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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-07-26 Board of Selectmen Minutes BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES JULY 26, 1999 CALL TO ORDER: Keith Mitchell called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. ATTENDANCE: The following were present: Keith A. Mitchell, Chairman;William Duffy, John R. Leeman, Jr. ; Donald B. Stewart; James M. Xenakis; Robert J. Halpin, Town Manager. EXECUTIVE SESSION: John Leeman made a MOTION, seconded by James Xenakis,to move into Executive Session to review status of the Police contract negotiations; vote approved 5 — 0. The Board of Selectmen was individually polled and each voted to move into Executive Session. James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by John Leeman,to move out of Executive Session at 8:00 p.m.; vote approved 5 — 0. COMMUNICATIONS,ANNOUNCEMENTS,AND PUBLIC COMMENT: The Town Manager reported the results of the fish testing in Lake Cochichewick and Stevens Pond. He said mercury was found in one species of fish and an advisory is being issued by the Board of Health saying that children under 12,pregnant women and nursing mothers should not eat any largemouth bass, and the general public should limit consumption to two meals per month. Keith Mitchell asked if the Department of Environmental Protection was coming to North Andover. The Town Manager said DEP is attempting to form a steering committee on various environmental issues. Keith Mitchell asked that the Town Manager follow-up. Keith Mitchell announced that the next Board of Selectmen meeting would be on August 9, 1999 at 7:30 p.m. LICENSING COMMISSIONERS: John Leeman made a MOTION seconded by Donald Stewart,to move into Licensing; vote approved 5 - 0. Automatic Amusement Devices License—Request from TJR Line Inc. to place four automatic amusement devices at Culpeppers Pub &Grill, 815 Turnpike Street. Keith Mitchell mentioned that this agenda item had been postponed from the last meeting because the Building Commissioner had not given a recommendation. Keith Mitchell made a Motion, seconded by John Leeman,to approve this license; vote approved 5 — 0. Keith Mitchell made a MOTION, seconded by John Leeman,to move out of Licensing; vote approved 5 - 0. OLD BUSINESS: Year End Revenue and Expenditure Report. William Duffy made a MOTION, seconded by John Leeman,that the cost of fringe benefits for employees be reflected not in the "fixed expenses"category but in the appropriate "other"category in the financial statements, such as "public safety, "education," etc.; vote approved 5 — 0. Board of Selectmen Minutes July 26, 1999 Page 2 William Duffy made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart,that the overall cost to the Town of every collective bargaining contract entered into by the Town be released at the time the settlement is reached and this cost be stated not only in terms of the dollar amounts involved but also in terms of the yearly percentage increase; vote approved 4— 1 (James Xenakis opposed). The Town Manager presented Fiscal Year 1999 year end actual to budget revenues and expenditures. He said although FY'99 had better results than FY'98,the data was mixed. The Town Manager said there were three main contributors that caused the General Fund revenue deficit. These areas included Building Permit Fees, Miscellaneous Nonrecurring revenue and Chapter 90 reimbursements of expenditures from Town budgets. He also recommended adjustments to FY 2000 revenues. These adjustments included reductions included property taxes—increase from new growth, bond premium revenue and Chapter 90 transfers. He said the reductions in local revenues are likely to be offset by increased Chapter 70 and lottery distributions contained in the Senate version of the state budget for FY 2000 as well as other legislative relief pending in the Conference Committee. He said that with the receipt of the Lucent Technologies retroactive payment of$435,000,there should be revenues to offset the General Fund revenue deficit and the Sewer Enterprise revenue deficit. The Finance Committee has received these numbers and will be reviewing them. William Duffy asked about the recap of General Fund expenditure balances particularly the reserve for incurred unpaid health insurance claims. The Town Manager said that an analysis has to be done on the incurred but unpaid amount. William Duffy also had concerns about the timing of water and sewer revenue. The Town Manager said it is not the intention to set up an accrual basis accounting system. The Town Manager said there would have to be further analysis on the timing issue. William Duffy spoke about the Lucent allocation between the General Fund and the Water Enterprise Fund. The Town Manager reviewed the year end expenditure report. He said the salary line items account for the elimination of the payroll accrual. After reviewing the department expenditures,the bottom line is a deficit of$210,625 much of which is the result of the deficit in the snow and ice budget. William Duffy suggested inviting Representatives Tornsi and Jones to a meeting to convey that the Town needs their support. NEW BUSINESS: 61A and 61B Notices. The Town Manager said this is property located on Rea Street and Chestnut Street. This was referred to the Conservation Commission and this is not a piece of property that is on their priority list. The owners of the property have requested that the Board vote to sign a statement that the Town is not interested in exercising its option and therefore they don't have to wait 120 days. John Leeman made a MOTION, seconded by James Xenakis,to get further clarification from the Conservation Commission for the property on Rea Street and Chestnut Street(amended); vote approved 5 — 0. ADJOURNMENT: Board of Selectmen Minutes July 26, 1999 Page 3 James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by John Leeman,to adjourn the meeting at 9:10 p.m.; vote approved 5 — 0. Ann M. Keating Administrative Secretary James M. Xenakis, Clerk of the Board