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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-12-17 Board of Selectmen Minutes BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES December 17, 2001 CALL TO ORDER: Rosemary Smedile called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM. ATTENDANCE: The following were present: James M. Xenakis, Chairman; Donald B. Stewart; Rosemary Smedile; Susan Haltmaier; Mark Rees, Town Manager; Raymond Santilli, Assistant Town Manager. (William Duffy, not present). EXECUTIVE SESSION: Donald Stewart made a MOTION, seconded by James Xenakis,to move into Executive Session to discuss pending litigation regarding Foxwoods subdivision, pending litigation Maritimes Pipeline, land acquisition and labor negotiations; vote approved 4-0. The Board of Selectmen was individually polled and each voted to move into Executive Session. Vote: Donald Stewart yes; James Xenakis yes; Susan Haltmaier yes; and Rosemary Smedile yes. Chairman Smedile stated the Board would be returning to Open Session after the Executive Session. APPROVAL OF MINUTES James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart,to approve the amended minutes of July 16, 2001; vote approved 3-0-1. (Susan Haltmaier abstained). James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Susan Haltmaier,to approve the Open Session and Executive Session I &II Minutes of October 15, 2001; Open Session Minutes of December 3, 2001; and the Open Session Minutes of December 5, 2001;vote approved 4— 0. COMMUNICATIONS,ANNOUNCEMENTS,AND PUBLIC COMMENT Acceptance of Donation from Joseph N. Hermann Youth Center, Inc. James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Susan Haltmaier,to accept the donation from Joseph N. Hermann Youth Center, Inc of over$200,000 to purchase equipment; vote approved 4-0. Chairman Rosemary Smedile thanked William Masterson, President and Pamela Burkardt, Vice President of the Joseph N. Hermann Youth Center, Inc. and commended them for their hard work and dedication in providing necessary resources to the Youth Center. Acceptance of Donation from James P. Jajuga. Former State Senator James Jajuga recently sent the Town a check in the amount of$2,900 to assist the Town in offsetting the costs of holding a special election to fill his senate seat after he resigned to take a job as Public Safety Commissioner for the state. James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Susan Haltmaier,to accept the donation of$2,900 from former State Senator James Jajuga; vote approved 4-0. Acceptance of Donation for American Flag on Water Tower. Dr. Charles Ormsby spoke to the Board on behalf of the North Andover Flag Fund Committee. Dr. Orsmby recognized members of his committee Mary Bouche, Mary Sapienza-Cote and husband Joe, Patty&Dave Beekus, Lou Johnson, Denise Mitchell, Ed Mitchell, Selectman Rosemary Smedile and Ryan Smedile. The flag was completed on the 60th anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor. To date the committee has raised$10,059.07. This money will pay for the painting of the flag on the tower along with the maintenance. Dr. Ormsby thanked everyone who contributed and special thanks to the Veterans organizations with direct participation from James Cassidy, Commander of the American Legion; Paul Gordon, Commander of the VFW; and Ed Mitchell,North Andover Veteran Agent. The cost for painting the flag on the tower was $5,500. Donald Stewart made a MOTION, seconded by James Xenakis,to accept the donations for painting the American Flag on the Water Tower; vote approved 4-0. Donald Stewart made a MOTION, seconded by James Xenakis,to set up an interest bearing account for the balance of the donations for the maintenance of the flag; vote approved 4-0. Chairman Smedile thanked Dr. Ormsby for his hard work on a wonderful project. Town Manager Mark Rees stated the town would send out thank you letters to the contributors. Board of Selectmen Minutes December 17,2001 Page 2 Resolution of Appreciation for William(Tripp) Bannister. William(Tripp) Bannister was presented with a resolution of appreciation for the completion of his Eagle Scout project,the completion and installation of a"Welcome to North Andover" sign on Route 114 when entering from Middleton. Appointments by Board of Selectmen. Auxiliary Officers. It is recommended by Civil Defense Director, The Police Chief and the Town Manager to appoint the following as Auxiliary Officers for the Town of North Andover for a one-year term: Gary A. Laurendeau, Brett G. Morava and Thomas H. Boettcher. Appointments by Town Manager. Planning Board Member. There is a vacancy on the Planning Board and Town Manager Mark Rees