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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-03-26 Board of Selectmen Minutes BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES MARCH 26, 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 J.T. Caggiano; Mark Rees, Town Manager; Ray Santilli, Assistant Town Manager. EXECUTIVE SESSION: Rosemary Smedile made a MOTION, seconded by Mark Caggiano, to move into Executive Session to discuss Land Acquisition and Collective Bargaining. 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 Rosemary Smedile, to approve the Executive Session Minutes of March 19, 2007. Vote approved 4-0-1. Daniel Lanen abstained. COMMUNICATIONS,ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND PUBLIC COMMENT: Selectmen Licciardello and Xenakis commented on Selectman Rosemary Smedile's performance as a Selectmen over the past 6 years and wished her Good Luck in the upcoming election on March 27, 2007. Family Support Center Resolution The Board was asked to adopt the Resolution recognizing the Greater Lawrence Community Action Commission's Family Support Center. Mark Caggiano made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile, to adopt a Resolution recognizing the Greater Lawrence Community Action Commission's Family Support Center. Vote approved 5-0. Appointments: Industrial Development Financing Authority The Town Manager said the Industrial Development Financing Authority needed to be reconstituted due to a pending application for financing approval. The Town Manager appointed John Kalin and himself as members to serve with George Schruender who is currently on the board. Rosemary Smedile made a MOTION, seconded by James Xenakis, to approve the Town Manager's recommendation to appoint John Kalin and himself to the Industrial Development Financing Authority. Vote approved 5-0. Schofield Mill Consideration for National Registry of Historic Places Kathleen Szyska, Chair of the North Andover Historical Commission and Carrie Poirier received confirmation from the Massachusetts Historical Commission that Scholfield Mill, 172 Sutton Street, is eligible to be listed as an Individual property on the National Register of Historic Places. The Town of North Andover as owner must decide if it wants to accept this nomination. Carrie Poirier completed and filed all the necessary paperwork for the Historical Commission and presented her findings and the importance of placing this property on the National Register of Historic Places, that would make Federal Grants available for restoration and repairs. The building is currently used as the North Andover Thrift Shop, and Board members Ruth Race and Ann Erickson were present. They support the Town in placing the building on the National Register of Historic Board of Selectmen Meeting March 26, 2007 2 Places and asked if they would still be allowed to expand and put an addition onto the building sometime in the future. This item was TABLED, due to the complexity of the issue, whether or not to move forward and to research the limitations on future expansion it would cause the Thrift Shop, the Board decided to ask the Town Manager to ask for input from Town Counsel and the Building Inspector and then bring all the interested parties together for discussion until a future meeting. Comment Selectman Lanen asked the status of the Police position interviews and asked about rectifying a problem with ING Deferred Compensation Funds for town employees. The Assistant Town Manager said the interviews were to be rescheduled due to many conflicts in Selectmen's schedules. Town Treasurer/Collector Jennifer Yarid was handling the ING Deferred Compensation Funds and all employees would be notified. Public Comment Resident Dave Rand of 280 Dale Street wants to offer an amendment to a town meeting article pertaining to the Police Station and also gave his recommendation for expansion by adding 67' by 42' addition to the present Police Station. He said that this approach would save the town a great deal of money. The approximate cost of his addition at $200 per square feet would be $1,125,600. He asked the Board to review this proposal before Town Meeting. The Police Station is located in an ideal place of town. The Board asked Mr. Rand to do some research and find out if this was a possible option. There was a study done in 1997 about adding to the present Police station building. Selectmen asked Mr. Rand if he had spoke to Police Chief Stanley about this proposal and to get his feedback. CONSENT ITEMS: Donation: Friends of Stevens Memorial Library Rosemary Smedile made a MOTION, seconded by Daniel Lanen, to approve acceptance of a grant of $4,500 from the Friends of Stevens Memorial Library. Vote approved 5-0. LICENSING COMMISSIONERS: James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile, to move into Licensing. Vote approved 5-0. Kimberly Willey, Stevens Estate, 723 Osgood Street request the following one-day licenses: Margaret Shaheen, P.T.A.C. Fundraiser