HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-06-18 Board of Selectmen Minutes BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES June 18, 2002
CALL TO ORDER: James Xenakis called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM at the North Andover Senior
Center. (Rosemary Smedile joined the meeting at 7:15 PM).
ATTENDANCE: The following were present: James Xenakis; Donald B. Stewart;Wendy Wakeman;
Susan Haltmaier; Mark Rees, Town Manager; Ray Santilli, Assistant Town Manager. Chairman Rosemary
Smedile joined the meeting at 7:15 PM).
EXECUTIVE SESSION: Wendy Wakeman made a MOTION, seconded by Susan Haltmaier,to move
into Executive Session to discuss a real estate matter with Maritimes Pipeline and negotiations with non-
union employees; vote approved 4-0.
The Board of Selectmen was individually polled and each voted to move into Executive Session.
Vote: Wendy Wakeman yes; Donald Stewart yes; Susan Haltmaier yes; James Xenakis yes.
Chairman Smedile stated the Board would be returning to Open Session after the Executive Session.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Susan Haltmaier made a MOTION, seconded by James Xenakis,to approve the Executive Session and
Open Session Minutes of January 7, 2002; January 22, 2002 and February 4, 2002;vote approved 4-0-1.
(Wendy Wakeman abstained).
COMMUNICATIONS,ANNOUNCEMENTS,AND PUBLIC COMMENT:
Rosemary Smedile stated under OLD BUSINESS Maritimes Pipeline will not be discussed and added to
OLD BUSINESS will be Half Mile Hill Closing Comments.
PUBLIC HEARING:
FY03 Water and Sewer Rates. As a result of working with the town's utility rate consultant Chris
Woodcock of Woodcock and Associates,three rate models were discussed: the uniform rate, existing three
tiered rates and a two tier rate. The rate structures are based on a higher estimated consumption factor and
use of a portion of retained earnings to reduce the anticipated rate increases.
At issue is whether the town should maintain its current three-tier rate structure, which was meant to
promote conservation by penalizing large water consumers with progressively higher rates. The Board of
Selectmen is trying to balance efforts to conserve water with the ability of homeowners to pay. Businesses
and large families have complained that the current structure unduly punishes them. Selectman James
Xenakis called the three-tier structure "morally wrong". In a two-tier structure,the two rates would be
closer to each other so large consumers would not pay as much as they currently do. Selectman Xenakis
also stated that he has received letters from several business owners asking for a uniform rate that would
reduce their water bills as they have tripled in the last year.
If the current three-tier rate structure is maintained, homeowners and businesses that use less than 2,000
cubic feet of water per quarter will see a 6 percent increase in their combined water and sewer bills. That
group would pay about 11 percent more under the two-tier plan and about 40 percent more with a uniform
rate. It was reported that roughly 45 percent of the town uses less than 2,000 cubic feet per quarter. Larger
consumers would see a decrease of as much as 36 percent with a uniform structure. It was estimated that
60 percent of the town saw decreased water and sewer bills this year with the three-tier system. Opponents
of the tiered system argue that is an indication that a minority of the community is subsidizing the majority
of property owners. Proponents of the tiered rate structures, like former Selectman William Duffy say the
effort to conserve water should be the driving force behind the decision and stated"we need to look at the
big picture and the big picture is conservation".
Selectmen Chairwoman Rosemary Smedile stressed, regardless of the rate structure that is chosen, water
and sewer bills will go up anyway because of"infrastructure improvements the voters have approved at
Town Meetings in the past".
The purpose of the public hearing is to take input from the public prior to making a final decision on the
matter, check out all options prior to the next meeting June 24, 2002, at which time the Board will vote on
the FY03 utility rates.
Board of Selectmen Minutes June 18,2002 Page 2
LICENSING COMMISSIONERS:
Wendy Wakeman made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart,to move into Licensing; vote approved
5-0.
James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile,to approve the request from Laurie
Fennelly at the Stevens Estate @ Osgood Street, for a One-Day Beer&Wine License on June 20, 2002 for
Erin Maillet/Trevor Johnson Rehearsal Party from 6:30 PM-9:30 PM;vote approved 5-0.
James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile,to approve the three One-Day Wine &
Malt Licenses for H. Michael Smolak at 315 South Bradford Street on the dates listed below, subject to
approval by the Fire and Police Departments regarding "Place of Assembly"; vote approved 5-0.
1. H. Michael Smolak/Corp. Outing June 28, 2002 1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. Wine &Malt
2. H. Michael Smolak/Wedding Aug 10, 2002 5:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. Wine &Malt
3. H. Michael SmolakNendor Apprec. Sept 6, 2002 6:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. Wine &Malt
James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Susan Haltmaier,to move out of Licensing; vote approved
5-0.
OLD BUSINESS:
Half Mile Hill Closing Comments.
James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Susan Haltmaier,to approve the "Order of Taking"for Half
Mile Hill and authorize approve the Board of Selectmen to sign the document; vote approved 4-0-1.
