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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-10-07 Board of Selectmen Minutes BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OCTOBER 7, 2002 CALL TO ORDER: Rosemary Smedile called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM at the Steven's Memorial Library. ATTENDANCE: The following were present: Rosemary Smedile, Chairman; James Xenakis; Donald B. Stewart; Susan Haltmaier; Mark Rees, Town Manager; Ray Santilli, Assistant Town Manager. EXECUTIVE SESSION: Wendy Wakeman made a MOTION, seconded by James Xenakis, to move into Executive Session to discuss Collective Bargaining with Communications Officer's Group. The Board of Selectmen was individually polled and each voted to move into Executive Session. Vote approved 5-0. 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 Wendy Wakeman, to approve the minutes of April 22, 2002, Executive Session as amended; August 12, 2002, Open Session and Executive Session as written; September 3, 2002, Open Session and Executive Session as written; September 9, 2002, Open Session and Executive Session as written. Vote approved 5-0. COMMUNICATIONS,ANNOUNCEMENTS AND PUBLIC COMMENT: Chairman Rosemary Smedile opened the meeting with comments about recent statements that were in the local newspapers. Selectman Smedile stated that it is time to stop the bickering between the boards and that these differences of opinions should be discussed with each other and brought to the podium instead of giving statements to the newspapers. She stated that the Town can anticipate a difficult budget year and if everyone works together, the Town will be a better community. Festival Committee Fire Chief William Dolan was present with committee member Jim Connolly. Jim Connolly spoke of all the activities and events that make the 4th of July celebration a success. Chief Dolan requested that the Board allow the Festival Committee to have a beer and wine tent for next year's celebration. All beer and wine would be bought, consumed and limited to under the tent. The consensus of the Board was to let the Festival Committee explore the idea and to apply for a one-day license at a future date. Town Clerk Report Joyce Bradshaw, Town Clerk stated that the last day to register or change party affiliation to vote in the state election is October 16, 2002. The Town Clerk's office will be open until 8:00 p.m. that evening. Also, the Town Clerk's office will be open on Saturday, October 12, 2002 supporting the Lions Club North Andover Health Awareness Day. There will be a Special Town Meeting on Monday, December 9, 2002 and the last day to register is November 29, 2002. The office will be open until 8:00 p.m. that night. Town Clerk's office has been authorized to issue passport applications and will take them on a limited basis through appointments only at this time. APPOINTMENTS: Emergency Management Agency Wendy Wakeman made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart, to approve the following residents as RACES communicators to the Emergency Management Agency. Vote approved 5-0. 1 year term - Mr. William Hastings, 275 Dales Street—RACES Communications Officer 1 year term - Mr. Adam Zimmer, 113 High Street— RACES Communicator 1 year term - Mr. David Lipson, 131 Pheasant Brook Road — RACES Communicator 1 year term - Mr. Brian M. Lambert, 91 Chadwick Street— RACES Communicator 1 year term - Mr. Timothy MacDonald, 180 Hickory Hill Road — RACES Communicator Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority Wendy Wakeman made a MOTION, seconded by James Xenakis, to approve the Town Planner, Kathleen McKenna as representative to the Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority. Vote approved 5-0. Board of Selectmen October 7,2002 Page 2 of 4 Public Comment Sam Ameen, Chairman of the School Facilities Master Plan Committee, asked the Board to open the channels of communication among all the committees in Town. The Town should create an atmosphere of supporting one another, something that has been lacking in the last few weeks. The Town Manager stated that a letter from the Board of Selectmen was sent to the School Committee, the Finance Committee and the School Building Committee regarding student enrollments and the initial impact on the proposed new school at Foster Farm. In response, the Finance Committee sent two correspondence, one asking that prior to a commitment of funds to pay for architectural/design services for a new elementary school, a meeting be held with representatives from the involved committees and boards to review current and projected enrollment counts and their relationship to the need for a new elementary school. The second letter asked the School Committee to hold off for thirty days before going ahead with the architectural/design