HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-12-09 Board of Selectmen Minutes BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES DECEMBER 9, 1996
CALL TO ORDER: Kevin Foley, Chairman, called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM.
ATTENDANCE: The following were present: Kevin Foley, Chairman;William B. Duffy, Jr.;
John Leeman; Donald Stewart; David Torrisi; and Robert J. Halpin, Town Manager.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: October 29,November 4, and November 18 -David Torrisi made a
motion, seconded by John Leeman,to approve the minutes as submitted; vote approved 5-0.
COMMUNICATIONS,ANNOUNCEMENTS & PUBLIC COMMENT: Sewer Rate Relief Fund-
The town has been informed by the Department of Revenue that the Sewer Rate Relief Fund distribution to
the Town of North Andover will be $ 48,000.
Congratulations to Football Team-Donald Stewart congratulated the North Andover Football team for
their admirable season.
Annual Selectmen's Christmas Breakfast-Mr. Foley expressed his thanks to the many businesses who
donated items for the Selectmen's Christmas breakfast, as well as John Leeman and Karen Robertson for
their assistance.
Power Outage Update -Mr. Halpin updated the Board on the status of the power outages in North Andover
due to the recent snow storm.
Beverly Street-Requests for Services -Winter Parking Ban-Jerry McGuire, 89 Beverly Street, discussed
with the board three issues pertaining to Beverly Street. Mr. McGuire requested that the board consider
posting speed limit signs (siting concern for the many children in the area), allowing parking on both sides
of the street on the sidewalks during the parking ban, as well as getting a street light fixed.
Mr. Foley suggested that the Traffic Advisory Council review the need for speed limit signs or any other
signs which may assist in the concerns raised by Mr. McGuire. (Mr. McGuire also suggested considering
"resident only"parking.) The Town Manager's office will make the appropriate contacts regarding the
street light.
Chief Dolan, Fire Chief, expressed his concerns to allowing parking on both sides of the street. Concern to
blocking the fire hydrants, as well as the narrowness of the roadway which could cause the road to be
blocked completely by vehicle equipment.
John Leeman made a motion, seconded by Donald Stewart,to allow parking on both sides of Beverly
Street, but not within 10 feet of fire hydrants; Motion restated after further discussion. Mr. DiSalvo,
91 Beverly Street, requested that the board allow parking on both sides of the street. David Torrisi
suggested that the Traffic Advisory Council check this situation and make a recommendation back to the
Board.
John Leeman made a motion, seconded by Donald Stewart,to allow parking on both sides of Beverly Street
on the sidewalk, not to allow parking within 10 feet of a fire hydrant, and to have George Perna, Director,
Division of Public Works,to review the situation. If Mr. Perna recommends differently, he is to report
back that recommendation to the Board of Selectmen for consideration; vote approved 5-0.
Board of Selectmen Minutes December 9, 1996 Page 2.
PUBLIC HEARING- NEW ENGLAND TELEPHONE AND TELEGRAPH COMPANY-
PETITION FOR 125 FEET OF UNDERGROUND CONDUIT AND ONE HAND HOLE -
PLAN#822,WINTERGREEN DRIVE: Cathy Fraser,Nynex, submitted a new plan 4822 for approval
of the Board. John Leeman made a motion, seconded by Donald Stewart,to approve the New England
Telephone &Telegraph Company petition plan 4822 to place approximately 125 feet of underground
conduit as well as a hand hole; vote approved 5-0.
REQUEST FOR PERMISSION TO USE THE OLD CENTER COMMON (May 18, 1997 and
June 21, 1997) - Sheep Shearing Festival and First Calvary Church Picnic -Donald Stewart made a
motion, seconded by John Leeman,to approve the requests to use the Old Center Common for the Sheep
Shearing Festival on May 18, 1997 and the First Calvary Church Picnic on June 21, 1997 (rain date
June 28, 1997); vote approved 5-0.
POLICE DEPARTMENT -ACCEPTANCE OF DONATION: John Leeman made a motion,
seconded by David Torrisi,to accept a$ 2,000 donation to North Andover Police Department from
Mr. Peter Coco, Bond Leather Company in Peabody; vote approved 5-0.
SEWER EXTENSION- 1925 AND 1939 GREAT POND ROAD: William Duffy made a motion,
seconded by John Leeman,to authorize the extension of Phase III B of the sewer system to 1925 and 1939
Great Pond Road, and to assess the abutters $ 3,858; vote approved 5-0.