would like to appoint Philipe Schwartz who has been serving as an associate member to the Planning Board. Per the Town Charter, the Board of Selectmen must affirmatively vote to approve this appointment. Donald Stewart made a MOTION, seconded by James Xenakis,to approve the appointment of Philipe Schwartz as a full member to the Planning Board; vote approved 4-0. Town Inspectors. The Town Manager Mark Rees reappointed Building Commissioner Robert Nicetta, Building Inspector Michael McGuire, and Electrical Inspector James DeCola, and Plumbing and Gas Inspector James Diozzi without set terms, as was the case in the past. James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart,to approve the reappointment of Robert Nicetta, Building Commissioner; Michael McGuire, Building Inspector; James DeCola, Electrical Inspector; and James Diozzi, Plumbing and Gas Inspector; vote approved 4-0. Town Boards currently vacant. There are a variety of other positions on town boards that are currently vacant and the Town Manager would like a sub-committee to work with him in filling these vacancies. Currently the Zoning Board of Appeals has vacancies, an Associate Member of the Planning Board and the Conservation Commission Donald Stewart made a MOTION, seconded by James Xenakis,to appoint Rosemary Smedile and Susan Haltmaier to a sub-committee to assist the Town Manager fill various Town Board vacancies. Merrimack Valley Regional Local Emergency gency Planning Committee(LEPCPlanning Committee(LEPC). James Michitson, Chairman of the Merrimack Valley Regional Local Emergency Planning Committee updated the Board on their work in preparing for and responding to emergencies in the Merrimack Valley Region. The regional LEPC consists of Methuen, Haverhill, Andover, Lawrence,North Andover and Middleton. Ipswich, Hamilton and Boxford are thinking of joining. Becoming a regional LEPC has enabled this Committee to obtain$15,000 in grants. There is a website at www.safertown.com. The committee is planning an exercise in bio-terrorism in June. Jeff Coco is the Deputy Emergency Management Director for North Andover, Fire Chief William Dolan, Police Chief Richard Stanley, Bob Cerchione has helped with the website, and Rich Boettcher from the North Andover Police Department were all present at the meeting. Mr. Michitson stated reverse 911 is an excellent way to communicate to residents generating thousands of calls in a short amount of time. Birthday Celebration. The Board of Selectmen, Town Manager and Assistant Town Manager presented Selectman Donald Stewart with a birthday cake on his birthday. Holiday Greetings. On behalf of the Board of Selectmen, Chairman Rosemary Smedile wished everyone a joyous, happy and healthy holiday season. LICENSING COMMISSIONERS Donald Stewart made a MOTION, seconded by James Xenakis,to move into Licensing; vote approved 4-0. Board of Selectmen Minutes December 17,2001 Page 3 Licensing Commissioner Donald Stewart commented that three years ago the Board went after people who had not been paying water bills and taxes and all the renewals this evening are current on water and taxes, money the town can use. James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile,to approve all the Common Victualler Licenses and all the Liquor Licenses with the exception of J&M Sub Shop on Main Street, J&M Convenience Store on Salem Street, and the Beer and Malt License for J&M Convenience Store on Salem Street, vote approved 4-0. Susan Haltmaier made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile,to approve the Common Victuallers license for J &M Sub Shop on Main Street, J &M Convenience Store on Salem Street, and the Beer and Malt License for J&M on Salem Street; vote approved 3-0-1. (James Xenakis abstained). The Following Licenses were approved: Common Victuallers-All Alcohol- $2,200. Aglio's Inc. d/b/a Orzo Cafe Trattoria, 1077 Osgood Street TRJ Line Inc. d/b/a Culpeppers, 815 Turnpike Street Beijing Restaurant, Inc., 1250 Osgood Street Bertucci's Restaurant Corp. d/b/a Bertucci's Brick Oven Pizzeria, 435 Andover Street The Restaurant Group Inc. d/b/a Joe Fish, 1120 Osgood Street Camelot Building Association, Inc. d/b/a Camelot, 505 Sutton Street China Blossom, Inc., 946 Osgood Street Jasmine, Inc. d/b/a Jasmine, 733 Turnpike Street North Andover Group, Inc. d/b/a The Loft Restaurant, 1140 Osgood Street 99 Boston, Inc., 267 Chickering Road WH Phelan Inc. d/b/a Mango Grille, 585 Chickering Road North Andover Restaurant, Inc. d/b/a Rolf s, 39-41 Main Street Restaurant Zola, 57 Water Street Bollywood Grille, 350 Winthrop Avenue Top of the Scales Restaurant, 4 Johnson Street Restaurant—Wine & Malt- $1,400. Fuddruckers, Inc., 