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Home My WebLink About2014-01-27 Board of Selectmen Minutes BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES JANUARY 27, 2014 CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Rosemary Smedile called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM at Town Hall Meeting Room. ATTENDANCE: The following were present: Rosemary Smedile Chairman; Richard Vaillancourt, Clerk; Tracy Watson, Licensing Chairman; Donald Stewart, William Gordon, and Andrew Maylor, Town Manager and Ray Santilli, Assistant Town Manager. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Richard Vaillancourt made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart, to approve the Open Session Minutes of January 6, 2014, as written. Vote approved 5-0. COMMUNICATIONS, ANNOUNCEMENTS,AND PUBLIC COMMENT: Swearing-In Ceremony: Firefighter Scot D. Harris Firefighter Scot D. Harris has completed his one year probationary period and has graduated the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy. Town Clerk Joyce Bradshaw administered the oath. GFOA's distinguished Budget Presentation Award The Government Finance Officers'Association (GFOA) has awarded the Town of North Andover its Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the current budget. This award is the highest form of recognition in governmental budgeting. North Andover received this award two years in a row. Thank you to Lyne Savage, Budget Director/Town Accountant. Massachusetts Tree Wardens' and Foresters'Association — 'Tree Warden of the Year Award'to John Lavin At their annual conference last week, the Massachusetts Tree Wardens' and Foresters'Association presented the `Tree Warden of the Year Award'to John Lavin. Along with the award,the Association's Executive Board will plant a tree in North Andover this spring in John's honor. Ice Rink at Drummond Playground William Gordon announced that the Ice Rink at Drummond Playground is open every evening but Sundays for ice skating. It is a great venue for families. CONSENT ITEMS: Emerald Ash Borer—Ken Gooch, Department of Conservation and Recreation Ken Gooch of the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation provided the Board with an update of the Emerald Ash Borer insect that has infested some Ash Trees in North Andover. The U.S. Forest Service is currently in the process of delineating the recent find. In order to complete some of the necessary work, he is requesting permission for DCR to `drop and peel'trees of Town owned property. Jennifer Hughes, Conservation Administrator is supporting this work. A public meeting will be held on January 28, 2014 at 6:30 p.m. at the Stevens Memorial Library. Tracy Watson made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart, that the Board of Selectmen give permission to the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation to drop and peel trees on Town owned property due to the Emerald Ash Borer situation. Vote approved 5-0. Board of Selectmen Minutes 2014 2 Affordable Unit Resale—46 Ciderpress Way(Meetinghouse Commons) Thomas Zahoruiko has notified the Town that the affordable housing unit at 46 Ciderpress Way (Meetinghouse Commons) is up for sale. It is recommended that the Board not exercise its right of first refusal. William Gordon made a MOTION, seconded by Tracy Watson, that the Board of Selectmen declines the right of first refusal to purchase the affordable housing unit at 46 Ciderpress Way(Meetinghouse Commons). Vote approved 5-0. Acceptance of Donation ($1,500)from Schneider Electric to Fire Department Schneider Electric has made a generous donation of$1,500 to the Fire Department. Richard Vaillancourt made a MOTION, seconded by Tracy Watson, that the Board of Selectmen accepts the donation from Schneider Electric of$1,500 to the Fire Department. Vote approved 5-0. Endorsement for a Massachusetts Recreational Trails grant application by North Andover Improvement Society for Open Space Kiosk Signage Improvement Glen Aspeslagh of the North Andover Improvement Society requested an endorsement for a Massachusetts Recreational Trails grant application for Open Space Kiosk Signage Improvement. The grant funds will be used to design and install permanent signs for the various trails kiosks installed in various locations. William Gordon made a MOTION, seconded by Tracy Watson, that the Board of Selectmen endorses Massachusetts Recreational Trails grant application by the North Andover Improvement Society for Open Space Kiosk Signage Improvement. Vote approved 5-0. Appointment of Custodian