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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-10-21 Board of Selectmen Minutes BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OCTOBER 21, 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; Donald B. Stewart; Susan Haltmaier; Mark Rees, Town Manager; Ray Santilli, Assistant Town Manager. James Xenakis arrived at 7:52 PM. EXECUTIVE SESSION: Wendy Wakeman made a MOTION, seconded by Susan Haltmaier, to move into Executive Session to discuss a Land Acquisition. The Board of Selectmen was individually polled and each voted to move into Executive Session. Vote approved 4-0. Chairman Smedile stated that the Board would be returning to Open Session after the Executive Session. COMMUNICATIONS,ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND PUBLIC COMMENT: Cindy Jalbert, a resident, stated that, in her opinion, the reason the property tax bills would increase so much next year is because of the way the high school was financed. It is a 10-year bond and it has been accelerated. She asked the Board of Selectmen to give the residents an answer at a future meeting as to the rational behind why they financed the high school this way. Wendy Wakeman thanked the Lions Club for sponsoring "Health Awareness Day". CONSENT ITEMS: Request to use the Old Center Common —Voice of the Faithful. Wendy Wakeman made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart, to approve the request from the Voice of the Faithful to hold a Candlelight Vigil at the Old Center Common on Friday, November 17, 2002, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Vote approved 4-0. Request for Change of Date for"Toll Booth" Charity Collection — Knights of Columbus. Wendy Wakeman made a MOTION, seconded by Susan Haltmaier, to approve the change of dates for the "Toll Booth" Charity Collection to October 25, 26, and 27, at the intersection of Great Pond Road and Massachusetts Avenue (Old Center). Vote approved 4-0. PUBLIC HEARINGS: Entertainment License Rules and Regulations. The Town Manager stated that Thomas Urbelis, Town Counsel, has recommended that the Board of Selectmen consider, after receiving public input during a properly advertised public hearing, revising its rules and regulations for entertainment licenses. This is to update previous rules and regulations adopted in March of 2001. Also, Joyce Bradshaw, Town Clerk, recommended procedures for issuing entertainment licenses and a fee schedule. Thomas Urbelis, Town Counsel, explained to the public that the Town had established a zoning bylaw in an adult entertainment district under Chapter 140-sec 138A for all types of adult entertainment. The proposed revisions would provide more control over how adult entertainment is conducted in the Town. There was no public comment on this issue. The Board of Selectmen did not vote on this issue tonight, but would at a future meeting. Massachusetts Electric Company Petition. Joseph Plentzas, Massachusetts Electric Company, addressed the Board and requested the approval of Plan No. W53/458— Foster Street— Install three (3) manholes and a 3x3 5" duct system encased in concrete. Wendy Wakeman made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart, to approve the request. Vote approved 4-0. LICENSING COMMISSIONERS: Susan Haltmaier made a MOTION, seconded by Wendy Wakeman, to move into Licensing. Vote approved 4-0. Wendy Wakeman made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile, to approve the following one-day liquor licenses. Vote approved 4-0. Board of Selectmen Minutes 2 Julia Stitson, Stevens Estate, 723 Osgood Street, for One-Day Liquor Licenses. Colleen Roche Wedding Reception Nov. 2, 2002 4:00 PM — 10:00 PM All Alcohol Christen Hazel Pike School Fundraiser Nov. 7, 2002 6:00 PM —8:00 PM All Alcohol Maura Collopy Wedding Reception Nov. 9, 2002 6:30 PM — 12:00 AM All Alcohol Caitlin Haley Wedding Reception Nov. 23, 2002 6:45 PM — 11:45 PM All Alcohol Hart Bat Mitzvah Nov. 24, 2002 11:30 AM —3:30 PM Beer&Wine Bob Levy, Lawence High School Reunion Nov. 29, 2002 7:00 PM — 12:00 AM All Alcohol Wendy Wakeman made a MOTION, seconded by Susan Haltmaier, to move out of Licensing. Vote approved 4-0. OLD BUSINESS: FY04 Budget Policy Guidelines. The Town Manager gave a brief overview of the proposed changes to the FY04 Budget Policy Statement made as