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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-03-26 Board of Selectmen Minutes BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES March 26, 2001 CALL TO ORDER: James Xenakis called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. ATTENDANCE: The following were present: James M. Xenakis, Chairman; Rosemary Smedile; John R. Leeman, Jr.;William Duffy; Donald B. Stewart; Mark Rees, Town Manager. EXECUTIVE SESSION: John Leeman made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart,to move into Executive Session to discuss pending litigation with GLSD and a real estate matter; vote approved 5 — 0. 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. BOARD REORGANIZATION: Clerk of the Board of Selectmen. With the departure of one Selectman and the election of another, it is necessary that the Board address filling the recently vacated clerk of the board position as well as various committee and liaison roles filled by Selectman Keith Mitchell. Donald Stewart made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile,to nominate John Leeman to position of Clerk of the Board of Selectmen; vote approved 5 — 0. Sub Committee Appointments. John Leeman made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart,to have the Budget Communication Group Liaison to Committee consist of Selectman Smedile and Selectman Stewart; vote approved 5 — 0. John Leeman made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile,to combine the Audit subcommittees to consist of one subcommittee with Selectmen Xenakis and Selectman Duffy; vote approved 5 — 0. John Leeman made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart,to appoint Rosemary Smedile and James Xenakis to the Warrant review subcommittee; vote approved 5 — 0. John Leeman made a MOTION, seconded by William Duffy,to appoint Rosemary Smedile and Donald Stewart as liaisons to the Telecommunications committee; vote approved 5 — 0. John Leeman made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile,to appoint Selectman James Xenakis and Selectman Rosemary Smedile to the Education Funding subcommittee; vote approved 5 - 0 Board of Selectmen Procedures. Town Manager Mark Rees presented a copy of Board of Selectmen Policies and Procedures Book from the Town of Northbridge. John Leeman made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart,to appoint James Xenakis and former Selectman Martha Larson to a temporary subcommittee to discuss The Board of Selectman operating procedures; vote approved 5 — 0. COMMUNICATIONS,ANNOUNCEMENTS,AND PUBLIC COMMENT Board of Selectmen Meeting. From now until Annual Town Meeting May 14, 2001,the Board will be meeting every week except for Patriot's Day April 16, 2001. The next Board of Selectmen meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 2, 2001, at Stevens Memorial Library at 7:00 PM. Drainage calculations from Lost Pond Lane. John Leeman asked to have drainage calculations from Lost Pond Lane. Town Manager Mark Rees stated it was being worked on with the DPW and Community Development. James Xenakis requests that the Town have a representative from the Conservation Commission present at the Board meeting of April 9, 2001, and notify all abutters in the vicinity. Board of Selectmen Minutes March 26,2001 Page 2 Street Names. John Leeman stated he is confused how streets are named. There are some duplicate names. Fire Chief William Dolan stated Communications officer Richard Boettcher has been working on duplicate street names with the 911 system. Chief Dolan stated he would have Richard Boettcher work on a list of duplicate and similar sounding names. LICENSING: Donald Stewart made a MOTION, seconded by John Leeman,to move into licensing; vote approved 5 — 0. John Leeman made a MOTION, seconded by James Xenakis,to approve the following One-Day liquor licenses for Evy Gillette, Manager, Stevens Estate @ Osgood Hill, 723 Osgood Street,North Andover, MA, with a fee waiver for MV Chamber Mixer and the Franklin School PTO;vote approved 5 — 0. 1. Franklin School PTO Paddy Duncan March 30, 2001 7:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m. Beer&Wine 2. Murder Mystery Comedy April 14, 2001 7:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m. All Alcohol Theater/David Goldstein 3. MV Chamber Mixer, Stevens Estate April 17, 2001 5:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. Beer&Wine 4. Murder Mystery Dinner/ April 28, 2001 7:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m. All Alcohol David Goldstein Common Victualler License: Ywemao Xu, Great Wall, Inc., d/b/a Great Wall Restaurant, 56 Main Street, North Andover, MA. John Leeman made a MOTION, seconded by James Xenakis,to continue this matter for two weeks, have the applicant Ywemao Xu work with Building Inspector Bob Nicetta to get a certified parking plan and straighten out the list of conditions with the Board of Health. Town Manager Mark Rees stated he would coordinate a meeting between the applicant,the Building inspector and the Board of Health. James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by John Leeman,to move out of licensing; vote approved 5 — 0. CONSENT ITEMS: Annual Youth Services Carnival at the North Andover High School, April 26-29, 2001. Donald Stewart made a MOTION, seconded