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Home My WebLink About1999-03-29 Board of Selectmen Minutes BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES MARCH 29, 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; James M. Xenakis; Robert J. Halpin, Town Manager. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: William Duffy made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart,to approve the amended Minutes of March 22, 1999; vote approved 5 — 0. COMMUNICATIONS,ANNOUNCEMENTS,AND PUBLIC COMMENT: Keith Mitchell announced that the Osgood Hill Estate has been accepted by the National Park Service, Department of the Interior, for listing in the National Register of Historical Places. Keith Mitchell announced that an informal public hearing regarding water/sewer debt exclusion will be held on Monday, April 5, 1999 at the Stevens Memorial Library. Keith Mitchell stated that the Board received a draft Town Manager's report to be included in the Annual Town Report and asked the Board to submit any revisions by Friday, April 2, 1999. Bernice Fink, a resident, voiced her concern on the timing of the Annual Town Report stating that it is published later and later every year. William Duffy requested that an item be added to the New Business segment of the agenda. This item is in regard to the shift of debt from water/sewer to the property tax levy. LICENSING: John Leeman made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart,to move into Licensing; vote approved 5 — 0. John Leeman made a MOTION, seconded by William Duffy,to approve the following one-day licenses; 1. Evy Gillette, Manager, Stevens Estate @ Osgood Hill, 723 Osgood Street requests the following one-day licenses: a. MA School of Law—Gadsby Night, April 24, 1999 7:00 p.m. — 12:30 a.m., all alcohol b. Elizabeth Dysart Wedding, May 22, 1999, 3:00 p.m. — 10:00 p.m., all alcohol c. Romano/Sundaram Wedding, May 28, 1999, 3:00 p.m. — 11:00 p.m., all alcohol d. Seshadhi Wedding, May 29, 1999, 3:00 p.m. — 10:00 p.m., all alcohol e. Franklin School Tasting, April 9, 1999 7:00 p.m. — 12:00 a.m., beer&wine f. LucNom-Hart Bahmitzvah, April 10, 1999, 6:00 p.m. — 12:00 a.m., beer&wine g. Clegg Bahs Mitsvah, May 1, 1999, 5:00 p.m. — 10:00 p.m., beer&wine h. St. Michael's School Fundraiser, May 14, 1999, 7:00 p.m. — 12:00 a.m.,beer&wine i. Foley 50th Anniversary, May 15, 1999, 7:00 p.m. — 12:00 a.m., beer&wine j. White Family Reunion, May 30, 1999, 2:00 p.m. — 8:00 p.m., beer&wine Vote approved 5 — 0. Board of Selectmen Minutes March 29, 1999 Page 2 A representative of Prime Energy said that Mr. Buisier who is a principle was unable to attend the meeting. He described the operations of the gas station/store. He was questioned by the Board on accessibility for the disabled and said it would be made accessible. William Duffy made a MOTION, seconded by Keith Mitchell,to approve the license pending approval of other Town Boards; vote approved 5 — 0. Keith Mitchell made a MOTION, seconded by James Xenakis,to move out of Licensing; vote approved 5 — 0. CONSENT ITEMS: Donald Stewart made a MOTION, seconded by James Xenakis,to approve the request from David Leonard of the Merrimack Valley Striders to hold their annual 4th of July Road Races on Sunday, July 4, 1999, at the Old Center Common from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.; vote approved 5 - 0. Donald Stewart made a MOTION, seconded by James Xenakis,to approve the request from Rev. Gomidas Baghsarian of St. Gregory Armenian Apostolic Church to use the Common for their Church Picnic/Festival on Sunday, July 18, 1999, from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.; vote approved 5 — 0. William Duffy made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart,to adopt a similar resolution as Methuen declaring support for a speedy enactment of protective legislation in regard to air quality standards; vote approved 5 — 0. NEW BUSINESS: Order—Assessment of Betterments for Sewer Project Phase III B. The Town Manager said these are the Betterments approved by the Town Meeting in 1997 and is consistent with the policy adopted by the Board of Selectmen. William Duffy, made a MOTION, seconded by John Leeman,to approve the betterment assessments; vote approved 5 — 0. Request for Data Concerning the Water/Sewer Rate Shift. William Duffy and John Leeman requested that the Town Manager provide the Board with additional information for the hearing to be held on April 5, 1999. John Savastano—MediaOne Studio. Mr. Savastano reviewed the problems associated with the television studio. He stated that the residents are paying a pass-through charge for the availability of a television studio and is part of the last contract. John Leeman made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart,to have the Town Manager set up a meeting