Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-10-16 Select Board Minutes NORTH ANDOVER SELECT BOARD MINUTES OCTOBER 16, 2023 Call To Order: Chair Janice Phillips called the open meeting to order at 7:00PM in the Select Board Room at Town Hall. Select Board in Attendance: Chair Janice Phillips, Laura Bates, Clerk Rosemary Smedile, Brian Roache and Richard Vaillancourt were present. Non-Board Members in Attendance: Town Manager Melissa Rodrigues, Deputy Town Manager- Denise Casey were present. Public Comment James LaFond of 329 Osgood St stated his disagreement with the current policy on Public Comment at Select Board meetings. Mr. LaFond asked why there cannot be discussion between residents and Select Board members during the meetings. Mr. LaFond stated his concern with the recent appointments and non-appointments of the Boards and Committees. Mr. LaFond states his concern with the way Lake Cochichewick has been maintained in particular the water level and would like to suggest a water policy be developed. Town Manager Evaluation Each Select Board member summarized their current evaluation of Town Manager Melissa Rodrigues. Review and approve policies Ms. Rodrigues stated policies have been updated and are ready to be posted. Peter Boynton, Harbormaster, was present at the meeting and went over the recent meeting at Brooks School with regard to the future purchase of electric boats. Mr. Boynton stated that Elco produces electric motors with a 9.9 hp that Brooks School currently uses. Mr. Boynton stated they spoke about an electric motor but may go to a new style boat. Mr. Boynton stated the challenge is that there is difficulty pulling the boats in and out of the water due to the weight. Mr. Boynton explained the floating style docks that would help with this with the pulling up out of the water. Brooks School will provide a report to the Town regarding their plan is to transition to electric motors. Mr. Vaillancourt mentioned having the rescue boats remain with gas motors to get the change going. Mr. Boynton mentioned making sure Brooks School states when the plan to pilot a coaching boat with an electric motor will occur. Mr. Vaillancourt ask if the boats from the other schools are inspected for placing in the water. Mr. Boynton stated they should, and believe they are inspected. Ms. Bates asked if the catamaran boats are easier to pull kids in. Mr. Boynton stated yes. Mr. Roache asked about if the battery is separate from the engine. Mr. Boynton stated they are fully enclosed batteries and have a high degree of safety. Ms. Bates asked where the batteries will be charged. Mr. Boynton mentioned that provisions will be made at the new boathouse at Brooks School, so that charging can occur at the boathouse. Ms. Rodrigues stated public comment has been revised to the current open meeting and case law as well as flag raising policy revised to state and federal law. Mr. Roache went over the current policy of the selection of the boards and committee members. MOTION: Mr. Roache motioned approve the Select Board policies. Ms. Bates seconded. Motion approved 5-0. FY25 Goals FY25 New Goals Explore options for continued support for food insecure residents Medium Janice Complete watershed study to address impact of higher lake Apply for grant funding through level, stormwater capacity and issue of private dams High climate resilience programming. Laura/Brian Working group formed to work Redevelop Town website to be more user friendly Medium with John Hyland Brian 1 NORTH ANDOVER SELECT BOARD MINUTES OCTOBER 16, 2023 Continue traffic analysis Town wide traffic study to develop mitigation strategies to completed during the Royal address traffic in congested areas Medium Crest project Brian/Janice Finalize first design and construction project and move Implementation of Field Master Plan continuing on to High School fields Laura, Janice Continue process from last year, which was three additional Rosemary, Continue review of DPW staffing needs continuing employees Laura Continue to work with property owners around the downtown shared used path area along with potential areas of the Continue conversations and Merrimack River to develop new "go to areas" for economic meeting about the shared use Rosemary, development. medium path and examine zoning Brian Work with GLSD regarding discharge into Merrimack River and review PILOT program re food waste disposal. Reenter into negotiations regarding benefits and