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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-03-20 Board of Selectmen Minutes BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES MARCH 20, 1995 CALL TO ORDER: John P. Savastano, Chairman, called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM. ATTENDANCE: The following were present: John P. Savastano, Chairman; Kenneth C. Crouch; Kevin Foley; John Leeman; Donald Stewart; James P. Gordon, Town Manager; and Kevin Mahoney, Director of Finance & Administration . APPROVAL OF MINUTES: March 3, 1995 - Kenneth C. Crouch made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart, to approve the minutes of March 3, 1995; vote approved 4-0-1 (Kevin Foley abstained. ) March 6, 1995 - Kenneth C. Crouch made a MOTION, seconded by John Leeman, to approve the minutes of March 6, 1995; vote approved 4-0-1 (Kevin Foley abstained) . March 13, 1995 - John Leeman made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart, to approve the minutes of March 13, 1995; vote approved 4-0-1 (Kenneth C. Crouch abstained) . COMMUNICATIONS & ANNOUNCEMENTS: Kevin Mahoney, Director of Finance & Administration, informed the Board that pursuant to Chapter 2-2-2 of the Town Charter, the Annual Town Meeting warrant closed on March 17, 1995. PUBLIC HEARINGS: Betterment Assessment Policy - John Leeman made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart, to open a public hearing for the purposes of discussing the proposed Rules & Regulations for the proposed Sewer Betterment Assessment Policy; vote approved 5-0. This Public Hearing was advertised in the local newspaper and the proposed Rules & Regulations were mailed to residents living in Phase II of the project who would be immediately impacted by this assessment. Residents objected to the fact that the Phase III residents were not mailed the notification or the proposed Rules & Regulations by the Division of Public Works, as well as the fact that the room in which this Public Hearing was being held was unable to handle the number of people in attendance. It was requested that this Public Hearing be rescheduled to a larger facility and that all impacted residents in Phase III to also be notified. John Leeman made a MOTION, seconded by Kevin Foley, to table this Public Hearing and to reschedule it, and as part of rescheduling it, that the Town notify all residents ten days in advance of the policy and that the Town provide all data that is available regarding the rate setting and the policy; vote approved 5-0. The information for residents to review is to be available at Town Hall. This Public Hearing will be held on Thursday, April 13, 1995. Residents requested that the following be addressed at the next Public Hearing: Explain the rate; explain the "ENR value"; and explain the schedule for completion of the project. BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES March 20, 1995 Page 2. LICENSING COMMISSIONERS: John Leeman made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart, for the Board to move into Licensing; vote approved 5-0. Public Hearing Continuation - Common Victualler's License Request - Paul Dedoglou d/b/a Five-Star Pizza, 11 First Street - The applicant has requested a two-week continuance for this public hearing. If a continuance is not possible, the applicant has requested to withdraw his application without prejudice. John Savastano made a MOTION to continue this Public Hearing for another two weeks. MOTION failed to be seconded. Kenneth Crouch made a MOTION, seconded by John Leeman, to withdraw this application without prejudice reason and to have the applicant reapply, when ready, with a new advertisement of the Public Hearing and to notify all abutters of the hearing; vote approved 5-0. PUBLIC COMMENT: Cahill - Concern Over High Real Estate Tax Bill - Eleanor Cahill discussed her concern that her last tax bill was 25= higher than the previous quarter and with the last approved override, she believes her tax bill will be 38= higher than the comparable quarter. Kevin Mahoney stated that these percentages did seem to be extraordinarily high. Mr. Mahoney will have to look at the account record to evaluate the concern. Ms. Cahill also commented on the fact that the Town Manager had told her that he would submit an article, or a line item in the budget, for leaf pickup. The Board told her that if the warrant reopens for emergency purposes, perhaps she could submit an article then. John Leeman - Concern - Article in Newspaper Regarding Police Citizen Advisory Council - John Leeman stated that he is disgusted about an article that appeared the Lawrence Eagle Tribune on Monday, March 20, 1995. The article states that the Police Officers have "tarnished their badges" in their disputes over the unsettled labor contract and arguments taking place in public meetings. Mr. Leeman stated that he is having "real doubts on this committee and questions whether they are biased or not". Mr. Leeman requested that this the Board discuss the Police issues at the next Selectmen' s meeting. Commendation - Emergency Response - Fire on Sutton Street - John Savastano will draft letters of commendation to everyone who worked at the fire on Sutton Street. PROPOSED MIDDLE SCHOOL RENOVATION/ADDITION PROJECT: Kevin Mahoney, Director of Finance & Administration, discussed with the Board of Selectmen warrant articles submitted for the proposed Middle School Renovation/Addition Project. One article has been submitted by the School Committee and the other article was submitted through a citizen' s petition. The School Committee has received a revised "Project Budget Worksheet" from the architect on the project, which increases the total project cost from $ 15.5 Million to $ 17. 9 Million. Both warrant articles submitted for the approval of this article are not subject to an identified funding source. Therefore, if approved at Town Meeting, the articles would not require a Proposition 2 1/2 override. BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES March 20, 1995 Page 3. Mr. Mahoney presented the Board with a Projected Debt Service - Tax Supported Debt Schedule highlighting the impact of the Middle School project. This schedule assumed state reimbursement of 63= in fiscal year 2001. This projected debt schedule forecasts a four-year deficit beginning in FY 1997 in order to meet the debt service costs. Another concern would be the reaction of the Credit Rating Agencies who would not look favorably upon the Town overextending their debt service requirements. If this was to happen, the Town' s credit rating could fall into "Non-Investment Grade" or junk bond status. FINAL CANDIDATES FOR THE TOWN MANAGER POSITION: Bill Knauss of the Town Manager Search Committee discussed with the Board the process the committee utilized to present the Board with the five final candidate for the position of Town Manager. One candidate has withdrawn his name leaving four candidates. John Savastano stated that he wants to move very quickly in order to get the next Town Manager in quickly to work with the current Town Manager. The Chairman wants to do background checks on each of the candidates before the Board begins the interview process. A subcommittee consisting of Donald Stewart and John Savastano will visit the communities of each of the candidates and report their findings back to the Board. Kenneth C. Crouch wants to proceed with the background checks immediately and in one week to begin the interview process; he would like to interview two people on a Tuesday night and two people on a Thursday night. AUTHORIZATION TO EXTEND MATURITY DATE OF MASSACHUSETTS WATER POLLUTION ABATEMENT TRUST INTERIM LOAN NOTE: Kenneth C. Crouch made a MOTION, seconded by Kevin Foley, to authorize the Town Treasurer to extend the maturity date of the $ 1,406, 995 Interim Loan Note from April 1, 1995, to June 30, 1995, at a rate of 1.26' vote approved 5-0. The town is participating in the issuance of these notes under the Massachusetts Water Pollution Abatement Trust program to finance the Phase II - Great Pond Road Sewer Project. STATUS - RECYCLING PROGRAM: The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection has given the Town two recycling rolloffs temporarily for six months. Mr. Perna stated that he still needs two additional rolloffs, and he will be addressing that need at a later time. The Division of Public Works will be using Dave White' s facility as a recycling location until another facility is established. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, this meeting adjourned at 9:37 PM. Melissa Powers, Admin. Secretary Clerk