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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-11-26 Board of Selectmen Minutes BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES November 26, 2001 CALL TO ORDER: Rosemary Smedile called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. ATTENDANCE: The following were present: Rosemary Smedile, Chairman; James Xenakis; Donald B. Stewart;William Duffy; Susan Haltmaier; Mark Rees, Town Manager; Raymond Santilli, Assistant Town Manager. EXECUTIVE SESSION: James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Susan Haltmaier,to move into Executive Session to discuss negotiations with union employees and pending litigation with Edgewood Retirement Home; vote approved 5-0. The Board of Selectmen was individually polled and each voted to move into Executive Session. Vote: William Duffy yes; Donald Stewart yes; Susan Haltmaier yes; James Xenakis yes; Rosemary Smedile yes. Chairman Smedile stated the Board would be returning to Open Session after the Executive Session. COMMUNICATIONS,ANNOUNCEMENTS,AND PUBLIC COMMENT Addition to Agenda under NEW BUSINESS. Item D. under New Business is AT &T Broadband. Water& Sewer Rates. At the next Board of Selectmen meeting James Xenakis would like to discuss water and sewer rates. Rosemary Smedile thanked Sgt. Fred Soucy for Santa Parade. Rosemary Smedile thanked Sgt. Fred Soucy from the NA Police Department for his work for the Santa Parade and stated Santa was as jolly as ever. Congratulations to Tripp Bannister. Rosemary Smedile congratulated Tripp Bannister on the completion of his Eagle Scout Project,the Welcome to North Andover sign on Turnpike Street near Sharpners Pond Road. Policeman of the Year. Congratulation to John Pickard as being designated as North Andover Policeman of the Year Award. LICENSING COMMISSIONERS: Donald Stewart made a MOTION, seconded by James Xenakis to move into licensing; vote approved 5-0. James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by William Duffy,to approve a One-Day all alcohol license for Evy Gillette, Manager,the Stevens Estate, 723 Osgood Street for the Adriano Grassi Wedding reception on December 2, 2001 from 3:00 p.m. — 8:00 p.m.; vote approved 5-0. James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Susan Haltmaier,to move out of licensing; vote approved 5-0. OLD BUSINESS: Preparation for December 3, 2001, Special Town Meeting_. The Board of Selectmen will have to take a position on the following (5) Five articles for Special Town Meeting. Article 12. Amendin g Zoning By-law/non-conforming structures. At the request of the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals this article will be withdrawn at Special Town Meeting until issues are worked out and brought back at Spring Town Meeting. Article 1. Amending the General Fund Budd William Duffy made a MOTION, seconded by Susan Haltmaier,to recommend favorable action on Article 1; vote approved 5-0. Board of Selectmen Minutes November 26, 2001 Page 2 Town Manager Mark Rees updated the Board on the General Fund Budget and stated that$1,026,000 is the certified free cash; $226,000 will eliminate the deficit and balance the budget to reduce the tax rate; $550,000 will go into the stabilization fund and$224,000 finance committee reserve. William Duffy stated that was very good news. Rosemary Smedile stated compliments should go to the Town Manager, Finance Committee and Town Employees to have $1,000,000 in free cash. Article 2. Amending the Capital Fund Budget-Stevens Estate Requests. Albert Cullen was present to report that approximately$1.5 million dollars is needed for improvements at the Stevens Estate. The repairs are to ensure that the building won't leak,the envelope is secure and the building is safe from wind and water. William Duffy made a MOTION, seconded by Susan Haltmaier,to recommend favorable action on Article 2 to Amend the Capital Fund Budget-Stevens Estate Request; vote approved 5-0. Article 9. Community Preservation Committee Recommendations for Appropriations. Felipe Schwartz a member of the Community Preservation Committee was present to discuss the process and recommendation of$67,000 for Restoration of the Old Burying Ground located at the intersection of Court and Academy Streets $67,000 (Historic Resources). Linda Tremblay a member of the Community Preservation Committee and Historical Commission stated the Old Burying Ground has been a 15-year project and would like to complete this job. Felipe Schwartz stated with this needs analysis the goal of the Community Preservation Committee is to have a public forum for people to come and understand how the committee works as well as take public input. This is a 9-member committee and would like as many ideas as possible for future projects. Albert Cullen, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Stevens Estate has concerns and questions as to the process. Mr. Cullen stated he was never notified that there was $67,000 available for historic preservation. While Mr. Cullen believes that the graveyard project is worthwhile, Mr. Cullen believes the Stevens Estate should have a chance to make their pitch that they are more deserving than the graveyard. Mr. Cullen stated it cost$1,000 to replace each window. Mr. Cullen has a disagreement with the process and does not think money should be allocated to any project unless all projects in town are notified and have the chance to submit to both the historic commission and the Community Preservation Committee. Susan Haltmaier is trying to find out what was the notice period, how were projects committed and what criteria were used to pick projects? Ms. Haltmaier is trying to ascertain what is the process. Felipe Schwarz stated the Community Preservation Committee has open meetings that are posted and would encourage anyone to attend. Mr. Cullen stated he has a problem with the process and feels someone should have contacted the Stevens Estate and would ask to appear before the Community Preservation