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Home My WebLink About2007-01-22 Board of Selectmen Minutes BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES JANUARY 22, 2007 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 Rees, Town Manager; Ray Santilli, Assistant Town Manager. Note: Mark Caggiano was absent EXECUTIVE SESSION: James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Daniel Lanen, to move into Executive Session to discuss Collective Bargaining, Real Estate Matters and Legal Matters. Vote approved 4-0. The Board of Selectmen was individually polled and each voted to move into Executive Session. Daniel P. Lanen, yes; James Xenakis yes; Rosemary Smedile, yes, and Thomas Licciardello yes. Vote approved 4-0. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile, to accept the minutes of December 18, 2006, Executive Session as written; January 8, 2007, Executive Session as written and Open Session as written. Vote approved 3-0-1. Daniel Lanen abstained voting on Executive Session Minutes. COMMUNICATIONS,ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND PUBLIC COMMENT: Presentation to Town Manager Fire Chief Dolan and Deputy Chief Martineau presented Mark Rees with a plaque for completing the Massachusetts Interlocal Insurance Association (MIIA)simulator-base emergency driver training on the LE 450 Simulator on November 15, 2006. Acceptance of Donation —Summer Concerts Rosemary Smedile made a MOTION, seconded by Daniel Lanen, to accept the donation for$200 from Jackson Lumber& Millwork for the Summer Band Concerts. Vote approved 4-0. Rosemary Smedile made a MOTION, seconded by Daniel Lanen, to accept the donation for$250 from the North Andover AFSCME Clerical and Custodial Union for the Summer Band Concerts. Vote approved 4-0 Acceptance of Grant—Summer Children's Shows Rosemary Smedile made a MOTION, seconded by Daniel Lanen, to accept the grant for$700 from the North Andover Cultural Council for the Summer Children's Shows. Vote approved 4-0. 2nd Quarter, FY07 Financial Reports Lyne Savage, Budget Director/Town Accountant reviewed the Budget Status Report for the revenue and expenses for the second quarter ending December 31, 2006, along with the special revenue and capital project account balances. Motor vehicle is primarily billed in the month of February. This is when the main billing for the fiscal year accrues. Expected revenues to be collected in March and April. Over all, the total revenue collected of 46.25% is slightly below the 50% target percentage it is not out of line with prior year trends. The areas of concern are with the fixed cost of(workers comp, unemployment, and health insurance etc). In reviewing the budgets through December the concern still stands. Where there are many variables that affect these accounts it is too soon to determine the exact potential short fall. These would be monitored on a monthly basis. Water/Sewer Enterprise Funds are running higher then the percentage of expenditures (Water revenue 48.4%, expenditures 34.9%, Sewer revenue 50.8%, expenditures 39.2%). Stevens Estate revenue collections are running at 62.3% with expenditures at 55.2%. Public Comment Cynthia Jalbert 175 Webster Woods Lane asked about what happen to the Capital Planning Committee and if that committee would continue to meet and discuss issues for long-range capital planning. Board of Selectmen Minutes January 22, 2007 2 The Town Manager said that it was not a mandated committee but an ad hoc committee appointed by the Board of Selectmen. The Town Manager would consider any input or possible alternative plans to his recommendations. CONSENT ITEMS: Youth Services Annual Carnival Rick Gorman Director of Youth Services requested permission to hold the Annual Spring Carnival on the Middle School grounds on April 26,27,28,29, 2007. Rosemary Smedile made a MOTION, seconded by James Xenakis to approve the request from Rick Gorman to hold the Annual Spring Carnival on the Middle School grounds on April 26, 27, 28, 29, 2007. Vote approved 4-0. Chairman Licciardello appointed Rosemary Smedile as temporary Licensing Chairman in the absence of Mark Caggiano. LICENSING COMMISSIONERS: Rosemary Smedile made a MOTION, seconded by James Xenakis, to move into Licensing. Vote approved 4-0. PUBLIC HEARINGS: Class II License application - R. Justin McElhiney, DBA BodyWorks Auto Body Thomas Licciardello made a MOTION, seconded by James Xenakis, to open the Public Hearing. Vote approved 4-0. James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Thomas Licciardello, to close the Public Hearing. Vote approved 4-0. James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Thomas Licciardello, to approve the License for Class 11 License for R. Justin McElhiney, DBA BodyWorks Auto Body, 1175 Turnpike Street. Vote approved 