DISCUSSION OF FISCAL YEAR 1997 BUDGET ISSUES: The Town Manager discussed budget
issues which have been brought to his attention; unforeseen expenses which have not been funded in the
1997 budget. The Town Manager explained that the 1998 Budget Policy Statements recommends 1.5
percent of the net tax revenues will be budgeted for the reserve fund.
APPOINTMENTS: North Andover's Representative to the Greater Lawrence Sanitary District(GLSD)
Board of Commissioners -Resignation of John Pollano -John Leeman made a motion, seconded by
Donald Stewart,to accept the resignation of John Pollano from the GLSD Board of Commissioners and to
thank Mr. Pollano for his service to the Town; vote approved 5-0.
Appointment of H. Goodloe Suttler-GLSD Board of Commissioners -John Leeman made a motion,
seconded by Donald Stewart,to appoint H. Goodloe Suttler, as the Town of North Andover's
representative to the Board of Commissioners of the Greater Lawrence Sanitary District, effective
immediately; vote approved 5-0. Mr. Suttler agreed to this appointment temporarily until the town is able
to find a permanent representative. The Town will begin advertising this vacancy.
Stevens Estate A Osgood Hill -Board of Trustees -The Board discussed the appointments of a Board of
Trustees for the Stevns Estate @ Osgood Hill. The Board received copies of the applications as well as the
Town Manager's proposed organizational elements of Osgood Hill, a proposed policy statement, and a
questionnaire to be responded to by applicants. Any suggestions for the questionnaire should be presented
to the Town Manager by the end of the week so that the questionnaires may be sent out, as soon as
possible. These appointments will be placed on the agenda in January, 1997.
John Leeman made a motion, seconded by David Torrisi,to approve the Policy Statement;this motion was
restated to include that the policy statement is for the purposes of a guide for the Board of Trustees, as well
as having it in accordance with the timeline as recommended by William Scott, Director, Division of
Community Services and Development; vote approved 5-0.
Board of Selectmen Minutes December 9, 1996 Page 3.
The following is the approved policy statement:
POLICY STATEMENT
Stevens Estate(a)Osgood Hill
The real estate consisting of the land and buildings at Stevens Estate at Osgood Hill is
owned by the Town of North Andover and is a community asset held in public trust for
the benefit of the inhabitants ofNorth Andover. The preservation of this open space and
historical asset, as well as the protection of the Town's water supply are recognized, as
part of the core mission of the Town government. The Trustees are to complete the
management plan to govern the public use of the property and assure its proper
management and upkeep.
The business conference center located on the property is a business enterprise unrelated
to the basic mission and function of the Town per se. It does represent a business
opportunity to realize income and profit, which the Town may use to support its basic
mission, including the maintenance and upkeep of the real estate. In other words, to the
extent that the business enterprise is successful, it will provide funds for the upkeep and
use of the property which would otherwise come from the General Fund. The Trustees
are expected to oversee the current business enterprise and to prepare a business plan to
assure profitability of the business enterprise to provide for the complete upkeep and
maintenance of the estate and related grounds.
The Trustees are expected to present the plans and obtain any required votes at the next
Annual Town Meeting, in accordance with the timeline approved by the Board of
Selectmen.
ORDER OF TAKING- BLUE RIDGE ROAD, SOUTH BRADFORD STREET AND
LANCASTER ROAD: John Leeman made a motion, seconded by Donald Stewart,to approve the order
of taking for Blue Ridge Road, South Bradford Street, and Lancaster Road; vote approved 5-0. This order
was necessary for the taking of land necessary for the laying out of these roads as public ways. This
property was appraised by the town's Chief Assessor.
SEXUAL HARASSMENT POLICY: The Board discussed the proposed sexual harassment policy. Mr.
Foley suggested requiring an acknowledgment receipt of the policy, as well as requiring mandatory training
of individuals involved should any occurrence be investigated.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: John Leeman made a motion, seconded by Donald Stewart,to move into
Executive Session for the purposes of an update regarding discussions with MRI regarding the NESWC
contract negotiations;the Board was individually polled and voted unanimously to move into Executive
Session.
Melissa Powers, Administrative Secretary David Torrisi, Clerk