a result of recommendations from the Selectmen Sub-Committee, consisting of Selectman Wakeman and Xenakis, and the Finance Committee. This statement is to provide guidelines to the Town Manager as he prepares his FY04 Budget recommendations. Michelle Nadeau, resident, asked questions regarding the reserve fund, the operating budget, and financial resources. The Town Manager answered all of her questions. Note: James Xenakis arrived at 7:52 p.m. Bea Fink, resident, asked that the Board of Selectmen and Town Manager provide the Town with a solid foundation and to avoid major voids that will lead to future collapse of the Town's financial structure with the Financial Policy Statement. She urged the Board not to rush into approving a policy that will unnecessarily strain future year budgets. Jack Watkins, Chairman of the Finance Committee, stated that the Finance Committee is eager to work with the Selectmen on the finalization of a FY04 Budget Policy that would enable the Town to provide necessary services and continue operating costs. Selectman Xenakis asked the Town Manager to explain the distinction between a reserve fund and the stabilization fund. The Town Manager explained that there are 3 areas in which there are reserves. Namely, the stabilization fund that is an appropriation at Town Meeting. Second is the Finance Committee reserve fund that is an appropriation at Town Meeting to cover unanticipated or extraordinary expenses that come up during the year. The third is Free Cash that could be used in different ways of which could be allocated to the stabilization fund. Mark DiSalvo, resident, expressed his opinion on what the Board of Selectmen should adopt in the FY04 Budget Policy Statement and to add department objectives and goals to the statement. Donald Stewart stated that the Town's management works very diligently to take what funds are available to try to squeeze every available dollar to fund every department and provide the necessary services. Selectman Smedile stated that the Town has provided the same amount of services with the limited amount of funds that other towns give with larger budgets and that our professional management does a very good job. Selectman Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Wendy Wakeman, that the division/department objectives be included for each fiscal year. These objectives will be incorporated as part of the FY04 budget presentation. Vote approved 5-0. Cindy Jalbert, resident, asked questions regarding net direct debt service. The Town Manager answered her question and said he would seek more information from Chuck Benevento, Director of Finance. Wendy Wakeman made a MOTION, seconded by James Xenakis, to approve the FY04 Budget Policy Statement as amended. Vote approved 5-0. Board of Selectmen Minutes 3 Articles of December 9, 2002 Special Town Meeting. Wendy Wakeman made a MOTION, seconded by Susan Haltmaier, to place the following articles on the Warrant. 1-6. To Amend the Operating Budget. Vote approved 5-0. 1. Appropriate From Overlay Surplus To Fixed Expenses, Liability Insurance. 2. Appropriate From Free Cash To Fixed Expenses, Unemployment Expenses. 3. Appropriate From Free Cash To Public Works, Expenses. 4. Appropriate From Free Cash To General Government Expenses. 5. Appropriate From Free Cash To Public Safety, Personnel. 6. Appropriate From Free Cash And Overlay Surplus To Reserve Fund. Wendy Wakeman made a MOTION, seconded by James Xenakis, to place the following article on the Warrant. 7. Transfer from Salary Reserve to Personnel Line Items. Vote approved 5-0. Wendy Wakeman made a MOTION, seconded by James Xenakis, to place the following article on the Warrant. 8. Appropriate From Overlay Surplus By Board Of Assessors. Vote approved 5-0. Wendy Wakeman made a MOTION, seconded by James Xenakis, to place the following article on the Warrant. 9. Borrowing Authorization -Johnson Circle Pumping Station. Vote approved 5-0. Wendy Wakeman made a MOTION, seconded by Susan Haltmaier, to place the following article on the Warrant. 10. Prior Years Unpaid Bills. Vote approved 5-0. Wendy Wakeman made a MOTION, seconded by James Xenakis, to place the following article on the Warrant. 11. Amend Chapter 41 Personnel By-Laws. Vote approved 5-0. Wendy Wakeman made a MOTION, seconded by James Xenakis, to place the following article on the Warrant. 