550 Turnpike Street Club—All Alcohol- $1,400. Club 2104, Inc., Park Street North Andover Country Club, Corp., 500 Great Pond Road Edgewood Retirement Community, 575 Osgood Street Special (Section 14)Wine &Malt- $900. Merrimack College Center(Gildea Hall, Faculty Dining Room(Tax Exempt)Adjourning Lounge, and Warrior's Den, Turnpike Street Package Store-Wine & Malt and Sunday Permits - $900. Francis A. Holmes d/b/a Middlesex Market, 127 Marblehead Street John Enright d/b/a General Store, 7 Johnson Street Richdale Dairy Stores, Inc., 75 Chickering Road J &M Convenient Store &Deli, 701 Salem Street Package Store-All Alcohol and Sunday Permit- $1,800. McCraken's Liquors and Wines, Inc., 531 Chickering Road 64 Main Street Liquors, Inc., 64 Main Street Butcher Boy Meat Market, Inc., 1077 Osgood Street Messina's Market, Inc. d/b/a Messina's Liquors, 117 Main Street Den Rock Liquor Mart, Inc., 58 Peters Street Andover Liquors, 550 Turnpike Street Board of Selectmen Minutes December 17,2001 Page 4 Common Victualler: $50.00 Andover Liquors Inc. d/b/a The Vineyard, 554 Turnpike Street North Andover Booster Club, Dana Street Brigham's,North Andover,Winthrop Avenue Burke's Den Rock Mobil, 350 Winthrop Avenue Butcher Boy Meat Market, 1077 Osgood Street The Cafe, 208 Sutton Street Captain Pizza, 733 Turnpike Street Carrol's d/b/a Burger King 4260, 188 Turnpike Street China Wok Restaurant, 129 C Main Street Demoulas Supermarket,Winthrop Avenue North Andover Donut, Inc. d/b/a Dunkin Donuts, 129 Main Street MICA Donuts, Inc. d/b/a Dunkin Donuts, 733 Turnpike Street Jane Donut Inc. d/b/a Dunkin Donuts, 982 Osgood Street Charlotte Donuts, Inc. d/b/a Dunkin Donuts, 5353 Chickering Road Mary Ann Donuts, Inc. d/b/a Dunkin Donuts, 701 Salem Street The General Store, 7 Johnson Street Michael Glenn, Inc. d/b/a Harrisons's Restaurant, 80 Chickering Road Merrimack College d/b/a The Hungry Warrior(Tax Exempt), 315 Turnpike Street J &M Sub Shop, 69 Main Street J &M Convenient Store &Deli, 701 Salem Street Jimmy's Famous Pizza, 1591 Osgood Street Joe's Flaming Kabob, 492 Sutton Street Joe's Variety, 220 Middlesex Street Kitchen of the Bay State d/b/a Bay State Chowda Company, 109-123 Main Street McDonald's Restaurant, Rt 125 at Walker Road Middlesex Market, 127 Marblehead Street Sam's Mobil Mart, 12 Mass Avenue Lembo's Supermarket, Inc. d/b/a N.A. Star Market, 109 Main Street Lobster Tail Seafood, 1077 Osgood Street Dag Food Enterprises, Inc. d/b/a Pizza Factory, 535 Chickering Road Panera Bread, 58 Peters Street Perfecto's of North Andover, Inc., 1077 Osgood Street Richdale, 533 Chickering Road, 533 Chickering Road Richdale Dairy Stores, Inc., 75 Chickering Road Richdale Dairy Stores, Inc. 4 Main Street Rosie's Cakes &More, 56 Water Street Sal's Just Pizza, 476 Chickering Road Smolak Farm, 315 South Bradford Street Starbuck's Coffee, 562 Turnpike Street Star Pizza, 11-15 First Street Stop & Shop, 757 Turnpike Street(125 Willow Street) Treadwell's Ice Cream, 1025 Osgood Street The Upper Crust, 127 Waverly Road Val's Restaurant, 91 '/2 Main Street Class II - $100: North Andover Getty, Change Name to: North Andover Auto Sales, 785 Turnpike Street F. Jack Kinsman, Kinsman Auto Sales, Corner of Park& Chickering Road Raymond Blais & Charles McAllister d/b/a In-Laws, Inc., 200 Sutton Street Ray Finocchiaro, 11 Riverview Street J &T Auto Sales, 77 Main Street North Andover Computer&Diagnostics, 1615 Osgood Street Merrimac Truck&Equipment, 210 Holt Road Towne Auto Body, 307 Clark Street Board of Selectmen Minutes December 17,2001 Page 5 Class III - $100. Bob's Auto Parts, 44 Ash Street Automatic Amusement Device- $100/Machine: TRJ Line Inc. d/b/a Culpeppers Pub &Grille, 815 Turnpike Street, (4 - CD Juke Box; Billiard Table; Pinball Machine; Video Arcade Game) Camelot Building Association, Inc., 505 Sutton Street, (4 Automatic Amusement Devices - 2 Pool Tables, Golfing Greats, Pinball Machine) Fuddruckers, Inc., 550 Turnpike Street, (4- NBA Jam; Ghouls `N' Ghosts; Terminator 2:Judgement Day; Clean Sweep) Merrimack College (Tax Exempt), Turnpike Street, (13 Automatic Amusement Devices (Gildea Hall-6; Ash Center- 2) Gildea Hall -Pool Table,Neo Geo, Mortal Combat,NBA Jam, Demolition Man Ash Center-Dr. Dude N.A. Restaurant d/b/a Rolf s, 39 Main Street, (1 Automatic Amusement Device- Birdie King) Club 2104, VFW(Tax Exempt), Park Street, (1 Automatic Amusement Device- Juke Box) Auctioneers (yearly) $30: Joseph Axelrod, 17 Poor Street Request for Entertainment License: Orzo's Restaurant. James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile,to continue the hearing for Orzo's Restaurant Entertainment License to the next meeting January 7, 2002; vote