The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About2020-07-20 Board of Selectmen Minutes BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES July 20, 2020 CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Chris Nobile called the meeting to order at 7:05PM. In accordance with Governor Baker’s Executive Order issued on March 12, 2020, suspending certain provisions of the Open Meeting Law due to the ongoing COVID-19 public health emergency, this meeting took place via conference call. All Board members and staff participated in this meeting remotely. ATTENDANCE: The following identified themselves as present on the call: Laura Bates, Phil DeCologero, Rosemary Smedile, Richard Vaillancourt and Chris Nobile. Town Manager, Melissa Murphy Rodrigues, Deputy Town Manager, Denise Casey and Director of Administrative Services, Laurie Burzlaff were all present. Chairman Nobile read the following statement: Pursuant to Governor Baker’s March 12, 2020 Order Suspending Certain Provisions of the Open Meeting Law, G.L. c. 30A, §18, and the Governor’s March 15, 2020 Order imposing strict limitations on the number of people that may gather in one place, this meeting of the North Andover Board of Selectmen is being conducted via remote participation. No in-person attendance of members of the public will be permitted, but every effort will be made to ensure that the public can adequately access the proceedings as provided for in the Order. A reminder that persons who would like to listen to this meeting while in progress may do so by tuning in to Comcast channel 8 or Verizon channel 26 or online at www.northandovercam.org. If you have public comments, please email selectmen@northandoverma.gov Chairman Nobile explained the new procedure for public comment. There is now an online form to complete and residents can request a call during the public comment period. Town Manager Rodrigues confirmed there was no public comment for the meeting. PUBLIC HEARINGS Chairman Nobile read the following statement: Pursuant to Governor Baker’s March 12, 2020 Order Suspending Certain Provisions of the Open Meeting Law, G.L. c. 30A, §18, and the Governor’s March 15, 2020 Order imposing strict limitations on the number of people that may gather in one place, these public hearings of the Town of North Andover are being conducted via remote participation. No in-person attendance of members of the public will be permitted, but the public can listen to the hearing while in progress by tuning in to Comcast channel 8 or Verizon channel 26 or online at www.northandovercam.org. Members of the public attending this hearing virtually will be allowed to make comments if they wish to do so, during the portion of the hearing designated for public comment, by emailing selectmen@northandoverma.gov Petition of National Grid to excavate and install underground conduits-Water Street (continued from June 29, 2020 Rosemary Smedile made a MOTION, seconded by Phil DeCologero that the Board of Selectmen resume the public hearing to receive comments regarding the National Grid petition to install underground conduits for Water Street. Roll call vote: Bates-yes; DeCologero-yes; Smedile-yes; Vaillancourt-yes; Nobile-yes. Motion approved 5-0. Paul Saffler from National Grid explained that if they had to wait for the moratorium to be lifted, it would impact Avalon Bay’s ability to proceed with the new apartments they are building. Town Manager Rodrigues stated that letters were sent to the additional abutters as requested and the Department of Public Works has revised it’s memorandum. Laurie Burzlaff confirmed they did not receive any public comments. In response to a question from Mr. Vaillancourt, Mr. Saffler stated the work would begin in a few weeks and would last for 3 days. Ms. Smedile asked if work could be done on the weekends and if weather would impact the duration of the work. Mr. Saffler stated it may be delayed due to weather. Mr. DeCologero stated that without any feedback from the abutters, they should go with the route that is most efficient. Richard Vaillancourt made a MOTION, seconded by Phil DeCologero to close the public hearing for comments regarding the National Grid petition to install underground conduits for Water Street. Roll call vote: Bates-yes; DeCologero-yes; Smedile-yes; Vaillancourt-yes; Nobile-yes. Motion approved 5-0. Board of Selectmen Minutes July 20, 2020 2 APPROVAL OF MINUTES Richard Vaillancourt made a MOTION, seconded by Phil DeCologero to approve the minutes for June 29, 2020, as amended. Roll call vote: Bates-yes; DeCologero-yes; Smedile-yes; Vaillancourt- yes; Nobile-yes. Motion approved 5-0. Richard Vaillancourt made a MOTION, seconded by Laura Bates to approve the minutes for July 2, 2020, as presented. Roll call vote: Bates-yes; DeCologero-yes; Smedile-yes; Vaillancourt-yes; Nobile-yes. Motion approved 5-0. GOVERNMENTAL REPORTS COVID-19 update Health Director, Brian Lagrasse, stated that there is free testing at Lawrence General Hospital. The long term care facilities are doing great. He thanked Andrew Shapiro for providing PPE to the businesses in town. Mr. Lagrasse stated that social distancing and wearing a mask are the key to preventing the spread. In response to a question from Mr. Vaillancourt, Mr. Lagrasse stated that Phase 3, step 2 should begin in the next couple of weeks if everything continues to go well. Ms. Smedile asked about reopening of schools. Mr. Lagrasse indicated he is regularly speaking with the Superintendent and school nurse and on conference calls with the Department of Public Health and the Department of Education. Patrick Scanlon, the new Town Physician, explained he is a pulmonary and critical care physician. He stated that if a resident has a known exposure to COVID it would be worthwhile to get tested. Ms. Bates