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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-03-31 Board of Selectmen Minutes BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES March 31, 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. A MOMENT OF SILENCE—FOR BOSTON FIREFIGHTERS WHO PERISHED IN RECENT FIRE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Congratulations to Selectmen Tracy Watson and Donald Stewart on their election wins. Also congratulations to the School Committee. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Richard Vaillancourt made a MOTION, seconded by Tracy Watson, to approve the Open Session Minutes of March 10, 2014, as written. Vote approved 5-0. Richard Vaillancourt made a MOTION, seconded by Tracy Watson, to approve that the Board of Selectmen release the Executive Session Minutes as listed: April 11, 2005 (partial), April 25, 2005 (partial), May 23, 2005 (partial), June 13, 2005 (partial), September 6, 2005 (partial), September 19, (partial), January 9, 2006 (partial), February 27, 2006 (partial), December 18, 2006 (partial). Vote approved 5-0. COMMUNICATIONS, ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND PUBLIC COMMENT: Swearing-in Ceremony: Firefighter Christopher W. Rowan Firefighter Christopher W. Rowan has successfully completed his one year probationary period and has graduated the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy. Town Clerk Joyce Bradshaw administers the oath. Certificate of Commendation—Chris Vasilopoulos A Certificate of Commendation was presented to Chris Vasilopoulos for performing the Heimlich maneuver on a patron at his restaurant choking on food. Fire Chief Melnikas and the Board of Selectmen presented the Certificate. Sargent School 5th Grade Service Project—"Drop &Go" Saturday, April 5, 2014 The students will hold a collection event which allows people to donate items to local charitable organizations. Drop off&Go will be held at the North Andover Middle School from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM on Saturday, April 5, 2014. North Andover Merchants Association "Annual Knight of Honor/Rising Star Gala The Merchants Association will hold the Annual Knight of Honor/Rising Star Gala at the North Andover Country Club, 500 Great Pond Road, tickets are still available at$50 and this is to raise Scholarships for North Andover students. Utility Project at Old Center The Utility Project at the Old Center has been completed as of last week. Affordable Housing Trust& Bread & Roses Partnership Bread & Roses Housing Community Land Trust in partnership with the North Andover Affordable Housing Trust is opening its application process for an Affordable Home Ownership Opportunity at 91 Waverly Road, North Andover, selling price of$175,000. There will be seminars in April and May at the Stevens Memorial Library. Board of Selectmen Minutes March 31, 2014 2 Citizen Petition Articles 1. Petition the General Court—Age Exemption —William G. Gordon —Police Officer 2. Petition the General Court—Age Exemption —Albert P. Manzi, III — Police Officer 3. A Resolution to Support Passage of a Constitutional Amendment Providing that Only Human Beings are People 4. Amend General Bylaws, Chapter 112-2 Preparation and/or Retail Sale of Food or Beverage 5. Authorization to Acquire Berry Street Property The petitioners of the five citizen petition articles filed for Annual Town Meeting were invited to the meeting and provided the Board with information regarding their submission. The Board will formally vote their recommendation on these articles at their April 14, 2014 meeting. Downtown Parking Committee Curt Bellavance, Community Development Director, recommended that the Town Manager form a `Downtown Parking Committee' to review and submit recommendations regarding parking downtown. North Andover Wildlife Team—James McCarthy James McCarthy of the North Andover Wildlife Team presented a summary of the past and future activities of the group. The main objective of the team is to raise the carrying capacity of the Town by planting as many native plants and removing as many invasive plant species as possible. Plant 500 native plants in public spaces; register with the National Wildlife Federation. In order to achieve Community Habitat status with the NWF 150 homeowners need to certify that their properties have food, water and shelter for wildlife. If you are interested in learning more visit the website at www.nahabitat.com or e-mail at iamesmccarthy87Qg mail.com . CONSENT ITEMS: Youth & Recreation Services Spring Carnival, April 24-27, 2014 The Joseph N. Herman Youth Center Inc. in conjunction with the Board of Directors of Youth & Recreation Services, requested permission to hold their 23r Annual Spring Carnival at 1600 Osgood Street from April 24 —27, 2014. Hours of operation are as follows: Thursday, April 24, 1:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.; Friday, April 25, 1:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.; Saturday, April 26, 1:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and Sunday, April 27, 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Carrie Crouch requested starting at 12:00 noon on Sunday, April 27, 2014, a change from the original request at 1:00 p.m. William Gordon made a MOTION, seconded by Tracy Watson that the Board of Selectmen approves the request to hold the Youth & Recreation Services 23rd Annual Spring Carnival at 1600 Osgood Street from April 24-27, 2014, to waive all permit fees and to extend the time on Sunday, April 27, 2014. Vote approved 5-0. Acceptance of Donations from Youth Sports Groups for Town's Athletic Fields/Facilities-$49,250 The Youth Sports