North Andover Town Budget Holding Up To Coronavirus Effects

NORTH ANDOVER, MA — North Andover's Fiscal Year 2021 revenues are currently holding up to last year's numbers, despite the coronavirus pandemic, Town Manager Melissa Murphy-Rodrigues told the Board of Selectmen, Monday.

"Things actually look good, which is great news," Murphy-Rodrigues said. "Things are where they should be."

Town officials prepared a "memorandum of understanding" ahead of the town meeting, laying out what cuts would be made in the case of budget shortfalls. So far, it is proving unnecessary, with the town's main source of funds, property taxes, relatively insulated from the pandemic.

Property taxes, roughly 70 percent of the town's revenue, are coming in exactly level with last year, the town manager said. Local receipts are also in line with Fiscal Year 2020, and motor vehicle taxes are slightly up.

Some categories are down, including meal taxes, water and sewer collections, Stevens Estate collections and investment income.

The Revised Revenue Fixed Cost Committee recently voted to move forward with planned expenses like promotions and new hires, Murphy-Rodrigues said.

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.