HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-01-06 Board of Selectmen Minutes BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES JANUARY 6, 1997
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.
PROCEDURES FOR REVIEW OF THE TOWN MANAGER: The Chairman announced that the
agenda will have an additional item. That item is the discussion of establishing procedures by which to
evaluate the Town Manager. Mr. Foley distributed a draft set of procedures to evaluate the Town
Manager, as well as a draft evaluation form. He requested that the Board review the items and contact him
with any suggested changes. This will be placed on the agenda on January 27, 1997 for additional
discussion.
RENEW BOND ANTICIPATION NOTES IN THE AMOUNT OF $4,900,000 MATURING
JANUARY 10, 1997 AND RENEWING UNTIL JANUARY 9, 1998 FOR THE OSGOOD HILL
LAND ACQUISITION: Discussion: Mr. Duffy expressed his concern that the town should be bonding
the acquisition over a long-term period(permanently) and not the proposed short-term period. The Finance
Director explained that renewing for one more year will allow the town the flexibility for functioning the
business without jeopardizing the tax status of the center.
John Leeman made a motion, seconded by David Torrisi,that the Town Treasurer be authorized to renew$
4,900,000 Bond Anticipation Notes dated January 10, 1997 and maturing January 9, 1998. Said notes to
be awarded to BankBoston at a coupon interest rate of 4%with a premium payable of$ 8,311.75, for a net
interest payable of 3.8299%; vote approved 5-0.
COMMUNICATIONS,ANNOUNCEMENTS, & PUBLIC COMMENT: Thanks to Staff Assisting
in the Removal of Trees -Donald Stewart expressed his gratitude to the staff(not laborers)whom assisted
Public Works in the removal of trees and brush in town.
APPOINTMENTS - OSGOOD HILL BOARD OF TRUSTEES: The Town received an opinion from
Kopelman&Paige, dated January 6, 1997, regarding their interpretation of Section 3-7-1 of the Town
Charter concerning the power of appointment of the Board of Selectmen. This correspondence has been
attached to these minutes, as "EXHIBIT A".
John Leeman made a motion, seconded by David Torrisi,to expand the Board of Trustees to seven
members for a one-year term and to appoint the following: William Hansen, Richard Reming,
Marc Torrisi, John J. Willis, Jr., Martha Larson, Rebecca Sullivan Takesian, and Albert Cullen; Vote
failed 2 - 3 (Kevin Foley,William Duffy, and Donald Stewart opposed).
David Torrisi made a motion, seconded by Donald Stewart,to expand the Board of Trustees to seven
members for a one-year term and to appoint the members by written ballot; vote approved 5-0. The six
following individuals were appointed by written ballot:
William Hansen, John J. Willis, Jr.,
Marc Torrisi, Martha Larson,
Richard Reming, Albert Cullen.
Board of Selectmen Minutes January 6, 1997 Page 2.
Three applicants were tied to be appointed with only one vacancy remaining;therefore the Board cast
another written ballot. After this ballot,two candidates were still tied by with two votes each; a third
written ballot was voted and John McGarry was appointed to the Board of Trustees.
TOWN REPORT COMMITTEE UPDATE: Guenter Loeser of the Town Report Committee discussed
with the Board the Annual Town Report. The committee is presently reviewing the format of the report
and will be coming forward with suggestions of changes, however,the FY 96 report will not be changed
from the prior year.
DISCUSSION OF ACQUISITION OF TEXTILE MUSEUM WAREHOUSE PROPERTY:
Paul Rivard, Director, American Textile History Museum, had notified the town that the museum trustees
will not sell the property at 400 Osgood Street to North Andover. The Trustees reasons are as follows:
contamination of soil on the site and the required environmental efforts are very costly.
The Town Manager read the letter dated December 24, 1996 received from the Textile Museum, which has
been attached to the minutes as "Exhibit B".
DISCUSSION OF TOWN COUNSEL - REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS: The Board of Selectmen
discussed the issuance of a Request for Proposals for Town Counsel. An RFP was presented to the Board.
This RFP will not include Labor Counsel. David Torrisi made a motion, seconded by William Duffy,to
issue and Request for Proposals for Town Counsel for the Town of North Andover; vote failed 2 - 3
(Kevin Foley, John Leeman, and Donald Stewart opposed). The Board discussed amendments to the RFP.
The RFP was referred back to the subcommittee for further review.
AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT PROJECT: The Town Manager discussed with the Board the proposed
Airport Development Project. The project will be the development of 51 acres for an industrial park. This
development is to play a key role in developing the entire regional area. The City of Lawrence's efforts to
introduce a commuter airline service is considered to be a negative impact to North Andover and this issue
will continue to be discussed. John Leeman discussed the Town's need to have control over what
businesses are allowed into the development through the requirement of a vote of the host community. Mr.
Leeman also wants to ensure that the tax rate will be marketable. The Industrial Airpark Development
Committee will have two members of the Board of Selectmen and the Town Manager representing North
Andover's interests.
David Torrisi made a motion, seconded by William Duffy,to adopt the proposed agreement in principle
and to establish a subcommittee of two members and the Town Manager to review the Airport
Development Project agreement; motion withdrawn.
William Duffy made a motion, seconded by Donald Stewart,to appoint John Leeman, David Torrisi, and
the Town Manager to the Industrial Airpark Development Committee; vote approved 5-0.
William Duffy made a motion, seconded by Donald Stewart,to approve the project schedule, as proposed
by the Director of Community Development; vote approved 5-0.
SELECTMEN'S MEETING SCHEDULE: The Board Board of selectmen approved the following
meeting schedule:
Monday, February 10, 1997 Monday, February 24, 1997 Monday, March 10, 1997
Board of Selectmen Minutes January 6, 1997 Page 2.
Monday, March 24, 1997 Monday, April 7, 1997 Monday, June 2, 1997
Tuesday, April 22, 1997 Monday, June 16, 1997
Monday, May 5, 1997 Monday, June 30, 1997
Monday, May 19, 1997
BUDGET UPDATE: The Fiscal Year 1998 budget has been distributed to the Board of Selectmen, as
well as the School Department's budget request. There will be a number of budget meetings, including a
budget presentation by the Town Manager on January 21, 1997.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: John Leeman made a motion, seconded by David Torrisi, for the Board of
Selectmen to move into Executive Session for the purposes of discussing the following:
• Update Board of Selectmen on Wheelabrator negotiations.
• Discuss strategy for collective bargaining -Group Health Insurance.
• Update -North Andover Land Corporation vs. Conservation Commission
The Board was individually polled and voted unanimously to move into Executive Session; vote
approved 5-0.
Melissa A. Powers, Administrative Secretary David Torrisi, Clerk of the Board