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Home My WebLink About2010-04-26 Board of Selectmen Minutes BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES APRIL 26, 2010 CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Tracy M. Watson called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM at Town Hall Meeting Room. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ATTENDANCE: The following were present: Tracy M. Watson, Chairman; Daniel P. Lanen, Vice Chairman; Rosemary Connelly Smedile, Clerk; William F. Gordon; Richard Nardella; Mark Rees, Town Manager; Ray Santilli, Assistant Town Manager. EXECUTIVE SESSION: William Gordon made a MOTION, seconded by Daniel Lanen, to move into Executive Session to discuss Real Estate Matters and Collective Bargaining and to delete Personnel Matter. Roll Call vote: William Gordon yes, Rosemary Smedile yes, Daniel Lanen, yes, Richard Nardella and Tracy Watson yes. Vote approved 5-0. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Daniel Lanen made a MOTION, seconded by Richard Nardella, to approve the Open Session Minutes of April 12, 2010 as written. Vote approved 5-0. Rosemary Smedile made a MOTION, seconded by Richard Nardella, to approve the Executive Session Minutes of April 12, 2010 as written. Vote approved 4-1. Daniel Lanen opposed COMMUNICATIONS,ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND PUBLIC COMMENT: Resolution: Senior Center Recognition Day The Board was requested to approve the Resolution recognizing May 12, 2010 as "Senior Recognition Day. Town Counsel Thomas Urbelis, AV Pre-eminent Award Town Counsel Thomas Urbelis has been awarded 15-year recognition as an "AV rated" lawyer by the legal publishing company Mari ndale-Hubbell. This award recognizes 15 years of his being rated by his peers for the highest levels of legal ability and ethical standards. John Mabon, Completion of"Fundamentals of Conservation Commissioners"training course Mr. Mabon has successfully completed a study program which provides "the basic knowledge and practical tools essential to carrying out many responsibilities, from administering the Wetlands Protection Act to open space planning and protection. Old Center Historic District Commission Appointment: Roger Lawson, Jr. The Selectmen's appointment subcommittee recommended Roger Lawson Jr. be appointed to the Old Center Historic District Commission Board. William Gordon made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile, to approve the appointment of Roger Lawson, Jr. to the Old Center Historic District Commission Board. Vote approved 5-0. Acquisition of Land by Mass. Dept. of Conservation and Recreation in North Andover The DCR is requested that the Board make an announcement of the possible land acquisition to prevent the further fragmentation and encroachment to Harold Parker State Forest. Richard Nardella made a MOTION, seconded by William Gordon, that the North Andover Board of Selectmen sign the waiver form and assent to this reduction in the notice period of 120-days. Vote approved 3-2. Daniel Lanen and Tracy Watson opposed. Board of Selectmen Minutes April 26, 2010 2 CONSENT ITEMS: Museum of Printing Annual Printing Arts Fair Richard Nardella made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile, to close Mass Ave. from Osgood Street to the round about on June 20, 2010 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. to accommodate the Museum or Printing annual Printing Arts Fair. Vote approved 5-0. Request to fill vacancy Curt Bellavance Community Development Director requested permission to fill the vacancy in the Building Department pending the retirement of Jeanne McEvoy. Richard Nardella made a MOTION, seconded by seconded by Rosemary Smedile, to authorize the recruitment and hiring of the Departmental Assistant for the Building Department. Vote approved 5-0. OLD BUSINESS: Preparation for Town Meeting The Town Manager reviewed and discussed with the Board the following articles: Art 11: Amend General Fund Appropriation for FY2010. The Town Manager made additional changes to the FY2010 budget that would accommodate the funding of the 27th payroll. By moving the pay date from Thursday, July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2010 for work that was done from June 13, 2010 to Jun 26, 2010. After a lengthy discussion regarding the 27th payroll the Town Manager proposed that $364,000 would cover the additional payroll expense for this additional pay period to be paid for in FY2010 and be included in the series of other appointed amendments in FY2010 that would be balanced by funding reserved funds already established plus an additional appropriation from the reduction from the health insurance general line item. This would still be a balanced budget and it would pay for the expense for the additional pay period in FY2010. Daniel Lanen made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile, to approve the total budget as proposed by the Town Manager with the amended FY10 adjustments and FY11 budget. Vote approved 3-2. William Gordon and Richard Nardella opposed. The Town Manager said the town is still projecting a deficit in the Water account which is problematic. The Town's auditors said that the Town can transfer$100,000 from Sewer to Water for payroll expenses. Art 12: Amend Water Enterprise Fund for FY2010 Art 13: Amend Sewer Enterprise Fund for FY2010 The Town Manager said the Finance Committee is against televising their meetings and will speak to this at Town Meeting. Art 24: Amend Chapter 44-1 of Town Bylaws: Televising Selectmen and Finance Committee Meetings. NEW BUSINESS: Interview candidate for Fire Chief Position Acting Deputy Chief Andrew Melnikas was present and was interviewed by the Board for the position of Fire Chief. The Board of Selectmen asked Andrew Melnikas specific questions regarding how he would handle supervising situations, monitoring budgets, short-term and long-term achievements, strengths of the department, and needs for improvement during the interview. Andrew Melnikas answered each of the questions in detail and presented his background with his interest in pursuing the position as Fire Chief for the Town of North Andover. Board of Selectmen Minutes April 26, 2010 3 Daniel Lanen made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile, to hire Andrew Melnikas as permanent Fire Chief upon his successful negotiations and signing of a contract which will include salary, benefits and a start date. Vote approved 5-0. William Gordon made a MOTION, seconded by Richard Nardella, to nominate Daniel Lanen and William Gordon to be on a sub-committee to negotiate a contract with the Fire Chief. Vote approved 5-0. Facilities Management Consolidation Task Force The Board was asked to consider establishing a task force to study the combing of facilities management functions between the Town and the School. The Town Manager drafted a resolution creating such a task force which is modeled after a similar resolution that created a committee to look at Information Technology consolidation. Rosemary Smedile made a MOTION, seconded by Richard Nardella, to establish a task force to study the combining of facilities management functions between the Town and the School. Vote approved 5-0. Membership on Utility Abatement Review Board This is a board that handles disputes regarding water and sewer bills. Due to the lack of appeals this board has not had to meet for a number of years and some of the prior members are no longer available to serve. The Board was requested to appoint or reappoint individuals to the Utility Abatement Review Board to hear a pending appeal. Richard Nardella made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile, to nominate Selectmen William Gordon, Town Accountant Lyne Savage and resident Donald Stewart to the Utility Abatement Review Board. Vote approved 5-0. ADJOURNMENT: Daniel Lanen made a MOTION, seconded by William Gordon, to adjourn the meeting at 9:07 p.m. Vote approved 5-0. Adele J. Johnson Administrative Secretary Rosemary Connelly Smedile, Clerk of the Board