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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-05-08 Board of Selectmen Minutes BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES MAY 8, 2006 CALL TO ORDER: Rosemary Connelly Smedile called the meeting to order at 7:10 PM at the North Andover High School Library. ATTENDANCE: The following were present: Rosemary Connelly Smedile, Chairman; James Xenakis; Daniel P. Lanen; Mark J.T. Caggiano; Thomas Licciardello; Mark Rees, Town Manager; Ray Santilli, Assistant Town Manager. Chairman Rosemary Smedile announced that tonight's Executive Session would be moved to the end of the Open Session meeting. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Thomas Licciardello, to approve the Executive Session Minutes of March 27, 2006. Vote approved 4-0-1. Daniel Lanen abstained. James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Thomas Licciardello, to approve the Open Session Minutes of April 11, 2006. Vote approved 5-0. James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Thomas Licciardello, to approve the Open Session Minutes of April 24, 2006. Vote approved 4-0-1. Mark Caggiano abstained. COMMUNICATIONS,ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND PUBLIC COMMENT: 3rd Quarter Financial Reports Lyne Savage, Town Accountant reviewed the Budget Status Report for the revenue and expenses for the third quarter ending March 31, 2006. The revenue collections are running at 76.58%, which is slightly above the 75%target for this period in the fiscal year. Although some of the revenues are running slightly below the target percentage. A few departments (Fire department overtime and Veterans Benefits), that anticipates shortfalls in their budgets, along with the Snow and Ice deficit of$124,351.70. The deficits will be addressed at the upcoming Town Meeting with a request for transfers within the budget from various line items. Water revenue collections are at 85.9%with expenditures only at 67.1%, Sewer revenues are presently at 91.2% collected with expenditures only at 60.6%. Stevens Estate revenue collections are running at 85.9% with expenditures running at 67.1%. The Estate is running very efficiently and is still reporting very strong bookings. Selectmen asked how collections on past due accounts were on Water and Sewer bills. They would like a more aggressive approach in collecting large outstanding amounts. The Town Manager would request a copy of a collection policy from another town to setup a process to collect the outstanding bills. Thomas Licciardello asked the Town Accountant to show the prior year revenues and expenditures for comparison to help them better understand the budget. The Town Accountant said she could provide that information. Chairman Smedile thanked Lyne Savage for all the extra time and work helping with the school budget. Fundraiser for Vietnam Memorial There will be a fundraiser for the Vietnam Memorial on Saturday, May 13, 2006 at the Lawrence Airport. North Andover Booster Club The North Andover Booster Club will be holding their Little League Parade at the High School stadium on Saturday, May 13, 2006. Board of Selectmen Minutes May 8, 2006 2 CONSENT ITEMS: North Andover High Softball Fundraiser Judy McVeigh requested approval of holding a fundraiser car wash/bake sale for the high school softball team on May 13, from 8:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m, with a rain date of May 27, 2006 James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Mark Caggiano, to approve the request by the North Andover High School Softball Team to hold a fundraiser car wash/bake sale at the Youth Center on Saturday, May 13, 2006. with a rain date of May 27, 2006. Vote approved 5-0. Memorial Day Parade Veteran Services Director Ed Mitchell requests approval of having the Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 29, 2006, from 10:00 a.m. Mark Caggiano made a MOTION, seconded by James Xenakis, to approve the Memorial Day Parade request by Veterans Services Director Ed Mitchell on May 29, 2006. Vote approved 5-0. Vietnam Memorial Ceremony Veteran Services Director Ed Mitchell requests approval of conducting an appropriate dedication ceremony for the Vietnam Fallen Heroes Memorial on Saturday, June 3, 2006 at the North Andover High School Track& Field at 10:00 a.m. James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Daniel Lanen, to approve the dedication ceremony for the Vietnam Fallen Heroes on June 3, 2006. Vote approved 5-0. LICENSING COMMISSIONERS: James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Thomas Licciardello, to move into Licensing. Vote approved 5-0. James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Daniel Lanen, to approve the following one-day requests by Cynthia Rostaic of the Stevens Estate, 723 Osgood Street. Vote approved 5-0. 