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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFCMeetingMinutes_12.09.02 APPROVED FINANCE COMMITTEE MINUTES December 9,2002 Meeting ATTENDANCE: The following members were present: Jack Watkins,Chairman,Paul Stewart, Steve Dawe,Keith Mitchell,Melinda Coppa,Paula Porten,and Mike Batsimm. Also present were Chuck Benevento, Finance Director, and six North Andover residents. CALL TO ORDER: Jack called the meeting to order at 6:06 PM. OLD BUSINESS Jack noted that the purpose of this meeting is to vote on the Warrant Articles 15, 16 and 17. The group began discussions beginning with Article 15. Article 15: Land Acquisition--Great Pond Road Adjacent to Water Treatment Plant(Water Enterprise Fund): To see if the Town will authorize the Board of Selectmen to acquire by gift,purchase or eminent domain approximately 53,250 square feet of land adjacent to the North Andover Water Treatment Plant located on Great Pond Road and more fully described on a plan on file with the Town Clerk's Office labeled"Site Plan, Figure 1,North Andover Water Treatment Plant prepared by Weston& Sampson Engineers, Incorporated dated October 2001,and to award damages in an amount not to exceed$30,000 for said eminent domain taking and, furthermore, said$30,000 be raised and appropriated from the Water Enterprise Fund; or take any other action relative thereto. Jack said Article 15 is.moot because the Board of Selectmen voted unanimously to recommend unfavorable action. Steve asked about the reason for unfavorable action on the Article. Keith said it concerns the possibility of litigation due to the unreasonably low offer of$30,000 for the property. Paul suggested that the Finance Committee vote on the Article since it falls under FinCom responsibilities. He then made a MOTION to recommend unfavorable action on Article 15. Mike seconded and it passed 6 to I in favor with Steve Dawe abstaining. The group agreed that Article 16 does not require a vote by the Finance Committee because it does not deal with appropriation of funds. The group then began discussions on Article 17. Article 17: Acce tance of Massachusetts General Laws Cha ter 40 Section 22F—Setting of License Fees and Services Charles: To see if the Town will vote to adopt Massachusetts General Law Chapter 40, Section 22F, "License Fee--Services Charges"; or take any other action relative thereto. Jack distributed a document listing favorable versus unfavorable comments he received from various sources. He read the points and counterpoints to the group. Melinda voiced her concerns with empowering the Selectmen or an appointed board to set fees for town services. She would rather see these issues addressed by voters at Town Meeting. Her objection is that should an elected group or board set fees,the citizens would be forced to gather the 200 signatures to request a Special Town Meeting in order to change those fees. As an example, she noted that the Board of Health is an appointed board. As such, if the trash plant closed in 2005,the board could set astronomical fees for trash disposal without the input of the electorate.The School Committee is an elected board and already has the right to set fees. Paul said a yes vote gives the Selectmen the right to set fees if they want to. He also said a favorable vote reaffirms the confidence in the Selectmen to make good decisions; an unfavorable vote is a"no confidence"vote. Paul MOVED to recommend favorable action on Article 17 and Keith seconded. Steve noted that the possibility of setting fees raises the awareness of the entire community. If the Article passes, it would be a major issue for Selectmen when they campaign for elections. rack said that the process of setting fees still falls back on the Board of Selectmen. Keith noted that under this particular statute, appointed boards have power to set fees but that elected officials(BOS)have the final say. Michelle Nadeau noted that residents could voice their opinions at BOS meetings. If there is disagreement,residents can then request a town meeting to solve the issue. Paula said that the School Committee has set fees for sports,etc. A resident then stated that she did not want to go to town meeting every time there is controversy. Mark Rees, Town Manager,then entered the room. Steve asked Chuck Benevento,Finance Director and Mark Rees about the budgeted$1.9 M trash pick-up costs. Chuck said that is just about what comes out of the budget. Selectman Jim Xenakis joined the meeting at this time. He noted that the BOS approved a motion to place an article on the March 4,2003 ballot; an informational,non-binding question regarding the implementation or acceptance of Massachusetts General Law Chapter 40, Section 22F. Michelle Nadeau then noted that the Town could raise money through fees; Andover just raised fees and or permits on cemetery plots,parking meters,cell towers, etc.Yet,the biggest area for a fee would be trash. It was stated that cell towers are not fee based. After a question from the floor, a resident then told the group that 50% of the state's municipalities charge fees for trash pick-up. Most communities charge per bag of trash. Jack then reiterated the MOTION made earlier by Paul to recommend favorable action on Article 17, seconded by Keith_ The group approved the MOTION 5 to 2 with Melinda and Paula opposed. Paul than said he gathered new information concerning the budget and, because of this information, asked the group to reconsider its vote(from the FinCom meeting held November 21) on Articles 2 and 3. He distributed a spreadsheet detailing the budget and explained the reason for reversing the vote. Paul then MOVED to ask the FinCom to reconsider their votes on Articles 2 and 3. There was no second. The next meeting is set for Thursday,January 9(subsequently changed to January 16). The Finance Committee then left to attend the Town Meeting. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business,the Finance Committee was adjourned by unanimous vote at the conclusion of the Town Meeting.