HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-05-24 Board of Selectmen Minutes
NORTH ANDOVER SELECT BOARD MAY 24, 2021
Call To Order: Chairman Chris Nobile called the meeting to order at 6:30PM. 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.
ATTENDANCE: Laura Bates, Janice Phillips, Rosemary Smedile, Richard Vaillancourt, Chairman Chris Nobile, Town
Manager Melissa Murphy Rodrigues, Director of Administrative Services Laurie Burzlaff and Deputy Town Manger Denise
Casey were 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 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.
Mr. Nobile asked to take the Town Clerk appointment agenda item out of order.
Confirm appointment of Carle Dawne Warren as Town Clerk
Ms. Rodrigues introduced Carla Dawne Warren as North Andover’s new Town Clerk.
MOTION: Ms. Smedile motioned to move that the Select Board confirm the Town Manager’s appointment of
Carla Dawne Warren as Town Clerk. Ms. Bates seconded. Roll call vote: Bates-yes, Phillips-yes; Smedile-yes;
Vaillancourt-yes; Nobile-yes. Motion approved 5-0.
FIRE CHIEF SELECTION PROCESS
Ms. Rodrigues gave background of the Fire Chief selection process. Deputy Chief Graham Rowe and Lieutenant John Weir
were present at the meeting. Deputy Rowe explained why he would be best fit as the next Fire Chief. Lieutenant Weir
introduced himself and stated why he would be the best fit as the next Fire Chief. Ms. Smedile asked Ms. Rodrigues if the
Select Board could put a candidate forward this evening. Ms. Rodrigues stated yes. Ms. Rodrigues mentioned that present
Fire Chief Bill McCarthy will stay on as a consultant.
MOTION: Ms. Smedile motioned to move that the Board of Selectmen appoint John Weir as the Fire Chief effective July 1,
2021, subject to receipt of letter relinquishing his civil service status and pending negotiation of contract with the Town
Manager. Mr. Vaillancourt seconded. Roll call vote: Bates-yes, Phillips-yes; Smedile-yes; Vaillancourt-yes; Nobile-yes.
Motion approved 5-0.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Ms. Rodrigues read the public comments:
1) Brian & Julie Roache of Coachman Lane stated their strong support of the Fireside Catering proposal
2) Jennifer Fresen of 35 Hawthorne Pl and Joseph Hicks of 49 Bradford St thanked the Board for approving the Pride
Flag being flown on the Town Common in June. Ms. Fresen & Mr. Hicks asked for a proclamation for Pride month.
3) Sarah Tomkins of Main St asked to fly the Pride Flag the entire month of June
4) Eva Lockry of Osgood St commented regarding flying the Pride Flag for the month of June
5) Kristy Hale of Lacey St was concerned with the contract with Fireside Catering and how it affects non-profits
6) Cantor Vera Brockhausen stated she will take her comment live in a later agenda item
Request of Joe Hicks and Jennifer Fresen for proclamation regarding Pride Month
Mr. Hicks and Ms. Fresen were present via remote. Ms. Phillips stated the raising of the Pride Flag should be a regular
occurrence in June. Mr. Vaillancourt stated he had never received so many positive emails on a topic and that the bylaw may
need to be changed. Ms. Bates stated the show of support shows how important it is to North Andover’s community. Ms.
Smedile stated the policy is to come before the Select Board each year and would be best to make the request each year. Mr.
Nobile stated he was looking to find a solution to how it will work with the current flag policy. Ms. Phillips asked if there is
a way to make an exception to the flag policy. Mr. Vaillancourt suggested to have the flag policy put on another agenda to be
discussed. Ms. Phillips asked if you can keep the bylaw the same and add the exception of Pride month. Ms. Rodrigues
stated to issue the proclamation with amended language and look at the flag policy at the next meeting to see if there are any
other groups that could be affected. Mr. Nobile suggested to go forward with the proclamation this evening. Ms. Rodrigues
suggested a suspension of the policy motion with the reason why. Ms. Smedile asked if the suspension of the policy is for
the evening or just the item. Ms. Rodrigues stated just the item.
