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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-07-29 Board of Selectmen Minutes BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES JULY 29, 1996 CALL TO ORDER: Kevin Foley, Chairman, called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM. ATTENDANCE: The following were present: Kevin Foley, Chairman;William B. Duffy, Jr.; John Leeman; Donald Stewart; David Torrisi; and Robert J. Halpin, Town Manager. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: June 24, 1996 and July 15, 1996 -David Torrisi made a MOTION, seconded by William Duffy,to accept the minutes of June 24, 1996 and the minutes of July 15, 1996, as amended; vote approved 5-0. COMMUNICATIONS,ANNOUNCEMENT,AND PUBLIC COMMENT: Request for Assistance to Move World War 11 and Korea/Vietnam Memorials to Memorial Park-Richard LaHaye, Veterans' Administrator, discussed with the Board the proposed move of the World War 11 and Korea/Vietnam Memorials to Memorial Park. John Leeman made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart,to allow the monuments to be moved and to provide Public Works labor assistance to break up the concrete and that the monuments should be placed in accordance with the Improvement Society's approval; vote approved 5-0. 350th Anniversary Ball Video -Kevin Foley stated that there is a video of the 350th Anniversary Ball which will be displayed on Channel 46 on Wednesday at 7:00 PM and Tuesday at 1:00 PM. Financial Policies -The Finance Committee adopted the Financial Policies, as approved by the Board of Selectmen, and amended by the Finance Committee. Master Plan Study Committee -Kevin Foley and John Leeman met with Scott Lodde and Michael Schena of the Master Plan Study Committee to discuss the Selectmen's responses to the MPSC questionnaire. Budget Advisory Group -John Leeman made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart,to replace Mr. Duffy with David Torrisi on the Budget Advisory Group; vote approved 5-0. LICENSING COMMISSIONERS: Donald Stewart made a MOTION, seconded by John Leeman,to move into Licensing; vote approved 5-0. Class 11 License Application-Michael Ricciardi, 231 Sutton Street-This license application is for office place only and not for vehicles to be placed on site. Kevin Foley made a MOTION, seconded by David Torrisi,to approve of the Class 11 license at this location and that the license have a condition of zero (0)vehicles to be allowed at this site; vote approved 4-1 (William Duffy opposed). John Leeman made a MOTION, seconded by David Torrisi,to have the Building Inspector and/or the Police Department follow up on the report that were are nine (9)unregistered vehicles at 231 Sutton Street; vote approved 5-0. Procurement and Consumption of Alcohol by Minors Investigation-Kevin Foley read into the record the following letter which has been provided by Town Counsel to be addressed to Ms. Joanne Capodilupo, Manager, Main Street Liquors, Inc., 64 Main Street,North Andover, Massachusetts 01845: Dear Ms. Capodilupo: Board of Selectmen Minutes July 29, 1996 Page 2. As you may know,the Town of North Andover is conducting an investigation in relation to the possible purchase and consumption of alcohol by minors,or purchase of alcohol for minors,both before and after the tragic death of Kyle Wentworth on July 17, 1996. The North Andover Licensing Commissioners will take no action on this matter until that investigation is complete. Please be aware,however that the Licensing Commissioners are extremely concerned about the availability of alcoholic beverages to minors and that the Commissioners intend to take whatever actions may be appropriate upon completion of the investigation. Kevin Foley made a MOTION, seconded by John Leeman,that this letter be sent immediately; vote approved 5-0. Kevin Foley made a MOTION, seconded by John Leeman,to request that letters of thanks be sent to the Police Department and the Police Officers involved in the investigation; vote approved 5-0. SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS - PRESENTATION OF RESULTS OF NESDEC REPORT: Dr. George L Blaisdell, Superintendent of Schools, discussed the result of the NESDEC report with the Board of Selectmen. The NESDEC project team identified two major problem areas based on current and projected enrollments and the planned operating capacities of the buildings. The problem areas are as follows: 1. There is a projected space shortage over the next ten years of approximately 1,300 elementary pupil stations occasioned by: A. Projected increases in elementary enrollments; B. The fact that the Bradstreet and Thomson buildings are outmoded, obsolete structures which should not be continued in use as active school buildings; C. The use of portable("temporary') classrooms should be discontinued; D. All elementary schools should provide essentially the same programs and services necessitating approximate parity and equity in the educational facilities. 2. There is an ongoing and urgent need to remedy the "open space"problem at the High School. In summary the NESDEC Project Team concluded that there is a need for additional elementary pupil stations (as indicated above). The High School facility must have the HVAC System and the open area classroom situation remedied. The Project Team recommended adopting a master plan encompassing both the elementary and high school problems and to then work diligently to implement the adopted plan. A School Master Plan Committee has been appointed and Samuel Ameen is the Chairman. PUBLIC HEARING- SENIOR CENTER EXPANSION GRANT APPLICATION: David Torrisi read for the record the legal notice for this public hearing as advertised in the Lawrence Eagle Tribune. William Scott, Director, Community Development and Services, discussed with the Board of Selectmen the application for a grant to fund the expansion of the Senior Center. Mr. Scott provided the Board with two memorandums, one regarding the impact of the Senior Center Parking and the other regarding a draft of the Senior Center Project Budget. A number of individuals presented reasons to the Board indicating a need for the addition. Board of Selectmen Minutes July 29, 1996 Page 3. John Leeman made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart, contingent upon obtaining the required variances for the construction of the proposed addition to the Senior Center,that the Board of Selectmen authorize Kevin Foley to sign a Fiscal Year 1996 Massachusetts Small Cities Program, Community Development Fund application, on behalf of the Town of North Andover. Such application