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Home My WebLink About2005-04-11 Board of Selectmen Minutes BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES APRIL 11, 2005 CALL TO ORDER: Rosemary Connelly Smedile called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM at Town Hall Meeting Room. ATTENDANCE: The following were present: Rosemary Smedile, Chairman; James Xenakis; Donald B. Stewart; Mark J.T. Caggiano; Thomas Licciardello; Mark Rees, Town Manager; Ray Santilli, Assistant Town Manager. James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart, to take out of order Communications, Announcements, and Public Comment. Vote approved 5-0. COMMUNICATIONS,ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND PUBLIC COMMENT: New Business Recognition The Board presented Jeff Stokes, Store Manager and Pat Landroche, District Manager of CVS Pharmacy a Certificate of Appreciation for relocating a new store in the Town of North Andover. EXECUTIVE SESSION: Mark Caggiano made a MOTION, seconded by James Xenakis, to move into Executive Session to discuss negotiations with Union Employees, Negotiations with Non-Union Employees and Pending Litigation. Vote approved 5-0. The Board of Selectmen was individually polled and each voted to move into Executive Session. Donald Stewart yes; James Xenakis yes; Mark Caggiano yes; Thomas Licciardello, yes, and Rosemary Smedile yes. Vote approved 5-0. COMMUNICATIONS,ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND PUBLIC COMMENT: Certificate of Accomplishment The Board congratulated the North Andover Youth Hockey Squirts Team on winning the State Championship. Certificates of Accomplishment were presented to coaches and team members as follows: Head Coach John Cusack, Assistant Coaches Mike O'Connor, Chris Rivet and Peter Heinze, Team members Michael Cusack, Mark Foley, Ernest Guerrera, Brendan Heinze, Derek Hunter, Grant O'Brien, Daniel O'Connor, Brian Pinho, Nicholas Pino, Daniel Rivet, Christian Sady, Cameron Shaheen, Tyler Sifferlen, Casey Walsh and Kyle Williams. Selectmen Caggiano commented on specific zoning articles that are on the warrant namely Article 38. Amend Zoning Map— Rezone Police Station Area and Article 39. Rezone Turnpike Street. Selectmen Caggiano suggested opening the warrant to remove Article 38 from the warrant and changing language on Article 39. Mark Caggiano made a MOTION, seconded by Thomas Licciardello, to open the Warrant to make changes on Article 38 and Article 39. Vote approved 5-0. James Lafond, 329 Osgood Street and Maureen Cushing, 524 Osgood Street voiced their opinions about the confusion and lack of process on the warrant article 38 to rezone the Police Station area. Mark Caggiano made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart, Article 38 to Amend the zoning map and rezone the Police Station area be removed from the warrant. Vote approved 5-0. Mark Caggiano made a MOTION, seconded by James Xenakis, to Amend Article 39 with new language instead of General Business (GB) to Business 1 (131). Vote approved 5-0. Mark Caggiano made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart, to close the warrant. Vote approved 5-0. Board of Selectmen Minutes April 11, 2005 2 Ted Tripp, 60 Boston Street asked about Foster Farm money that was borrowed 2.2 million and 900,000 was spent. Tripp asked what the difference is on interest paid verses interest income of the 1.3 million. The Town Manager suggested that Mr. Tripp speak with the School Department for additional information. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Mark Caggiano, to approve the following meeting minutes: January 24, 2005, Executive and Open Session as written; January 31, 2005, Executive and Open Session as written; February 7, 2005, Open Session as written; February 14, 2005, Executive and Open Session as written; February 28, 2005, Executive and Open Session as written; March 14, 2005, Executive Session and Open Session as written, March 28, 2005, Open Session as written and Executive Session as AMENDED. Vote approved 3-0-2. Donald Stewart and Thomas Licciardello abstained. CONSENT ITEMS: Donald Stewart made a MOTION, seconded by Mark Caggiano, to approve the request from Yang's Martial Arts &Yoga Center for World Tai Chi Day and use of the Town Common on Saturday, April 30, 2005 from 9:45 AM-12:15 PM. Vote approved 5-0. James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Mark Caggiano, to approve the request from Merrimack Valley Striders to use the Town Common and Town Roads for their annual road race on Monday, July 4, 2005, from 7:00 AM— 11:00 AM. Vote approved 5-0. James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Thomas Licciardello, to approve the request from North Andover Varsity Lacrosse team for a Fundraiser Car Wash at the Youth Center parking lot on Sunday, May 1, 2005, from 12:00 PM—3:00 PM. Vote approved 5-0. James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Mark Caggiano, to approve the request from North Andover Varsity Softball team for a Fundraiser Car Wash or Group Yard Sale at the Youth Center parking lot on Saturday, May 14, 2005, with a rain date of Sunday, May 15, 2005, from 8:00 AM— 11:00 AM. Vote approved 5-0. LICENSING COMMISSIONERS: James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Mark Caggiano, to move into Licensing. Vote approved 5-0 Rosemary Smedile made MOTION, seconded by Mark Caggiano, to approve the following one-day licenses. Vote approved 4-0. Laurie Fennelly, Stevens Estate, 723 Osgood Street, requests the following one-day licenses Alyssa & Gary Dudley, Bat Mitzvah, Saturday, April 16, 2005, 7:00 PM — 11:30 PM, Full Liquor Bar. Florence Crittenden Adoption Agency Fundraiser, Mary Ellen Fennessey, Saturday, April 30, 2005, 6:30 PM — 10:30 PM, Wine and Malt License. Merrimack Valley Chamber Mixer, Tuesday, April 19, 2005, 5:00 PM—7:30 PM, Full Liquor Bar. Note: James Xenakis excused himself from the meeting. PUBLIC HEARINGS: Mark Caggiano made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile, to open the public hearing. Vote approved 4-0. Mark Caggiano