HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-01-18 Board of Selectmen Minutes BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES JANUARY 18, 2000
CALL TO ORDER: Keith Mitchell called the meeting to order at 7:00 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.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: John Leeman made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart,to move into
Executive Session to discuss Police Union Collective Bargaining; vote approved 5 — 0.
The Board of Selectmen was individually polled and each voted to move into Executive Session.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
The Minutes of December 20, 1999 were withdrawn.
COMMUNICATIONS,ANNOUNCEMENTS,AND PUBLIC COMMENT:
Letter of Appreciation. Keith Mitchell said a letter was sent to the Board of Selectmen by Joe and Kim
Reardon in appreciation of the efforts of Officer Tom Driscoll regarding the traffic and safety issues in
their neighborhood.
Sub-Committee Reports. Keith Mitchell asked that the various sub-committees let the Town Manager or
himself when they want to present a report to the full Board.
John Leeman said the Veteran's Agent sub-committee has met and the top four applicants will be
interviewed on Friday, January 21, 2000.
Donald Stewart said they received resumes from very qualified applicants but not from North Andover.
Donald Stewart made a MOTION, seconded by James Xenakis,to reconsider the vote limiting the
interview process to applicants from North Andover and interview candidates from other towns; vote
approved 5 — 0.
James Xenakis said the Permits and Fees sub-committee said they were ready to make a report. Keith
Mitchell said it would be an agenda item on January 31, 2000.
Keith Mitchell noted that Police Department Staffing Proposals agenda item is being postponed until the
January 24, 2000 meeting.
LICENSING COMMISSIONERS:
Donald Stewart made a MOTION, seconded by James Xenakis,to move into Licensing; vote approved 5
— 0.
John Leeman made a MOTION, seconded by James Xenakis,to approve two one-day alcohol licenses;
Merrimack College's request for a one-day wine and malt license for a winter-weekend event on January
29, 2000 from 9:30 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. at Volpe Athletic Center and Evy Gillette, Manager, of Stevens
Estate request for a one-day all alcohol license on February 5, 2000 from
7:00 p.m. — 1:00 a.m. for a Holiday Party; vote approved 5 — 0.
Board of Selectmen Minutes January 18,2000 Page 2
Keith Mitchell made a MOTION, seconded by William Duffy,to move out of Licensing; vote approved 5
— 0.
OLD BUSINESS:
FY 2001 Operating g Budget—Town Manager Recommended Spending Levels for FY 2001. The Town
—Town Manager Recommended Spending Levels for FY 2001. The Town
Manager said he had hoped to distribute the detailed budget books, but it is still a work in progress. He
stated that inaccuracies are being corrected and asked that this be continue this discussion on January 24,
2000.
William Duffy said it was his understanding that each department would be responsible for budgeting its
indirect costs. The Town Manager said he believed it would be shown in the budget but not costed to the
department because of accounting difficulties.
John Leeman asked that a line be added for wages, and James Xenakis requested an overview of each
departments' percentage increase.
Special Town Meeting—Actions to be taken prior to January 31, 2000 Town Meeting. Keith Mitchell
asked the Board when they wanted to vote on recommended actions on warrant articles. He noted that if
the Board waits until the night of the Town Meeting to make recommendations, any articles that receive
an unfavorable vote will not reach the floor.
The Finance Committee made an unfavorable recommendation on the replacement of athletic fields and,
therefore, will not reach the floor.
Because the Tax Increment Financing Plan is not seeking an appropriation, it will reach the floor even if it
receives an unfavorable recommendation from either the Board of Selectmen or the Finance Committee.
Keith Mitchell suggested the Board make its recommendations at the meeting on January 24, 2000.
Interim Town Manager Process. Keith Mitchell said 14 resumes have been received. Many of the
resumes were from out of state. He said there are three ways to proceed with the process. One is to use
a consulting firm that provide services of interim town managers and also act as a consultant in finding a
permanent town manager. Another is to look in Town for an interim Town Manager or to choose from
the resumes.
The Board discussed the options and decided not to use a consultant for the interim town manager search.
William Duffy made a MOTION, seconded by John Leeman to interview five people (Terri Ackerman,
Ed McCann, Glenn Frato, Tom Groux and Paul Rabebeinuk); vote approved 5 — 0.
James Xenakis, made a MOTION, seconded by John Leeman,to advertise an RFP for a consultant to
search for a permanent Town Manager; vote approved 5 — 0.
Appointments—Associate Member of Conservation Commission. The Town Manager said the only
applicant for the position is James Demotses.
James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by John Leeman,to appoint James Demotses as a Associate
member of the Conservation Commission; vote approved 5 — 0.
ADJOURNMENT: James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart,to adjourn the
meeting at 8:15 p.m.; vote approved 5 — 0.
Board of Selectmen Minutes January 18,2000 Page 3
Ann M. Keating
Administrative Secretary James M. Xenakis, Clerk of the Board