HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-06-17 Board of Selectmen Minutes BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES JUNE 17, 1996
CALL TO ORDER: John Leeman, Chairman, called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM.
ATTENDANCE: The following were present: John Leeman, Chairman;William B. Duffy, Jr.;
Kevin Foley; Donald Stewart; David Torrisi; and Robert J. Halpin, Town Manager.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: May 28, 1996 -Kevin Foley made a MOTION, seconded by
David Torrisi,to approve the minutes of May 28, 1996, with the adjustments requested by Mr. Foley and
Mr. Duffy; vote approved 5-0.
COMMUNICATIONS &ANNOUNCEMENTS: Presentation of Appreciation for Donations to Signal
Resco from the Fire Chief- Chief Dolan presented a gift of appreciation to Signal Resco in gratitude of the
donation from Signal Resco for funding the confined rescue equipment to the North Andover Fire
Department._
PUBLIC COMMENT: Thank You Letters - 350th Anniversary Celebration- Mr. Foley complimented
the chief organizers of the 350th Anniversary parade and the Gala Ball.
Kevin Foley made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart,to request that letters of thanks be sent to the
Burkhardt's (Parade Committee) and Elizabeth Leeman(350th Anniversary Ball) for successfully
organizing these events; vote approved 5-0.
Budget Reports -John Leeman submitted questions regarding the most recent Budget Control Report. The
Finance Director and the Town Accountant will address these questions.
Perambulation of the Bounds -Town of Andover-John Leeman requested that the Town Manager make
arrangements with the Town of Andover that in recognition of the 350th Anniversary Celebration of the
towns that the officials of the Town of North Andover and the Town of Andover perambulate their bounds.
LICENSING COMMISSIONERS: Update -Richdale Dairy Stores, 4 Main Street, Six Month Review
of 24 Hour Operation of Common Victualler's License -The Police Department's reported that their have
been no incidents nor complaints filed with the Police Department pertaining to the 24 Hour Operation of
the Common Victualler's License at Richdale Dairy Stores, 4 Main Street. No action was taken.
SELECTMEN'S MEETING SCHEDULE: A schedule of meetings was presented to the Board of
Selectmen for deliberation. It was decided that the Board would meet every other Monday until Labor
Day. Also the first meeting in July will be July 1,then July 15, and the financial planning meeting would
be held on July 22.
William Duffy made a MOTION, seconded by Kevin Foley,to approve the Selectmen's schedule through
Labor Day as adjusted to meet every other week; vote approved 5-0.
PROCLAMATION- PEOPLE TO PEOPLE FRIENDSHIP CARAVAN: Kevin Foley made a
MOTION, seconded by William Duffy,to approve the People to People Friendship Caravan proclamation;
vote approved 5-0.
Board of Selectmen Minutes June 17, 1996 Page 2.
RECREATION DEPARTMENT - PERMISSION TO CLOSE MASS. AVENUE - JULY 4, 1996:
Bill McEvoy, Recreation Director, requested permission to close Mass. Avenue along the Old Center
Common during the July 4, 1996, celebration. William Duffy made a MOTION, seconded by Kevin Foley,
to approve this request; vote approved 5-0.
MERRIMACK VALLEY STRIDERS - PERMISSION TO HOLD 18th RUNNING OF JULY 4
ROAD RACE: William Duffy made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart,to approve this request;
vote approved 5-0.
GARDEN CLUB - PERMISSION TO HOLD "TIMES REMEMBERED: A DAY IN THE OLD
CENTER" - OCTOBER 5, 1996: William Duffy made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart,to
approve this request with the rain date of October 6, 1996; vote approved 5-0.
MASTER PLAN SCHEDULE: Michael Schena and Maureen Hart presented the anticipated
composition of the Master Plan Committee and also reviewed the schedule. The Master Plan will
encompasses the Watershed Study. This schedule encompasses 15 months of research, development and
recommendations of regulatory changes to be brought to Town Meeting. The Master Plan Schedule is
broken down into the following parts for research to implement the Master Plan process:
Community Status and Issues, Consultant Selection, Committee Establishment, Master Plan Project,
Planning Tools/Data, Route 114 Strategic Economic Plan
The Master Plan Committee is expected to be comprised of 13 individuals. A Water Quality Study
Committee has been established and will begin water sampling immediately. Mr. Scott is in the process of
formulating the Request for Proposal for the Consultant Selection
MELANSON & GREENWOOD -AUDITOR'S REPORT FOR FISCAL YEAR 1995 & TOWN'S
RESPONSES: Scott McIntyre of Melanson&Greenwood discussed the FY 1995 Audit report with the
Board of Selectmen. Melanson&Greenwood also discussed the Management Report which made a
number of recommendations, as a result of the audit review, and the Town Manager stated that the Town
will be ready to implement these recommendations as part of the financial strategy plan.
