HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-08-21 Board of Selectmen Minutes BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES AUGUST 21, 1995
CALL TO ORDER: John Leeman, Chairman,called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM.
ATTENDANCE: The following were present: Kenneth C. Crouch;Kevin Foley;John Leeman;John
Savastano;Donald Stewart;Kenneth Mahony,Interim Town Manager;Kevin Mahoney,Director of Finance&
Administration.
ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN: Kenneth Crouch made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart,to nominate
John Leeman, as Chairman of the Board of Selectmen;vote approved 5-0.
Kevin Foley asked Mr. Leeman if he would accept, and Mr. Leeman stated that he would. Mr. Leeman assumed
the meeting, as Chairman of the Board.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: July 31, 1995: Kevin Foley requested many changes to the minutes.
Kenneth Crouch requested that all of Mr. Foley's change requests be verified and that these minutes be brought
back before the Board for review.
August 7, 1995: Kenneth Crouch made a MOTION, seconded by Kevin Foley,to approve these minutes with
amendments requested by Mr. Foley;vote approved 5-0.
COMMUNICATIONS &ANNOUNCEMENTS: Letter From Raytheon Company Requesting Resolution to
Support Single Sales Factor-Kevin Foley asked the following questions: If North Andover supports it,is there
any guarantee that the Raytheon Plant in Andover will be kept at its current employment level? How much
revenue will North Andover lose? Mr. Foley also stated that the Sales Tax supports education, and he wants to
know what the projected decline in revenue would be for North Andover?
Kenneth Crouch made a MOTION, seconded by Kevin Foley,to take no action relative to this request and to
notify Mr. Hatem of the Board's vote. Mr. Crouch withdrew his motion. John Savastano made a MOTION,
seconded by Kevin Foley,to request that the Town Manager obtain the answers to Mr. Foley's questions relative
to the impact of the Single Sales factor on our area;vote approved 5-0.
Transportation Enhancement Project Applications -The Merrimack Valley Planning Commission has requested
that the Town support the Transportation Enhancement Project Application. Kenneth Crouch made a MOTION,
seconded by John Savastano,to support the Transportation Enhancement Project Application;vote approved 4-1
(Kevin Foley opposed). Kevin Foley asked the following questions:
Why is North Andover's project listed fourth out of four projects? Why are we last? Is that the order of priority
for the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission? What if the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission only gets
half the money requested,what will be North Andover's portion? Or,will our project be funded at all?
Greater Lawrence Sanitary District/Northeast Solid Waste Committee Test Burn-The North Andover RESCO
facility will be having a four week trial in February, 1996,during which time 150 to 225 tons of sludge will be
burned. The Northeast Solid Waste Committee is offering the Greater Lawrence Sanitary District to dispose of
the sludge at$35/ton. Kevin Foley requested copies of approvals from the State and the Federal Government
for this testburn and also information on the history of this project. Mr. Mahony stated that he will provide this
information.
Letter from Gwenith Levanti- School Busing Policy-The Board discussed a letter from Gwenith Levanti,250
Hillside Road,regarding the Town's school busing policy. Mr. Mahony stated that placing a crossing guard in
Board of Selectmen Minutes August 21,1995 Page 2.
that area would be dangerous, and it would be less expensive to place a traffic light in the area. Mr. Mahony
and Mr. Leeman will meet with the Superintendent of Schools to discuss situation.
Letter from New Bedford Requesting Support for Mandatory Two-Year Sentence for Anyone Carrng an
Illegal Gun in the Commonwealth-Kevin Foley asked the following questions. How many arrests were made
statewide last year under the Bartley Fox one-year provision? Where are we going to house the additional
prisoners under the two-year provision? He then stated that he favored building additional prisons and eforcing
the one-year mandatory law. Mr. Mahony said he favored the proposal as a deterrent. Mr. Foley asked how
many arrests were made under the Bartley Fox one-year provision in North Andover during the past year?
