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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFCMeetingMinutes_03.15.16 TOWN OF NORTH ANDOVER FINANCE COMMITTEE Meeting Minutes Meeting Date March 15, 2016 Meeting Location: North Andover CAM (located at High School). Bill Callahan, BC Chairman X Susan Almono, SA Donald Elliot, DE Vice Chair Timothy Tschirhart, TT Karin Blake, KB X Liz Gerron, LG Thomas Ringler, TR X Angela Ciofolo, AC X Chris Nobile, CN X Jennifer Goldman, JG X Ray Santilli (Santilli). Assistant Town Manager Erik Kfoury (Kfoury), Director of Community and Economic Development Jennifer Hughes (Hughes), Conservation Administrator Joanna Ouellette (Ouellette), Director of Stevens Estates 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. Call to order 6:47 Budget Community Development Division, Director Eric Kfoury ( and supporting staff) Conservation Department Jennifer Hughes, Conservation Administrator Discussion starts on or about 6:49/00:00:10 on video time (Pages 132-135 of the Budget Book) The Finance Committee went around the table and introduced themselves to Hughes and Ouellette. Hughes: Stated that our budget is consistent from year to year. This year we added a bit in the stormwater permitting, expecting the new EPA MS4 permit to come out. We budget for things that will increase, for example workshops that are attended by the staff and Commission. Santilli: Suggested that Hughes should explain an overview on what Conservation does. Hughes: Commented that they are responsible for permitting under the Wetlands Protection Act and local Bylaws and also manage all of 1 March 15, 2016 KB: Can you think what the likely sources of revenue might be in your department? Hughes: Responded that we collect permit fees, and that funds our full time Field Inspector that works in our Conservation Department. Hughes then spoke of the state fees for filing that the town gets. The town gets ½ of that State Fee plus $12.50, as well as local bylaw fees, and those all go into our permit account fee. The Finance Committee asked questions to Hughes of the hay on ½ Mile Hill, Open Spaces and Grants. Hughes: Stated that this year she intends to go for a Horse Management Grant. Grants are something that you need to reapply for each year. In order to get a grant there is intensive reporting that goes into it, but other departments do help, it is a concerted effort from some of the departments (one being the DPW). TR: Asked if Hughes could explain wetlands to him. He stated that he does have some wetlands a few houses down where he lives on Coventry Lane. Hughes: stated first you have your obvious wetlands where wetlands carrying water, are in a confined area. Then she spoke of bordering vegetative wetlands. Hughes: Stated bordering vegetative wetlands are a bit more complicated. Hughes spoke of hydrology and how sometimes things are wet seasonably in the year, ground water, surface water, wetlands, plants, soil, and hydrology and how this all relates to bordering vegetative wetlands. BC: Asked Hughes is your department moving towards online permitting. Hughes: Responded that they do get their filings electronically (we try and eliminate the need for paper copies). We will not be part of the online filing, but we do as much as the state will allow us to do. KB: asked Hughes if it is too early to ask for a copy of the Open Space Plan that was submitted to the State today. Hughes: responded, yes we can get you a copy. I will make sure I give it to AC. Santilli: we may mark it as BC: Thanked Hughes. 2. Stevens Estate- Joanna Ouellette, Director Discussion starts on or about 7:13/00:25:00 on video time (Pages 210-212 of the Budget Book) Kfoury: stated that Ouellette started working at Stevens Estate as a director in June. Ouellette: I believe that the last 3 years have been good for the Stevens Estate. In 2015 we had 35 weddings and this year we have 52 weddings booked. We are looking into being a focal point in the community, when it comes to venues. We want to be the venue for local organizations and clubs as well as weddings. Ouellette: She spoke of bathroom renovations, new fixtures and the bathroom updates. Ouellette: This past December we had an open house and we planned on 200 people, 500 showed up. It was a great turnout. Most of the advertisement was done by social media, and word of mouth. Ouellette: spoke of her experience in the Hospitality field, such as working in hotels, catering, and venue events. Ouellette also worked on cruise lines, and had marketing experience. 