HomeMy WebLinkAbout1981-01-26 Board of Selectmen MinutesJ, u Y z6 19S1.
The Boardof'Selectmen held their regular meeting on this date with all
members present except Chairman John W. Graham who was out of town. Present
were Charles.A. Salisbury, Thomas J. McEvoy, R. Louis DiFruscion with Clerk
Ralph R.'Joyce presiding. The?minutes and warrant were pTproved as submitted
TROOP 89:
Acting Chairman Ralph R. Joyce greeted three members of Troop 89 who attended
the~Selectmen's meeting in conjunction with earning merit badges.
APPOINTMENT:
The Selectmen unanimously noted tO appoint Edna Leach, 63 Prescott St., Clerk
of~Precinct I to fill the vacancy.
BALLOT QUESTION: ,.
The Board voted to approved the ballot question proposed by the Town of
Arlington requesting a level staee budget, FY 1982' as a non-binding ballot
question. '
CHANGe. ODER-_COMMUNITY CENTER:
The change, order from Laurent Construction Co. for the Co,m, mity Center
renovation, was approved by the Selectmen.
ROAD RACE:
LetCerreceived from Russ Conway of the Lawrence Eagle Tribune requesting a
permit 'for a road race which will go through North Andover:on April 15th.
Selectmen approved the request subject to Chief of Police approval.
FIP~E'DEPT.:
The Board 'accepted a donation in the amount of.$350.00 for the Fire Dept.
Donation was sent' by ;a grateful, unknown citizen.
?,aCEiV :
Notice from Town P~anner, Susan'St. Pierre, re Card Plan informative meeting
ThurSday; January 29th, at 1:00 P.M. Selectman DiFruscio3, will attend.
Notice from the Dept. of Revem-'% re equalized valuation f}~ure.
TOWN REPORT BIDS:
Brian S. advised the Board that the two bids received to print the Town
Report were both over the .':,propriation. The Board voted to authorize Brian
'th a~ertise a§ain for bid~. Bids will be due on February 6, 1981.
SMOLAC~REQ~EST-AGRICULTURAL PRESERVATION AT:
Letter;received from Michael Smolak, Jr., 315 South Bradford St., advised the
Selectmen that he was applying for the state.program called the Agricultural
Preservation Restriction Act. This Program. helps ensure the preservation of
agricultural land within the state. The state purchases the .development
· rights to his property while Smolak retains all other rights, to the property
such as the sale to another farmer or passing it on to his heirs: He
requested the Selectmen to draft a letter in support of his appl~cation. A.
letter received from the Conservation Commission On this applieation asked if
the'Town is able to contribute the services of Town Counsel inle§al work
involved in preparation and recording of documents, title search, recording
fees and other expenses involved in closing with the state. The Board voted
unanimously to have Brian S. draft a letter'by January 31st to the Conserva-
tio~ Commission stating the Selectmen's endorsement of Smolak's application
and Chat they are willing to contribute the necessary legal services to im-
plement the restriction when the application is funded. It is the under-
standing that, by doing so, the Town will become a co-holder of the develop-
ment rights along with the State. A 6opy will be sent to Michael Smolak.
REPRESENTATIV~.IHERMANN:
Letter from Rep. Joe Hermann ackunwledge receipt of letters from the Board
re acquisition fo 23 acres for a state park in the missile site area and a
proposed Bill re drunken drivers. He advised the Board that he and Gil Bliss
would view the missile site on Friday, January 30th. Brian Sullivan will
join them if necessary.
JANUARY 26, 1981 (continued)
9~!PUBLIC WORKS:
n~mbers of the Board of Public Works, John Thompson and BudN0ble, and
Joe Bo§e~i met with the Selectmen to discuss water and sewer rates to be
increased. John Thompson advised the Board that the present water'rate Was
40¢ per 1000 cubic ft. and they proposed to raise the rate to 65¢ per
1000 cubic ft. This rate is still lower than Andover or Lawrence. A
notice to all customers will be inserted in the last quarterly billing this
year. The increase in rates will helpbto erase the deficit in running the
department, buy equipment,.etc. After further discussion, the Board
quested Brian to thave the Community Development Department look into the
water and'sewer grants.
INSURANCE:
Dick Lafond, Mr. Daw and JohnWillis of the Town Insurance Committee met
with the Selectmen wo discuss the Town's liability policy. Dick Lafond
stated that the present policy excludes police and cruisers that are In,c~
involved in accidents and that the policy was inadequate. He further
stated'that all Town vehicles (70) should be covered, and that it would:
cost $1100.00 more for a $250,000 coverage, $3,000 deductible. The.impact
on the budget was discussed. W hen asked if budget would be within the
2 1/2% he replied, "No possible." It was finally voted to adopt the.,
Insurance Committee's recommendation to increase the Town liability
insurance for the 70 vehicles and. have them work with Brian Sullivan'
find out how to pay for the increase.
DOG COMPLAINT HEARING: ·. :...;
Kathleen Phelan, complainant, Agnes O'Brian, Dan Morgan and Mr.
appeared before the Board to discuss Phelan's complaint, backed by.Hr~
Sanborn, that Cwo dogs, owned by O'Brien and l/organ, were allowed to run
loose and, at one time, resulted in Phelan's dog being mauled requiring.
several.stitches. ~anborn state~ that his children and his wife' were,. ' '
afraid to go out into the'yard when the dogs were loose..that on O~e'.'
occasion, one of the doga'had lunged at one of his children, taking
sandwich out of his hand and tearing his Jacket. Phelan stated that the
dogs were uncontrolled'on or off the leash. When asked, the Dog Office~,"
. ~ene Northam, stated that he had given 6'Brian permission to' run the'dogs
off'their leash in an open area down byithe R.R. tracks. O'Brian stated
that the do~s were on a leash except when they were in their own yardl."
no fence. She said Phelan's dog was often off h~a~eash but she didn't
call the police. Sanborn stated that the ~wo dogs had been proven vicio~i
and has been waiting over a year to have.the problem resolved. .Selectmen
Joyce and Salisbury stated that the dog leash should be upheld and Selec~[~
men Salisbury that a dog had been seriously hurt by the two dogs, th&ct'the
ddmege cannot happen again. It' could easily involve people not ]us~dOgsl
What assurance that it will hOC happenagain? Selectmen McEvoy
that the Dog 0 ffiCer should enforce the law..if O'Brian and Morgando:not
obey the laws for the dogs, they should be destroyed. It was an unanimous
vote that s~rict enforcement of the leash law be observed,that the:Cwoi....
'dogs of O'Brian and Morgan be on a leash at all times when not in the.~house.
A certified letter to that effect will be sent to them. ,; .
LICENSING COESSIONERS:
Approved: Renewal of license to sell flowers in front of Finneran's'DrUg
Store from Anthony Giarrusso, 58 Marblehead St. ~ '" '"
Renewal of Auntioneer's licenses for Joseph and David Axeir0d,'
17 Poor Street,N.A.'
Alice M. Letarte, Secretary k