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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-05-22 Board of Selectmen Minutes BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES MAY 22, 2006 CALL TO ORDER: Rosemary Connelly Smedile called the meeting to order at 7:10 PM at Town Hall Meeting Room. ATTENDANCE: The following were present: Rosemary Connelly Smedile, Chairman; James Xenakis; Daniel P. Lanen; Thomas Licciardello; Mark Rees, Town Manager; Ray Santilli, Assistant Town Manager. Note: Mark Caggiano arrived at 7:18 PM. Selectman Xenakis wanted to discuss Collective Bargaining in Open Session instead of Executive Session. He said that the Board should be as transparent as possible with the Town's business. Chairman Smedile said Executive Session meetings are needed for the Town to be able to negotiate with Unions. The Town Manager suggested the Board go into Executive Session for any subjects related to Collective Bargaining until advised from Labor Counsel. COMMUNICATIONS,ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND PUBLIC COMMENT: Certificates of Accomplishment North Andover High School Wrestling Team, State Champions The Board of Selectmen recognized Thirty-eight members of the Wrestling Team along with their coaches and managers for their accomplishments as the Division II State Tournament Champions. Certificate of Accomplishment—Joyce Bradshaw The Board of Selectmen recognized Town Clerk Joyce Bradshaw who was recently recognized by the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women as Unsung Heroine in 2006 for her community involvement. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Thomas Licciardello, to approve the minutes of April 28, 2006, Executive Session as written and May 9, 2006, Open Session as written. Vote approved 5-0. Joseph Cinseruli, 178 Grandville Lane voiced his opinion and said the Town should discuss all things before the public and not to have executive sessions, especially when bargaining with Unions. Cinseruli asked the Board to find creative ways to locate more money to pay for teachers. He said that people move to North Andover because of education and other services need to be cut to pay for the schools. Selectman Licciardello says the municipal budget is clear and tight. The Board was not prepared to disassemble the municipal budget to give to the school when you cannot even understand the school budget. CONSENT ITEMS: Acceptance of Donation — Rohm and Hass Company Mark Caggiano made a MOTION, seconded by Thomas Licciardello, to accept a donation of$1,000 from Rohm and Hall Company, a manufacturer of electronic materials, to the Fire Department. Vote approved 5-0. Note: Selectman Daniel Lanen recused from this vote. Acceptance of Donation — North Andover VFW Post 2104 James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Thomas Licciardello, to accept a donation of$4,102 to the North Andover Police Department for the purchase of Monadnock Series Batons and holders for all members of the Police Department. Vote approved 4-0. Director of Veterans Services Ed Mitchell invited the Board of Selectmen and the public to participate in this year's Memorial Day observances commencing with a parade at 10:00 AM. LICENSING COMMISSIONERS: James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Thomas Licciardello, to move into Licensing. Board of Selectmen Minutes May 22, 2006 2 Vote approved 5-0. Public Hearing: Thomas Licciardello made a MOTION, seconded by James Xenakis, to open the Public Hearing for Lucky Zou Inc. d.b.a. Iron Chef to Min Fu, Inc. d.b.a. Haru Chinese &Japanese Restaurant, 733 Turnpike Street. James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile, to approve the transfer of liquor license for Lucky Zou Inc. d.b.a. Iron Chef to Min Fu, Inc. d.b.a. Haru Chinese &Japanese Restaurant, 733 Turnpike Street once the Board of Health and Building Department gives final approval. Vote approved 5-0. James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Thomas Licciardello, to approve the request for Entertainment License for Haru Chinese &Japanese Restaurant for Jukebox, Amplifiers, Cable TV and Wide Screen TV. Vote approved 5-0. James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile, to move out of Licensing. Vote approved 5-0. OLD BUSINESS: Preparation for Annual Town Meeting Article 14, Prior Year Bills James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Mark Caggiano, to vote Favorable Action on Article 14. Vote approved 5-0. Article 18, General Fund Appropriation for FY07 The Town Manager presented a revised draft budget for FY07 for discussion purposes only and asked the Board for a preliminary