Groups have made their annual donation, based on their respective program registrations, for the Town's Athletic Fields/Facilities. Donations over the past four years have totaled just over$200,000. Donald Stewart made a MOTION, seconded by Tracy Watson, that the Board of Selectmen accepts the donations from Youth Sports Groups for Town's Athletic Fields/Facilities in the amount of$49,250. Vote approved 5-0. Request by Festival Committee to use Town Common for Sheep Shearing Festival on May 18, 2014 The Festival Committee requested to use the Town Common for the Sheep Shearing Festival on Sunday, May 18, 2014 from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. They are also requesting that Massachusetts Avenue from Osgood Street to Academy Road to Academy Road to traffic from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and to allow for one handicap parking spot on Osgood Street. Donald Stewart made a MOTION, seconded by Tracy Watson, that the Board of Selectmen approve the request of the Festival Committee to use the Town Common for the Sheep Shearing Festival on May 18, 2014, from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and to close Massachusetts Avenue from Osgood Street to Academy Road Board of Selectmen Minutes March 31, 2014 3 to Academy Road to traffic from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and to allow for one handicap parking spot on Osgood Street. Vote approved 5-0. Request by Tyler Bainbridge to close Woodcrest Drive for the 3rd Annual Longboard for Life to benefit the American Cancer Society on Saturday, June 7, 2014 from 7:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tyler Bainbridge requested approval to close Woodcrest Drive for the 3 ra Annual Longboard for Life for the benefit of the American Cancer Society on Saturday, June 7, 2014 from 7:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. All relevant Town Departments recommended approval. There was a discussion about some of the neighbors complaining that Woodcrest Drive is being used every weekend by Longboarders. In the future, maybe consider a larger venue for this event as it continues to grow. Selectmen asked if Tyler would work out some differences with the neighbors on the street and come back at a future meeting with a solution for this year. Tyler said that he as posted on the Longboard website page and on Facebook that Longboarders should not be on Woodcrest Drive except on the day of the event and if they are caught and or reported they could not participate in the event. He will return with more information in the future/ Request by Sonia Nathan to use Streets in North Andover for 4th Annual Coast to the Cure Bike Ride to benefit Neurofibromatosis Northeast on September 6, 2014. Sonja Nathan requested approval to use streets in North Andover for the 4th Annual Coast to the Cure Bike Ride to benefit Neurofibromatosis Northeast on Saturday, September 6, 2014. The three routes (24, 66, 100 miles)will all start and finish at Stage Fort Park in Gloucester. The Event goes through North Andover and eighteen (18)other communities. All relevant Town Departments recommended approval. William Gordon made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart, that the Board of Selectmen approves the request of Sonja Nathan to use streets in North Andover for the 4th Annual Coast to the Cure Bike Ride to benefit Neurofibromatosis Northeast on September 6, 2014. Vote approved 5-0. Appointments The Board's Sub-Committee and the Town Manager recommended the following people to serve on various Boards and Commissions in North Andover; Phyllis Jones, Commission on Disability Issues; Suzanne Fischer, Festival Committee; Nicholas Pelletier, Historical Commission; and Karen Kline, a Re-appointment as the Poet Laureate. Tracy Watson made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart, that the Board of Selectmen appoints Phyllis Jones to the Commission on Disability Issues for a term ending June 30, 2015. Vote approved 5-0. Richard Vaillancourt made a MOTION, seconded by Tracy Watson, that the Board of Selectmen appoints Suzanne Fischer to the Festival Committee for a term ending June 30, 2015. Vote approved 5-0. William Gordon made a MOTION, seconded by Tracy Watson, that the Board of Selectmen appoints Nicholas Pelletier to the Historical Commission for a term ending June 30, 2016. Vote approved 5-0. Donald Stewart made a MOTION, seconded by Tracy Watson, that the Board of Selectmen re-appoints Karen Kline as North Andover's Poet Laureate for a term ending June 30, 2016. Vote approved 5-0. Request by Police Department to install a stop sign on Hodges Street at May Street A resident asked about installing a stop sign at the corner of Hodges Street at May Street. Traffic Safety Officer Mark Wilson after an investigation of Hodges Street at May Street said that the area of May and Hodges Streets is a shortcut from Main Street and an entry/exit area for senior housing. Chief Paul Gallagher and Officer Wilson recommended the placement of the Stop sign and asked the Board's approval. Tracy Watson made a MOTION, seconded by Richard Vaillancourt, that the Board of Selectmen approve the request from the Police Department to install a stop sign at Hodges Street at May Street. Vote approved 5-0. Board of Selectmen Minutes March 31, 2014 4 Request by Columbia Gas of MA to excavate Marbleridge Road for the purpose of extending and/or replacing its gas main In accordance with M.G.L. c164 §70, the Board must give consent to the gas company to `dig up and open the ground in any of the streets, lanes and highways of a town.' The Department of Public Works recommends approval with no work starting prior to April 15, 