HomeMy WebLinkAbout1983-01-24 Board of Selectmen Minutes ' 445
JANUARY 24, 1983
The Board of Selectmen held their regular meeting on this date with all members present with the
exception of Selectman R. Lovis DiFruscio. Present were: Selectmen Thomas J. ~qcEvoy, John W. Graham,
Ralph R. Joyce, with Chairman Charles A. Salisbury presiding. The Warrant was approved as submitted,
and the minutes of December 27, 1982, and January 3, 1983, were approved as amended: January 3, 1983,
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT-""Sele~t~'//n"S~l{sbury stated that if the grants dry up, the Town is
responsible to continue the Community Development Office." Change "is responsible" to "is not responsible".
JURORS:
The following persons were drawn for jury duty for the March 7 sitting:
Lawrence - Carole Ann Detora, 117 Cotuit St .....
Newburyport -James E. Hamblet, 137 Salem St.
Salem - Paula Ann Griffin, 112 Kingston St., Robert J. Cuomo, 59 Sandra Lane, '
Dorothy M. Sinsheimer, 747 Great Pond Road, & Alexander F. Yannett, 570 Turnpike St.
DRAINAGE WORK:
Bud Cyr, Highway Surveyor,.stated that in 1967 the Town contracted out a drainage survey with the
Dept. of Housing and Urbnn D~veloDment. It was a federal grant for the Town for $19,000 to do a
drainag~ s~rvey of existing drainag~ and recommendations for drainage improvements. He stated that
this has been a problem for him because in his opinion, this drainage survey is fairly inaccurate and,
therefore, they really don't use it. He already knows where the drainage is needed without the study.
He stated that everytime yin, do a piece of drainage work that the report addresses you owe them some
money. He stated that the value of the report was $19,000 which gets uaid back over a period of years
as the projects get done. They presently have a balance of $15,555. He recently talked to them and they
stathd that they are willing to terminate the agreement by deducting an additional $4,600 if we make a
settlement. This would leave a balance of apvroximately $11,000. Buddy recommended the Board take
this under consideration and to look over the report and possibly sponsor an article on the warrant this year
to pay it. The Board unanimously voted to take it under advisement.
CONCEPTUAL YOUTH PLAN - SHARPENER' S POND ROAD:
Bud'Cyr, Highway Surveyor, stated that the modified landfill area is presently all cleared and about 99%
prepared for landfill purposes and is also in the final stages~, for approval from the state. He would like
to start implementating some of this ]and for recreational use. He also plans on making trails over the
course of a few years for horseback ridin~h~ogging, etc. He stated that he is looking for the Board's
approval and cooperation to go out there/Fr/a planned manner bring the piece of land up for recreational
use. Selectmen McEvoy noted that he thinks~theplan has tremendous p~)ssibilities and he stated that if
Mr: Cyr is willing to tackle the project, then he will give his total sup~)ort. The rest of the board agreed.
Selectman Salisbury suggested that when the snow is gone and the ground is drier Ahat the Selectmen,
the Conservation Commission, and anyone else involved should go up there to look around. The Board~
noted that they would get back to l~ir. Cyr.
POLICE MATRONS:
Letter was received from Town Counsel stating that G.L. Chpt. #147, Sec. 18 says that a police matron,
so-called, can only be appointed in cities and he questions whether a town could also do so. He also stated
that if it is necessary to detain a woman at the police station, she would have to be transported to a
station that had matrons. He suggested that the female officer already a member of the force be -
designated the responsibility that the matrons previously had and possibly to consider appointing a fern.ale
the next time on the reserve list. Chairman Salisbury stated that he had talked to Town Counsel who
suggested that they dig further into the subject. Selectman McEvoy stated that he is not questioning Town
Counsel's authority but noted that he is opposed to paying to have a women transported to a city where the5
have matrons and feels that the board voted to appoint matrons and he would like to keep them. Selectman
Graham stated that he would not like to be in a position with a matron there and have something happen
when the Board was aware of Town Counsel's concerns. After further discussion, the. Board unanimously
voted to send the Police Chief a copy of Town Counselkletter and to inform him that it is the Board's
wish to discontinue the use of matrons, on a temporary basis, and have him follow what Town Counsel
advised with the present female police officer handling the situation until the problems are straightened
out, which is expected to happen rapidly.
