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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-09-18 Board of Selectmen Minutes BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES September 18, 2006 CALL TO ORDER: Thomas Licciardello called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM at Town Hall Meeting Room. ATTENDANCE: The following were present: Thomas Licciardello, Chairman; Rosemary Connelly Smedile, James Xenakis; Daniel P. Lanen; Mark J.T. Caggiano; Mark Rees, Town Manager. EXECUTIVE SESSION: James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Mark Caggiano, to move into Executive Session to discuss deployment of security personnel or devices; Real Estate Matters, Stevens Estate Cell Tower; and Sunnyridge Property Purchase and Sale. Vote approved 5-0. The Board of Selectmen was individually polled and each voted to move into Executive Session. Daniel P. Lanen, yes; James Xenakis yes; Mark Caggiano yes; Rosemary Smedile, yes, and Thomas Licciardello yes. Vote approved 5-0. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Mark Caggiano, to approve the Open Session Minutes of August 28, 2006, as written. Vote approved 5-0. COMMUNICATIONS,ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND PUBLIC COMMENT: Chairman Thomas Licciardello reminded all residents that Tuesday, September 19, 2006 is the State Primary Election. All precincts would be voting at the North Andover High School Field House. Polls are open from 7:00 AM until 8:00 PM. Selectman Rosemary Smedile announced that the Friends of the Senior Center would be holding their annual Taste of Wine Fundraiser at the Stevens Estate on Tuesday, September 19, 2006 at 7:00 PM. Selectmen Rosemary Smedile announced that there would be a celebration honoring former Selectman Donald Stewart on Friday, September 22, 2006, at the Stevens Estate at 7:00 PM. Tickets for the event are $20 and all are invited to attend. Chairman Licciardello announced that the North Andover Patriotic Committee would be dedicating their Vietnam Fallen Heroes Memorial on Saturday, September 23, 2006 at 10:00 AM at the North Andover High School Track and Field with a reception to follow at the VFW Post on Park Street. CONSENT ITEMS: Acceptance of a Stipend from the Commonwealth of MA Mark Caggiano made a MOTION, seconded by James Xenakis, to accept a stipend in the amount of $1,000 from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) as the methodology for funding allocation to ambulance services. Strategic Solutions, LLC as party under contract, and agent of MDPH is providing technical support for this project and would issue the check. Vote approved 5-0. LICENSING COMMISSIONERS: James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile, to enter into Licensing. Vote approved 5-0. Licensing Chairman Mark Caggiano continued the public hearing for Rolf's Restaurant. Public Hearing Continuation: Rolf's Restaurant, Alteration of Premises The applicant and her attorney met with the Police Department to discuss certain issues and have come to an agreement for the alterations. James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile, to approve the alternations and to allow consumption of alcoholic beverages on the new deck subject to the following: Vote approved 5-0. 1. Hours of operation 8:00 AM to 12:00 AM midnight 2. Construction of a lattice type screening on the deck to shield patrons from view Board of Selectmen Minutes September 18, 2006 2 3. Access to the deck area only from inside the premises; exit to be used for emergency purposes only. 4. Plan to control consumption of alcoholic beverages to be approved by Police Department 5. Compliance with all other regulations by Fire Department, Building Department and Board of Health. 6. 3 month trial period and brought back to the Board on or around December 18, 2006. North Andover Patriotic Committee Chairman of the Patriotic Committee Edward Mitchell has applied for a one-day liquor license for the reception following the Vietnam Fallen Heroes Memorial Dedication ceremony on September 23, 2006. He is also requested a fee waived because this is a non-profit project. James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Thomas Licciarcello, to approve the request for a one-day liquor license for a reception at 32 Park Street, North Andover on September 23, 2006, subject to the following: Vote approved 4-0-1. Rosemary Smedile Abstained. 