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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-06-11 Board of Selectmen Minutes BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES JUNE 11, 2007 CALL TO ORDER: Thomas Licciardello called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM at Town Hall Meeting Room. ATTENDANCE: The following were present: Thomas Licciardello, Chairman; Rosemary Connelly Smedile, James Xenakis; Daniel P. Lanen; Mark J.T. Caggiano; Mark Rees, Town Manager; Ray Santilli, Assistant Town Manager. EXECUTIVE SESSION: James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Mark Caggiano, to move into Executive Session to discuss Collective Bargaining. Vote approved 4-0-1. Daniel Lanen abstained. The Board of Selectmen was individually polled and each voted to move into Executive Session. James Xenakis yes; Mark Caggiano yes; Rosemary Smedile, yes, and Thomas Licciardello yes. Vote approved 4-0- 1. Daniel Lanen recused from Executive Session. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile, to approve the Open Session Minutes as written for May 7, May 14, May 15, 2007 and to approve the Executive Session Minutes as written for May 7, May 14, May 15, May 21 and May 29, 2007. Vote approved 5-0. COMMUNICATIONS,ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND PUBLIC COMMENT: The Board of Selectmen presented a Certificate of Appreciation to the students of Greater Lawrence Technical School for constructing the tables used in the Board of Selectmen's Meeting Room at Town Hall. Richard Grafton, Construction Cluster Leader was present to receive the Certificate. The Town Manager mentioned a recent article in the Eagle Tribune relating to playgrounds in the Merrimack Valley. Drummond Playground in North Andover was rated the#1 playground in the Valley. The Town Manager announced that an article in the May edition of Boston Magazine did a survey of the "absolute best streets"to live on the North Shore. Great Pond Road was ranked as the seventh most desirable place to live in North Andover. The Recreation Council announced the continuation of the North Andover summer traditions, both band concerts and children's shows, initiated by Recreation Director Bill McEvoy. The band concerts are scheduled in the grass area in the rear of the North Andover Middle School on Sunday evenings at 6:00 p.m. from July 8th through August 26th. The children shows are scheduled in the Blaisdell Center at the Middle School on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 10:00 a.m. from July 10th through August 23 rd. Chairman Licciardello commented on a headline article from a monthly newspaper the Valley Patriot, which stated, " N.A. Selectmen's Property Taxes Went Down in `07". He said that the reporter did not do in-depth research and did not understand how property taxes are calculated. This past year the Selectmen did a reclassification on property taxes on residential rates. A very large percentage of taxpayers saw their taxes go down. There was an insinuation that something underhanded was going on. There were many people who work at Town Hall that were highly insulted by this article. The Chief Assessor Garrett Boles was very concerned and values his reputation as an Assessor. Mr. Boles prepared a spreadsheet showing that over 1,700 homeowners had their tax bills reduced. The overall tax rate went down 6.6% with the reclassification. Selectmen asked that the reporter would recant this article in next month's newspaper. Ted Tripp, chairman of the anti-override group Taxpayers United for Fiscal Responsibility (TUFR), said since Wednesday of last week roughly 150 anti-override signs have been stolen from people's yards. The placards were for the June 19 Proposition 2 'h-override Election. Tripp believes the thefts were organized. "This is not vandalism. This is an effort to affect the election," He called the sign swiping illegal and in violation of democratic rights under state election laws. The rules state Board of Selectmen Minutes June 11, 2007 2 anyone caught stealing signs and other printed material can be fined up to $100. As a direct response to the sign thefts, Tripp informed selectmen TUFR was offering a $400 reward for the arrest and conviction of anyone caught stealing signs. That amount could increase as donations roll in. Tripp wanted reassurance from selectmen and police that political signs would stay up for the remaining days before the election. Otherwise, TUFR would stop replacing them. Chuck Ormsby said, "We'd like to get the reward up to $1,000 to $1,500". He suggested North Andover United should also post a reward to show it won't tolerate criminal activity. Chairman Tom Licciardello promised that the Police Department would be vigilant with punishment and this was absolutely 180 degrees from what the democratic process is all about. Licciardello speculated that a small minority, who were casting a negative light on the election campaign, was carrying out the sign thefts. Tripp also was concerned the negative