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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-01-09 Select Board Minutes NORTH ANDOVER SELECT BOARD MINUTES JANUARY 9, 2023 Call To Order: Chair Janice Phillips called the open meeting to order at 7:00PM in the Select Board Room. Select Board in Attendance: Chair Janice Phillips, Laura Bates, Clerk Rosemary Smedile and Richard Vaillancourt were present. Non-Board Members in Attendance: Town Manager- Melissa Murphy Rodrigues, Assistant Town Manager- Laurie Burzlaff were present. EXECUTIVE SESSION Chair Phillips stated the Board will enter Executive Session with the School Committee to discuss strategy with respect to litigation - Pursuant to M.G.L. c.30A, Section 21(a)(3). MOTION: Mr. Vaillancourt motioned that the Select Board enter into Executive Session pursuant to M.G.L. c.30A, Section 21(a)(3) to discuss strategy with respect to litigation. Ms. Smedile seconded. Roll call vote: Bates- yes, Vaillancourt- yes, Smedile- yes, Phillips- yes. Motion approved 4-0. The Board returned to Open Session at 7:00PM. The open session meeting was recorded. PUBLIC COMMENT Megan O’Neil, 65 Russell St, would like to have the ARPA funds be used to fund a Special Education audit. Ms. O’Neil asked the Select Board for further information regarding the use of the requested funds. Joe Hicks, 49 Bradstreet Rd, is a member School Committee but is representing as a private citizen at this meeting. Mr. Hicks thanked the Select Board for appropriating ARPA funds for Special Education audit and asked the Select Board to vote favorably of Tina Klein’s application for banners for Black History month. CONSENT ITEMS (out of order) A. Accept donation in the amount of $3,000 from Lowell Five for public safety B. Accept donation in the amount of $1,500 from Schwab Charitable Fund for the new Senior Center C. Accept donation in the amount of $1,000 from Fidelity Charitable Donor Advised Fund/The Cormier Family D. Accept Green Community Grant in the amount of $139,993.00 E. Accept MIIA rewards grant in the amount of $15,709.00 F. Accept donation from Arlene and Robert Cox in the amount of $50.00 to the Fire Department MOTION: Ms. Smedile motioned to accept all consent items. Ms. Bates seconded. Motion approved 4-0. Gale Associates presentation of Field Master Plan Kathleen Herrol and Ryan Thackeray of Gale Associates were present at the meeting and gave a presentation on the needs assessment of the town fields. Ms. Bates asked about the RexPlex. Ms. Herrol stated the analysis had the program only included but not part of the evaluation since it was not built at the time of the assessment. Ms. Phillips asked if the scope of the final work include any recommendation on maintenance. Ms. Herrol stated yes and it is included in the report. Vote to adopt Capital Improvement Plan for FY24-FY29 MOTION: Mr. Vaillancourt motioned to adopt the FY24-FY29 Capital Improvement Plan as presented. Ms. Smedile seconded. Motion approved 4-0. 1 NORTH ANDOVER SELECT BOARD MINUTES JANUARY 9, 2023 Vote to approve ARPA funding in the amount of $300,000 for design of Downtown Streetscape Improvements Jean Enright was present at the meeting and explained the total cost will be $625,000 and the Columbia Gas fund will supplement the remaining $325,000 needed. Ms. Bates asked if this would cover the whole amount. Ms. Enright stated it would cover the engineering from Sutton to Merrimack down Water and High as well as underground utilities. Ms. Bates asked about the length of time of the survey and engineering. Ms. Enright stated at least a year. Ms. Enright introduced Brian Keating as the Assistant Planning Director. MOTION: Ms. Bates motioned to approve the use of ARPA funding in the amount of $300,000 for the design of Downtown Streetscape Improvements. Mr. Vaillancourt seconded. Motion approved 4-0. Vote to approve ARPA funding in the amount of $40,000 Special Education Audit James Mealey was present at the meeting and went over the details of the application for the use of the funds. Ms. Bates asked how long the study will take. Dr. Mealey stated it is very comprehensive and will take many months. Mr. Vaillancourt asked what the output will look like. Dr. Mealey stated it will be a comprehensive report with recommendations. Ms. Smedile asked if it prioritizes the needs. Dr. Mealey stated no, they address the delivery of services and the ability to provide for the students of the district. Ms. Smedile asked if Dr. Mealey wanted to speak to the public comment made earlier. Dr. Mealey stated the parents