HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-11-26 Board of Selectmen Minutes BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES NOVEMBER 26, 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.
LICENSING COMMISSIONERS: John Leeman made a motion, seconded by Kevin Foley,to move
into licensing; vote approved 5-0.
Request from Evy Gillette, Manager, Stevens Estate n, Osgood Hill, for a one-day, all-alcoholic beverages
license for Grace Ann Remmes, for a Class Reunion on November 29, 1996, from 7:00 PM to 12:00 AM
and a one-day, all-alcoholic beverages license for Tracy Connolly, Class of 1986 Reunion, on November
30, 1996 from 7:00 PM to 12:00 AM -John Leeman made a motion, seconded by Kevin Foley,to approve;
vote approved 5-0.
John Leeman made a motion, seconded by Kevin Foley,to move out of licensing; vote approved 5-0.
COMMUNICATIONS,ANNOUNCEMENTS & PUBLIC COMMENT:
Appointment of Temporary Registrar for Congressional Recount-Leonard Windle -John Leeman made a
motion, seconded by Donald Stewart,to appoint Leonard Windle as a temporary registrar for the 06th
Congressional District recount to be held on December 2, 1996; vote approved 5-0.
Chapter 61B, Section 9 -Non-Exercise of First Refusal Option-Farnum Street-Thomson Sale to Perna-
The Town Manager informed the Board of Selectmen of a minor change of this plan. The Board of
Selectmen signed the new affidavit which reflected the plan number changes.
1996 - 1997 WINTER PARKING BAN: John Leeman made a motion, seconded by Donald Stewart,to
approve the Winter Parking ban; vote approved 5-0.
CONTINUATION OF TAX CLASSIFICAITON HEARING: Kevin Foley read Mr. Leeman's
memorandum which stated he had to abstain from discussion and vote on this topic. Kevin F. Mahoney,
Director of Finance and Administration, passed out an analysis of valuation and tax levies excluding new
growth and abatements issued, as the Board of Selectmen had requested. Kevin Foley asked Mr. Mahoney
what the differential between residential and commercial/industrial tax rates should be set in order to obtain
an 80/20 split. Mr. Mahoney put that number at 16%.
A representative of Lucent Technologies address the Board of Selectmen and expressed his rationale for
keeping the differential at 8%. Other residents and business owners addressed the board on the issue, some
in favor of keeping the rate the same, others in favoring of raising it.
William Duffy made a motion, seconded by David Torrisi ,to set the differential at 1.16. Donald Stewart
spoke in favor of keeping it at 8%, because it would keep businesses from leaving North Andover.
Kevin Foley expressed his feelings that this was a difficult decision for the Board but that it was important
to stop the trend of increasing the tax burden on the residential homeowner. Mr. Foley explained that if the
differential was kept at 8%,then the split would grow to 84/16.
Motion passed 3-1-1 (Donald Stewart opposed and John Leeman abstained).
Board of Selectmen Minutes November 26, 1996 Page 2.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: John Leeman made a motion, seconded by David Torrisi,to move into
Executive Session for the purposes of updating the Board on the purchase of the textile museum
warehouse; vote approved 5-0.
David Torrisi, Clerk