HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-12-11 Board of Selectmen Minutes BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES DECEMBER 11, 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.
COMMUNICATIONS,ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND PUBLIC COMMENT:
Selectman Smedile announced that Sports &Things Annual Holiday Gift Drive, A Tribute to the late Bill
McEvoy would be held on Tuesday, December 12, 2006 from 7:00-8:00 PM at the North Andover CAM
Studio located at the North Andover High School, 430 Osgood Street. Broadcast live on Channel 22.
Town Manager Mark Rees announced that an Form of Government Discussion informational meeting
would be held on Tuesday, December 12, 2006 at 6:30 PM at the North Andover Senior Center in the
rear of Town Hall. Guest speakers are Jeffrey Nutting, Town Administrator of Town of Franklin and
William Manzi, Mayor of the City of Methuen.
Selectmen announced that they would be hosting their annual appreciation breakfast for all Town
Employees on Friday, December 15, 2006, from 7:30-9:30 AM at the North Andover Senior Center.
Town Manager Mark Rees passed out a report to Selectmen "Soaring Health Insurance Costs Threaten
Boston's Competitive Edge". The Summary says that Boston and other cities and towns in
Massachusetts are facing a crisis of unsustainable increases in employee health insurance costs with no
letup in sight. Health insurance expenses have escalated by 92% in six years. These increases, along
with rising costs for pensions, are absorbing a larger share of limited revenue growth, which means there
are fewer resources for other services that impact the quality of life in Municipalities.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
Tax Classification Hearing
Mark Caggiano made a MOTION, seconded by James Xenakis, to open the public hearing for tax
classification. Vote approved 5-0.
William Carpenter representing the Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce requested that Selectmen
consider the ever rising costs for businesses to operate in the town that are largely affected by the tax
rate. A property tax cost is one area where a reduction can, and will, assist companies in remaining
competitive and assist their continued operation.
Chief Assessor Garret Boles presented the Board with several spreadsheets of tax classifications, and
historical information from 2001 to the present and a tax factor comparison from communities in state.
James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Daniel Lanen, to close the public hearing. Vote approved
5-0.
Daniel Lanen made a MOTION, seconded by James Xenakis, to retain the Property Tax Classification to
a 1.18 shift, adopting a 97.64% tax factor setting the residential tax at $10.45 and commercial tax at
$12.63. Vote approved by 3-2. Rosemary Smedile and Mark Caggiano opposed.
ADJOURNMENT:
Mark Caggiano made a MOTION, seconded by Daniel Lanen, to adjourn the meeting at 7:50 PM.
Vote approved 5-0.
Adele J. Johnson
Administrative Secretary
James M. Xenakis, Clerk of the Board