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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1986-04-17 Board of Selectmen MinutesMr. Henry further added that he would be willing to do some engineering work for some private property in order to get the project moving. Chairman Salisbury added that he would like to see this proeJct and the access road both benefited. Selectman Graham added that the traffic issues were very important concerns to many to which Mark Henry added that there are presently 6000 cars~ per day travelling through that area and there would be 70-100 .additional vehicles,. which he did not consider much of an additional burden. Mr. Graham suggested that someone ought to be looking at traffic impact issues with all development projects. Mark Henry added =hat he does not have conventional financing, and fears that MIFA funds will be gone by Septem- ber, requirlnE initial approval to be able to recoup the funds expended until final project approval. Upon a motion by Bahrawy, seconded by Graham, it was voted 3-1(Smith opposed) to conditionally grant preliminary approval to the application, subject to condition that the project does not interfere with the Town's proposal to acquire parcels of land and construction of an access road. Warrant Review Article 104: Atty. James Hyde and members of the Trombly family presented their plans to ask to rezone a parcel of land which presently houses the bus company and construct multifamily units (condominiums). Mr. Hyde reported that there would not be direct access to Rte. 125, . and that there will be a price tag of over $200,000 for each unit when completed. The Board Executive Secretary Keith Bar,man reported on a recent occurrance causing the belief by many that there are funds available 'for expenditure at this years' town meeting in excess of what has been reported. He added that battle lines are drawn between the school department and all other departments, and that in the~end the resulting issue is whether or not to deplete free cash, and place the Town in a dangerous financial situation. He further reported that "raiding" free cash would have the following detrimental effects: 1) our bond rating would go down, forcing the Town to borrow funds at a higher interest rate; 2) the Town would be unable to invest funds on hand which contributes to our revenue; 3) we immediately have to borrow funds at the start of the fiscal year to cover expenses, as this is a slow time of the year for incoming funds. Mr. Bergman added that signals must he sent out that the information about additional revenue being available is untrue, and that state law mandates all revenue categories that can be used. Mr. Bergman added that a final and most important reason for not "raiding" free cash is that it would commit the Town'to a spending pattern which would either require drastic budge: cuts in the next fiscal year, or an override of proposition 2½. 'IMf. Bergman reported that he supports the Advisory Board's recommendations for the school's []portion of the budget as being fair and equitable. The Hoard voted to schedule the April 22nd ~meeting for discussion with the Advisory Board. Article 11: Land Bank- The Board discussed this article with the land bank committee, a bran~ of the Balanced Growth Steering Committee. Jack Lindon reported that the earliest possible date by which this could be in effect would be July of 87, and that it would have to come back to town meet!mt a~ain for ratification. Willie Vicens reported that the Conservation unanimously supports the article, and the' Balanced Growth Committee unanimously supports it. Selectman Smith questioned the burden placed on first home buyers, and whether enough funds would be raised to purchase very much. Jack Lindon added that the Town must have funds to purchase land in order to be eligible for state reimbursement. Upon a motion by Smith, Bahrawy, to table a vote on this article till the meeting of the 22nd; unanimous. 2nd by Article 43: Cons. Com. Bylaw Amendment- Willie Vicens reported that the net effect of this article would be about $i1,000 revenue, an increase of $7,000 over last year. Upon a motion by Smith, seconded by Graham, voted unanimously to support this article. Article 92: Datavote Election System- Dan L~ng, Town Clerk disputed 'the 'Advisory Board's orable recommendation, saying that the state a~d federal elections will not be changed by the shorter ballot due to the new charter. Some statistics he offered: approx, cost of $4,000 per election, including $2,600 for counter per election; one machine required per 1,000 voters, t would mean 110 machines. Upon a motion by Graham, seconded by Smith, voted unanimously to take under advisement with recommendation to be made at town meeting. 