by John Leeman,to approve the Annual Youth Services Carnival at the North Andover High School, April 26-29, 2001,with the condition that there be no smoking on high school grounds; vote approved 5 — 0. Bob &Jennifer Travis Cystic Fibrosis Foundation walk-a-thon Saturday, May 19, 2001. William Duffy made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart to approve the walk-a-thon request from Bob and Jennifer Travis, Saturday, May 19, 2001, from 8:00 AM— 12:30 PM for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation; vote approved 5 — 0. St. Michael's Church to use Old Center Common for a parish Mass and picnic on June 3, 2001, and September 16, 2001. John Leeman made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile,to approve Rev. Paul T. Keyes of St. Michael's Church's request to use the Old Center Common on June 3, 2001,and September 16, 2001, for a parish Mass and picnic; vote approved 5 — 0. Board of Selectmen Minutes March 26,2001 Page 3 North Andover Festival Committee 4th of July Celebrations. John Leeman made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile,to approve the use of the Old Center Common from June 29, 2001,to July 4, 2001, for the 4th of July celebration including a Revolutionary War encampment; vote approved 5 — 0. John Leeman made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile,to have the Town Manager send a letter to a representative of the Merrimack Striders, asking them to meet with the Festival Committee on April 5, 2001, and bring this back to the next Board of Selectmen meeting; vote approved 5 — 0. Donald Stewart made a MOTION, seconded by John Leeman,to grant permission to close Mass Ave. from Osgood Street to the Old Center starting from 6:00 AM to 4:00 PM on July 4, 2001, for the purpose of conducting 4th of July festivities; vote approved 5 — 0. OLD BUSINESS: Water Street Parking. Lt. Carney of the North Andover Police Department updated the Board of Selectmen with an ongoing parking problem on Water Street. Residents of Water Street have complained that the employees at Yale Properties were using all available parking on Water St. during the day. A year ago residents met before the Board. At that time it was authorized to post the northeast side of Water St. "Residents Only"and limit the parking on Merrimack St to two hours. Those postings have provided some relief to area residents. However, continued all-day parking on the southwest(St. Gregory) side of Water Street from Main Street to Merrimack Street continues to cause congestion in the neighborhood. This area of the road is somewhat narrower than other sections. The travel way is reduced further during the winter months due to the snow. This is also a route frequently used by the Fire Department. There is ample onsite parking for the employees of this complex but they refuse to use it. Most, however, will abide by the signs and the Police Department is confident they can continue enforcement against those who will not. The Police Department issued about 450 parking violations in that area over the past year. John Leeman made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart,to post"Two Hour Parking 8:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. Monday through Friday"; from Main Street to Merrimack Street; vote approved 5 — 0. For the record the residents wanted to thank Lt. Carney for all his help over the past few months,the residents said Lt. Carney has been very helpful. Historical Commission Building Move. At a previous meeting,the Board was apprised of the desire of the North Andover Historical Society to move the historically significant James Bridges house from Marbleridge Road to Academy Road. At that time the board gave preliminary approval to the move subject to the Historical Society receiving permission from all of the involved parties. Town Manager Mark Rees stated the Historical Commission has received permission from all departments and utility companies and brought forward a certificate of insurance for one million dollars in coverage, with the Town named as additional insured with the moving company. The move has been delayed a week or so with the flooding and is looking at an April 7, 2001, moving date. The Town Manager stated everything is in order and he recommends the Board's approval on this move. John Leeman made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart,to approve the Historical Commission building move from Marbleridge Road to Academy Road; vote approved 5 — 0. May 14, 2001, Annual Town Meeting Warrant. Town Manager Mark Rees presented a draft of the warrant for the upcoming Annual Town Meeting that also is being reviewed by Town Counsel, Bond Counsel,the Town Clerk and the Town Moderator. As soon as the review is complete the final warrant will be available for the Board's signature. Board of Selectmen Minutes March 26,2001 Page 4 NEW BUSINESS: Community Preservation Committee Appointments. John Leeman stated Brad Wakeman and Ronald Headrick have been instrumental in getting the Community Preservation Act passed. John Leeman made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile,to appoint Ronald Headrick to the Community Preservation Committee for a one year term; vote approved 5 —0. Bernice Fink stated she would like to see some diversity of people before all the