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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFCMeetingMinutes_03.18.04 FINANCE COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 18,2004 ATTENDANCE: The following members were present:Jack Watkins,Chairman,Keith Mitchell,Vice Chairman,Bernice Fink,Melinda Coppa,Paula Porten,Paul Stewart,Mark Nichols,Mike Batsimm and Steve Dawe. Also in attendance were different department heads to discuss their budgets. Please note that Keith,Mike and Steve arrived after the approval of the minutes. CALL TO ORDER: Jack called the meeting at 6:30pm APPROVAL OF MINUTES: "B"MOVED to approve the 2/19/04 minutes and Melinda seconded.The minutes were approved 6-0. "B"MOVED to approve the 2/26104 minutes and Melinda seconded.The minutes were approved 6-0 "B"MOVED to approve the 3/4/04 minutes and Mark seconded. The minutes were approved 6-0. NEW BUSINESS: MANAGEMENT/DEPARTMENT LEADS BUDGET DISCUSSION COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: Heidi Griffin,Community Development and Services Director and Julie Parrino,Town Planner,both requested fully funding the Planning Board Clerk position. The BOS voted to restore this position and Heidi and Julie are asking that the Fincom do the same.Heidi also provided several handouts highlighting some of the requirements and accomplishments of Community Development and the need for the assistance position. DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS: Bill H3murciak discussed his budget request of 12.9%increase verses the.3%increase by Town Manager and its implications,such as less roadway maintenance. He further discussed the cooperative arrangements with the Booster Club and the N.A.Soccer Assoc.to assist in field maintenance. Bill also discussed the water and sewer budgets and stated that the Town Manager increased the water budget by 4.8%and Sewer by 8.3%. Finally,Bill talked about the fact that there is no staff engineer in the Administrative&Engineering Department. SENIOR CENTER: Irene O'Brien,Al Movsesian and Jim Cassidy discussed the Senior Center budget and that there are over 200 volunteers,5 paid employees and 4600 seniors over 65years old living in North Andover. The BOS restored 17k back into their budget for an Outreach Person and they are asking that Fincom do the same. POLICE DEPARTMENT: Chief Stanley stated that the BOS voted to restore the 2 police officers for$86,500.00 and requested that Fincom also restore the 2 positions. The Chief also discussed that the Community Policing Grants for`04 were $117,000.00 but not to expect the same in`05. STEVENS LIBRARY: Sue Ellen Holmes discussed that the library is closed on Sundays,that there is a shortage of staffing and that the Merrimack Valley Elder Services Grant expires,causing another part time vacancy. The State allowed a waiver for $24k in state aide for'04,but there is no guarantee in a waiver for'05. Of the 24,000.00 received, 11,000 was used to repair the air conditioning unit. BOARD OF HEALTH: Susan Sawyer discussed that the BOS restored the Health Inspector's position for$39,720.00 and asks that Fincom also restore the position. TOWN CLERK: Joyce Bradshaw discussed how the town has grown by 20%since 1990 and the expansion of services provided by the town, such as providing passports. OTHER DEPARTMENTS/FINCOM LIAISONS VETERANS SERVICES: Steve spoke that Veterans Affairs is working on an arrangement with Ridgewood for veteran's graves. FIRE DEPARTMENT: Melinda spoke about the$213,000 to restore the ambulance and cover overtime. YOUTH CENTER: Mark says that Rick Goreman is ok with his budget,however,he will be looking for future assistance to prevent fee increases. TREASURER'S OFFICE: Mike says that Joyce Hanlon would like the'/tune position restored to full time and that there is no lock box yet. OTHER BUSINESS: RECYCLING: Jack will ask Tina Klein,Chair of the Solid Waste Advisory Committee,to attend the next meeting. SCHOOL DEPARTMENT: Jack provided a handout from Harry regarding a 250k shortfall for SPED to be discussed at the next meeting. Don Stewart also spoke regarding the 2/3, 113 split. NEXT MEETING: The next meeting is scheduled for March 25,2004 at 6:30pm at the temporary town hall. ADJOURNMENT: Steve MOVED to adjourn the meeting and Mark seconded.The vote was unanimous.