12. Amend Zoning By-Law- Section 10.4, Variances and Appeals. Vote approved 5-0. Wendy Wakeman made a MOTION, seconded by Susan Haltmaier, to place the following article on the Warrant. 13. To Amend Zoning By-Law- Section 6.613, Temporary Signs. Vote approved 5-0. Wendy Wakeman made a MOTION, seconded by Susan Haltmaier, to place the following article on the Warrant. 14. Acquisition of Land — English Circle. Vote approved 5-0. James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Wendy Wakeman, to place the following article on the Warrant. 15. Petition to State Legislature - Prohibition of Alcoholic Beverages At Adult Entertainment Businesses. Vote approved 5-0. There was a short recess. Susan Haltmaier made a MOTION, seconded by James Xenakis, to place the following article on the Warrant. 16. Land Acquisition —Great Pond Road adjacent to Water Treatment Plant. Vote approved 3-2. Wendy Wakeman and Donald Stewart voted nay. Warrant officially closes on Friday, October 25, 2002. Wendy Wakeman made a MOTION, seconded by Susan Haltmaier, for Selectman Smedile and Xenakis to continue in their rolls as sub-committee to order articles for warrant for Special Town Meeting. Vote approved 5-0. Board of Selectmen Minutes 4 North Andover Solid Waste Advisory Committee— Mission Statement Clarification. Tina Klein asked for some clarification of the amended wording of the NASWAC Mission Statement. After discussion, Wendy Wakeman made a MOTION, seconded by Susan Haltmaier, to restore the original wording on page 1, paragraph 5, ,'municipal" and "of the town". Vote approved 5-0. Foxwoods Acceptance of Easements and Deeds. Thomas Urbelis, Town Counsel, recommended that the deeds and easements relating to the Town taking possession of roadways and drainage systems in the Foxwoods subdivision be approved and signed by the Board. Susan Haltmaier made a MOTION, seconded by James Xenakis, to approve the documents relating to the Foxwoods subdivision. Vote approved 5-0. NEW BUSINESS: Chapter 40 B Housing Proposal — Forest Glenn. The Town Manager stated that Heidi Griffin, Director of Community Development&Services, has concerns with the Forest Glenn 40 B Housing Proposal. She has suggested that the Board send a letter that summarizes the Town's concerns to the Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency. Wendy Wakeman made a MOTION, seconded by James Xenakis, to authorize the chairman to send the letter to the Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency on behalf of the Board. Vote approved 5-0. FY03 1St Quarter Financial Report. Lyne Savage, Town Accountant, reviewed the budget status reports for revenue and expenses for the first quarter ending September 30, 2002. Over all, the total revenue collection of 22.45% is in line with our target percentages at this point in the fiscal year. Some budget amounts will be adjusted after the December Special Town Meeting. TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT: The Commonwealth of Massachusetts granted North Andover$802,719 in 100% matching state funds pursuant to the provisions of the Community Preservation Act. The Police Department notified the Town Manager that North Andover is a full participant in the "AMBER Alert Program"which provides a coordinated, structured mechanism to enlist the help of the public in locating abducted children. The Town Recreation Department will sponsor"Sunday Nights to Skate" at the Brooks School Rink beginning on November 3, 2002. Admission is $2.00 per person. The Fire Department has appointed Timothy McGuire as a probationary Fire Fighter and Dave Swarbick, Fire Fighter, has requested and received approval for a lateral transfer to the City of Lawrence Fire Department. As a reminder, the School Committee will be conducting a meeting on Tuesday evening, October 22, 2002, to review enrollment projections and how they relate to the proposed new school at Foster Farm. Selectman Smedile stated that the next meeting of the Board of Selectmen will be on November 4, 2002 and will be held at the Senior Center because the Stevens Memorial Library will be having its annual Book Fair. ADJOURNMENT: Susan Haltmaier made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart, to adjourn the meeting at 9:40 PM. Vote approved 5-0. Adele J. Johnson Administrative Secretary James M. Xenakis, Clerk of the Board