HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-01-08 Board of Selectmen Minutes BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES January 8, 2001
CALL TO ORDER: James Xenakis called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
ATTENDANCE: The following were present: James M. Xenakis, Chairman; Keith Mitchell;
John R. Leeman, Jr.; Donald B. Stewart; Mark Rees, Town Manager. (William Duffy, was not
present)
EXECUTIVE SESSION: John Leeman made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart,to move
into Executive Session to discuss potential litigation of GLSD; vote approved 4-0.
The Board was individually polled and each voted to move into Executive Session. (William Duffy
was not present).
The Board of Selectmen was individually polled and each voted to move into Executive Session.
Chairman Xenakis stated the Board would be returning to Open Session after the Executive Session.
COMMUNICATIONS,ANNOUNCEMENTS,AND PUBLIC COMMENT
Board of Selectmen Meeting. The next Board of Selectmen meeting is scheduled for Monday,
January 22, 2001, at Stevens Memorial Library at 7:30 PM.
Selectmen Meeting Schedules were discussed and it is the consensus of the Board to schedule Board
meetings every other week, but to call a meeting as needed.
LICENSING COMMISSIONERS:
Donald Stewart made a MOTION, seconded by Keith Mitchell,to move into licensing; vote
approved 4— 0.
James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Keith Mitchell,to transfer the Common Victualler's
License from Dimitrious Poogaridis to Emmanuel Papadakis, Jimmy's Famous Pizza, 1591 Osgood
St(Rt. 125)North Andover, MA; vote approved 4— 0.
James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Keith Mitchell to move back into regular session; vote
approved 4— 0.
CONSENT ITEMS:
Stoneham Savings Bank.
Donald Stewart made a MOTION, seconded by John Leeman,to grant permission to Lynne Shay of
Stoneham Savings Bank, 601 Chickering Road,to hang a banner for the month of January 2001,to
advertise promotions; vote approved 4— 0.
Fire Department Donation from Schneider Electric.
John Leeman made a MOTION, seconded by Keith Mitchell,to accept a$1,000 donation from
Schneider Electric and to send a letter of thanks; vote approved 4— 0.
OLD BUSINESS:
Hawkaway Road Sewer Easement Taking. Harkaway Road is between Osgood Street and Stevens
Street. This is part of the Consent Order,the sewer line runs thru a portion of Mill Pond, it will be
completely out of there and run down Stevens St to Osgood St and tie into the DPW office.
Keith Mitchell made a MOTION, seconded by John Leeman,to execute the order taking of the
Hawkaway Road Sewer Easement; vote approved 4— 0.
Board of Selectmen Minutes January 8,2001 Page 2
Sewer Betterment Assessment, Phase 3C. The Sewer Betterment Assessment was continued to the
January 22, 2001, Board of Selectmen meeting so all figures could be verified before the Board votes.
FY02 Budget Policy Statement. At the Board of Selectmen Meeting of December 18, 2000,the
Board was presented with a draft budget policy statement for FY02 and requested a year to date
revenue report and a report detailing how well the Town did in meeting last years financial goals,
both which are included with the draft budget policy statement. The Town is meeting the revenue
projections of the general fund so far, and nothing looks out of line that will bring more revenues than
budgeted last year. Keith Mitchell suggested an executive summary be prepared, so people could
better understand the policy statement.
John Leeman made a MOTION, seconded by Keith Mitchell,to approve the policy and to have the
chair prepare an executive summary; vote approved 4— 0.
Warrant for January 29, 2001 Special Town Meeting. John Leeman and James Xenakis would like
clarification on the exemptions on the Community Preservation Act; especially in regards to Senior
Citizens and Veterans. The Article presented only mentioned low and moderate income for senior
housing, not senior citizens or veterans. Bea Fink stated the surcharge would apply to exemptions,the
surcharge has to be paid, even if someone defers their taxes they cannot defer the surcharge. Town
Manager Mark Rees stated he would verify this information with Nellie Aikenhead from The Trust
for Public Land.
John Leeman made a MOTION, seconded by Keith Mitchell,that the Board sign the Warrant and
adopt exceptions and revisions for Veterans and Senior Citizens if allowed by law; vote approved
4- 0.
NEW BUSINESS:
Sealer of Weights and Measures. The Town has been without a Sealer of Weights and Measures for
sometime and the state has been temporarily assuming the responsibility for the town for a fee. The
State does not provide this service on a permanent basis so it is necessary for the Town to assume this
function in the near future. One option is to contract this service out with the costs offset by fees
generated.
John Leeman made a MOTION, seconded by Keith Mitchell,to authorize the Town Manager to issue
an RFP for the purpose of contracting out the position of Sealer of Weights and Measures; vote
approved 4— 0.
Set Date for Annual Town Meeting Monday, May 14, 2001.
John Leeman made a MOTION, seconded by Keith Mitchell,to set the date for Annual Town
Meeting Monday, May 14, 2001; vote approved 4— 0.
John Leeman stated he would like letters sent out notifying people of the Annual Town Meeting date.
Mark Rees stated the Warrant should be closed on March 23, 2001,he would bring a list of suggested
dates to the next meeting.
Authorization to File State Revolving Loan Application. John Leeman made a MOTION, seconded
by Keith Mitchell,to authorize the Town Manager to sign the State Revolving Loan Application; vote
approved 4— 0.
TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT: The Town Manager updated the Board of Selectmen that the
DPW recently solicited proposals for the development of depreciation and indirect costs for the
Town's three enterprise funds: water, sewer and Steven's Estate. For the depreciation and indirect
cost studies,the sole bidder was Consultants to Management at a total cost of$19,400. For the rate
study, a single proposal was received from Woodcock and Associates for$19,500. The Board would
Board of Selectmen Minutes January 8,2001 Page 3
like the Town Manager to solicit more bids on these audits. Mark Rees was going to talk to Melanson
Heath on this issue.
Mark Rees also asked if the Board of Selectmen was able to meet on Saturday morning, January 20,
2001 to go over goal setting at Stevens Estate.
Finance Director Chuck Benevento and Mark Rees met with the Town Department heads to distribute
operating budget instructions. Requests are due in by January 18, 2001.
ADJOURNMENT: Keith Mitchell made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart,to adjourn the
meeting at 8:30 PM; vote approved 4— 0.
Kathleen O'Neill
Administrative Secretary Keith Mitchell, Clerk of the Board