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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-05-06 Select Board Minutes NORTH ANDOVER SELECT BOARD MINUTES MAY 6, 2024 Call To Order: Chair Laura Bates called the open meeting to order at 7:02PM in the Select Board Room at Town Hall. Select Board in Attendance: Chair Laura Bates, Janice Phillips, Clerk Dave Kres, Vice Chair Rosemary Connelly Smedile and Brian Roache 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. Update from Department of Public Works on upcoming paving projects Jim Stanford and John Borgesi were present at the meeting and gave a presentation with an update on upcoming paving projects. Ms. Phillips asked if it is better to fix reclaim and overlay or to move lesser categories up. Mr. Stanford stated the pavement management system will figure out the best possible scenario. Mr. Stanford mentioned reclaim an overlay would be the best option. Ms. Smedile asked about the tree project. Mr. Borgesi stated the public can call DPW to get on the list and it will be tracked. Ms. Phillips asked if the roads are prioritized when there is more traffic on that particular road. Mr. Stanford stated yes roads are prioritized by how heavily traveled. Ms. Bates asked about Chestnut Street. Mr. Borgesi stated Longwood to Sutton Hill has not been completed yet. Mr. Roache mentioned the website has an incorrect link title stating FY 17 for pavement priorities and that will be corrected on the new website. Mr. Stanford stated it will be corrected and also a one-year pavement priority not a five-year. Mr. Roache asked are there other communities with deteriorating infrastructure. Mr. Stanford stated yes, it is a struggle and many communities are facing the same and it may not be practical to catch up since there are a lot of underground utilities that deteriorate roads quicker. PUBLIC HEARING- Massachusetts Electric Company d/b/a NATIONAL GRID and Verizon New England, Inc. request permission to locate poles, wires, and fixtures, including the necessary sustaining and protecting fixtures, along and across Commonwealth Avenue MOTION: Ms. Smedile motioned to open the public hearing for the petition from Massachusetts Electric d/b/a National Grid and Verizon New England, Inc. to locate poles, wires, and fixtures, including the necessary sustaining and protecting fixtures, along and across Commonwealth Avenue. Ms. Phillips seconded. Motion approved 5-0. David Boucher was present at the meeting to relocate a pole on Commonwealth Avenue. Ms. Smedile asked if the driveway was near a dead-end street or a main road. Mr. Boucher stated near Massachusetts Avenue. Mr. Roache asked how long it will take. Mr. Boucher stated not sure on timing but as soon as possible. Ionna Miltiadou, 24 Commonwealth Ave. asked when will it be taking place and for how long. Mr. Boucher stated there will be no loss of power and it will take place as soon as the petition passes, it is not a high priority job. Ms. Miltiadou asked if abutters can be notified prior to work. Mr. Boucher stated the crews will be present but, since there are no outages, there will be no notification. Ms. Rodrigues mentioned a notification can be put on social media. MOTION: Ms. Phillips motioned to close the public hearing for the petition from Massachusetts Electric d/b/a National Grid and Verizon New England, Inc. to locate poles, wires, and fixtures, including the necessary sustaining and protecting fixtures, along and across Commonwealth Avenue. Mr. Roache seconded. Motion approved 5-0. Vote to approve the joint pole petition of Massachusetts Electric Company d/b/a NATIONAL GRID and Verizon New England, Inc. for Commonwealth Avenue MOTION: Mr. Roache motioned to approve the joint petition from Massachusetts Electric d/b/a National Grid and Verizon New England, Inc. to install poles, wires, fixtures and underground conduits on Commonwealth Avenue subject to all conditions contained in the order. Ms. Phillips seconded. Motion approved 5-0. 1 NORTH ANDOVER SELECT BOARD MINUTES MAY 6, 2024 Request of the Poet Laureate Committee to use the stage at the Town Common on May 25, 2024 from 12:00PM to 5:00PM for the 4th Annual Anne Bradstreet Poetry Contest (rain date June 1, 2024) MOTION: Ms. Phillips motioned to approve the use of the town common on May 25, 2024 from 12:00PM to 5:00PM for the 4th Annual Anne Bradstreet Poetry Contest with a rain date of June 1, 2024. Mr. Roache seconded. Motion approved 5-0. Request from Veterans Services for permission to use Massachusetts Avenue and Salem Street for the annual Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony from 10:00AM to 12:00PM on May 27, 2024 Joe LeBlanc and Bob Wescott from Exchange Club were present at the meeting. MOTION: Ms. Phillips motioned to