1. Bartenders are to be TIP Certified 2. Hours of operation 11:30 AM to 4:00 PM 3. Compliance with all other regulations by Fire Department, Building Department and Board of Health. Licensing Chairman Mark Caggiano asked for a MOTION to open the next public hearing. Public Hearing: Beiiiing Restaurant Alteration of Premises James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile, to open the public hearing. Vote approved 5-0. The Millennium Eatery, Inc. d.b.a. Beijjing Restaurant, Wen Jing Huang, Manger applied for a license to alter the premises. A floor plan was submitted and an explanation of the renovations was given. Abutters to the restaurant Ralph Golf, 21 French Farm Road and Timothy LaCourse, 183 French Farm Road asked questions regarding the alterations to the interior and exterior of the building. James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Thomas Licciardello, to approve the alterations contingent upon approval and compliance with all other regulations by the Fire Department, Building Department and the Board of Health. Vote approved 5-0. James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Daniel Lanen, to close the public hearing. Vote approved 5-0. OLD BUSINESS: The City Council of Methuen asked the board to support their request that a management audit be conducted at the Greater Lawrence Technical School. Before the board would agree to this request they asked for more information and clarification upon the type of audit being conducted. The board also said that they would agree contingent on other communities signing on and to ask for a pro-rated cost and split the cost four ways between the communities. The Town Manager was asked to contact John Driscoll North Andover's representative to the GLTS and the participating community Managers & Mayors and report back to the board at their next meeting on September 25, 2006. Fire Chief Recruitment Process At a previous meeting a discussion was brought up as to what process would be used to find a replacement for the retiring Fire Chief. The town is currently under the Civil Service process of hiring both the Police Chief and the Fire Chief. Discussions centered on whether the town should remove itself from the Civil Service process and replace it with an Assessment Center selection process. Board of Selectmen Minutes September 18, 2006 3 Selectman Lanen asked why the town is moving away from the Civil Service process and asked if this has been discussed within the departments. Selectmen Xenakis and Caggiano have discussed this subject with the chiefs and other members of both departments. Most agree that the Civil Service process has flaws and is based on the best testing scores not with consideration of the qualifications and skills of the applicants. A person could be chosen if they test well, not knowing their performance. They say that this is not the fairest way to select the next chief to either department. There are many employees within the departments that are very qualified to step into the chief's position. Based on their discussions, Selectmen Xenakis and Caggiano strongly suggested that Lieutenants and Deputies would be able to apply in an Assessment Center process. The Town of Andover is using a process of hiring a consultant who will be primarily responsible for developing, coordinating, conducting, and reporting an Assessment Center process. The consultant would also assist the Town with the recruitment of candidates, and with the review of applications and screening of applicants. An Assessment Center using a panel made up of the consultant, current and former fire chiefs, and maybe a few department heads would conduct multi-exercises including all aspects of fire leadership, to demonstrate the knowledge skills and abilities necessary and appropriate to be possessed by candidates. The cost would be approximately$9,000. The Selectmen and Town Manager would continue working with the Chiefs to bring the best possible selection process for the town. Street Acceptances In accordance with the vote of the 2006 Annual Town Meeting to accept the following roadways as public ways and authorize the Board of Selectmen to acquire by eminent domain the following described roadways, and to award no damages for said eminent domain takings: Granville Lane, Grosvenor Avenue, Inglewood Street, Surrey Drive, and Wildwood Circle. Mark Caggiano made a MOTION, seconded by James Xenakis, to accept the following roadways as public ways and to acquire by eminent domain Granville Lane, Grosvenor Avenue, Inglewood Street, Surrey Drive and Wildwood Circle. The Selectmen signed all appropriate documents and Mylars. Vote approved 5-0. TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT: The Town was awarded a technical assistance grant titled School Recycling Evaluation and Implementation, which is 60 hours of dedicated personnel to work with the town on the project between now and June 30, 2007. The Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission (ABCC)will be having a regional seminar at the North Andover Senior Center from 1:00 to 3:00 PM on Thursday, September 21, 2006. The Town applied for financial assistance for public education from the Commonwealth of MA. The Town was awarded financial assistance for the Greater Lawrence Technical School ADJOURNMENT: James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Mark Caggiano, to adjourn the meeting at 8:50 PM. Vote approved 5-0. Adele J. Johnson Administrative Secretary James M. Xenakis, Clerk of the Board