HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-03-19 Board of Selectmen Minutes BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES MARCH 19, 2007
CALL TO ORDER: Thomas Licciardello called the meeting to order at 7:05 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 Rosemary Smedile, to move into Executive Session to
discuss Real Estate Matters and Collective Bargaining. Vote approved 5-0.
The Board of Selectmen was individually polled and each voted to move into Executive Session. Daniel
P. Lanen, yes; James Xenakis yes; Mark Caggiano yes; Rosemary Smedile, yes, and Thomas
Licciardello yes. Vote approved 5-0.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile, to approve the Executive Session
Minutes of March 19, 2007. Vote approved 5-0.
COMMUNICATIONS,ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND PUBLIC COMMENT:
Appointment of Information Technology Director
The Town Manager requested that the Board approve his recommendation of Matthew Killen as the
Town's Information Technology Director. The Town Manager would like to thank the screening
committee of Ray Santilli, Garrett Boles, Lincoln Daley, Charles Salisbury and Dave Knox of JFK
Associates for their assistance in bringing forward this excellent candidate. If approved, Mr. Killen's start
date would be April 23, 2007.
Rosemary Smedile made a MOTION, seconded by Mark Caggiano, to approve the Town Manager's
appointment of Matthew Killen as Director of Information Technology. Vote approved 5-0.
GIS/Census Parcel Link Project
Chief Assessor Garrett Boles gave a presentation on a program that he and Jeffrey Wilson, consultant to
the town, created with integrating CAMA, Census, GIS and Photographic Data information. This
information would assist Firefighters, Police and Emergency Management in the event of emergencies.
Each department would have pertinent information at their fingertips to be better-prepared and work in
greater safety.
Handicap Voting Machines
Town Clerk Joyce Bradshaw briefed the Board on the new handicap voting machines that the town would
be using at the next election.
Quarterly Financial Reports
Town Accountant/Budget Director Lyne Savage presented budget status reports for revenue and
expenses ending January 31, 2007.
The revenue collections are running at 60.93%, which is above the 58.33%target percentage for this
period in the fiscal year. Legal expenses are running higher and a short fall is expected. Also there is a
concern with the fixed cost (workers comp, health insurance, etc). The potential expenditure short falls
can be absorbed within the budget as well as a portion of the fixed costs. These transfers would need to
be addressed at the upcoming Town Meeting with a request for transfers within the budget from various
line items. Overall as an aggregate the expenses are at 53.94%, which is slightly below the target
percentage of 58.33%.
Board of Selectmen Minutes March 19, 2007 2
Enterprise Funds; Water revenue collections are 58.2%which expenditures only at 48.0%, Sewer
revenues are presently at 61.8% collected with expenditures only at 46.0%. Stevens Estate collections
are running 63.0% with expenditures running at 61.1%, which is slightly below revenue collections. Do
not fore see any problems with Enterprise Funds.
CONSENT ITEMS:
Timothy Roberts Fundraisers
Rosemary Smedile made a MOTION, seconded by Mark Caggiano, to approve the request from the
Roberts Family to conduct a Fishing Derby on Lake Cochichewick on June 2 or 9, 2007 from 8:00—6:00,
as well as a tournament at the Youth Center and Drummond Field on Saturday, August 11, 2007. The
Town has agreed to waive permits for boating participants and to open parking at Stevens Pond. Vote
approved 5-0.
Fire Department Authorization for Fund Rising
Deputy William Martineau requested permission to solicit additional donations to acquire three Thermal
Imager Cameras.
Rosemary Smedile made a MOTION, seconded by Mark Caggiano, to approve the request to solicit
additional donations to acquire three Thermal Imager Cameras. Vote approved 5-0.
LICENSING COMMISSIONERS:
James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile, to move into Licensing. Vote
approved 5-0.
Alcoholic violation discussion
After a lengthy discussion Attorney Albert Manzi, III representing the Beijing Restaurant requested a
continuance whether to conduct a formal hearing until the next scheduled meeting in April to allow him
sufficient time to prepare.
The Board requested the Town Manager setup procedures when incidents happen at establishments
having liquor licenses. What are the statutory regulations for all liquor establishments and how
inappropriate behavior by management personnel would be handled? Police reports should be sent to
the Town Manager and then to the Licensing Commissioner Chairman.
Licensing Chair Mark Caggiano said that he and the Clerk's office is working with Town Counsel on a
new procedure for such violations.
Thomas Licciardello made a MOTION, seconded by James Xenakis, to TABLE this item until the next
scheduled meeting in April. Vote approved 5-0.
James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile, to move out of Licensing. Vote
approved 5-0.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
National Grid Pole Petition #1859
Rosemary Smedile made a MOTION, seconded by Daniel Lanen, to approve Pole Petition $1859 on
Andover Street to remove, relocate and install poles, adjust guys and anchors at various locations along
Andover Street for improvements to the Old Center project.
OLD BUSINESS:
FY08 General Fund Operating Budget
The Town Manager said the Budget Communications Group would be meeting next week and asked the
Board to comment on the budget and what positions should be discussed.
