HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-03-04 Board of Selectmen Minutes BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES MARCH 4, 1997
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.
COMMUNICATIONS,ANNOUNCEMENTS,AND PUBLIC COMMENT: Town Election-
Mr. Foley announced that Mr. Leeman and Mr. Stewart were both re-elected and congratulated each of
them. He also congratulated Marilyn Doyle on her re-election and Louis Minicucci on being elected to the
School Committee.
Exchange Club -North Andover Police Officer of the Year Award- Chief Stanley announced that
Inspector Daniel Cronin was awarded as the North Andover Police Officer of the year at the Exchange
Club luncheon on this day.
Master Plan Committee Phone Survev-The Chairman announced that the Master Plan Committee is
continuing the phone survey of residents and if anyone is interested in volunteering,the committee could
use their help.
Change Date of Town Meeting -Joyce Bradshaw, Town Clerk, discussed the possibility of changing the
date of the Annual Town Meeting and the impact of the town bylaws which should be considered.
POLICE DEPARTMENT - DONATION ACCEPTANCE FROM MASSACHUSETTS
REFUSETECH INC. -John Leeman made a motion, seconded by Donald Stewart,to accept the donation
from Massachusetts Refusetech, Inc. for traffic monitor trailer valued at$ 13, 755.70; vote approved 5-0.
John Leeman made a motion, seconded by William Duffy,to have a letter of thanks sent to MRI for their
donation; vote approved 5-0.
APPOINTMENTS - CONSERVATION COMMISSION: William Duffy made a motion, seconded by
John Leeman,to approve the following appointments to the Conservation Commission; vote approved 5-0.
Conservation Commission Member-Appointment of John T. Mahon-Unexpired term June 30, 1998.
Conservation Commission-Associate Member-Appointment of Beth Wescott-Term expiring
June 30, 2000.
NORTH ANDOVER POLICE DEPARTMENT CITIZEN'S ADVISORY COMMITTEE,AND
MEMBERS OF THE NORTH ANDOVER POLICE DEPARTMENT BARGAINING UNITS
DISCUSS CONCERNS OF THE IMPACTS OF THE FISCAL YEAR 1998 BUDGET: Chief
Stanley spoke to the Board of Selectmen regarding the request of the Advisory Committee and the
bargaining units to speak with the Board. After some discussions,the Advisory Committee and the
bargaining units agreed that completion of the Management Study, as well as review of the study's
recommendations would be the best first step in addressing the budget constraints facing the department.
The Management Study is expected to be complete within the next six weeks. Chief Stanley intends to hold
a workshop, at the completion of the study, for the purposes of discussing the study's recommendations.
Board of Selectmen Minutes Page 2.
Mr. Halpin discussed the need to address the concerns of the budget constraints, indicating that reducing
the number of cruisers is contrary to the recommendations of the Management Study, however, in order to
provide an Overtime Account at the Department,the reductions are needed to properly fund the overtime.
The overtime budget has historically been difficult to manage due to the past under funding.
FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT - FISCAL YEAR 1998 BUDGET REVIEW: James Gammie of
the Finance Committee discussed the committee's review of the funding levels needed to meet the Level I
and Level II budgets, as presented by the Town Manager. The Level I budget is balanced with the
expected revenue.
The Level II budget review considered the required override funding needs expected to sustain the level of
services for a period of time ranging from one to five years. The Finance Committee concluded that a
Level II budget minus $ 1.5 million, sustainable for three years with a$ 2.6 million override should be
presented to the voters for consideration. This figure is expected to increase the taxes by approximately
15%, which includes previous debt exclusion overrides of the Middle School project and the Osgood Hill
purchase. John Leeman requested a listing of the assumptions being utilized by the Finance Committee to
arrive at their conclusion.
The Town Manager distributed his listing of the budget cuts, by priority of the level of services required to
be provided to the town. These services are presently being provided and are not funded in the Level I
budget.
BREWSTER STREET - ORDER OF TAKING: John Leeman made a motion, seconded by
William Duffy,to approve the order of taking for Brewster Street; vote approved 5-0. The Board signed
this order.
FISCAL YEAR 1998 - 2002 - CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PLAN: The fiscal year 1998 -2002
Capital Improvement plan with the Town Manager's recommendations was presented to the Board of
Selectmen. No action was taken by the Board.
LANGUAGE FOR SPECIAL ELECTION BALLOT QUESTION: David Torrisi urged the Board of
Selectmen the need to decide the language for the Special Election ballot question, citing the setting of the
language will allow the town to immediately begin the campaign for the election. Mr. Leeman and
Mr. Duffy discussed the need to review the assumptions considered by the Finance Committee, and
Marilyn Doyle, of the School Committee requested a Budget Advisory Committee meeting to allow a direct
line of communication among the three boards.
William Duffy made a motion, seconded by John Leeman,to set the override number at the next
Selectmen's meeting. William Duffy made a motion, seconded by John Leeman,to amend the previous
motion to set the override number at the Selectmen's meeting of March 17, 1997;this motion was
withdrawn and then restated. William Duffy made a motion, seconded by John Leeman,to decide the
override language for the ballot at the Selectmen's meeting on March 10, 1997; vote approved 5-0.
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, John Leeman made a motion, seconded by
William Duffy,to adjourn this meeting at 9:30; vote approved 5-0.
Melissa A. Powers, Administrative Secretary David Torrisi, Clerk of the Board