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Home My WebLink About2008-01-28 Board of Selectmen Minutes BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES JANUARY 28, 2008 CALL TO ORDER: James Xenakis called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM at Town Hall Meeting Room. ATTENDANCE: The following were present: Chairman; Thomas Licciardello; Rosemary Connelly Smedile; Daniel P. Lanen; Mark J.T. Caggiano; Mark Rees, Town Manager; Ray Santilli, Assistant Town Manager. Note: James Xenakis was absent APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Rosemary Smedile made a MOTION, seconded by Mark Caggiano, to approve the minutes of Open Session December 7, 2008. Vote approved 4-0 Rosemary Smedile made a MOTION, seconded by Mark Caggiano, to approve the minutes of Executive Session of December 7, 2008. Vote 3-0-1. Daniel Lanen abstained. COMMUNICATIONS,ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND PUBLIC COMMENT: Recognition of Retiring Public Works Director—J. William Hmurciak The Board of Selectmen presented Bill Hmurciak with a plaque in appreciation for his 36 years of service to the town of North Andover. MMA Video Presentation: "Our Economic Future" The Massachusetts Municipal Association requested that member cities and towns distribute a video that promotes revenue sharing from the state. This is a special public education program on the fiscal distress facing communities in Massachusetts. The MMA is calling for a permanent revenue sharing partnership to restore local aid, reduce reliance on the property tax, and fund the core local services that drive our state's economy. The MMA would like cities and towns to generate growing support for long- range solutions that will make a difference. Thomas Licciardello made a MOTION, seconded by Mark Caggiano, to authorize the local Media Station to run the DVD and use as a tool to get the message out to the public. Vote 3-1. Daniel Lanen opposed.. Note: James Xenakis arrived Turtle Lane Maple Farm: Request to Access Town Property The proprietors of Turtle Lane Maple Farm are requesting permission to tap maple trees on town owned property. This year Turtle Lane Maple Farm was chosen and to host the Maple Month Kick-Off event on Friday, March 7, 2008 sponsored by the Mass. Department of Agriculture and the Mass. Maple Association. They provide field trips and education to North Andover students to view their sugarhouse and learn how maple syrup is made. Rosemary Smedile made a MOTION, seconded by Thomas Licciardello, to grant permission to Turtle Lane Maple Farm to tap maple trees on town property. Vote approved 5-0. APPOINTMENTS Cable Television Committee The Board of Selectmen's appointment sub-committee recommended appointing Matthew Killen, Information Technology Director to the Cable Television Committee. Mark Caggiano made a MOTION, seconded by Thomas Licciardello, to approve the appointment of Matthew Killen to the Cable Television Committee. Vote approved 5-0. Board of Selectmen Minutes January 28, 2008 2 Note: Daniel Lanen recused Police Officer Eric Sewade who previously was granted a provisional appointment by the Board of Selectmen has passed the required tests and is ready to be appointed a full-time police officer effective February 4, 2008, which is his first day at the Boylston Police Academy. Thomas Licciardello made a MOTION, seconded by Mark Caggiano, to appoint Eric Sewade as a full- time police officer. Vote approved 4-0. Note: Daniel Lanen returned Alternative Electrical and Plumbing Inspectors Upon the recommendation of Jerry Brown, Inspector of Buildings, the Town Manager appointed Michael Keller as the town's alternate Plumbing/Gas Inspector and Doug Small as Alternate Electrical Inspector to fill in during vacations, sick time or other leaves. The Board is requested to approve these appointments. Mark Caggiano made a MOTION, seconded by Thomas Licciardello, to approve the appointment of Michael Keller as the town's alternate Plumbing/Gas Inspector and Doug Small as Alternate Electrical Inspector. Vote approved 5-0. Commission of Disabilities The Selectmen's Appointment Subcommittee appointed Terry Brown and Vivian Vincent to the Commission of Disabilities. The Board is requested to approve these appointments. Thomas Licciardello made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile, to approve the appointments of Terry Brown and Vivian Vincent to the Commission of Disabilities. Vote approved 5-0. Solid Waste Advisory Committee The Selectmen's Appointment Subcommittee appointed Philip DeCologero and Martha Mittelstaedt to the Solid Waste Advisory Committee. The Board is requested to approve these appointments. Thomas Licciardello made a MOTION, seconded by Mark Caggiano, to approve the appointments of Philip DeCologero and Martha Mittelstaedt to the Solid Waste Advisory Committee. Vote approved 5-0. Main Street Fire Station 100th year Commemoration Committee Fire Chief William Martineau requested an endorsement of his intention to establish a committee to plan an appropriate recognition of the 100th year the Main Street Fire Station has been in existence. Thomas Licciardello made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile, to endorse the establishment of a committee