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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-11-07 Board of Selectmen Minutes BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES NOVEMBER 7, 2011 CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Tracy Watson called the meeting to order at 7:00 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 and Assistant Town Manager Ray Santilli. EXECUTIVE SESSION: William Gordon made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart, to move into Executive Session to discuss: Non Union Contract Negotiations. 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. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE APPROVAL OF MINUTES: William Gordon made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart, to approve the Open Session Minutes of October 24, 2011, as written. Vote approved 4-0. Executive Session Minutes were TABLED. COMMUNICATIONS,ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND PUBLIC COMMENT: Emergency Management Director Jeff Coco gave the Board an overview and update of the Snow Storm of October 29, 2011. Special thanks to all the departments Police, Fire, Elder Services, Public Works, Community Development, Town Clerk's office, and Town Manager's office. Special thanks to the Health Department employees who went above and beyond their duties to setup a shelter at the Senior Center and the restaurants in town that donated food for those all week in the shelter. Selectmen requested that Thank you notes went to all of those involved. Doug Webber from National Grid was assigned to North Andover and met with Emergency Management and Town Department heads to keep the town informed with the power being restored on a daily basis. A public forum meeting will be scheduled at a future date called an "After Action Report". All Town Departments will discuss the event, what worked, what needs improvement and what steps to take in the future. National Grid and the public will be invited. North Andover Health and Fitness Expo On November 17, 2011, from 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m. there will be a Health and Fitness Exp at North Andover high school. Holiday Wreath Donations Selectman Rosemary Smedile announced that the Town is accepting donations for Holiday Wreaths at $60. These wreaths will be hung downtown during the holiday season. CONSENT ITEMS: Eagle Scout Project Presentation by Cameron MacDonald This item was TABLED Acceptance of Donations from the Joseph N. Herman Youth Center, Inc. Rosemary Smedile made a MOTION, seconded by William Gordon, to accept a donation from the Joseph N. Herman Youth Center, Inc. for$40,700 for various health and fitness equipment. Vote approved 4-0. Board of Selectmen Minutes November 7, 2011 2 Rosemary Smedile made a MOTION, seconded by William Gordon, to accept a donation from the Joseph N. Herman Youth Center, Inc. for$6005 for children scholarships. Vote approved 4-0. Rosemary Smedile made a MOTION, seconded by William Gordon, to accept a donation from the Joseph N. Herman Youth Center, Inc. for$11,600 to fund a part-time Assistant. Vote approved 4-0. Note: Rosemary Smedile recused Acceptance of contract with Police Chief Paul Gallagher William Gordon made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart, to approve the contract between the Town of North Andover and Police Chief Paul Gallagher. Vote approved 3-0. Note: Rosemary Smedile returned Request to hold annual Holiday Parade on November 26, 2011 William Gordon made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart, to approve a permit to hold the annual Holiday Parade on November 26, 2011, and to close streets on the parade route. Vote approved 4-0. APPOINTMENTS: Greater Lawrence Community Action Council Appointment Due to a current vacancy on this council, North Andover was asked to appoint a temporary representative to the Greater Lawrence Community Action Council (GLCAC) until a volunteer was appointed. The Board is requested to approve Judy Tymon, Town Planner as a temporary appointment to this council. William Gordon made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile, to appoint Judy Tymon as temporary representative to the GLCA. Vote approved 4-0. North Andover Sustainability Committee The Board is requested to approve the appointment of Abhishek"Ben" Ranjan of 290 Webster Woods Lane to the Sustainability Committee. William Gordon made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart, to appoint Abhishek"Ben" Ranjan of 290 Webster Woods Lane to the Sustainability Committee. Vote approved 4-0. OLD BUSINESS: Vote Action on Special Town Meeting Warrant Articles The Board was asked to vote and make their recommendations for the November 15, 2011, Special Town Meeting Warrant Articles. School Business Manager James Mealey gave an updated Cost Summary of the School Green Repair Projects, the opening of the bids and the process going forward. Donald Stewart made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile, to vote Favorable Action on Article 1. Amend Capital Improvement Plan Appropriations from Fiscal Year 2012-School Roofs Replacement— Green Repair Program. Vote approved 4-0. Donald Stewart made a MOTION, seconded by William Gordon, to vote Favorable Action on Article 2. Reduce Bonding Authorization—Kittredge School Fire Sprinklers. Vote approved 