positions are filled. She would not like to see all three positions filled with people from the same interest. John Leeman made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile,to appoint Brad Wakeman to a three year term to the Community Preservation Committee; vote approved 5 — 0. The two-year term will be filled next week. Inspection Services for New High School Project. John Leeman and Mark Rees have discussed the issue of permitting several times with Lou Minicucci, chairman of the School Building Committee. John Leeman is requesting consideration for two separate but related matters. First,he would like the Board to consider reducing the inspection fees charged to the High School Building Project as a way to reduce the overall costs of the project and second, he is requesting that the inspectors be compensated beyond their normal salary for the extra work involved with inspecting such a large project. Mark Rees discussed these issues with Town Counsel Thomas Urbelis and Town Counsel said that it was within the Board's purview to reduce the inspection fees for municipal/school building projects and that the Town can pay additional funds to employees for added workload so long as it is consistent with the Town's personnel policies and that there is an appropriation to pay for the additional pay. The Town cannot, however,take the inspection fees and pay them directly to the inspectors. Related to this matter,the Building Inspector's office submitted a FY02 budget request for a new building inspector position which would allow for the current Building Commissioner to do the High School and other municipal oversight work without compromising the day to day operations of the department. This new position was not recommended in the Town Manager's budget. John Leeman made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart,to accept the reduced fee of$110,500 for permit fees and inspection services for the High School; vote approved 5-0. FY02 Town Manager's Recommended General Fund Budd Town Manager Mark Rees stated Finance Director Chuck Benevento should be commended for putting together the budget and it speaks highly of his ability. Chuck Benevento and Mark Rees provided an oral presentation of the budget. The same report was presented to the Finance Committee last week and the Finance Committee intends to issue their recommendations by April 3, 2001,to allow for sufficient time for printing and distribution of their charter- mandated report. TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT: Weather Emergencies. In the Manager's Report Mark Rees wanted to publicly commend the Chief and Fire Department, Emergency Management John Coco, The Police Department,the DPW and William Hmurciak for an excellent job responding to all the emergencies as a result of the flood. The Fire Department responded to over 200 calls for assistance. This was a real team issue to get out there and address some of these very serious concerns that came forward. John Leeman added he would like letters sent from the Board to all Departments commending them on their efforts. John Leeman also stated the Board would be quick to respond when things don't go right and when they do, John stated the Board should do the same thing and thanked everyone. Board of Selectmen Minutes March 26,2001 Page 5 Rosemary Smedile added everyone worked so hard. James Xenakis stated it has been a very difficult month and thanked everyone for their efforts,with two "state of emergencies"in less than three weeks. Lucent Technologies receives award from OSHA. On March 19, 2001, Mark Rees and Fire Chief William Dolan attended an award ceremony at Lucent Technologies where the company was presented with a prestigious award from OSHA for their work in promoting work place safety. Exchange Club of Lawrence Police Officer of the Year Award". On Tuesday, March 20, 2001, Mark Rees and Police Chief Richard Stanley attended the Exchange Club of Lawrence's Police Officers of the Year Award where North Andover's Inspector Daniel G. Cronin was honored for his service to the North Andover Police Department. NESWIC Meeting. On March 20, 2001, Mark Rees attended the monthly NESWIC meeting where the discussion centered on the steps NESWIC communities should be taking to begin planning for the expiration of the service agreements scheduled for 2005. Youth Baseball League. Youth Services Director Rick Gorman sent Town Manager Mark Rees a memorandum on the March 8, 2001, vote of the Little League community to merge with the Boosters Club baseball program. The new baseball league is now called the North Andover Boosters Club Little League (NABCLL). For the first time in five years all the youth of North Andover will be playing baseball together. The new baseball league is a completely autonomous baseball organization. The new league has elected a new board of Directors, which has five members from the Little League and five members from the Boosters Club. The eleventh member is the Youth Services Director. Town Manager Mark Rees had previously sent a letter commending Rick Gorman for this significant accomplishment. ADJOURNMENT: Rosemary Smedile made a MOTION, seconded by John Leeman,to adjourn the meeting at 9:45 PM; vote approved 5 — 0. Kathleen O'Neill Administrative Secretary James M. Xenakis, Chairman