'Article 62: Fire Vehicles- Chief Dolan briefed the Board on need for all equipment requested under this article. No action taken. Article 64: Physical Fitness Program- Chief Dolan reported that this type of program is manda- tory throughout much of the country, and it is hoped will improve the sick and injury leave problems. No action taken. Catherlne J. Hicks, Secretary ***********************~~~G**r* April22, 1986 The Board held their regular meeting on this date with all members present: Chairman Charles A. Salisbury, John W. Graham, Christine M. Smith, Ramsay A. Bahrawy; Selectman Crouch arrived late Also present: Exec. Secretary Keith A. Bergman. The warrant was approved as submitted. _F~nancial Overview: 1986 Annual Town Meetin8 D~He Board met with the Advisory Board to review the Town's overall financial picture, and to formulate a position as to how to approach the Town Meeting. Exsc. Secretary Keith Bergmam reiterated that there are no furher sources of revenue than previously reported, that raiding free cash is dangerous to the Town's financial well-being, and that it is felt that the Advisory Board's recommendations ars fair. It was stressed once again, that raiding free cash would have the consequence of either having to override 2½ or make serious budget cuts next year. Mr. Bergman added that the School Committee is fully aware of the consequences of overspending this year, and do not feel that it is~ a School-related problem and one that they should be concerned with. Chairman Salisbury added that it is impressive that North Andover has been able to find over 9% in additional revenues to offset expenses this year, and questioned why the schdol dept. ~oulH-onlM~b~.safii~fied~-wttH 15%~ increase. FrAncia Lindon,~Adv~.Bd. ChairMan reported' that some areas where-thsre.~.were.ima~or~budgetincrsases in,tHe ~chool.~budge~i.were transportation;~and- new ~ersonnelg.a~4~spec~a~.npe~s.~ Mike_Lpary~f ~he ~dv._Bd. ~uestioned fair treatment, of all other epartments ~: the ~cnooA uepartmen~ ms vo~ea zts en~mre ~ucgec reqoes~. Discussion took place on how the case should be presente~ at town meeting and preparation of a hand-out. Jack Graham stated that the budget recommendations by the Advisory Bd. and additional requests by the School Committee is unwise, but added that it would be very difficult to go back over articles at this point, amd make additional cuts. Upon a motion by Graham, seconded by Bahrawy, it was voted unanimously to authorize Chairman Salisbury to prepare a statement to be released to the press, forewarning of the dangers of overspending. Article #11: Land Bank Upon a motion by Graham, seconded by Crouch, the Board voted unanimously to support this article. · Articles 94,'95, and 96: Proposal to Purchase Land from Town The Board reviewed the proposals by abutters to purchase property between their land and Rte. 495 which was turned over to the Town after commpletion of Rte. 495. Selectmam Crouch cau=ione¢ that this land has the potential of being used for a future off-ramp, and should not be sold to the abutters. Upon a motion by Bahrawy, seconded by Graham, it was voted umanimously to reserve ~udgment until a recommendation is obtained from the Highway Surveyor. Article #31: Ass.t Bldg. Inspector Upon a motion by Bahrawy, seconded by Smith, voted unanimously to support the Advisory Board's favorable recommendation with 6 month review by Town Manager. Article #45: Charter Implementation Upon a motion by Smith, seconded by Crouch, it was voted unanimously to support this article at $125,000, with an additional $25,000 to come out of Selectmen's Salaries, to fund 4 positions. Article #64: Fire Dept. Physical Fitness Pro$ram Chief Dolan reported that this program was started on the west coast and quite common, and there are presently 13 people participating in the first program implemented iu Town. Upon a motion by Bahrawy, seconded by Smith, voted unanimously to endorse this artcle .if it falls within the recommendatious of the Advisory Bd. Article #40: Vacation Actual for Police Chief The Bd.~fmted 2-3(Salisbury, Crouch, and Bahrawy opposed) a motion to support this article. Articles #42: Handicapped Parkin~ Bylaw Voted unanimously to support. Article #44: Self-Serve Gas Voted 4-1 (Crouch opposed) to take no position. Police Deptl Articles Voted unanimously to support all Advisory Bd. recommendations. School Departments Articles Voted unanimously to support 'Advisory Board recommendations. Article #92: Datavote Election System Voted 3-2(Graham, Bahrawy opposed) to oppose. Zonin8 Articles Voted unanimously to take 'no position on all zoning articles. Conservation Commission Resi8nations Upon a motion by Smith, seconded by Bahrawy, voted unanmously to accept ~th~ resignations of Richard Stuglis and Jim Lafond, and to advertise to fill the vacancies. Town Hall Perkins Lot Expansion Exec. Secretary Keith Bergman reported that a notice of intent will be filed with the Conserva- tion Commission to add 30 parking spaces behind town hall, with the work being done by the Highway Department. DosProblems The Board voted to notify the Police Chief that all picked up dogs should be sent to Bulger's Animal Hospital until the Lawrence Dog Pound situation improves, or we build a dog pound; and to notify Lawrence Mayor Sullivan that there is a serious Catherine J. Hicks Sec ********* Clerk