approved 4-0 Rosemary Smedile commented that even though the licenses are approved, Ms. Smedile asked to have the owners of these businesses to maintain their property as complaints have been filed regarding trash, litter and signage violations. If people do not comply the Board has the right to revisit this item. James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile,to move out of Licensing, vote approved 4-0. CONSENT ITEMS Cystic Fibrosis Walk-A-Thon. James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Susan Haltmaier,to grant permission to Bob &Jennifer Travis to hold a walk-a-thon to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation on Saturday, May 18, 2002, at the Town Common from 9:00 AM—2:30 PM; vote approved 4-0. Eagle East Aviation-Hang Temporary Banner at Airport. James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Susan Haltmaier,to grant permission to Timothy Campbell of Eagle East Aviation,to hang a temporary banner on the fence at the Lawrence Municipal Airport effective tomorrow and to be removed by December 26, 2001;vote approved 4-0. OLD BUSINESS Fy02 Water and Sewer Rate Review After receiving several telephone calls James Xenakis asked to have this item put on the agenda. Selectman Xenakis has concerns with the existing rate structure and the meeting the rates were approved Selectman Stewart rightly brought forth several concerns that Mr. Xenakis gives Mr. Stewart credit for having the foresight to know there would be problems. One problem Selectman Xenakis feels commercial property is unfairly impacted and not based on number of units but rather the number of meters they have. If one business has two or three meters,they are billed the lower rate until they reach the higher amount. James Xenakis feels the rate structure should be revisited. Resident Gerald Stewart of 59 Bradstreet Road stated the cycle was supposed to be based on a quarter of approximately 92 days. Mr. Stewart stated his bill was calculated on a 109-day cycle. Mr. Stewart called the Water Department and his bill will be recalculated and will receive a credit, which is good but some of the comments he heard concern him. The comments that we have one meter reader, a software problem and start up problems. These Board of Selectmen Minutes December 17,2001 Page 6 are understandable but Mr. Gerald Stewart is concerned that next quarter if the number of days in the cycle is high that he is going to have to go through this again. The next concern is when the Town went from Step 1 to Step 2 on the water cost increased 45%from$2.47/unit to $3.59/unit. This is quite sizable but when you go to the Sewer Cost you have an increase of 130%from$2.82/unit to $6.50/unit. Mr. Stewart would like to have someone justify this cost to him. Mr. Stewart stated sewage rates, we do not measure sewage, and we measure water coming in and have a water meter to measure water coming in. Ms. Smedile stated the Board was directed by the State through a Consent Order to encourage people to conserve water. The plan was set up basically the more you use the more you pay. The more wear and tear on the system,the more chemicals,the person who is conserving should not be subsidizing high end user. Susan Haltmaier stated more than 92 days in a cycle is not acceptable. The Town is faced with a serious problem in encouraging water conservation. There is only so much water in the Lake and more and more people in the Town all the time. We do need a method of encouraging conservation. Town Manager Mark Rees stated if the rates were to stay a uniform rate without the new ascending step the water bill would have gone up 17%because of increased cost and the sewer bill would have gone up 38%. There is much greater increase in regards to the amount of revenue the Town has to raise for sewer bills as apposed to the water bill because of the Town's increased cost. There are two separate enterprise funds and two revenue streams. One is the water bill and the other the sewer bill. The connection between the two of them is unless you have an irrigation meter; the consumption of your water is what the consumption of your sewage is. The rate is different because the expenses associated with running the sewage system are different than running the water system. With the sewer bill you have the GLSD assessment,the infrastructure improvements,the debt service with putting in new sewer lines and pumping stations. Donald Stewart would like to keep the whole thing simple and would like to see the total figures for this quarter as opposed to last quarter. Ms. Smedile stated the point needs to be made, although it would be nice to keep it simple,the higher users are using