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Home My WebLink About2024-02-27 Select Board Minutes NORTH ANDOVER SELECT BOARD MINUTES FEBRUARY 27, 2024 Call To Order: Chair Laura Bates called the open meeting to order at 7:04PM in the Select Board Room at Town Hall. Select Board in Attendance: Chair Laura Bates,Janice Phillips,Clerk Richard Vaillancourt,Rosemary Connelly Smedile and Brian Roache were present. Non-Board Members in Attendance:Town Manager Melissa Rodrigues and Assistant Town Manager Laurie Burzlaff were present. Public Comment None. Update from legislative delegation Senator Bruce Tarr, Senator Barry Feingold,Representative Tram Nguyen,Representative Adrianne Ramos were present at the meeting. Senator Tarr explained the government budget proposal included.Modest increases for Chapter 70 and Unrestricted Government Aid(UGA)of$133,000 for Chapter 70 and about$73,000 for UGA. Senator Tarr explained this time is most important for collaboration among delegations to earmark Senate and House budgets. Senator Tarr mentioned the governor has filed the following: -Housing Bond Bill -Information Tech bill -Chapter 90 bill that spans two years. Senator Tarr mentioned the revenue collections are dramatically reduced from the past few years. 60%of the budget is based on income tax and the income tax withholdings are down substantially,which is the cause of the problem. Senator Tarr mentioned that Massachusetts' Stabilization Fund of$8 billion dollars and is at a historic level. Senator Tarr stated Massachusetts Transitional Escrow Account has$800 million dollars. Senator Finegold spoke about permitting and asked how to make it easier for towns to have companies come to town. Representative Nguyen asked for board to send any feedback for budget requests and any other pending projects that may have opportunities as well as empowering towns to support residents.Representative Ramos mentioned she is following up with National Grid and climate plans/tree trims.Representative Ramos mentioned she was in close contact with the Office of Dam Safety making sure the Osgood Dam to repair work is being done as well as staying in touch with Department of Transportation around the 114 Corridor.Mr.Roache asked what is drawing the decrease in income tax. Senator Tarr stated many factors. There are many jobs that are not being filled,underemployment,experiencing out migration of wage eamers, as well as current housing prices. Senator Finegold mentioned interest rates and sales tax matter as well.Representative Nguyen mentioned figuring out how to make Massachusetts more attractive.Ms.Bates asked if jobs are going to New Hampshire as well. Senator Tarr stated there is remote work. Mr. Vaillancourt asked about Affordable Homes Act. Senator Tarr stated will look into doing something with Affordable Housing,but will not solve housing problem with subsidies,but with affordable and market rates.Ms. Smedile asked would smaller unit availability create more diverse housing.Representative Ramos stated yes many would like to move out of larger home to smaller level smaller one level,but pricing is high. Senator Tarr mentioned can look at ways to help with technical assistance through Merrimack Valley Planning Commission or an earmark to help or possibly a rezoning/modification. Senator Tarr stated land cost is the driving factor in Massachusetts of why housing is so much more expensive.Mr.Roache asked if there has been any discussion of directly incentivizing communities to build housing.Ms.Rodrigues mentioned 40R does that. Senator Tarr mentioned there used to be a fear of construction bringing new school children,but that is not the case with the current declining school enrollment.Mr.Roache mentioned that traffic is an issue,but whatever can be done to improve the overall public transportation infrastructure.Phyllis Jones,chair of the Ability Assistance Committee,was present at the meeting,and went over the list of bills with the representatives.Ms. Jones mentioned the people falling under the disability umbrella,would like to find work to help with support to find a job.Representative Nguyen stated there has been a support for a bill for a clubhouse doing training for people with disabilities. 