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Home My WebLink About2008-09-29 Board of Selectmen Minutes BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES SEPTEMBER 29, 2008 CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Rosemary Connelly Smedile called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM at Town Hall Meeting Room. PLEDGE OF ALLIGIANCE ATTENDANCE: The following were present: Rosemary Connelly Smedile, Chairman; Mark J.T. Caggiano Clerk; Richard A. Nardella, Licensing Chairman; Daniel P. Lanen; Tracy M. Watson; Mark Rees, Town Manager; Ray Santilli, Assistant Town Manager. EXECUTIVE SESSION: Mark Caggiano made a MOTION, seconded by Richard Nardella, to move into Executive Session to discuss Collective Bargaining. The Board of Selectmen was individually polled and each voted to move into Executive Session. Vote approved 5-0. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Daniel Lanen made a MOTION, seconded by Tracy Watson, to approve the minutes of September 8, 2008, Open Session as written. Vote approved 5-0. Mark Caggiano made a MOTION, seconded by Richard Nardella, to approve the minutes of September 8, 2008, Executive Session as written. Vote approved 4-0-1. Daniel Lanen abstained. Mark Caggiano made a MOTION, seconded by Richard Nardella, to approve the minutes of September 15, 2008, Open Session as written. Vote approved 3-0-2. Tracy Watson and Daniel Lanen abstained. COMMUNICATIONS,ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND PUBLIC COMMENT: Appointments The Selectmen's appointment subcommittee is recommending three individuals to be appointed to committees or boards. Mark Caggiano made a MOTION, seconded by Richard Nardella, to appoint David M. Mermelstein of 41 Chestnut Street to the Old Center Historic Commission; Ryan Schruender of 91 Quail Run to the Housing Partnership Committee; Matthew J. Ginsburg of 125 Salem Street to the Wireless Bylaw Committee. Vote approved 5-0. Elections Update Town Clerk Joyce Bradshaw briefed the Board on the logistics for the upcoming Presidential Election to be held on Tuesday, November 4, 2008, and request that the Selectmen designate additional temporary handicap parking spaces closest to the entrance to the polling location. Voting will be held at the North Andover High School and polls are open from 6:00 a.m. —8:00 p.m. The last day to register to vote is Wednesday, October 15, 2008 until 8:00 p.m. Absentee ballot requests must be sent to the clerks' office no later than noon on Monday, November 3, 2008. Rachel's Challenge On October 20 and 21, 2008, the North Andover Middle Grades 7 & 8 and High School will host Rachel's Challenge. Rachel Scott was the first person killed at Columbine High School on April 20, 1999. Her acts of kindness and compassion coupled with the contents of her six diaries have become the foundation for one of the most life-changing school programs in America. The community event starts at 7:00 p.m. To learn more about Rachel's Challenge visit— http://www.rachelschaggenge.com/ Board of Selectmen Meeting September 29, 2009 2 League of Women Voters and North Andover United On October 1, 2008, at 7:00 p.m. a forum sponsored by the League of Women Voters and North Andover United will take place at North Andover High School Auditorium, 430 Osgood Street. Discussion about Mid-Sized Municipalities: Do We Have a Voice in the Massachusetts Economy? Is Anyone Listening? Volunteers needed for Boards and Committees Selectman Nardella said that the Town is in need of volunteers for various committees, boards and commissions. If anyone is interested in volunteering his or her time, please contact the Town Manager's office. CONSENT ITEMS: Senior Center Renovation Project Construction bids are due on Thursday, October 2, 2008 and actual construction is scheduled to start on November 3, 2008. The Board is requested to waive all building department permit fees for this Town project. The estimated fees would be approximately $4,800 plus the electrical and plumbing/gas permit fees. Richard Nardella made a MOTION, seconded by Daniel Lanen, to waive all building department fees including electrical, plumbing/gas fees for the Senior Center construction. Vote approved 5-0. NEW BUSINESS: Stevens Pond Report Youth Services Director Rick Gorman gave the Board a report on the operation of the Stevens Pond facility during the summer of 2008. The new finished Bathhouse received great feedback from the residents, as did the new playground installed in July. The goal for the summer of 2009 is to install docks, raft, lines, new sand and other equipment for the pond funding from a grant by the Webster Foundation. Another grant would allow for new fencing, landscaping and works to the parking lot. The community has been very active with the renovations. Peter Breen Excavating, Waste Management and Northside Carting volunteered services in tearing down the old building. The Joseph N. Hermann Youth Center Inc. and GameTime provided the new playground equipment. Eagle Scout Matt Cavallaro built six new picnic tables for the pond. Volunteers installed a new flagpole, which was donated by the North Andover Boosters Club. Director Rick Gorman gives special thanks to the Pond Director Kathy Lyons, and Assistant Kathy Smith and all the guards and attendants who did an outstanding job. In the spring of 2009 before the opening of Stevens Pond there will be a dedication. Further details will be provided. LICENSING: Mark Caggiano made a MOTION, seconded by Richard Nardella, to move into Licensing. Vote approved 5-0. Smolak Farms requests a One-Day Wine and Malt Beverage License Mark Caggiano made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile, to approve the requests from Smolak Farms for a one-day wine and malt beverage license on October 4, 2008, from 1:00—6:00 p.m. for a Wedding Reception. This is contingent upon getting a permit from the building department for a tent. Vote approved 5-0. Mark Caggiano made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile, to move out of licensing. Vote approved 5-0. Board of Selectmen Meeting September 29, 2009 3 PUBLIC HEARINGS: Continued Public Hearing Chapter 43 Expedited Permitting Regulations After receiving input from two earlier sessions and making modifications accordingly, Community Development Director Curt Bellavance is recommending that the Board approve the final version of the 43 D Rules and Regulations. Richard Nardella made a MOTION, seconded by Mark Caggiano, to close the Public Hearing. Vote approved 5-0. Richard Nardella made a MOTION, seconded by Mark Caggiano, to approve the revised Chapter 43 Expedited Permitting Rules and Regulations. Vote approved 5-0. OLD BUSINESS: Downtown Improvements DPW Director Bruce Thibodeau, Engineer Eugene Willis and Community Development Director Curt Bellavance presented a plan including time lines and funding sources for the Downtown Main Street improvement project. Improvement scope of work from Sutton Street to Third Street would include new traffic lights, drainage structures, replacement of old brick cross walks with imprint Thermoplastic surface, curb bump outs with landscape planters and a Welcome to Downtown North Andover sign. The cost of the improvement plan will come from CIP funding and Chapter 90 money and the majority of the work would be from May through September 2009 with a finish date of October 2009. Town Leaders will meet with Downtown businesses to inform them of the work and to get input from them before construction begins. Non-Monetary Town Meeting Articles September 29, 2008, is the last date to submit non-monetary articles for the May 2009 Annual Town Meeting. Departments submitted non-monetary articles including proposed new by-laws or revisions to existing by-laws, both general and land use (zoning)that do not have a direct financial or budgetary impact to the Town Manager's office. TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT: Due to the change in the location of the Police Station to the former Merrimack Valley Federal Credit Union Building, the Town is required by state law to reissue the Request for Proposals for hiring the architect for the project. This will push back the timetable for this project by approximately 45-60 days. The next Selectmen's meeting is scheduled for next week on Monday, October 6, 2008. ADJOURNMENT: Mark Caggiano made a MOTION, seconded by Richard Nardella, to adjourn the meeting at 8:40 PM. Vote approved 5-0. Adele J. Johnson Administrative Secretary Mark Caggiano, Clerk of the Board