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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-06-27 Board of Selectmen Minutes BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES JUNE 27, 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; William F. Gordon, Clerk; Tracy Watson, Licensing Chairman; Rosemary Connelly Smedile, Donald Stewart, Mark Rees, Town Manager. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE OLD BUSINESS: Facilities Master Planning Committee Update Richard Nardella gave a report informing the Board that about 30 people attended their meeting and discussion was basically finding solutions and the best options on using Town owned buildings. That discussion brought forward the fact that the Emergency Management Agency does not have a home and it was not in the original scope of the Charge of the Facilities Master Plan. Right now the Emergency Management Agency works out of the Fire Station basement which is not adequate for their needs. If a major disaster hit North Andover, the Emergency Management Center would work out of the new Police Station, but this is just a temporary fix. Nardella asked the Board if they would authorize the Committee to include finding a home for the Emergency Management Agency in the plan. William Gordon made a MOTION, seconded by Tracy Watson, to add the Emergency Management Agency in the study for the Facilities Master Plan. Vote 5-0 Once the best plan is presented then the Committee would meet with the Town Manager and present the options for the use of the existing buildings. Selectman Gordon asked if a two level parking garage can be included in the study if all of the Town office departments are located in the downtown. If the Senior Center moved that would free up plenty of parking. Wheelabrator Settlement Town Counsel Thomas Urbelis informed the Board that he received letters from Assistant Attorney Betsy Harper and so far 10 communities have returned the signed release. She said that the documented history of the lengthy negotiations between Wheelabrator and the Attorney General's Office is indicative that the parties intended that the Release does not cover all contract disputes that have arisen or may arise between the municipality and Wheelabrator- only those connected to environmental compliance as contained in the Consent Judgment. Attorney Urbelis he comfortable and is recommended that the Town of North Andover sign the Release. If at any time Wheelabrator should take the position that the Release extends beyond the Covered Matters in the Consent Judgment, the Town should contact her office because her office would take the position that Wheelabrator would then be in violation of the Consent Judgment which was entered as an Order of the Court. Selectman Gordon was concerned about a future problem because of the vague wording of the Release document and what if Wheelabrator was in violation on other environmental issues. Town Counsel said the Board could hold off on this or sign the Release tonight. Donald Stewart made a MOTION, seconded by Tracy Watson, to authorize the Town Manager to sign the Wheelabrator Settlement Release. Vote approved 4-1. William Gordon opposed. Board of Selectmen Minutes June 27, 2011 2 NEW BUSINESS: Rosedale Avenue— Parking Signs Rosedale Avenue neighborhood residents are frustrated particularly in the afternoon, when the parents' park on the grass, block driveways, block the street and drive in a manner that is not safe for other children walking in the area and the problem is significant during the winter months. Officer Wilson is recommending posting "no parking signs on school days 7:45-8:45 AM and 2:30-3:30 PM". This specific restriction has the least impact on the neighbors and allows them to park in front of their own homes at all other times. Donald Stewart made a MOTION, seconded by William Gordon, to approve the parking signs on Rosedale Avenue as suggested by Officer Mark Wilson. Vote approved 5-0. COMMUNICATIONS ANNOUNCEMENTS AND PUBLIC COMMENT: Announcement of the Town's 4 of July celebration being held at the Town Common from July1 through July 4, 2011. Fireworks will be on July 3rd The Lions Club will be holding their annual fundraiser and bringing the Circus to Town on July 5th and 6 th CONSENT ITEMS: Acceptance of Donations to the North Andover Senior Center William Gordon made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart, to accept a $1000 donation from the Franklin School PTO to the North Andover Senior Center and send a letter of thanks. Vote approved 5-0. William Gordon made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart, to accept a $150 donation from the Thomson School 5th Graders to the North Andover Senior Center and to send a letter of thanks. Vote approved 5-0. Affordable Housing Unit Resale CHAPA has notified the Town that the following affordable unit is up for sale 4 Harvest Drive, Unit 120 at Oakridge Village. CHAPA manages the resale of affordable units for Oakridge Village. The Board has to determine if they want to exercise their right of first refusal. Tracy Watson made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart, to not exercise their right of first refusal for the affordable housing unit at 4 Harvest Drive, Unit 120 at Oakridge Village. Vote approved 4-0-1. Rosemary Smedile abstained. Acceptance of Donation of$500 from Edmund and Nancy Leland to Fire Department Tracy Watson made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart, to accept the donation of$500 from Edmund and Nancy Leland to the Fire Department and send a letter of thanks. Vote approved 5-0. OLD BUSINESS: Town Manager Search Update Selectmen and Town Manager Mark Rees discussed proposals provided by the five consultants for the Town Manager Search. After reviewing the proposals, and scaling the consultants on experience, time line warranty/guarantee and cost, Selectman Rosemary Smedile said that she would highly recommend Thomas Groux, who had done the search in 2000 for current town manager Mark Rees. Selectman Donald Stewart echoed her recommendation. Rosemary Smedile made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart, to choose Groux and Associates subject to the Board of Selectmen interviewing him at a future meeting. Vote approved 5-0. School Committee Chairman Stan Limpert asked the Board if either the School Business Manager or the Superintendent of Schools could be part of the Town Manager search committee. William Gordon made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart, to appoint a representative from the School Administration as an ex- officio to the Town Manager search committee. Vote approved 5-0. Board of Selectmen Minutes June 27, 2011 3 Note: Daniel Lanen and Rosemary Smedile recused Police Chief Selection Process Human Resources Director Cathy Darby said there were seven candidates for the position of Police Chief that sent in resumes. Chairman Lanen said that the Board would probably have to meet again before there next scheduled Meeting on July 18, 2011 and would work on that date. Note: Daniel Lanen and Rosemary Smedile returned TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT: The MVRA has changed their bus route 33 effective July 5th to accommodate the residents of North Andover to include service to the North Andover Mall on Route 114. The Interim Town Manager James Purcell started working a transition with Mark Rees today, and meeting with Department and Division Heads over the week. The Board of Selectmen thanked Mark Rees for his services to the Town of North Andover over the past 10 years and what he has done for the community and wished him well. Mark Rees said that he is leaving behind a dedicated hard working staff and all the things he has been able to accomplish was because of the policy directed by the Board of Selectmen and because of the Town employees. They are the ones that will keep this Town moving forward in the right direction. ADJOURNMENT: Donald Stewart made a MOTION, seconded by Tracy Watson, to adjourn the meeting at 8:15 p.m. Vote approved 5-0. Adele J. Johnson Administrative Secretary William Gordon, Clerk of the Board