HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-07-11 Select Board Minutes
NORTH ANDOVER SELECT BOARD MINUTES July 11, 2023
Call To Order: Chair Janice Phillips called the open meeting to order at 5:07PM in the Select Board meeting
room at Town Hall.
Select Board in Attendance: Chair Janice Phillips, Laura Bates, Clerk Rosemary Smedile, Brian Roache
(remote) and Richard Vaillancourt were present.
Non-Board Members in Attendance: Town Manager Melissa Rodrigues and Assistant Town Manager Laurie
Burzlaff were present.
NEW BUSINESS
Year end budget transfer
Finance Director, Lyne Savage, explained the year end transfer. Ms. Savage indicated the only deficit was snow
and ice and that will be covered by transferring from employee benefits. Once the transfer is done, she can close
out Fiscal Year 2023.
MOTION: Mr. Vaillancourt made a motion to approve the FY23 budget reallocations, as presented.
Ms. Bates seconded. Motion approved 4-0.
Reappointments to Boards and Committees
The Board was provided a list of recommended reappointments from the appointment subcommittee.
MOTION: Ms. Bates made a motion to reappoint all the members of Boards and Committees outlined on the list
provided by the appointment subcommittee and attached to the agenda, with expiration dates as indicated. Mr.
Vaillancourt seconded. Motion approved 4-0.
Appointments:
MOTION: Ms. Bates made a motion to appoint Signe Spencer to the Poet Laureate Committee for a term ending
June 30, 2026, Jonathan Grossman to the Cultural Council for a term ending June 30, 2026, Cynthia Hopkins
and Rebecca Stronck to the Festival Committee for a term ending June 30, 2024 and Lisa Roberts to the Old
Center Historic District Commission for a term ending June 30, 2026. Seconded by Mr. Vaillancourt. Motion
approved 4-0.
Mr. Vaillancourt asked the Board to consider a zero tolerance policy for members that are disrespectful to staff.
Ms. Phillips also wants to address compliance with the open meeting law.
At 5:18PM the Board recessed.
Ms. Smedile arrived at 5:24PM. Board returned from recess.
Policy review
Remote participation for Boards and Committees- Town Manager Rodrigues reviewed the policy. Ms. Rodrigues
explained that it’s a little stricter than the state policy. We aren’t sure what is going to happen with the state
policy, so a note has been added to address the extension of the regulations that were put in place due to COVID.
Board will revisit the policy in 2025 when the state releases their information.
Commercial movie and film production- Ms. Rodrigues explained that most changes are grammatical in nature.
The Board has to approve filming under certain circumstances. In response to a question from the Board, Ms.
Rodrigues stated that the Board would negotiated a fee with the applicant based on impact to town and size of
production. There are certain circumstances when a permit would be required even if they are filming on private
property. For example, they request a road to be closed or want to use pyrotechnics.
1
NORTH ANDOVER SELECT BOARD MINUTES July 11, 2023
Lake Cochichewick use/boating regulations- This policy was reviewed by the Department of Public Works,
th
Planning and the Harbor Master. They felt it was important to define “boating season” as April 15 through
st
November 1 so that has been added. Language was also added to revoke the permit for violating the rules. Ms.
Phillips asked for enforcement with regard to the storing of boats. Residents are bringing their boats down on
th
April 15 before they are getting their permits. In response to a question from the Board regarding gas engines, it
was suggested that the following be added to the policy “Effective July 1, 2024, no entities other than public
safety and lake monitoring shall be allowed to use gas motors on the lake.”
Ms. Phillips recognized a member of the public for comment.
Michael Linehan suggested solar powered boats be added to the policy. He also asked for parking regulations at
the common to be enforced so people are not parking on the grass and damaging the roots.
Mr. Roache asked about the language regarding human contact with water and stated it is very difficult not to
come in contact with the water when you are launching a boat.
Ms. Bates asked about the connection between Stevens Pond and the Lake. Ms. Rodrigues indicated that they are
connected but the Town does not open the gate to allow water to flow from the pond to the Lake.
Mr. Roache indicated there is a lot of redundancy in the policy with regard to the lake and North Pump Station.
Ms. Rodrigues will ask if things can be consolidated.
In response to a question from Ms. Smedile, Ms. Rodrigues stated that littering/debris is addressed in the policy.
Criminal offender record information (CORI) policy-This is for volunteers that require a CORI check. Currently
the only committee members that need a CORI are Emergency Management.
Designer selection procedures- These govern how we choose a designer for buildings that cost more than
$300,000 and where designer fees are more than $30,000.
Disposition of surplus property- This was just voted on this year. Ms. Rodrigues is suggesting the Board delete
the section with regard to old library books. There may be value in some old books that should not just be thrown
away. The Town has been successful with online auctions which is permitted in the policy.
Use of Town Common- Ms. Rodrigues recommended removal of the paragraph about holiday displays. The
Board has to approve every event so this is not needed. Ms. Smedile asked for town sponsored events to be sole
users of the common on those dates.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: Ms. Bates made a MOTION, seconded by Mr. Roache to adjourn the Select Board meeting at 6:30PM.
Motion approved 5-0.
Respectfully submitted,
______________________________
Rosemary Connelly Smedile, Clerk of the Board
Documents used at meeting:
Year end budget
Reappointment list
Appointment applications
Policies
2