on Thur. 4/5/07, 6:00-10:00 p.m. full liquor bar. Williams/Perkins Wedding Reception on Sun. 4/15/07, 3:00-7:00 p.m., full liquor bar. Thomas Licciardello made a MOTION, seconded by Daniel Lanen, to approve the one-day Licenses request from the Stevens Estate. Vote approved 5-0. James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile, to move out of Licensing. Vote approved 5-0. PUBLIC HEARINGS: James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Daniel Lanen, to open the public hearing. Vote approved 5-0. Pole Petition— National Grid —Pleasant Street—WR 1565334 Daniel Lanen made a MOTION, seconded by James Xenakis, to approve National Grid Pleasant Street— WR1565334. Vote approved 5-0. Board of Selectmen Meeting March 26, 2007 3 Pole Petition— National Grid —Stevens Street-#1864221 James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Daniel Lanen, to approve National Grid Stevens Street- #1864221. Vote approved 5-0. Mark Caggiano made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile, to close the public hearing. Vote approved 5-0. OLD BUSINESS: Preparation for Annual Town Meeting Selectman Caggiano requested reopening the May Annual Town Warrant to include an Article for rezoning a parcel of land located along Rte. 114 (Turnpike Street)from a R2D to a CDD2. The Town Manager said that in order to open the Town Warrant it must be a unanimous vote. Mark Caggiano made a MOTION, seconded by James Xenakis, to open the Warrant and add Article XX submitted by Mark Schwarz to rezone Rte 114 Turnpike Street and Berry Street from (R2)to (111). Selectman Lanen was against opening the warrant and asked if the Board would wait until their next meeting so that he could research more information on this article. Mark Caggiano withdrew the MOTION. James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile, to appoint a subcommittee to order the warrant. Vote approved 5-0. The Town Manager requested the Board to review the draft Warrant Articles and the Board should vote a favorable or unfavorable recommendation on the various warrant articles at their next scheduled meeting on April 10, 2007. NEW BUSINESS: Methuen Festival of Trees Matching Grant The Town Manager announced and recommended to the Board that the $10,000 matching grant from the Festival of Trees for a historical preservation project be awarded to the Stevens Library for locking doors to the shelves in the Rotunda which houses a collection of historic materials, many of which are irreplaceable. Mark Caggiano made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile, to approve the Town Manager's recommendation and award the $10,000 matching grant to the Stevens Memorial Library. Vote approved 5-0. Prevailing Wage Law Discussion Selectman Xenakis asked for a discussion on the prevailing wage law. This law pertains to any municipal project involving work to a building deemed a "public construction" project. The state mandated use of prevailing wage rates result in two things occurring. Either companies do not submit competitive bids or the price of the project is increased dramatically. Assistant Town Manager Ray Santilli gave two examples of projects at the Stevens Estate: For the replacement of gutters and downspouts the original quote received for work was $4,500, however once project was formally bid, no bids were received. The Town had to solicit numerous companies and one willing to do the project came in at$7,500, which was an increase of 67%. A second project's for installation of a 285' drain on the grounds, the initial quote was $3,900 and after the bidding process only one company submitted a bid for$8,500, which was an increase of 118%. Selectman Xenakis would like the Town Manager to send a letter to our legislatures to change this Prevailing Wage Law. Board of Selectmen Meeting March 26, 2007 4 The Board asked if the Town could look into an in-house construction crew to handle small projects. Consent Agreement: Stevens Estate Cell Tower Town Counsel advised the Board to approve a Consent Agreement relating to an additional antenna to be placed upon the existing pole at Stevens Estate, and vote to authorize the Town Manager to sign it on behalf of the Town. The essence of the Consent Agreement is that the Town will consent to such co- location and will receive a monthly payment of$1,250.00 along with a one-time payment of$2,500.00. Daniel Lanen made a MOTION, seconded by Mark Caggiano, to approve the Consent Agreement with Omnipoint and Sprint and also authorize the Town Manager to sign it on behalf of the Town. Vote approved 5-0. TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT: The Town Manager presented the Snow and Ice Budget from the Department of Public Works as of March 27, 2007, showing expenditures and balance. ADJOURNMENT: Mark Caggiano made a MOTION, seconded by James Xenakis, to adjourn the meeting at 8:55 PM. Vote approved 5-0. Adele J. Johnson Administrative Secretary James M. Xenakis, Clerk of the Board