA ITEM: B. Budget Update (Mark Rees)
Discussion: -MRees: He referred to the FY2012 Bu
Recommendation. He presented the Operating Budget to the BOS. Overall Revenues
are up, 1.5% versus last year $1.2M, 6.5% Department costs $1.5M. Deficit of $507K,
includes appropriate variation for snow and ice. Reference to page 6, $77.6M to
$78.8M, Town Managers recommendation. Revenue and Fixed cost received for
projects 10% State, but actual to come in at 7%. We picked up 3%. There is 20.5% for
Facility Manager and Technical (consolidated) for replacing computer equipment
expense. On Page 6 less than 1% available for Operation. Page 12, see 2.48% increase
and Page 13, see 1.5% increase. Transfer ratios are to mimic operations and school.
-MR: Asked what M. Rees will push for.
-MRees: 1/3-2/3 split, support services will impact the ratio. This will be based upon
to $775k. Page 6, Town Budget must be cut $156.7k , must cut also 5.5 positions, one
each in Library, Public Works, Elder Services and Youth and Recreation Department.
Also recommended to not be funded are the vacant Deputy Fire Chief position and a
shared police/fire part time technology position which is also not filled. Personnel
reductions will save $241k. Reference made to Page 27, Health Insurance Trust Fund.
Insurance expense includes all Town payouts for claims, and administration performed
by Blue Cross. FY10 increase of 10.17% was influenced by higher large claims.
-MR: The Governor proposes use of GIC.
-MRees: Municipal collective bargaining is for all unions in towns. Changes actually are
the same as GIC, details not known now. Any cost savings will go to employees.
Indication is that this will be up to the Administration Finance which is before the
State Legislature. BOS will review and schedule a meeting soon.
-MR: He asked about the Fire Department ladder truck as to why it takes people out
to shovel.
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Budget Update (Mark Rees), continued
AGENDA ITEM: B.
Discussion: -MRees: He will review email, regarding this topic and other questions/requests that
came as a result of the joint meeting of FINCOM and BOS with Departments and
School Committee. He stated that Department heads will submit justification
statement for each of these.
-BW: Asked how workers compensation claims compare by years as to up and down
trends.
-TD: State salt at $23 is cheaper than we are paying now. He will analyze with DPW,
Bruce, for use next year.
-MRees: Regarding IT, Matt will come back to have meeting to address questions
raised.
-BW: She wants to have a face to face meeting with IT as occurred last year resulting
in a $300k savings.
-MR: Matt needs to reach out to Department/School for their needs.
-BW: The point was raised about infrastructure versus out sourcing. Cookie cutter
approach should not be the approach.
AGENDA ITEM: C. Warrant Article Write-ups and FINCOM report
Discussion: -MRees: Mentioned adding an Article to transfer funds to stabilization.
-PB: Spoke about putting in an Article on appropriations for Municipal contracts. He
will submit and no action will be taken if no contracts are pending.
-MR: The due date for citizen petitions in the Warrant is 25 Feb. If we change By-Law,
if this refers back to the Charter, there may be a conflict. Trying to decide
requirements per Tom Erbiles, would require an article. He spoke of additional
FINCOM write-up with FINCOM opinion and to leave room for minority report.
-BO: Raised discussion about Articles, Comments and Explanation of Article.
Vote Taken: BO made a motion that FINCOM continue practice to write
unbiased explanation of Warrant Articles plus add a section which is a written
recommendation pursuant to the Town Charter. Seconded by BW.
Vote: Yes, unanimous, passed
-MR: He will send this vote to Mark Rees to be presented to the BOS.
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AGENDA ITEM: D. New Business
Discussion: -Discussion took place regarding the Budget Communications Committee and
responsibility to resolve differences among the Boards. For example, regarding Budget
from FINCOM and BOS where 2 members from each Board are on Committee.
Membership mentioned was 2 members each for School, BOS and FINCOM, yet
other individuals attend.
-TD: Mentioned that FINCOM may want to get a reading on this committee.
IV. Next Meetings
17 Feb 2011 Town Hall, 1 st Floor Conference Room
RB will run the next meeting since MR will not be attending.
V. Adjournment-
Motion: BW Yes Unanimous
Seconded: TD Time: 9:15 PM
TYPE FROM TO SUBJECT COMMENTS
ITEM #
1 Budget Report Town Manager General FY2012 General Fund, Town
2 Memo, Report Lynn Savage Town Manager Snow and Ice Account 7 Feb 2011
3 Report Town Manager General Fincom and Selectman Questions From Joint Meeting
with Depts/School
4 Petition/Article Andover Special Andover Article showing petitioner explanation
Examples Town Meeting regarding Purchase of 3 Blanchard St
ITEM # ACTION ITEM INDIVID. COMPL. STATUS
and other Articles
DATE
1-28 Completed items are shown in FINCOM Mtg C
Minutes of 4 Mar 2010 thru 28 Oct 2010 and 27 Jan
2011 for review.
30 Obtain copy of Osgood Landing sewer Budget from MR 24 Sep
Lenny Degman, Asst to Mayor of Lawrence.
32 Provide CD for New FINCOM member handbook. MR 16 Nov
33 Put on the Agenda, Minority Report and the MR 16 Nov
formation of a FINCOM Article Sub-Committee.
34 Input to Mark Rees 2 scenarios, First- 5% in 2013 and MR 3 Feb
Second-Otherwise scenario in 3 years.
DOCUMENTS PROVIDED AT MEETING
ACTION ITEMS C=Complete