4-0. James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Thomas Licciardello, to move out of Licensing. Vote approved 4-0. OLD BUSINESS: 1600 Osgood Commerce Center/40 R Project Community Development Director Curt Bellavance requested the Board to review the 40R application for 1600 Commerce Center prior to submitting it to the state. At this time the Board did not have any comments. Special Town Meeting The School Committee requested the Board to reconsider its decision to call a Special Town Meeting for the purpose of transferring free cash funds to pay for the previously agreed upon $250,000 for teachers and the $312,000 to address the school lunch deficit. Chairman Licciardello said the Town Manager, Board of Selectmen and Finance Committee have endorsed transfers of money to the schools and stand firm with their decision to cancel the Special Town Meeting in February. Chairman Licciardello said the schools would not run a deficit if the money is approved in May instead of now. NEW BUSINESS: Messina's Shopping Mall Project Chairman Licciardello briefed the Board on the proposed changes to the Messina Shopping Mall. Licciardello said town officials and the developer are trying to bring in another grocery store but don't have anything lined up at this point. He said the suggested renovations would take the downtown from the 1970's model into the 2000's. Chairman Licciardello asked the Board to endorse a 60-day approval by the land-use boards to get the permitting process moving and attract potential lessees of the space. Board of Selectmen Minutes January 22, 2007 3 Community Development Director Curt Bellavance said the project would move quicker if the plan is complete when it comes before the boards. The Boards still need to follow guidelines for advertising and public meetings. The Board did not take an official vote to endorse the 60-day plan, but all agreed that everyone genuinely wants the project to succeed. Parking Fines A few months ago a member of the Disabilities Commission approached the Board seeking an increase in the fines associated with parking in a handicap space. Chief Stanley reviewed all of the parking fines from neighboring communities and recommended various changes to North Andover's parking fine schedule. The Board is asked to review the changes and to vote approval. Chairman of the Commission on Disabilities Jim Lyons asked that the fine for parking in a Handicap spot be raised to $200 like neighboring city Methuen's fine. It acts as a great deterrent and it sends a message to the town. James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile, to approve the Chief's changes to the parking fine schedule except the suggested Handicap parking from $100 to $150. After discussion, James Xenakis AMENDED the MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile, to raise the Handicap parking violation to $200. Vote approved 4-0. FY08 Water and Sewer Capital Budget Recommendations The Town Manager presented the Sewer Enterprise Fund Capital Improvement Plan with recommendations of two projects: Waverly Road Relief Sewer Main at a cost of$3,693,420; and the purchase of Equipment— Pickup truck at a cost of$53,000. The Town Manager presented the Water Enterprise Fund Capital Improvement Plan with recommendations consisting of the following: Water Main Rehab at a cost of$3,950,000; Meter Replacement Program at a cost of$695,000; purchase of Equipment— Pickup truck at a cost of$35,000; and an Ozone Air Compressor at a cost of$54,000. TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT: ➢ Police Chief Richard Stanley was recently informed the Police Department would be receiving $111,365 in Community Policing Funds for FY07. A decrease of 4.89% from the previous year. Please see enclosed letter. ➢ Continuing the practice of last year, enclosed is a winter storm event report that details expenses on a storm-by-storm basis. ➢ On January 18, 2007, a public information meeting was held regarding the construction of the two new water tanks. Please see enclosed notice. ➢ The internal posting for acting police sergeants is included in your packet. The deadline for submission of applications is Wednesday, January 31, 2007 ➢ On Friday, January 19th, the Town Manager Mark Rees was a speaker at the annual Mayors and Town Manager's Breakfast sponsored by the Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce ➢ Lawrence Exchange Club will be honoring Police Officers and Fire Fighters on the Year on Thursday, January 25, 2007. North Andover will be honoring Officer Thomas Donovan and the entire North Andover Fire Department for their efforts during the May floods. ADJOURNMENT: Daniel Lanen made a MOTION, seconded by Thomas Licciardello, to adjourn the meeting at 9:20 PM. Vote approved 4-0. Adele J. Johnson Administrative Secretary James M. Xenakis, Clerk of the Board