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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-02-27 Select Board Minutes NORTH ANDOVER SELECT BOARD MINUTES FEBRUARY 27, 2023 EXECUTIVE SESSION Chair Phillips stated the Board will enter Executive to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining - Pursuant to M.G.L. c.30A, Section 21(a)(3) at 6:30PM. 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 Recreation Complex and Grange Building. Ms. Bates 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. 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 Rodrigues, Deputy Town Manager- Denise Casey and Assistant Town Manager- Laurie Burzlaff were present. PUBLIC COMMENT None LICENSING MOTION: Mr. Vaillancourt motioned to open a meeting of the North Andover Licensing Commission. Ms. Bates seconded. Motion approved 4-0. Application from Harpreet Singh of JZ, Inc. d/b/a Niki’s Roast Beef for a common vicutaller license and entertainment license at 208 Sutton Street Harpreet Singh was present at the meeting. MOTION: Mr. Vaillancourt motioned to approve the application from Harpreet Singh of JZ, Inc. d/b/a Niki’s Roast Beef for a common vicutaller license and entertainment license at 208 Sutton Street. Ms. Bates seconded. Motion approved 4-0. MOTION: Ms. Phillips motioned to close a meeting of the North Andover Licensing Commission. Mr. Vaillancourt seconded. Motion approved 4-0. Update from Senator Bruce Tarr Senator Bruce Tarr was present at the meeting. Ms. Smedile mentioned Ms. Rodrigues’ recent award. Ms. Rodrigues shared her recent award of the ICMA Credential City Manager Designation for Massachusetts. Senator Tarr stated legislative house and senate have filed of 6000 pieces of legislation to begin having public hearings. Budgeting process is in the beginning as well. Senator Tarr stated that there has been an increase in education and local aid. Senator Tarr mentioned the governor’s package will include a tax relief. Senator Tarr mentioned that his priorities are to rebuild the workforce, expand the supply of renewable energy, continuing effort to make sure the Merrimack River is not burdened with a septic discharge from treatment plants and to focus on housing development. Ms. Smedile asked about energy policies that are being mirrored coming from California. Senator Tarr stated appliances and emissions are two that have followed California law but legislative and the governor have the ability to change and modify. Ms. Smedile asked Senator Tarr to speak about the issues at the coast with beached whales and animal welfare. Senator Tarr mentioned the impact of projects on marine mammal protection is in uncharted territory and they just do not know enough about it, but need to find out more. Senator Tarr mentioned an example of how lobster harvesting season has been shortened to protect the Right Whale. 1 NORTH ANDOVER SELECT BOARD MINUTES FEBRUARY 27, 2023 Mr. Vaillancourt mentioned safety concerns on Route 114 in particular, the traffic light at Sharpners Pond Road and Route 114. Senator Tarr mentioned that additional work needs to be done at this location. PUBLIC HEARING- Application from AT&T for small cell wireless installation on utility pole near 477 Stevens Street MOTION: Ms. Bates motioned to open the public hearing for the application from AT&T for small cell wireless facility near 477 Stevens Street. Ms. Smedile seconded. Mr. Vaillancourt recused himself as he is an abutter. Motion approved 3-0-1. Attorney Edward Pare, representing AT&T, was present at the meeting. The utility pole located outside of the Historic District is being proposed to be used. Ms. Phillips asked if there are any current installations in North Andover. Attorney Perez stated Ellen Street, but was not sure if it has been installed as of yet. Ms. Bates asked if coverage would be adequate at this location rather than in the Historic District. Attorney Pare stated the previous location proposed was a better location, but this was the only one out of the district. Ms. Smedile stated concern with the location in front of the resident’s home. Attorney Pare stated the pole has been there the whole time and it will just be taller. Ms. Bates asked if there was a pole closer to Stevens Street. Attorney Pare stated there are no other pools available. Ms. Bates asked if a pole can be added instead of replacing a pole as proposed. Attorney Pare stated he will speak with AT&T and utility company. William Holt 475–477 Stevens Street opposed the new pole to be placed in front of his home. Mr. Holt submitted photos of the view from his home as well photos from other suggested locations to place the new pole in an industrial area. Mr. Holt also submitted a petition containing abutters names whom also oppose