HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-08-23 Board of Selectmen Minutes BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES AUGUST 23, 1999
CALL TO ORDER: Keith Mitchell called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
ATTENDANCE: The following were present: Keith A. Mitchell, Chairman;William B. Duffy, Jr.;
Donald B. Stewart; James M. Xenakis; Robert J. Halpin, Town Manager.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart,to approve the Executive Minutes of July
19, 1999 and the Minutes of August 9, 1999 as amended by William Duffy; vote approved 4— 0.
COMMUNICATIONS,ANNOUNCEMENTS,AND PUBLIC COMMENT:
Concerns Regarding Mandatory Train Whistles at Grade Crossings. James Xenakis read a letter he
drafted to send to the Director of Rail Operation(attached).
James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by William Duffy to send the letter as drafted; vote approved
4- 0.
Report on GLSD Odors. The Town Manager spoke about the complaints the Town Manager's Office
has received about the odors from the Greater Lawrence Sanitary District. Mr. Richard Hogan,
Executive Director of the GLSD, explained that the issue is being addressed. He stated that stronger
chemicals are being used to reduce the odors and that they are investigating actively to find the problem.
Donald Stewart questioned if the problem was more evident at particular times of day. Mr. Hogan said
early morning seems to be worse. He encouraged residents to call the GLSD if they are experiencing an
odor problem so it can be investigated immediately.
Capital Facilities Planning Meeting on Wednesday, August 25, 1999. The Town Manager announced
that a meeting would be held at Stevens Estate @ Osgood Hill to discuss planning issues with members of
the Board, Superintendent of Schools, Fire Chief, Police Chief, Director of Community Development,
School Committee, Master Plan Committee, School Building Committee, and Finance Committee.
William Duffy said that residents on Brentwood Circle have concerns about the Great Pond Road sewer
project and also many residents are inquiring about what is happening with the Old Center Traffic Study.
Resident Comment: Mr. Henry Fink commented that he thinks a public hearing should be held before
the warrant is closed.
PUBLIC HEARINGS—POLE PETITIONS:
Plan 53/419—Massachusetts Electric Company and New England Telephone Company—Boxford Street
and Forest Street, place three poles and remove two poles. A representative of Massachusetts Electric
was available to answer questions. Mr. Brian Fallon questioned the advisability of putting a pole on the
corner but did not object.
Donald Stewart made a MOTION, seconded by James Xenakis,to approve Plan 53/419; vote approved 4
— 0.
Plan 53/420—Massachusetts Electric Company and New England Telephone Company—Boxford Street,
place one pole. Mr. Harry Thomas asked exactly it would be placed and was satisfied with the answer.
Board of Selectmen Minutes August 23, 1999 Page 2
William Duffy made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart,to approve Plan 53/420;vote approved 4
— 0.
CONSENT ITEMS:
Request from Brian McGettrick, Thomson School PTO,to hold the annual FUN RUN. The run is to be
held on Friday, September 24, 1999 (Friday, October 1, 1999—rain date).
Donald Stewart made a MOTION, seconded by William Duffy to approve this request; vote approved 4—
0.
LICENSING COMMISSIONERS:
Donald Stewart made a MOTION seconded by James Xenakis,to move into Licensing; vote approved 4—
0.
One Day Alcohol License. Paul J. Burke, Grand Knight, Monsignor Shea Council 3819—Knights of
Columbus, 505 Sutton Street, requests the following one day license and waiver of fee.
Annual Family Outing September 19, 1999 12:00 p.m. — 6:00 p.m. Beer&Wine
William Duffy made a MOTION, seconded by Keith Mitchell,to approve the one-day license and to
waive the fee; vote approved 4— 0.
Report on McDonald's Common Victualer's License. The Town Manager reviewed the background of
McDonald's license and discussions with Town Counsel.
Keith Mitchell made a MOTION, seconded by James Xenakis,to send a letter to McDonald's corporate
office requesting a meeting to discuss the license agreement; vote approved 4— 0.
