HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-04-27 Board of Selectmen Minutes BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES APRIL 27, 2009
CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Rosemary Connelly Smedile called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM at
Town Hall Meeting Room.
PLEDGE OF ALLIGIANCE
ATTENDANCE: The following were present: Rosemary Connelly Smedile, Chairman; Tracy M. Watson,
Clerk; William F. Gordon; Daniel P. Lanen; Mark Rees, Town Manager; Ray Santilli, Assistant Town
Manager.
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
Tracy Watson made a MOTION, seconded by William Gordon, to move into Executive Session to discuss
Collective Bargaining. Vote approved 4-0.
Note: Richard A. Nardella, Licensing Chairman arrived at 7:10 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Tracy Watson made a MOTION, seconded by Richard Nardella, to approve the minutes of April 13, 2009,
Executive Session as written and Open Session as written. Vote approved 5-0.
COMMUNICATIONS,ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND PUBLIC COMMENT:
New Business Recognition
The Board presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Fabulous Findz Trading Company, 85 Main Street
for locating their business in town.
Town Wide Clean-up Day May 2nd
The Town will be holding an Earth Day Clean-Up on May 2, 2009 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Residents
and Businesses are encouraged to participate. If you plan to volunteer in any part of Town, please RSVP
Norm Bagley (recycle townofnorthandover.com) or 978-208-7068. Check-in at the Recycling Drop-off
Center at 384 Osgood Street to pickup Trash Bags & Canvas Gloves.
Appointment of Inspector of Animals
The Town has reappointed R. David Lindsay as Inspector of Animals through April 30, 2010 and the
Commonwealth of MA has approved the appointment.
Stevens Pond Update/Recommendation on User Fees
Director of Youth and Recreation Services Rick Gorman presented a review of the upcoming season at
Stevens Pond and gave an update on the renovations. Stevens Pond will be open from June 24, 2009
through August 21, 2009 from 9:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
The Board was asked to set the fees for the season. There were two proposed recommendations;
Proposal 1 would keep the rates the same as last year with a deficit and Proposal 2 would meet
expenses and be self-funded.
Proposal 1: Season Car Pass $75, Swimming Lessons $50, Daily Adult Pass $12, Season Pass Non-
Profit $150, Season Pass for Profit $250, Additional Sticker$20. Estimated revenue would be $30,096.
Proposal 2: Season Car Pass $95, Swimming Lessons $75, Daily Adult Pass $15, Season Pass Non-
Profit $150, Season Pass for Profit $250, Additional Sticker$20. Estimated revenue would be $38,765.
Richard Nardella made a MOTION, seconded by Tracy Watson, to set and keep the Stevens Pond rates
the same as last season on Proposal 1. Season Car Pass $75, Swimming Lessons $50, Daily Adult Pass
Board of Selectmen Minutes April 27, 2009 2
$12, Season Pass Non-Profit $150, Season Pass for Profit $250, Additional Sticker$20. Estimated
revenue would be $30,096. Vote approved 5-0.
Pre-Town Meeting
Town Moderator Charles Salisbury is holding a Pre-town Meeting on Wednesday, April 29, 2009 at Town
Hall starting at 7:00 p.m. The intent of this meeting would be to have a forum where articles can be
discussed (in advance of town meeting)for educational purposes and exchange of ideas. The public is
invited to attend this informational night.
Comments from the Board
Chairman Rosemary Smedile congratulated Selectman Daniel Lanen on competing in the Boston
Marathon.
Chairman Rosemary Smedile requested that the Town Manager draft a letter to Massachusetts
Legislatures to reconsider their vote and rescind the proposed increase in the state sales tax increase
from 5%to 6.25%. The letter should also be sent to other Merrimack Valley communities encouraging
them to write to their Legislatures. This proposed sales tax increase would hurt businesses because of
the close proximity to the New Hampshire border.
Comments from the Public
Donald Stewart of Prospect Street commented that he was at the State House recently and noticed in the
Hall of Flags that the Town of North Andover's flag was missing.
CONSENT ITEMS:
Right of First Refusal, 180 Chickering Road, Unit 303 and 3 Harvest Drive, Unit 206
Two affordable housing units are on the market. The Board was requested to vote not to exercise its right
of first refusal on these properties and authorized CHAPA, on the Town's behalf to find buyers who meet
the affordable housing guidelines.
Richard Nardella made a MOTION, seconded by Tracy Watson, not to exercise their first right of refusal
on 180 Chickering Road, Unit 303 and 3 Harvest Drive, Unit 206 and to authorize CHAPA to find buyers.
Vote approved 5-0.
OLD BUSINESS:
Preparation for Annual Town Meeting
Stevens Estate Budget
Tracy Watson made a MOTION, seconded by Daniel Lanen, to move forward with the Town Manager's
recommendations budget for the Stevens Estate as put forward by the Board of Trustees. Vote approved
5-0.