MOTION: Ms. Smedile motioned to suspend the flag raising policy in order to approve the request of Joe Hicks and Jennifer
Fresen for a proclamation regarding Prime Month for the reasons to build a commitment to inclusivity through all
demographics, to maintain RAISE values and the desire to embrace annually to make all feel welcome in the community. Ms.
Phillips seconded. Roll call vote: Bates-yes, Phillips-yes; Smedile-yes; Vaillancourt-yes; Nobile-yes. Motion approved 5-0.
MOTION: Ms. Phillips motioned to move that the Select Board approve the request of Joe Hicks and Jennifer Fresen for a
proclamation regarding Pride Month. Mr. Vaillancourt seconded. Roll call vote: Bates-yes, Phillips-yes; Smedile-yes;
Vaillancourt-yes; Nobile-yes. Motion approved 5-0.
Request of Amanda Alperen to use the Town Common on July 17, 2021 from 9:00AM to 3:00PM for a community
event to promote general wellness
Ms. Bates stated this was approved last year but cancelled due to COVID-19.
MOTION: Mr. Vaillancourt motioned to move that the Select Board approve the request of Amanda Alperen to use the Town
Common on July 17, 2021 from 9:00AM to 3:00PM for a community event to promote general wellness. Ms. Bates seconded.
Roll call vote: Bates-yes, Phillips-yes; Smedile-yes; Vaillancourt-yes; Nobile-yes. Motion approved 5-0
Request of the Festival Committee to use the Town Common on July 4, 2021 from noon until 1:30 PM for a reading of
the Declaration of Independence
Jeff Coco, chair of the Festival Committee was present via remote. Mr. Coco explained the upcoming celebration. John
th
Lennhoff was present at the meeting via remote and gave information on the upcoming July 4 celebration. Ms. Bates asked
if there will be any other festivities. Ms. Rodrigues stated there may be but it will be delayed since restrictions were just
lifted.
MOTION: Mr. Vaillancourt motioned to move that the Select Board approve the request of the Festival Committee to use the
Town Common on July 4, 2021 from noon until 1:30 PM for a reading of the Declaration of Independence. Ms. Phillips
seconded. Roll call vote: Bates-yes, Phillips-yes; Smedile-yes; Vaillancourt-yes; Nobile-yes. Motion approved 5-0
Confirm Town Manager appointment of Kelly Cormier as full member of the Planning Board
MOTION: Ms. Phillips motioned to move that the Select Board confirm the Town Manager’s appointment of Kelly Cormier
as a full member of the Planning Board for a term ending June 30, 2024. Ms. Smedile seconded. Roll call vote: Bates-yes,
Phillips-yes; Smedile-yes; Vaillancourt-yes; Nobile-yes. Motion approved 5-0
Vote to authorize the Town Manager to sign contracts in excess of three years for Fireside Catering and Mass
Audubon in relation to the Stevens Estate
MOTION: Mr. Vaillancourt motioned to move that the Select Board authorize the Town Manager to sign contracts in
excess of three years for Fireside Catering and Mass Audubon in relation to the Stevens Estate. Ms. Bates seconded. Roll
call vote: Bates-yes, Phillips-yes; Smedile-yes; Vaillancourt-yes; Nobile-yes. Motion approved 5-0.
Appointments of Eileen Donovan Elliot as full member of the Council on Aging and Melander Taylor to the Cultural
Council
MOTION: Ms. Smedile motioned to move that the Select Board appointment Eileen Donovan Elliot as a full member of the
Council on Aging and Melander Taylor to the Cultural Council both for terms ending on June 30, 2023. Ms. Phillips
seconded. Roll call vote: Bates-yes, Phillips-yes; Smedile-yes; Vaillancourt-yes; Nobile-yes. Motion approved 5-0.