James Sullivan of Melanson&Greenwood discussed the audits of the Police Department and the Division
of Public Works. Mr. Sullivan stated that all expenses processed through the Law Enforcement Trust
Fund were eligible and allowable and that most of the expenses were conferences,travel and equipment.
Mr. Sullivan recommended that the Police Chief develop a policy statement to be presented to the Board of
Selectmen that defines the allowable use of the funds. In review of the allocation of overtime,the auditors
reviewed the management policy and the allocation of the overtime against the policy. At a later date,the
auditors will review the Police Chief s system to charge overtime to grants to make sure the system is
working.
In review of the Public Works payroll,the auditor stated that it is difficult weigh the true costs of work
when hours are charged to a "home department" although by the end of the day an employee may be
working in another department. It was suggested that Town Meeting could authorize revolving funds to
better control the payroll cross charges.
MUNICIPAL BUILDINGS & FACILITIES: William Scott, Community Development and Services
Director discussed with the Board the various options available to be considered for the use of municipal
Board of Selectmen Minutes June 17, 1996 Page 3.
buildings and facilities, as well as the potential use of the Bradstreet School. These options included
development of the Town Hall, Fire Station and the Bradstreet School on Main Street, as well as
proceeding with a Request for Proposals for public safety facilities possibly combining both fire and police
departments. Chief Dolan, Fire Department, discussed the need for the location to consider response times,
and Chief Stanley, Police Department, indicated the location must be highly visible.
William Duffy made a MOTION, seconded by Kevin Foley,to support the option to issue an Request for
Proposal for the feasibility study for the uses of the Town Hall, Fire Station One and the Bradstreet School,
as well as proceeding with the feasibility study for the Public Safety Facilities; vote approved 5-0.
TOWN MANAGER REPORTS: Old Cart Way -The Town Manager reviewed with the Board the
status of the layout of Old Cart Way and the discontinued portions of the cul-de-sac. Mr. Halpin determine
no present or future public use for the discontinued portions of the cul-de-sac. William Duffy made a
MOTION, seconded by Kevin Foley,to support that Town should not pursue whatever claim it may have
to the portions of cul-de-sac in question and to convey the fee in the most recently approved layout; vote
approved 5-0.
Airport Development Proiect -The Town Manager has participated in planning sessions concerning the
development of the industrial property adjacent to the Lawrence Municipal Airport. The indications are
that the project is viable financially. There is a small eight-acre parcel, owned by the Town of North
Andover, which abuts the Lawrence property which is an abandoned well site which has been slated as part
of the development. Mr. Halpin is in the process of determining whether there is any definitive future use
of this well site for public water supply. While nothing definitive exists, documentation obtained from the
State D.E.P. indicates that the site would not likely be re-commissioned, as a water supply. The question is
if the Town wishes to walk away from the well site and add the eight acres to the development proposal.
Without committing the idea,the Town Manager suggested that Merrimack Engineering proceed, as if the
parcel is to be added. It is anticipated that the City of Lawrence would extend its Economic Target Area
into North Andover as part of this effort under a job sharing and revenue sharing arrangement.
John Leeman expressed his concern that if the Town is to participate in this development, it must address
issues pertaining to traffic control, noise pollution and public safety which may be impacted by increased
traffic.
School Department- New England School Development Council Report -The New England School
Development Council has issued a report about the Town's school facilities. The Superintendent of
Schools will make a presentation relative to this report encompassing the long-range plan as a future
meeting.
Police Academy Recruit Training Fee Agreement -Under a new law adopted by the legislature in
FY 1996,the Town is charged$1,800 per recruit and has the option of charging this amount back to the
recruit in order to recover it or waiving all or part of the charge. A Recruit Training Waiver Fee
Agreement was presented to the Board of Selectmen for their approval, which requires a five-year
commitment from the officer. Whatever the time the employee leaves prior to the completion of the time
frame,the will recover as a pro-rated share of the training invested.
Division of Public Works Report -The Town Manager updated the Board of Selectmen regarding the
report of issues pertaining to the Division of Public Works. Mr. Halpin's report indicated that all issues
discussed between Mr. Halpin and George Perna, Director, Division of Public Works, have been dealt with
and no action is required. A report from the Massachusetts Highway Department on unaccepted roads is
Board of Selectmen Minutes June 17, 1996 Page 4.
pending and a verbal report from George Perna, Director, Division of Public Works, will be provided at a
later date.
