HomeMy WebLinkAboutFCMeetingMinutes_05.08.12_PublicHearing
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TOWN OF NORTH ANDOVER
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Meeting Minutes
Meeting Date:
May 8, 2012 Public Hearing
Meeting Location: Town Hall, Meeting called to order: 6:45P
Alan LeBovidge AL, Chairman Ramsey Bahrawy- RB
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Tom Dugan TD, Vice Chairman Robert Norbedo-RN
X X
Ben Osgood-BO Matthew Remis-MRem
X X
Dan Leary -DL
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Peter Besen-PB Pat Sifferlen, PS, Admin
X X
Donald Elliot DE
X
Non FinCom Members in Attendance
OTHERS: - Lyne Savage (LS) Andrew Maylor (AM), Ray Santilli (RS), Chris Allen (CA), Curt
Belivance (CB), Bruce Thibedeau (BT), Andrew Melnikas (AMN), Paul Gallagher (PG),
Stan Limpert (SL), Heather McNeil (HM)
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
AGENDA ITEM: A. Budget and CIP Overview
AL purpose of this meeting is to have the citizens of the town to ask questions about 2
the budget. Will turn it over to the Town Manager for summary and overview.
AM budget process began late in 2011 for fy13 received requests from departments
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and ranked projects Jan 27 submitted to BOS FY13 capital plan. Forwarded on Jan
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28 to Finance Committee. March 12 BOS recommended and adopted the FY13
Budget. This process followed similar methods from past particularly working with
the rfcc and finance Committee and town accountant to develop frame work Budget
based on revenue estimates. Town received and additional 577K in state aid.
Joint statement from BOS and SC was read (see attached)
AL members of the committee have no issues with the operating budget issues we
have relate to CIP 1) design work of FMP and whether we should be spending the
money now. We support building gym at Kittridge School issues seems to be cost
price has changed substantially.
2) Osgood St sewer project amount for design not funding for whole project is this
the right time to do this.
3) ESCO project is this best way to do questions were asked about the Payback period
meeting with Consultant to get a better idea of project.
AM: FMP met dozens of times to discuss proposals which will be available on the
website. Result was approved by BOS and SC. Two additional meetings were met with
impacted parties seniors and other interested parties. 200 page document that would
give a recommended option of which there are several options.
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Draft plan submitted on Jan 27 Police station dropped dramatically (from original
draft of 08/11) as it got closer to understanding the scope of the project. Kittridge
School was evolving process gym is small. Scope has changed, today looking at metal
shed building low cost construction units.
Whole plan should be looked as a 10-15 yr document that talks about our facilities.
Plan that has been presented can be funded within the capital plan; no tax overrides
reduce debt services.
st
PB 1 piece to come to Town meeting is the police station and we should emphasize
on that. Especially at one time we were going to sell it.
AM Existing police station with 6500 sq feet meets the needs of the school which
needs 6500 ft. me
requirements.
AL some of us are concerned about a building that was previous described to us as
disastrous.
AM plan notes a dollar amount does not state renovation if it is more viable to rebuild
as long as it stays within the budget could be acceptable alternative.
AL Bradstreet school for sale originally that was going to used as the senior center
AM there are 6 or 7 scenarios at the end the committee took recommended option
at a public hearing. Seniors wanted to keep their existing building and expand.
PB we keep changing what was told at Town Meeting. Police station planning was to
sell old Police Station to help pay for new one.
AM a group of neighbors got together for the possible reuse of that building. The
reuse would impact that area. To reuse as a municipal building was acceptable by
neighbors.
AL: Discussion on 125 sewer
AM 125 sewer project is a 25 % design which will give us more information on the
cost and prospects and options available to extending sewer down the 125 corridor.
Grants have been applied for but problem is there is no creditability because they are
based on estimates. Would give more flexibility on that stretch with sewer instead of
septic.
Al concern is where is the money going to come from to fund this project.?
AM 25% design will give us a reasonable cost amount. Have previously applied to
state for grant to fund this project we need professional documentation on these
grant applications for them to even be considered. Money may come from tie in fees
and cost associated with develop or assistance from the state to start economic
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AGENDA ITEM:
Discussion: Development. Some funding will also come from excess funds from another project
that came in under project. We are forced to use the excess funds on another sewer
project within the next 2 years.
AL Finally discussion on ESCO
are used to find areas where the systems we use to
use could be replace to save energy. State passed legislation for municipalities to
encourage participation in energy audits on all their buildings. Full energy audit would
look at all their systems to see if we change that system to a modern energy system to
see how long it would take for the energy savings would pay for that system. We have
contacted a company called Ameresco to look into a 4.2 million dollar in
improvements completely paid for in energy savings generated by improvements in
11+ years.
AL How do you negotiate Contract? If things break down who fixes? We need to
make sure it is a win for the town. That is why we want to have consultant to come in.
Is it cheaper to Bond or to put into contract?
AM what you see in contract are projects that we are not capable of doing. Town has
hired a consultant who is evaluating work to benefit us.
PB Have we talked to other towns who have used this co and the pros and cons.
AM the MVPC has done a reference check for us and I have no issues about calling
other towns
HM would like to address Public Hearing and Town Meeting. I would like to request
put together a Town meeting preview. Brief presentations of budgets by Town
manager , Superintendent with power points, handouts to make it easier for people to
pay attention and understand.. If you want to know what goes on in town you need to
att
preview would make it easier for more people to be informed for town meeting.
Will send information out to town boards and leaders.
AM Very interesting idea about town meeting preview. Would like to present a 5 yr
financial forecast around October. Would like to have a joint committee meeting with
the BOS, School Committee and Finance Committee.
III. New Business
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IV. Next Meetings
May 10, 2012
ITEM # ACTION ITEM INDIVID. COMPL. STATUS
DATE
TYPE FROM TO SUBJECT COMMENTS
ITEM #
1 Statement BOS/SC Fincom
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V. Adjournment-
Motion: DL Unanimous
Seconded: pb Time: 7:36
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