(Donald Stewart abstained).
NEW BUSINESS:
Town Hall Feasibility Study.
Assistant Town Manager Ray Santilli reported that the Town Hall Renovation Advisory Committee
recommends that the Town of North Andover solicit a proposal for the design and engineering work
associated with the renovation and addition to the Town Hall from Kang Associates, Inc., who completed
the feasibility study. The Committee is satisfied with the work completed to date by Kang Associates as
evidenced by the Annual Town Meeting support of the project. As required,the Committee will secure the
services of another architect to conduct a peer review of the technical and price proposals received from
Kang Associates, Inc.
Wendy Wakeman asked Ray Santilli to convey to the Committee a job well done.
FY03 Fees and Charges.
The approved FY03 budget assumed an increase in fees associated with the Planning Board and Building
Inspections Department to increase revenues by$93,500 and a corresponding fee revenue increase in the
Board of Health by$17,000. The Board of Selectmen are charged with setting fees for Building
Inspections, while the Planning Board and Board of Health are charged with setting their respective fees.
In addition,the FY03 budget provided for a$40,000 reduction in recycling expenses that would eliminate
Hazardous Material collection, white good collections,brush collection, etc. As an alternative to
eliminating these services completely,the Department of Public Works has developed a change in fees that
if adopted by the Board would provide sufficient revenue to maintain these services. The Board does not
need to make a final decision on these proposed changes in fees at this meeting. Instead, staff is seeking
feed back from the Board so final decisions can be made at the June 24, 2002 Board of Selectmen Meeting.
Rosemary Smedile stated she hopes the Town is collecting all the fees due like "sign fees", Ms. Smedile
stated there is no point setting fees if we don't collect them.
James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Susan Haltmaier,to adopt the Recycling Fee Adjustments
recommended by William Hmurciak; vote approved 5-0.
Recycling Fee Adjustments
ITEM CURRENT PROPOSED
Paint $1.00/gal. $3.00/gal.
CRT's $5.00/unit $5.00/unit(component)
$15.00 for unit greater than 13"
Car Battery 0 $2.00 Each
Board of Selectmen Minutes June 18,2002 Page 3
ITEM CURRENT PROPOSED
Propane Tanks 0 $2.00 Each
8' Fluorescent bulbs $1.00 ea. $1.00 Each
4' Fluorescent bulbs $ .50 ea. $ .50 Each
Ballasts $1.50 Each $1.50 Each
Waste Oil $ .50 Each $ .50 Each
Curbside pickup
Appliances 0 $25.00
Appliances with Freon 0 $30.00
Cyr Recycling(yard waste)
Auto trunk $5.00 season $7.00 season
Level pickup $3.00/load $5.00/load
Large pickup or 6
Wheel dump $20.00/load $30.00/load
Term of Appointments: Stevens Estate.
The appointments subcommittee (Rosemary Smedile and Wendy Wakeman) is requesting that the full
Board consider changing the term of office for Trustees of Stevens Estate from 1 year to stagger three-year
terms. A review of the enabling Town Meeting vote that authorized the creation of Trustees of Stevens
Estate at Osgood Hill does not mention term of office.
Wendy Wakeman made a MOTION, seconded by James Xenakis,to change the term of office for Stevens
Estate Trustees from one year to three-year terms; vote approved 5-0.
Town Manager Evaluation
James Xenakis stated by Town Charter the Board of Selectmen is required to review the Town Manager's
job performance yearly. James Xenakis and Rosemary Smedile served on a subcommittee to evaluate
Town Manager Mark Rees from the time period from September 2000-September 2001. Feedback from
Selectmen who served with the Town Manager was solicited as well as current Selectmen. Overall the
Town Manager did quite well and the composite of the reviews contain praise for Mark Rees to form
consensus in difficult times. Overall the reviews were very positive. James Xenakis commended the Town
Manager for his work on the budget this season.
James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Wendy Wakeman,to accept the Town Manager's
evaluation as presented; vote approved 3-0-2 (Wendy Wakeman and Susan Haltmaier abstained).
Town Manager Mark Rees thanked the subcommittee for their work, remarks and comments associated
with the evaluation. Mr. Rees also expressed his appreciation for the positive comments as well as the
constructive criticism and looks forward to working with the Board to further improve his performance.
Meeting Schedule, Second Half of 2002.
The Board of Selectmen will look this over and bring this back at the next meeting June 24, 2002.
TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT:
Foster Farm Playing Field. The Town Manager signed the contracts for the construction of the playing
fields at Foster Farms.
Farewell Reception for Kathleen Gorman. A Farewell reception for Kathleen Gorman retiring Director
of Council on Aging will be held on Thursday, July 25th from 3:00 PM-5:00 PM at the Senior Center.
ADJOURNMENT: Susan Haltmaier made a MOTION, seconded by Wendy Wakeman,to adjourn the
meeting at 9:28 PM; vote approved 5-0.
Kathleen O'Neill
Administrative Secretary James M. Xenakis, Clerk of the Board