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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-09-23 Select Board Minutes (2) NORTH ANDOVER SELECT BOARD MINUTES SEPTEMBER 23, 2024 Call To Order: Chair Brian Roache called the open meeting to order at 7:14PM 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: Deputy Town Manager Denise Casey and Assistant Town Manager Laurie Burzlaff were present. Public Comment Tom Zahoruiko of 391 Sutton Street expressed his opposition to implementing the Specialized Opt-in Energy Code. Ted Kelly of 214 Sutton Hill Road stated the Specialized Opt-in Energy Code is bad policy and that no one can predict the cost of electricity going into the future. Ann Gleeson of 28 Bradstreet Road stated the DPW does not really take care of Patriots Memorial Park, it is more the friends and family of Veteran families. Ms. Gleeson stated she would like to see Veteran volunteers help take care of the park before placing a monument. John Smolak of 120 Water Street submitted opposition to implementing the Specialized Opt-in Energy Code via email prior to the meeting. LICENSING MOTION: Ms. Smedile motioned to open a meeting of the North Andover Licensing Commission. Ms. Phillips seconded. Motion approved 5-0. MOTION: Mr. Roache motioned to open the public hearing to hear comments on the application from ICBP Holdings 26, LLC to store flammable liquids at 25 Commerce Way. Ms. Philips seconded. Motion approved 5-0. PUBLIC HEARING-Application from ICBP Holdings 26, LLC to store flammable liquids at 25 Commerce Way Matt Castine presented at the meeting on behalf of Alex Maceachern and explained the request stated in the application. Mr. Castine stated they are trying to apply for a license to store an additional 1500 gallons of flammable liquids at 25 Commerce Way. Ms. Phillips asked how much on site flammable liquids are there now. Mr. Castine stated around 1200 gallons. Mr. Roache asked if this would be doubling the amount. Mr. Castine stated yes. Ms. Bates asked do you have recommendations from both the Fire Department and Police Department. Mr. Castine stated yes. Mr. Roache asked if liquids will be stored in the building or in a tank outside of the building. Mr. Castine stated inside of the building. Ms. Phillips asked if they were the only business in the building. Mr. Castine stated no, there are other businesses in the building. MOTION: Ms. Phillips motioned to close the public hearing to hear comments on the application from ICBP Holdings 26, LLC to store flammable liquids at 25 Commerce Way. Mr. Roache seconded. Motion approved 5-0. NORTH ANDOVER SELECT BOARD MINUTES SEPTEMBER 23, 2024 Vote on application from ICBP Holdings�26, LLC to store flammable liquids at 25 Commerce WaX MOTION: Ms. Phillips motioned to approve the application from ICBP Holdings 26, LLC to store flammable liquids at 25 Commerce Way. Mr. Roache seconded. Motion approved 5-0. Application from Tariq Khan of Khan's Ravioli 2 Inc. d/b/a Supreme House of Pizza for a common victualler license at 162 Sutton Street Tariq Khan was not present at the meeting. MOTION: Mr. Roache motioned to table application from Tariq Khan of Khan's Ravioli 2 Inc. d/b/a Supreme House of Pizza for a common victualler license at 162 Sutton Street until next meeting. Ms. Phillips seconded. Motion approved 5-0. MOTION: Mr. Roache motioned to close the meeting of the North Andover Licensing Commission. Mr. Kres seconded. Motion approved 5-0. NEW BUSINESS North Andover VFW Post 2104 request for monument at Patriots Memorial Park Jeffrey Clark, Commander from VFW Post 2104, was present at the meeting to formally request permission for the use of the East corner of Patriots Memorial Park to put a 20th century conflicts and global war on terror monument in. Mr. Clark stated once approved, the VFW can begin funding procurement to have a better understanding of what the monument will look like. Ms. Phillips asked if approved, what will the process be to figure out what the monument will look like. Mr. Clark stated it will come down to funding. Mr. Clark stated the monument will be an educational piece with information on a plaque for people to read. Mr. Clark stated there will be pavers to honor each of the conflicts. Mr. Clark stated they will also be obtaining steel from the World Trade Center. Mr. Clark stated the predominant piece of the monument will be the battlefield cross and the goal is to unveil on the 25th anniversary of 9111 in 2026. Ms. Phillips asked if there has been coordination between the current work being done with tree planting and the addition of a monument. Mr. Clark stated they will need to transplant some bushes and have discussed where the