HomeMy WebLinkAboutFCMeetingMinutes_11.29.01 Finance Committee Meeting November 29,2001 Page 1
FINANCE COMMITTEE MINUTES
November 29,2001
ATTENDANCE
Members present: Michael Garron,Chairman;Keith Mitchell;Paula Porten;Paul Stewart;and Jack Watkins.
Not Present: Bernice Fink;Paul Theberge
Also present: Charles Benevento,Director of Finance and Administration;Kathryn Szyska and Linda Tremblay,
Historical Commission Members
CALL TO ORDER: Keith Mitchell called the meeting to order at 7:15 p.m.
OLD BUSINESS.
Article 9—C.P.A.Recommendations for Appropriations
Historical Commission Members Kathryn Szyska and Linda Tremblay explained that preserving the gravestones at the
Old Burying Ground is the first item on the requested appropriation list because it is the only remaining 171'Century intact
site in Town. Although volunteers have been working on this project for the past fifteen years and no money has been
taken from the Town,Fannin Preservation Consultants estimate that it will cost approximately$67,000 to restore the
remaining 140 of the 600 stones.
Keith Mitchell made a MOTION,seconded by Paul Stewart to vote favorable action on Article 9,
Discussion
Jack Watkins expressed concern that the availability of the CPA funds has not satisfactorily been made known.
Jack Watkins recommended that a process be put in place before deciding which projects the funds should be used for.
He also prefers that the 70%allocation for open space be devoted instead to preserving historical North Andover. The
Finance Director explained that up to 5%of this 70%could be allocated to administrative costs.
Michael Garron cited several reasons that he will not vote favorably on the Article:
• It is not prudent to borrow until the tax revenues are collected and the matching funds from the State are
received.
• Preservation of the burying ground will not generate revenue for the Town.
• The Article should be brought forward at the Annual Town Meeting not the Special Town Meeting so that a
broader range of people would be able to vote on it.
The Finance Director said that the interest would still have to be paid in April regardless of the vote.
Vote not approved 2—3—0. (Keith Mitchell and Paula Porten voted in favor of the Motion. Jack Watkins,Paul
Stewart and Michael Garron voted against the Motion.)
Keith Mitchell made a MOTION,seconded by Jack Watkins,to amend the Finance Committee's November 15,2001
vote to recommend approval on Article 1. Amendment to read as follows:
Amend the General Fund Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2002 as voted under Article 6 of the May 14,2001
Annual Town Meeting by:
Transferring from General Government-Personnel to General Government-Expenses the sum of$1,623.
Increasing General Government-expenses $36,400
Increasing Public Safety-Personnel $22,839
Increasing Public Safety-Expenses $14,900
Increasing Education-Public School Personnel/Expenses $65,000
Decreasing Fixed Expenses-Interest on Short Term Debt $80,000
Finance Committee Meering November 29,200I Page 2
And to appropriate $226,658 from Free Cash to reduce the tax rate,
And further more:
Increasing Fixed Expenses-Stabilization Fund $572,000
Increasing General Government-Finance Comm.Reserve $224,000
Vote approved 5—0.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business,Keith Mitchell made a MOTION,seconded by Jack Watkins,to adjourn the sleeting
at 5:30 p.m.Vote approved 5—0.
Submitted: Carol Ritchie,Confidential Clerk