HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-02-12 Board of Selectmen Minutes BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES February 12, 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.;William Duffy; Donald B. Stewart; Mark Rees, Town Manager.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: John Leeman made a MOTION, seconded by Keith Mitchell,to move
into Executive Session to discuss strategy with respect to Litigation of Rocket Entertainment, Mesiti
Development Corp, A T&T Wireless and Technical Training, Inc.; vote approved 5-0.
The Board was individually polled and each voted to move into Executive Session.
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,
February 20, 2001, at Stevens Memorial Library at 7:00 PM.
LICENSING: John Leeman made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart,to move into licensing;
vote approved 5 — 0.
Stevens Estate One-Day License . John Leeman made a MOTION, seconded by Keith Mitchell,to
approve a One-Day All Alcohol License for Steven's Estate Valentines Dinner on February 14, 2001,
from 5:00 PM— 10:00 PM, fee waiver requested, vote approved; 5 — 0.
James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by John Leeman,to move out of licensing; vote approved
5 - 0.
APPOINTMENTS:
Auxillary/Special Police Officers. This item will be postponed until the next meeting.
Commission on Disability Issues. The Town Manager appointed David Bradburn, 20 Carty Circle,to
fill an unexpired term through June 30, 2002.
OLD BUSINESS:
Out Country Fire Station. Fire Chief William Dolan and Committee member Al Manzi updated the
Board. Mr. Manzi was given the task of doing the wetlands work on the alternative sites. At one of
the meetings the task force looked at about twenty sites. The committee pared it down to one or two
sites that met the criteria the Chief needed for response area within the Town. The committee located
Parcel 20 on Ingall Street, on October 20, 2000; Epsilon Associates was hired and sent a wetland
scientist to that site to do wetland delineation. The delineation was complete and successful. When
the task force did a title search, it came up as Town owned, but clear title has not been determined
and the task force doesn't really know who currently owns it. While out with the scientist Mr. Manzi
noticed Parcel 24 at the corner of Salem and Ingalls, owned by the State controlled by the Department
of Environmental Management. The mandate from the task force only authorized them to delineate
Parcel 20. While out at the site Mr. Manzi and the scientist took a walk on Parcel 24 and the scientist
opinion is the site is a very environmentally viable site. This information was reported back to the
task force on January 9, 2001 and the task force is respectfully requesting the Board of Selectmen's
endorsement to continue the investigation of Parcel 24 because it is beyond the scope of Article 23,
Board of Selectmen Minutes February 12,2001 Page 2
which mandated that the task force could investigate Town owned property only. The Committee
needs the scientist to go back out and delineate the site.
If the Selectmen did want to proceed with this Fire Chief William Dolan has the abutters list of the
abutters within 300 feet be notified that the Fire Department does intend to go out and look at the
property. The purpose for appearing before the Board this evening is to get the Board's approval and
send out the abutters list so everyone knows what is going on. James Xenakis stated he wished the
abutters had been notified before this evening's meeting. James Xenakis said he does not feel
comfortable without having the input of the abutters that are currently affected. John Leeman stated
they are only doing is delineation and if they find out it can't be built there is no use to get everyone
involved.
Keith Mitchell made a MOTION, seconded by John Leeman,that site 4 24 be investigated to
determine it's viability as an alternative site for an additional fire station; vote approved; 4— 1.
James Xenakis opposed because the abutters were not notified.
Closing Date of Warrant for May 14, 2001, Annual Town Meeting_. The Town Charter states you
have to close the Warrant 45 to 60 days prior to the Town Meeting. Mark Rees recommends closing
the Warrant March 19, 2001 at 9:00 PM;that will allow time to schedule a Monday night meeting to
schedule any last minute warrant articles.
John Leeman made a MOTION, seconded by Keith Mitchell,to set the closing date of the Annual
Town Meeting Warrant for March 19, 2001, at 9 PM,vote approved; 5 — 0.
NEW BUSINESS:
Request to purchase Town Land: Joseph McCarthy. Mr. McCarthy lives at 922 Dale Street and owns
4.8 acres of land and would like to purchase an additional .2 of an acre from the Town to give him
enough land to raise horses, which requires 5 acres.
Keith Mitchell made a MOTION, seconded by John Leeman,to have the Town Manager work with
Joseph McCarthy in preparing an Article for Annual Town Meeting; vote approved 5 — 0.
An appraisal of the property would have to be take place in order to judge what the value is and
determine what Chapter 30B provisions are applicable. The Town should require Mr. McCarthy
reimburse the Town for that expense.
