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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-12-14 Finance Committee Minutes FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES DECEMBER 14,2020 JOINT MEETING WITH BOARD OF SELECTMEN,SCHOOL COMMITTEE AND FINANCE COMMITTEE School Committee opened their meeting at 7:09PM.Roll call for School Committee attendance: Torrisi-yes; Lynch-yes;McDevitt-yes;Mabley-yes;Pickard-yes. Finance Committee opened their meeting at 7:1OPM. Roll call for Finance Committee attendance:Allen-yes; Silk- yes;MacMillan-yes; O'Connell-yes;Luz-yes;Kean-yes;Foley-yes;Weinreich-yes. Thomas Ringler was not present. Mr.Nobile explained how the Tri-Board meeting would be conducted. Ms.Pickard asked for the others in attendance that have not identified themselves. Denise Casey,Lyne Savage,Laurie Burzlaff,Andrew Shapiro and Jean Enright were also all present. Town Manager Presentation of Five Year Financial Forecast Ms.Rodrigues gave the presentation of the Five Year Financial Forecast. Ms.Allen asked about the three items that will be impacting 2022: Stevens Estate,Amazon and Royal Crest. Ms.Rodrigues explained that Royal Crest and Amazon will not come on until FY23 or FY24,the building permits will come on in FY21. Ms.Rodrigues explained that Royal Crest is a 5-10 year build so will not see anything until around FY25 or FY26. Ms.Weinreich asked if the Amazon building permit is included in the new growth. Ms.Rodrigues explained that it is a one-time revenue that falls into free cash. Mr. McDevitt asked what North Andover's plan is and where North Andover will be over the next few years with 3%level services where many other towns spend more per student. Ms. Rodrigues explained it will be done collaboratively and through planning. Mr.McDevitt stated that North Andover is the bottom of 25 towns in what is invested in student and youth. Mr.Vaillancourt asked Ms.Rodrigues to explain how this five year plans stacks up to previous five year plans. Ms.Rodrigues explained that this is standard for North Andover as it is based on estimates. Mr. Torrisi asked Ms.Rodrigues why the Amazon building permits are not reflected in the forecast. Ms.Rodrigues stated she did not feel comfortable putting the permits into the forecast until the building permits are actually pulled. Ms.Weinreich stated this has always been forecasted in this manner. Mr. Vaillancourt stated this is a good will estimate forecasted conservatively. Ms.Pickard stated that a conservative forecast could possibly not reach the needs of the students. Ms. Weinreich stated can use one time funds to fund capital improvements. Mr.Nobile stated the need for the School Committee to state the destination,the path and why the investment should be what it is. Mr.Nobile asked Dr.Mealey if the five year plan is sufficient to drive their request for the next 5 years. Dr.Mealey stated if Facility Master Plan and projects will be approved then he can start to address the classroom size and positions. Ms.Packard stated at 7:40PM that an additional member has joined. Suzanne Egan joined the meeting. Town Manager recommended Capital Improvement Plan for FY22-FY26 Ms.Rodrigues gave a presentation on the recommended Capital Improvement Plan for FY22-FY26. Ms.Allen asked if the architect fees for the Middle School project were in the plan. Ms.Rodrigues stated only the design has been put in the assessment. Facilities Master Plan II-current status and future process Ms.Rodrigues and Dr.Mealey presented the Facilities Master Plan II. Ms.Pickard asked if there will be anything brought from Master Plan to May 2021 Town Meeting. Ms.Rodrigues stated no,at this time would not be the year to bring large capital projects on and very important for the plan to come together as a collaboration between Town and School. Ms. Pickard asked Ms.Rodrigues when Facilities Master Plan II comes forward will the School have to continue to seek approvals for multiple projects each year. Ms.Rodrigues stated approvals are requested and presented at Town Meeting as needed. Ms.Weinreich asked Dr.Mealey about the timeline from now until May 2022. Dr.Mealey stated the subcommittee will identify options and get more input through summer 2021 and in the Fall to start to analyze and have public meetings to be ready for May 2022. Ms.Pickard added there are additional needs at the high school that will be determined in the NEASC report. Ms.Bates asked Dr.Mealey to further explain the importance of the Facilities Master Plan II being school heavy. Dr.Mealey stated the following: -Currently the per pupil spending is low -The schools have been patching together services through grants -The school community is becoming more diverse -It will help meet the needs of the English language learners and the social emotional learning of our students -By providing the above services the schools will be able to better prepare our students to learn -With smaller classrooms,the teachers are able to move through material faster and support students better,which they are seeing through the hybrid model Ms.Pickard stated that there has been many recent historical projects in the municipal. Dr.Mealey stated Phase I was more related to Town projects while Phase II is more focused on School projects. Ms. Mabley asked if more than one design could happen. Ms.Rodrigues explained that it could be possible if it is cost efficient. ADJOURNMENT SCHOOL COMMITTEE MOTION:Mr:McDevitt made a MOTION,seconded by Ms.Mabley to adjourn the School Committee meeting at 8:41 PM. Roll call vote: Torrisi yes,Lynch yes;McDevitt-yes'.Mabley yes;Pickard yes. Motion approved 5-0. ADJOURNMENT FINANCE COMMITTEE MOTION:Ms. Kean made a MOTION, seconded by Mr: Foley to adjourn the Finance Committee meeting at 8:46 PM.Roll call vote:Allen yes, Silk yes;MacMillan yes; O'Connoll yes;Luz yes;Foley yes;Kean yes; Weinreich yes. Motion approved 8-0.