HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-09-22 Select Board Minutes NORTH ANDOVER SELECT BOARD MINUTES September 22, 2025
Call To Order: Chair Janice Phillips called the open meeting to order at 5:29PM in the meeting room at the North Andover
Senior Center.
Select Board in Attendance: Chair Janice Phillips,Brian Roache,Laura Bates,Rosemary Smedile and David Kres were
present.
Non-Board Members in Attendance: Town Manager Melissa Rodrigues,Deputy Town Manager Denise Casey,Assistant
Town Manager,Andrew Shapiro and Assistant Town Manager Laurie Burzlaff
Discuss FY27 Goals
The Board suggested the following goals for FY27.
Continued improvement on roads,infrastructure,sidewalks and crosswalks-The Board would like to increase funding by
10%each year. Ms.Rodrigues explained that we cannot use brick on crosswalks due to the winter weather so DPW will be
using stamped brick.Even with increased funding,there may still be delays due to contractor scheduling.
Improve financial stability and transparency/school department-Town Manager Rodrigues is trying to get a financial update
from the schools;however,they have been unable to provide. The schools have not been complying with the MOU.Ms.
Rodrigues suggested a quarterly tri-board meeting.
Prepare plan to address unfunded mandates that may be required by the state(i.e.,body cameras)-The Town Manager will
talk to the state about the status of the body cam legislation. One issue is preserving the record as the recordings will be
subject to the public records law. If the state mandates it,it does not need to be bargained.
Increase funding for traffic enforcement/pedestrian safety- School zone lights at Franklin blink at random times so it just gets
ignored. There are no signs on Osgood Street indicating you are approaching a school. The town will look into further
implementing walk to school program. Board would like to see more enforcement of speeding throughout town.
Develop plan for upcoming trash contract-The Town joined a regional group with other communities who have trash
contracts expiring in the next year. The town is in a unique situation since we do not pay for recycling pickup. This actually
puts the Town at a disadvantage since we cannot use the same vendor for trash and recycling. The town will need to go
automated with new contract and will most likely need to set limits on large items.
Review and update zoning and building bylaws to modernize language-For example, some areas of the code reference old
lighting that is not available anymore. Town can begin to review but this will most likely be a two year goal.
Update salary analysis for equity purposes and continue strategic plan for staffing—Plan for police and fire has not been
implemented yet.The Town needs to redo the salary studies for DPW,Policy and Fire since it has been 5 years since the last
ones were done. Study will show what comparable communities pay and the number of staff.
Artificial Intelligence-Determine how we can use to make things more efficient.
Fire station-An analysis was done that showed we would benefit from a 3rd station.We are currently looking at costs to
renovate Fire Station 2 and add a 3rd station on Berry Street. There are no hydrants out country so a 3rd station in that area
would help and another station would allow the Town to run a 3rd ambulance. We want to make sure we are being very
thorough with our analysis since we did Facilities Master Plan II as just a renovation and no mention of adding a 3rd station.
We need to have a plan that solves the problems at station 2.
The Board quickly reviewed the FY26 goals that are still in progress.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION. Mr. Kres made a MOTION, seconded by Ms. Bates to adjourn the Select Board meeting at 7:1 SPM. Motion
approved 5-0.
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