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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-03-09 Finance Committee Minutes Finance Committee Minutes of March 9, 2021 Present: Chairman Sasha Weinreich, Edward MacMillan, Christine Allen, Kevin Foley, Dustin Silk, Regina Kean, Thomas Ringler, Denevan O’Connell Absent: Jennifer Burns-Luz Non-Finance Committee Members: None Ms. Weinreich read a quick statement before the meeting started “Pursuant to Governor Baker’s March 12, 2020 Order Suspending Certain Provisions of the Open Meeting Law, G.L.c 30A, Section 18 and the Governor’s March 15, 2020 Order imposing strict limitation on the number of people that may gather in one place, this meeting of the North Andover Finance Committee will be conducted via remote participation to the greatest extent possible.” Ms. Weinreich called the meeting to order at 7:05PM via conference call. Ms. Weinreich led the Pledge of Allegiance. Public Comment No public comment. Discussion on Town Charter Amendment pertaining to Finance Committee report Ms. Weinreich spoke about removing the burdensome administration from the charter to provide more transparency as follows: ARTICLE XX. Home Rule Petition. To see if the Town will vote to authorize, but not require, the Board of Selectmen to petition the General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for special legislation substantially in the form set forth below amending the Town Charter: Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary and in accordance with the Home Rule Amendment, Article II, § 8 of the Articles of Amendment to the Constitution of the Commonwealth, as amended by Article LXXXIX, the Town of North Andover petitions the General Court of Massachusetts for a special act to modify the following sections of the Town Charter by deleting the language shown in strikethrough and inserting the words underlined and in bold: Chapter 9 Financial Provisions and Procedures Section 6. Notice of public hearing on proposed budget and capital improvements plan and publication of Finance Committee report 9-6-1. The Finance Committee shall conduct at least one public hearing on the proposed budget and capital improvements plan and shall issue printed recommendations, if the recommendations are available and detailed explanations on all financial articles, including the operating budget and the capital improvements plan, in an annual Finance Committee report. This report shall be made available to all residents of the Town at least 21 days prior to the Annual Town Meeting, in a public place, at Town Hall, at Stevens Memorial Library, on the Town of North Andover website, and, by request, by e-mail and United States mail. Notice of availability shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation. Copies of the annual Finance Committee report shall also be made available at the Annual Town Meeting. In preparing its recommendations, the Committee may require the Town Manager, any Town division, department, office, board, commission or committee to furnish it with appropriate financial reports and budgetary information. Ms. Weinreich stated this change will remove the article published in the newspaper and will be able to be available in more public places. Mr. Foley asked if there is a legal obligation to publish it in the newspaper and to possibly have it available in the Senior Center for seniors that may not have access to social media. Ms. Weinreich stated it would be provided in many places throughout the town. Mr. Foley suggested Ms. Weinreich to ask Town Council if there is a legal requirement. Ms. Weinreich stated she would reach out to her. Discussion on Finance Committee warrant report structure and schedule Ms. Weinreich went through each of the necessary items to be addressed on the warrant and asked the committee to choose the section they are responsible for. 1) Executive Summary- Ms. Weinreich 2) Municipal & Shared Expenses- Mr. Silk 3) School Department Budget- Ms. Allen & Ms. Kean 4) Retiree Health Insurance & Pension Cost- Mr. O’Connell 5) Reserve Funds- Mr. Foley 6) Capital Improvement Plan- Mr. Ringler 7) Enterprise Funds- Mr. MacMillan (Water & Sewer) & Ms. Luz (Stevens Estate) Ms. Weinreich did an attendance roll call. All were present except for Ms. Luz. Ms. Kean asked if it is a layman summary of the budget that is fact based or opinion based. Ms. Weinreich stated it is both, a majority is fact based but have historically written it as an opinion if it has a significant financial impact. Ms. Weinreich stated the next meeting is rdth March 23 where the Community Preservation Committee will be presenting, April 6 will be the public hearing and to th vote on the budget. Ms. Weinreich asked the committee to send in their draft to Ms. Allen by March 29. Old Business Ms. Weinreich stated the following: - Budget books will be on her front steps for members to stop by and pick up - Reminder that the CPC will be coming in next meeting to present - Normally the Department Heads come in to speak but this year (Ms. Weinreich) suggested not to ask the Department Heads to come in but would like the School Department to come in closer to Town Meeting to discuss their plan for the $2.6 million appropriation from free cash. Mr. Foley asked if Ms. Savage would mind if committee members reach out to her directly. Ms. Weinreich stated yes members can reach out but to please copy her (Ms. Weinreich) on all emails. Mr. Foley stated he will go through Ms. Weinreich on any questions. Approval of February 16, 2021 Minutes Mr. Foley asked for the minutes of February 16, 2021 to be amended to add him into the members that were listed as present since he was present at the meeting and was omitted from the written minutes. MOTION: Mr. O’Connell motioned to approve minutes of February 16, 2021 with the amendment to the present committee members on the written minutes to include Mr. Foley. Mr. Foley seconded. Roll Call- MacMillan- yes, Allen- yes, Ringler- yes, Foley- yes, O’Connell- yes, Kean- yes, Silk- yes, Weinreich- yes. Motion approved 8-0. Adjournment MOTION: Ms. Allen made a motion to adjourn at 7:53PM, seconded by Mr. O’Connell. Roll Call- MacMillan- yes, Allen- yes, Ringler- yes, Foley- yes, O’Connell- yes, Kean- yes, Silk- yes, Weinreich- yes. Motion approved 8-0. Respectfully submitted, Jillian A. Brothers Executive Assistant