HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-01-04 Board of Selectmen Minutes BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES JANUARY 4, 1999
CALL TO ORDER: Keith Mitchell called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
ATTENDANCE: The following were present: Keith A. Mitchell, Chairman;
John R. Leeman, Jr.; Donald B. Stewart; David M. Torrisi; Robert J. Halpin, Town Manager; (William
Duffy, not present).
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
David Torrisi made a MOTION, seconded by John Leeman,to approve the Minutes of
December 14, 1998 and December 21, 1998; vote approved 4— 0.
COMMUNICATIONS,ANNOUNCEMENTS,AND PUBLIC COMMENT:
John Leeman, along with the other Selectmen, congratulated the North Andover Scarlet Knights on their
victory over Andover High School.
NEW BUSINESS:
FY 2000 Budget Presentation. The Town Manager presented his executive summary. The highlights
include:
• An increase in revenues of 4.5%over FY'99. After debt service commitments and insurance
obligations the increase is 3%;
• The total department requests total $49,459,875 versus the Town Manager approved budget of
$46,163,720 leaving a deficit of($3,297,353).
• In the General Government area the increase over FY'99 is 3.6%of which$42,000 is due to the
increased lease payments for the Town Office Annex. The unfunded priorities include a
Conservation Associate position and a Technical Planner.
• Public Safety is approved for a 2.9%increase over the FY'99 budget. This increases includes a
phase in of weekly Police Office Educational differential payments which previously was paid a year
in arrears but with the arbitration award it is now paid weekly being paid off in three years. The
Town is also addressing the high cost of turnover in the Dispatch Center. The budget funds adequate
maintenance of building HVAC and related systems and Police/Fire software. The unfunded
priorities in the Fire Department budget include a Deputy Fire Chief, eliminates two FF/EMTs,
phasing in of staffing for"out country" station, and a decrease in fire apparatus maintenance. The
Police Department's unfunded priorities are a Police Civilian Business Manager, one less cruiser(two
instead of three), and less police overtime.
• Public Education's increase over FY'99 of$737,988 is 3.3%. This increase was comprised of
pending wage increases, Special Education,transportation and educational allotments.
• The Public Works increase totaled 3.3%over FY'99. Solid waste disposal will account for a
reduction of$282,560. There will be a delay in the funding of a Facilities Manager by '/2 year,
GIS-Engineering Support are staff unfunded priorities. A street sweeping contract and an increase in
road maintenance accounts are unfunded. The Snow and Ice budget is more realistic in that the
Town Manager's recommended FY 2000 budget contains an increase of$99,101.
• Community Services' recommended budget increased by$71,514. The increases included a Youth
Services worker who was added in FY'99 to a full year, additional recreational and social service
support for the Senior Center, reinstating veteran's benefits and funding of$5,000 for the Festivals
Committee. The unfunded priorities include and increase in Health Nurse hours, an additional Youth
Board of Selectmen Minutes January 4, 1999 Page 2
Worker; an administrative assistant, a volunteer coordinator, a receptionist and a social worker all for
the Senior Center; and an administrative assistant for the Library.
• Debt and Employee Benefits increased by$1,286,864 or 15%over FY'99. $958,840 of the increase
is covered by increased property taxes for excluded debt. 6%is covered by increased health
insurance and Medicare costs and$129,627 is an increase to the Essex County Retirement System
assessment. Because 41 positions are not expected to be filled,the approved budget reduces the
benefit impact of these positions; each position adds between$6,000 and$10,000.
• Capital outlays to be raised and appropriated include a Fire Department replacement Jeep, Fire and
Police radio replacement, School tech upgrade, automating school libraries, paving two school
parking lots, DPW equipment and a DPW heating system. Regular long term debt includes the youth
athletic fields at Foster Farm and Sharpner's Pond, a boiler at Bradstreet School and extraordinary
maintenance at the Town Hall.
The Town Manager concluded by saying the Selectmen have thirty(30) days to act on budget
recommendations. The School Committee will be presenting their budget at the January l I 1 Board of
Selectmen's Meeting, and there will be other presentations and subcommittee work. He stated the
decisions should be expected by mid-February.
The Selectmen questioned the liability concerning the abolition of Essex County and were told this
impact will not be known until it is reviewed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Division of
Administration and Finance.
John Leeman asked if the decrease in overtime for the Police Department would effect the safety of
residents. The Town Manager replied that he did not believe it would be impacted.
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
John Leeman made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart,to move into Executive Session at 8:15
p.m. to discuss a Disciplinary Agreement and a land acquisition update; vote approved 4— 0.
Ann M. Keating
Administrative Secretary John R. Leeman, Jr., Clerk of the Board