HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-03-27 Select Board Minutes
NORTH ANDOVER SELECT BOARD MINUTES MARCH 27, 2023
Call To Order: Chair Janice Phillips called the open meeting to order at 7:30PM 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
Stan Limpert 143 Stonecleave Rd complimented Community and Economic Development on their new website stating it is
attractive, informative and helpful.
Planning Board recommendations for Town Meeting
Eitan Goldberg was present at the meeting and went through each of the Planning Board recommendations. Mr. Vaillancourt
asked Mr. Goldberg what the requirement is to apply under the Dover amendment. Mr. Goldberg stated a college can apply
under the Dover amendment if the building is being used for education. Ms. Smedile suggested to get a flood zone survey to
determine if the home is actually in a flood zone. Ms. Bates asked as we expand the housing do they feel the nursing home
demand is going down in regard to Edgewood. Mr. Goldberg stated the assisted living, step down living and services are high
in demand where the nursing home is not as high in demand so they rather build the other housing rather than the state
licensed facility.
New Community and Economic Development website
Andrew Shapiro was present at the meeting. Mr. Shapiro introduced and gave a presentation on the new Community and
Economic Development website.
Public Hearing (continued from 2/27/23)- Application from AT&T for small cell wireless
installation on utility pole near 477 Stevens Street-Request to continue to April 24, 2023
MOTION: Mr. Vaillancourt motioned to continue the public hearing for the application from AT&T for a small cell wireless
installation on the utility pole at 477 Stevens Street until April 24, 2023. Ms. Smedile seconded. Motion approved 4-0.
Nancy Sarro from North Andover Citizens for Sustainable Living presentation regarding citizen
petition for plastic bag ban
The North Andover Citizens for Sustainable Living whose members are Nancy Sarro, Keith Connors, and Lynn Leighton
were present at the meeting. Adrienne Goldman from the Sustainability Committee was also present at the meeting. Keith
Connors and Lynn Layton, gave a presentation on the issues of the use of plastic bags. Ms. Smedile asked for clarification on
the term plastics with the concerns of the environment referring to bottles or bags. Mr. Connors explained the broader
concerns around the environment was plastics in general and the specific data around the town is the proposal where it hopes
to achieve a reduction of the use of plastic bags. Ms. Smedile asked if the info on incinerators was obtained from
Wheelabrator. Ms. Leighton stated the Wheelabrator has put in the scrubbers, but things get past it, and gathering the fly ash
to where it gets toxic. Ms. Smedile asked if they have spoken with Wheelabrator as to how emissions are handled. Ms.
Leighton stated they will look into it. Ms. Goleman spoke about looking further into incineration.
Approve ARPA funding in the amount of $100,000 for 400 Great Pond Road study
Ms. Rodrigues gave a presentation on the ambulance rates. Ms. Smedile asked who picks up the difference in the cost of
Medicare/Medicaid. Ms. Rodrigues stated they are billed at the lower rate. Firefighter Jeff Deschenes was present at the
meeting. Mr. Deschenes stated the rates are set by the state and CMMS and they cap the rates. Ms. Bates asked what is
received from mutual aid calls. Mr. Deschenes stated we are able to bill a town that North Andover responds to according to
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NORTH ANDOVER SELECT BOARD MINUTES MARCH 27, 2023
the guidelines. Mr. Deschenes stated we also receive mutual aid from other towns. Mr. Deschenes stated North Andover
applied for CPE, for Medicaid, which gives back a percentage back to the town for Medicaid patients. Ms. Bates asked about
Boxford. Mr. deseeded stated Boxford cannot provide mutual aid back since they do not have their own ambulance. Ms.
Phillips asked who gets billed the mileage for mutual aid. Mr. Deschenes stated insurance gets billed the mileage. Chief Weir
stated if the towns have a private ambulance in the state you have no choice but to respond to the call. Ms. Bates stated the
financial concern to the town. Chief Weir stated the call volume has gone up since last year.
MOTION: Mr. Vaillancourt motioned to approve the rate increase for BLS Emergency ambulance service to $1500.00 and
the mileage rate to $39.00. Ms. Smedile seconded. Motion approved 4-0.
Recommendations for warrant articles 1-11 and 31-37
Ms. Rodrigues mentioned there will be no action taken on Article 10 while waiting for information and documentation from
KP Law.
Article 1: Reports of Receipts and Expenditures.
MOTION: Mr. Vaillancourt motioned to recommend FAVORABLE ACTION on Article 1. Ms. Smedile seconded. Motion
approved 4-0.
Article 2: Authorization of the Town Manager or Superintendent of Schools Regarding Contracts in Excess of Three
Years.
MOTION: Mr. Vaillancourt motioned to recommend FAVORABLE ACTION on Article 2. Ms. Smedile seconded. Motion
approved 4-0.
Article 3: Authorization to Accept Grants of Easements & Article 4: Authorization to Grant Easements.