voting rights for host Rosemary, community medium Janice Review zoning for designs of Consider Design Review Board low buildings Rosemary Select FY24 Goals carried over to FY25 Priority Deliverables Board lead Maintain fiscal discipline and AAA Bond rating Continuing ongoing Rosemary Upon final direction from Board on undergrounding Continued revitalization of downtown utilities and pending funding, develop engineer drawings (including improvements, signage, for streetscape improvements. Continue working on grants continuing downtown zoning with consultant. Laura Work with developers to mitigate Work to implement forthcoming recommendations of the burdens of large developments in Route 125 corridor plan, potential for redevelopment of accordance with Master Plan continuing Osgood parcel Brian Continued implementation of sidewalk connectivity and maintenance plan, and continued pursuing of complete street grants for sidewalk enhancement. Expediate funding for these improvements. Improve pedestrian Continue investment in sidewalk safety in the area of the schools, playgrounds and parks, maintenance and expansion/improve evaluate crosswalks, increased signage and blinking pedestrian safety Continuing speed signs. Janice Continued implementation of plan laid out in FY23, which will include continuing work on the Kittredge and Facilities Master Plan 2 Continuing design of Fire station this year Janice/Laura Review and make progress toward 40B, continued collaboration with Affordable Housing Trust. Explore Working group for ADU bylaw, continue to work with accessory dwelling unit feasibility developers on meeting 40B requirements and use (Master Plan goal) high inclusionary zoning to maintain that status Janice/Dick Continue work with the state and other stakeholders to Route 114 Improvements and bring the project to fruition in 2024, and successful Economic Development High project kick off. Brian Expand the use and availability on Renewable Energy for municipal Continue to work with Attorney General's Office on departments medium utilization of the Columbia Gas funds Dick 2 NORTH ANDOVER SELECT BOARD MINUTES OCTOBER 16, 2023 Implementation of plan for 400 Great Pond Road medium Bring to May Town Meeting Dick pavement management plan updated last year, increase funding for street work due to continued weather events Continue to invest in road and to absorb cost inflation, explore traffic calming paving/implement 5 year plan high initiatives near schools Janice Establish tree planting/replacement program. Address possible dead trees Tree inventory and management study being completed Rosemary/ on Town property continuing now, FY25 implementation of plan Janice Continue to investigate areas for Open Open space plan being update in FY24, look toward Space continuing implementation in future years Dick MOTION: Ms. Smedile motioned to accept the FY25 goals. Mr. Vaillancourt seconded. Motion approved 5-0. Select Board Reorganization MOTION: Mr. Roache motioned to appoint Laura Bates as Chair for the Select Board. Mr. Vaillancourt seconded. Motion approved 5-0. MOTION: Ms. Phillips motioned to appoint Rosemary Smedile as Vice Chair for the Select Board. Mr. Vaillancourt seconded. Motion approved 5-0. MOTION: Ms. Phillips motioned to appoint Richard Vaillancourt as Clerk for the Select Board. Ms. Smedile seconded. Motion approved 5-0. MOTION: Mr. Vaillancourt motioned to appoint Brian Roache as Licensing Chair for the Select Board. Ms. Smedile seconded. Motion approved 5-0. MOTION: Ms. Bates motioned to appoint Janice Phillips and Brian Roache as Appointment Subcommittee members for the Select Board. Mr. Vaillancourt seconded. Motion approved 5-0. TOWN MANAGER UPDATES th - Employee Appreciation even will take place on October 16 from 12-2PM SELECT BOARD UPDATES th - Mr. Vaillancourt mentioned that October 23, 2023 is the 40 anniversary of the Beirut bombing and that there will be a ceremony at 9AM at Gallagher Field to lay a wreath for Cpl. Sean Gallagher. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Mr. Roache made a MOTION, seconded by Ms. Bates to adjourn the Select Board meeting at 7:29PM. Motion approved 5-0. 3 NORTH ANDOVER SELECT BOARD MINUTES OCTOBER 16, 2023 Respectfully submitted, Jillian A. Brothers Executive Assistant _______________________________ Rosemary Connelly Smedile, Clerk of the Board Documents used at meeting: Select Board Policy Manual FY25 Goals spreadsheet Town Manager’s Evaluation 4