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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-04-02 Board of Selectmen Minutes BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES APRIL 2, 1996 CALL TO ORDER: Kevin Foley, Clerk of the Board, called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM. Mr. Foley acted as Chairman in Mr. Leeman's absence. Mr. Foley also welcomed the two new members of the Board,William B. Duffy, Jr., and David Torrisi. ATTENDANCE: The following were present: John Leeman, Chairman, arrived late while attending Planning Board meeting;William B. Duffy, Jr.; Kevin Foley; Donald Stewart; David Torrisi; Robert J. Halpin, Town Manager; and Kevin Mahoney, Director of Finance &Administration. COMMUNICATIONS &ANNOUNCEMENTS: The Town Manager discussed the communications and announcements. AEG Schneider Automation, Inc., donated American Flags to be hung in various locations in town in recognition of the 350th Anniversary celebration. William Duffy made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart,to have the Town Manager acknowledge this donation; vote approved 4-0. Announced was an invitation from John Lyons to the Town Officials to participate in the Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 27, 1996. YOUTH SERVICES - PERMISSION TO HOLD CAR WASH: William Duffy made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart,to approve the Youth Services request to hold a car wash in the municipal parking lot in the Old Center on Saturday, May 4, 1996, from 8:00 AM -2:00 PM pursuant to the recommendations of the Police and Public Works departments; vote approved 4-0. LICENSING COMMISSIONERS: Donald Stewart made a MOTION, seconded by David Torrisi, for the Board of Selectmen to move into Licensing; vote approved 4-0. Request to Transfer Restaurant All Alcoholic Beverages License from Top of the Scales Restaurant to Top of the Scales Restaurant, Home ofNancv's Catering, Inc. -Kevin Foley made a MOTION, seconded by David Torrisi,to approve the request to transfer the Restaurant All Alcoholic Beverages License from Nancy E. Breen, Manager, Top of the Scales Restaurant, 4 Johnson Street,to Nancy E. Breen, Manager, Top of the Scales Restaurant, Home ofNancy's Catering, Inc., 4 Johnson Street; vote approved 4-0. Request for a Restaurant All Alcoholic Beverages License and an Automatic Amusement Device License (4 devices) -ARC Restaurant, Inc., d/b/a Culpeppers, Carl Discepolo, Manager, 815 Turnpike Street- Attorney Domenic Scalise representing the applicant requested a continuation of this public hearing being that the abutters were not notified seven days prior to the hearing. William Duffy made a MOTION, seconded by Kevin Foley,to grant a continuation of this public hearing until the next regular Selectmen's meeting; vote approved 4-0. Kevin Foley made a MOTION, seconded by David Torrisi, for the Licensing Commissioners to move back into regular session; vote approved 4-0. PROPOSED POLICY- STEVENS ESTATE (i� OSGOOD HILL: The Town Manager discussed with the Board the need for an agreeable mission for the overall use and goal for the future of the Stevens Estate @ Osgood Hill. Town Meeting will be addressing the decision for the use of the estate. After Town Meeting,the Town Manager will report back to the Board his recommendation regarding the mission and Board of Selectmen April 2, 1996 Page 2. use for the Estate. The Town Manager provided the Board with a copy of a draft policy for waiving the user fees at Osgood Hill for non-profit groups such as the "Friends of Osgood Hill", who have expressed interest in hosting fundraising events for the explicit purpose of benefiting the estate. No action was taken by the Board. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Mr. Leeman joined the meeting and assumed chairmanship. March 18 and March 25, 1996 -Kevin Foley made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart,to approve the minutes of March 18, 1996, and March 25, 1996, as presented in the Selectmen's packages; vote approved 5-0. MASTER PLAN FOR TOWN BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES: The Town Manager discussed with the Board a comprehensive master plan for municipal and school buildings. Presently there are three studies underway; a combined public safety facility; a master plan for school facilities; and the move of Town Hall to the Textile Museum to include a proposed reuse of the existing Town Hall. There is also a plan to expand the Senior Center and to building a Youth Center. Mr. Halpin suggested that the best way to proceed would be to amend the current RFP for the possible renovation/relocation of the Town Hall following a review of the School Department facilities needs study, which will be completed with the next two months. Selectman Foley requested a copy of the RFP related to the Town Hall as issued. FINANCIAL PRESENTATION: The Town Manager discussed the Town's financial situation and reviewed the following: At the last meeting,the presented balanced budget falls far short of meeting needs of the Town. The following dramatically effects and worsens the financial situation; increased student enrollment; solid waste disposal costs; debt service; insurance costs; growth impacts in general; and the lack of a capital improvement program. In the next two years,the Town is rapidly losing the flexibility to fix the problem. Selectman Foley requested that the Board be provided a copy of the needs which will not be met in the requested School Department budget. The Budget Advisory Group met on March 20. This meeting was widely attended by others and the consensus of the meeting was on the scope and severity of the financial problem and the urgency to solve problem in FY 1997. The Budget Advisory Group reported that the Town Manager, Superintendent of Schools and the Chairman of the Finance Committee should be charged with responsibility to bring a financial plan forward to solve problem. This plan must allow for the proper management of the town over a five year period and must include written financial policies to guide future decision making. PROPOSED FY 97 BUDGET: The Finance Director presented a proposed fiscal year 1997 budget and recommended that the Board of Selectmen adopt the balanced budget proposal for 1997. This budget proposal is very limited in the town's efforts to increase service levels to where department directors feel is appropriate, and it provides funding only to maintain current service levels. The balanced budget presented by the Finance Director reflects a source and application of funds totaling $ 41,109,991. The following is a breakdown of areas for review by the Board to be included in the proposed budget: Education- School Department-Additional funding of FY 96 in the amount of$ 1,492,921 which is the "Foundation Budget"which