the facility, its wear and tear on the system and pipes, its chemicals. The person who is conserving is subsidizing the high end users. Susan Haltmaier stated the more a system is used the sooner you need to do maintenance on a system. The first 20 units everyone pays the same. James Xenakis stated the structure is faulted in many ways. You are treating commercial and residential on the same plain. Another problem businesses within a business that are working off one meter are paying higher rates and should put in additional meters to get the lower rates on each meter. Susan Haltmaier stated somehow the money has to be collected in the enterprise funds,the Board has been directed to set rates to encourage conservation and the only way to do that is to institute a price. At a higher price you will find an alternative. James Xenakis stated there are other ways to conserve water as a temporary water ban in the summer months. Town Manager Mark Rees stated the Board will review and set the water and sewer rates annually that will bring sufficient revenue to pay for expenses. Director of Public Works William Hmurciak stated he is aware of the meter reading period and taking steps restructuring the whole meter reading system which there are flaws in the system especially with multiple people reading, separate books and monthly timeframes. Rosemary Smedile stated she would like to see informational flyers on the rates and conservation sent to the residents. William Hmurciak stated there is money in the budget and that is being planned to send flyers on inside and outside conservation measures. Susan Haltmaier stated there are two issues,the first an amount of money that is needed to be collected, and we may have a rate structure that is collecting more than we need or less than we need and we will understand that if we follow Mr. Xenakis's suggestion to work with Public Works. Donald Stewart made a MOTION, seconded by Susan Haltmaier,to set up a sub-committee of Selectman James Xenakis and Selectman Susan Haltmaier,to work with the Director of Public Works, and the Town Manager or Assistant Town Manager and a few residents who would be interested in serving,to study the rates and look into alternate sources of water, with other ways to educate the end users to conserve and bring back a recommendation to the Board of Selectmen; vote approved 4-0 Board of Selectmen Minutes December 17,2001 Page 7 Boxford Street Speed Limit Lt. John Carney of the North Andover Police Dept updated the Board on traffic related improvements on Boxford Street. Lt. Carney stated that the Board of Selectmen formally requested Mass Highway to review the speed regulations on the street. Arthur McQue of the district office conducted the review and recommended the entire street be posted 35 m.p.h. Although the Police Department felt that lowering the 40 M.P.H. sections to 35 was an improvement,the Town also lost the 25 M.P.H. section approaching Salem Street, which the State raised to 35 m.p.h. The Police Department does not have any further appeal process on this matter and to request another speed zone survey would yield the same result. Lt. Carney is suggesting the town accept the recommendation of Mass Highway to gain what the Police desire with the reduction of the 40 zone. By adopting the special speed regulation(7517-A) for Boxford Street will make the speed limit on the street consistent on its entire length in both directions at 35 m.p.h. Mass Highway believes that this is an appropriate speed for that area. The Police Department further recommends that "Dangerous Intersection" signs be posted on Boxford Street at the approach to Foster Street and on Salem Street at the approach to Foster. Donald Stewart made a MOTION, seconded by James Xenakis,to accept the special speed regulation(7517-A) for Boxford Street. This speed regulation will make the speed limit on the street consistent on its entire length in both directions at 35 M.P.H.; vote approved 4— 0. James Xenakis stated the recommendations are only good if the Board enforces them and encourage the Police Department to continue to be proactive with stands they have taken already. Thomson School Parking Sgt. Fred Soucy of the North Andover Police Department updated the Board of Selectmen regarding a petition that was brought forward from residents and neighbors of the Thompson School regarding vehicle parking on the streets adjacent to the school. The main issue of the petition was parents picking up their children in the afternoon. The vehicles would clog the streets not allowing emergency vehicles safe access to homes if needed. The following are the recommendations for the Thomson School area: 1. Saltonstall Road from Waverly Road from Dana Street become the designated and marked drop off and pick up line. 2. Dana St., Dewey St., and Williams Streets are posted NO parking on the north side of the street. This would be the right hand side of these streets if you were traveling on them from Waverly Rd. towards Marbelhead Street. There would be a time restriction for the no parking limiting the times that parking would not be allowed from 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM. 3. No Parking from here to corner signs should be posted on all corners of Waverly Rd and Williams, Dewey and Dana Streets. 