1. Maureen Ryan, Mothers' Connection, Wed. May 17, 2006, from 6:30-10:30 p.m. Beer&Wine License 2. Bill Murphy, Lions Club Dinner, Thur. May 18, 2006, from 6:00-11:00 p.m. Beer&Wine License 3. Schoonman Wedding Reception, Fri. May 19, 2006, from 6:00-11:00 p.m., Full Liquor Bar 4. Susan Green Bar Mitzvah, Sat. May 27, 2006, from 5:00-10:00 p.m., Full Liquor Bar 5. Lombara Wedding Reception, Sat. June 3, 2006, from 4:30-10:30 p.m., Full Liquor Bar 6. Clark Wedding Reception, Sat. June 10, 2006, from 6:00-11:00 p.m., Full Liquor Bar James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile, to move out of Licensing. Vote approved 5-0. OLD BUSINESS: Sales of Foreclosed Land The Town acquired through tax foreclosure two property lots on Pine Ridge Road. A notice and terms of the sale has been drafted and will take place via a public auction on Friday, May 26, 2006. The Board must approve the notice and authorize to advertise in newspapers. Board of Selectmen Minutes May 8, 2006 3 Mark Caggiano made a MOTION, seconded by Thomas Licciardello, to approve the notice and terms of the sale for two property lots on Pine Ridge Road and to advertise in the Boston Herald and the Boston Globe newspapers. Vote approved 5-0. Please note: Daniel Lanen recused from the meeting Preparation for Annual Town Meeting —Article 30 Selectman Xenakis invited Mr. Robert Ercolini, chief petitioner of Article 30 in the Annual Town Meeting Warrant to attend and discuss this article. Selectman Xenakis suggested the board consider the possibility during negotiating with union collective bargaining agreements whether it is the municipal or school committee making these sessions open to the public. This is the people's tax dollars and this process should be kept as transparent as possible. Mr. Ercolini asked to require the publication of the proposed contracts terms such as, cost increases anticipated, the benefit increases anticipated, the actual cost over the next 3 years, provisions that will change, 90 days prior to approval by the Selectmen or School Committee and post those of the Town's website to allow input from the community to give necessary comments in the time as to influence the board's decision. People should be forced to face the consequences of what they approve. With the rising cost of health insurance, the town should be putting funds aside now to pay for retirees' health insurance as well as current employees. More and more people are retiring younger and living longer and the town is expected to pay for their health care for years. Mr. Ercolini said that it might be a good idea to publish the town's monthly financial information on the website. Selectman Licciardello says that the town is working with the school department to make the budgeting process easier to understand. Both boards are working with all of the town's collective bargaining unions in an effort to move the health insurance contributions to a more reasonable level. Mr. Ercolini pointed out the community cannot afford to have part-time employees. The health insurance cost for the part-time employees is not only $12-15 thousand dollars a year while currently employed, but also the post retirement health care would run well over$400,000 to $500,000 for the life of these part- time employees. Mr. Ercolini asked the board to look into moving the Adult Entertainment zone to another area in town to deal with the potential traffic problems on route 125. Selectmen agreed to look for ways to overall the collective bargaining process and be aware of how these contracts impacts services in the town and to open these negotiations to the public as to how the town is spending the taxpayers' money. The town has to educate the employees and help them understand the total compensation package. Please note: Daniel Lanen returned to the meeting Preparation for Annual Town Meeting —Article 45 Attorney Domenic Terranova represents the trustees of NOMID Trust who owns a large tract of commercial/industrial land on the North Andover/Middleton town line, fronting on Turnpike Street and Sharpners Pond Road. Article 45 relates to a proposed inter-municipal agreement between North Andover and Middleton to provide water and sewer services to existing and proposed buildings. Such an extension of infrastructure into another jurisdiction requires approvals from both Towns at their respective town meetings. Board of Selectmen Minutes May 8, 2006 4 The property owner will be constructing and installing the sewer line at his expense. The estimated cost to install the 2800 feet of sewer and the pumping station is about $300,000. The property owner will be required to pay fees to the town of North Andover for infiltration inflow and for sewer connection. These fees are about $46,057. The property owner is also proposing