activity could directly impact the June 19 vote. "We don't think we can get a fair and partial election," he said. "I think it's important it be brought to the state level." Tripp hand delivered a letter to Secretary of State William Galvin, and it was referred to the legal department. As of press time, he was awaiting word if the election should be delayed. CONSENT ITEMS: Note: Daniel Lanen recused from the meeting. Donation to Police Department The Board was asked to accept a donation of$500 from the Lawrence Exchange Club to the Police Department to be used for their Student Police Academy James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Mark Caggiano, to accept the donation of$500 from the Lawrence Exchange Club to the Police Department to be used for their Student Police Academy. Vote approved 4-0-1. Note: Daniel Lanen returned to the meeting Donations to Summer Concerts & Children's Shows The Board was asked to accept donations from various businesses for the 2007 Summer Band Concerts and Children's Shows. Mark Caggiano made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile, to accept the donations for the 2007 Summer Band Concerts and Children's Shows from the following businesses: Vote approved 5-0. Degnan Insurance Agency $ 100.00 Georgetown Savings Bank $ 500.00 M.P. Roberts Insurance Agency $ 50.00 Plum Trust—John McGarry $ 100.00 Watts Regulator $250.00 Permission to fill positions Fire Chief Martineau is requesting permission to fill the Deputy Fire Chief position and Library Director Sue Ellen is requesting permission to fill a part time Reference Librarian. Mark Caggiano made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile, to grant permission to fill both positions for the Fire Department and the Library. Vote approved 5-0. Festival Committee Request The Festival Committee is requesting permission to hold their annual Fireworks display on June 30th and Celebration Activities of July 3rd &4th on the grounds of the North Andover Middle School. Mark Caggiano made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile, to approve the request from the Festival Committee to hold their annual Fireworks display on June 30th and Celebration Activities of July 3rd &4th on the grounds of the North Andover Middle School. Vote approved 5-0. Board of Selectmen Minutes June 11, 2007 3 LICENSING COMMISSIONERS: James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Mark Caggiano, to move into Licensing. Vote approved 5-0. Licensing Chairman Mark Caggiano was informed by the Police Chief of a possible liquor violation on February 27, 2007 at 8:22 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus—Camelot Building Association, 505 Sutton Street. Chairman Mark Caggiano asked the Board's approval to send a letter to Harold W. Johnson, Camelot Building Association to be present at a public hearing to be held on Monday, June 25, 2007, at 7:30 p.m. at Town Hall. Thomas Licciardello made a MOTION, seconded by James Xenakis, to send a letter of notification to Harold W. Johnson, Camelot Building Association to be present at a public hearing to be held on Monday, June 25, 2007, at 7:30 p.m. at Town Hall regarding alleged violations of a Restaurant License issued under Section 12 of Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 138. Vote approved 5-0. James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Thomas Licciardello, to move out of Licensing. Vote approved 5-0. OLD BUSINESS: Underground Utility Project As part of the underground utility project in the Old Center area, as required by M.G.L. c166,§22D, the utilities submit annual financial reports regarding revenues and expenses for the preceding calendar year. National Grid and Verizon have submitted financial reports, but Comcast did not since it does not impose a specific surcharge to fund the project. Proposed Middleton Power Plant Update Middleton resident Robert Naftal gave an updated presentation on the residents' opposition to Middleton's proposal to build a power plant on Sharpners Pond Road on the North Andover border. Mr. Naftal requested the North Andover Board of Selectmen and the Town Manager to write a letter to the Middleton Board of Selectmen and Town Manager Ira Singer about their concerns and the potential adverse impact of this facility upon the town of North Andover. Recycling Issues The Town Manager recommended the implementation of a five-person committee to be established to negotiate with TBI on moving forward with the Town's Recycling Program. This is taking into consideration the two binding documents, the Host Community Agreement between the Town and TBI and the Board of Health decision. The Town Manager recommended the following for the committee: Dr. Thomas Trowbridge from the Board of Health, three members of the Solid Waste Advisory Committee—Steve Daley, Tina Klein and Keith Alter and DPW Director Bill Hmurciak. To assist the committee in their work, it was further recommended that the Board appoint Jonathan Klavens, Esquire as special counsel to