HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-01-11 Board of Selectmen Minutes BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES JANUARY 11, 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 Duffy; John R. Leeman, Jr.; Donald B. Stewart; David M. Torrisi; Robert J. Halpin, Town
Manager.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
David Torrisi made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart, to approve the Minutes of
December 16, 1998 and the amended Minutes of January 4, 1999;vote approved 5 — 0.
COMMUNICATIONS,ANNOUNCEMENTS,AND PUBLIC COMMENT:
Keith Mitchell congratulated David Torrisi who is officially North Andover's State Representative.
In lieu of the January 18, 1999 meeting,there will be a meeting conducted by the Lawrence Municipal
Airport regarding noise. The next regularly scheduled meetings will be on
January 25, 1999 and February 2, 1999.
John Leeman questioned how information discussed in Executive Session was disclosed in the
newspaper. The Town Manager said he would investigate the matter.
APPOINTMENTS:
North Andover Historical Commission. John Leeman made a MOTION, seconded by
William Duffy,to approve the appointment of Barbara Somers for a term to expire
June 30, 2001;vote approved 5 — 0.
LICENSING COMMISSIONERS:
David Torrisi made a MOTION, seconded by John Leeman,to move into Licensing; vote approved 5 — 0.
Annual Youth Services Carnival. David Torrisi made a MOTION, seconded by John Leeman,to
approve the Annual Youth Services Carnival to be held at North Andover High School between April 29
and May 2, 1999; vote approved 5 — 0.
One-Day Alcohol Licenses. Evy Gillette, Manager, Stevens Estate @ Osgood Hill, 723 Osgood Street,
requests one day alcohol licenses for:
Pixel Magic Holiday Party, January 16, 1999, 7:00 p.m. — 12:00 a.m., all alcohol
Kawanis Fund Raiser, January 18, 1999, 7:00 p.m. — 12:00 a.m., all alcohol
Richard Davis Birthday Party, February 6, 1999, 6:00 p.m. — 11:00 p.m., beer and wine
John Leeman made a MOTION, seconded by Keith Mitchell, voted to approve all one-day alcohol
licenses; vote approved 5 — 0.
David Torrisi made a MOTION, seconded by Keith Mitchell to move out of Licensing; vote approved 5 —
0.
Board of Selectmen Minutes January 11, 1999 Page 2
NEW BUSINESS:
FY 2000 School Department Presentation. Dr. William Allen, Superintendent of Schools, presented the
proposed FY 2000 School Department Budget. He stated that the forces driving the budget include the
School Committee philosophy outlining where it wants the school system to be. In 1992 after a
year-long study"Goals 2000"was prepared and became a Mission Statement.
The Education Reform Act of 1993 includes curriculum agendas, professional development, additional
funds for maintenance and school and district accountability. The Act recommends pupil/teacher ratios
of 22:1 for K— 5; 25:1 for 6— 8 and 17:1 for 9— 12. North Andover is significantly above the 25:1
ratio for the Middle School, slightly above the recommendation for the High School and also above in
some grade schools.
The School Department's course of action proposes maintaining existing programs. The objective is to
bring the student/teacher ratio into line. Other action is for professional development, curriculum
development and supporting existing programs and services which will result in improved instruction and
student performance.
John Leeman asked Dr. Allen about test scores and whether he advocated this as a way to measure results.
Dr. Allen responded that many different measures must be used to evaluate student performance and that
test scores are one of them.
William Duffy asked Dr. Allen about learning basic skills. Dr. Allen responded by saying that children
need to learn to compute and learn to use technology. He went on to say that the knowledge available is
doubling every 18 months and a fundamental skill is to have the ability to find information.
After being questioned by William Duffy about other staff in the classrooms, Dr. Allen stated that the
schools have fewer aides in the classroom than the State recommends in Chapter 70.
Ms. Diane Huster, Chairperson of the School Committee, presented a comparison of Municipal versus
School operating budgets from 1985 to 1999. The School Committee's conclusion was that the schools
were not receiving their fair share. She also said that over the last 15 years the breakdown by percentage
of capital expenditures is as follows: 18%for Municipal projects, 65%for Water/Sewer and 17%for
Schools.
The School Committee's presentation concluded that the operating budget allotment trend is decreasing
for the schools from 47%in FY 1998 to 45%in FY 2000.
