HomeMy WebLinkAboutAUDIT COMMITTEE ESTABLISHMENT-BOS-7-14 2008-8-11-2008-9-8-2008 Board of Selectmen Minutes July 14, 2008 5
Establishment of Audit Committee
Selectman Richard Nardella is recommending establishing an Internal Audit Committee with members of the
Board of Selectmen, School Committee and the Public. Selectmen requested that the Town Manager make
a charge for the Committee and bring back to the Board for their review.
Board Reorganization
The Board traditionally reorganizes itself at the first meeting of a new fiscal year. Positions to be determined
include Chairman, Clerk and Chair of Licensing.
Daniel Lanen made a MOTION, seconded by Richard Nardella, to nominate Rosemary Smedile as Chairman
until June 30, 2009. Vote approved 5-0.
Rosemary Smedile made a MOTION, seconded by Tracy Watson, to nominate Richard Nardella as
Licensing Commissioners Chairman. Vote approved 5-0.
Richard Nardella made a MOTION, seconded by Tracy Watson, to nominate Mark Caggiano as Clerk of the
Board. Vote approved 4-1. Mark Caggiano opposed.
TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT:
On June 19, 2008, Town Manager Mark Rees met with Jonathan Markey of Meridian Associates for
preliminary discussion on the feasibility of installing a wind energy turbine in North Andover. Mr. Markey
agreed to conduct a no obligation desktop analysis of already existing wind data to see if one of these
turbines may work in North Andover. If we find that one is a possibility, the next step would be a
comprehensive feasibility study estimated to cost$50,000.
The Town has received a discount in the amount of$5,540 from our insurance carrier, MIIA for our
participation in risk reduction programs including safety training and site reviews.
On July 10, 2008, the Town Manager provided testimony to the legislative committee reviewing the town's
petition to change the conservation restrictions on a portion of the Town Farm property to allow for the
construction of an athletic field.
A class of Merrimack College Students did a project on the Revitalization of Downtown North Andover. The
report consisted of an executive summary, a mission statement, businesses products and services,
population and a survey to residents then recommendations and conclusions were made and sent to the
town for review.
Governor Patrick will be in Amesbury at a Town Hall Meeting and the Town Manager Mark Rees will attend
on July 16, 2008.
RETURN TO EXECUTIVE SESSION:
Rosemary Smedile made a MOTION, seconded by Daniel Lanen, to return to Executive Session for the
purposes of potential and anticipated litigation and to confer with legal counsel for confidential legal advice
and assistance. Vote approved 5-0.
ADJOURNMENT:
Richard Nardella made a MOTION, seconded by Tracy Watson, to adjourn the meeting at 10:25 PM.
Vote approved 5-0.
Adele J. Johnson
Administrative Secretary
Rosemary Connelly Smedile, Clerk of the Board
Board of Selectmen Minutes _(--August 11, 2008 5
Mark Caggiano made a MOTION, seconded by Richard Nardella, to adopt the Order of Taking for Autran
Avenue and the Order of Taking for Foulds Terrace, to award no damages for said takings, and direct that
the Orders of Taking be recorded at the North Essex Registry of Deeds. Vote approved 5-0.
Acquisition of 1475 Osgood Street
The Town received the environmental report on the property from SAK Environmental with no issues
identified. Town Counsel Thomas Urbelis notified the Town of a small problem with the title of the
property and asked for an extension until September 15, 2008, before the Purchase and Sales
Agreement could be signed.
Mark Caggiano made a MOTION, seconded by Daniel Lanen, to agree to extend the signing of the
Purchase and Sales Agreement until September 15, 2008. Vote approved 5-0.
4Audit Committee Charge
The Town Manager gave the Board a preliminary draft of the Audit Committee guidelines to review.
Note: Mark Caggiano recused
Historic Preservation Restriction
As a result of the CPA funding in 2004 for steeple and foundation restoration at the North Parish Church,
the Board was asked to approve an historic preservation restriction on the property. Both Town Counsel
and the Community Preservation Committee have reviewed and approved the restriction language. The
Historical Commission was scheduled to endorse the restriction prior to the Board's meeting.
Tracy Watson made a MOTION, seconded by Daniel Lanen, to accept and endorse the Historic
Preservation Restriction, and to sign all documents with appropriate notarization. Vote approved 4-0.
Note: Mark Caggiano returned
Mark Caggiano made a MOTION, seconded by Daniel Lanen to take a 10-minute recess. Vote
approved 5-0.
