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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-12-13 Select Board Minutes NORTH ANDOVER SELECT BOARD MINUTES DECEMBER 13, 2023 Call To Order: Chair Laura Bates called the open meeting of the Select Board to order at 7:02PM in the Senior Center. Chair David Brown called the open meeting of the School Committee to order at 7:02PM in the Senior Center. Chair Denevan O’Connell called the open meeting of the Finance Committee to order at 7:03PM in the Senior Center. Select Board in Attendance: Chair Laura Bates, Janice Phillips, Rosemary Smedile, Brian Roache and Clerk Richard Vaillancourt were present. School Committee in Attendance: Chair David Brown, Joseph Hicks, Clerk Alissa Koenig, Andrew McDevitt and Pamela Pietrowski Finance Committee in Attendance: Chair Denevan O’Connell, Vice-Chair Christine Allen, Brianna Stetson, Keith Cheney, Eva Pastor, Nancy Sarro, Ken Gray, Regina Kean and Dustin Silk Non-Board Members in Attendance: Town Manager- Melissa Murphy Rodrigues, Deputy Town Manager- Denise Casey and Assistant Town Manager- Laurie Burzlaff were present. Public Comment None TRI-BOARD MEETING between Select Board, Finance Committee and School Committee Five Year Financial Forecast Ms. Rodrigues explained financial condition of the town with its AAA bond rating. Ms. Rodrigues gave a presentation of the five-year fiscal forecast. Financial Condition of North Andover ● Continues to maintain AAA Bond rating ● Rating reflects: strong economy, strong financial management, strong budgetary performances ● Received Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting (2022) ● Received Government Finance Officers Association Distinguished Budget Award (2023) Financial Condition: Reserves ● Stabilization Fund: $6,120,475 ● Capital Stabilization Fund: $8,156,136 ● Special Education Stabilization Fund: $794,987 ● Free Cash: $12,104,543 ● OPEB Trust: $5,808,760 Real Estate and Property Taxes ● Accounts for 78% of all revenues received annually ● Largest portion of revenue ● The tax levy is the amount a community raises through property tax. The levy can be any amount up to the levy limit. ● Raises 2.5% annually as per the limitations of Prop 2 1⁄2 ● Can raise more through three mechanisms ■ Debt/Capital Exclusions (Temporary increase to tax levy limit) ■ Override (Permanent increase to tax levy limit) ■ New Growth (Taxes attributed to the value of new construction and added permanently to the tax levy limit) 1 NORTH ANDOVER SELECT BOARD MINUTES DECEMBER 13, 2023 Ms. Smedile asked about the new growth number as to why it remains at the same number. Ms. Rodrigues stated it is same each year where there are more improvements made and not adding additional subdivisions. Ms. Bates asked how the accounting of the budget for the Stevens Estate projection is done. Ms. Rodrigues stated this pending legislation to put into the revolving account but approvals for this have not been received yet. If not received, and will continue to use the Stevens Estate as revenue, and will create budget for the same amount. Ms. Rodrigues stated the last conversation with the Stevens Estate manager indicated it will most likely exceed the revenue for this year. Mr. McDevitt asked about the School pie chart that are being shown as 49% but is really 69%. Ms. Rodrigues explained that group health insurance, other personal benefits, and other non-departmental all go into schools. Ms. Phillips asked about historically how often have funds leveled. Ms. Rodrigues explained that Chapter 70 aid increases and that Chapter 70 funds do not decrease. Mr. McDevitt asked what is coming up with debt exclusion. Ms. Rodrigues stated the high school. Mr. McDevitt asked if estimated retirement appropriation would be paying additional by rolling out to 2042. Ms. Rodrigues stated the same amount, but will be paid longer and there is no interest. Ms. Bates asked if it ends in 2036 does it go into an operating budget. Ms. Rodrigues stated they have not indicated yet. Mr. Roache asked Ms. Rodrigues if there is any one item over, or underperforming on the five- year financial forecast. Ms. Rodrigues stated it is always different when looking back. Last couple years have been more growth. FY25-FY29 Capital Improvement Plan Ms. Rodrigues gave a presentation on the FY 25 to FY 29 Capital Improvement Plan. Ms. Rodrigues stated the Capital Improvement Plan is now digitized and available online. Overview of the FY25-FY29 Capital Program ● 56 projects in a five-year period totaling over $159,855,992 ● Total FY25 $28,994,152 with 27 projects FY25 Plan ● Routine items: IT upgrades, playground maintenance, roadway improvements, culvert repairs, vehicle replacements ● New items: Updates to stage at Common, ladder truck, ambulance, resurfacing of High School track, ABECC