for 42 Berkeley Road, North Andover(MGL c60A77B The Town Treasurer Jennifer Yarid previously notified the town has acquired the property at 42 Berkeley Road by foreclosure of tax title. MGL c60 §77B requires the Board of Selectmen to appoint a Custodian for the property. The Custodian "shall have the care, custody, management and control" of the property and shall be responsible to sell such property at public auction. The Town Manager recommended Assistant Town Manager Ray Santilli be appointed the Custodian per the requirements of the statute. Town Manager Andrew Maylor explained the process before a property is foreclosed for tax title. Tracy Watson made a MOTION, seconded by Richard Vaillancourt, that the Board of Selectmen appoint Assistant Town Manager Ray Santilli as the Custodian for 42 Berkeley Road, North Andover in accordance with MGL, c60 §77B. Vote approved 5-0. Purchase & Development of former Bradstreet School Property Per the Selectmen's previous vote, discussions have been ongoing between the Town and Hearthstone Realty Corporation (along with respective legal counsels) regarding the purchase and development of the former Bradstreet School property. The Purchase and Sales Agreement and the Land Development Agreement need to be approved and signed by the Board of Selectmen. The Town Manager said he would meet with the Historical Commission to ask them to reconsider its vote and rescind their motion on the demolition delay. Once the agreements are approved and signed by the Board they are legally binding documents and the former school will be demolished. William Gordon made a MOTION, seconded by Richard Vaillancourt, that the Board of Selectmen approve and execute the `Purchase and Sale Agreement' between the Town of North Andover and Bradstreet Partners, LLC for the former Bradstreet School property at 70 Main Street, North Andover. Vote approved 5-0. Richard Vaillancourt made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart that the Board of Selectmen approve and execute the `Land Development Agreement' between the Town of North Andover and Bradstreet Partners, LLC for the former Bradstreet School property at 70 Main Street, North Andover. Vote approved 5-0. Board of Selectmen Minutes 2014 3 LICENSING COMMISSIONERS: William Gordon made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart, to open a meeting of the North Andover Licensing Commission. Vote approved 5-0. Donna Warne requests a Common Victualler License for Corporate Chefs, Inc. at 1600 Osgood Street The applicant was not present at the meeting and there were a few issues that needed to be addressed. Licensing Chairman Tracy Watson said that the Fire Department had some concerns respective to the license therefore this will be TABLED until the next meeting. No Action Taken. Donald Stewart made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile, to close a meeting of the North Andover Licensing Commission. Vote approved 5-0. Town Manager's Annual Performance Evaluation The Town Manager's Employment Agreement includes a provision that the Board shall review and evaluate the Manager every year from the date of appointment. Andrew Maylor scored high marks from the Board. Chairman Rosemary Smedile said she and her colleagues were very pleased with Mr. Maylor's accomplishments over the last year. William Gordon said that Andrew Maylor has earned "high honors". William Gordon made a MOTION, seconded by Tracy Watson, that the Board of Selectmen approve the Town Manager Andrew Maylor's annual performance evaluation. Vote approved 5-0. TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT: Ask the Manager Town Manager Andrew Maylor responded to a citizen's inquiry regarding how an individual's real estate property tax is determined. FY14 Snow Budget Report A summary of the FY14 Snow Budget report was provided to the Board for their information. This report included expenses incurred for the snow storm from December 1, 2013 through January 18, 2014. As of January 21, 2014 the snow budget has a deficit of($42,978). Police Department— December Crime Status Police Chief Gallagher provided a Police Report and Crime Statistics for the month of December. Website Data —December 2103 and Calendar Year 2013 Information Technology Director Matt Killen provided a the statistics for the month of December and the year of 2013. ADJOURNMENT: Donald Stewart made a MOTION, seconded by William Gordon, to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 p.m. Vote approved 5-0. Adele J. Johnson Executive Assistant Richard Vaillancourt, Clerk of the Board