the pole. Keith Vanheukelom of 474 Stevens St., stated the odd side of Sevens Street is considered historic and does not know how they can place a pole there. Mr. Vanheukelom suggested additional areas and wondered why the Historical Commission was not backing up Mr. Holt. Mr. Vanheukelom suggested the bell tower of the church. Leslie Carlson, 475 Stevens St., renter of Mr. Holt’s residence, opposed the new pole. Ms. Carlson suggested to move to a different location rather than in front of the proposed home. Ms. Phillips stated the main priority is to obtain cell service in that area but would like to work with AT&T to find a mutually agreeable location. Attorney Pare will go back to try to figure out a mutually agreeable location. Ms. Smedile asked about a new poll location. Attorney Pare will bring a radio frequency engineer into next meeting. MOTION: Ms. Bates motioned to continue the public hearing for the application from AT&T for small cell wireless facility near 477 Stevens Street until March 27th. Ms. Smedile seconded. Motion approved 3-0-1. Vote to adopt Town Manager’s Recommended Budget MOTION: Ms. Bates motioned to adopt the Town Manager’s Recommended budget for FY 2024. Ms. Smedile seconded. Motion approved 4-0. Appointment of election workers- Jeanne Madden and Catherine Storing MOTION: Ms. Bates motioned to appoint Jeanne Madden and Catherine Storing as election workers. Mr. Vaillancourt seconded. Motion approved 4-0. 2 NORTH ANDOVER SELECT BOARD MINUTES FEBRUARY 27, 2023 Appointment of Eileen Kelly to Board of Registrars MOTION: Ms. Bates motioned to appoint Eileen Kelly to the Board of Registrars for a term ending March 31, 2026. Mr. Vaillancourt seconded. Motion approved 4-0. Approve and sign warrant for the Annual Town Election MOTION: Ms. Bates motioned to approve and sign the warrant for the Annual Town Election. Mr. Vaillancourt seconded. Motion approved 4-0. Approve ARPA funding: 1. $150,000 for Sustainability Director for 2 years MOTION: Ms. Bates motioned to approve ARPA funding in the amount of $150,000 to hire a Sustainability Director for 2 years. Mr. Vaillancourt seconded. Motion approved 4-0. 2. $9,750 for reading system training for the school department MOTION: Ms. Bates motioned to approve ARPA funding in the amount of $9,750.00 for reading system training for the School Department. Mr. Vaillancourt seconded. Motion approved 4-0. 3. $53,000 to update Open Space and Recreation Plan Amy Maxner was present at the meeting. Ms. Bates asked if the Open Space Plan will tie in with the Facilities Master Plan. Ms. Rodrigues stated in some ways it will and it will also look at other spaces in the future which the Town may want to acquire. MOTION: Mr. Vaillancourt motioned to approve ARPA funding in the amount of $53,000 to update the Town’s Open Space and Recreation Plan. Ms. Smedile seconded. Motion approved 4-0. 4. $150,000 for equity audit of Town and School Departments Mr. Vaillancourt requested an audit of what has been spent. Mr. Rodrigues stated yes and stated that all funds need to be spent by 2026. MOTION: Ms. Bates motioned to approve ARPA funding in the amount of $150,000 for an equity audit of Town and School Departments. Ms. Smedile seconded. Motion approved 4-0. Review of Select Board policies Ms. Rodrigues stated her recommendation to hold several meetings to go through all current policies. Ms. Smedile asked if there will be a public hearing on it. Ms. Rodrigues stated the discussions and voting will occur at public meetings. APPROVAL OF OPEN SESSION MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 6, 2023 MOTION: Ms. Bates motioned to approve the Open Session minutes of February 6, 2023. Mr. Vaillancourt seconded. Motion approved 4-0. Discussion regarding site plan review for the Middle School addition Ms. Rodrigues explained the use of the waiver or Dover process before the Planning Board. Ms. Bates asked which process she feels is better than the other. Ms. Rodrigues stated they are currently looking into it. 3 NORTH ANDOVER SELECT BOARD MINUTES FEBRUARY 27, 2023 Select Board Report - Ms. Smedile mentioned a great day at Mr. McGravy’s classroom - Mr. Vaillancourt mentioned 400 Great Pond Rd had the public meeting which worked out well and will be working to get a warrant in for the upcoming town Meeting. - Ms. Phillips congratulated Ms. Rodrigues for her recent reward ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Ms. Smedile made a MOTION, seconded by Ms. Phillips to adjourn the Select Board meeting at 8:52PM. Motion approved 4-0. Respectfully submitted, Jillian A. Brothers Executive Assistant _______________________________ Rosemary Connelly Smedile, Clerk of the Board Documents used at meeting: Memorandum Letter License application Minutes 4