HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-09-23 Board of Selectmen Minutes BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES September 23, 2002
CALL TO ORDER: Rosemary Smedile called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM at the Steven's Memorial Library.
ATTENDANCE: The following were present: Rosemary Smedile, Chairman; James Xenakis; Donald B. Stewart;
Susan Haltmaier; Mark Rees, Town Manager; Ray Santilli, Assistant Town Manager.
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
Wendy Wakeman made a MOTION, seconded by Susan Haltmaier, to move into Executive Session to discuss
pending litigation on Rocket Entertainment. The Board was individually polled and each voted to move into
Executive Session. Vote approved 5-0.
Chairman Smedile stated the Board would be returning to Open Session after Executive Session.
COMMUNICATIONS,ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND PUBLIC COMMENT:
James Xenakis stated that he received a copy of a letter from the School Superintendent to the Town Manager
relaying information for the need of a new elementary school and offering to meet to discuss the matter further.
Mr. Xenakis encouraged the Town Manager to proceed with a meeting and open the lines of communication
between all departments.
Halloween Trick or Treat Hours. Rosemary Smedile announced that Chief Stanley recommended that
Halloween Trick or Treating will be on Thursday, October 31, 2002, from the hours from 5:00—7:00 PM. Susan
Haltmaier made a MOTION, seconded by Wendy Wakeman, to set Trick or Treat hours from 5:00—7:00 PM.
Vote approved 5-0.
Fund Raiser Car Wash. Donald Stewart stated that a representative from St. Michaels approached him about
having a Fund Raiser Car Wash on October 5, 2002, and was turned down because of the Water Ban Policy.
Last week the School Department had an unauthorized Fund Raiser Car Wash. This was unfair and the Water
Ban Policy is not being enforced. The Town Manager stated that the School Department apologized for the
incident. Donald Stewart suggested that the Board of Selectmen grant St. Michaels request. Donald Stewart
made a MOTION, seconded by Wendy Wakeman, to approve St. Michaels' Car Wash. Vote approved 5-0.
Questions Regarding Budget and Revenue. A resident, Michelle Nadeau, asked the Town Manager and the
Board questions concerning excise tax, property tax revenue and budget issues. The Town Manager answered
most of her questions and stated that he would provide additional information at a future meeting with the Board's
consent.
LICENSING COMMISSIONERS:
Wendy Wakeman made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart, to move into Licensing. Vote approved 5-0.
Wendy Wakeman made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile, to approve the following one-day liquor
licenses. Vote approved 5-0.
Stevens Estate, 723 Osgood Street, for One Day Liquor Licenses.
Bradford Alumni Assoc. Oct. 5, 2002 11:00 am - 4:00 pm All Alcohol
Mendenhall Wedding Oct. 5, 2002 7:00 pm— 12:00 am All Alcohol
Slowick Wedding Oct. 12, 2002 1:15 pm—6:15 pm All Alcohol
Sheehan Wedding Oct. 13, 2002 2:00 pm—8:00 pm All Alcohol
Sargent School Fall Social Oct. 19, 2002 7:00 pm— 12:00 pm All Alcohol
(Requests Waiver of Fee)
Sharon Coleman Halloween Pty Oct. 25, 2002 7:00 pm— 12:00 am All Alcohol
Deangelo Wedding Oct. 26, 2002 4:15 pm—9:15 pm All Alcohol
Wendy Wakeman made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile, to move out of licensing.
Vote approved 5-0.
Board of Selectmen September 23,2002 Page 2 of 3
CONSENT ITEMS:
Request for Chanakah Observation on Town Commons. Mr. Ben Harelick requested to have a Chanakah
Observation by placing an Ice Sculpture of a Menorah at Town Commons on the evening of November 30, 2002,
to start at 6:30 PM.
Wendy Wakeman made a MOTION, seconded by James Xenakis, to approve the Chanakah Observation for one
day. Wendy Wakeman AMENDED the MOTION subject to approval from Fire, Police and DPW departments.
Vote approved 5-0.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
Petitions for Pole and Wire Locations. Verizon New England, Inc. —Plan No. 866-Chickering Road (Rte. 125)
— Place 1 (one) Pole.
Wendy Wakeman made a MOTION, seconded by James Xenakis, to approve the request. Vote approved 5-0.
Massachusetts Electric Company— Plan No. C-53/454—Chickering Road — Place 1 (one) Pole 141/3897-1.
Massachusetts Electric Company and Verizon New England, Inc. —Plan No. M-53/455- Mill Road — Place 1 (one)
Pole 19/2480-84.
Wendy Wakeman made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart to approve the requests. Vote approved 5-0.