2 March 15, 2016 Santilli: Stated the old way we would have to get a one day liquor license, now we have a liquor license at the cost of $3,500 a year, for Stevens Estate. The Finance Committee and Santilli discussed the Stevens Enterprise Fund Budget located on page 212 of the Budget Book. (7:21/00:33:26 on video time). Santilli; stated that you have so many dates that you can fill at the estate. We have restrictions because of space. This time of year we do not have the facility to accommodate many (100 is tight), we have restrictions. In the summer it is different we can have a tent. So we can accommodate more in the st summer, the tent goes up May 1 and comes down sometime in October. Santilli: spoke of the estate and how they made it airtight, with brick work, new windows and a new roof. These improvements have resulted in heating and utility savings. Santilli: Commented that one of the reasons we are doing the renovations on the bathrooms are for overnight stays. Kfoury: Ouellette is running the Estate as much of a business as she can, but there are constraints on budgeting and it is challenging. BC: Thank you very much Budget Community Development Division, Director Eric Kfoury Discussion starts on or about 7:45/00:58:42 on video time JG: Asked Kfoury questions regarding the Master Plan, attracting businesses to North Andover, and also of the FY 17 Goals in the Budget Book, located on Page 137, and these questions created a discussion. Kfoury: Certainly our focus is revisiting, updating and revising our Master Plan. It is aged out a bit. Kfoury Commented on the Zoning Bylaws and how it can be a bit confusing and needs some work. Kfoury: spoke of the Route 125 Corridor that starts on Sutton Street all the way up to Haverhill. Kfoury: Advancing the route 125 corridor is part of the plan. Kfoury spoke of attracting businesses. CN: You drive around this town and see all the signs for commercial property, who do we need to bring to the table to have this discussion regarding the Master Plan? Kfoury: Responded that we need to bring in professional resources, in order for them to get a sense of direction, it is a process. Kfoury: Spoke of Planning Board and how any proposals will be in their domain. Santilli: Consultants facilitate the process and may offer suggestions; it is the Town of North Andover that will decide what it wants. CN: Whose domain is it to choose a consultant? Santilli: Spoke of the process, it is called an RFP. We put together a scope of services, qualifications, evaluative criteria, and minimum criteria that must be met. It gets scored by 3-5 individuals and we choose from one of the top 3 firms. We interview the top 3 firms and make a decision and ask them to submit a price proposal and execute a contract. BC: thank you for coming Eric and Ray 3 March 15, 2016 B. Approval of Minutes Discussion starts on or about 8:14/01:31:12 on video time March 3rd, 2016 JG: Made a motion to approve the minutes KB: Second the motion All in favor th March 8, 2016 KB: Made a motion to approve TR: Second the motion All in favor Discussion starts on or about 8:19/00:01:32:12 on video time The Finance committee discussed the FY16 Operating Budget Report (submitted to the Finance to the Committee) and also the North Andover Financial Comparison that BC created and submitted Finance Committee. F. Adjourn 8:34 KB: Made a motion to adjourn JG: Second the motion All in favor Document Table SUBJECT FROM TO rdth * 1 Finance Committee Minutes March 3 and 8 AC Fincom ** 2 Book Maylor Fincom *** 3 FY16 Operating Budget Santilli Fincom *** 4 Schedule for Finance Committee Letter BC Fincom *** 5 North Andover Financial Comparison BC Fincom with appropriate date ** Budget Book is located in the DropBox th *** March 15 Packets Note all videos of meetings can be reviewed on the Home page of the North Andover Website Directions: 1. 2. Click on Check Schedule 3. Click on the appropriate date of meeting on the calendar 4. Click on Finance Committee ( in middle under calendar) 5. Click on Streaming Video (on right) 6. Video should appear 4 March 15, 2016