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Home My WebLink About1998-11-16 Board of Selectmen Minutes BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES NOVEMBER 16, 1998 CALL TO ORDER: Keith A. Mitchell, Chairman, called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. ATTENDANCE: The following were present: Keith A. Mitchell, Chairman;William B. Duffy, John R. Leeman, Jr.; Donald B. Stewart; David M. Torrisi; Robert J. Halpin, Town Manager. COMMUNICATIONS,ANNOUNCEMENTS,AND PUBLIC COMMENT: Election Workers. Keith Mitchell extended his appreciation and acknowledged all the people who worked at the polls on election day. Ice Skating. William McEvoy, Parks and Recreation Director, asked that the residents be reminded of ice skating on Sunday evenings at Brooks School. Incinerator Hearing. David Torrisi said that there is concern among resident regarding the upcoming incinerator hearing. The Town Manager said that an additional invitation was sent to Mr. James Coleman, Assistant Commissioner of Waste Prevention at the D.E.P., and he spoke to Mr. Ed Kuntz, Deputy Commissioner, who indicated that the Town Manager should hear from him this week. David Torrisi said that residents are concerned that the State plans to hold only one meeting north of Boston for issues concerning all incinerators. Agenda Addition. William Duffy requested that Traffic in the Old Center be added to Old Business. LICENSING COMMISSIONERS: David Torrisi made a MOTION, seconded by John Leeman,to move into licensing; vote approved 5 — 0. One-Day All Alcohol Licenses. Evy Gillette, Manager, Stevens Estate @ Osgood Hill, 723 Osgood Street, requests a one-day all alcohol license for Methuen High School Reunion on November 27, 1998, from 7:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. and Armen Jeknavorian, Saint Gregory Armenian Church, 158 Main Street, requests a one-day all alcohol license for a Dinner Dance at Jaffarian Hall on November 28, 1998, from 7:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. John Leeman made a MOTION, seconded by Keith Mitchell,to approve the two one-day all alcohol licenses; vote approved 5 — 0. David Torrisi made a MOTION, seconded by John Leeman,to move out of licensing; vote approved 5 — 0. PUBLIC HEARINGS: Classification and Taxation of Property According to Use—FY 1999. The Town Manager stated that this hearing is an annual occurrence and introduced Garrett Boles, Town Assessor,to make his presentation regarding taxation on both residential and commercial property. Mr. Boles spoke about the decrease in the growth rate and the fact that Edgewood was a substantial part of the 1998 growth rate. He also spoke about the increase in abatement applications which he said was normal in a revalue year. Mrs. Fink, a Town resident, addressed the Board saying that 27 years ago when her house was built, it was zoned commercial property but it is now only used for residential but is being taxed at 3/4 commercial. Board of Selectmen Minutes November 16, 1998 Page 2 Garrett Boles stated that the tax bills should be sent out by December 16. Keith Mitchell closed the public hearing. William Duffy made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart,to set the minimum residential factor at 1.16;vote approved 5 — 0. APPOINTMENTS: Local Arts Council. John Leeman made a MOTION, seconded by David Torrisi,to accept the resignation of Judith Hillner from the Local Arts Council; vote approved 5 — 0. David Torrisi made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart,to increase membership in the Local Arts Council from 7 to 9 members; vote approved 5 —0. John Leeman made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart,to appoint Pat Conroy to fill an unexpired term to expire June 30, 1999, Barbara Somers for a term to expire June 30, 1999 and J. Leslie Young-Lemire for a term to expire June 30, 2000; vote approved 5 — 0. CONSENT ITEMS: Approval of the All Night Winter Parking Ban 1998 — 1999. Donald Stewart made a MOTION, seconded by David Torrisi,to approve the all night winter parking ban as presented; vote approved 5 — 0. OLD BUSINESS: Status Report and Update—Fiscal Year 1998 Audit. The Town Manager introduced Scott McIntyre from the firm of Melanson&Heath who is the auditor in charge of the Town's 1998 audit. Mr. McIntyre said that the field work has been completed and the financial statements are going through the firm's quality control process. He stated that the draft financials should be delivered to the Finance Department by mid-week. Kevin Mahoney, Director of Administration and Finance, said the draft copy should be in the Board's package by next week. Management Report—Water Enterprise Revenues and Rates. Scott McIntyre presented his findings regarding water revenue and rates to the Board. Mr. McIntyre pointed out that the estimated revenue differed from the tax recap sheet and these two must agree. After being questioned by William Duffy about a rebate to Lucent Technologies, Mr. McIntyre said he will address that issue in his Management Letter. He also stated that the Tap Recap was completed in December. Mr. McIntyre told the Board that there would be a revenue deficit in FY'99 if the water rate is not increased. He also recommended that the hook-up fee revenue be decreased. The Board agreed to discuss the impact of estimated bills at the next meeting. Donald Stewart asked if there was a list of estimated reading indicating the number of quarters that have been estimated at one address. Board of Selectmen Minutes November 16, 1998 Page 3 Lawrence Airport Industrial Part—Update. The Town Manger updated the Board on the Lawrence City Council's action on three items of interest to the Town; 1)the City has adopted the sale of 49 acres of property at the Lawrence Regional Airport; 2) they have endorsed special legislation that would allow the Town and the City to share the tax proceeds; 3) authorized the Mayor to enter into a memorandum of agreement with the Town. This legislation is currently being reviewed by Town Counsel. This should be complete this week, and Mr. Urbelis will be available for the next Board of Selectmen meeting. Lawrence Airport Noise Complaints—Update. The Town Manager stated that Special Town Counsel has reviewed what the Town's recourse may be and has said that there is very little regulatory action that can be taken. Special Town Counsel suggested that voluntary meetings would be more beneficial. The Mass. Aeronautics Commission has agreed to facilitate a meeting between the Airport and the Town. Donald Stewart, Keith Mitchell and David Torrisi have agreed to represent the Selectmen at this meeting. Campion Hall—Update. The Town Manager said that Town Counsel filed a complaint in Superior Court seeking to enforce an order to demolish the Carriage House, fill the swimming pool and erect a fence in order to protect public safety. The judge did issue a preliminary injunction to make the building safe. Keith Mitchell requested that the neighbors be kept informed of the progress. Traffic at the Old Center—William Duffy noted that there was another accident in the Old Center. He requested that by next week an RFP will be in place. NEW BUSINESS: Appointment of Audit Selection Committee—FY 1999—2001. The Town Manager informed the Board that the three year engagement with Melanson&Heath ends this year. John Leeman made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart to defer this item until Monday,November 23, 1998 with the understanding that the Town Manager will have the written policy; vote approved 5 — 0. EXECUTIVE SESSION: John Leeman made a MOTION, seconded by David Torrisi ,to move into executive session to discuss collective bargaining regarding the firefighters contract and litigation regarding Mesiti Development and Tara Leigh Development; vote approved 5 — 0. Ann M. Keating Acting Secretary John R. Leeman, Jr., Clerk of the Board