2014. Erich Schlitt, representative of Columbia Gas said that the particular project would last approximately 30 days for all of the house connections on Marbleridge Road. Richard Vaillancourt made a MOTION, seconded by Tracy Watson that the Board of Selectmen approves the request of Columbia Gas of MA to excavate Marbleridge Road for the purpose of extending and/or replacing its gas main with no work starting prior to April 15, 2014. Vote approved 5-0. Vote to reopen the 2014 annual Town Meeting Warrant The Board was asked to reopen the 2014 annual Town Meeting Warrant to include two additional articles: Amend General Bylaw—Chapter 88: Dogs. Tracy Watson made a MOTION, seconded by William Gordon, that the Board of Selectmen reopens the 2014 Annual Town Meeting Warrant to include one additional article. Roll Call Vote approved; William Gordon yes, Richard Vaillancourt yes, Tracy Watson yes, Donald Stewart, yes and Rosemary Smedile yes. Vote 5-0. William Gordon made a MOTION, seconded by Tracy Watson, that the Board of Selectmen closes the 2014 Annual Town Meeting Warrant. Vote approved 5-0. Ordering of 2014 Annual Town Meeting Warrant The Town Manager and Selectmen Chair Rosemary Smedile reviewed the Warrant and recommended the Ordering as presented. The Board is requested to approve the ordering of the Warrant. Tracy Watson made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart that the Board of Selectmen approves the ordering of the 2014 Annual Town Meeting Warrant as presented. Vote approved 5-0. Accept`Determination of Surplus Land' from School Committee The construction of the new fire station is planned for the parcel of land on Chickering Road at Prescott Street at the far end of the high school property. As the land for construction of the original high school was obtained in 1970 for school purposes, the School Committee was asked to vote that this particular parcel was no longer needed for school purposes and thus is surplus. The Board was asked to accept this determination and vote of the School Committee in accordance with MGL c40 §15A. Donald Stewart made a MOTION, seconded by Tracy Watson that The North Andover Board of Selectmen accepts, the "Determination of Surplus Land"from the School Committee for the parcel of land on Chickering Road at Prescott Street. Vote approved 5-0. OLD BUSINESS: Update of Emerald Ash Borer— Ken Gooch, Department of Conservation and Recreation Ken Gooch returned with a follow-up regarding the Emerald Ash Borer and the recent delineation work DCR and the US Forest Service completed in North Andover. In early spring the DCR Forest Health staff will be dropping 50-75 of the heavily infested ash trees along the Route 125 corridor. Girdling of 50-100 ash trees in the general vicinity of the current known infested area to create "sinks" or areas where small levels of EAB would be attracted to. Releasing two EAB biological control predators in the same infected area and the use of pesticide contingent upon approval of the Conservation Commission. The Board was asked to approve and accept the recommendations. Richard Vaillancourt made a MOTION, seconded by Tracy Watson, that the Board of Selectmen approve of dropping 50-75 heavily infested ash trees along Route 125; Girdling of 50-100 ash trees in the same area; releasing two biological control predators in the same infected area; and pesticide use contingent upon approval of the Conservation Commission. Vote approved 5-0. PUBLIC COMMENT Mr. Will Edwards of 90 Windsor Lane, a 20 year resident and a member of the Sustainability Committee is in favor of Mr. Ercolini's citizen petition article for the Town to preserve the Berry Farm Site's open spaces and to Board of Selectmen Minutes March 31, 2014 5 acquire 26 acres of land and buildings. Mr. Edwards suggested because of the lands southern exposure to do a feasibility study to possibly use the land as a Solar Farm to defray the cost of the town purchasing the land and to speak to Dan Leary, co-founder of Next Stamp Solar and a member of the Finance Committee. NEW BUSINESS: Town Meeting Warrant—Report of the Community Preservation Committee John Simons, Chair of the Community Preservation Committee briefed the Board regarding the recommended projects for CPA funding as follows: McEvoy Field (Phase 2), $290,000 Open Space Recreation; Stevens Estate—Stained Glass Window Refurbishment, $25,120 Historical Preservation; Multi-Use Trail (Phase 1), $176,000 Open Space Recreation; Sargent School Playground, $92,260 Open Space Recreation; Old Center Preservation Project, $570,000 Open Space/Historical Preservation; Nan's Trail, $68,435 Open Space; Reserve for Affordable Housing, $196,600 Affordable Housing; Administrative Expenses, $30,000 Administrative Expenses; for a total of$1,448,415. The Board will formally vote their recommendations on this article at the April 14, 2014 meeting. TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT: Preliminary Design of New Fire Station The Architect and the Owner's Project Manager have been working for the past few months with a Design Advisory Group including representatives of the North Andover Fire Department. The Town Manager presented a preliminary design of the new Fire Station. Capital Project Status Report The Town Manager provided a status summary of the on-going capital projects as well as a milestone timeline through the end of June, 2014. Police Department Report Police Chief Paul Gallagher provided a summary of February 2014 crime statistics. ADJOURNMENT: Donald Stewart made a MOTION, seconded by Tracy Watson, to adjourn the meeting at 10:00 p.m. Vote approved 5-0. Adele J. Johnson Executive Assistant Richard Vaillancourt, Clerk of the Board