made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile, to approve a Common Victualler License to Mike Tsaprounis, Owner/Manager of J & M Subs & Pizza, 69 Main Street contingent upon application and associated fees for a permit from the Board of Health. Vote approved 4-0. Board of Selectmen Minutes April 11, 2005 3 Mark Caggiano made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile, to approve a Common Victualler License and Entertainment License to Jason Piacentini, owner of EATZ Restaurant, 57 Water Street, and contingent upon certificate of occupancy by the Building Department. Vote approved 4-0. Rosemary Smedile made a MOTION, seconded by Mark Caggiano, to close the public hearing. Vote approved 4-0. Rosemary Smedile made a MOTION, seconded by Mark Caggiano, to move out of Licensing. Vote approved 4-0. Note: James Xenakis returned to the meeting. OLD BUSINESS: Jack Watkins Chairman of the Finance Committee addressed the board with an outline of the overall budget outlook for FY06. He said trends suggest that expenses will continue to outpace revenues. If the town continues on this current path without change, FY07 will likely be significantly worse than FY06. The Finance Committee is recommending transferring $1.5 million from the municipal budget to increase the school's budget, which his committee had come to a consensus that the schools were under-funded. Watkins suggested having a meeting with the School Committee, Finance Committee and Board of Selectmen to discuss budget issues of FY06. FY06 General Fund Operating Budget The Town Manager informed the board of the potential budget reductions that the Finance Committee is considering to the municipal budget. The possible reductions would be—0-3% on the municipal side to offset the deficit in the school department and transfer funds +0-3%. Reducing the budget for Police, Fire and other town departments will put the town's public safety at risk. Cuts to the municipal budget will have serious effects. The Town Manager asked Department and Division Directors to write memorandums describing the impact these reductions would have on their budgets should the reallocations take place and bring them forth to the Board of Selectmen. Fire Chief William Dolan would need to drastically cut funding for training of new firefighters as older firefighters are retiring this year. Police Chief Richard Stanley said that a 2% cutback in his budget would cause him to eliminate overtime pay. This would mean that when an officer went on vacation or called in sick, the department could not afford to pay another officer overtime wages to fill in. Director of Public Works William Hmurciak said that a cut in his department would severely limit roadway, drainage, tree, sidewalk and sign work, trash pickup, vehicle maintenance and maintenance to parks, playgrounds, materials and supplies for those areas. FY06 General Fund Capital Budget The Town Manager said that due to the failure to approve the proposition 2'h debts for the police station, there were three items that should be discussed. First, moving forward with improvements to the HVAC system at the existing police station to address environmental concerns. Second, reviewing the town's entire capital improvement plan, including the municipal and school needs. The Board may want to consider creating a citizen committee to conduct this review with recommendations to come forward by next fall for inclusion in the FY07 CIP. Third, consideration of substituting alternative capital projects to take the place of the $560,000 allocated in the CIP for the police station. Thomas Licciardello made a MOTION, seconded by Mark Caggiano, to establish a citizen committee to conduct a review of the town's capital improvement plan, including the municipal and school needs with Board of Selectmen Minutes April 11, 2005 4 recommendations to come forward by next fall for inclusion in the FY07 CIP, draft a charge for the committee and to report back for further review to the Board of Selectmen. Vote approved 5-0. Mark Caggiano made a MOTION, seconded by James Xenakis, to direct the Town Manager to work with the Finance Committee to move forward with reallocation of CIP funds for a ventilation system in the Police Station, Sergeant School and HVAC in DPW garage for a total of$105,000. Vote approved 5-0. NEW BUSINESS: Signing of Warrant The Board of Selectmen signed the warrant for the May 9, 2005 Annual Town Meeting. Stevens Pond Bathing Beach Fees Director of Youth Services Rick Gorman presented an overview budget for the operation of Stevens Pond. The ultimate goal is to make the pond self-sufficient. Gorman made recommendations for the 2005 summer season setting two alternative plans on fees for permits/swimming lessons, staffing, maintenance and hours of operation. Rosemary Smedile asked if there was a possibility of cutting down one lifeguard per shift and what the savings would be to the Town. After a discussion the Board of Selectmen agreed on the following fees: Season Car Pass $60, Swimming Lessons $40, Daily Pass (per adult) $10, Season Pass for non-profit group $150, Season Pass for profit groups $250, Additional sticker for second Family car$15, additional sticker for nanny pass $15. James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Mark Caggiano, to adopt Alternative Plan #2 and reduce the fees as agreed upon. Vote approved 5-0. Board of Selectmen Clerk and Appointments Subcommittee Positions Donald Stewart made a MOTION, seconded by Mark Caggiano, to appoint James Xenakis to act as Clerk of the Board of Selectmen for the rest of the year. Vote approved 5-0. James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Mark Caggiano, to appoint Thomas Licciardello to the appointments subcommittee. Vote approved 5-0. TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT: Town Manager Mark Rees wished his wife Beth a Happy Birthday. ADJOURNMENT: Mark Caggiano made a MOTION, seconded by Thomas Licciardello, to adjourn the meeting at 9:45 PM. Vote approved 5-0. Adele J. Johnson Administrative Secretary James M. Xenakis, Clerk of the Board