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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-02-17 Board of Selectmen Minutes BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES FEBRUARY 17, 2004 CALL TO ORDER: Wendy D. Wakeman called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM at the Steven's Memorial Library. ATTENDANCE: The following were present: Wendy Wakeman, Chairman; Rosemary Smedile; James Xenakis; Donald B. Stewart; Mark J.T. Caggiano; Mark Rees, Town Manager; Ray Santilli, Assistant Town Manager. EXECUTIVE SESSION: Rosemary Smedile made a MOTION, seconded by Mark Caggiano, to move into Executive Session to discuss Pending Litigation with Great American Insurance Company and Pending Litigation with GLSD. Vote approved 5-0. The Board of Selectmen was individually polled and each voted unanimously to move into Executive Session. Donald Stewart yes; James Xenakis yes; Rosemary Smedile; Mark Caggiano yes; and Wendy Wakeman yes. Vote approved 5-0. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Rosemary Smedile made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart, to approve the minutes of January 12, 2004, Open Session and Executive Session Minutes as written. Vote approved 5-0. Rosemary Smedile made a MOTION, seconded by Mark Caggiano, to approve the minutes of January 26, 2004, Open Session and Executive Session Minutes as written. Vote approved 4-0-1. Donald Stewart abstained. Rosemary Smedile made a MOTION, seconded by James Xenakis, to approve the minutes of February 2, 2004, Open Session and Executive Session Minutes as written. Vote approved 4-0-1. Donald Stewart abstained. COMMUNICATIONS,ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND PUBLIC COMMENT: Election Update. Joyce Bradshaw Town Clerk informed residents of new state guidelines and process for the March 2, 2004 Presidential Primary election; voter registration deadline was February 11, 2004. The Town Election is set for March 30, 2004; last day for voter registration is March 10, 2004. Town Meeting Warrant will close on March 19, 2004. Housing Partnership Committee Appointments. James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile, to approve the Housing Partnership Committee appointments recommended by the sub-committee. Scott Masse, Conservation Commission; Richard Byers, Zoning Board of Appeals; Richard Nardella, Planning Board; Joanne Comerford, Director of Housing Authority; and residents George Koehler, Susan Dennett, and Tom Zahoruiko. Vote approved 5-0. Acceptance of Donation — North Andover Rotary Club. James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile, to accept a donation of several hundred recycling bags from the North Andover Rotary Club. Vote approved 5-0. LICENSING COMMISSIONERS: Donald Stewart made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile, to move into Licensing. Vote approved 5-0. Wendy Wakeman made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile, to approve the following one-day licenses. Vote approved 5-0. Laurie Fennelly, Stevens Estate, 723 Osgood Street request the following one-day licenses. Comedy Theatre, Saturday, February 21, 2004, 6:30 PM — 11:00 PM, full bar license. Geisler Wedding, Sunday, February 22, 2004, 3:00 PM—8:00 PM, full bar license. Wendy Wakeman made a MOTION, seconded by James Xenakis, to move out of licensing. Vote approved 5-0. Board of Selectmen Minutes February 17, 2004 2 OLD BUSINESS: Amendments to Adult Entertainment Rules and Regulations. Before the Board votes to approve proposed amendments to Adult Entertainment Rules and Regulations, the Board should consider holding a Public Hearing at their next meeting on March 8, 2004. Rosemary Smedile made a MOTION, seconded by James Xenakis, to hold a Public Hearing for Amendments to Adult Entertainment Rules and Regulations on March 8, 2004. Vote approved 5-0. NEW BUSINESS: Ice Rink Committee— Disclosure of Interest. Town Counsel Thomas Urbelis advised the Board to accept as written a "Disclosure of Interest" pursuant to General Laws Chapter 268A, Sec 19(b)(1) from William J. Cunningham of the North Andover Youth Hockey League. James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Mark Caggiano, in accordance with General Laws Chapter 268A, Section (b)(1), that the Board of Selectmen determine that the interest of William J. Cunningham in the North Andover Youth Hockey League is not so substantial to be deemed likely to affect the integrity of the services which the Town may expect from him as a member of the Selection Committee for the purchaser of 5.94 acres of town land located on Sharpeners Pond Road, and that the Town Manager, on behalf of the Selectmen, so inform these gentlemen and Town Clerk in writing. Vote approved 5-0. Town Counsel Thomas Urbelis advised the Board to appoint all ice rink committee members as "special employees"within the context of the State's Ethics Law. James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Mark Caggiano, in accordance with General Laws Chapter 268A that the Board of Selectmen designate as special municipal employees the members of the Selection Committee for the purchaser of 5.94 acres of town land located on Sharpeners Pond Road. Vote approved 5-0. Town Manager's FY05 Recommended Operating Budget. The Town Manager Mark Rees presented his recommended FY05 Operating Budget. After summarizing the Town's revenues and expenses, the Town Manager said given projected increases in salaries and other operational expenses compared to the minimal increase in operating funds, the result will be a second year of service reductions to the residents of North Andover. After projecting revenues and subtracting non-operational expenses, the amount of funds available for operating expenses will increase 1.3% from $44.7 million to $45.3 million dollars. It is recommended that$30.3 million be allocated to the school department and the remainder of $14.9 million be allocated to municipal departments. The Town Manager suggested making the following cuts to balance the budget. 