take the place of Attorney Ken Kimmell who is now working for the Commonwealth. Attorney Klavens took over for Attorney Kimmell when he left and the arrangement needs to be formalized. Mark Caggiano made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile, to appoint a Five-member committee of Dr. Thomas Trowbridge, SWAC Members Steve Daley, Tina Klein and Keith Alter and DPW Director Bill Hmurciak. To formally appoint Attorney Jonathan Klavens as special counsel to assist the committee in their work. Vote approved 5-0. Disposal of Surplus Items The Board was asked to declare a list of items as surplus allowing the Town to sell them to the general public in a sealed bid process. Mark Caggiano made a MOTION, seconded by James Xenakis, to declare the items as surplus and to allow the Town to sell them to the general public in a sealed bid process. Vote approved 5-0. NEW BUSINESS: Solid Waste Collection Contract The Town Manager informed the Board that the Solid Waste Collection Contract for the next three years July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2010, was put out to competitive bid. The vendors submitted bids with Northside Carting, Board of Selectmen Minutes June 11, 2007 4 Inc. being the lowest bid. The first year of the proposed bid is $522,510, which is slightly lower than the $556,887 approved in the FY08 budget. The contract was awarded to Northside Carting Inc., 210 Holt Road, North Andover. U.S. Postal Service in North Andover Selectman Smedile requested discussion of service levels at the North Andover branch of the Lawrence Post Office compared to other communities. Residents John Desmond and Gerald Boyd also expressed their frustration with long lines and delays at the post office. It was recommended that the Town Manager contact a State Representative to talk to Congressman Tierney's office to see if the town could get a larger more adequate Post Office or if there could be more postal staff provided during the day to assist the needs of the town. Form of Government Discussion Resident George Vozeolas, 124 Coventry Lane, asked the Board's permission to setup a Charter review petition committee of eleven people and appointing him as the Chairman. The committee's mission would be to drive the petition signature campaign, educate the public on what the current charter does and doesn't do, and educate the public on what the choices could be and the pros and cons of each. Mr. Vozeolas also would like to hold meetings at Town Hall monthly and have it televised on the local access channel. The Board asked the Town Manager to meet with Mr. Vozeolas to start the process of setting up a committee and coordinate the meeting room schedule. North Parish Church Request The North Parish Church located at 190 Academy Road and Great Pond Road, is requesting approval from the town to install two light posts on Town land abutting the North Parish Church. Since the church does not own frontage in front of the church, they must have town approval to install the light posts. They have been working with the town for 18 months and architect Menders, Torrey &Spencer to have the light posts coincide with the Old Center project. Daniel Lanen made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile, to approve the request from North Parish Church to install two light posts on town land abutting the North Parish Church. Vote approved 4-1-0. Mark Caggiano abstained. Letter from the Town of Walpole re: Chapter 40B The Walpole Board of Selectmen is seeking support from town boards to write to the legislature to impose a temporary moratorium on 40B projects. The board was asked if they would like to join this effort. Mark Caggiano made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile, to write a letter to the town's representatives and senators to impose a temporary moratorium on 40B projects. Vote approved 5-0. Board of Selectmen Meeting Schedule, 2nd half of 2007 The Town Manager asked the Board to review the following tentative schedule for their meetings for the 2nd half of 2007; July 9, 23, August 20, September 4, 17, October 1, 22, November 5, 19, December 3, 17. This would be voted on at their next meeting. Use of Town Fields on Town Meeting Dates This item was TABLED to a future meeting. Preliminary discussion of Board reorganization Chairman Licciardello asked the Board to consider the reorganization of the Board on or around July 1, 2007 and what positions would members be seeking. TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT: The Town Manager said that Motor Vehicle Excise Tax collections have not been as strong as in previous years. The revenue received is lower than projected estimates. The town could meet its target for FY07, but would fall short for projections for FY08. Board of Selectmen Minutes June 11, 2007 5 ADJOURNMENT: James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Mark Caggiano, to adjourn the meeting at 9:30 PM. Vote approved 5-0. Adele J. Johnson Administrative Secretary James M. Xenakis, Clerk of the Board