HomeMy WebLinkAbout1981-03-23 Board of Selectmen MinutesMARCH ' 23, 1981. 267..
The Board of Selectmen held their regular meeting on this date with all mem-
bers present: Selectman Charles A. Salisbury, Ralph R. Joyce, R. Louis Di-
Fruscto, Thomas J. MdEvoy with Chairman John W. Graham presiding. The minute
and warrant were approved as submitted.
POLICE SERGEANT:
It was unanimously voted to appoint Maurice F. Lynch, Temporary Police
Sergeant in the North Andover Police Dept. Position will be full time.
PETERS ST. TRAFFIC L~GMT:
Letter received from the District DFW with information regarding the
purchasing and having on hand, spare parts for the traffic signal at the
intersection of Rt. 125 and Peters Street. After discussion, it was voted
to purchase 1 or 2 Load Switches at $180.00 each. Payment to be taken from
the Street Light account.
STREET LIGHTS:
Bob Berthiume was present from Mass. Electric Company to discuss the cost of
removing street lights 'due to proposition 2 1/2. Brian stated that 287 light
had to be removed (including lights already moved..%5) to stay withi~ the
Advisory Board budget. Berthiume advised the Board that Mass Electrzc would
remove 10% of the lights(130 lights) without charge. He stated that any
light could easily be reactivated without charge for a private party. Private
party would have to sign a contract. He said he would find out answers to
all their questions the next day. On Tuesday, he advised Brian that an in-
dividual would be charged $25., same as the municipal charge, for installati~
of a light and the cost per year would be from $50-$100 according to the
!i~ht. The matter was%tabled until next meeting.
CONSERVATION COMMISSION:
Letter received from Ann 9. Williams-Dawe stating that she had to resign
from the Conservation Conservation because her husband had been accepted at
a graduate school this summer and she would be living in Cambridge. She
regrets her short term. with the Commission and highly commended the members
'of the Commission and Dr. Turano as being extremely dedicated, capable and
responsible individuals. A letter of appreciation for her services will be
sent.
BANNER PERMIT:
The Selectmen apprpwp~ ~be request of Frank Brennan~to.install. abanner
across the street/~n~he March of. Dimes Walkarama. A by- law states
a street banner or signs advertising a public or charitable entertainment
or event is allowed by special permit of the Board of Selectmen. The sign
or banner must be removed~i'thin 7 days after the event. Mr. Brennan said
he had been in touch with the Fire Dept. and insurance also had been secured
REQUEST-COMMUNITY CENTER:
Tom Leavitt requested the use of the Community Center on Sheep Shearing Day,
May 17th, between 1 and 5 p.m. for their crafts fair incase of rain.
Request approved if there were no programs scheduled for that Sunday.
MISSILE SITE:
A memorandum from Gilbert A. Bliss, Director of Forests & Parks advised the
Board that amendments should be made in the State's capital outlay budget~
and suggested that it read," Acquisition of A.B.M. Site - North Andover."
Brian advised.thatithe Governor was not pushing for this proJ~ut so the
.only hope would be:for, lthe Ways.and,Means~.. wn~cn '. 'C°mmittee to Approve. . , ~t..Mr.. Blzs.
also enclosed maps to zdent~fy/parcels, zf.any, have no ~dentlf~ed owner.
They were forwarded to Ted Phelan.
POLICE OFFICERS:
Selectman DiFruscio~. made a motion to send a letter of commendation to
Officer Lanni and Sergeant Crane on their quick apprehension of a bank
robber in North Andover. It was so voted.
ESSEX COUNTY ADVISORY ~OARD:
Selectman Joyce, Representative of the Town on the Essex County Retirement
Board, submitted a report to the Selectmen. They voted 10% cut across the
tax levy,.from last year"s.
26S MARCH ~3,1981 (continued)
TOWN COUNSFL'S BUDGET:
A discussion took place on Town Counsel's request for an increase in his
budget. This request.has to be acted upon by the designated committee
that appoints him. The committee will meet on Tuesday, at 7 P.M. in the
Selectmen's Office, to discuss and act on the request. A list of Town
Counsel's budgets in other communities was submitted by Brian Sullivan,
Executive Secretary. Chairman Graham, as a member of the designated
co~ittee asked direction from the Board. Selectman DiFruscio stated
that $12,000 was not too much of a salary for a Town Counsel. Selectman
Salisbury stated that the position was due to be upgraded but he did not
think this was the year to do it. He also added that, in his opinion,
the present Town Counsel could be more responsible in the administration
of his duties. Selectman McEvoy said that he was not against the request~
but he thought the timing was bad. He was concerned where they are cutting
elsewhere. It was motioned to have Chairman Graham bring an affirmative
vote for the request to the designated committee meeting. Vote was unan-
imous.
POLICE & FIRE CHIEF-CIVIL SERVICE:
Discussion ensued on the possibility of removing the Chief's positions
from Civil Service. On the question of procedure, Brian Sullivan believed
that a ballot vote may be required to remove the positions from Civil
Service. This would come up in 1982 March elections. Chairman Graham
stated that the matter should be researched before placing any article
in the warrant, that procedure should be defined. A motion was mad~
to place an article in the warrant. Joyce, DiFruscio and McEvoy voted,
"Yes"...Graham and Salisbury voted, "No.~' 3-2 vote.
HUD ADMINISTRATION:
It was voted to have Selectman Joyce act a liason between the Board and
Gayton Osgood to keep them informed of the progress of grant administra-~
tion and the Board will meet with Gaytonevery two months.
DOG OFFICER:
After a discussion with the Dog Officer the Board voted to have Brian
Sullivan draw up two articles for the warrant under their sponsorship.
The warrant was opened at 8:45 p.m. and closed at 8:46 p.m. to include
the following:
1) The dog license fees shall be increased by one dollar ($1.00).
2) Change the by-law to read that a payment of a $10.00 administrative
fee by the owner of an impounded dog be made for the first offense
and subsequent offenses. (Present By-law waives thcS10.00 paymen~
for the first offense.)
Selectman DiFruscio commented that the Dog Officer should acquire a car
that got more than 11 miles per gallon. Selectman McEvoy reminded him to
keep within his budget for the Board would not ask the Advisory Board for
any more money for him from the Reserve Fund.
SOLID WASTE REPORT:
The status of the Holt Road landfill and the Resource Recovery Plant was
~iscussed. Brian S. advised the Board that the grades would be changed to
prolong the life of the Holt Road disposal site. A letter received from
Michael Menery, Director of the Lawrence Dept. of Health and Charities,
advised the Selectmen that the Transfer Station in the City of Lawrence
would be available for the Town's use if necessary. ~he Selectmen, with
the exception of Tom McEvoy, will attend'an important meeting Saturday
morning, March 28th, to discuss the completed contract with U.O.P. and
other officials. Bud Cyr and Ed Scanlon will also be present. The con-
tract for the building of a Resource Recovery Plant in North Andover is
the culmination of many years of hard work and effort on the part of Brian
Sullivan and the Solid Waste committee together with U.O.P. officials~ Sel-
ectman Graham stated that he would like advise from experts before he signs
the contract. Selectman McEvoy expressed a completely negative attitude
stating "nothing has been done for five years and nothing will be done for
the next five years." Selectman Salisbury suggested that the original
committee be contacted to attend the Saturday meeting.