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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-04-03 Finance Committee Minutes Finance Committee Minutes of April 3, 2023 Present: , Vice Chair Christine Allen, Nancy Sarro, Keith Cheney, Regina Kean, Ken Gray, Brianna Stetson Not Present: None Present Non-Member: Town Manager Melissa Rodrigues called the meeting to order at 7:00PM. The open session meeting was recorded in person in the Select Board Room at North Andover Town Hall 120 Main Street North Andover. VOTE ON FINANCE COMMITTEE WARRANT ARTICLES Ms. Rodrigues went over the following articles: Article 2: Authorization of the Town Manager or Superintendent of Schools Regarding Contracts in Excess of Three Years MOTION: Ms. Kean made a MOTION, seconded by Ms. Sarro, for Favorable Action on Article 20. Motion approved 8- 0. Article 6: Acceptance of Massachusetts General Law Chapter 59 § 5, Clause 17E MOTION: Ms. Kean made a MOTION, seconded by Ms. Allen, for Favorable Action on Article 21. Motion approved 8- 0. Article 7: Acceptance of Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 59, § 5, Clause 41D MOTION: Ms. Kean made a MOTION, seconded by Mr. Cheney, for Favorable Action on Article 22. Motion approved 8-0. Article 8: Acceptance of Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 59, § 5C1/2 MOTION: Mr. Silk made a MOTION, seconded by Mr. Cheney, for Favorable Action on Article 23. Motion approved 8- 0 Article 9: Acceptance of Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 59, § 5, Clause 56 Ms. Sarro asked if this is a new option. Ms. Rodrigues stated yes, it is a new local option and it will have to be accepted every two years. Ms. Sarro asked about the timing. Ms. Rodrigues said it is for the whole year, the applicant needs to be in a foreign country for that year. Mr. Gray asked if it was just for real estate taxes. Ms. Rodrigues stated only for residential personal property which would include the real estate taxes. Bill Callahan, chair of Community Preservation Committee, was present at the meeting to further explain the projects submitted in the warrant. Ms. Allen asked about the barn and asked if the committee approached the Community Preservation Committee before the purchase of the parcel. Mr. Callahan stated no. Ms. Allen asked if it was designated as a historical structure before they purchased the property. Mr. Callahan stated they did not know the details to what the owner was looking for or why they chose that sale. Mr. Callahan stated the Historical Commission stated the barn is historically significant. Ms. Allen stated her concern with the annual increase in regard to the funds being received by Ridgewood. Ms. Allen stated the benefit is more for the cemetery but not as much for the public. Mr. Callahan stated Ridgewood is open to the public for use. Ms. Kean asked for clarification of the historical building. Mr. Callahan stated it is not on the historical register, but rather it has historical significance in North Andover. Ms. Sarro asked if they are allowed to recondition it, and then tear it down. Mr. Callahan stated historic restrictions would be made in the agreement. Mr. O'Connell asked Mr. Callahan to clarify the amount the Community Preservation Committee has to spend each year. Mr. Callahan stated 10% in each category. Ms. Kean asked if there is a request/rule for requesting funds for a project. Mr. Callahan stated in North Andover they have received all nonprofits and have not had any private requests to this date. Mr. O'Connell asked if there are any questions on the Boundary Wall project. Ms. Allen stated it is similar to the barn in that it is not easily seen or used by the public and this project is difficult to see the value for the public. Mr. Callahan stated the wall is deteriorated, and it has been there for quite some time, and they plan to make it more theft proof. Ms. Sarro asked how long the wall is. Mr. O'Connell stated about 500 feet. Ms. Allen asked about the funds tied up in the Rec Plex, and if additional funds are needed. Mr. Callahan stated a supplement application would be submitted for additional funds for any projects. Ms. Allen asked to find out if the funds can be put towards Senior Housing and as a committee if they can pursue legislative body to make that change. Mr. Callahan stated that he would look into that. DISCUSSION OF WARRANT LETTER . PUBLIC COMMENT Stan Limpert, 143 Stonecleve Rd., explained the differences between the Historical Society and the Historical Commission. Mr. Limpert stated that the Historical Commission did look at both the Barn and Wall Community Preservation Committee projects and did not recommend anything, but stated that both are historically significant. Mr. Limpert stated he sits on the Historical Commission and the Historical Commission had the same debate on the projects. Mr. O'Connell stated recommendation for Article 19 needs to be made before April 12th and will have it on the next agenda. Ms. Sarro asked if a vote can be taken this evening. Mr. O'Connell stated he would like to look into it further and vote next meeting. Mr. Cheney asked if individual products projects can be parsed out. Mr. Connell stated yes. Mr. Gray asked each committee member to state their opinion on the Barn and Wall projects. Sarro: Favorable- Barn, Undecided- Wall Gray: Favorable for both projects Kean: Favorable- Barn, Undecided- Wall Cheney: Unfavorable for both projects Allen: Unfavorable for both projects Stetson: Unfavorable for both projects Pastor: Favorable for both projects ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Ms. Pastor made a MOTION, seconded by Mr. Cheney, to adjourn the Finance Committee meeting at 8:20 PM. Motion approved 8-0. Respectfully submitted, Jillian A. Brothers Executive Assistant Documents used at meeting: Warrant Articles