Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-09-14 Select Board Minutes NORTH ANDOVER SELECT BOARD MINUTES SEPTEMBER 14, 2026 Executive Session: Chair Bates 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, and to approve executive session minutes of August 17, 2026. MOTION:Janice Phillips made a motion, seconded by Brian Roache to enter into Executive Session at 6:31 PM. Motion approved 4-0 by roll call vote. The Select Board moved to the Select Board Meeting Room to enter into regular session. Call To Order: Chair Laura Bates called the open meeting to order at 7:OOPM in the Select Board Meeting Room located at 120 Main Street North Andover. Select Board in Attendance: Chair Laura Bates, Janice Phillips, Brian Roache, and Clerk, David Kres were present. Not Present: Rosemary Connolly Smedile Non-Board Members in Attendance: Town Manager Melissa Murphy-Rodrigues, Assistant Town Manager Laurie Burzlaff and Assistant Town Manager Andrew Shapiro were present. PUBLIC COMMENT Audrey Elliot of 61 Fox Hill Road expressed her concern regarding the town policy for drug use. An additional public comment received by email is posted on the website. OLD BUSINESS Dave Kres recused himself. Request of Baba Yum Burgers to place picnic table at 4 Johnson Street and plant shrubs The Old Center Historic District Commission approved the picnic tables subject to Select Board approval. The shrubs are not under the OCHDC jurisdiction. The owner of Baba Yum Burgers explained he wants to create a barrier between the grass and the sidewalk by planting shrubs. Ms. Rodrigues suggested the Board obtain comment from the DPW prior to making any decisions about plantings along the sidewalk. The Board agreed to address the plantings at a later date. MOTION:Janice Phillips made a motion, seconded by Brian Roache that the Select Board approve the request of Baba Yum Burgers to place picnic tables at 4 Johnson Street. Motion approved 3-0. Continued discussion regarding China Blossom Princeton Properties advised the Town Manager that the parties were out of contract so no need for any discussion at this time. NEW BUSINESS Vote to implement outdoor water use ban DPW Director, Jim Stanford, and Assistant DPW Director, John Borgesi were present to answer questions. Mr. Stanford explained that the water level has dropped significantly over the last month. For the Water Treatment Plant's discharge permit, the Town had to submit a drought management plan. The water ban is in accordance with that plan. It has been approximately 24 years since the lake has been this low. Water use NORTH ANDOVER SELECT BOARD MINUTES SEPTEMBER 14, 2026 typically doubles in the summer due to irrigation and filling pools. This year was particularly bad with no rain. In 2023 the lake elevation was over 115 feet. The DPW has been studying the lake since then. The average high is 113 feet. The elevation typically drops in the summer and recharges with spring rain and winter snowfall. Mr. Stanford indicated they also need to look at how they are communicating with residents to make sure everyone is getting the message. There has been a voluntary water use restriction throughout the summer. DPW is has hired a contractor for leak detection since an underground leak could be significant. They are also looking at smart meters and interconnection with Andover and Lawrence. MOTION:Janice Phillips made a motion, seconded by Brian Roache that the Select Board approve a water ban on all non-essential water use effective immediately and remain in place until the Director of the Department of Public Works determines the lake elevation has recovered to normal levels. Motion approved 4-0. Hazard Mitigation Plan update Kay Emory from Merrimack Valley Planning Commission provided the update. Ms. Emory explained that the plan must be updated every 5 years and the public comment period opens today. The final plan will then come back to the Board for approval. The team that produced the plan included fifteen Town employees. 16 Hazards are identified. Some do not apply to the Town (i.e., coastal flooding). Vote to reaffirm Select Board policies As a best practice the Board votes to reaffirm their policies every year. MOTION:Brian Roache made a motion, seconded by Dave Kres that the Select Board reaffirm the Select Board policies adopted January 9, 2024. Motion approved 4-0. Discuss policy for bench donations A draft policy for commemorative bench donations was presented to the Board. The Town will need to create a list of available locations. The donation amount will keep the bench in the donor's name for ten years and then the donation will either need to be renewed or offered to someone else. Vote to waive right of first refusal for 4 Harvest Drive, Unit 323 MOTION:Janice Phillips made a motion, seconded by Brian Roache that the Select Board waive the right of first refusal for the affordable unit at 4 