HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-10-17 Board of Selectmen Minutes BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OCTOBER 17, 2011
CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Tracy Watson called the meeting to order at 7:05 PM at Town Hall Meeting
Room.
ATTENDANCE: The following were present: Tracy Watson, Chairman; William F. Gordon, Clerk;
Rosemary Smedile, Licensing Chairman; Donald Stewart, James Purcell, Interim Town Manager.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
COMMUNICATIONS,ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND PUBLIC COMMENT:
Selectmen Rosemary Smedile announced North Andover's Restaurant Week October 16th through
October 20th. Participating restaurants are having specials during the week as long as you mention
restaurant week.
OLD BUSINESS:
Special Election Discussion
Town Clerk Joyce Bradshaw said that if the Board decided to call a special election to fill a selectmen's
seat there were several steps to take. You have to follow MA general laws and set the date 100 days
before the election, candidates need 60-75 days to pull nomination papers and the earliest date would be
December 15, 2011. It would cost the town approximately $14,000 to $15,000 for a 3 month term and the
candidate would have to run again for the general town election in March 2012.
After a discussion the Board determined that it would not be in the best interest of the town to hold an
election to replace a selectman forjust 3 months.
Donald Stewart made a MOTION, seconded by William Gordon, not to hold a special election for a
Selectman. Vote approved 4-0.
Special Town Meeting Warrant Articles
Town Clerk Joyce Bradshaw informed the Board that there were about 8-9 articles for the special town
meeting in November. Two citizen petitions were submitted by Mark Rogers for the Meals Tax and Amy
McCarthy for an age exemption for a police officer. Other articles are the School Department Green
Projects, unpaid bills, stabilization and free cash issues, and technical language in the Town Charter for a
recall vote.
Town Clerk will have the language of the articles and signage of the warrant at the Board's next meeting
on October 24, 2011. The Board can vote and place articles on the warrant at that meeting.
Town Manager Search Update
The Board thanked the Search Committee and consultant Thomas Groux that made the process go
smoothly.
Selectmen said that this was a very difficult decision for the Board and praised both finalists for great
attributes and would be a good match for North Andover.
Selectman Stewart said he was leaning slightly toward Younger going into the meeting but that he would
be willing to vote for Maylor to secure a unanimous vote.
Rosemary Smedile made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart, to offer Andrew Maylor the position of
Town Manager subject to successful contract negotiations and further background checks. Roll Call vote:
Rosemary Smedile yes, Donald Stewart yes, Tracy Watson yes, and William Gordon yes.
Vote approved 4-0.
Thomas Groux suggested that the Board recess and contact Mr. Maylor to see if he would accept the
offer of employment and if so to nominate a sub-committee to negotiate a contract with Andrew Maylor at
once.
Board of Selectmen Minutes October 17, 2011 2
Note: The Board took a 10 minute recess
Chairman Tracy Watson returned and said that Mr. Maylor accepted the offer of employment and was
excited to start negotiations tomorrow.
William Gordon made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart, to nominate Rosemary Smedile and
Tracy Watson as a sub-committee to negotiate a contract with Andrew Maylor. Vote approved 4-0.
TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT:
James Purcell announced that the Town would be holding an auction on surplus items on Saturday
November 5, 2011, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon at the DPW yard at 384 Osgood Street, North Andover.
At the Board's next meeting on October 24, town staff will do a GIS program and present their findings.
The Facilities Master Planning Committee will be presenting their findings to the Board some time after
the November Town Meeting.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
School Committee member Stan Limpert thanked the Board for including the School Committee and the
School Superintendent in the Town Manager Search. This was a positive step in continuing a strong
relationship going forward with the Town and School Department.
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
Donald Stewart made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile, to move into Executive Session to
discuss: Negotiations of a Town Manager contract and not to return to open session. Roll Call vote:
William Gordon yes, Donald Stewart yes, Rosemary Smedile yes, and Tracy Watson yes. Vote approved
4-0.
Chairman Tracy Watson declared that an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining
position of the Selectmen.
ADJOURNMENT:
William Gordon made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile, to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 p.m.
Vote approved 4-0.
Adele J. Johnson
Administrative Secretary
William Gordon, Clerk of the Board