HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-08-20 Board of Selectmen Minutes
BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES AUGUST 20, 2012
CALL TO ORDER:
ChairmanWilliam Gordon called the meeting to order at 6:45 PM at Town Hall
Meeting Room.
ATTENDANCE:
The following were present: William F. Gordon Chairman; Richard Vaillancourt, Clerk;
Rosemary Smedile, Licensing Chairman; Donald Stewart, Tracy M. Watson, and Andrew Maylor, Town
Manager and Ray Santilli, Assistant Town Manager.
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
Donald Stewart made a MOTION, seconded by Richard Vaillancourt, to move into Executive Session to
discuss: Collective Bargaining. Roll Call vote: William Gordon yes, Donald Stewart yes, Rosemary
Smedile yes, Richard Vaillancourt, and Tracy Watson yes. Vote approved 5-0.
Richard Valliancourt declared that an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining
position of the Selectmen.
RECONVENE AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Richard Valliancourt made a MOTION, seconded by Tracy Watson, to approve the Open Session Minutes
of July 16, 2012, as written. Vote approved 5-0.
Richard Valliancourt made a MOTION, seconded by Tracy Watson, to approve the Executive Session
Minutes of July 16, 2012, as written. Vote approved 5-0.
Richard Valliancourt made a MOTION, seconded by Tracy Watson, to approve the Executive Session
Minutes of August 2, 2012, as written. Vote approved 5-0.
COMMUNICATIONS, ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND PUBLIC COMMENT:
Historical Commission Announcement
The Parson Barnard House will be open Saturday, September 1, 2012 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for
tours.
Swearing in of New Firefighter
Firefighter Kristofer Jenkins was sworn in by Fire Chief Andrew Melnikas and Town Clerk Joyce
Bradshaw.
Steven’s Pond Update
The Town Manager explained that the Board of Health tests the water in the Town pond every week and
bacteria was found in the water at Stevens Pond in July. The pond was closed and the water was tested
every week and a bacterium is still present.
The Town will seek professional expertise with a proactive plan to prevent this from re-occurring in the
future. The evaluation will be brought to the Board during the early spring. An Open Meeting will be held
in the fall to discuss a plan.
Nancy Leland of 270 Great Pond Road offered her expertise in this area. She would be available to sit on
an Advisory Committee.
CONSENT ITEMS:
Acceptance of the Ratified 3 year police patrolman’s and sergeant’s collective bargaining agreement
The Police NEBA union president informed the Town Manager that the membership approved the
Memorandum of Agreement and ratified the contract.
Board of Selectmen Minutes August 20, 2012 2
Richard Vaillancourt made a MOTION, seconded by Tracy Watson, that the North Andover Board of
Selectmen approved the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the Town and the New England
Benevolent Association Local 2 for the period July 1, 2012 – June 30, 2015. Vote approved 5-0.
Acceptance of Donation from Wheelabrator Inc. for $10,000 to Trauma Intervention Program
Wheelabrator has generously agreed to donate $10,000 to pay the cost of the Trauma Intervention
Program.
Richard Vaillancourt made a MOTION, seconded by Tracy Watson that the North Andover Board of
Selectmen hereby votes to accept a donation from Wheelabrator Inc. in the amount of $10,000 to pay the
cost of the Trauma Intervention Program. Vote approved 5-0.
Acceptance of Donation from North Andover Merchants Association for $1,115 to offset the cost of this
year’s Santa Parade.
Richard Vaillancourt made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart that the North Andover Board of
Selectmen hereby votes to accept a donation to the Festival Committee from the North Andover
Merchants Association in the amount of $1,115 to help defray the cost of the annual Santa Parade. Vote
approved 5-0.
Permission to use Town Common
St. Gregory’s Armenian Church requests use of the Town Common on September 9, 2012, from 1 PM to
6 PM in conjunction with St. Michael’s parish for picnic.
Donald Stewart made a MOTION, seconded by Richard Vaillancourt, that the North Andover Board of
Selectmen hereby approves the use of the Town Common by St. Gregory Armenian Church in
conjunction with St. Michael’s Church on September 9, 2012 from 1 PM to 6 PM for their annual
picnic/festival. Vote approved 5-0.