with MediaOne to discuss the issues presented by John Savastano; vote approved 5 — 0. Rights of Way Vegetation Management— Comments to State Government Regulatory Agencies. John Leeman made a MOTION, seconded by James Xenakis,to defer this agenda item until Joan Kulash arrived; vote approved 5 — 0. John Leeman made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart,to move this agenda item to Board of Selectmen Minutes March 29, 1999 Page 3 April 12, 1999; vote approved 5 — 0. Speed Limit Reduction—Mass. Avenue. Keith Mitchell reviewed the State's plan to reduce the speed on a portion of Mass. Avenue that approaches the Old Town Center from 35 MPH to 25 MPH. Sgt. Soucy had taken the initiative to have the State look at the situation. The Old Center Traffic Sub-Committee strongly endorsed this reduction. William Duffy made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart,to approve the adoption of the special speed regulation 42040; vote approved 5 — 0. OLD BUSINESS: Water/Sewer Billing System Improvements Update. The Town Manager updated the Board on improvements in the water/sewer billing systems. He also acknowledged William Hmurciak's efforts in this regard as Director of Public Works. Mr. Hmurciak has done a complete cross-check of several hundred occupancy permits granted between 1995 and 1998; only one does not have a billing account. Procedures have been formalized between the DPW and Community Development to be certain that a meter is installed in all new home inspections. Billing software is being improved. The last four meter books will be read in May. The Town Manager also stressed the need to replace the 3,000 antiquated meters. The Town Manager also said the Board will continue to be updated monthly. Sam Ameen, 33 Coventry Lane, asked how the system being employed will screen out variances. The Town Manager said a report can be run that will sort by the widest variances. Lawrence Municipal Airport Noise Abatement Planning. The Town Manager summarized a meeting held at the airport which Keith Mitchell and he attended. Several steps by the airport management are going to be put into place including prohibition of intersection departures. By doing this, planes will take full advantage of the length of the runway. Departure turns are varied, one to the right and one to the left. Noise awareness signs will be erected upon approval of the F.A.A. A third meeting will be held in June. William Duffy stated that a neighborhood group is forming and he requested that the Town Manager's report be mailed to them. James Xenakis asked how these proposals will be enforced. The Town Manager said that basically the pilots would have to police themselves. Terminal Improvement Proposal. The Town Manager voiced his concerns regarding the State's proposed reauthorization to make improvements at the airport. He said there is no apparent plan to govern the future development of the airport and there has been no dialogue with North Andover as a community or the public safety departments. The Town Manager suggested that a letter be sent to the Town's State Senators and Representatives. John Leeman suggested that a paragraph be added regarding the current hearing about noise and also send the letter to the governor. John Leeman made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart,to send the amended letter; vote approved 5 - 0. Board of Selectmen Minutes March 29, 1999 Page 4 Annual Town Meeting Warrant. The Town Manager reviewed the warrant. The Board reviewed the articles that would be discussed further and articles requiring more information. John Leeman made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart,to appoint Keith Mitchell and James Xenakis to serve on the Warrant Committee with the Town Moderator; vote approved 5 - 0. Sub-Committee Assignments. Task Force—Affordable Housing. Keith Mitchell said this committee is a product of the meeting Mayor Dowling of Lawrence convened concerning the Lawrence Housing Authority's attempt to expand into the suburbs with low-income housing projects. This project has been put on hold and a task force is being formed with one member of the Board to be assigned to this task force. The first meeting will be held in April. John Leeman made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart,to appoint James Xenakis to this task force; vote approved 5 — 0. Sub-Committee—Police Sergeant. Keith Mitchell said two Board members will attend interviews for a new police sergeant. John Leeman made a MOTION, seconded by James Xenakis,to appoint John Leeman and James Xenakis to this sub-committee; vote approved 5 — 0. ADJOURNMENT: John Leeman made a MOTION, seconded by James Xenakis,to adjourn the meeting at 9:00 p.m.; vote approved 5 — 0. Ann M. Keating Administrative Secretary John R. Leeman, Jr., Clerk of the Board