approve the request from Veterans Services for permission to use Massachusetts Avenue and Salem Street for the annual Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony from 10:00AM to 12:00PM on May 27, 2024. Ms. Smedile seconded. Motion approved 5-0. Request of Veterans Services to use the common for the Field of Honor from May 25, 2024 through June 15, 2024 MOTION: Ms. Phillips motioned to approve the request from Veterans Services to use the common for the Field of Honor from May 25, 2024 through June 15, 2024. Ms. Smedile seconded. Motion approved 5-0. Request from Eversource to excavate Sutton Hill Road and Sutton Place for the purpose of replacing 1,716 feet of 6" bare steel Tabled Discussion regarding banner requests Ms. Rodrigues spoke about the discussion of handling banner requests. Ms. Bates suggested it should be handled similar to the banners of Black History Month. Ms. Rodrigues stated there is no application, the request would be brought to the attention of the Select Board. Ms. Smedile stated the concern with residence and groups wanting to request banners and not being able to request them. Ms. Phillips stated it is for the Select Board to decide. Ms. Rodrigues stated the request is tied to an event with the way that the current policy is written. Mr. Roache noted the flexibility of the use of several light poles for banners, but having only one flagpole for one flag. LICENSING MOTION: Ms. Phillips motioned to open a meeting of the North Andover Licensing Commission. Ms. Smedile seconded. Motion approved 5-0. Application from Milan Patel of Shree Food LLC dba J&M Subs, Seafood and Pizza, 69 Main Street, for common victualler and entertainment licenses Milan Patel was present at the meeting. MOTION: Ms. Bates motioned to approve the application from Milan Patel of Shree Food LLC dba J&M Subs, Seafood and Pizza, 69 Main Street, for common victualler and entertainment licenses. Ms. Phillips seconded. Motion approved 5-0. Application from Melissa DiMinico of The Candy Dish LLC dba The Candy Dish, 1820 Turnpike Street, for a change of dba to DiMinico’s Melissa DiMinico was present at the meeting. 2 NORTH ANDOVER SELECT BOARD MINUTES MAY 6, 2024 MOTION: Mr. Kres motioned to approve the application from Melissa DiMinico of The Candy Dish LLC dba The Candy Dish, 1820 Turnpike Street, for a change of dba to DiMinico’s. Ms. Smedile seconded. Motion approved 5-0. MOTION: Mr. Kres motioned to close a meeting of the North Andover Licensing Commission. Ms. Smedile seconded. Motion approved 5-0. Consent Items Accept donation from the Friends of Stevens Memorial Library in the amount of $8,000.00 MOTION: Ms. Phillips motioned to accept the donation from the Friends of Stevens Memorial Library in the amount of $8,000.00. Ms. Smedile seconded. Motion approved 5-0. Board and Committee liaisons Ms. Rodrigues went over the new and updated Board and Committee Select Board liaisons: Affordable Housing Trust- Dave Kres Community Preservation Committee- Brian Roache Conservation Commission- Dave Kres Council on Aging- Janice Phillips Commission on Ability Assistance- Dave Kres Festival Committee- Rosemary Smedile Board of Health- Janice Phillips Historical Commission- Rosemary Smedile Library Trustees- Janice Phillips Neighborhood Conservation District- Rosemary Smedile Old Center Historic District Commission- Brian Roache Patriotic Observance Committee- Rosemary Smedile Planning Board- Janice Phillips Poet Laureate Committee- Dave Kres Sustainability Committee- Laura Bates School Committee- Laura Bates Finance Committee- Laura Bates Youth and Recreation Council- Laura Bates Zoning Board- Brian Roache Board of Assessors- Rosemary Smedile Warrant Article 27 recommendation Jim Stanford was present at the meeting to discuss the average cost for trash pick-up at Brookside Townhomes. There are 2200 condos in town and Village Green is the only condo currently being picked up. Mr. Stanford stated concern is that this will open up for more condos to ask for service as well. Mr. Roache stated he is in favor of the article since they are being charged the same taxes as other residents who receive trash services. Mr. Stanford stated condominiums are on unaccepted town roads according to the Planning Board regulations. Mr. Roache asked if an unaccepted road is ineligible for trash pick- up. Mr. Stanford stated yes since it is a private road. Ms. Rodrigues mentioned the concern about the services for taxpayer argument where it is may open up for apartment buildings and commercial where trash pick-up is not currently done. Ms. Rodrigues stated some of commercial is picked up upon Main Street since they were grandfathered in. Mr. Kres mentioned when purchasing a condo, they are pretty clear on what condo fees will cover such as private trash removal. Mr. Roache asked if there is a legal obligation if one complex is allowed to be picked up. Ms. Rodrigues stated there is no legal obligation but once the door is open, that could be issues. Ms. Rodrigues suggested having a cost analysis on trash removal for private ways before a bylaw change. Ms. Bates suggested looking at in a more broadly way on a policy level. Ms. Rodrigues suggested to state that the Select Board is not considering Favorable Action for Article 27. 