NEW BUSINESS:
FY10 Budget/Town Meeting/Elections Calendar
Town Clerk Joyce Bradshaw presented the proposed FY10 Budget/Town Meeting/Elections Calendar for
the Board's review. The recommended date for the Annual Town Meeting is set for Tuesday, May 12,
2009.
This is a very busy election year, the state primary is Tuesday, September 16, 2008, at the NA High
School, polls open 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM; voter registration deadline is Wednesday, August 27, 2008, 8:00
PM. The Presidential State Election is Tuesday, November 4, 2008, at the NA High School, polls open
6:00 AM to 8:00 PM, voter registration deadline is Wednesday, October 15, 2008, 8:00 PM. The Annual
Town Election is Tuesday, March 31, 2009, at the NA High School; polls open 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
Mark Caggiano made a MOTION, seconded by Richard Nardella, to approve the proposed Calendars.
Vote approved 5-0.
Note: Daniel Lanen recused
Reserve Police Officers
Police Chief Richard Stanley requested the Board to approve a requisition of nine Reserve Police Officers
for the Department. The Civil Service Reserve list was at twelve and currently the department only has
three remaining.
The Town Manager would work with the Police Chief on a point scale system of evaluating each Reserve
Officer candidate.
Board of Selectmen Minutes September 8, 2008 .4
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common drainage improvements will be completed by late September, early October and two of the three
utilities, Comcast and Nation Grid are working on putting their wires underground working through next
spring. The third utility, Verizon has not been as forthcoming with their plans, which may necessitate
some communications at a higher level.
Selectman Smedile suggested sending a letter to Verizon from the Board of Selectmen and to also speak
with State Transportation Secretary Senator Steven Baddour and ask for his help in moving this along.
Comprehensive Waste Water Plan Update
Last spring several meetings were held with the Board of Selectmen and the Public on the development
of the Comprehensive Waste Water Plan. Director of Public Works Bruce Thibodeau presented an
outline of what decisions need to be addressed to complete the planning process. The following are
decision points that the Selectmen can anticipate as the process goes forward:
➢ Is the priority ranking appropriate?
➢ How will the sewer extensions be funded going forward?
➢ Should there be a higher percentage on betterment paid by the property owner rather than on the
sewer rates? Should we consider different betterment percentages per priority?
➢ What is a reasonable timetable for scheduling each priority for sewer extensions?
Audit Committee
The Town Manager and Selectman Richard Nardella reconciled two versions of the charge for this
committee and are recommending adoption of the unified version. The Audit Committee shall consist of
three members, one member of the Board of Selectmen who shall serve as chair, one member of the
School Committee and a resident of North Andover appointed by majority vote of the Board of Selectmen.
A list of description of duties, responsibilities and operating procedures were agreed upon.
Richard Nardella made a MOTION, seconded by Mark Caggiano, to adopt the Audit Committee
Guidelines as presented consisting of three members, one member of the Board of Selectmen who shall
serve as chair, one member of the School Committee and a resident of North Andover appointed by
majority vote of the Board of Selectmen. Vote approved 5-0.
NEW BUSINESS:
Preparation of May 2009 Annual Town Meeting: Non-monetary Articles
The Town Meeting calendar has been adjusted to require earlier submission of non-monetary articles.
Since the deadline is September 29th for submission of"notice of interest"for possible non-financial
articles, the Board is requested to bring forward their ideas for these types of articles so that staff can
begin the process of preparing them.
Lease Award for 170 Sutton Street/briefinq on expansion proposal
Pursuant to state law, the Town issued a request for proposal for Town owned building located at 170-
172 Sutton Street. The current tenant, the North Andover Thrift Shop, was the only responder and it is
recommended that the Board approve a new lease with this organization.
The Thrift Shop is currently exploring the possibility of placing a pre-fabricated building/addition on the
site and has met with the Technical Review Committee to discuss the feasibility of such a structure.
Should this project move forward, the Board might be requested to release funds received as part of the
insurance settlement when their former location in the Old Center burned down.
Mark Caggiano made a MOTION, seconded by Richard Nardella, to approve the new lease with the
North Andover Thrift Shop. Vote approved 5-0.
Disclosure of Financial Interest, Town Manager
The Town Manager disclosed that the Greater Lawrence Educational Collaborative (GLEC) employs his
wife Elizabeth B. Rees as an occupational therapist part-time serving special needs students. GLEC
provides special education services under contract to nine Merrimack Valley communities including North
Andover. Mrs. Rees spends part of her work time serving North Andover students.