1. Eliminate half-time position in Treasurer/Collector's office. 2. Assessors requested funding for outside appraisal and legal services for Appellate Tax Board cases. This was reduced from a requested $212,880 to $100,000. 3. Information Systems requested $124,012 to replace obsolete computer equipment and purchase software licenses. This allocation was reduced to $87,000. 4. Eliminate two police officer positions and funding for only one cruiser. 5. Eliminate one firefighter position and shut down one ambulance on four night shifts. 6. Eliminate one health inspector position. 7. Reduce the currently full-time Youth Services Support Services Coordinator to .75 FTE. 8. Eliminate one full-time employee in Elder Services. 9. Reduce funding for books, AV materials and building maintenance at the library. The Town Manager commended the School Department and Town Divisions/Departments for their ability to continue to provide high quality services to residents during these difficult financial times. The Town Manager gave special thanks to Assistant Town Manager Ray Santilli, Director of Administration and Finance Joyce Hanlon and Town Accountant Lyne Savage for their diligence and hard work in assembling the budget document. This recommended FY05 general fund operating budget is the beginning of discussion and deliberation by Town Board of Selectmen Minutes February 17, 2004 3 officials and residents on the Town's budget that will culminate at the Annual Town Meeting beginning on May 10, 2004. Selectmen Xenakis and Stewart objected to the proposed cutting of shifts for the second Fire Department ambulance referring to a 1999 override voted by residents. The Town Manager requested that the Board of Selectmen vote to approve the FY05 Annual Budget at their next meeting on March 8, 2004. The next step in the budget process will be for selectmen to hear from department heads on how potential cuts will affect staff and services. That meeting is scheduled for March 1, 2004. Review of warrant articles for May 2004 Annual Town Meeting. The Town Manager presented a draft of 45 articles to be placed on the warrant for Annual Town Meeting. The Board should vote to place these articles on the warrant at their next meeting on March 8, 2004. The Town Manager said that the Board should discuss one article concerning a possible Tax Increment Financing (TIF) plan for 1600 Osgood Street, the former Lucent site. Ozzi Properties presented their initial TIF proposal. Rosemary Smedile made a MOTION, seconded by Mark Caggiano, to authorize the Town Manager to hire Special Counsel to negotiate a proposal for the negotiation process for the TIF. Vote approved 5-0. Debt Issuance Review. Joyce Hanlon Director of Administration and Finance on the recommendation of investment advisor David Eisenthal suggested that the Town refinance obligation bonds issued in 1996 and 1997. The current low interest will allow the Town to generate a savings, net of issuance cost, or approximately $300,000 and $27,500 annually. Donald Stewart made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile, to move forward for refinancing bond issues. Vote approved 5-0. Declaration of Surplus items, School Department. The School Superintendent requested that the Board of Selectmen vote to declare obsolete materials from the old North Andover High School surplus. This vote will allow the school department to properly dispose of the materials. Donald Stewart made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile, to approve the School Department to sell or otherwise dispose of personal property of the town within its possession or control which has become obsolete or which is no longer required by the school department as a result of moving from the existing North Andover High School to the new High School. Vote approved 5-0. TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT: Town Clerk, Joyce Bradshaw has been appointed by the School Superintendent to serve on the search committee for a new principal at the Sargent School. Mass Highway notified the Town that 25 percent of design submittal for traffic improvements is completed in the Old Center. Having achieved this major milestone, the next step is for Mass Highway is to conduct a public hearing on the project, probably sometime in March, after which the town can begin full construction drawings for the project. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, final approval should come sometime in the fall of this year. ADJOURNMENT: Rosemary Smedile made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart, to adjourn the meeting at 9:15 PM. Vote approved 5-0. Adele J. Johnson Administrative Secretary Rosemary Connelly Smedile, Clerk of the Board