3 NORTH ANDOVER SELECT BOARD MINUTES MAY 6, 2024 Friends of Memorial Park CPC application Leslie Fraser was present at the meeting explaining the restoration of the park to as it looked in 1922. Ms. Fraser is asking for the Select Board support for their CPC application. Ms. Bates asked, when trees are replaced, will the trees be mature trees. Ms. Fraser stated there will be five coming in that will be replacements and will be smaller trees that will catch up quicker. Ms. Rodrigues mentioned to Ms. Fraser to contact after Town Meeting so that the office can assist with obtaining quotes. Town Meeting warrant articles discussion Jonathan Strauss, Chair of Master Plan Implementation Committee, was present at the meeting presenting a report from MPC to evaluate the MBTA Communities Act relative to how it fits goals in the Master Plan. Ms. Rodrigues mentioned one negative is that the Master Plan states to create less zones and the act will create another layer. Mr. Strauss stated the evaluation is purely objective and no opinion is offered, rather data is analyzed and given in a report. Article 17 Ms. Rodrigues suggested to wait to vote at Town Meeting. FY24 and FY25 School Budget Ms. Rodrigues gave a presentation of FY24 and FY 25 School Budget. Mr. Roache asked if the reductions in positions are inclusive of separation incentive program or is it separate. Ms. Rodrigues stated if enough take part in the separation incentive program then they will not have to reduce positions. Mr. Roache stated concerned with the recent findings of additional funds now that there is a deficit. Ms. Rodrigues explained that the MO will help to look at other opportunities for revenue generation. Ms. Phillips asked if the per-pupil cost will go up for FY 24 since there was an overspend of the budget. Ms. Rodrigues stated it is already over inflated since it has ESSR funds included, but many communities are in that as well. Mr. Kres asked if per people spending is based on school budget not relocation of appropriations. Ms. Rodrigues stated it is based on actuals. Mr. Roache asked if the School will post their financials similar to the Town. Ms. Smedile replied no, they do not have to, once the money gets allocated at Town Meeting the Superintendent can spend as cease fit. Ms. Rodrigues stated the Town will work with the School Department and the School Committee on a format to bring monthly financials forward. Mr. Roache asked if the School receives annual audits. Ms. Rodrigues stated yes. Ms. Bates asked if the incentive is capped. Ms. Rodrigues stated no there is savings with an employee taking the incentive. David Brown, Chair of School Committee, stated the Acting Superintendent made it clear that, the goal is will be minimal impact in the student facing positions and since class sizes are relatively low more students can be added. Mr. Brown explained $40,000 is a grant for IT. Mr. Brown mentioned the point of the review is to look for anything systemic or process oriented that is broken. Approval of Open Session Minutes of April 22, 2024 MOTION: Ms. Phillips motioned to approve the minutes of April 22, 2024 as presented. Mr. Roache seconded. Motion approved 5-0. SELECT BOARD UPDATES - Ms. Smedile stated Happy Mother’s Day - Ms. Bates reminded about Town Meeting on Tuesday 5/14 at 6:30PM TOWN MANAGER UPDATES Ms. Rodrigues provided a copy of her Town Manager Report which can be found with the agenda packet. Ms. Rodrigues also spoke about trucks on Bradford St. The Planning Board has communicated with Amazon regarding that Amazon trucks cannot travel on Bradford Rd, regular trucks are allowed to travel on Bradford Rd but are aware of the speed limit on that road. 4 NORTH ANDOVER SELECT BOARD MINUTES MAY 6, 2024 ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Mr. Roache made a MOTION, seconded by Mr. Kres, to adjourn the Select Board meeting at 10:00PM. Motion approved 5-0. Respectfully submitted, Jillian A. Brothers Executive Assistant _______________________________ David Kres Clerk of the Board Documents used at meeting: Upcoming Pavement Projects from DPW National Grid pole petition Licensing Applications Memorandum from Veterans Services Memorandum from Eversource Warrant Articles Consent Item Open Session Minutes Town Manager’s Report Summary 5