Mr. Mahony said he did not know. Kenneth Crouch made a MOTION, seconded by John Savastano,to take no
action;vote approved 4-1 (Kevin Foley opposed).
Letter from James Gordon,Town Manager,Regarding Appointment to Position of Town Manager-Kevin Foley
made a MOTION, seconded by Kenneth Crouch,to place theletter on file;vote approved 5-0.
LICENSING COMMISSIONERS: John Savastano made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart,for the
Board of Selectmen to move into licensing;vote approved 5-0.
Paula Fanning,Manager, Stevens Estate At Osgood Hill Has Requested One Day Wine&Malt Beverage
Licenses for the Following Events: August 24, 1995,from 5:00 PM- 8:00 PM-for Concord Public Schools
Faculty for a Clambake;August 26, 1995,from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM-Health Tours of North Andover
Company Outing; and August 27, 1995,from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM- Silverado Health Club Corporate Outing.
Kenneth Crouch made a MOTION, seconded by John Savastano,to approve the license requests;vote approved
5-0. John Savastano requested that the Town look into licensing the Stevens Estate at Osgood Hill to lighten
the load on staff. Kevin Foley requested a status report of the facility, and Kevin Mahoney stated that this report
is an upcoming agenda item.
Request for a Common Victualler's License Magdy K. Shahan,Teeba Corporation d/b/a The Ultimate Chicken,
733 Turnpike Street,North Andover-John Savastano made a MOTION, seconded by Kenneth Crouch,to grant
a Common Victualler's License to Madgy K. Shahan,Teeba Corporation d/b/a The Ultimate Chicken, 733
Turnpike Street;vote approved 5-0.
John Savastano made a MOTION, seconded by Kevin Foley,for the Licensing Commissioners to move back
into regular session;vote approved 5-0.
PUBLIC COMMENT: John Savastano commented that the Summer Playground Program has ended and
commended the Recreation Department for their good work.
SALEM STREET CONSTRUCTION: Mary LaChapelle discussed with the Board of Selectmen the poor
condition of Salem Street due to various construction projects. Mr. Mahony stated that the area is scheduled for
paving this fall. Ms. LaChapelle also discussed with the Board that she feels that School Street should be a one-
way street leading out onto Second Street.
KEVIN FOLEY-REQUESTS FOR AUDIO TAPES OF SELECTMEN'S MEETINGS: Kevin Foley
discussed with the Board his request for copies of all the audio recordings of the Board of Selectmen's meetings
and to set a policy for any further requests for tapes. After some discussion,it was agreed that after the minutes
are approved,Mr. Foley will provide the Town Manager's office with blank tapes and the audio tapes of the
meetings will be given to Mr. Foley.
Board of Selectmen Minutes August 21,1995 Page 3.
"ACTION AGENDA"-JOHN LEEMAN: Mr. Leeman requested that the"Action Agenda"be initiated.
The"Action Agenda"is an agenda or listing of items that a member of the Board of Selectmen would like to
discuss.
550 BOSTON STREET- CHAPTER 61A-RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL: John Savastano made a
MOTION, seconded by Kenneth Crouch,for the Board of Selectmen to waive the Town's right of first refusal to
allow the private sale of the property located at 550 Boston Street which is Chapter 6 1 A property;vote approved
5-0.
FISCAL YEAR 1995 BUDGET CLOSE OUT: Kevin Mahoney presented the Board of Selectmen with a
summary of FY 95 revenues collected comparing budget to actual activity, as well as a summary of General
Government expenditures by salary and expenses for each department. The following was noted by
Mr. Mahoney: Local receipts are on target;fines and forfeits are down; State Aid is close to the anticipated
figures; actual taxes collected exceed taxes levied; and expenditures are on target. Kenneth Mahony informed
the Board that legal fees will be decreasing due to the efforts of Town Counsel and staff to negotiate close outs
of various cases.
John Leeman requested these reports on a monthly basis, and Kevin Mahoney will provide those reports to the
Chairman.