endorsement. Thomas Licciardello made a MOTION, seconded by Mark Caggiano to endorse the draft FY07 budget as a matter of direction and bring forward to the Budget Communications Group with subject to revision. Vote approved 4-1. James Xenakis opposed. Article 13, Amend Stevens Estate Enterprise Fund Appropriation for FY06 James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Mark Caggiano, to Amend Article 13. Vote approved 5-0. Article 23, Amend Stevens Estate Enterprise Fund Appropriation for FY07 James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Mark Caggiano, to Amend Article 23. Vote approved 5-0. Article 25, Funding for Water Storage Tanks Mark Caggiano made a MOTION, seconded by James Xenakis, to approve the Water Storage Tanks Retained Earnings Projections. Vote approved 5-0. Article 28, Appropriation from Community Preservation Fund James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Thomas Licciardello, to vote Favorable Action on Article 28, Appropriation from CPA. Vote approved 5-0. Article 45, Inter-municipal Agreement with North Andover/Middleton. Water/Sewer Tie Ins. The Town Manager met with Counsel and client of Middleton project and could not come to an agreement. This item would be presented again at the Board's next meeting. The Board would discuss other articles as necessary until Town Meeting. Zoning Board of Appeals Fees Town Counsel recommended that the Director of Community Development work with the ZBA Chairman to establish a fee that was based on the time spent processing past comprehensive permit applications so that the new fee is based on staff time and overhead used to process an application. Their recommended fee structure is reasonable and fair and would constitute legitimate governmental fees. Board of Selectmen Minutes May 22, 2006 3 The following fees were proposed: General Fee (14-unit or less units) $7,500; (80-unit project) $7,500 + $100 x 66 = $14,100; (210-unit project) $7,500 + $100 x 196 = $$27,100. Mark Caggiano made a MOTION, seconded by James Xenakis, to approve the proposed ZBA Fees. Vote approved 4-0-1. Daniel Lanen abstained. Employee Health Insurance Selectman Thomas Licciardello said he spoke to three unions respectively Firefighters, Police and ASCME about Health Insurance reform and all received him well. He has not had any success speaking to the Teachers Union or other School unions, but he is persistent and will keep trying to present his health insurance reform proposal. Licciardello said the town would see a significant savings in health insurance premiums if all employees contribute more. NEW BUSINESS: Participation in a study to review Regional Emergency Dispatch James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Mark Caggiano, to authorize the Town Manager to send a letter of interest, which is non-binding in support of the development of a Regional Operations Center to support Fire, EMS and Police dispatch services. Vote approved 5-0. Town Response to May 21-22 Flooding event The Town Manager commended Director of Emergency Management Jeff Coco for his leadership and well organized Emergency Management Team and the town-wide effort to cleanup homes from the Flood of 2006. Jeff Coco thanked all town hall employees, Fire, Police, DPW, Board of Health and all the volunteers from the youth to non-profit organizations. North Andover came together to help those victims in need. FEMA should declare a Federal Disaster, which would provide financial assistance for damages to homes and businesses in the community. Hopkinton Bill review Several years ago the Board voted to opt out of the provisions of the Hopkinton bill, which allows communities in a sense to issue prorated tax bills for new construction. In light of comments from the public and finance committee, the board should review this matter. The Assessor has provided information regarding the implementation of the Hopkinton Bill. James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Mark Caggiano, to endorse the idea with more information and a timeline with cost and revenue. Vote approved 5-0. EXECUTIVE SESSION: Daniel Lanen made a MOTION, seconded by Thomas Licciardello, to move into Executive Session to discuss Collective Bargaining and would not return to Open Session. 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; James Xenakis no; Mark Caggiano yes; Thomas Licciardello, yes, and Rosemary Smedile yes. Vote approved 4-1. ADJOURNMENT: Mark Caggiano made a MOTION, seconded by Thomas Licciardello, to adjourn the meeting at 10:45 PM. Vote approved 5-0. Adele J. Johnson Administrative Secretary James M. Xenakis, Clerk of the Board Board of Selectmen Minutes May 22, 2006 4