expenditures. Also, Dan Murphy, Chairman of the School Committee, sent a letter to the Board of Selectmen stating that the School Committee makes the policy regarding School Department issues and that any issues dealing with the school is their responsibility. Bruce Baker, School Committee member, stated that the fluctuation of the numbers should not stand in the way of the architectural/design funds. The Town will eventually need a new elementary school to replace the portable classrooms and the Bradford Street School. These funds were voted on at Town Meeting and should be used for that purpose. Donald Stewart stated that the Town Meeting approved the funds for architectural/design services and, it is his opinion, that having the voters approve debt exclusion at this time to construct a new building could be difficult. James Xenakis said that if the School Committee goes forward with spending this money prematurely, it jeopardizes the credibility of this project and its successful completion. James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Wendy Wakeman, to authorize the Town Manager to setup a meeting with the Superintendent of Schools and all committees involved (the Finance Committee, School Committee, Board of Selectmen, and School Building Committee)to work together of this important issue. Vote 1-4. James Xenakis single vote in favor. Cindy Jalbert asked why the Town financed the high school with a short-term bond. Wendy Wakeman suggested that the Town Manager and Chuck Benevento meet with Cindy Jalbert at a mutually convenient time to discuss this matter. LICENSING COMMISSIONERS: Wendy Wakeman made a MOTION, seconded by Susan Haltmaier, to move into Licensing. Vote approved 5-0. Chai Restaurant, 1070 Osgood Street—Restaurant/All Alcoholic Beverages License Wendy Wakeman made a MOTION, seconded by James Xenakis, to approve a Restaurant/All-Alcohol License for the Chai Restaurant, 1070 Osgood Street, Vuttichai Senabunyarthi, manager. Attorney Thomas F. Caffrey asked on behalf of Vuttichai Senabunyarthi, if the Board would reduce the license fee for year 2002 because the building is still under construction with a delayed opening of January of 2003. The Board agreed to prorate the fee for year 2002 at$550. James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Wendy Wakeman, to approve the prorated license fee at$550 for year 2002. Vote approved 5-0. Saint Gregory Armenian Church —One Day Liquor License Wendy Wakeman made a MOTION, seconded by Susan Haltmaier, to approve a One-Day Liquor License for St. Gregory's Armenian Church, 158 Main Street, at Jaffarian Hall for the October Dance on October 26, 2002, at 7:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. —All Alcohol. Wendy Wakeman made a MOTION, seconded by Susan Haltmaier, to move out of licensing. Vote approved 5-0. Page 2 of 4 Board of Selectmen October 7,2002 Page 3 of 4 OLD BUSINESS: Lease for Cell Tower/Osgood Hill The Town Manager stated that Town Counsel has recommended that the Board of Selectmen authorize the Town Manager to sign a five-year lease document by Sprint Spectrum LP for building and operating a communications facility on town owned land at Osgood Hill. The tenant will pay the Town a monthly rental payment of$2,300, plus any applicable tax, increasing by 3% yearly. Susan Haltmaier made a MOTION, seconded by Wendy Wakeman, to approve the five-year lease for a cell tower with Sprint Spectrum LP at Osgood Hill and to authorize the Town Manager to sign the lease document and other related documents on behalf of the Board. Vote approved 5-0. NEW BUSINESS: FY03 Objectives The Town Manager presented an objective tracking system that was designed by Director of Finance Chuck Benevento. The directors of each division were present: (Raymond Santilli, Assistant Town Manager& Director of Human Resources; William Dolan, Fire Chief; Charles Benevento, Finance Director; William Hmurciak, Director of Public Works; Glenn Annson, Police Lieutenant for Chief Richard Stanley; Heidi Griffin, Director of Community Development &Services) and gave an overall review of their FY02-FY03 goals and objectives. Wendy Wakeman made a MOTION, seconded by James Xenakis, to authorize the Chairman and the Town Manager to write a memo to the Finance Committee enclosing appropriate portions of the objective tracking system in response to their recent letter. Vote approved 5-0. Review of Possible Warrant Articles for December 9, 2002, Special Town Meeting The Town Manager gave an explanation of the nine possible warrants articles for the December 9, 2002, Special Town Meeting. The Board will be asked to vote on the warrant articles at the October 21, 2002, Board of Selectmen meeting with the warrant being officially closed on Friday, October 25, 2002. A. Amend FY03 General Fund Budget. B. Transfer