Cyr Recycling Center - Concern has been raised regarding the volume of stumps and wood debris being
taken to the Cyr Recycling Center. The Town Manager recommended that the town steps to prohibit the
disposal of stumps and trees, immediately. Mr. Halpin checked with three landscape contractors who have
businesses located in North Andover and all three stated that the prohibition would not impact them. The
prohibition will be instituted this week.
Right of 1St Refusal- Chapter 61B - Farnum Street & Chapter 61A- Bradford Street -The Town
Manager reported that the town has been notified of the sale intentions of two properties. One property is
Chapter 61B land located on Farnum Street and the other property is Chapter 61A on Bradford Street. The
Planning Board and the Conservation Commission are in the process of review these notifications to
provide the Town Manager's office with a recommendation. George Perna, Director, Division of Public
Works, has notified the Town Manager's office that he intends to purchase the land located on Farnum
Street.
State Aid Anticipation Note Sale and Bond Anticipation Note Sale -The Finance Director has informed
the Town Manager that he will be accepting bids on the notes due to expire at the end of this month on June
18, 1996 and will be asking the members of the Board to vote to accept the pricing of the notes and
authorize their issuance. The total of the Bond Anticipation Notes to be issued will be in the amount of
$ 13,400,000 and the State Aid Anticipation Note Sale will be in the amount of$ 608,648.
Electric Industry Restructuring -The electric industry is going through a process of regulation and
restructuring similar to that of the telecommunications industry ten or twelve years ago. Consumers will be
able to select their power generator separate from its power distributor(Mass. Electric Co.) effective
January 1, 1998. For larger consumers of power,this is supposed to create an opportunity to negotiate
lower electric costs, however, it is uncertain what will happen to smaller consumers and residences. The
Town of Lexington has filed an appearance before the DPU and is exploring the feasibility of acting as a
so-called aggregator either individually or together with other municipalities to create bargaining leverage
for residents and small businesses. N.E.S.W.C. communities have been asked to explore the feasibility to
join Lexington in the DPU proceedings. Mr. Halpin has indicated that North Andover is interested in
exploring the issue at least up to the point where it might be asked to contribute financially, at which point
the Town would have to make a more detailed evaluation. Early indications are that each
participating community might be asked to contribute $2,000.
Performance Evaluation System - The Town Manager is implementing a new performance evaluation
system for management and exempt personnel. The new system is based on a conventional Management
By Objective (MBO) approach. An effective performance evaluation system is an essential part of the
performance based budgeting system we are trying to implement. Two training sessions will be held on
two consecutive Tuesday mornings utilizing David Haley and practitioner of the MBO method of
performance evaluation. The Town Manager invited the members of the Board of Selectmen to attend
these sessions
Long-Range Financial Strategy -Dr. George L Blaisdell, Superintendent of Schools, Bill Whittaker,
Mike Garron of the Finance Committee and Mr. Halpin will be meeting to take the next step in the planning
process. That plan is to pull together, as much as we can for the purpose of pulling together a final report
in time for the July 15th deadline.
Board of Selectmen Minutes June 17, 1996 Page 5.
Legal Affairs Subcommittee -Bill Duffy, Dave Torrissi, Karen Robertson, and Mr. Halpin met and
reviewed the procedures by which claims and legal actions filed against the town are handled
administratively. Several points/understandings were reached:
Kopelman&Paige should be monitored closely to assure that the work, which should be part
of their retainer is in fact charged against the retainer, and not prematurely added to
"litigation".
Claims and legal action expected to result in litigation, should be presented to the Board of
Selectmen for review and selection of appropriate legal counsel.
Routine claims which are referred to the insurance company for coverage need not be presented
to the Board unless they are significant in nature.
Den Rock Development -The Town Manager discussed with the Board the "Den Rock" apartment
development. The curb cut will be in North Andover and that has been some discussion of North Andover
supplying water. These discussions will develop further after the water supply needs are further evaluated.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: Kevin Foley made a MOTION, seconded by David Torrisi, for the Board of
Selectmen to move into Executive Session for the purposes of the Town Manager updating the Board
regarding the North Andover Police Association and the Central Dispatch bargaining units as well as an
update of the negotiations regarding the Textile Museum Warehouse; vote approved 5-0.
Melissa Powers, Admin. Secretary Kevin Foley