POLICE RESERVES:
Letter was received from Town Counsel answering the Board's previous question of increasing the size
of the police reserve force. He stated that the original number of 9 was set by a Town Meeting vote and
that' number would have to be amended the sa'me way. Selectman McEvoy noted that the Police Chief had
asked that the nur,~ber be increased to 12. Selectman Graham questioned whether the number was
unlimited or controlled and felt that if there is a limit, they ought to know what it is. Pending that
question being resolved, Selectman Joyce moved to inchlde an article to increase the number
of:'police':reserve officers to 12. It was unanimously approved.
MAllqTENANCE CRAFTSMAN POSITION:
Chairman Salisbury noted that the Administrator had selected 7 candidates out of 16 who appeared to
be the most oualified for the Board's review, and he had ranked them on the basis of skilled experience
in the kinds of projects he would invision this person doing. Selectman McEvoy stated that he felt we
should interview someone but not hire now until a new Administrator is on board who could guide him
and give him direction. Selectman Salisbury questioned whether it is wise to hire someone now for a
job that will be awarded in 2 or 3 months. He noted that the person might find a better job by then and
then the Board would have done all this for no real ~)urpose. Selectman Joyee made a motion and it was
unanimously approved:~owrite to the top seven candidates and advise them that due to the absence of an
Administrative ASsistant, we don't plan on starting to interview until the first of 51arch and we will
contact them at that time.
JANUARY 24, 1983 (Cch't)
i'¢iILL. ROAD AND Ci~E~rNUT STREET
A letter was received from the Police Chief recommending that the Board authorize a stop sign at the
intersection of Chestnut Street and Mill Road with the sign being placed on Chestnut Street. He also noted
that he would like to receive the approval as soon as possible because the construction in that.area, particularly
at the stlbject intersect/on, is increasing and creating a dangerous situation. The Board unanimou.~ly voted to
adopt the Chief's recommendation.
CHESTNUT STREET - RTE 114 INTERSECTION:
Chairman Salisbury noted that there was another on-site meeting scheduled at the above location on
Thursday, January 27, at 8:30 a.m. with the .Highway Surveyor, the Police Chief, Steve Ercha, and
Dr. Herbert H. Meyer to discuss possible improvements to the intersection. The. Chairman:noted-'
that '~:{e Administrator would normally have attended if he was here and felt that one of the Selectmen
should be there. Selectman Joyce volunteered.
SCREENING COMMITTEE FOR EXECUTIVE SECRETARY:
Each Board member submitted a name of someone to serve on the above-named committee. The names
were submitted as follows: Selectman McEvoy - Henry Shelly, 53 Woodstock St.; Selectman Graham -
Eleanor Cahill - 11 Woodbridge Rd.; Selectman Joyce - James Bradley, 33 Camden St.; Selectman
DiFruscio - John Cronin, 23 Merrimack St.; Chairman Salisbury - Ray Holland, 344 Main St. Chairman
Salisbury noted that 4 more people would be added to the committee and a0olications will be accepted
until February 4. He also stated that the committee did not have to be formed until February 18, the
deadline for submitting applications for the executive secretary position. Selectman Graham stated that
he felt the 5 members should take advantage of the time and start looking at the a{)Dlications. Selectman
Joyce stated that the rest of the committee will probably be formed on February 6 and felt they could
get going at that time. He noted that he would like to see a full broad-based committee and would not
like to have 5 members working now exclusive of the others. After some discussion, it was agreed to
encourage the 5 appointed peo01e to come in to start looking over the applications and to noify them of
each other and the fact that a total of 9 Deople would be on the committee.