4. No parking should be posted on Waverly Rd. from Williams St to before the Thomson School Crosswalk. This is needed when the school busses turn from the school driveway onto Waverly Road,the busses would not be able to make the turn and have to back up and jockey around cars parked on the side of the road causing traffic tie ups and unsafe conditions for pedestrians and vehicles alike. 5. One half hour parking signs should be erected on Waverly Rd. from the other side of the crosswalk to the area in front of 231 Waverly Rd. This would allow parents to have a space to park for school business they might have for short periods of time. (Sgt. Soucy stated 1 hour parking might be more appropriate as the Police Department cannot be tagging cars every half hour.) 6. One half hour parking signs should be erected from the previous point to Dana St. with the prohibition of vehicles parking there from 2:30 PM to 3:00 PM and post it for the use of the pick up line only. 7. The possible construction of parking spaces for staff on the Herrick Rd side of the school. 8. Have the DPW give Thomson School and the streets surrounding the school a priority for snow removal. This would include not only plowing but also trucking the snow out of the area to keep the roadways clear. 9. Making sure that parents who do not follow the proper pick up and drop off procedure be notified through the school that they are violating the policy and the "patrol'policy as well. Mark Rees stated he would have to work with the DPW and the School Department on Item 7, for the construction of parking spaces on the Herrick Road side of the school, on the school property. Board of Selectmen Minutes December 17,2001 Page 8 James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart,to approve the above recommendations from Sgt. Soucy regarding Thomson School and surrounding streets; vote approved 4-0. Ms. Tarbox of 38 Green Hill Ave stated during special occasions more handicap parking is needed. Chief Richard Stanley stated if there was a big event at the school and more handicap parking was necessary to call the Police Department and a few extra spaces could be coned off for handicap parking. Ferry Street Parking Police Chief Richard Stanley stated that after several meetings and speaking with Mr. Michael Clark and Mr. Finocchiaro and all parties involved, it is the Police Department's recommendation that Ferry Street be posted "No Parking"on what would be the odd numbered side of the street(opposite the homes). Mr. Finocchiaro's tenant, Mr. Butler, can work the property under this scenario and it sets limits for everyone. Chief Stanley also assured Mr. Clark that if Mr. Finocchiaro or his tenant Mr. Butler abuses this and there are continued problems,the Chief will readdress this issue with the Board of Selectman to find another solution. Donald Stewart made a MOTION, seconded by Susan Haltmaier,to put"No Parking" signs on the odd side of Ferry Street, and one Handicap Parking sign on the side of the road in front of Mr. Clarks home at 16 Ferry Street; vote approved 4-0. NEW BUSINESS Community Survey Results In May of this year,the Town mailed a North Andover Quality of Life and Service Survey to 2,100 North Andover households of which 489 responded(response rate 24%). This survey was an expansion of the Police Department Community Survey that was done in previous years and was revised to include all town departments with the exception of the North Andover Public Schools. In regards to particular services the Town provides, respondents were satisfied or very satisfied with most of the Towns services including Library, Parks and Recreation,trash collection, police traffic enforcement and fire/emergency response time. Concerns were raised, however, regarding street maintenance, street cleaning and snow removal operations. Of the people who responded to the survey, 45%had occasion to contact a town operation within the pervious 12 months. Of major concern is of those 45%, a substantial minority was not satisfied with how the town