Daniel Lanen said that before hiring a Purchasing Agent, he would the Group to reconsider hiring the cut
positions in the Senior Center, the Youth Center and the Schools.
Board of Selectmen Minutes March 19, 2007 3
FY08 Sewer Enterprise Fund Budget
The Sewer Enterprise Fund expenses are recommended to be funded at$4,176,763 or a 0.66%
decrease over the FY07 Budget. Major factors that contribute include: Decrease in operating expenses
and Debt Service is projected to decrease from $1,899,805 to $1,871,507 consistent with the debt
schedules contained in the Capital Improvement Plan. Since the FY07 Budget provided for such a large
use of Retained Earnings to balance the enterprise fund budget (27% of revenues and other financing
sources) it will be necessary to increase sewer fees approximately 36.1% to provide for sufficient
revenues to pay for expenses plus a reserve of$417,675 or 10% of expenses in (option 1). Option 2 and
3 will show the impact of keeping 5% or 0% of expenses in reserves.
FY08 Water Enterprise Fund
The Water Enterprise Fund expenses are recommended to be funded at$5,423,567 or 2.91% increase
over the FY07 approved budget. Major components of the FY08 Water Budget Enterprise Fund expense
budget include: Debt Service is projected to increase from $2,632,241 to $2,812,171 consistent with the
debt schedules contained in the CIP. Indirect cost expenses are increasing from FY07 to FY08 due to
increase in health insurance. A Retained Earnings balance of$332,031 or a $157,601 is increased from
FY06. It will be necessary to increase water fees by 7.22% in FY08 (option 1) keeping the retained
earnings at 10%. Option 2 and 3 will show the impact of keeping 5% or 0% of expenses in reserves.
James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Mark Caggiano, to accept the Town Manager's
recommended FY08 Enterprise Fund Budgets and forward to Finance Committee for review. Vote
approved 5-0.s
Osgood Residence 40B Comments
The Zoning Board of Appeals received application for the 40B project at 1600 Osgood Street. The ZBA is
asking for comments from town boards including the Board of Selectmen. Community Development
Director Curt Bellavance drafted a letter with comments for the Board's consideration.
Mark Caggiano made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile, to send the letter with comments
regarding the 40B application for 1600 Osgood Street to the ZBA. Vote approved 5-0.
Municipal Partnership Legislation
Governor Deval Patrick recently filed with the legislature a series of bills meant to improve the financial
and operational viability of local governments. After review of these initiatives, the Board considered
sending to our legislative delegation comments regarding the pros and cons of joining the state Group
Insurance Commission (GIC).
The Town Manager will draft a letter to our legislatures expressing the town's position on allowing cities
and towns to participate in the lower health insurance costs afforded through the GIC. The requirement
that the town enter into coalition bargaining with municipal unions to join the GIC or to change
contribution rates makes this difficult for our town, which separates health insurance from other
bargaining issues. This would remove any leverage the town may have to affect changes in health
insurance contribution rates.
NEW BUSINESS:
Public Works Mutual Aid Legislation
Similar to the state laws that allow police and fire departments to respond to neighboring communities
when additional assistance is required, legislation has been filed providing for the same legal
authorization for public works departments to do the same. The Town Manager requested that the Board
draft a letter to our legislatures urging their support of this legislation.
James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile, to have the Town Manager draft a
letter to our legislatures in support of the Public Works Mutual Aid Legislation. Vote approved 5-0.
Board of Selectmen Minutes March 19, 2007 4
Letter of Interest to Merrimack Valley Planning Commission re: Expedited Permitting
The Town Manager requested that the Board adopt the state's new expedited permitting law whereby the
town agrees to decide on permits in a set time frame, the town would be eligible for state technical
assistance grants through regional planning agencies. The Merrimack Valley Planning Commission is
seeking a letter of interest from the town for partnering with them for this purpose.
Mark Caggiano made a MOTION, seconded by James Xenakis to send a letter of interest to the
Merrimack Valley Planning Commission in partnering with them for the state's new expedited permitting
law. Vote approved 5-0.
Prevailing Wage Law Discussion
James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Mark Caggiano, to TABLE this item until the next
meeting. Vote approved 5-0.
TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT:
➢ Enclosed is an email from Finance Committee Chairman Mike Batsimm listing their upcoming
meetings
➢ George Schruender, the last remaining member of the Industrial Development Financing
Authority, has contacted me regarding reconstituting that Board which hasn't met for a
number of years because of lack of action items. However, as indicated on the enclosed
information, there is currently a pending application before them. Since this board is
appointed by the Town Manager, unless the Selectmen object, I will move forward with
making appointments to allow the Board to act on this request.
➢ The Suburban Coalition is conducting their annual legislative breakfast on Monday April 2,
2007, at the state house. I would urge the Selectmen, if possible to attend this important
meeting.
➢ The Police Chief has issued several commendations to North Andover Police Departments
for their efforts in controlling crime in North Andover as shown on enclosed documentation.
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