POLICE SERGEANT'S EXAM:
Notice of a promotional examination for police sergeant was received from the Mass. Division of Personnel
Administration asking the Selectmen to supply the salary and to approve the form with the Chairman's
signature. Chairman Salisbury noted that e date was not noted on the form. Selectman McEvoy recom-
mended to ask the Chairman to contact Civil Service to find out when the date of the e~am is and when
it will be given so it can be posted. Selectman Joyce moved and it was unanimously voted to authorize
the Chairman to sign.
PROPOSED PARKING IMPROVEMENTS AT THE OLD CENTER:
Letter was received from the Planning Board noting that they had reviewed the letter the Selectmen
had sent them regarding the above and that this would be discussed at a meeting on Thursday,
January 20 with the newly formed committee to eddress changes to the Zoning By-Law for the 1983.
Annual Town i'leeting. The Board unanimously voted to rec{uest a report from the Town Planner as to.
what transDired at the January 20 me,~ting. . . .. ;
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT:
1. Applicant Review Committee - Lisa Ruben, Acting C.D. Director, submitted the list of names that
each Selectman had submitted to be on the committee. They were as follows: Louis r, linicucci, 1785
Great Pond Rd., Robert Vanasse, 166 Ray Bt., Thomas E. Lightburn, 1015 Johnson St., & Jack Lynch,
160 Pleasant St. Selectman Joyce stated that he had trouble getting in touch with his'choi'ce and Would
submit his name as soon as possible. Chairman Salisbury stated that he had met with the 4 members on
Saturday morning when they began to review the applications for the Director's position and that they
will meet again helot Saturday. He noted that the deadline for receiving ar)p]ications was today and that
the committee will get back to them in a cou{~le of weeks and they will act of the Manager's position in
the future. He stated that the committee wanted to know if the Selectmen had any general guidelines
or qt,alificati0ns. Selectman Joyce stated that he would like to give them a free hand. The board agreed.
2. City Design/Office of C.D. Contract, Amendment #2 -Lisa Ruben, Acting C.D. Director, was asking the
Board and Town Counsel to sign amendment //2 of the City Design/Office of C.D. contract. She stated that
last week she had gone over some of the costs that City Design had incurred to date on their contract. She
also noted that this was not a bill but a contract amendment which allows them to bill up to the specified
amount. Selectman Joyce stated that he had asked Lisa to give him the actual time voucher that City
Design had submitted to date. He stated that he had planned on reviewing it before tonights meeting but
did not get a chance to do it and in lieu of this, he asked the Board to hold off on this for another week.
I~isa~stated that,R'andy ~Jones,~City, Design,~would be in next week. After some discussion, it was
unanimously voted to take it up at their next meeting. .
3. Status of AHOP Grant - Lisa Ruben, Acting Community Development Director, noted that the AHOP
(Area-Wide llousing Opportunities Program) Grant is a loan for landlords who provide low-rent housing.
When the landlords repay the loans,:, the interest goes back into the program to be used again. The dead-
line for the initial amount of $90,000 is July 27, 1983. Lisa stated that she has 3 applicants and one has ' -."
been approved by the Board of Appeals'and'is 90% completed. The other 2 are awaiting approval. She
noted that she has a total commitment of 90% and that she has no back up applicants at this point
except those on the waiting list who applied when the others did. They would have to go through the
appeals process also. Lisa noted that on the 1980 Rehab Grant she has begun to inspect units with the
Building Inspector and stated that 2 applicants have received bids and there is a total of 5. She stated
that depending on how the bids come back, they may need to advertise for additional applicants. She
should know within a week.
JANUARY 24 1983 (Con't)
447
~ .Status of AHOP Grant (Con't) - Selectman Graham questioned Lisa about the status of the HUD
3-Year~Comprehensive ci~ar/L noting that the money has been ticking away now for 4 or 5 months.