bushes will be placed. Mr. Clark stated there is a trash barrel that will be moved. Ms. Bates asked if they were putting the names of all the Veterans on the monument. Mr. Clark stated no. Mr. Clark asked if approved, would the Board require regular updates. Mr. Roache stated they would not require it but they would like to know when there is a firm schedule. MOTION: Ms. Bates motioned to approve the request from the North Andover VFW Post 2104 for a monument at Patriots Memorial Park as presented. Ms. Phillips seconded. Motion approved 5-0. Discussion regarding specialized opt in building code Kunal Bhatia and Dylan Patel were present at the meeting to provide information regarding a Town Meeting Warrant article to adopt specialized opt in building code. Mr. Bhatia stated he wanted to talk to the Board about adopting the specialized energy code. Mr. Bhatia stated each town needs to adopt this code individually. Mr. Bhatia stated he learned about this energy code and its benefits through a non-profit organization called Zero Carbon MA. Mr. Bhatia stated the energy code encourages all electric buildings, applies to new construction only and does offer multiple pathways if someone wants to use mixed fuel. Mr. Bhatia stated there are three key features: pre-wiring for future electrification, solar panel requirements for mixed-fuel buildings, and exemplary performance for multi-family homes larger than 4,000 square feet. Mr. NORTH ANDOVER SELECT BOARD MINUTES SEPTEMBER 23, 2024 Bhatia summarized the requirements and stated historic homes do not have any additional requirements. Mr. Bhatia stated an all-electric commercial building would not have any additional requirements. Mr. Bhatia stated mixed-fuel commercial buildings would require solar and new wiring for future electrification. Mr. Bhatia stated 45 towns and municipalities across Massachusetts already adopted the Specialized Code and are being adopted in towns similar to ours. Mr. Bhatia discussed the path forward and plan to what adopting this energy code would look like. Ms. Bates stated the town does not have the infrastructure to support this and is cost prohibitive to builders and homeowners. Ms. Bates stated we are in a housing crisis and this is putting more restrictions on requirements for builders and homeowners. Mr. Kres asked where did the data for new construction coming in around 20% in the building stock in 2050 come from. Mr. Patel stated it is a statewide goal. Mr. Roache asked if this is financially beneficial wouldn't the market already be dictating these homes be built in this manner. Mr. Bhatia stated there is market demand but it is not something towns across America have been educated on. Ms. Phillips asked regarding the other 45 towns that have adopted the code, how long has it been adopted and has anyone put it into practice. Mr. Bhatia stated it is effective in 32 towns; effective for 1 year in 4 towns, 15 became effective in January, 13 became effective in July. Ms. Phillips stated the town is not in a place or time for this code but that it can be encouraged by putting the information out there. Mr. Patel stated they are willing to take the long game on the public outreach process and meet the town where it is. Mr. Roache stated the new construction across the state is going to come from multi-family homes and a better path for education is speaking with the builders who will be building these units. Ms. Bates asked what are the ROls on the increase of cost and what do you project the savings to be. Mr. Patel stated the ROI will be a lot better if you subscribe to community aggregation versus basic rates. Ms. Bates stated that National Grid needs to be brought into the conversation. Mr. Patel stated there will be incentives from the utility side on electrification. Ms. Burzlaff asked if this would be a requirement for green communities. Mr. Patel stated no this will never be required for green communities. Town Building Inspector, Paul Hutchins, recommended not moving forward with the Specialized Opt-in Energy Code at this time. Vote to disband DEI Commission Ms. Casey explained that this is not to disband the DEI Commission efforts totally but to disband the DEI Commission which is a Select Board Commission per the presentation that was given last month. Ms. Casey stated the DEI is continuing and after this vote the hope is that it is a Town Manager appointed committee. MOTION: Ms. Phillips motioned to disband the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee. Ms. Smedile seconded. Motion approved 5-0. Appointment Greg Landry to Kittredge School Building Committee Ms. Burzlaff stated the School Committee has already voted to appoint Mr. Landry. MOTION: Ms. Smedile motioned to appoint Greg Landry to Kittredge School Building Committee. Ms. Bates seconded. Motion approved 5-0. Vote to waiver right of first refusal for affordable unit at 178 Cortland Drive MOTION: Ms. Phillips motioned to waive the right of first refusal for the affordable unit at 178 Cortland Road. Ms. Bates seconded. Motion approved 5-0. NORTH ANDOVER SELECT BOARD MINUTES SEPTEMBER 23, 2024 Approve Inter-municipal Agreement for Public Health shared services grant Brian LaGrasse from the Health Department and Annette Garcia, Shared Services Coordinator were present. Mr. LaGrasse explained the shared services grant and its process. Mr. LaGrasse stated the Town Council approved the IMA. Mr. LaGrasse stated the partnered towns are based on population and already existing members. Mr. Roache asked if the 15% increase in funding is adequate. Mr. LaGrasse stated yes. Mr. Roache asked if there is a scenario where the town will need to front the costs. Mr. LaGrasse stated they receive the grants and use the money from the grants for all of the services. Ms. Bates asked if the increase of administration work required additional staff. Mr. LaGrasse stated they hire through the grant. MOTION: Ms. Bates motioned to approve the inter-municipal agreement for Public Health shared services grant. Ms. Smedile seconded. Motion approved 5-0. Vote on FY26 Budget Calendar, including date of Town Meeting Mr. Roache reviewed the dates for FY26 Budget Calendar. MOTION: Ms. Phillips motioned to approve the FY26 Budget calendar and set the date for Town Meeting as May 13, 2025. Mr. Kres seconded. Motion approved 5-0. Vote on Memorandum of Agreement between the Town, Finance Committee and School Department MOTION: Ms. Phillips motioned to approve Memorandum of Agreement between the Town, Finance Committee and School Department. Ms. Smedile seconded. Motion approved 5-0. Request for ARPA funding for Veterans Service Ms. Casey stated that$3,000 of the fund is for the completion of the Veteran's Memorial Auditorium and $7,000 is for the emergency fund. MOTION: Mr. Kres motioned to approve the ARPA funding request from Veterans Services. Ms. Phillips seconded. Motion approved 5-0. Appointments 1. Zachary Hachey-Zoning Board of Appeals associate member MOTION: Ms. Phillips motioned to appoint Zachary Hachey to the Zoning Board of Appeals as an associate member through June 30, 2027. Mr. Kres seconded. Motion approved 5-0. 1. Liz Costerisan-Festival Committee 2. Catherine Fitzgerald-Festival Committee MOTION: Ms. Phillips motioned to appoint Liz Costerisan to the Festival Committee and Catherine Fitzgerald to the Festival Committee both through June 30, 2025. Ms. Smedile seconded. Motion approved 5-0. Consent Items A. Accept donation from Joseph N. Hermann Youth Center, Inc. in the amount of$21,590.00 NORTH ANDOVER SELECT BOARD MINUTES SEPTEMBER 23, 2024 B. Accept grant from Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Program in the amount of$133,150.00 C. Accept donation from Patricia Quinney in memory of Mae Aplin Judge in the amount of$100.00 D. Accept donation from Mr. and Mrs. Peter Lafond to the Library in the amount of$500.00 MOTION: Ms. Phillips motioned to approve all consent items. Ms. Smedile seconded. Motion approved 5-0. Approval of Open Session Minutes of August 12, 2024 & September 16, 2024 MOTION: Ms. Bates motioned to approve the Open Session minutes of August 12, 2024 and September 16, 2024 as presented. Ms. Phillips seconded. Motion approved 5-0. Select Board Updates Ms. Smedile mentioned the North Andover Women's Club is holding a fashion show and dinner. Ms. Phillips mentioned there were two weeks left for the Farmer's Market. Mr. Roache mentioned the Historical Society's event for the Lifetime Preservation Award. Mr. Roache mentioned the Fall Festival. Mr. Kres mentioned the trails and sails from Essex Heritage are having two events on the common. Town Manaaer's Report The Town Manager's report is in the Select Board packet. Ms. Casey mentioned Officer Cuevas for his exceptional job at the homicide in August. Ms. Casey mentioned the flu clinics. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Mr. Kres made a MOTION, seconded by Ms. Phillips to adjourn the Select Board meeting at 8:37PM. Motion approved 5-0. Respectfully submitted, Nicole Civitarese Executive Assistant Rosemary Connelly Smedile, Clerk of the Board Documents used at meeting: License Application Monument Request Energy Code Presentation Memorandum Inter-Municipal Agreement FY26 Budget Calendar M OA NORTH ANDOVER SELECT BOARD MINUTES SEPTEMBER 23, 2024 Acceptance Memorandum Appointments Donations Minutes from 8/12/24 and 9/16/24 Town Manager Report