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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-03-09 Select Board Minutes NORTH ANDOVER SELECT BOARD MINUTES MARCH 9, 2026 Executive Session: Chair Phillips stated the Board will enter Executive Session pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws chapter 30A, Sec. 21(a)(3)-to discuss strategy with respect to litigation MOTION: Brian Roache made a motion, seconded by Laura Bates to enter into Executive Session at 6:OOPM. Motion approved 5-0 by roll call vote. The Select Board moved to the Select Board Meeting Room to enter into regular session. Call To Order: Chair Janice Phillips called the open meeting to order at 7:05PM in the Select Board Meeting Room located at 120 Main Street North Andover. Select Board in Attendance: Chair Janice Phillips, Rosemary Connelly Smedile, Clerk Brian Roache, Laura Bates, and David Kres were present Non-Board Members in Attendance: Town Manager Melissa Murphy-Rodrigues, Assistant Town Manager Laurie Burzlaff and Assistant Town Manager Andrew Shapiro PUBLIC COMMENT Audrey Elliot of 61 Fox Hill Road expressed her concern regarding the current fire and police situation. NEW BUSINESS Community Preservation Committee Recommendations for Town Meeting John Simons, Chair of the CPC, was present. Mr. Simons discussed the process the CPC follows for projects. Mr. Simons stated over the years, they have brought consultants in to look at what they should be spending their money on in different areas. Mr. Simons discussed the CPC finances. Mr. Simons discussed the CPC recommended projects for FY27. Mr. Simons discussed the projects that were not recommended. Mr. Simons stated they worked with Town council to ensure every project complied with CPA rules. Mr. Simons discussed the spending by category. Mr. Simons discussed the North Andover High School Field Infrastructure. Mr. Simons stated originally, the proposal was for more money, but they scaled it back to include what was the first priority. Mr. Roache asked if the initial project was CPC funding. Ms. Murphy-Rodrigues stated no, it was capital stabilization funds. Ms. Burzlaff stated there is a list of alternates that they could not do with the capital funding. Mr. Simons discussed the Gallagher Field renovation project. Mr. Roache asked what they are doing with the parking lot. Mr. Simons stated this is to create a parking lot on the near side of the street. Mr. Roache asked if it was touching the parking lot on the north side. Mr. Simons stated no. Mr. Simons discussed the Franklin School playground renovation project. Mr. Simons stated it is to enhance and improve the playground for the special needs students. Ms. Bates asked if they have a plan for the rest of the playgrounds to become ADA compliant. Ms. Murphy-Rodrigues stated not yet, although they did look at it as part of the ADA plan that they did last year. Ms. Murphy-Rodrigues stated they have been working slowly through, but they did an earmark for one of them. Mr. Simons discussed the Berry Field vehicle and parking access project. Mr. Simons stated this project is dependent on a few other articles at Town Meeting being approved. Mr. Roache asked if people could not park there and walk into the fire station. Ms. Murphy-Rodrigues stated the parking lot is for recreational use only. Mr. Simons discussed the 0 Great Pond Road Municipal Purchase project. Mr. Simons stated they have had the property appraised however; they are still negotiating. Ms. Bates asked if this was a new piece of property that came up. Mr. Simons stated there is a lot that existed since Bonnie Lane was approved and the owner of the lot is selling the property through an estate situation. Mr. Roache asked if it was being publicly marketed. Mr. Simons NORTH ANDOVER SELECT BOARD MINUTES MARCH 9, 2026 stated yes. Mr. Roache asked if a house could be built on it. Mr. Simons stated yes. Mr. Roache asked if they would have to access it on Great Pond Road. Mr. Simons stated yes. Mr. Roache asked if they would anticipate a small parking lot on the parcel. Mr. Simons stated no. Mr. Roache asked if they have to do public access or can they preserve it just for preservation's sake however they want. Mr. Simons stated however they want. Mr. Simons discussed the Historic Preservation project reserve. Mr. Simons stated they allocated 10% of the estimated money that is going into the fund for next year which is a legal requirement. Mr. Simons discussed the Affordable Housing Trust allocation. Mr. Simons provided a diagram of the Gallagher Field renovation. Mr. Simons provided a diagram for the Berry Field vehicle and parking access project. Vote to sign the warrant for the March 31, 2026 local election MOTION: Ms. Bates motioned to sign the warrant for the local election on March 31, 2026. Mr. Roache seconded. Motion approved 5-0. List of warrant articles for May 2026 Town Meeti na Ms. Murphy-Rodrigues stated they are working on finalizing the warrant. Ms. Bates asked if there is only one citizen petition. Ms. Murphy-Rodrigues stated two citizen petitions by the same person. APPROVAL OF OPEN SESSION MINUTES OF MARCH 2. 2026 MOTION: Mr. Kres motioned to approve the Open Session minutes of March 2, 2026 as presented. Mr. Roache seconded. Motion approved 5-0. SELECT BOARD UPDATES Mr. Roache wished everyone a Happy Spring and St. Patrick's Day. Mr. Kres mentioned there was a new owner of the Grange Hall building on Great Pond Road. Mr. Kres mentioned the Historical Society events for Women's History Month. TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT Ms. Murphy-Rodrigues mentioned the most recent budget update from the school department. Ms. Murphy-Rodrigues mentioned the school department will be coming to the Board to talk to them about their budget. Ms. Murphy-Rodrigues mentioned the school department is currently within their cycle of where they should be at this time. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Mr. Roache made a MOTION, seconded by Ms. Bates to adjourn the Select Board meeting at 7:35PM. Motion approved 5-0. Respectfully submitted, Nicole Civitarese Executive Assistant NORTH ANDOVER SELECT BOARD MINUTES MARCH 9, 2026 Brian Roache, Clerk of the Board Documents used at meeting Presentations Warrant Minutes from 3/2/2 6