Lisa'. stated that she has met with Bud Cyr and Joe Borgesi and have requested that they outline what
they believe to be the priority areas with drainage, water & sewer, & sidewalk improvements to provide
her with linear feet, the approximate cost if the Town does it, and a synopsis of w.hat the existing
conditions are. She stated that from there they will probably have a consultant and an architect or
engineer draw up skematic plans to indicate exactly where the work will be completed, noting that
presently they are at the coordinating stage. Selectman Graham felt that she should try to get it off
the ground. Lisa stated that the preliminary work has at least been started with the housing rehab
aspect of it. She stated that she has put together a draft brochure of the program guidelines, but is
waiting for the manager to come on board before actually advertising for that program.
I, SOLID WASTE:
.~-Frank Dugan noted that Tewksbury had signed the contract for solid waste on Saturday and felt it
should be known that the work of Bud Cyr, Ed Scanlon, & Brian Sullivan is greatly appreciated by the
people in Town. Chairman Salisbury noted that it appears that the last hurdle has been overcome and
agreed with Mr. Dugan that the Town owes a de.bt of gratitude to the three people who put alot of
themselves into making this project happen.
The Board unanimously voted to go into Executive Session to discuss landtaking issues relating to the
Senior Center parking lot. ~
Karen A. Robertson, Acting Secretary*****************//g~/~/~/~k
JANUARY 31~ 1983
The Board of Selectmen held a work session on this date with all members present with the exception
of Selectmen Thomas J. McEvoy and John W. Graham. Present were Selectmen Ralph R. Joyce,
R. Louis DiFruscio, with Chairman Charles A. Salisbury presiding. The warrant was approved as
submitted.
TOWN REPORT BID:
Five bids were received to print the annual Town Report. The Board voted to award the contract to
the Eagle-Tribune Printing, North Andover, who was the second lowest bidder at $22.00/page. Daniel
Long, Town Report Committee, stated that his'}ommittee recommended going with the Eagle-Tribune
Printing rather than to the low bidder, D. Irving Co., Braintree, because the committee felt it would
be much more convenient to work With a local company.
Because the rest of the agenda was going to be for discussion only andvotes were not going to be
taken, it was decided that the minutes would not be needed.
The Board unanimously voted to go into Executive Session with~ighters to discuss union
a en A. Robertson, Acting Secretary '~Clerk -
FEBRUARY 8~ 1983
The Board of Selectmen held a regular meeting on this date with all members present with the exception
of Selectman R~. Louis DiFruscio. Present were Selectmen Thomas J. McEvoy, John W. Graham,
Ralph R. Joyce, with Chairman Charles A. Salisbury presiding. The warrant was approved as submitted.
PROPOSITION 2,} OVERRIDE BALLOT QUESTION:
School Committee Chairman Robert Mascola spoke to the Board regarding legislation which allows the
Selectmen to place one or more questions on the ballot concerning Prop. 2½. He was speaking to the
Board to give them information on what the law allows and to urge the Board to quickly look into this
matter so they may exercise the power given to them if the Board finds that action is justified. He
stated that the law provides for voters to be given the opportunity annually to decide whether they wish
to increase the tax levy by more than. 2½% by b. allot at either a regular or special election. He noted that
a "yes" vote at the polls simply permits the Town'to assess additional taxes but Town Meeting voters will
decide how the money is to be spent or if it will be spent. Also, it gives the Town some flexibility in
the face of current uncertanties with respect to how much to provide for services that the citizens want.
He suggested that the Board get to know this law and the authority it gives as well as the time table they
face and to gather the fiscal data needed through the Advisory Board, Assessors, etc. to make a judgment
as to whether the Town needs the flexibility provided by these ballot questions. He requested that the
Board distinguish between their own personal opinion about an extension of Prop. 2½ from the question
of should the voters be allowed (as permitted annually by law) to decide if they feel additional assessments
are justified for services they want to have. Selectman Joyce noted that in order to place the question
on the ballot the Board has to give at least 7 days notice of a calling of an election. He stated that for
the upcoming Town election the warrant has already been printed but the ballots have not, and if the
Board was going to consider putting it on this ballot they would be duplicating printing costs and the
Town Clerk's preparation work. He stated that if they don't make the Town election, they might want to