HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-12-05 Board of Selectmen Minutes BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES DECEMBER 5, 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, Assistant Town Manager Ray Santilli.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
William Gordon made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart, to approve the Executive Session
Minutes of November 7, 2011. Vote approved 3-0. Rosemary Smedile recused.
William Gordon made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart, to approve the Open Session Minutes of
November 28, as written. Vote approved 3-0-1. Tracy Watson abstained.
COMMUNICATIONS,ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND PUBLIC COMMENT:
Running for Office Seminar
Town Clerk Joyce Bradshaw announced that the Town Clerks of Andover and North Andover and the
League of Women Voters will be hosting a "Running for Office Seminar" at the North Andover Town Hall
on Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 7:00 p.m.
The following offices are on the ballot for re-election: 2 seats for Board of Selectmen; 2 seats for School
Committee; 1 seat for Town Moderator; and 1 seat North Andover Housing Authority.
Last day for filing election papers is February 7, 2012 and the Town Election is March 27, 2012.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Mr. Larry Allen of 3 Belmont Street made comments regarding statements that were made by 2 members
of the Board of Selectmen to reporters regarding some work being done at his home by a specific
contractor.
CONSENT ITEMS:
APPOINTMENTS
William Gordon made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile, to approve the appointment of D.
Paul Koch, Jr., Associate to Regular Member of the Zoning Board of Appeals. Vote approved 4-0.
LICENSING COMMISSIONERS:
William Gordon made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart, to move into Licensing. Vote approved
4-0.
Change of Manager of Common Victualler License Luci's Cafe, 1600 Osgood Street
Tracy Watson made a MOTION, seconded by William Gordon, to approve the change of manager to
James A. Giberson to manager Luci's Cafe at 1600 Osgood Street. Vote approved 4-0.
Donald Stewart made a MOTION, seconded by William Gordon, to move out of Licensing. Vote
approved 4-0.
NEW BUSINESS:
Proposal "An Act Regulating State Primaries"
Town Clerk Joyce Bradshaw brought this to the attention of Selectmen for their review and discussion.
Woburn City Clerk William Campbell has put forth a bill H1972 "An Act Regulating State Primaries"to the
Governor. H1972 would combine the presidential and state primaries to June 5, 2012. The bill will
increase voter turnout, and reduce costs of elections by at least $8 million. Mr. Campbell is looking for
affirmative votes of Boards of Selectmen and City Councils across the Commonwealth.
The Board said they would review the bill H1972 and make comments at their next meeting.
Board of Selectmen Minutes December 5, 2011 2
Draft Board of Selectmen 2012 Calendar of Meetings
A draft calendar was presented for the Board's review for the 2012 Board of Selectmen Meetings. There
was one change to the calendar due to the Town Election. The Chair may call additional meetings if
necessary.
William Gordon made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart, to approve the following meeting dates:
January 9, 23, February 6, 27, March 12, April 2, 23, May 7, 21, June 4, 18, 2012. Town Meeting has
been scheduled for June 12, 2012. Vote approved 4-0.
PUBLIC HEARING:
Tax Classification Hearing
Donald Stewart made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile, to open the Public Hearing. Vote
approved 4-0.
Chief Assessor Garrett Boles informed the Board that he sent all of his reports to the MA Department of
Revenue and was informed that the DOR has a backlog of paperwork and have not approved North
Andover's submissions. As a result this will delay the official vote of the Selectmen on setting the Tax
Rate at tonight's meeting. Selectmen will set the Tax Rate at their next meeting on December 12, 2012.
Assessor Boles provided spreadsheets with tax values, quartile factor, and tax levy and estimated
FY2012 tax rate for residential and commercial properties. If the Selectmen choose to keep the same
shift % as last year, it would create a slight change in property taxes.
On behalf of the Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce Will Carpenter requested that the Board
consider not raising the tax rate on businesses.
Donald Stewart made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile, to close the Public Hearing. Vote
approved 4-0.
ADJOURNMENT:
William Gordon made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile, to adjourn the meeting at 8:10 p.m.
Vote approved 4-0.
Adele J. Johnson
Administrative Secretary
William Gordon, Clerk of the Board