HomeMy WebLinkAbout1973-02-27 Board of Selectmen Minutes471
The Board of Selectmen held ~eir meeting on this date with all members present;
Arthur P. Kirk, William B. Duffy, Jr., with Chairman Joseph A. Guthrie presiding.
and minutes were approved, as submitted.
Selectmen
The warrant
FIREFIGHTERS CONTRACT:
Members of the Firefighters Labor Union, Richard Sharer ar Robert Shea signed, with the Board
of Selectmen, the Contract between the Town of North Andov~r and Local 2035, International
Association of Fire Fighters AFL-CIO. Jack Erie was commended for his many hours of work to
expedite this agreement.
CH. 90STUDY COmmITTEE:
Sheldon Gilbert, Chairman of the Chapter 90 Study Committee, appointed by the Board upon the
recommendations of Selectman Duffy, presented an oral report of their studies on the town
that should have top priority for reconstruction. He stated said report was an impartial re-
port. To continue the reconstruction of Salem Street would not be appropriate at this time
for its past reconstruction was baae2lon the fact that it would be widely traveled due to the
then proposed Missile Site, now ~bandoned. Great Pond Road and Waverly Road should have top
priority, he said, because of the heavy flow of traffic. Great Pond Road was unsafe in its
present condition and Waverly Road should be corrected, also. He stated that Chapter 90 funds
were limited and the town should appropriate funds to maintain and reconstruct~oadsbhat were
unsa~ ~. Selectman Kirk requested that Mr. Gilbert's report be submitted to the Board, in
writing. Chairman Guthrie stated that, in his opinion, the report would be of much benefit to
the Town regardless of Chapter 90. The report should be discussed with the new Highway Sur-
veyor wl~ch would help him in determining the road priorities. Selectman Kirk motioned that
the Board accept the report as progressive, with thanks, and that the written report be sub-
mitred in the near future.
CUSTODIANS:
Four school custodians appeared before the Board requesting a raise in compensation while
working on election nights. They stated the spokesman of the group, Bill Lafond, could not be
present. They stated that they receive a flat rate of $15.00 for the night. The Board
indicated their desire to compensate the Custodians in line with other poll workers before
Mohday, election day. After further discussion, Kirk motioned to pay them $3.00 per hour with
a 6-hour minimum. Chairman Guthrie stepped down from the Chair to second the motion. It was
a majority vote with Selectman Duffy abstaining. This compensation was agreeable to all four
Custodians.
GAS EXCAVATION:
The Board approved a gas excavation petition to excavate at 490 Main Street to repair a gasmai~
ADVISORYBOARDMEETING:
The Board received an invitation from the Advisory Board to attend their meeting on Feb. 27th
to discuss the allocation of Revenue Sharing funds. Chairman Guthrie stated that it was the
responsibility of the Board of Selectmen to determine the use of the money; that a letter
taining their recommendations had already been se~tto the government. Chairman Guthrie
stated that as individuals and a Board, they have made it perfectly clear what their action on
the Revenue Sharing funds will be; to decrease the Tax rate in some manner and would not in-
iciate any new program; it would go to safety programs (police and fire) and recreation.
However, he would attend the meeting and requested that the candidates for the two Selectmen's
seats should also be invited to introduce them to the matter of Revenue Sharing funds which
would be of informative help to the two candidates elected. Selectman Kirk concurred with
this request and stated that he would also attend the meeting. J. Erle was instructed to call
the candidates.
FIRE AMBULANCE:
The Board received a letter from the Board of Fire Engineers by Chief Daw listing the damage
of the fire ambulance, total, $3850. Calling the vehicle a total loss, the insurance company
offered to settle the claim by paying the book value of the vehicle, $4000., less a deductible
of $250. or a net settlement of $3750. Considering the condition of the ambulance before the
accident (extensive body rot), it was their opinion that it would be more practical to apply
the insurance proceeds towards a new ambulance rather than make an attempt to repair the
present damaged ambulance. Chairman Guthrie stated that the Boardhas the responsibility to
accept settlement butwerewaiting for further information of the Advisor, Board. The Select-
men had endorsed the Board of Fire Engineers recommendation to accept the ~nsurance settlement
that the vehicle wac a total loss.
OUTDOOR SIGN:
The Board received an application to the State for a sign at Merrimack Valley National Bank.
The Board referred the application to the Building Inspector requesting a written report on or
prior to March 12.
GASOLINE TAX MONEY:
A letter from Jacob Berkover, District Highway Engineer, advised, the Board that the distribu-
tion of Chapter 497 gasoline tax money is not available for appropriation at the local level.
That this money is a reimbursement and cannot be used as a funding source for any Town Meeting
or City Council appropriation. The Board voted to receive the letter.
ACCESS ROAD: ed
:.Chairman Guthrie stat~/for the recerd that the required payment of $10.00 was being processed
this week in payment of a portion of the access road to the abandoned ABM Site.