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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-03-24 Board of Selectmen Minutes BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES MARCH 24, 2008 CALL TO ORDER: James Xenakis called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM at Town Hall Meeting Room. ATTENDANCE: The following were present: James Xenakis, Chairman; Thomas Licciardello; Rosemary Connelly Smedile; Daniel P. Lanen; Mark J.T. Caggiano; Mark Rees, Town Manager; Ray Santilli, Assistant Town Manager. EXECUTIVE SESSION: made a MOTION, seconded by, to move into Executive Session to discuss Bargaining with Non-union employees. Vote approved 5-0. The Board of Selectmen was individually polled and each voted to move into Executive Session. Daniel P. Lanen, yes; Mark Caggiano yes; Rosemary Smedile, yes, and Thomas Licciardello yes; James Xenakis yes. Vote approved 5-0. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Thomas Licciardello made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile, to approve the Open Session Minutes of February 25, and March 10, 2008. Vote approved 5-0. Thomas Licciardello made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile, to approve the Executive Session Minutes of March 10, 2008. Vote approved 4-0-1. Daniel Lanen abstained. COMMUNICATIONS,ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND PUBLIC COMMENT: Appointment of Fire Chief William Martineau Chief William Martineau was officially appointment as North Andover's Fire Chief and was sworn in by Town Clerk Joyce Bradshaw. Family, friends and many fire department employees were in attendance to commemorate this occasion. E-Government Common Cause Award The Town of North Andover was recognized for its commitment to open government by posting all key government records on its website. To wit: governing body's agenda and minutes, budge, by-laws or ordinances, and town meeting warrant and results. Us Post Office Survey Results The Town sent residents a survey regarding service levels at the North Andover Post Office branch. Over (1300) thirteen hundred responses were received and the results were summarized. The majority of the residents said that they had to wait longer than 5 minutes in line and would like to see more clerks added to avoid the wait, an expansion of hours of operation and a self-service kiosk to allow the purchases of stamps. The town will setup a meeting with the Postmaster at a future date to address this situation.. Public Comment Mr. Ted Tripp, Boston Street spoke about the two warrant articles that he submitted for town meeting. Article PP To Amend the General Bylaws—Add New Chapter—Eminent Domain and Article QQ To Amend General Bylaws— Chapter 17-Section 9 Fixed Revenue/Costs Bylaw. Mr. Tripp also asked the Board how much accrued sick time is paid to an employee when they retire. The Town Manager and Assistant Town Manager would give him an answer at a future date. CONSENT ITEMS: Acceptance of In-Kind Donations for Stevens Pond Pavilion Three local companies, Breen Excavating, North Side Carting and Wheelabrator have offered, at no cost, to dismantle, transport and dispose of, respectively, the old bathhouse at the Stevens Pond to allow for Board of Selectmen Minutes March 24, 2008 2 the construction of the new facility this spring. Pending receipt of a demolition permit, the existing structure will be torn down and the debris removed the week of March 24th, 2008. Rosemary Smedile made a MOTION, seconded by Mark Caggiano, to approve the In-Kind Donation for the Stevens Pond Pavilion. Vote approved 5-0. LICENSING COMMISSIONERS: Thomas Licciardello made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile, to move into Licensing. Vote approved 5-0. Rosemary Smedile made a MOTION, seconded by Daniel Lanen, to approve a one-day wine and malt beverage license for a fund raising event to Neighbors in Need/St Paul's Episcopal Church for March 28, &29, 2008, from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. Vote approved 5-0. James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile, to move out of licensing. Vote approved 5-0. OLD BUSINESS: FY09 Water and Sewer Budgets At a previous meeting the board expressed support for the water budget recommendations with a 5% retained earning target, but was concerned about the sewer budget due to its anticipated increase in rates. The Board asked to revisit the debt service projections to see what impact that would have on revenue needs. The Town Manager provided spreadsheets, extending the borrowing period for previously approved capital projects from 20 years to 30 years that would impact revenue requirements slightly. The issue driving the need to increase rates was not the debt service but the draw down of retained earnings in FY08 to mitigate rate increases and that level of retained earnings not being available in FY09. The Town Manager said that the Board was not expected to approve any rate change at this time but to pass these recommendations onto the Finance Committee. Mark Caggiano made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile, to forward the FY09 Water and Sewer Budgets onto the Finance Committee in compliance with the Town Charter. Vote approved 5-0. Note: Daniel Lanen recused Police Station Update The Police Station Building Committee met on March 18, 2008 to discuss