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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFCMeetingMinutes_03.20.03 APPROVED FINANCE COMMITTEE MINUTES March 20,2003 ATTENDANCE: The following members were present: Jack Watkins,Chairman,Bernice Fink,Vice Chairman, Paul Stewart,Keith Mitchell,Mark Nichols,Melinda Coppa,Paula Porten,Steve Dawe and Mike Batsimm. Mark Rees,Town Manager,Rosemary Smedile,Chairman of the Board of Selectmen,the School Committee,Dr.Bill Allen, Superintendent of Schools,school personnel and North Andover residents were also present. CALL TO ORDER: Jack Watkins,Chairman, called the meeting to order at 8:30 pm. Dr.Allen presented the Recommended School Budget for FY2004 before the start of the Finance Committee Meeting. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: The Minutes of the March 13 meeting will be reviewed at the next Finance Committee Meeting. OLD BUSINESS: Town Manager's_Comments Mark Rees,Town Manager,gave the Finance Committee an update on the Recommended FY2004 Budget. He distributed materials outlining additional budget information. He then began with the Governor's proposed changes to Chapter 70 and the adverse effect these changes may have on municipalities in regional school districts. He then proceeded to inform the group of various changes in line items that could also impact his recommended budget. He ended by noting that the computations discussed indicate the budget could still be out of balance by an estimated $143,000. Mark Rees was asked to comment on the progress of hiring a Finance Director. The process begins with the formation of a Screening Committee,which reviews resumes and chooses three or four candidates. Mark Rees then interviews those candidates. The Board of Selectmen and Town Manager make the final decision. Review Budget Update Jack noted that FinCom members should review the school budget for any items they may wish to add to the current "Key Budget Items"list. He then went down the current list asking Mark Rees for his continents.At item 12, "Reduce Refuse/Recycling",Paul Stewart distributed a spreadsheet detailing budget recommendations through 2006,pointing out that these are his recommendations. Paul proposed that the DPW's budget be reduced by $100,000 as a challenge to the Department and to the Community to find a way to bring our increasing trash tonnage and resulting trash disposal costs under control. A discussion ensued on reducing the tonnage delivered to the trash plant,which is increasing disposal costs each year. Finally,Jack called for a straw poll to determine the sense of the Committee on this issue and,as Paul was the only one voting for the proposal,the result was that although the group seemed to agree that this was a good idea,recycling cannot be implemented soon enough to change FY04 budget figures and this issue should be addressed in time for the FY05 budget. Paul protested that this was exactly the response that he should have received to this same proposal last year but,of course, deferred to the action of the Committee. Paul continued presenting his suggestions on budget projections and detailing high priority versus low priority line items. Jack emphasized that for each item the FinCom adds to the recommended budget,the FinCom then has to find funds in another area to balance the budget. AD.JOURNMENT: At 10:00 pm,Keith MOVED and Paula seconded to adjourn the meeting. The vote was unanimous. FUTURE MEETINGS The next Finance Committee Meeting is the public hearing set for Thursday,March 27 at 7:00 pm at the Senior Citizens Center. The FinCom will solicit comments from the public concerningthe FY2004 Capital Improvement Plan and the FY2004 General&Enterprise Fund Operating Budget.