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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-12-07 Board of Selectmen Minutes BOARD OF SELECTMEN DECEMBER 7, 2020 CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Chris Nobile called the meeting to order at 6:03 PM. 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: Laura Bates, Rosemary Smedile, Richard Vaillancourt and Chairman Chris Nobile. Town Manager, Melissa Murphy Rodrigues, Deputy Town Manager, Denise Casey and Director of Administrative Services, Laurie Burzlaff were all present. Phil DeCologero arrived at 6:10PM. 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 limitation on the number of people that may gather in one place, this meeting of the North Andover Board of Selectmen will be conducted via remote participation to the greatest extent possible. Specific information and the general guidelines for remote participation by members of the public and/or parties with a right and/or requirement to attend this meeting can be found on the Town’s website, at www.northandoverma.gov. For this meeting, members of the public who wish to watch the meeting may do so on their televisions by tuning to Comcast Channel 8 or Verizon Channel 26 or online at www.northandovercam.org. 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 in real time, via technological means. In the event that we are unable to do so, despite best efforts, we will post on the Town of North Andover website an audio or video recording, transcript, or other comprehensive record of proceedings as soon as possible after the meeting. PUBLIC COMMENT Ms. Rodrigues read public comment of Jerry Justin concerning the Steven’s Estate. OLD BUSINESS Vote to transfer an amount up to $300,000 from Stabilization Fund to the FY21 Steven’s Estate Enterprise Fund Budget Ms. Rodrigues gave a summary of the letter from Department of Revenue. Ms. Rodrigues explained that if there is no vote it will go to the tax levy option. Ms. Smedile stated her agreement with not using the tax levy option which would burden the tax payer. Mr. Vaillancourt asked Ms. Smedile a question to her statement of that it could have possibly been resolved at Town Meeting. Ms. Smedile commented that if North Andover was made aware of the issue, it could have been budgeted. Mr. Nobile stated that Mr. DeCologero has joined the meeting. Mr. DeCologero stated that this (Stevens Estate) has been addressed by previous Town Managers and now the Stabilization Fund is needed to be used for the wedding venue. Ms. Rodrigues stated that the worst case scenario will be that there will be an exposure of $80,000, if the forecast of $212,000 is correct then there will be no exposure. Ms. Rodrigues stated the Department of Revenue will not allow deposits for the next fiscal year to be used. Ms. Smedile asked what budget is being affected. Ms. Rodrigues stated the only budget that is being impacted is the Steven’s Estate Enterprise budget. Mr. Vaillancourt stated this will be the second year that North Andover will not be getting funds to support the capital projects at the Steven’s Estate. Ms. Rodrigues stated there were two changes made to the Steven’s Estate budget for FY21: 1) Did not put any capital expenditures in the budget 2) Removed indirect costs into the general operation budget Ms. Bates asked how the Department of Revenue would go to tax levy if we do not have enough capacity in tax levy. Ms. Rodrigues stated changes would be made to the tax overlay. Mr. Nobile asked about the RFP. Ms. Rodrigues stated the final document is very close to being completed. Mr. DeCologero discussed the amount of time the Steven’s Estate’s issue has taken between the Board and the town employees. MOTION: Ms. Bates motioned that under the authority granted by Chapter 92 of the Acts of 2020 section 10(b) and in the interest of acting expeditiously during the COVID-19 state of emergency, the Board of Selectmen transfer $300,000.00 from the Stabilization Fund Account to the Osgood Hill Enterprise Fund Account. Ms. Smedile seconded. Roll call vote: Bates- yes; DeCologero-yes; Smedile-yes; Vaillancourt-yes; Nobile-yes. Motion approved 5-0. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Mr. DeCologero made a MOTION, seconded by Ms. Smedile to adjourn the meeting at 5:40 PM. Roll call vote: Bates-yes; DeCologero-yes; Smedile-yes; Vaillancourt-yes; Nobile-yes. Motion approved 5-0. Respectfully submitted, Jillian A. Brothers Executive Assistant _______________________________ Richard Vaillancourt, Clerk of the Board Documents used at meeting: Letter from Town Manager