4-0. The Board had a discussion regarding the amount of free cash to transfer into the Stabilization Fund. After the discussion the Board amended the original Article 3. William Gordon made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart, to vote Favorable Action and Amend Article 3. Transfer$160,000 from the June 30, 2011, free cash into the Stabilization Fund. Vote approved 4-0. Board of Selectmen Minutes November 7, 2011 3 Rosemary Smedile made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart, to vote Favorable Action on Article 4. Prior Years Unpaid Bills. Vote approved 4-0. William Gordon made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart, to vote Favorable Action on Article 5. Adoption of Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 60, Section 2, 2nd paragraph—Abatement of Taxes less than Ten Dollars. Vote approved 3-0-1. Rosemary Smedile abstained. William Gordon made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart, to vote Favorable Action on Article 6. Petition the General Court—Amend North Andover Town Charter— Chapter 8, Section 5-5—Recall of Elective Officers. Vote approved 4-0. William Gordon made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart, to vote Favorable Action on Article 7. Petition the General Court—Amend North Andover Town Charter Chapter 3-1-1— Vacancies in the Office of Selectmen. Vote approved 4-0. Donald Stewart made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile, to vote Favorable Action on Article 8. Petition the General Court—Ape Exemption—Amy McCarthy—Police Officer. Vote approved 4-0. Donald Stewart made a MOTION, seconded by William Gordon, to vote Favorable Action on Article 9. Adoption of Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 64L Section 2 (a)—Local Meals Excise Tax. Vote FAILED due to split vote 2-2; No ACTION; Rosemary Smedile and Tracy Watson opposed. NEW BUSINESS: Annual Winter Parking Ban In accordance with Chapter 40, Section 22 of the General Laws, a Parking Ban will go into effect on December 1, 2011 through March 31, 2012. The Board was requested to vote on this as recommended by the North Andover Police, Fire and Public Works Departments. William Gordon made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile, to approve the Winter Parking Ban as recommended by the various Town Departments and go into effect as of December 1, 2011. Vote approved 4-0. Support MMA requests Legislature uphold a decision on SJC Evergreen clauses. A supplemental budget bill filed by the governor on August 25, 2011, Section 6, would amend Chapter 150E that a collective bargaining agreement may remain in effect until a new one is reached. This provision would essentially reverse a Supreme Judicial Court decision and allow"evergreen" clauses in public-sector collective bargaining contracts. The MMA is requesting support from Cities and Towns to ask the Legislature to reject Section 6 of the Governor's bill. The MMA argues that the proposal "would be extremely be disruptive and costly to many cities and towns throughout Massachusetts. William Gordon made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile, to support the MMA and to ask the Legislature to reject Section 6 of the Governor's bill and uphold the Supreme Judicial Court decision on Evergreen Clauses. Vote approved 4-0. GIS Presentation Town Engineer Gene Willis and GIS Director K.D Rex gave a presentation of the GIS system. GIS stands for Geographic Information Systems. This is a foundation of files built on information to its location in the Town. It starts with the town boundaries; add roads and street names, parcel points, addresses, spreadsheets, input data and link pertinent information from town departments. This system can and will help various town departments with their work. It can help first responders such as the Fire Department with entry into a burning building, with important information about the structure. It will help the Police Department with the layout of a building when going into a dangerous situation. It has already been in use for the Public Works Department and Fire Department for flushing water hydrants and locating water hydrants with water pressure. This system can locate Water Main shutoffs in Board of Selectmen Minutes November 7, 2011 4 emergencies. The system can map out areas of damaged trees and where crews are working after a storm. The Engineering Department has been building the GIS system and can link information to support all Town operations and will be expanding its potential. It is kept confidential and restricted to its users. The Board thanked Gene Willis and KD Rex for all of their work and continued expansion of the GIS system. TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT: Assistant Town Manager Ray Santilli announced that the Town held an auction of surplus vehicles and various surplus items on Saturday, November 5, 2011, and there were over 300 bids. The highest bidders will be notified and results will be posted on the Town's website. Friday, November 11, 2011, is Veteran's Day and the parade will begin at 10:00 a.m. at the corner of First and Main Streets. ADJOURNMENT: William Gordon made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile, to adjourn the meeting at 9:15 p.m. Vote approved 4-0. Adele J. Johnson Administrative Secretary William Gordon, Clerk of the Board