FISCAL YEAR 1996 BUDGET AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PLAN RECOMMENDATION TO
REALLOCATE FUNDS: Kevin F. Mahoney,Director of Finance&Administration,discussed his
recommendations to reallocate an additional$320,774. Mr. Mahoney's recommendations were based on his
review of the supplemental budget article which required a general override to fund and was not approved by the
voters at the special election. General Government budgets for FY 96 were reduced by$ 177,000 below the
FY '95 levels. Mr. Mahoney's recommendations addressed restoring some of those dollars to meet identified
needs currently. The General Government proposed allocations are as follows:
- An additional$25,000 be allocated to the Stevens Library to permit the facility to be open an additional 8
1/2 hours per week;
- An additional$25,000 be allocated to Building Maintenance- Salaries to fund a full-time custodian;
- An allocation of$ 6,000 in Parks and Grounds - Salaries;
- An additional allocation of$20,000 in Police Department- Salaries (Overtime);
- An additional$29,500 to Town Accountant- Salaries to restore the unfilled position of Junior Accountant;
- An additional amount of$ 15,800 to the Town Manager- Salaries budget; and
- $3,000 in General Government-Expenses for customer service training for all administrative staff.
Sub-total of these recommendations are$ 124,300. Mr. Mahoney also offered the following recommendations
for additional allocations to be considered by the Board of Selectmen:
$20,000 to fund the contract for the Police Department Management Study.
$20,000 to fund consulting services and related rolation expenses for the Town Manager Search,if deemed
necessary.
To the extent one or both of these items are unnecessary,Mr. Mahoney recommended to
appropriate a sum of money as a contribution,to the 350th Anniversary celebration.
Mr. Mahoney made the following recommendations regarding the FY 96 Capital Improvements Plan. Town
cannot appropriate the$256,000 needed to fund the projects which were targeted to be approved by the General
Fund override. However,included in those items were the voting machines which the Town Clerk has now been
Board of Selectmen Minutes August 21,1995 Page 4.
able to identify a funding source within the departmental budget(primarily a savings realized by the
implementation of the Central Voter Registry). Mr. Mahoney requested that the Board vote to authorize the
Town Manager to enter into a lease agreement to obtain six voting machines.
This analysis indicated that Town can proceed with the bonded portion the tax-supported C.I.P.,if the Board of
Selectmen appropriate$ 156,000 toward Debt Service in FY `96.
By appropriating the additional$ 156,000 the"Appropriation Level-Tax Supported Debt"will rise to$
1,200,000 in FY `96. A transfer to the C.I.P. Reserve Fund in the amount of$287,832,will be needed at the
Special Town Meeting in order to meet debt service requirements without impacting available revenues for
future year operating budgets.
These recommendations also impact the School department operating budget. The additional State Aid
contributed to an increase in the Education Reform net school spending requirements by about$43,000. In
order to maintain the$300,000 level in excess of minimum Education Reform, and to minimize the FY `97
impact,the Town must fund the increase. Also,the School Department has entered into a lease/purchase
agreement for technology equipment. The School Department has paid the first year payment on the lease of$
50,000,which was paid by funds within the school operating budget. If this recommendation is approved by
Town Meeting,it will enable the Town to charge the$ 50,000 against the article and restore those funds to the
School Department operating budget and continue to maintain the$300,000 funding level in excess of
Education Reform. The total amount of these recommendations is $320,300.
Kenneth Crouch made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart,to support the proposals made by Kevin F.
Mahoney,Director of Finance&Administration, and to send the entire budget recommendation and CIP
recommendation to the Finance Committee;vote approved 5-0.
John Leeman regeusted that this recommendation be revisited once the Board gets the information requested
from the School Department regarding the school busing of students.
TRAFFIC ADVISORY COUNCIL: The Traffic Advisory Council held their first meeting the previous week
and had a lot of participation from staff. The second meeting of the Traffic Advisory Council will be held in
September and after that meeting,the council will be making some recommendations to the Board of Selectmen.
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business,this meeting adjourned at 9:15 PM;vote approved 5-0.
Kevin Foley, Clerk