will allow the town to be in excess of the Net School Spending requirement. Greater Lawrence Vocational School -The FY 97 assessment decreased by$ 163,443 which reflects the number of North Andover students attending the school. General Government- Salary requirements were included for all executed collective bargaining contracts and funds were provided for currently negotiating contracts and merit increases for employees under the Personnel Bylaw. Community Development was funded for a Master Plan and Watershed Study, as well Board of Selectmen April 2, 1996 Page 3. as an administrative position. Public Works - Street Department has been provided for an additional $ 20,000 for street lights but will not include any additional street lights. Public Works -Refuse has been funded to provide for the increase in the solid waste disposal program. The Police Department has been funded for three replacement cruisers. Debt Service -The debt service schedule has been adjusted to reflect when actual borrowing is necessary depending on the progress of projects. Capital Improvements -Raise and Appropriate -Provides for $ 156,000 for the technology program. Health Insurance -This line item has been increased by$ 215,816. The recommended budget does not meet the following needs requested by departments: Police Department- Six cruisers and three civilian positions;these positions would transfer three officers to patrol. Fire Department-Two additional EMT's to staff a second ambulance during the day shift; a Deputy Chief and Building Maintenance. Planning & Community Services -Increase electrical and plumbing and gas inspector positions from part-time to full-time. Human Services -Nursing services for the Council on Aging and the Health Department; additional staffing at the Stevens Memorial Library to increase hours of operation to 67 hours per week; hazardous waste collection program; and a youth worker. Public Works - Saturday rubbish/recycle pick up;tree maintenance; Cyr recycling area-increase the hours of operation; leaf pickup; field maintenance; and fleet repairs. Capital Improvements; road improvements; sidewalk expansion; school facilities maintenance;technology for municipal town/school administration, school education and public safety. William Whittaker, Chairman of the Finance Committee discussed that the budget is not level serviced because there is a large number of items not provided which will result in many services not provided for. The Finance Committee urged the Board to recognize the problem and provide advisement. William Duffy made the following MOTION, seconded by Kevin Foley: BE IT RESOLVED THAT: The Town should have the ability to provide the level and quality of services required to provide for the public health, safety, education and general well being of its citizens on an ongoing basis; With the flexibility to withstand external economic, environmental or other shocks or disruptions caused by factors over which it has no control; While meeting the demands and challenges of natural growth, decline and change within the North Andover community; That our current financial condition falls significantly short of meeting these goals and as a result the Town will fall significantly short of the level and quality of services required to provide for the public health, safety, education and general well being of its citizens today and in the foreseeable future. It is therefore MOVED that the Town Manager shall work in concert with the Superintendent of Schools and the Chairman of the Finance Committee to formulate financial policies and to plan a strategy which will restore financial stability and allow the Town to meet its mission; and It is finally MOVED that this ad hoc working group shall report back to the Board of Selectmen with its findings and conclusions by not later than July 15, 1996 Board of Selectmen April 2, 1996 Page 4. Kevin Foley made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart,to accept the level funded budget as proposed by the Town Manager to be presented to the Town Meeting with the proviso that if the revenue figures change,the changes are to be reported back to the Board of Selectmen for review; vote approved 5-0. PUBLIC COMMENT: Board of Selectmen Committee Appointments -Kevin Foley made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart,to appoint the following Selectmen to committee vacancies; vote approved 5- 0. Kevin Foley-Lawrence Municipal Airport Commission Search David Torrisi - Osgood Hill Usage Committee Donald Stewart -North Andover Youth Services William Duffy-Budget Advisory Group David Torrisi - Cable TV Advisory Committee Numbering of Annual Town Meeting Warrant Articles -Kevin Foley and John Leeman till meet with the Town Manager,the Town Moderator, and the Chairman of the Finance Committee to number and order the Annual Town Meeting warrant. NORTHEAST SOLID WASTE COMMITTEE: The Town Manager and Steven Rothstein,the Executive Director of the Northeast Solid Waste Committee, presented to the Board of Selectmen the proposed Memorandum of Understanding between the NESWC Communities and Wheelabrator. This Memorandum of Understanding is for an agreement to continue the contract between Wheelabrator and the NESWC communities for an additional ten years but will potentially stabilize the tipping fees which are proposed to drastically increase without the new agreement. The decision deadline to sign the new agreement is November 15, 1996, which will require a vote of Town Meeting. A number of participants at the meeting expressed opposition to incineration at this plant and requested further information from NESWC, as to the town's alternatives. The Town Manager and Mr. Rothstein agreed to set up a work session meeting to discuss and address any questions or concerns regarding this potential contract agreement. PUBLIC HEARINGS: The following public hearings were scheduled for this meeting: Massachusetts Electric Company and New England Telephone &Telegraph Company-Pole Petition 4 53-389 - Osgood Street to place two poles and remove one pole and Massachusetts Electric Company and New England Telephone &Telegraph Company-Pole Petition 4 0-53-390 - Osgood Street to place one pole. the petitioners failed to appear before the Board for these petitions,therefore,William Duffy made a MOTION, seconded by Kevin Foley,to table this hearing; vote approved 5-0. EXECUTIVE SESSION: William Duffy made a MOTION, seconded by Kevin Foley, for the Board of Selectmen to move into Executive Session for the purposes of discussion a status report of the collective bargaining with the Communication Dispatchers' Union and the North Andover Police Association;the Board was individually polled and voted unanimously to move into Executive Session; vote approved 5-0. Melissa Powers, Admin. Secretary Kevin Foley, Clerk