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Home My WebLink About2024-08-12 Select Board Minutes NORTH ANDOVER SELECT BOARD MINUTES August 12, 2024 Executive Session: Chair Roache stated the Board will enter Executive Session pursuant to Massachusetts General Law chapter 30A, Section 21(a)(3) -to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining as an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining,and to approve Executive Session minutes. MOTION:Mr. Kres motioned that the Select Board enter into Executive Session pursuant to Massachusetts General Law chapter 30A, Section 21(a)(3) -to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining as an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining and to approve Executive Session minutes.Ms. Phillips seconded. Motion approved 5- 0. Call To Order: Chair Brian Roache called the open meeting to order at 7:09PM in the Select Board Room located at 120 Main Street North Andover. Select Board in Attendance: Chair Brian Roache,Janice Phillips,Laura Bates,Clerk Rosemary Smedile and David Kres were present. Non-Board Members in Attendance: Town Manager Melissa Rodrigues and Deputy Town Manager Denise Casey. Public Comment Stan Limpert-43 Stonecleave Road,thanked the police for National Night Out.He stated it's a great way to get community together. NEW BUSINESS Appointment of KP Law and Norris,Murray and Peloquin as special municipal counsel These are typically done with other appointments but were mistakenly left off the list. MOTION: Ms.Bates motioned to appoint KP Law and Norris,Murray and Peloquin as special municipal counsel.Ms.Smedile seconded.Motion approved 5-0. Sign warrant for 2024 State Primary MOTION: Ms. Bates motioned to sign the warrant for 2024 State Primary. Ms. Phillips seconded. Motion approved 5-0. Approve and sign conservation restriction for Woodlea Road This was a warrant article at Town Meeting. The article contained the condition that a conservation restriction be placed. MOTION: Ms. Phillips motioned to approve and sign the conservation restriction for Woodlea Road. Ms. Phillips seconded. Motion approved 5-0. Accept donation for shed for Dale Street Field Laura Bates recused herself. Dean Bates presented the request on behalf of the North Andover Soccer Association. They are requesting to erect a shed at the Dale Street field for use by the soccer association. It is a 1Ox12 shaker style shed with a garage door access and will sit in the parking lot and not obstruct entrance of the field. MOTION: Ms. Phillips motioned to accept the donation of the shed for the purpose of use by North Andover Soccer Association to be located at the Dale Street field.Ms. Smedile seconded. Motion approved 4-0. Approve collective bargaining agreement between the Town and New England Police Benevolent Association(NEPBA) Local 2A Patrol for FY2025-2027 Ms.Rodrigues explained that both Patrol and Sergeant contracts follow the COLA pattern that we have established for the Town(2%, 3%and 3%). There are market adjustments,accreditation stipends,military leave,light duty and language around filling details.Both are within our fiduciary ability. MOTION: Mr. Kres motioned to approve and sign the agreement between the Town and New England Police Benevolent Association (NEPBA)Local 2A Patrol for FY2025-2027. Ms.Phillips seconded. Motion approved 5-0. Approve collective bargaining agreement between the Town and New England Police Benevolent Association(NEPBA) Local 2B Police Sergeants for FY2025-2027 MOTION: Mr. Kres motioned to approve and sign the agreement between the Town and New England Police Benevolent Association (NEPBA)Local 2B Sergeants for FY2025-2027.Ms.Phillips seconded. Motion approved 5-0. 1 NORTH ANDOVER SELECT BOARD MINUTES August 12, 2024 Vote to sign Historic Preservation Restriction for Friends of 1836 Meeting House Town Meeting recommended CPC funds to be used at 1836 Meeting House and required a historic restriction.Restriction has been reviewed by counsel. MOTION: Mr. Kres motioned to approve and sign the Historic Preservation Restriction for Friends of 1836 Meeting House. Ms. Bates seconded. Motion approved 5-0. Appoint Laura Cram-Comen and James Testa as full members of Zoning Board of Appeals Both members are being moved from associate to full members. MOTION:Ms. Bates made a motion to appoint Laura Craig Comen as full member of the Zoning Board of Appeals through June 30, 2025 and James Testa as full member of the Zoning Board of Appeals through June 30, 2026.Ms. Phillips seconded. Motion approved 5-0. Vote for School Crossing Guards to be special municipal employ Ms.Rodrigues explained that designating a position as a special municipal employee allows the Town to have one person hold two positions or be paid from two different departments. MOTION:Ms.Phillips made a motion to designate School Crossing Guards as special municipal employees.Ms.Bates seconded.Motion approved 5-0. Continued discussion of next steps regarding riding DEI initiative Deputy Town Manager,Denise Casey,presented an update regarding the Diversity,Equity and Inclusion initiative.Ms. Casey explained the history of the committee and explained that due to an incident at one of the meetings,they hired an outside firm to work with members to help create values and common language. There were issues with getting a quorum for meetings. The Town hired Root Cause to conduct a community survey. The survey was online and in person,and in Spanish and in Portuguese. 200 people completed the survey. Results showed the town has a strong foundation but needs to continue to work on inclusivity.Recommendations from Root Cause are to change the structure from a commission to a working group and rename the working group.Next steps are to train the working group members, establish clear goals and timelines, conduct one on one interviews and review policies. The Town Manager is recommending the Board disband the DEI Commission at the next meeting. The Town Manager has the authority to create a working group. CONSENT ITEMS Accept donation from YardRink of street hockey rink valued at$3,500.00 Accept donation from Wheelabrator in the amount of$1,000 for the fireworks Accept donation from Patricia Howes in memory of Mae Aplin Murray Judge in the amount of$100 for the Aplin playground Accept donation from the Board of Library Trustees to the Library in the amount of$11,500 for bookmobile supplies and building improvements MOTION: Mr. Kres motioned to approve all consent items.Ms.Phillips seconded. Motion approved 5-0. Approval of Open Session Minutes of July 15,2024 MOTION: Ms. Smedile motioned to approve the Open Session minutes July 15, 2024 as written. Ms.Bates seconded.Motion approved 5-0. SELECT BOARD UPDATES Ms.Phillips said they are still looking for volunteers for the Farmers Market. Ms.Bates indicated the Kittredge School Building Committee submitted the preliminary design approval. Ms.Phillips indicated that the school department is working on a contingency plan should the Middle School not be ready in time for the first day of school. TOWN MANAGER UPDATES Ms. Rodrigues stated that some surrounding communities are at risk for EEE. Stevens Pond is closed for the year due to high bacteria levels. Refunds will be issued. The Fire Department has started the community connect program that gives first responders information that will help with emergency calls. MRI report for the schools' personnel review has been received. The Clifton Larsen report is due at the end of the month. Ms. Rodrigues recognized firefighters Nick Martone and Kevin Martilli for their caring response on the ambulance as reported by a resident. Enforcement continues on Bradford Street. In 2 NORTH ANDOVER SELECT BOARD MINUTES August 12, 2024 response to a question from the Board, Ms. Rodrigues indicated the issue with the pond is the Canadian geese. Working on a plan to scare them away. ADJOURNMENT MOTION.Ms. Bates made a MOTION, seconded by Ms. Smedile to adjourn the Select Board meeting at 8:OOPM. Motion approved 5-0. Rosemary Connelly Smedile, Clerk of the Board Documents used at meeting: Warrant Contracts Conservation restriction Historical restriction List of special municipal employees DEI presentation Donation letters Minutes 3