HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-11-24 Board of Selectmen Minutes BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES NOVEMBER 24, 1997
CALL TO ORDER: John Leeman, Chairman, called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM.
ATTENDANCE: The following were present: John Leeman, Chairman;William B. Duffy, Jr.;
Kevin Foley; Donald Stewart; David Torrisi; and Robert J. Halpin, Town Manager.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: November 3, 1997 -David Torrisi made a motion, seconded by
Donald Stewart,to approve the minutes of November 3, 1997; vote approved 5-0.
COMMUNICATIONS,ANNOUNCEMENTS,AND PUBLIC COMMENT: Presentation of
Appreciation to James Gammie -Kevin Foley stated that over the past years, it has been a pleasure to work
with Mr. Gammie during Mr. Gammie's tenure on the Finance Committee. The Chairman presented a
plaque to Mr. Gammie in thanks for his years of service and expertise while serving on the Finance
Committee.
Santa Parade -November 29 -The Santa Parade is Saturday,November 29, 1997 forming at the Kittredge
School at 1:15 PM stepping off at 2:00 PM.
People for the Environment Hearing -David Torrisi stated that the People for the Environment hearing on
Thursday was well attended. He expressed appreciation for the activism from the people and their
involvement in providing information. The Board then discussed the EPA notice of violations to
Wheelabrator.
David Torrisi made a motion, seconded by Donald Stewart,to request a letter be sent to the EPA that any
fines levied against Wheelabrator be paid to the Town, as a result of the EPA notice of violation,that fines
be paid to the town and any future violations be paid to the town; vote approved 5-0. The Board requested
that the State and Congressional delegation be contacted with respect to this letter.
LICENSING COMMISSIONERS: David Torrisi made a motion, seconded by Kevin Foley,to move
into licensing; vote approved 5-0.
Request For A One Day All Alcoholic Beverages License -Armen Jeknavorian, St. Gregory Armenian
Church, 158 Main Street, For A Dinner Dance On December 6, 1997 From 6:00 PM Until 1:00 AM -
Kevin Foley made a motion, seconded by John Leeman,to grant this license; vote approved 5-0.
Evy Gillette, Manager, Stevens Estate n, Osgood Hill requests two one day licenses
1. November 28, 1997, 8:00 PM - 1:00 AM Chelmsford Reunion-Jennifer Maa
2. November 29, 1997, 6:30 PM - 12:00 AM Beaton/Marchado Wedding
John Leeman made a motion, seconded by Kevin Foley,to grant these licenses; vote approved 5-0.
David Torrisi made a motion, seconded by Kevin Foley,to move back into regular session; vote
approved 5-0.
Board of Selectmen Minutes -November 24, 1997 Page 2.
APPOINTMENTS: Beth Wescott- Conservation Commission-Kevin Foley made a motion, seconded by
David Torrisi,to appoint Beth Wescott to the Conservation Commission for a term to expire
June 30, 1999; vote approved 5 - 0.
1997- 1998 WINTER PARKING BAN: The Board of Selectmen reviewed the 1997 - 1998 winter
parking ban which will go into effect on December 3, 1997. They discussed the effect this ban will have on
Beverly Street. Chief Dolan and Sgt. Fred Soucy discussed the recommendations for the ban on Beverly
Street. William Duffy made a motion, seconded by David Torrisi,to approve the Winter Parking Ban as
recommended by the Police Department; vote approved 4-1 (Donald Stewart opposed).
CHARLES ESTATE -APPROVAL OF RELEASE DEED: The Board of Selectmen reviewed the
release deed of the Charles Estate. William Duffy made a motion, seconded by Kevin Foley,to approve
this release; vote approved 5-0. The Board of Selectmen signed this deed which will be recorded.
ATHLETIC FIELDS - DISCUSSION OF DEVELOPMENT AND IMPROVEMENT: The Town
Manager discussed the development and improvement of the town athletic fields. Mr. Halpin, Mr. Foley
and Mr. Torrisi held a meeting with various athletic group representatives. During this meeting,they
discussed the fields allocation needs and the participants met with an architect to discuss the development
of some new and existing fields. This meeting was a kick off meeting and Mr. Halpin expects that there
will be further discussions.
PRELIMINARY DISCUSSON OF TAX CLASSIFICATION HEARING: The Tax Classification
public hearing will be held on December 1, 1997. Garrett Boles, Chief Assessor met with the Board and
presented the impact of the preliminary estimated rate impact for 1998. The Board of Selectmen discussed
the impact that the Thomson School and Osgood Hill debt impacts would be, as well as requested
information from Mr. Boles and Mr. Mahoney on these subjects. Ryan Associates was contracted to
perform the revaluation of the commercial and industrial property in North Andover.
TRAFFIC SAFETY PROGRAM: Chief Stanley and William Scott, Director, Community Development
& Services, presented to the Board of Selectmen the proposed Traffic Safety program. This program will
be utilized to review and address any traffic safety issues and requests. This program is expected to
address traffic safety issues within an acceptable amount of time. Chief Stanley also discussed the STOPP
Grant as it relates to this traffic safety program.
FISCAL YEAR 1999 BUDGET MESSAGE (Budget Policy Statement): The Town Manager
presented the FY '99 Budget Message (Budget Policy Statement). Mr. Duffy read the following as the
preamble to the budget message:
SELECTMEN'S FY 1999 BUDGET MESSAGE
This budget message by the Selectmen builds upon and incorporates by reference the excellent draft
budget message submission presented to us by the Manager for our consideration and adoption. See
attached copy of the Manager's submission..
The Board position on overrides for FY 1999 is as follows:
The Board does not anticipate supporting the inclusion of an override or overrides in the FY
99 budget;
It may,however,support the inclusion of an override in this budget for site acquisition
purposes if the site acquisition is:
Board of Selectmen Minutes -November 24, 1997 Page 3.
Justified in full in a written submission to the Board by the department or departments
seeking the site;
The site is on the market and available at a reasonable price and unlikely to be available at
such price thereafter;
The site is less costly to obtain by a market purchase then by eminent domain.
The board believes the manager's submission to it fully supports the adoption of these policies
for the FY 99 budget even at this early stage of the budget process. This is particularly so since labor
union contracts effecting FY 99 and beyond are currently the subject of negotiations and are unlikely to
be settled until after the budget must be voted on in May,1999. Clearly,the cost of these settlements
could effect the Town's capacity to embark on other initiatives and, conversely, embarking on major
initiatives prior to reaching settlement with the unions could effect the Town's ability to support
competitive salaries for its employees.
William Duffy made a motion, seconded by Kevin Foley,to approve the Fiscal Year 1999 Budget
Message; vote approved 5-0.
TOWN CHARTER REVIEW SUBCOMMITTEE: The Charter Review subcommittee,
consisting of Mr. Duffy and Mr. Foley, has met and discussed with many people the subject of
improvements to town meeting form of government. A more representative form of government is
the subject of concern. The subcommittee will continue to review the subject and will report again
to the Board.
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, Donald Stewart made a motion, seconded
by Kevin Foley,to adjourn this meeting at 9:15 PM.
Melissa A. Powers, Administrative Secretary David Torrisi, Clerk of the Board