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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-01-26 Board of Selectmen Minutes BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES JANUARY 26, 2009 CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Rosemary Connelly Smedile called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM at Town Hall Meeting Room. ATTENDANCE: The following were present: Rosemary Connelly Smedile, Chairman; Mark J.T. Caggiano Clerk; Richard A. Nardella, Licensing Chairman; Daniel P. Lanen; Tracy M. Watson; Mark Rees, Town Manager; Ray Santilli, Assistant Town Manager. The following School Committee members were present: Barbara Whidden, Chairman, Chris Allen, Chris Nobile, Charles Ormsby and Stan Limpert. Also in attendance were Superintendent James Marini and Principal Kevin Hutchinson. EXECUTIVE SESSION: Daniel Lanen made a MOTION, seconded by Tracy Watson, to move into Executive Session to discuss Collective Bargaining. Vote approved 5-0. PLEDGE OF ALLIGIANCE APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Mark Caggiano made a MOTION, seconded by Daniel Lanen, to approve the minutes of January 13, 2009, Executive Session as written and Open Session as written. Vote approved 5-0. COMMUNICATIONS,ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND PUBLIC COMMENT: Town Manager Presentation —2008 in Review The Town Manager spoke about the accomplishments and positive things that happened in the Town during the year 2008. Consolidation Initiatives Co-Chairs Kevin Hutchinson and Ray Santilli of the Information Technology Consolidation Task Force provided the Boards with a briefing and recommendation to consolidate IT functions of the school and municipal departments. The analysis, findings and recommendations were reached by requesting information from 18 communities that considered consolidating IT organizations to support municipal and school needs. The benefits to consolidation would be cost savings through consolidated purchasing; a consistent process for IT replacements support; better sharing of IT resources across departments; streamlined operations, and combined planning for support, upgrades and purchasing. Of all the communities that chose IT consolidation, Melrose was the community that most resembles North Andover from a demographic perspective. Melrose's consolidated IT organization has been in place for 3 years. The consolidated IT director position is funded by both the municipal (60%) and school (40%) budgets. The IT director reports to both the mayor and superintendent. IT director oversees and coordinates all aspects of the department. The city has a single area network for the municipality and school system. Given Melrose's success with IT consolidation it is recommended that municipal and school department officials pursue IT consolidation and use the Melrose approach as a model as appropriate. Payroll Consolidation Ray Santilli said that 80% of the work towards consolidation has been completed. The municipal and school departments are using "Budget Sense" payroll program. Ray Santilli will draft his recommendations for consolidation. He will also furnish a summary report within 30 days. Consolidated payroll should be implemented by July 1, 2009. Board of Selectmen Minutes January 26, 2009 2 Purchasing Director The Board asked the Town Manager to give an updated report on the Purchasing Director and some of the joint purchasing efforts made between the municipal and school departments. Energy Saving Initiatives NASWAC Chairman Tina Klein presented a proposal for a reorganization of the North Andover Solid Waste Advisory Committee (NASWAC). The proposal is to reorganize the committee to oversee and facilitate action plans of three subcommittees, each focused on a distinct conservation sector: municipal, residential, or commercial. This structure would be accomplished by reorganizing NASWAC as a coordinating committee. The Coordinating Committee would be 5 members and could be renamed the North Andover Climate Action Team (NACAT) or North Andover Zero Waste Advisory Committee, 7 members— (NAZWAC). The Board of Selectmen and the School Committee would have members of their Boards sit on certain subcommittees. Selectmen Rosemary Smedile, Tracy Watson and School Committee Member Chris Allen offered to work with NASWAC to reorganize the committee and select new members. Budget Update The Town Manager gave a preliminary report on the state budget cuts. Focusing on FY2009, the Governor announced that statewide lottery funds and additional assistance funds would be cut by 9.7%. North Andover would see a reduction in lottery funds of$243,000 and additional assistance funds of $12,000, creating a deficit of about $250,000 reduction for state revenue for the year. Once the numbers are final, the Town Manager would make his recommendations to address these reductions in the Town's budget. There was no reduction in Chapter 70 funds for schools. In FY2010, the statewide reduction for North Andover is expected to be $621,000. Barbara Whidden said she received questions from Selectman Richard Nardella and would like to setup a Budget Communications Meeting in the near future. Mark Caggiano made a MOTION, seconded by Daniel Lanen, to appoint Richard Nardella and Rosemary Smedile, to the Budget Communications Group. Vote approved 5-0. Comments from the Board Selectman Richard Nardella reported on the Capital Improvement Building and Planning Committee, which toured all municipal buildings and will have its first formal meeting soon. The Financial Audit Committee Meeting met for the first time and reviewed the previous fiscal year budgets. Selectman Tracy Watson reported that the Affordable Housing Trust Fund would hold its first