Harvest Drive, Unit 323. Motion approved 4-0. Vote to waive right of first refusal for 106 Cortland Drive MOTION:Brian Roache made a motion, seconded by Dave Kres that the Select Board waive the right of first refusal for the affordable unit at 106 Cortland Drive. Motion approved 4-0. Request from Department of Public Works to surplus equipment and vehicles MOTION:Brian Roache made a motion, seconded by Dave Kres that the Select Board approve the request from the Department of Public Works to surplus the equipment and vehicles listed on the memo dated September 9, 2026 from Jim Stanford. Motion approved 4-0. LICENSING MOTION:Dave Kres made a motion, seconded by Janice Phillips to open a meeting of the North Andover Licensing Commission. Motion approved 4-0. NORTH ANDOVER SELECT BOARD MINUTES SEPTEMBER 14, 2026 PUBLIC HEARING-Application from North Andover Auto Group Inc. d/b/a North Andover Auto Computer, 1615 Osgood Street, for a Class II Motor Vehicle Dealer License MOTION: Laura Bates made a motion, seconded by Dave Kres to open the public hearing for the application from North Andover Auto Group Inc. d/b/a North Andover Auto Computer, 1615 Osgood Street, for a Class 11 Motor Vehicle Dealer License. Motion approved 4-0. Veronika Sargsyan from North Andover Auto Group was present. Ms. Sargsyan stated that they have taken over the business from the previous owner. They mostly will use to service their own vehicles for their medical transportation company. MOTION:Dave Kres made a motion, seconded by Janice Phillips to close the public hearing for the application from North Andover Auto Group Inc. d/b/a North Andover Auto Computer, 1615 Osgood Street, for a Class 11 Motor Vehicle Dealer License. Motion approved 4-0. Vote on application from North Andover Auto Group Inc. d/b/a North Andover Auto Computer, 1615 Osgood Street, for a Class II Motor Vehicle Dealer License MOTION:Dave Kres made a motion, seconded by Janice Phillips that the Select Board, acting as Licensing Commissioners, approve the application from North Andover Auto Group Inc. d/b/a North Andover Auto Computer, 1615 Osgood Street, for a Class l/Motor Vehicle Dealer License. Motion approved 4-0. Application from Sunj, Inc.d/b/a Town Mart to add alternate manager Lukas Patel was present. MOTION: Dave Kres made a motion, seconded by Janice Phillips that the Select Board, acting as Licensing Commissioners, approve the application from Sunj, Inc. d/b/a Town Mart to add an alternate manager to their off-premise wine and malt package store license at 260 Winthrop Avenue. Motion approved 4-0. Vote an agreement with North Andover Restaurant d/b/a Rolf's After a hearing, the Commissioners previously issued a 15 day suspension. The Commissioners agreed to a settlement agreement which provide additional benefits for the Town. The suspension was reduced to 5 days and cameras have now been installed inside and outside the property. MOTION: Dave Kres made a motion seconded by Laura Bates that the Select Board, acting as Licensing Commissioners, approve the agreement with North Andover Restaurant d/b/a Rolf's. Motion approved 4-0. Dave Kres made a motion, seconded by Laura Bates to close the meeting of the North Andover Licensing Commission. Motion approved 4-0. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Open Session minutes of August 17, 2026 Open Session minutes of August 31, 2026 MOTION:Dave Kres made a motion, seconded by Brian Roache to approve the Open Session minutes of August 17, 2026 and August 31, 2026, as presented. Motion approved 4-0. SELECT BOARD UPDATES Dave Kres mentioned the opening of Worden Marine and also congratulated Peter Boynton on his lifetime preservation award from the Historical Society. Janice Phillips stated there are a few weeks left for the Farmers Market. NORTH ANDOVER SELECT BOARD MINUTES SEPTEMBER 14, 2026 The Board thanked the VFW and Veterans Services for the Global War on Terror Monument event and the police and fire departments for the 9/11 ceremony. TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT Strategic plans are being drafted for Police, Fire and DPW. The Town Manager stated that the Town does not have Flock brand cameras but we do have Motorola cameras which very few officers have access to. There is a policy in place regarding the cameras. Ms. Rodrigues thanked the Town Clerk's office for their work during the primary. Earmarks were received in the State budget and will be presented to the Town on October 16tn ADJOURNMENT MOTION:Janice Phillips made a MOTION, seconded by Brian Roache to adjourn the Select Board meeting at 8:20PM. Motion approved 4-0. Dave Kres, Clerk of the Board Documents used at meeting Baba Yum OCHDC application and decision Water use ban memo Hazard Mitigation Plan presentation Select Board policies Draft policy for bench donations Memos regarding right of first refusal Surplus memo License applications Minutes