Sewer Betterment Charge
The Board was asked to set the betterment ratio for the so-called encapsulated area of the Town. DPW
Director Bruce Thibodeau made recommendations for a betterment percentage charge at 50%.
Tracy Watson made a MOTION, seconded by Richard Nardella, to set the betterment charge at 80%.
After a lengthy discussion whether or not to go forward with the CWMP (encapsulated area) the Board did
not come to a decision on a betterment charge. Selectman Smedile, Lanen, and Gordon did not support
the project at this time. The Board decided to TABLE this topic and discuss it again at their next meeting.
Tracy Watson WITHDREW the MOTION.
Board of Selectmen Minutes April 27, 2009 3
FY10 General Fund Operating Budget
The Town Manager said that the Chairs and Vice Chairs met today and agreed to go to Town Meeting
with an unbalanced budget. Once more information comes forth from the stimulus package and state
revenue, and then the Town would be able to have another Town Meeting to balance the budget.
Continued review of Article Recommendations
Tracy Watson made a MOTION, seconded by William Gordon, to recommend Favorable Action on
Article 7 Amend FY09 General Fund Budget Adjustments. Vote approved 5-0.
Richard Nardella made a MOTION, seconded by Tracy Watson, to recommend Favorable Action on
Article 35 Petition General Court— Special Act— Change in Liquor Quota—All Alcoholic Beverages for
Package Stores— Virginia, Inc. d/b/a/J&M Convenient Store and Deli located at 701 Salem Street. Vote
approved 5-0.
Richard Nardella made a MOTION, seconded by William Gordon, to recommend Unfavorable Action on
Article 37 Circulation of Charter Revision or Adoption Petition. Vote approved 5-0.
NEW BUSINESS:
Edgewood Preservation Restriction
The North Andover Historic Commission has requested to have a Historic Preservation Restriction
granted by Edgewood for The Deacon John Osgood House, which is located on Edgewood's property.
The Restriction would be granted to the Trustees of Reservations, the group that currently holds the other
two Open Space Restrictions on Edgewood's property. The term of the Restriction is in perpetuity. The
Board is requested to approve the preservation restriction.
Richard Nardella made a MOTION, seconded by William Gordon, to approve the Preservation Restriction
for the Dean John Osgood House located on Edgewood's property and the term of the Restriction is in
perpetuity. Vote approved 5-0.
Proposed Middleton Adult Entertainment Zone
The Town of Middleton is proposing to locate an adult entertainment zone on the border of North Andover
in the vicinity of Sharpner's Pond Road and not the border of Lynnfield, Peabody or North Reading. The
Planning Board voted unanimously to endorse the district abutting North Andover. The upcoming
Middleton Town Meeting on May 12 will ultimately decide to establish the district.
After reviewing the zoning and map overlay, the Town of North Andover strongly opposed this site
because of its proximity to a pre-school, residential district, and playing fields.
Chief Richard Stanley, Youth and Recreation Director Rick Gorman voiced their opinions about the
problems that could arise with an Adult Entertainment District located so close to children facilities and
residential areas. Selectman Rosemary Smedile recommended that Town Manager set up a meeting
with the Middleton Town Manager and Board of Selectmen to offer them advice and help with this matter.
Andover/North Andover Inter-Municipal Agreement
The Board is requested to approve an Inter-Municipal Agreement with Andover and North Andover, which
will allow Andover to rent our sewer line cleaning truck. Andover benefits from not having to purchase its
own truck and North Andover benefits from receiving rental income from a currently under-utilized asset.
Richard Nardella made a MOTION, seconded by Tracy Watson, to approve the Inter-Municipal
Agreement between Andover and North Andover to rent a sewer line cleaning truck. Vote approved 5-0.
Notice of Keno Monitor Installation, Artie's Corner Convenience Store
The Massachusetts Lottery is offering KENO to Go to Artie's Corner, 4 Main Street to install a Keno
monitor at their location. The Board has 21 days to submit written objections. If there are no objections,
the Board takes no action.
Board of Selectmen Minutes April 27, 2009 4
Note: Daniel Lanen recused
Police Department Policies and Procedures
The Board of Selectmen is requested to approve the Police Department Policies and Procedures. The
documents are part of an on-going effort by the Police Department to become an accredited department.
Richard Nardella made a MOTION, seconded by William Gordon, to approve the submitted Police
Department Policies and Procedures. Vote approved 4-0.
Note: Daniel Lanen returned
TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT:
Reminder that the Board will be meeting on May 4th, 11th, and 12th, before Town Meeting.
ADJOURNMENT:
William Gordon made a MOTION, seconded by Tracy Watson, to adjourn the meeting at 10:00 PM.
Vote approved 5-0.
Adele J. Johnson
Administrative Secretary
Tracy M. Watson, Clerk of the Board