which of the two current options for location of the police station, the Bradstreet School or the Merrimack Valley Credit Union building on Osgood Street is in the best interest of the Town. The Police Building Committee is recommending the Credit Union building as the preferred site and is seeking approval from the Board to instruct the Architect to focus on that building in preparing detailed cost estimates for renovation. Police Station Building Committee Chairman Sam Ameen said it was up to the town to negotiate a good price for the building in order to keep within budget projections. Thomas Licciardello made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile, to accept the recommendation of the building located at 1475 Osgood Street (the former Credit Union) from the Police Station Building Committee and to start working on an RFP. Vote approved 4-0. Note: Daniel Lanen returned Preparation for Annual Town Meeting The Board was requested to appoint a subcommittee to order the warrant prior to signing the warrant at their next meeting scheduled for March 31, 2008. The Finance Committee is scheduled to meet with the Board of Selectmen Minutes March 24, 2008 3 Board on that date and the Board would be voting their recommendations on the various articles to be included in the warrant publication distributed to all registered voters in town. Thomas Licciardello made a MOTION, seconded by Mark Caggiano, to have Rosemary Smedile and Mark Caggiano participate on the subcommittee for the logistics of the Warrant. Vote approved 5-0. NEW BUSINESS: Expansion of Solid Waste Advisory Committee The Solid Waste Advisory Committee is requesting permission from the Board of Selectmen to create the position of Associate Member for this committee to be appointed by the nine appointed full members. Steve Daley, Vice Chair of the committee says that all nine authorized slots are currently filled but they have a need for additional volunteers to carry out their projects. The Committee is requesting to create authorization for additional positions to serve on a yearly basis. Thomas Licciardello made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile, to authorize the SWAC to creating additional positions to serve on a yearly basis as needed to the SWAC. Vote approved 5-0. Avalon Bay/Osgood Landing Request for Federal Funding Congressman Tierney's office contacted the town seeking comments from the Board regarding a request from Avalon Bay/Osgood Landing for$250,000 in Federal Funds to conduct an alternatives analysis and preliminary design for a MBTA Commuter Rail Station at that location. Thomas Connery of Avalon Bay was present at the meeting. There was discussion regarding whether a fee would be imposed for an MBTA stop in town and if approved would the town end up with an overlay idling station which would create a problem for residents. The goal of this project request is to expand on the Commonwealth of MA initial favorable feasibility study that examined ridership, parking demand, and revenue and costs of a proposed commuter rail station at Osgood Landing. Also to study alternatives for a layout of the proposed station, traffic associated with the station, and to conduct a preliminary design of the station and parking facilities. Mark Caggiano made a MOTION, seconded by Thomas Licciardello, to endorse the request for Federal Funds to conduct a proposed study for preliminary design for the MBTA Commuter Rail Station at 1600 Osgood Street with the contingency that there is no layover station. Vote approved 3-2. James Xenakis and Daniel Lanen opposed. Lake Cochichewick Access Rules and Regulations James Xenakis requested the Board to amend the Lake Usage/Boating Rules and Regulations by providing senior citizens with an exemption for fees and the creation of a one-day permit. After discussion the board agreed to add a one-day fee for lake usage of$5 per day. Mark Caggiano made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile, to approve and add a single day fee of$5.00 for lake usage. Vote approved 5-0. Note: James Xenakis recused State Lottery Commission: Keno to Go The State Lottery Commission is proposing to sell Keno tickets at all existing agents rather than the limited number who currently offer the game. These new transactions would be identical to customers buying tickets for the states other on-line games, such as Megabucks and Mass Cash. The state is contacting every community to inform officials of this change, and they are offering to discuss Keno to go in greater detail with members of municipal government. Furthermore, any community reserves the right to opt out of the Keno to go program. The Board decided to TABLE this until the next scheduled meeting. Board of Selectmen Minutes March 24, 2008 4 Note: James Xenakis returned TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT: The Town Manager asked Chairman Rosemary Connelly Smedile to say a few words to Selectman Xenakis and Selectman Licciardello, as this was their last meeting in their term. Rosemary Smedile presented Selectman Licciardello and Xenakis plagues for their years in service on the Board of Selectmen. ADJOURNMENT: Thomas Licciardello made a MOTION, seconded by James Xenakis, to adjourn the meeting at 8:34 PM. Vote approved 5-0. Adele J. Johnson Administrative Secretary Thomas Licciardello, Clerk of the Board