Permission to use Town Common
The Newcomers and Neighbors of the Andover’s request use of the Town Common for events on two
dates Wednesday, September 12, 2012, from 9:AM to12 noon and on Sunday, September 30, 2012, from
1:PM-5:PM.
Tracy Watson made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile, that the North Andover Board of
Selectmen hereby approves the use of the Town Common on September 12, 2012 from 9AM to 12 Noon
and September 30, 2012 from 1PM to 5PM by the Newcomers and Neighbors of the Andover’s. Vote
approved 5-0.
Permission to use Town Roads
The North Andover Athletic Association requests permission to use Town roads for a fundraiser 5k race
on October 20, 2012 starting at 9:30 AM.
Rosemary Smedile made a MOTION, seconded by Tracy Watson that the Board of Selectmen hereby
approves the use of the various town roads, as requested by the North Andover Athletic Department on
October 20, 2012 starting at 9:30 AM. Vote approved 5-0.
Establish a Lt. Col Harold A. Dushame Memorial Fund
The North Andover Patriotic Observance Committee respectfully requests permission to establish a
special donation account to be specifically utilized for the deposit of funds donated to the Lt. Col Harold A.
Dushame Memorial. The Board is also asked to accept various donations to this memorial fund.
Rosemary Smedile made a MOTION, seconded by Richard Vaillancourt that the North Andover Board of
Selectmen hereby approves the establishment of a donation account for the purpose of funding a
memorial in the name of Lt. Colonel Harold A. Dushame and also hereby accepts various donations
made to this memorial fund. Vote approved 5-0.
Board of Selectmen Minutes August 20, 2012 3
Request to Surplus two vehicles
The Police Department requests that two vehicles be declared as surplus items.
Rosemary Smedile made a MOTION, seconded by Richard Vaillancourt that the North Andover Board of
Selectmen approved the request of Police Chief Paul Gallagher to surplus two vehicles as identified in his
letter to the Town Manager dated August 13, 2012. Vote approved 5-0.
Approval of the Bradstreet School Request for Proposals
The Town Manager provided the Board with a draft Request for Proposals (RFP) for the purchase and
development of the former Bradstreet School located at 70 Main Street and asked them to review it and
make suggestions, edits or amendments agreed to by the Board. The Town Manager would take each
suggestion into consideration and work with Steve Foster and Curt Bellavance to complete the RFP.
A final version would be presented at the Board’s next meeting. The Board would like to see the highest
and best possible use of the building or the space to generate revenue for the Town. The Board did not
want to restrict the use of the property so the language would be broad enough to attract companies who
specialize in reusing old municipal buildings.
Rosemary Smedile made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart, that the Board of Selectmen approve
the draft Request for Proposals as provided by the Town Manager, including any amendments agreed to
by the Board, and provide the Town Manager the authority to make any necessary non-substantive
changes as may be necessary. Vote approved 5-0.
Policy/Procedure – Senior Abatement Property Tax Work-off Program
The Town Manager explained that Town Meeting approved the Board to establish policies regarding the
Senior Abatement Property Tax Work-off program including establishing the amount of the abatement
and the number of participants. The Town Manager recommended for FY13 to allow 35 participants
reduce the hours required to 90 while increasing the abatement to $652.50.
Donald Stewart made a MOTION, seconded by Tracy Watson, that the North Andover Board of
Selectmen adopts the proposed Policy/Procedure for the Senior Abatement Property Tax Work-off
Program. Vote approved 5-0.
LICENSING COMMISSIONERS:
Donald Stewart made a MOTION, seconded by Tracy Watson, to open a meeting of the North Andover
Licensing Commission. Vote approved 5-0.
One Day Wine & Malt License – The Schow Family Wedding at Smolak Farms on September 2, 2012
Matthew Schow on behalf of the Schow family is seeking permission for a one day wine & malt license for
a wedding to be held at Smolak Farms, 315 So. Bradford Street on September 2, 2012 from 4:30PM to
10:30 PM.