MOTION: Mr. Vaillancourt motioned to recommend FAVORABLE ACTION on Articles 3 & 4. Ms. Smedile seconded.
Motion approved 4-0.
Article 5: Amend General Bylaw- Article III, §75-5, Town Clerk Fees
MOTION: Mr. Vaillancourt motioned to recommend FAVORABLE ACTION on Article 5. Ms. Smedile seconded. Motion
approved 4-0.
Article 6: Acceptance of Massachusetts General Law Chapter 59 § 5, Clause 17E.
MOTION: Mr. Vaillancourt motioned to recommend FAVORABLE ACTION on Article 6. Ms. Smedile seconded. Motion
approved 4-0.
Article 7. Acceptance of Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 59, § 5, Clause 41D.
MOTION: Mr. Vaillancourt motioned to recommend FAVORABLE ACTION on Article 7. Ms. Smedile seconded. Motion
approved 4-0.
Article 8. Acceptance of Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 59, § 5C1/2.
MOTION: Mr. Vaillancourt motioned to recommend FAVORABLE ACTION on Article 8. Ms. Smedile seconded. Motion
approved 4-0.
Article 9. Acceptance of Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 59, § 5, Clause 56.
MOTION: Mr. Vaillancourt motioned to recommend FAVORABLE ACTION on Article 9. Ms. Smedile seconded. Motion
approved 4-0.
Article 10: Land taking for Recreational Complex.
No action
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NORTH ANDOVER SELECT BOARD MINUTES MARCH 27, 2023
Article 11: Withdrawal of Fire Department from Civil Service.
MOTION: Mr. Vaillancourt motioned to recommend FAVORABLE ACTION on Article 11. Ms. Smedile seconded. Motion
approved 4-0.
Article 12: Withdrawn
Article 31: Amend Zoning Bylaw – Article 8 Supplementary Regulations, Part 13 Inclusionary Housing Requirement:
MOTION: Mr. Vaillancourt motioned to recommend FAVORABLE ACTION on Article 31. Ms. Smedile seconded. Motion
approved 4-0.
Article 32. Amend North Andover Zoning Bylaw – Article 4, Part 6 Floodplain District.
MOTION: Mr. Vaillancourt motioned to recommend FAVORABLE ACTION on Article 32. Ms. Smedile seconded. Motion
approved 4-0.
Article 33: Amend Zoning Bylaw – Article 13: Continuing Care Retirement Center.
MOTION: Mr. Vaillancourt motioned to recommend FAVORABLE ACTION on Article 33. Ms. Smedile seconded. Motion
approved 4-0.
Article 34: Amend Zoning Bylaw – Article 8 Supplementary Regulations.
MOTION: Mr. Vaillancourt motioned to recommend FAVORABLE ACTION on Article 34. Ms. Smedile seconded. Motion
approved 4-0.
Article 35: Amend Zoning Bylaw – Section 2, DEFINITIONS, Article 36: Amend Zoning Bylaw - Day Care Center,
Article 37: Amend Zoning Bylaw – Chapter 195, Attachment 2, Table 1 – Summary of Use
Regulations.
MOTION: Mr. Vaillancourt motioned to recommend FAVORABLE ACTION on Articles 35, 36 & 37. Ms. Smedile
seconded. Motion approved 4-0.
Vote on ARPA funding in the amount of $35,000 for the Security and Emergency Preparedness Assessment for the
Schools
James Mealey was present at the meeting. Ms. Phillips asked if a quote was received for the amount requested. Dr. Mealey
stated one was received based on size of school system. Ms. Bates asked if the study has a Response 911 included for
immediate access to police department. Dr. Mealey explained that this is an assessment to follow up on policy and
procedures as to what is in place and what is needed going forward.
MOTION: Mr. Vaillancourt motioned to approve ARPA funding in the amount of $35,000 for a Security and Emergency
Preparedness Assessment for the Schools. Ms. Smedile seconded. Motion approved 4-0.
APPROVAL OF OPEN SESSION MINUTES OF MARCH 13, 2023
MOTION: Ms. Bates motioned to approve the Open Session minutes of March 13, 2023. Mr. Vaillancourt seconded. Motion
approved 4-0.
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NORTH ANDOVER SELECT BOARD MINUTES MARCH 27, 2023
Town Manager’s Report
th
- Reminder of March 28 Town elections at the high school
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ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: Ms. Smedile made a MOTION, seconded by Ms. Bates to adjourn the Select Board meeting at 9:10PM. Motion
approved 4-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Jillian A. Brothers
Executive Assistant
_______________________________
Rosemary Connelly Smedile, Clerk of the Board
Documents used at meeting:
Community and Economic Development Website Presentation
North Andover Citizens for Sustainable Living Presentation
Memorandum from Town Clerk
Warrant Articles
ARPA Letter
Minutes
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