Ambulance User Fees. Fire Chief William Dolan requests the Board vote to increase ambulance
rates that would insure the Town receiving the maximum reimbursement from the insurance
companies and medicare. The rates are:
Current Rates Recommended New Fees
Base Rate (BLS Emergency) $270.52 $275.15
Mileage (loaded) 10.24 10.52
Oxygen 42.14 43.28
Defibrillation 90.29 92.73
MAST 60.20 61.83
John Leeman made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart,to approve the fees recommended by
Chief William Dolan; vote approved 5 — 0.
Historic Old Center District Grant. Rep Torrisi was able to obtain a$75,000 Grant from the State
Department of Tourism for improvements to the Old Center District, which must be spent by June 30,
2001. The Director of Community Services has put together a grant proposal. Representatives of the
Historical District Commission and abutters have been informed that this matter is on the agenda.
Board of Selectmen Minutes February 12,2001 Page 3
John Leeman made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart,to authorize the Town Manager to sign
the contracts for this Grant;vote approved 5 — 0.
Resolution Regarding Youth Baseball. Thanks to the efforts by Youth Service's Director Rick
Gorman, substantial progress has been made recently in unifying the Town's two independent youth
baseball leagues. Unfortunately,talks have broken down recently and the Board drafted a resolution
asking that both parties return to the table.
John Leeman made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart,to approve the Resolution regarding
Youth Baseball; vote approved 5 — 0.
John Leeman wanted to thank everyone involved in this project of uniting these two leagues and
stated he thought it would be the best thing for the kids in Town.
Sweetheart Cup Relocation. The Town has been informed the permit Sweetheart Cup needs to
relocate their operations to North Andover may be delayed due to problems the DEP is having with
reconciling Sweetheart Cup's request for environmental permits with the Town's participation in
regional efforts to limit the building or expansion of facilities that would"expose the Merrimack
Valley to more persistent toxins". In order to clarify the Town's position on this matter, it is
recommended that the Board send a letter to DEP explaining that participation in the moratorium
effort was aimed towards waste burning plants and other large polluters, not manufacturing plants that
emit minimal amounts of emissions.
Donald Stewart made a MOTION, seconded by John Leeman,to send a letter to Secretary Robert
Durand of the Department of Environmental Protection to clarify the Town's position on the
moratorium; vote approved 4— 1 (William Duffy opposed).
Mr. Duffy stated that in the letter from Sweetheart Cup to the DEP, dated January 31, 2001,
Sweetheart is asking the DEP to expedite approval of a Limited Plan Approval (LPA, limited permit,
which normally takes 30-45 days for approval to allow for operation of the printing department only
by March 5t'', 2001). The LPA would be for an estimated 4.9 tons of emissions initially to support
the print requirements. Mr. Duffy stated we do not have much information as to what 4.9 tons of
emissions means and feels we should stay out of this and have the state agency work directly with the
business; we rely on the DEP to protect the quality of our air. Mr. Duffy is opposed to sending the
letter.
Historical Society House Move. Martha Larson, President of North Andover Historical Society
addressed the Board of Selectmen requesting permission to move the James Bridges House at 11
Marbleridge Road to a lot owned by the Society bounded by Osgood St., Court St. and Academy Rd.
The house will be sited on a form A lot on the Court Street side of the property. Payne Movers, who
moved the Farnum Barn, have been hired to move the house. The scheduled move date is Saturday,
March 31, 2001 at 7 AM, with a rain date of Sunday, April 1, 2001. Alternate dates are Saturday and
Sunday, April 7 & 8, 2001.
John Leeman made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart, for the preliminary approval for the
Historical Society house move and ask the department heads to expedite the process for the house
move; vote approved 5 — 0.
TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT:
Governor's Bud_eg t Proposal for State Aid. The Governor has submitted his budget proposal and the
State Aid impact for North Andover is a$635,437 increase from the original budget estimate.
Fire Department Grant. The Fire Department received a$30,899 State Grant to purchase fire safety
equipment.
Board of Selectmen Minutes February 12,2001 Page 4
Town Hosted Regional Breakfast for Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce. The Town hosted a
regional breakfast for Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce at the Steven's Estate at Osgood Hill
on February 2, 2001.
Assistant Town Manager-Director of Human Resources. Mark Rees Town Manager interviewed 5
candidates for the position of Assistant Town Manager.
ADJOURNMENT: John Leeman made a MOTION, seconded by Keith Mitchell,to adjourn the
meeting at 8:46 PM; vote approved 5 — 0.
Kathleen O'Neill
Administrative Secretary Keith Mitchell, Clerk of the Board