are involved during the review and their feedback is critical to the success of the review. MOTION: Ms. Bates motioned to approve the use of ARPA funding in the amount of $40,000 for a special education audit. Ms. Smedile seconded. Motion approved 4-0. Application from Danielle Brazill of HGR Lacrosse to use Osgood Street, Pleasant Street, Great Pond Road, Stevens Street and Harkaway Road for a road race on March 12, 2023 from 9:00AM-10:30AM Amendment made to 11AM MOTION: Mr. Vaillancourt motioned to approve the application from Danielle Brazill of HGR Lacrosse to use Osgood Street, Pleasant Street, Great Pond Road, Stevens Street and Harkaway Road for a road race on March 12, 2023 from 9:00AM-11:00AM. Ms. Phillips seconded. Motion approved 4-0. Application of Tina Klien to install banners at the Town Common from February 1, 2023- February 28, 2023 for Black History Month Tina Klein was present at the meeting and explained the request stated in the application. MOTION: Ms. Bates motioned to approve the application from Tina Klien to install banners at the Town Common from February 1, 2023- February 28, 2023 for Black History Month. Ms. Smedile seconded. Motion approved 4-0. LICENSING MOTION: Mr. Vaillancourt motioned to open a meeting of the North Andover Licensing Commission. Ms. Phillips seconded. Motion approved 4-0. Application from Eva’s Farm Organic Butcher Shop, LLC for a change of corporate name MOTION: Ms. Bates motioned to approve the application from Eva’s Farm Organic Butcher Shop, LLC for a change of corporate name. Ms. Smedile seconded. Motion approved 4-0. 2 NORTH ANDOVER SELECT BOARD MINUTES JANUARY 9, 2023 Application from Merrimack College for an entertainment license at the Church of Christ the Teacher and Student Union Anthony Preston from Merrimack College was present at the meeting to discuss the new space for the new student union in the church basement. Ms. Smedile asked about the conditional walk-through to make sure it happened. Mr. Preston stated yes it has been completed. Mr. Vaillancourt asked what the hours of operation will be. Mr. Preston stated it depends on days of the week 7:00 AM to 1:00 AM. 1:00 AM is the bowling alley for students under 21. Ms. Bates stated concerns with the noise level. Mr. Preston stated there have been testing of the noise levels, but stated cannot hear anything on the church floor. Mr. Vaillancourt asked if they will be police detail. Mr. Preston stated yes from open to close to monitor the facility. Ms. Bates asked if they will be music. Mr. Preston stated they will be TVs and events in the basement. Ms. Smedile asked about adding more buildings in the area. Mr. Preston stated it is something they will explore for the noise levels. MOTION: Ms. Phillips motioned to approve the application from Merrimack College for an entertainment license at the Church of Christ the Teacher and Student Union. Ms. Bates seconded. Motion approved 4-0. MOTION: Ms. Phillips motioned to close a meeting of the North Andover Licensing Commission. Ms. Bates seconded. Motion approved 4-0. Update on Merrimack Valley Relief Funds Ms. Rodrigues gave an update on the use of the MV Relief Funds. Ms. Rodrigues mentioned going forward to electrify the Youth Center. Mr. Vaillancourt asked for clarification of electrify. Ms. Rodrigues stated it is the process of going away from gas and going to electric and fossil fuels. Ms. Bates mentioned looking at the roof for the ability to support solar panels. Update on use of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Grant Ms. Casey gave an update on the community engagement. Ms. Casey stated the scope of services has been completed and waiting for quotes to come back and hope to receive quotes back to engage with a consultant by November. APPROVAL OF OPEN SESSION MINUTES OF DECEMBER 14, 2022 MOTION: Mr. Vaillancourt motioned to approve the Open Session minutes of December 14, 2022. Ms. Bates seconded. Motion approved 4-0. Old Business None Town Manager’s Report - Jean Enright- Employee of the Year Select Board Report - Mr. Vaillancourt gave an update of 400 Great Pond Rd ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Ms. Bates made a MOTION, seconded by Ms. Smedile to adjourn the Select Board meeting at 8:20PM. Motion approved 4-0. 3 NORTH ANDOVER SELECT BOARD MINUTES JANUARY 9, 2023 Respectfully submitted, Jillian A. Brothers Executive Assistant _______________________________ Rosemary Connelly Smedile, Clerk of the Board Documents used at meeting: Memorandum Presentation Donation Letter License applications Minutes 4