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Home My WebLink AboutFCMeetingMinutes_03.28.02 FINANCE COMMITTEE MINUTES March 28,2002 ATTENDANCE: Members present: Bernice Fink,Vice Chairman, Stephen Dawe;Paul Stewart;Mark Weber; Jack Watkins Members not present: Michael Garron;Keith Mitchell;Paula Porten; Also present: Finance Director Chuck Benevento;Town Moderator Charles Salisbury,Town Clerk Joyce Bradshaw, approximately 24 residents including past School Committee member Diane Huster CALL TO ORDER: Bernice Fink called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: -No Minutes were approved. PUBLIC COMMENTS Town Moderator Charles Salisbury,explained the role of the Finance Committee to Town residents. Vice Chairman Bernice Fink agreed to deviate from the scheduled agenda and have a question and answer period between the audience and the Finance Committee members. The committee answered several questions on various topics,however, due to time constraints,they agreed to discuss and answer questions on the following topics at next week's Public Hearing. • Payment in lieu of taxes revenue increase • .Auto excise budgeted flat vs. 11%increase in sales • Discussion on Free Cash • Capital budget projects and how they are funded • Overrides blamed on school expenses when large part of budget problem is related to soaring medical costs. OLD BUSINESS Capital Budget Discussion Bernice Fink read a letter dated February 15,2002,from School Superintendent William Allen recommending the following changes in the FY2003-2007 Capital Improvement Plan: • Eliminate feasibility study for elementary school 1 and substitute$2,267,133 for architectural design and plans for a new elementary school at Foster Farm. • Remove the repaving project and replace with$139,820 for technology new/replacement hardware,Bradstreet, Special Education/technology. • Eliminate$1 million for the relocation of the central office. (The intention is to rent space for the superintendent's office.) The discussion also included: • Additional$2.5 million for Town Hall Renovation • Police Facility increase from$733,000 to$1.33 million • Public Safety Technology—Amount to be clarified • Roadway improvements Town Manager's Operating Budget Discussion Updates to the Town Manager's Operating Budget include: • $7,000 added for Sealer of Weights and Measures. Local revenues will be increased to balance budget • $5,000 added back into the Library budget in order to be able to receive approximately$32,000 from the State. Local revenues will be increased to balance budget • $3,600 added for animal inspector. Local revenues will be increased to balance budget. Budget Calendar Joyce Bradshaw reinforced deadline dates for the Warrant: April 10—good draft;April 11—final review;and April 12 camera ready. Same format as last year is to be used. Review of Articles The Finance Committee will make recommendations on the following Articles as listed on the Town Managers Draft. Members volunteered to do the write-ups and answer questions at Town Meeting on their assigned articles. Article Title Amount Member to do Write-u A Reports of Receipts,Exp.&Spec.Comm. No Recommendation. B Prior Year's Unpaid Bills Vote at Town Meeting C FY02 Budget Transfers Vote at Town Meeting D G.F.Appropriation,FY03 $Vote on 414 Gen.Admin.—Keith Mitchell Finance and Admin—Keith Mitchell Education--Bernice Fink D.P.W.--Keith Mitchell Police—Jack Watkins Fire—Jack Watkins Community Development Stevens Library—Paula Porten Health Dept.—Paula Porten Z.B.A.—Paula Porten Community Development—Paula Porten Youth Services—Paula Porten Veterans Services—Stephen Dawe Council on Aging—Stephen Dawe Building Inspection—Mark Weber Planning Dept.—Mark Weber Conservation Com.—Mark Weber Recreation Dept.—Paul Stewart to assign Debt Service,Employee Benefits, Liability Ins.,Capital&Reserves, State Assessments—Jack Watkins E Compensation of Elected Officials Same as last year F Capital Improvement Approp.FY03 $?-Vote on 414 Comm.Dev./Town Hall —Paula Porten School Buildings—Bernice Fink School Equipment—Bernice Fink Police Building—Jack Watkins Police Equipment—Jack Watkins Fire Equipment--Jack Watkins DPW/Fleet Equipment—Keith Mitchell DPW/Street Maintenance-Keith Mitchell G Architectural Fees for New Elem. School $2,267,133/Vote on 4/4 Bernice Fink H Water Enterprise Fund Approp.FY03 No Information to date Paul Stewart to assign I Sewer Enterprise Fund Approp.FY03 No Information to date Paul Stewart to assign J Stevens Estate Enterprise Funds Approp. $704,550/Vote on 414 Paul Stewart K Approp:Beede Waste Oil Settlement $125,000/Vote on 4/4 Mark Weber M Land Acquisition-Boxford/Foster Streets $?-Vote on 4/4 Fire Station/Jack Watkins N Amend Water Enterprise.Fund FY02 Acquisition of land next to water treat. $?-Vote on 4/4 Paul Stewart if not withdrawn Q Approp.-Community Preservation Fund $?-Vote on 4/4 Mary Charles land-Stephen Dawe R Acquisition of Land-Half Mile Hill-CPA $?—Vote on 4/4 S. Home Rule-Permanent Deed Restrictions Half Mile Hill $2.6M—Vote on 4/4 HH New Elementary School at Foster Farm $22.8M—Vote on 414 Bernice Fink II Petition to Direct School Committee Not to demolish high school Vote on 414 Stephen Dawe JJ Discontinuance of Public Way-Wood bane ?Vote on 414 KK Petition to Gen. Court-Change Town Bound.Vote on 414 Paul Stewart Finance Committee Calendar The Finance Committee will meet on Tuesday,April 2 at 7:00 p.m. Because it is expected that a large number of residents will be attending,the meeting will potentially be held in the Senior Center. The Finance Committee's Public Hearing will be held on April 4th ADJOURNMENT There being no further business,Jack Watkins made a MOTION, seconded by Stephen Dawes to adjourn the meeting at 10:38 p.m. Vote approved 5—0. Submitted by: Carol Ritchie, Sr.Confidential Clerk