Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-11-08 Board of Selectmen Minutes BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES NOVEMBER 8, 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.; John R. Leeman, Jr.; Donald B. Stewart; James M. Xenakis; Robert J. Halpin, Town Manager. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: John Leeman made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart,to approve the Minutes of October 25, 1999 (Executive and Open Sessions); vote approved 5 — 0. COMMUNICATIONS,ANNOUNCEMENTS,AND PUBLIC COMMENT: Eagle Scout Bill Rice. Keith Mitchell said he had the pleasure of attending a ceremony where Bill Rice, Troop 81, reached the highest rank of Eagle Scout. Veteran's Day Ceremony. Keith Mitchell reminded the audience that the annual Veteran's Day Parade will be held on Thursday,November 11, 1999. He also invited all the Selectmen to attend. Stop Signs at Winter and South Bradford Streets. John Leeman said he has received telephone call regarding the promised stop signs not being installed. The Town Manager said he would follow-up with the DPW. Great Pond Road. William Duffy said former Selectman Robert Ercolini expressed his view that Great Pond Road should be restricted to residents only. He asked that either the Town Manager or Police Chief Stanley contact Mr. Ercolini. Education Website. Mrs. Fink advised the Board that the Department of Education has published on their website proposed changes to Chapter 70. One of the proposed changes states that the issue is more of a municipal matter. The website address is: finance1.doe.mass.edu/C70_proposals.html. LICENSING COMMISSIONERS: James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by John Leeman,to move into Licensing; vote approved 5 — 0. Den Rock Liquors. Attorney William O'Brien, representing William Burliss, owner of Den Rock Liquors, said they had asked to be on the agenda to respond to a letter received from the Licensing Commission about the license renewals. Mr. O'Brien reviewed the reasons for a lack of premises. Mr. Burliss said he has been seeking a new location for some time now. He said he is hopeful about proposed construction on Route 125. John Leeman said he did not believe the Town is allowed to renew a license when there is no premises. Keith Mitchell said although this is a difficult situation, he had to recommend that this issue be continued until December 13, 1999. Also he said that with the census,the number of licenses should increase. John Leeman made a MOTION, seconded by James Xenakis,to move out of Licensing; vote approved 5 — 0. OLD BUSINESS: Board of Selectmen Minutes November 8, 1999 Page 2 Water Street Parking. The Town Manager introduced Lt. John Carney who reviewed the situation on Water Street. He said that St. Michael's closed their parking lot for construction and created a problem for employees at Modicon who now park on Water Street. Water Street is posted two hour parking between Merrimack Street and High Street and one other area. Lt. Carney had hoped to get the employees to park in their own lot. Fr. Keyes is willing to open the lot provided he get some assistance in snow plowing and William Hmurciak, Director of the DPW, has agreed to assist. Many residents of Water Street came to express their opinion on the situation. All were concerned about where to park. Lt. Carney said he would like to make the area near Breen Funeral Home two hour parking. The side that is posted"no parking"remain that way. The Town Manager said he would ask Planning to look at the site plan of Yale Properties. Possibly the gate that was opened is against code. Discussion continued regarding solutions to the problem with residents and the Board of Selectmen. John Leeman made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart,to implement two hour parking on Merrimack Street, resident parking on Water Street(6 through 46), and have discussions with business owners about one hour parking; vote approved 4— 1 (William Duffy opposed because he felt these steps should be done in stages). MediaOne/AT&T Transfer. The Town Manager said the merger of MediaOne and AT&T is subject to the Board approving the transfer. He said North Andover's license expires in four years and the negotiation process will begin in three years. He said a letter and a draft motion prepared by Peter Epstein was in the package. The draft makes a strong statement that the Board feels that open access is in the public interest of the residents of North Andover. John Leeman feels this is an important policy issue. He feels the residents paid for the hardware and they should have open access. William Duffy also opted for open access. Keith Mitchell asked what the next step AT&T would take if the Board voted for open