to connect his buildings to the town water main in the Sharpners Pond Road. The water connection fee is estimated to be $24,000. DPW Director Bill Hmurciak and Community Development Director Curt Bellavance, is recommending that the Selectmen support the project but reserve a fee that can be used to address future impacts at this intersection. The owner will be spending over$360,000 on sewer and water infrastructure and related connection and impact fees. Also recommended that the Selectmen consider a fee of$100,000. for NOMID Trust as their share of future mitigation of traffic issues at the intersection of Route 114 and Sharpners Pond Road. James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Thomas Licciardello to authorize the Town Manager to negotiate with the town of Middleton. Vote approved 5-0. NEW BUSINESS: Open Space and Recreation Plan Jack Mabon, member of the Conservation Commission and Pamela Merrill, Conservation Associate presented the 2006 Open Space and Recreation Plan. They gave a brief presentation of the accomplishments made over the past five years based on the goals taken from the 2000 plan and they also highlighted key updates and goals from the 2006 plan and included a five-year action plan. They asked the Board to endorse the 2006 Open Space and Recreation Plan, which is a prerequisite to the town receiving various federal and state grants. James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Thomas Licciardello, to adopt and endorse the 2006 Open Space Recreation Plan. Vote approved 5-0. Parking at Reynolds Field Because of several complaints regarding unsafe parking patterns at this soccer field site, Sergeant Soucy of the Police Department recommended the DPW to lower the presently posted signs and install the signs on the proper poles and placement of NO PARKIN HERE TO CORNER signs on Johnson Street from Rea Street towards Holly Ridge Road and on Johnson Street from Holly Ridge Road towards Mill Road. James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Thomas Licciardello, to approve Sergeant Soucy's recommendation and to instruct the DPW to install appropriate signs at Reynolds Field. Vote approved 5-0. Note: Daniel Lanen recused from the meeting. Interviews and appointment of Police Officer Last February, Chief Stanley submitted a requisition for a certified list for the appointment of two permanent Police Officers. There are two vacancies in the North Andover Police Department, but with the uncertainty of the FY07 budget, the requisition was submitted for one permanent Police Office. The top three candidates are Patrick Noonan, 59 Farrwood Avenue, North Andover; Thomas Boettcher, 80 Bradford Street, North Andover; and Brian Faye, 31 Lyman Road, North Andover. The Board of Selectmen interviewed each candidate and reviewed the candidate's qualifications and years of experience. James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Thomas Licciardello, to offer Patrick Noonan the appointed position of Police Officer contingent upon the candidate's successful completion of the required medical examination, psychological examination and the physical abilities test required by the Massachusetts Human Resources Division. Vote approved 4-0. Board of Selectmen Minutes May 8, 2006 5 Note: Daniel Lanen returned to the meeting TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT: • Assistant Town Manager Ray Santilli recently visited the Greater Lawrence Vocational Technical School and reports back that the Selectmen' s meeting room bench is currently 90 % complete and should be delivered to town hall in the near future. • Representatives from the Town recently attended a presentation by students at the civil engineering program at Merrimack College regarding proposed parking improvements at the Stevens Library. It was the consensus recommendation of the students not to change traffic patterns but instead to replace existing parallel parking behind the library to angle parking creating additional parking of approximately by 8 spaces. • As a member of the Board of Directors of the Merrimack Valley Economic Development Council, the Town Manager attended the council's annual meeting on May 12, 2006. EXECUTIVE SESSION: Mark Caggiano made a MOTION, seconded by Thomas Licciardello, to move into Executive Session to discuss bargaining with Union Employees. Vote approved 4-1. James Xenakis opposed. The Board of Selectmen was individually polled and each voted to move into Executive Session. Daniel P. Lanen, yes; Mark Caggiano yes; Thomas Licciardello, yes, and Rosemary Smedile yes; James Xenakis no. Vote approved 4-1. ADJOURNMENT: Mark Caggiano made a MOTION, seconded by Thomas Licciardello, to adjourn the meeting at 9:45 PM. Vote approved 5-0. Adele J. Johnson Administrative Secretary James M. Xenakis, Clerk of the Board