meeting this week. Community Development Director Curt Bellavance is working on a new merchant's association and is reaching out to the local businesses to meet in late February early March to survey them on their vision for downtown improvements and an overlay district. Selectman Daniel Lanen reported that the Festival Committee and the Patriotic Observance Committee had their first joint meeting on the 4th of July activities. Selectman Mark Caggiano commented on a job well done by Public Works Director Bruce Thibodeau since his coming to the Town. Assistant Town Manager Ray Santilli spoke about the MMA Conference sessions. The Town's liability insurer, MIIA, rewards the Town monetarily for attendance at such conference. Selectman Tracy Watson reported that the Insurance Advisory Committee is working diligently to save money. An RFP went out in the fall to several insurance carriers for comparable plans to the Town's Board of Selectmen Minutes January 26, 2009 3 current insurance carrier. The Town's consultant has notified the Town that none of the plans would save the Town more money. The next step is to schedule another management meeting to discuss the results. Selectman Rosemary Smedile proposed an Economic Development Committee consisting of private citizens, a member of the Board, and the Community Development Director to promote a more proactive approach to bringing businesses to the Town of North Andover. The Town Manager will draft a charge for this committee. Appointment to Machine Shop Village Neighborhood Conservation Commission The Selectmen's subcommittee recommended the appointment of Lauretta Wentworth to the Machine Shop Village Neighborhood Conservation Commission. Daniel Lanen made a MOTION, seconded by Mark Caggiano, to appoint Lauretta Wentworth to the Machine Shop Village Neighborhood Conservation Commission. Vote approved 5-0. CONSENT ITEMS: Declining Right of First Refusal; Affordable Housing Units The Citizens' Housing and Planning Association (CHAPA) has notified the Town that several affordable housing units are for sale. The Board has been requested to make a decision on its right of first refusal. Mark Caggiano made a MOTION, seconded by Daniel Lanen, not to exercise the right of first refusal for the affordable housing resale of the following units: #205, 4 Harvest Drive (Oakridge Village); #110, 2 Harvest Drive (Oakridge Village); #206, 2 Harvest Drive (Oakridge Village) and 610 Alder Way (Maplewood Reserve). Vote approved 5-0. LICENSING: Mark Caggiano made a MOTION, seconded by Daniel Lanen, to move into Licensing. Vote approved 5-0. Waiver of Fees There were 4 new establishments that opened after September 2008. In past years, the renewal license fees were waived for any late filings. The Licensing Chairman Richard Nardella suggested prorating the fees for these establishments and asked for an opinion from Town Counsel if this could be done. After a discussion on whether to waive the fee or prorate the fees, the Board decided to TABLE this item. Tuscan Market Inc. The Vineyard, 554 Turnpike Street requested on its entertainment license to have a person play a guitar 2-3 times during the year. Mark Caggiano made a MOTION, seconded by Tracy Watson, to approve the request for a guitar player at the Vineyard. Vote approved 5-0. Rosemary Smedile made a MOTION, seconded by Mark Caggiano, to move out of licensing. Vote approved 5-0. OLD BUSINESS: Sewer Betterment Options Public Works Director Bruce Thibodeau presented various sewer betterment options to be charged to property owners. The spreadsheets depicted how debt service would be set under these scenarios over the next 20 years. After reviewing the options, the Selectmen asked the Town Manager and Director of Public Works to review the details of the existing betterment policy and calculate spreadsheets for betterments calculated by both parcel and frontage. The Board discussed having a public outreach plan notifying all residents and businesses affected in the priority service areas and setting up a public hearing. Board of Selectmen Minutes January 26, 2009 4 NEW BUSINESS: Town Common The Board was asked to consider forming an ad hoc committee of three to five individuals to address the renovation of the landscape plans for the Town Common. The group "Friends and Neighbors—Old Center" has asked to be involved. The Board was also asked to consider creating a "Town Common Use Policy". The intent is to begin reusing the Common for various events and preventing harm to the work done renovating the Town Common. The Town plans to move both the Summer Band Concerts and Children's Show back to the Common this year. Additionally, the Festival Committee has already submitted a request to use the Common for the Annual Sheep Shearing in May. Activities for the 4th of July are also being considered to take place on the Common. TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT: By notice dated January 16, 2009, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) expanded disaster assistance from the December 11-12, 2008 ice storm to two additional counties including Essex County. North Andover is eligible to apply for 75% reimbursement of expenses incurred as a direct result of the storm. North Andover departments totaled $123,456 as a result of the storm. Budget Director/Town Accountant Lyne Savage sent a memorandum to the Finance Committee requesting authorization to `Deficit Spend'the Snow& Ice Account in accordance with MGL c44, §31 D. A summary of the Snow& Ice expenditures was given to the Board to date by event. ADJOURNMENT: Mark Caggiano made a MOTION, seconded by Tracy Watson, to adjourn the meeting at 10:00 PM. Vote approved 5-0. Adele J. Johnson Administrative Secretary Mark Caggiano, Clerk of the Board