gym ● Facilities Master Plan II: Kittredge and Fire Station Designs Continuation of Facilities Master Plan II ■ Anne E. Bradstreet Early Childhood Center ■ Atkinson Elementary School ■ Fire Station #2 ■ Franklin Elementary School ■ Kittredge Elementary School ■ North Andover Middle School ■ North Andover Youth Center Order of Projects 1. Middle School (Design in FY23 and construction FY24) 2. Kittredge School (Design in FY23/FY24/FY25) 3. Fire Station (Design in FY25 and construction FY26) 4. Franklin gymnasium (Construction FY26) 5. Atkinson School (Design in FY 26 and construction in F28) 2 NORTH ANDOVER SELECT BOARD MINUTES DECEMBER 13, 2023 6. Youth Center (Design in FY27 and construction FY28) 7. Franklin School (Design in FY33 and construction FY35) 8. ABECC (Design in FY35 and construction in FY36) Projected Costs ● Total cost of projects in today’s dollars: $139,045,449 ● Total cost of projects using recommended order: $166,941,504 ● Over a period of 15 years ● Accounts for inflation What is Included in Project Cost Design, construction, construction administration, technology and fixtures, future building operating costs, operating budget increases due to increased building size (including staffing, benefits, OPEB, Medicare and other employee expenses) Total design: $11,896,204 Total Construction: $151,365,578 Total operating: $3,679,722 Accounts for 3% operating inflation per year and 5% construction costs inflation per year of the plan Ms. Pastor asked about the $350,000 as to what dates are obligated and what date does it have to be spent. Ms. Rodrigues stated has to be dated obligated by 2025 and spent by 2026. Ms. Phillips asked about projects that are on the schedule, such as High Street and Prescott Street to be completed. Mr. Borgesi stated Great Pond Road was able to be completed and High Street will be completed in the spring with the sidewalks. Ms. Phillips asked about Columbia Gas restoration. Mr. Borgesi stated June/July the Columbia Gas restoration will be completed. Mr. McDevitt asked Mr. Borgesi where residents can check the pavement maintenance schedule online. Mr. Borgesi stated residents can call the DPW and have the street looked up for that information. Ms. Kean asked Ms. Rodrigues about the Kittredge School construction. Dr. Mealey stated that MSBA timeline has moved out the date to start FY 27 and FY 29 is when the construction will finish. Ms. Rodrigues stated the estimated reimbursement is 49%. Ms. Allen asked Dr. Mealey what the plan will be finished. Dr. Mealey stated the process is very inclusive, options will be given for renovations and where it will be on site. This will be developed over the next 18 months. Stanley Limpert asked if they will be a debt exclusion override. Ms. Rodrigues stated no override. Ms. Phillips asked if we can still apply with MSBA. Ms. Rodrigues stated they are looking at an MSBA that would be for municipal buildings. Dr. Mealey asked about the design for Franklin School. Ms. Rodrigues stated she will think about that. Ms. Phillips asked if when flood funds are received could that be used towards the High School track repair. Ms. Rodrigues stated she has not received any information on the program for the flood funds. Mr. O'Connell asked about the Middle School Field project. Ms. Rodrigues stated no changes to the Rex Plex at this time. Ms. Bates asked if McAvoy construction is in Fields Master Plan. Ms. Rodrigues stated and an earmark has been received to cover pickleball courts at McAvoy. Ms. Phillips asked about the playgrounds. Ms. Rodrigues stated that the zip line will be removed and reinstalled. Ms. Pietrowski asked about the drainage at the playground. Ms. Rodrigues stated there will be pavement improvement which will help with drainage improvement. Ms. Bates asked if pickleball courts will be affecting softball fields. Ms. Rodrigues stated no, it will not be impacting. Ms. Pietrowski mentioned the concern about parking at the field. Ms. Rodrigues stated the use will occur at a different time, so it should not be an issue. ADJOURNMENT- Finance Committee MOTION: Ms. Kean made a MOTION, seconded by Ms. Sarro to adjourn the Finance Committee meeting at 8:00PM. Motion approved 9-0. ADJOURNMENT- School Committee MOTION: Ms. Pietrowski made a MOTION, seconded by Mr. McDevitt to adjourn the Select Board meeting at 8:00PM. Motion approved 5-0. 3 NORTH ANDOVER SELECT BOARD MINUTES DECEMBER 13, 2023 ADJOURNMENT- Select Board MOTION: Ms. Phillips made a MOTION, seconded by Ms. Smedile to adjourn the Select Board meeting at 8:00PM. Motion approved 5-0. Respectfully submitted, Jillian A. Brothers Executive Assistant _______________________________ Richard M. Vaillancourt, Clerk of the Board Documents used at meeting: Presentations- Five Year Financial Forecast and FY25-FY29 Capital Improvement Plan 4