Keith Mitchell made a MOTION, seconded by James Xenakis,to move out of Licensing; vote approved 4
— 0.
OLD BUSINESS:
Town Accountant Reports. The Town Manager said the Town Accountant and staff have spent a great
deal of time reviewing the type of information generated by the accounting system. The Town Manager
said there will be monthly and quarterly reports made to the Board of Selectmen in accordance to the
Charter.
Keith Mitchell said this is certainly a step in the right direction. He added that Mr. Duffy would like to
see trends in order to make policy decisions. He commended the Town Accountant on her endeavor.
The Town Accountant reviewed the reports and answered questions from the Board. She said permit
fees, etc. should be closely looked at. The Town Manager said that the total that is budgeted is $150,000
less than last year. He added that fees need to be scrutinized.
The Town Manager said the Town is waiting for the Department of Revenue to give its opinion on
repayment.
William Duffy made a MOTION, seconded by James Xenakis,that contingent upon approval of the
Department of Revenue we adopt the allocation recommended in option 3. (This option provides for a
Board of Selectmen Minutes August 23, 1999 Page 3
13-day accrual and apportions $111,967 to the Enterprise Funds and$323,664 to the General Fund); vote
approved 4— 0.
Youth Center Grant Agreement. The Town Manager reviewed the memo of Agreement and the fact that
the Youth Center Committee raised approximately$1.5 million. He said the Indemnification Clause was
revised and a severability provision was added.
William Scott, Director of Community Development, reviewed the steps taken to get to where the Youth
Center is today. The next step is to put a bid out for a project manager. The grand opening will be
sometime in July of 2000.
Donald Stewart made a MOTION, seconded by James Xenakis,to execute the Grant Agreement and
accept the donation; vote approved 4— 0.
NEW BUSINESS:
Request for Stop Signs at the Intersections of Lancaster at South Bradford and Kara Drive at Lisa Lane.
Because of some confusion,there were residents at the meeting who were interested in a request for a
Stop sign at the intersection of South Bradford at Winter. Donald Stewart made a MOTION,to install
the Stop sign; it was not seconded.
William Duffy made a MOTION, seconded by James Xenakis,to install a Stop sign at the intersection of
Lancaster and South Bradford; vote approved 4— 0.
William Duffy made a MOTION, seconded by James Xenakis,to install a Stop sign at the intersection of
Kara Drive and Lisa Lane; vote approved 4— 0.
A number of residents from Winter Street expressed their concerns regarding the traffic problem at the
intersection of South Bradford and Winter Streets.
William Duffy made a MOTION, seconded by James Xenakis,to place it on the Board of Selectmen's
agenda on August 30, 1999 (this was changed to August 31, 1999);vote approved 4— 0.
Discussion of MediaOne/ATT License Transfer. The Town Manager said this was an item that
Mr. Duffy requested be on the agenda this week. The Town Manager felt that the Board may want to
send a statement of its desire that the access to the internet over local cable systems remain open to other
internet service providers.
William Duffy also stated that he felt the Board must be proactive in some of these Legislative hearings.
William Duffy made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart,that the Board go on record against
permitting MediaOne/ATT merger be approved on terms which allows those entities and internet service
providers to pay for contents they do not want; vote approved 4— 0.
William Duffy also spoke about the binding arbitration alert. He asked that a written statement be sent to
the Commission regarding this issue.
Mr. Duffy also spoke about the locations for assessors' training. He suggested a letter be sent regarding
more appropriate locations.
Town Manager—Performance Evaluation. Keith Mitchell asked that the Selectmen have the evaluation
completed by September 7, 1999.
Board of Selectmen Minutes August 23, 1999 Page 4
ADJOURNMENT:
William Duffy made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart,to adjourn the meeting at 9:15 p.m.; vote
approved 4— 0.
Ann M. Keating
Administrative Secretary James M. Xenakis, Clerk of the Board