1 NORTH ANDOVER SELECT BOARD MINUTES FEBRUARY 27, 2024 Confirm Town Manager's appointment of Dennis Keohane as Finance Director Dennis Keohane was present at the meeting.Mr.Keohane will be starting in his position as of July 2024. MOTION:Ms. Smedile motioned to confirm the Town Manager's appointment ofDennis Keohane as Finance Director. Ms. Phillips seconded.Motion approved 5-0. Vote to adopt Town Manager's recommended FY25 Operating Budget MOTION.Mr. Vaillancourt motioned to approve and adopt the Town Manager's recommended Fiscal Year 2025 Operating Budget as presented.Ms. Phillips seconded.Motion approved 5-0. Sign warrant for local election on March 26,2024 MOTION.Mr. Roache motioned to sign the warrant for the local election on March 26, 2024. Mr. Vaillancourt seconded. Motion approved 5-0. LICENSING MOTION:Mr. Vaillancourt motioned to open a meeting of the North Andover Licensing Commission. Ms.Phillips seconded.Motion approved 5-0. PUBLIC HEARING-To hear public comments on application of Trombly Bros,Inc.for a Class II license at 141 Sutton Street MOTION.Mr. Vaillancourt motioned to open the public hearing for the application of Trombly Bros,Inc.for a Class II license at 141 Sutton Street. Ms.Phillips seconded.Motion approved 5-0. Mr. Trombley was present at the meeting to discuss the application.The Select Board members mentioned that Mr. Trombley has been a great asset to the community. MOTION:Mr. Vaillancourt motioned to close the public hearing for the application of Trombly Bros,Inc.for a Class II license at 141 Sutton Street. Ms.Phillips seconded.Motion approved 5-0. MOTION:Mr. Vaillancourt motioned to approve the application from Trombly Bros Inc.for a Class II license at 141 Sutton Street. Ms.Phillips seconded.Motion approved 5-0. Application from Frank Parzych of Burton's Grill and Bar of North Andover,LLC for a change of hours Brian Whalen, General Manager of Burton's Grill,was present at the meeting to ask for a change of hours to provide a brunch menu. MOTION.Mr. Vaillancourt motioned to approve the application from Burton's Grill and Bar ofNorth Andover, LLC for a change of hours. Ms. Smedile seconded.Motion approved 5-0. Application from 350 Winthrop Ave LLC and Kamal Saini of Londi's Roast Beef and Pizza for a common victualler license at 350 Winthrop Ave Kamal Saini was present at the meeting to request a common victualler license. MOTION:Ms. Bates motioned to approve the application from 350 Winthrop Ave LLC and Kamal Saini of Londi' Roast Beef and Pizza for a common victualler license at 350 Winthrop Ave. Ms.Phillips seconded.Motion approved 5-0. Atm ication from Camila Costa of Divine Sugar Cakes Inc.for a common victualler license at 1820 Turnpike Street 2 NORTH ANDOVER SELECT BOARD MINUTES FEBRUARY 27, 2024 Camila Costa was present at the meeting to request a common victualler license. MOTION:Mr. Vaillancourt motioned to approve the application from Camila Costa of Divine Sugar Cakes Inc.for a common victualler license at 1820 Turnpike Street. Ms. Smedile seconded.Motion approved 5-0. MOTION:Ms. Phillips motioned to close a meeting of the North Andover Licensing Commission. Ms. Smedile seconded. Motion approved 5-0. Consent Items A. Accept donation in the amount of$100 from Beth Oliva and Maia Hurley to the library for the purchase of books MOTION:Ms. Phillips motioned to accept the consent item. Mr. Vaillancourt seconded.Motion approved 5-0. Approval of Open Session Minutes of January 22,2024 and February 7,2024 MOTION:Ms. Phillips motioned to approve the minutes of February 7, 2024 and January 22, 2024 as presented. Ms. Smedile seconded.Motion approved 5-0. SELECT BOARD UPDATES -Mr.Roache mentioned the new Town website is moving along in production TOWN MANAGER UPDATES -Hazardous waste day is 4/20 from 9AM-1PM at the Department of Public Works -Spring leaf bag curbside pickup is scheduled for the week of 4/8,4/15 and 4/22 -Congratulations to Town Clerk Dawne Warren and Select Janice Phillips both selected for the Tribute to Women by the YMCA -Warrant closes on 3/11 at 4PM ADJOURNMENT MOTION.Mr. Roache made a MOTION, seconded by Ms. Smedile to adjourn the Select Board meeting at 8:20PM.Motion approved 5-0. Respectfully submitted, Jillian A.Brothers Executive Assistant Richard M. Vaillancourt, Clerk of the Board Documents used at meeting: License applications Warrant for local election Presidential Primary Warrant Memorandum Consent Items Minutes 3