HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-01-11 Board of Selectmen Executive Minutes BOARD OF SELECTMEN EXECUTIVE MINUTES JANUARY 11, 2010
EXECUTIVE SESSION: The Executive Session convened at 7:00 p.m.
ATTENDANCE: The following were present: Chairman Tracy M.Watson; Clerk Rosemary Connelly Smedile;
William F. Gordon; Richard Nardella; Daniel Lanen,Town Manager Mark Rees; Assistant Town Manager Ray
Santilli.
Note: Town Counsel Thomas Urbelis and Carol McGravey were present.
LITIGATION STRATEGY
Town Manager Mark Rees and Assistant Town Manager informed the Board that they met recently with
Verizon representatives Stan Usovicz and Peter Brown. Verizon has changed its position on several matters
pertaining to the utility poles at the Old Center Common. The first change was that they would apply the 2%
surcharge to cable television services retroactively to when they rolled out the service. The second change is
that Verizon is now offering a cost sharing arrangement with the Town whereby the town would pay for 50%
of the costs associated with undergrounding, either Andover and Osgood Street(cost of$400,000)or the
poles around the entire common(cost of$900,000).
Attorneys Urbelis and McGravey reviewed this latest proposal from Verizon and Town Counsel drafted a letter
from the Town Manager to Verizon requesting additional information so that the Town could make an
informed decision regarding their recent proposal.
The Town Manager explained several options for completing the Old Center Undergrounding project
describing the positives and the negatives and asked the Selectmen to review the options.
The Town Manager said he has begun preliminary discussions with CPA Chairman John Simons as to using
^ CPA funds for this project since the Old Common is in the Historical District.
Selectmen authorized the Town Manager to send the letter drafted by Town Counsel requesting additional
information so that the Town could make an informed decision regarding Verizon's proposal.
Daniel Lanen made a MOTION, seconded by Richard Nardelle, to move out of Executive Session. Vote
approved 5-0.
ADJOURMENT:
Respectfully submitted,
Adele J. Johnson, Administrative Secretary