asked if there was any progress on antibody testing. Dr. Scanlon stated that there are hundreds of different strains of the virus and he does not recommend antibody testing because of the false sense of security. Data is showing there is a poor immune response and immunity may only be for 3-6 months. In response to a question from Chairman Nobile about large group transmission, Mr. Lagrasse stated that air movement is very important when groups are indoors. Sustainability Committee Zoom event on July 28 and 30 Jessica Pimental from the Sustainability Committee explained the Zoom webinar for Keep Massachusetts th Beautiful. They have scheduled 2 dates for the interactive presentation- July 28th at 10AM and July 30 at 7:00PM. Update on recruitment for Commission on Inclusion, Equity and Diversity Town Manager Rodrigues explained that her office has reached out to the different groups for their representatives. Aisha from the Youth Center will be Rick Gorman’s representative. The appointment subcommittee is currently interviewing residents. Confirm appointments to the Commission for Inclusion, Equity and Diversity (taken out of order) The Board confirmed the appointments made by the various groups to the Commission for Inclusion, Equity and Diversity. Phil DeCologero made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile that the Board of Selectmen confirm the appointments of Bria Gadsden and David VanArsdale to the Commission for Inclusion, Equity and Diversity. Roll call vote: Bates-yes; DeCologero-yes; Smedile-yes; Vaillancourt-yes; Nobile-yes. Motion approved 5-0. CONSENT ITEMS Appointment of election workers Request of the North Andover Merchants Association to use the Town Common on July 29, 2020 from 6:00PM -7:00PM for awards ceremony Accept donation of a calibration kit valued at $5,900.00 from Columbia Gas to the Fire Department Affordable unit resale-109 Cortland Drive Laura Bates made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile that the Board of Selectmen approve all matters contained under Consent Items as presented. Roll call vote: Bates-yes; DeCologero-yes; Smedile-yes; Vaillancourt-yes; Nobile-yes. Motion approved 5-0. Board of Selectmen Minutes July 20, 2020 3 NEW BUSINESS Vote on National Grid petition-Water Street Richard Vaillancourt made a MOTION, seconded by Laura Bates that the Board of Selectmen approve National Grid petition #29226500 for pole/conduit work on Water Street, as presented. Roll call vote: Bates-yes; DeCologero-yes; Smedile-yes; Vaillancourt-yes; Nobile-yes. Motion approved 5-0. Request of the Affordable Housing Trust for approval of disbursement from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund of $60,000 for a long term rental assistance program Laurie Burzlaff, chair of the Affordable Housing Trust, explained that the Trust voted to provide $60,000 to the long term rental assistance program currently being administered by Greater Lawrence Community Action Council. Ms. Burzlaff explained that the current residents on the program will need an extension due to COVID and there are four additional families that need assistance. The funds allocated to the program from the HOME program have all been used. Richard Vaillancourt made a MOTION, seconded by Phil DeCologero that the Board of Selectmen approve the disbursement of $60,000 from the Affordable Housing Trust to the Greater Lawrence Community Action Council for a long term rental assistance program. Roll call vote: Bates-yes; DeCologero-yes; Smedile-yes; Vaillancourt-yes; Nobile-yes. Motion approved 5-0. Confirm Town Manager’s appointment of Christian Colwell to the Board of Assessors The Town Manager has appointed Christian Colwell to serve on the Board of Assessors and asked the Board to confirm that appointment per the requirements of the Town Charter. Phil DeCologero made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile that the Board of Selectmen confirm the appointment of Christian Colwell to the Board of Assessors for a term ending June 30, 2021. Roll call vote: Bates-yes; DeCologero-yes; Smedile-yes; Vaillancourt-yes; Nobile-yes. Motion approved 5-0. TOWN MANAGERS REPORT Job posting/vacancy log The job posting vacancy log was provided to the Board. Ms. Rodrigues stated that there is a hiring freeze in place so only essential positions are being filled. Ms. Rodrigues report that the Flashvote survey had a good response. In response to a question from Ms. Bates, the Town Manager stated that Flashvote will call or text you for comments if you don’t have access to a computer. Ms. Rodrigues stated that FY20 revenues are showing a surplus. Mr. DeCologero asked about the excise tax bills and if there was an issue with the mailing. Ms. Rodrigues explained that the Town has confirmed nd the bills were sent out and can provide the date and time that was done. 2 notices are usually sent in March; however, since the due date for the bills was extended due to COVID, the notices did not go out until later this year. SELECTMEN’S UPDATE/COMMENTS Mr. Nobile encouraged everyone to look at Cleargov Financial Transparency Center on the website to get a snapshot town finances. ADJOURNMENT Richard Vaillancourt made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile to adjourn the meeting at 8:25PM. Roll call vote: Bates-yes; DeCologero-yes; Smedile-yes; Vaillancourt-yes; Nobile-yes. Motion approved 5-0. Board of Selectmen Minutes July 20, 2020 4 Respectfully submitted, Laurie A. Burzlaff Executive Assistant _______________________________ Richard Vaillancourt, Clerk of the Board Documents used at meeting: Minutes of June 29, 2020 and July 2, 2020 Memorandum from Town Clerk NAMA request Donation memorandum Affordable Housing Unit memorandum National Grid petition Memorandum from AHT Volunteer forms Job posting/vacancy log