to plan the Main Street Fire Station's 100 years. Vote approved 5-0. Report from the Town Clerk on February 5th Primary Election Joyce Bradshaw Town Clerk briefed the Board of the preparations being made for the Primary election of February 5, 2008. Bradshaw also informed the Board of changes being made to apply for U.S. passports. CONSENT ITEMS: Donation from Rohm & Haas to the Fire Department The Board is requested to accept a donation of$5,000 to the Fire Department for equipment. Rosemary Smedile made a MOTION, seconded by Mark Caggiano, to accept a donation from Rohm & Hass in the amount of$5,000 to the Fire Department for safety equipment. Vote approved 5-0. Board of Selectmen Minutes January 28, 2008 3 Donations/Grants for Summer Programs The Board is requested to accept donations for the Summer Children's Programs from the North Andover Cultural Council and Joe's Variety. Mark Caggiano made a MOTION, seconded by Thomas Licciardello, to accept donations for the Summer Children's Program from the North Andover Cultural Council in the amount of$750 and from Joe's Variety in the amount of$75. Vote approved 5-0. Approval to Hire Two Custodians and Two Firefighters Assistant Town Manager Ray Santilli requested the Board to authorize the hiring of two firefighter and two custodians to replace existing vacancies. Mark Caggiano made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile, to authorize the hiring of two firefighter and two custodians to replace existing vacancies. Vote approved 5-0. OLD BUSINESS: Town Managers Recommended Capital Improvement Plan- FY09-13 Previously the Board received copies of the Town Manager's Recommended Capital Improvement Plan. In order to be in compliance with the provisions of the Town Charter, the Board should approve these budgets with the proviso that you reserve the right to make adjustments or changes as additional information becomes available. Thomas Licciardello made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile, to approve the Town Manager's Recommended Capital Improvement Plan FY09-13 General Fund, Water Fund and Sewer Fund Capital Budgets with the proviso that you reserve the right to make adjustments or changes as additional information becomes available. Vote approved 5-0. NEW BUSINESS: 2008 Ambulance Rates Fire Chief William Martineau recommended a 2008 Ambulance rate increase of the Medicare fee schedule +55%. Mark Caggiano made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile, to approve the recommended Ambulance rate increase for 2008. Vote approved 5-0. Edgewood Expansion Funds At a recent Finance Committee meeting, the potential for funds coming to the Town as a result of the planned expansion of the Edgewood Retirement Community was discussed. The funds would be in the amount of$800,000 and could only be used for affordable housing purposes. The Finance Committee asked that Town Counsel would give his opinion as to whether these funds could be used for other purposes or be restricted to affordable housing. Town Counsel's opinion is that this restriction could not be removed except by an act of the legislature. Town Meeting could authorize a request for a home rule petition to the legislature. Counsel recommended that before submitting such a Town Meeting warrant article, that the Town's representatives in the House and Senate on Beacon Hill as to whether such legislation would be considered appropriate and whether it have any chance of being enacted. Rosemary Smedile made a MOTION, seconded by Thomas Licciardello, to have the Town Manager continue to explore all options to use these funds for other purposes than affordable housing. Vote failed 2-3. Mark Caggiano, James Xenakis and Daniel Lanen opposed. Board of Selectmen Minutes January 28, 2008 4 Note: Daniel Lanen recused Selection of Architect for Police Station Project The Designer Selection Committee has chosen and is recommending the firm of Allen M. Lieb Architects to be the designer of the Police Station. The Board is requested to approve the recommendation. Mark Caggiano made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile, to approve the firm of Allen M. Lieb Architects to be the designer of the Police Station. TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT: On January 18, 2008, the Town Manager gave a speech at the annual Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce Mayors and Manager's Breakfast. During the past few weeks' meetings have been held with Division and Department Directors to review progress towards their FY08 objectives and their FY09 Budget requests. Bruce Thibodeau started as the Town's new Public Works Director on January 22, 2008 and spent last week with former DPW Director Bill Hmurciak transitioning to his new position. EXECUTIVE SESSION: Mark Caggiano made a MOTION, seconded by Thomas Licciardello, to move into Executive Session to discuss 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; Mark Caggiano yes; Rosemary Smedile, yes, and Thomas Licciardello yes; James Xenakis yes. Vote approved 5-0. ADJOURNMENT: Mark Caggiano made a MOTION, seconded by Thomas Licciardello, to adjourn the meeting at 9:00 PM. Vote approved 5-0. Adele J. Johnson Administrative Secretary Thomas Licciardello, Clerk of the Board