is for approximately$ 583,000 for the design, project management, and construction of additions to the Town of North Andover Senior Center. By this vote of the majority of the Board of Selectmen,the Community Development Director, acting through the Town Manager, is authorized to submit the above referenced application. Further the Town is authorized to receive and expend the funds within the scope of the application and the laws and requirements of the Federal Government,the Commonwealth, and the Town of North Andover; vote approved 5-0. AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY GRANT APPLICATION PRESENTATION: William Scott, Director, Community Development and Services discussed with the Board of Selectmen the grant application to acquire aerial photography for the entire Town at a scale of 1 inch= 100 feet. The photos will aid in the Master Plan process as well as be used later in mapping. The grant request is $ 30,000 to be matched by$ 10,000 of town funds. The total project cost is estimated at$ 40,000. The town funds of$ 10,000 will be funded, pending approval, by the Master Plan funds and the Conservation fees. John Leeman made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart,to authorize the chairman of the Board of Selectmen, Kevin Foley,to sign a Fiscal Year 1997 Massachusetts Small Cities Program Municipal Incentive Aid Grant Program application, on behalf of the Town of North Andover. Such application is for approximately$ 30,000 for the creation of aerial photographs toward the development of planning tools to enhance the comprehensive planning process for the Town of North Andover. By this vote of the majority of the Board of Selectmen,the Community Development Director, acting through the Town Manager, is authorized to submit the above referenced application. Further the Community Development Office with approval and oversight by the Master Plan Committee is hereby authorized to receive and expend the funds within the scope of the application and the laws and requirements of the Commonwealth and the Town of North Andover; vote approved 5-0. POLICE DEPARTMENT - POLICY DEVELOPMENT - LAW ENFORCEMENT TRUST FUND: Chief Stanley, presented to the Board of Selectmen with the Law Enforcement Trust Fund policy, as well as presented his recommended additions to the existing policy to include recent changes in the Federal policy guidelines. The Board discussed with Chief Stanley the possibility of using this fund in the budget. Chief Stanley stated that the funds should not be used to defray costs of the budget. Town Manager stated that he and Chief Stanley will develop a means of ground rules by which the Town Manager can measure the priorities for this fund. This policy development will provide a measurement to weigh out the uses (i.e. conferences versus investigations)to ensure that fund is used on projects which have high value to the Town. POLICE DEPARTMENT - REPORT ON COMMITMENT OF RESERVE POLICE OFFICERS: Chief Stanley discussed the commitment to work by Reserve Officers. Chief Stanley stated that the policy in place is not accomplishing its intention due to the fact that most of the Reserve Police Officers have other full-time jobs and there is a blanket exception granted for reserves, if they have jobs outside the department. Chief Stanley stated that due to budgetary reasons,the department is very dependent on the Reserve Officers. He also stated that he will be discussing the commitment of 2 - 3 individuals this week to review their own situations. The Town Manager stated that he,the Finance Director, and the Police Chief will be meeting to Board of Selectmen Minutes July 29, 1996 Page 4. discuss the overall staff budget and the use of the Reserve officers to scheduled overtime. In Chief Stanley's report,three reserve officers are not meeting the commitment to work, one individual is never available, one individual needs their training to be re-certified, and one individual lives in California. The Reserve Office that resides in California is attending the Los Angeles Police Academy,therefore, Chief Stanley wants that person to remain on the list to be potentially transferred back to Massachusetts, if a vacancy arises. Chief Stanley will be taking steps to remove two officers from the list. THOMSON SCHOOL FUN RUN- SEPTEMBER 18, 1996 - (SEPTEMBER 20, 1996 RAIN DATE): John Leeman made a MOTION, seconded by David Torrisi,to approve Susan Howlett's request to hold the Thomson School Fun Run on September 18, 1996 at 5:00 PM and to notify Ms. Howlett that the rain date conflicts with the schedule of the 350th Anniversary Re-Enactment celebration; vote approved 5-0. APPOINTMENTS - GREATER LAWRENCE SANITARY DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE: John Leeman made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart,to appoint John Pollano as the Town's representative to the Greater Lawrence Sanitary District Board of Commissioners. Mr. Torrisi and Mr. Duffy expressed concern that they had not yet met or interviewed Mr. Pollano, and were expecting to be appointing him only as an alternate representative this evening. Mr. Torrisi made a MOTION to table this until the next scheduled meeting on the 12th of August, motion failed to be seconded. Mr. Halpin explained that the immediate appointment is necessary due to the fact that our present representative will be traveling and North Andover needs to be represented at the District meetings. Vote to appoint Mr. Pollano was approved 3-2 (David Torrisi and William Duffy opposed). TOWN MANAGER REPORTS: The following subjects will be discussed in upcoming meetings the Town Manager has scheduled: N.E.S.W.C. outstanding issues including the retrofit project and the contract restructuring;the future of the Stevens Estate @ Osgood Hill;the Gazebo on the Old Center Common; and the next Budget Advisory Group meeting. The Town Manager also discussed with the Board of Selectmen the need to establish a date for the Fall Special Town Meeting while taking into consideration the recommendations of the Town Clerk. Mr. Halpin also updated the Board on the Denrock Development project and the potential impacts on the sewer and water systems, as well as traffic impacts on Route 114 and some town roads. EXECUTIVE SESSION: John Leeman made a MOTION, seconded by William Duffy,to move into Executive Session for the purposes of have an update of the collective bargaining negotiations;the Board was individually polled and voted unanimously to move into Executive Session; vote approved 5-0. Melissa Powers, Admin. Secretary David Torrisi, Clerk of the Board