The Town Manager responded to the School Committee's presentation by saying that the figures in the
report were confusing. The data in the School Committee's presentation allocated all the debt to General
Government. Debt service (an increase of 380%from FY 1994 to FY2000) actually includes debt for
schools. The 46%increase in health insurance and benefits also includes the schools. Actually,the
increase in water/sewer for these years is only 24%.
Mr. Halpin went on to say that this project could be worked on together and the budget situation is
something that is shared.
William Duffy said the schools should oppose some of the programs such as the Renshaw Property
purchase. He went on to say that local citizens have done their part and it is the State that is failing.
Board of Selectmen Minutes January 11, 1999 Page 3
John Leeman made a MOTION, seconded by David Torrisi,to forward the School Committee's
presentation to the Budget Communications Group; vote approved 5 — 0.
Citizen Input. Mr. Yong Nam, 35 Phillips Common, made a presentation on aspects of the school
budget. Mr. Nam stated that because the State bases its recommendations on the previous year's
enrollment North Andover's FY'99 adjustment for enrollment increase should be $592,200. He said that
North Andover spent 8.8%below the State average. Based on this 8.8%,the cumulative lagging effect
would be 106%for 12 years and this is a huge burden to overcome for both educators and students.
Mr. Nam sees signs of weakness in the Iowa Test and SAT testing. Between 1997 and 1998 the test
scores have decreased. He concluded that the Town needs a much higher school budget than in the past.
John Leeman pointed out that the two years the Town spent the highest above State requirements (1997
and 1998),the test score results were the lowest.
William Duffy reiterated the State's responsibility in funding for schools.
Mr. Sam Ameen, 33 Coventry Lane, pointed out the Mr. Nam's message is that the Town is under
spending the State average and could be having an impact.
Fire Chief Presentation—Fire/EMS Response Times. Chief Dolan reviewed the nine steps from ignition
to extinguishment. These points are recognition, detection, alarm alert, get-out, arrival (all reflex times)
and flameout and extinguishment which are subdue times.
Chief Dolan also reviewed EMS response time. He stated there are six sites in Town for the landing of
helicopters for med-flights.
Because of the growth of the Town, Chief Dolan stressed the need for an"out country"fire station and
staffing for that station. He also said the Town needs the services of the second ambulance seven days a
week, 24 hours a day in order to provide for the safety of its citizens.
John Leeman questioned why the second ambulance could not be used for non-emergency transportation.
Chief Dolan responded that he had requested contract proposals and did not receive them.
A number of residents submitted letters of support for the second ambulance.
Donation Acceptance. David Torrisi made a MOTION, seconded by John Leeman,to accept the $1,000
donation from A.E.G. Schneider to the Fire Department; vote approved 5 — 0.
Town Manager's Contract. Keith Mitchell introduced the agreement between the North Andover Board
of Selectmen and the Town Manager. William Duffy questioned two of the sections in the contract
including deferred compensation and long-term disability payments.
John Leeman made a MOTION, seconded by David Torrisi,to approve the Town Manager's contract;
vote approved 5 — 0.
Capital Improvement Planning Committee— Supplemental Funding Request. Keith Mitchell reviewed
the request by the Selectmen's CIP Committee to the Finance Committee for additional funds for the
independent review of the North Andover High School feasibility study. These funds would be
transferred from the Finance Committee's Special Reserve Fund.
Board of Selectmen Minutes January 11, 1999 Page 4
John Leeman made a MOTION, seconded by William Duffy,to forward the letter of request to the
Finance Committee; vote approved 4— 1 (Donald Stewart objected).
Input to D.E.P. Emissions Control Plan Hearing. Keith Mitchell discussed a letter to Mass. D.E.P.
regarding the Emissions Control Plan.
Joan Kulash, People for the Environment, requested that a section be added to this letter.
Donald Stewart made a MOTION, seconded by John Leeman,to send the letter as amended to Mr. David
Struhs, Commissioner, D.E.P;vote approved 5 — 0.
ADJOURNMENT: John Leeman made a MOTION, seconded by David Torrisi to adjourn the meeting
at 10:30 p.m.
Ann M. Keating
Administrative Secretary John R. Leeman, Jr., Clerk of the Board