HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-02-07 Board of Selectmen Minutes BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES FEBRUARY 7, 2011
CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Daniel Lanen called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM at Town Hall Meeting
Room.
ATTENDANCE: The following were present: Daniel Lanen, Chairman; Richard Nardella, Vice Chairman;
William F. Gordon, Clerk; Tracy Watson, Licensing Chairman; Rosemary Connelly Smedile, Mark Rees,
Town Manager; Ray Santilli, Assistant Town Manager.
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
William Gordon made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile, to go into Executive Session to
discuss potential litigation strategy because the discussion in open session may have a detrimental effect
on the Town's litigating position and the chair shall so declare that the open session may have a
detrimental effect on the Town's litigating position and to discuss confidential legal advice with legal
counsel. Roll Call vote: William Gordon yes, Richard Nardella yes, Rosemary Smedile yes, Tracy
Watson yes, and Daniel Lanen yes. Vote approved 5-0.
Chairman Daniel Lanen declared that an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the on the
Town's litigating position and to discuss confidential legal advice with legal counsel.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
A local Cub Scout den led by Mr. Jason Thurman was in attendance to lead the pledge of allegiance and
observe the early portion of the meeting.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
William Gordon made a MOTION, seconded by Richard Nardella, to approve the Open Session Minutes
of January 10, 2011 as written. Vote approved 5-0.
COMMUNICATIONS,ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND PUBLIC COMMENT:
Appointment to Youth and Recreation Commission
Rosemary Smedile made a MOTION, seconded by William Gordon, to appoint William Gillen to the Youth
and Recreation Commission for a three-year term ending June 20, 2013. Vote approved 5-0.
OLD BUSINESS:
Review of Capital Projects Requests
The Board had a lengthy discussion about the existing Capital Projects and outstanding balances, not just
the ones being closed in the amount of$514,490.84. This money may be used to reduce debt to future
capital projects.
William Gordon asked questions about the current projects, whether certain projects could be deleted
from the Warrant and asked the Town Manager to provide a spreadsheet explaining the debt service of
each of the capital projects.
The Town Manager Mark Rees said it is better to place articles on the Warrant and make adjustments to
individual projects either before it goes to print or at Town Meeting.
Review of Articles for Town Meeting
The Town Manager Mark Rees added two new articles for the Board to review to Petition the General
Court for Collective Bargaining Agreements and Change Town Charter, Chapter 4-7-1, Responsibilities
for Disbursements. Also a resident requested that article GG Authority to sell or lease Town owned land
be separated into three (3) separate articles.
Stan Limpert, 43 Stonecleave Road asked if the Town still owned property at Foster Farm Road. He
stated that he did not see any need for a new school within the next 5-10 years.
The Board was requested to place articles on the warrant at their next meeting on Tuesday, February 22,
2011, prior to the warrant closing on February 25, 2011.
Board of Selectmen Minutes FEBRUARY 7, 2011 2
NEW BUSINESS:
Ambulance Rates
The Fire Chief provided information from the Town's ambulance billing service Comstar requesting the
town set ambulance rates for 2011. The Chief is recommending that ambulance rates stay the same as
last year,
The board asked to see a breakdown of costs from last year's use and this year in comparison.
Tracy Watson made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile, to approve the recommended
Ambulance Rates subject to change. Vote approved 5-0.
The Town Manager's Recommended FY11 General Fund Operating Budget
The Town Manager presented his recommended FY2012 General Operating Budget. After summarizing
the Town's revenues and expenses, the amount projected is $78.8 million and non-departmental costs
are estimated to be $1.5 million. In order to maintain a balanced budget it will be necessary to decrease
municipal and school operating budgets by 1% or$507,000 over FY11 levels. It will be necessary for the
school budget to be reduced by $350,000 from FY11 levels and the municipal budgets to be reduced by
$157,000.
The recommendation is the beginning of discussion and deliberation by Town Officials and residents.
The Town Manager will setup a workshop with the Budget Communications Committee for discussions.
Mark Rees expressed his appreciation to members of the Revenue and Fixed Costs Committee, and
Assistant Town Manager Ray Santilli and particularly to Town Accountant/Budget Director Lyne Savage
who makes it all come together.
Retiree Health Insurance
The Town of North Andover has successfully negotiated contracts with the municipal unions within the
past year and this has resulted in a three-year phased conversion to 25% health insurance contributions
of active employees. The phased changes take effect on July 1, 2010, and June 30, 2012. The School
Department is pursuing the same phased approach for their unions.
In order to ensure consistency and equity among current and former employees, it is recommended that
the Board of Selectmen approve a phased conversion of all retirees (both union and non-union) under the
age of 65 on the HMO Blue health insurance plan to a contribution of 25% for both family and individual
coverage. This would lessen the financial burden on a retiree and not create an immediate impact.
Former Firefighter Retirees Ed Morgan and Bernie Judge stated reasons against the proposed increases.
Selectmen requested more information before making a decision and to visit this at a future meeting.
TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT
The Building Inspector and the Fire Chief have been working closely with the School and Municipal
Departments to address snow accumulation on School and Town Buildings, which will continue to be a
concern as the winter wears on.
The Town Manager attended a meeting of Town Manager's where David Baier of the Massachusetts
Municipal Association discussed state aid and health insurance issues. In short, his take on both issues
is that this early in the budget process nothing is certain and to expect changes as the state legislature
takes up these matters in the next few months.
ADJOURNMENT:
William Gordon made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile, to adjourn the meeting at 9:30 p.m.
Vote approved 5-0.
Adele J. Johnson
Administrative Secretary
William Gordon, Clerk of the Board