and make their pitch for funding. Mr. Cullen asked to suspend this article until May Town Meeting. Felipe Schwartz stated the CPA Committee relies on Boards and Commissions to bring forth projects. From this point on as the CPA Committee develops this needs study, more projects and ideas are welcome. Albert Cullen stated the town has spent approximately$80,000 on studies for restoring Osgood Hill. The Town faces financial problems. Osgood Hill is generating revenue and the sooner the mansion can be in first class shape,the town will be collecting revenue that will not have to be poured back into fixing the house. This money is an investment in Osgood Hill and will return money to the town. William Duffy made a MOTION, seconded by James Xenakis,to recommend favorable action on Article 9 Community Preservation Committee Recommendations for Appropriations to approve $67,000 for restoration of the Old Burying Ground, Administrative costs including appraisal expenses of the CPA Committee of$30,000, Bank fees associated with authorized borrowing of funds $30,000 (Open Space), and Interest Expenses of $13,090 (Open Space); vote approved 5-0. Discussion: William Duffy stated it is unfortunate that we're having this debate at this time and not supporting the Historical Commission as Kathleen Szyska. People have to be self-starters and put their applications in on time. Board of Selectmen Minutes November 26, 2001 Page 3 James Xenakis asked Felipe Schwartz if North Andover will receive 100%matching funds and when. Mr. Schwartz stated it should be coming in quarterly and at the May Town Meeting, after the money comes in another project could be presented to the CPA Committee. Donald Stewart stated he is not surprised that the process is flawed and there should be a process, a procedure in place. Susan Haltmaier agreed with Donald Stewart and stated a process for reviewing projects like an open enrollment, anyone qualified should have been notified and applied for these funds and go to Town Meeting with the recommendations. Article 16. Petition the General Court-Deed Restriction Carter Hill Property-Bradford Street. William Duffy made a MOTION, seconded by James Xenakis,to recommend favorable action on Article 16 to have the Trustees of Reservations as a non-profit organization to receive this deed restriction for acquiring Carter Hill Property; vote approved 5-0. FY03 Budget Policy Statement. The subcommittee of Selectmen William Duffy and Rosemary Smedile have been working on the budget policy statement and will be making changes and bringing revisions to the next meeting. NEW BUSINESS: Meeting with Planning Board to discuss Growth Management Bylaw. Richard Nardella, member of the Planning Board, suggested a member from the Board of Selectmen to work with the Planning Board to study the Growth Management Bylaw looking at the pro's and con's and come to a conclusion and clear up the bylaw. William Duffy made a MOTION, seconded by James Xenakis,to appoint Susan Haltmaier to work with the Planning Board to write the Growth Management Bylaw; vote approved 5-0. Preparation for December 5, 2001 Tax Classification Hearing, Town Assessor Garrett Boles stated the primary purpose of the classification hearing is whether or not you are going to vote to classify the tax rate meaning a split between the rate imposed upon residential open space property and commercial, industrial and personal property. The split being you can shift over some of the levy that would have been paid by the residential open space classes over to the commercial, industrial and personal property classes. Historically Fiscal 1990 was the first split rate of about 8%shift. North Andover primarily has residential new growth. The underlying growth has always been single family homes. The number of single family homes has been declining from around 150 in 1995. Garrett Boles stated in the long-term you have to look at your underlying basis for your levy growth every year, apart from having your override election for 2 '/2 is declining behind the scene. Garrett Boles stated the format is essentially the tax base from last year,you add the 2 '/2,plus new growth, and then you add whatever debt service, plus the excluded debt. You derive the total of the 4 classes of property: the residential, commercial, industrial and personal property. A tax rate is simply a division problem. A town can legally so much money, based on what you raised last year plus 2 ''/2%plus new growth plus this years excluded cumulative debt service depending on the bond schedule that were voted on past overrides to be excluded on the tax rate. Monthly Budget Reports. The monthly budget status reports for revenue and expenses through October 2001 were presented and Town Manager Mark Rees stated in the future he will have the Town Accountant present to give monthly reports. AT &T Broadband Cable TV Rates. A T &T notified the Town that AT &T will be having a public hearing on December 11 and 12, 2001 regarding cable TV rates. Town Manager Mark Rees recommended filing a formal request subject to the discretion of the cable advisory commission. William Duffy made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart,to authorize filing a formal request subject to the cable advisory commission; vote approved 5-0. Board of Selectmen Minutes November 26, 2001 Page 4 TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT: Maritimes Pipeline. Town Manager Mark Rees this past week received the Final Environmental Impact Report prepared by FERC staff for the Maritimes Pipeline Project. A cursory review of the massive two-volume document indicates that it is still recommended that the pipeline go through North Andover and they are allowing for the Bruin Hill alternative. The final authority is FERC. ADJOURNMENT: Susan Haltmaier made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart,to adjourn the meeting at 9:55 PM; vote approved 5 — 0. Kathleen O'Neill Administrative Secretary James M. Xenakis, Clerk of the Board