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Home My WebLink About2006-04-24 Board of Selectmen Minutes BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES APRIL 24, 2006 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 Connelly Smedile, Chairman; James Xenakis; Daniel P. Lanen; Thomas Licciardello; Mark Rees, Town Manager; Ray Santilli, Assistant Town Manager. Mark Caggiano was absent. EXECUTIVE SESSION: James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Daniel Lanen, to move into Executive Session to discuss Bargaining with Union Employees and Pending Litigation. Vote approved 4-0. The Board of Selectmen was individually polled and each voted to move into Executive Session. Daniel P. Lanen, yes; Thomas Licciardello, yes, James Xenakis yes; and Rosemary Smedile yes. Vote approved 4-0. COMMUNICATIONS,ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND PUBLIC COMMENT: New Business Recognition A Certificate of Appreciation was presented to "Fitness Together", 73 Main Street, for locating their business in North Andover. Unsung Heroine Award A Certificate of Accomplishment was present to "Elaine Kirby", a resident of North Andover, for being selected as Peabody's Unsung Heroine of 2006. Armenian Genocide Proclamation The Board of Selectmen wrote a "Proclamation" in remembrance of the Armenian Genocide of April 24, 1915. LICENSING COMMISSIONERS: James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Thomas Licciardello, to act as Licensing Chairman in the absence of Mark Caggiano. Vote approved 4-0. James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Thomas Licciardello, to move into Licensing. Vote approved 4-0. Review of Licensing Application for Casa Blanca Restaurant The ABCC returned the liquor license application for Casa Blanca Restaurant with a list of items needed. The manager David Brambila has interests in two establishments that had violations and did not report them on the application. Although he was not personally involved, it should have been noted on the application. James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Thomas Licciardello, to acknowledge the revision by the ABCC and their recommendation to approve the Liquor License application of Casa Blanca Restaurant. Vote approved 4-0. Thomas Licciardello made a MOTION, seconded by Daniel Lanen, to move out of Licensing. Vote approved 4-0. PUBLIC HEARINGS: Road Layout Hearings James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Daniel Lanen, to open the Public Hearing. Vote approved 4-0. Board of Selectmen Meeting April 24, 2006 2 The Town Manager explained that in order to be accepted as public ways, two actions must take place. First the Board of Selectmen, after a public hearing, must vote to "lay out"the roadways and second, town meeting must vote to accept the road. Town acceptance gives the town extended miles of public ways; an important element in the funding formula for Chapter 90 money from the state. Seven roads are being recommended for layout and acceptance. Of those seven, five, Granville, Grosvenor, Inglewood, Surry and Wildwood are old unaccepted roads that are being upgraded under the Town's program to accept these roads to make them eligible for Chapter 90 expenditures and two, Glenore Circle and Berrington Place are new subdivision roads. James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Daniel Lanen, to close the Public Hearing. Vote approved 4-0. James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Daniel Lanen, to Layout the following roads: Granville Lane, Grosvenor Avenue, Inglewood Street, Surry Drive, Wildwood Circle, Glenore Circle and Berrington Place. Vote approved 4-0. OLD BUSINESS: Report on Assisting Businesses in the Old Center At a previous meeting, a discussion took place on possible mitigation measures the Town could do to limit disruption to the businesses in the area of the Old Center and to partially alleviate the financial hardship during major public works construction projects. Improved communication to the public and road signage was suggested along with consideration for waiving municipal fees during the construction period and providing temporary relief to the Town's business sign ordinance. Thomas Licciardello made a MOTION, seconded by Daniel Lanen, to suspend municipal fees during the construction period. Vote approved 4-0. The Town Manager read the Policy on Temporary suspension of municipal fees and charges during major public works construction projects. If the Board chose to approve the temporary relief, this would take effect retroactive from April 1, 2006 for eighteen months within the scope of the project for the businesses in the Old Center. The following businesses included: Top of the Scales Restaurant, Hayscales Gift Shop, General Store, Masonic Lodge, Printing Museum, and North Parish Church. James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Thomas Licciardello, to delegate the Town Manager to work with staff on the signage. Vote approved 4-0. NEW BUSINESS: Stevens Ponds User Fees, 2006 Rick Gorman addressed staffing needs and fee adjustments in preparing for its operating Stevens Pond. The proposed fees for the 2006 summer season are as follows: Season Car Pass- $75. Swimming Lessons- $50. Daily Adult Pass- $12, Additional Sticker- $20. Season Pass Non Profit- $175. Season Pass Profit Group- $300. Thomas Licciardello made a MOTION, seconded by Daniel Lanen, to accept the recommended fees. Vote approved 3-1. James Xenakis opposed. Auditor Contract Extension Director of Finance Linda Casey and Town Accountant Lyne Savage recommended renewing the audit contract with Sullivan, Rogers and Company for an additional three years. The Town has been working with this audit firm for the last three years and has been able to resolve many problems. The next three years would allow the town to continue resolving these issues as well as work toward achieving a clean management report. The Accounting Department is attempting to transfer to one accounting system for municipal and school system. This auditing firm has the expertise to get the town through this bridge. Board of Selectmen Meeting April 24, 2006 3 James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Thomas Licciardello, to engage the service of Sullivan, Rogers and Company for one year with a two year extension by an affirmative vote by the Board of Selectmen. Vote approved 4-0. TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT: The Town Manager asked the Board of Selectmen to attend training for the National Incident Management Systems (NIMS). This training is a prerequisite for the Town to be eligible for various federal and state homeland security training grants. A mutual date would be set for training. On Wednesday, April 8, 2006, the Town Manager attended a meeting of other Massachusetts communities who are being negatively impacted by a reduction in state-owned land, Payment in Lieu of Taxes. North Andover is one of 47 communities slated to receive a reduction in funding in the FY07 budgets. It would be a loss of$127,000 under the Governor's budget and $161,000 in the House Ways and Means budget. The Manager requested the Board of adopt a resolution requesting the legislature `hold harmless' or maintain a minimum funding level equal to the FY06 budget allocation, which was $228,000. James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Thomas Licciardello, to adopt a resolution requesting the legislature "hold harmless' or maintain a minimum funding level equal to the FY06 budget allocation, which was $228,000. Vote approved 4-0. Since the Town Meeting has been delayed until June 5, it is suggested that the May 1 meeting be canceled and a full Selectmen's meeting be held on May 8, 2006. The Selectmen's Meeting on May 8, 2006, would be held at the North Andover High School. ADJOURNMENT: Thomas Licciardello made a MOTION, seconded by Daniel Lanen, to adjourn the meeting at 8:45 PM. Vote approved 4-0. Adele J. Johnson Administrative Secretary James M. Xenakis, Clerk of the Board