responded to their contact. While the overall tenor of the survey was positive, specific areas need to be addressed. To improve these areas, one program has already been put in place,that being the enhanced snow and ice removal program that is being implemented beginning this winter. The Town Manager is establishing customer service standards that all town employees are expected to adhere to. Division directors are currently reviewing these standards and they have been requested to submit their comments and suggestions. Once they are finalized, both Assistant Town Manager Ray Santilli and the Town Manager Mark Rees will meet with all Town employees at their departments to discuss the importance of customer service to our organization and how we can improve. The second initiative is a management study of the Town's DPW operations by an outside expert in public works management to ascertain if our DPW has adequate resources to perform the services we expect of it, whether the resources we have are being managed so as to maximize the quality and quantity of services we do provide, and whether the organizational structure of the DPW is conducive to effective service delivery. The survey has pointed out many positive situations but there are a couple of things the Town needs to address. The Town Manager has put together an action plan to address those situations. Meeting Schedule, Second Half of FY02 For the purpose of scheduling public hearings the following dates have been suggested for Board of Selectmen meetings: January 7 and 22; February 4 and 19; March 11 and 25; April 8 and 22; May 13 (Town Meeting) and May 20; June 10 and 24. At the discretion of the Chair additional meetings may be scheduled. TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT Economic Target Area. (ETA) As discussed at the last Board meeting the Town has been working on ways to provide incentives to have Lucent Technologies maintain a presence in North Andover. One such economic development tool would be to negotiate a tax increment-financing (TIF)package. In order to be in such a position, Town Manager Mark Rees has asked the City of Haverhill to extend their Economic Target Area(ETA) designation into North Andover to cover the land currently Board of Selectmen Minutes December 17,2001 Page 9 owned by Lucent. Mayor James A. Rurak of the City of Haverhill sent a letter stating the Haverhill City Council will be considering this matter at their December 18, 2001 meeting. As a condition of Haverhill granting the ETA extension into North Andover,the Haverhill City Council is asking that North Andover agree to the "non-compete" language in their letter. Legislature extends time for municipalities to mail tax bills. Due to the lateness of the State passing their FY02 budget, many communities such as North Andover were not in the position of setting their tax rate until early winter. To address this situation,the legislature passed a law that allows municipalities to extend the time they can send out tax bills from December 31, 2001 to January 31, 2002. While North Andover would have been in a position to mail tax bills by the December 31St deadline, delays at the Department of Revenue in working through the back log to tax rate certifications, will necessitate the Town taking advantage of the extension granted by the legislature. Merrimack Valley AAA honors Police Dept. and Sgt Fred Soucy for improving traffic safety. On November 29, 2001, Selectmen Smedile and Haltmaier along with Town Manager Mark Rees attended a luncheon sponsored by AAA of Merrimack Valley where the North Andover Police Department and Sergeant Fred Soucy were honored for improving traffic safety in the Community. North Andover was one of three communities in the valley to be honored. North Andover in comparison to Andover. Town Manager Mark Rees used the Department of Revenue database to compare different financial indicators for Andover and North Andover. Three factors stand out. Whereas,North Andover is only 13%smaller than Andover in population, Andover's general fund budget is almost twice the size of North Andover. What may allow them to have such a large budget to pay for municipal services is that Andover's commercial, industrial and personal property tax base is 59%larger than North Andover's. Employees Christmas Breakfast. The Employees Christmas Breakfast is on Wednesday, December 19th at the Senior Center and the preparation work on Tuesday evening, December 18tH ADJOURNMENT: James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart,to adjourn the meeting at 10:45 PM;vote approved 4— 0. Kathleen O'Neill Administrative Secretary James M. Xenakis, Clerk of the Board