OLD BUSINESS:
Police Staffing Levels. The Chairperson stated that she received a phone call from a concerned parent about a
teenage house party in town that served alcohol to minors. These teens were allegedly drinking and driving and
the parent was not notified about this incident in a timely fashion. At a previous Selectmen's meeting, the Chair
requested that the Police Chief appear before the Board to discuss current patrol staffing levels.
Chief Stanley responded in great detail of how the Police Department handles such incidents. Chief Stanley
provided the Board with a memo outlining the manning of patrol shifts and the number of incidents logged over
the past few years. Staffing has been reduced because of a reduced budget and officers on disability. A resident
commented that the Police Department is doing an outstanding job.
NEW BUSINESS:
Fall Town Meeting. The Town Manager asked the Board's consideration to call a Special Town Meeting. The
main two reasons for a Special Town Meeting is...
1. To address the budget issues and make adjustments for the second half of fiscal year 2003.
2. A possible zoning change concerning a project that may provide commercial development in the Town.
The Calendar for Fall Special Town Meeting---
Monday, October 7, 2002 Board of Selectmen review preliminary warrant articles
Monday, October 21, 2002 Board of Selectmen vote to place articles on the warrant
Friday, October 25, 2002 Warrant Closes
Friday, November 29, 2002 Special Voter Registration Session
Monday, December 9, 2002 Town Meeting
James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Susan Haltmaier, to adopt the calendar for Special Town Meeting
on December 9, 2002. Vote approved 5-0.
Conservation Restriction, Price Property. The North Andover Conservation Commission asked for the Board's
approval and signatures for a Conservation Restriction to BTA/FOLT, Inc. for the preservation of the natural
resources of the Town pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 184, Section 32 on Price Property that
is located in North Andover and Boxford.
Wendy Wakeman made a MOTION, seconded by Susan Haltmaier, to approve and sign the Conservation
Restriction. Vote approved 5-0.
Board of Selectmen September 23,2002 Page 3 of 3
Combined Sewer Outflow Issues, Greater Lawrence Sanitary District. The Town Manager attended a
meeting on September 18, 2002, on the GLSD regarding the combined sewer outflow issues. The Town
Manager explained that an old sewer system uses the same pipes for drainage as well as sanitary waters that
flow into the water treatment plant. A modern design uses two separate pipes, one for rain drainage that flows
back into springs and wetlands, and one for sanitary waters to disperse into the water treatment plant. The city of
Lawrence has 70% to 90% of the older combined systems that need to be addressed. There is a substantial cost
of$14,000,000 to $160,000 depending upon what option is approved by the EPA that will accompany this
change. At this time, GLSD will seek approval of the least expensive option. The Town Manager will keep the
Board of Selectmen informed about this situation.
TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT:
North Andover Fire Fighter, Jim Crane has been honored with receiving the North East EMS First Responder of
the Year Award for his actions relating to responding to a motor vehicle accident in Connecticut while returning
from the World Trade center site in New York City.
On Thursday, September 12, 2002, a division and department head meeting was held at which time a customer
service policy was distributed and supervisors were briefed on upcoming training sessions in the areas of the
Employee Assistance Program, Labor Law Issues, and the state ethics laws.
The Finance Division and the Manager's Office have submitted sufficient information to document the freeze of
funds while still enabling the filling of two vacancies that are essential to the continuation operation of the Town.
One is the Confidential Senior Clerk in the Town Manager's Office and the other is a joint position in the Town
Clerk's Office and the Assessor's Office.
The Town Manager, together with Chuck Benevento and Lynn Savage, participated in a telephone conference
call with Moody's Investment Services and Standard Poor in relationship to a bond anticipation note the Town will
be issuing in the near future.
The Town Manager attended a meeting on September 18, 2002, with the Stevens Estate Board of Trustees to
discuss alternative ways to operate and manage the facility.
The Town Manager and Town Planner Kathy McKenna attended a Massachusetts Manager's Association
monthly meeting on September 18, 2002. The primary issue on the agenda was the issue of Chapter 40B.
The Commission on Housing Issues will be holding their first meeting on Thursday, September 26, 2002, at 4:00
PM in the Community Development Conference Room.
The Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce will be conducting their monthly Legislative/Business Caucus on
Friday, October 4, 2002, at 7:30 AM at the Stevens Estate.
The Town Manager will be attending the International City Management Association Conference in Philadelphia,
PA, from Sunday, September 29, to Wednesday, October 2, 2002.
The Legislature passed and the Governor signed the special law exempting the 350 Green Street Riverbend
Housing from the 5-acre minimum.
The Governor's Highway Safety Bureau awarded the North Andover Fire Department $2,000 for Child Passenger
Safety Installation Grant.
ADJOURNMENT:
Wendy Wakeman made a MOTION, seconded by Susan Haltmaier, to adjourn the meeting at 9:30 PM. Vote
approved 5-0.
Adele J. Johnson
Administrative Secretary James M. Xenakis, Clerk of the Board