funds from Salary Reserve Account. C. Appropriate Overlay Surplus funds for Senior Tax Relief Program. D. Appropriate Overlay Surplus funds for Revaluation Project. E. Additional funding for Johnson Circle Pumping Station. F. Amend Personnel By-Law. G. Amend Sign By-Law. H. Amend Zoning By-Law. I. Acquisition of Land: English Circle. FY04 Budget Policy Guidelines The Town Manager presented and gave an in-depth explanation of the draft FY04 Budget Policy Statement for the Board's review and consideration. The Town Charter requires that the Board of Selectmen... "On or before the first day of November...after consulting with the Town Manager, shall issue a policy statement relating to the budget for the ensuing fiscal year." The Town Manager asked the Board to establish a sub-committee to review this in more detail. Susan Haltmaier made a MOTION to reconstruct the Budget Communication Group to review the FY04 Budget Policy Statement. MOTION failed for lack of a second. James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Wendy Wakeman, for the Board to appoint two (2) selectmen, Wendy Wakeman and James Xenakis, to work with the Town Manager, and the Finance Director to finalize the FY04 Budget Policy Statement and bring it back for full Board approval at the next meeting. Vote approved 4-1. Susan Haltmaier opposed. Selectman Haltmaier stated that the Board is deliberately excluding the Budget Communication Group and School Committee from participating in this process. Page 3 of 4 Board of Selectmen October 7,2002 Page 4 of 4 There was a lengthy discussion between residents and selectmen on the need and effectiveness of the Budget Communication Group. The Board suggested that the Town Manager pass this document onto the Finance Committee for their comments with the knowledge that the Board will take a vote on it at their next meeting. Bond Anticipation Notes The Board of Selectmen is requested to approve authorization to borrow ($24,000,000) twenty-four million dollars in bond anticipation notes to provide continuing financing for the high school construction project and community preservation land purchases. The Town Manager reported that Standard & Poor and the Moody's Investors Service have given the Town of North Andover their highest rating for bond anticipation. Selectman Smedile congratulated the Town Manager and the Finance Director on an outstanding job. James Xenakis, as the Clerk of the Board, made a MOTION, seconded by Wendy Wakeman, to approve the following: Voted: to approve the sale of a ($24,000,000) twenty-four million dollars 2.50 percent Bond Anticipation Note of the town dated October 11, 2002, and payable October 10, 2003, to CIBC World Markets at par and accrued interest plus a premium of$238,250. Further Voted: the Board hereby determines that it is necessary to issue a portion of the Bond Anticipation Note in the amount of$2,811,000. to finance the land acquisition project. I further certify that the vote was taken at a meeting open to the public, that no vote was taken by secret ballot, that notice stating the place, date and time of the meeting was filed with the Town Clerk and a copy thereof posted in the office of the Town Clerk or on the principal official bulletin board of the town at least 48 hours, including Saturdays but not Sundays and legal holidays, prior to the time of the meeting and remained so posted at the time of the meeting, that no deliberations or decision in connection with the sale of the note were taken in executive session, and that the official record of the meeting was made available to the public promptly and remains available to the public, all in accordance with G.L. c.39, s.23B as amended. Vote approved 5-0. TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT: The Town Manager attended the International City Management Association Conference from Saturday, September 28—Wednesday, October 2, 2002. Seminars were on leadership development, personnel management and economic development initiatives. Selectman Smedile, Selectman Wakeman, Assistant Town Manager and Town Manager attended a meeting of the Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce on Friday, October 4, 2002, at the Stevens Estate. The Town Manager recently signed a contract for$588,773 to begin water main replacement and restoration in the vicinity of Osgood Street, Sutton Street, Forest Street and South Bradford Street. The Police Department notified the Town Manager that subject to future review, they are restoring four full-time officers on duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week. ADJOURNMENT: James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Wendy Wakeman, to adjourn the meeting at 9:50 p.m. Vote approved 5-0. Adele J. Johnson Administrative Secretary James M. Xenakis, Clerk of the Board Page 4 of 4