Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-09-26 Select Board Minutes NORTH ANDOVER SELECT BOARD MINUTES SEPTEMBER 26, 2023 Call To Order: Chair Janice Phillips called the open meeting to order at 5:45PM at the Stevens Estate ballroom. Select Board in Attendance: Chair Janice Phillips, Laura Bates, Clerk Rosemary Smedile, Brian Roache Richard Vaillancourt was absent. Non-Board Members in Attendance: Town Manager Melissa Rodrigues, Deputy Town Manager- Denise Casey and Assistant Town Manager/Director of Operations, Laurie Burzlaff were present. Request of Amanda Alperin of Wicked Smaht Wellness to use the Town Common from 8:00AM to 8:00PM on September 30, 2023 (rain date October 1, 2023) for a community event The Board discussed the issues with the event last year and asked if all health permits were signed off. Ms. Burzlaff indicated they were as the health department was asked not to forward to the Board until all sign offs were obtained. Ms. Rodrigues also mentioned the portable toilets were left on the Common for several weeks. MOTION: Ms. Bates motioned, seconded by Ms. Smedile to approve the application from Amanda Alperin of Wicked Smaht Wellness to use the Town Common from 8:00AM to 8:00PM on September 30, 2023 (rain date October 1, 2023) for a community event with the condition that the portable toilets must be removed from the common within 48 hours after the event. Motion approved 4-0. Discuss FY25 goals The Town Manager and board discussed the list of goals. Goals carried over from last year are: Maintain fiscal discipline and AAA bond rating Continued revitalization of downtown Work with developers to mitigate large developments in accordance with the Master Plan. The Town Manager will provide new deliverables to address Osgood parcel and remove Royal Crest. Continue investment in sidewalk maintenance and improve pedestrian safety Facilities Master Plan 2- continue to work with MSBA on Kittredge and design of Fire Station for FY25 Review and make progress toward 40B, continued collaboration with Affordable Housing Trust. Explore accessory dwelling unit feasibility (Master Plan goal)- The Town Manager explained that the Town has just hired a new planner so he will be able to work on this goal. The focus for now has been the MBTA communities since there is a deadline approaching. Route 114 improvements and economic development Expand use of renewable energy for municipal departments Update policies and procedures based on recommendations from security audit. Implementation of plan for 400 Great Pond Road- The Town manager explained that a consultant was hired and the group will be coming forward with a recommendation for town meeting. Continue to invest in road paving. Mr. Roache asked if the plan takes into consideration traffic and if the town can schedule in areas that have the biggest impact first. Ms. Rodrigues stated the formula is a bit complicated as costs keep changing so it is more difficult to forecast. She will ask the DPW director to come to a meeting to explain the pavement management plan. Establish tree planting/replacement program- The Town manager stated the study is being completed now. The funding from Amazon will be received when they get their occupancy permit, which will probably be December. Explore options for dog park- Town is still looking for a piece of land, need at least ½ an acre. Continue to investigate open space- plan is being update Invest in training, equipment and staffing for departments. New goals for FY25: Explore options for continued support of food insecure residents- Ms. Rodrigues stated that this has been grant funded/state earmark in the past. Complete watershed study to address impact of higher lake level, storm water capacity and issue of private dams- The Town Manager explained that she has a meeting with Seth Moulton’s office to talk about a grant to fund a study. The town should 1 NORTH ANDOVER SELECT BOARD MINUTES SEPTEMBER 26, 2023 not be doing the work on privately owned dams. Sutton Pond has hired an engineer and lowered the water which gives a better idea of how to address their issues. Redevelop website to make more user friendly- IT is working on this and also to make sure it is ADA friendly. Town wide traffic study to develop mitigation strategies to address traffic in congested areas- This was started but did not continue since Royal Crest did not pass. The Planning Board did not agree with the findings. The Town Manager also reminded the Board that Amazon must do a traffic analysis three months after completion. Final determination and implementation of plan for conformance to MBTA communities law Continue review of DPW staffing needs- The Town Manager explained the Town will continue to add employees over the next few years. Continue to foster a culture that promotes an excellent place to work- The Town Manager stated that we budget for employee appreciation days. Continue to work with property owners around the downtown shared used path area along with potential areas of the Merrimack River to develop new "go to areas" for economic development. Ms. Rodrigues stated that Andrew Shapiro will continue to work on the shared use path. There needs to be title searches for all properties and the Town Manager will contact a non-profit that may be able to help with the titles. Work with GLSD regarding discharge into Merrimack River and review PILOT program regarding food waste disposal. Reenter into negotiations regarding benefits and voting rights for host community. Ms. Smedile asked if the additional food waste disposal was the reason for the discharge. She was also concerned that North Andover is the host community but only gets one vote and would like the town to pursue a change to get the Town two votes. The Town Manager will review the agreement. Consider design review board. Ms. Smedile stated that some communities have design requirements for lighting, signage, etc. Ms. Rodrigues indicated that the Planning Board has site plan review so this would require a zoning change. Mr. Roache stated it could be implement through a zoning change instead of a creating another board. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Mr. Roache made a MOTION, seconded by Ms. Bates to adjourn the Select Board meeting at 7:35PM. Motion approved 4-0. Respectfully submitted, Laurie Burzlaff Assistant Town Manager/Director of Operations _______________________________ Rosemary Connelly Smedile, Clerk of the Board Documents used at meeting: FY25 goals spreadsheet 2