access. The Town Manager said there would most likely be an appeal. George Dague, Chairman, Cable Advisory Committee, noted that the FCC wants to encourage companies to upgrade. He also said AOL won't be hurt by this, but some smaller companies may be. He also believes that Bell Atlantic will be a competitor. William Duffy made a MOTION, seconded by John Leeman,to approve the transfer of the cable television license in North Andover with the specific condition that AT&T provide nondiscriminatory access and that the approval contain a severability clause similar to that which was passed by the Town of Weymouth subject to the preparation of a specific form of the transfer approval by Special Town Counsel; vote approved 3 —2 (Keith Mitchell and James Xenakis opposed). John Leeman made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart,to incorporate as part of the transfer consent the issues raised by John Savastano, MediaOne's response, and the taxation of the equipment being consistent with Massachusetts General Laws; vote approved 5 — 0. Expenditures and Revenue— Is'Quarter FY 2000. Keith Mitchell said this format is much easier to follow. The Town Accountant said she attempted to incorporate everything the Board requested. Board of Selectmen Minutes November 8, 1999 Page 3 William Duffy commented that he would like this report done on a monthly basis and have the Town Accountant appear before the Board quarterly. He also asked that a report be done presenting schools versus municipal but omitting fixed expenses. The Town Manager said that most departments were comfortable with the percentage of budget expenditures at this time of the year. Many times departments expend a high percentage at the beginning of the year. NEW BUSINESS: Draft Budget Message and Projected Revenue FY 2001. Keith Mitchell said he is looking for comments from the Board concerning format and any general substantive issues to be included in the Budget Policy Statement. He stressed that it must be impressed in the Budget Policy Statement how tight the budget will be. He also said the Subcommittee is looking for input from the Board. William Duffy expressed his concerns regarding the lack of State funding. Keith Mitchell said an Executive Summary will be provided at the next Board of Selectmen's meeting. MBTA Assessment. The Town Manager reviewed the proposed MBTA assessment. A draft letter to the Governor was read by Keith Mitchell. This letter expressed the concerns of the Board regarding the assessment. John Leeman made a MOTION, seconded by James Xenakis,to send this letter to the Governor; vote approved 5 — 0. Greater Lawrence Sanitary District—Update. The Town Manager updated the Board on the GLSD and the Town's efforts to work with them on permitting and either a payment in lieu of taxes or the implementation of a by-law that was adopted. No taxes are currently paid to North Andover for the 98 acres. Loss of taxes is approximately$275,000 per year. The by-law that was adopted could generate fees of approximately$165,000 per year. The District was opposed to the implementation of the by-law. There are three goals that have been discussed with the District. They include that over the long-term North Andover should receive $275,000 in some form, in the short-term New England Fertilizer should pay the residuals management fee and the Town wants the District to move forward with the project. After several meetings,the District has yet to sign an agreement. The Town Manager said they are adverse to paying any financial payment to North Andover, having the plant monitored and do not want to go through a formal permitting process. John Leeman suggested a letter be sent to the other towns and cities in the District urging them to move forward. Tax Increment Financing. William Scott, Director of Community Development, presented an informational review of tax increment financing (TIFF). He reviewed the points of a TIFF including it provides a tax incentive, is negotiated between industry, Town and landowner,the timeframe being one to fifteen years, and many other points. He also spoke about when a TIFF is used and the issues. Board of Selectmen Minutes November 8, 1999 Page 4 The Town Manager said it is more advantageous to the Town to have light industry rather than distribution. Keith Mitchell said this needs Town Meeting approval. William Scott said they would have to know soon. It would probably be an Article at the May Town Meeting. John Leeman asked that the tax differential between warehouse and light manufacturing be analyzed. ADJOURNMENT: James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by John Leeman, ,to adjourn the meeting at 9:35 p.m.; vote approved 5 — 0. Ann M. Keating Administrative Secretary James M. Xenakis, Clerk of the Board