LICENSING:
MOTION: Ms. Bates motioned to open a meeting of the North Andover Licensing Commission. Ms. Philips seconded. Roll
call vote: Bates-yes, Phillips-yes; Smedile-yes; Vaillancourt-yes; Nobile-yes. Motion approved 5-0.
Request of Ashley Piazza of Smolak Farms for a one day wine and malt license for a Whim Dinner on June 23, 2021
from 5:30PM to 9:00PM
MOTION: Mr. Nobile motioned to move that the Select Board, acting as licensing commissioners approve the
request of Ashley Piazza of Smolak Farms for a one day wine and malt license for a Whim Dinner on
June 23, 2021 from 5:30PM to 9:00PM. Ms. Bates seconded. Roll call vote: Bates-yes, Phillips-yes; Smedile-yes;
Vaillancourt-yes; Nobile-yes. Motion approved 5-0.
Request of Tareq Alahmad of Mamma Mia Italian Kitchen LLC for a common victualler license at 1814 Turnpike
Street
Mr. Alahmad was present at the meeting via remote.
MOTION: Mr. Vaillancourt motioned to move that the Select Board, acting as licensing commissioners approve the
request of Tareq Alahmad of Mamma Mia Italian Kitchen LLC for a common victualler license at 1814 Turnpike Street. Ms.
Phillips seconded. Roll call vote: Bates-yes, Phillips-yes; Smedile-yes; Vaillancourt-yes; Nobile-yes. Motion approved 5-0.
MOTION: Mr. Nobile motioned to close a meeting of the North Andover Licensing Commission. Mr. Vaillancourt seconded.
Roll call vote: Bates-yes, Phillips-yes; Smedile-yes; Vaillancourt-yes; Nobile-yes. Motion approved 5-0.
Select Board meeting schedule July-December
thth
Ms. Rodrigues stated the July meeting will be on July 12 and August meeting will be on August 9.
th
Update on 375 Anniversary
th
Ms. Smedile gave information on the planning of the 375 anniversary. Mr. Vaillancourt asked about the proposed dates.
st
Ms. Smedile stated there has not been any set dates yet. Ms. Smedile mentioned the Gala will be on October 1.
Update on COVID-19
Ms. Rodrigues stated there are now 9 actives cases as opposed to one month ago where there were 89 active cases. Ms.
Rodrigues went over revised Massachusetts restrictions and stated the emergency order will be lifted on June 15, 2021.
Consent Items
1) Select Board accepted donations to the Senior Center in memory of Jack Graham.
st
2) Affordable unit resale at 38 Ciderpress Way, waiver of right of 1 refusal.
MOTION: Ms. Phillips motioned move that the Select Board approve all consent items. Ms. Smedile seconded. Roll call
vote: Bates-yes, Phillips-yes; Smedile-yes; Vaillancourt-yes; Nobile-yes. Motion approved 5-0.
APPROVAL OF OPEN SESSION MINUTES OF MAY 10, 2021
MOTION: Ms. Bates motioned to approve the Open Session minutes of May 10, 2021. Ms. Phillips seconded. Roll call vote:
Bates-yes, Phillips-yes; Smedile-yes; Vaillancourt-yes; Nobile-yes. Motion approved 5-0.
OLD BUSINESS
None
TOWN MANAGER’S REPORT
Ms., Rodrigues gave the following report:
-Job Vacancies- went over the open positions at Town Hall
SELECT BOARD UPDATES & COMMENTS
Ms. Bates attended the Anne Bradstreet Poetry Contest. Ms. Phillips mentioned the Sustainability Committee’s Clean Up
Day event and the North Andover Garden Club working at the Town Hall. Mr. Vaillancourt mentioned the Town Manager’s
recent awards from the YMCA and the Girl Scouts. Mr. Nobile mentioned the upcoming North Andover High School
th
graduation on June 4.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: Ms. Bates made a MOTION, seconded by Ms. Smedile to adjourn the meeting at 8:50PM. Bates-yes, Phillips-
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:
Disclosure
Memorandum
Application for request
Donation
Minutes