Donald Stewart made a MOTION, seconded by Tracy Watson, that the Board of Selectmen acting as the
Licensing Commissioners, hereby grant one day wine and malt license per M.G.L. c. 138 section 14 to
the Schow Family for a wedding to be held at Smolak Farms on September 2, 2012. Vote approved 5-0.
One Day Wine & Malt License – David Yee for an event at the China Blossom September 8, 2012.
David Yee is seeking permission for a one day wine & malt license for an event “Polynesian Luau for
Families” under a tent on the grounds of the China Blossom Restaurant on September 8, 2012, from 1PM
to 5PM.
William Gordon made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart, that the Board of Selectmen acting as
the Licensing Commissioners, hereby grant one day wine and malt license per M.G.L. c. 138 section 14
to David Yee for an event on September 8, 2012, from 1PM to 5PM under a tent on the grounds of the
China Blossom. Vote approved 5-0.
Board of Selectmen Minutes August 20, 2012 4
Donald Stewart made a MOTION, seconded by Richard Vaillancourt, to close the meeting of the North
Andover Licensing Commission. Vote approved 5-0.
PUBLIC HEARING
Pole Petition – Verizon New England to lay and maintain 95 feet of underground conduit
Tracy Watson made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart, to enter a Public Hearing regarding a Pole
Petition from Verizon New England.
Roll Call vote: William Gordon yes, Donald Stewart yes, Rosemary Smedile yes, Richard Vaillancourt,
and Tracy Watson yes. Vote approved 5-0.
Chairman William Gordon recognized representative from Verizon to explain the project.
Verizon Representative Joseph Gleason requested permission to lay and maintain underground conduits
and manholes, with wires and cables to be placed under the surface of Willow Street of approximately 95
feet of underground conduit.
The Board asked questions regarding this request but also questioned other problems the Town has had
with removing double poles and leaning poles that were a danger to the public. Selectmen Stewart and
Smedile mentioned quite a few problems removing poles and dealing with Verizon in the past with no
success. Some of these poles have been in need of repair for over three years.
Mr. Gleason understood their frustration and said that he would contact Robert Grassia, the Right of Way
Manager for Verizon with the Board’s concerns and the Board should receive an answer within a few
weeks to hopefully resolve some of these issues.
Richard Vaillancourt made a MOTION, seconded by Tracy Watson, to close the Public Hearing regarding
a Pole Petition from Verizon New England. Roll Call vote: William Gordon yes, Donald Stewart yes,
Rosemary Smedile yes, Richard Vaillancourt, and Tracy Watson yes. Vote approved 5-0.
Tracy Watson made a MOTION, seconded by Richard Vaillancourt, that the Board of Selectmen grants
permission to Verizon New England to lay and maintain underground conduits and manholes, with the
wires and cables placed therein, under the surface of Willow Street of approximately 95 feet, exclusively
in the public way. Vote approved 4-1. Rosemary Smedile opposed.
OLD BUSINESS:
Health Insurance Reform – Benefit Design Changes
The Town Manager, staff, and the Board of Selectmen met with the School Superintendent, staff and
School Committee on August 2, 2012 to discuss M.G.L. Chapter 32B that was adopted by the Town.
Employee benefits, specifically the current cost of health insurance and the existing OPEB liability
resulting from the cost of health insurance represent the greatest risk to our ability to maintain sustainable
service levels into the future. Because of this more than 130 communities in the Commonwealth have
accepted the Health Insurance Reform statue and more than 100 of those communities have modified
health insurance benefits either by using the statue or because of the statute. Although this will be a
cultural change for employees, it can truly be a win-win where both the town and employees see a
reduction in the cost of health insurance.
Chairman William Gordon of the Board of Selectmen and Chairman Laurie Burzlaff of the School
Committee are behind this movement and give full support going forward. Being good stewards of the
Town’s finances when you stabilize health insurance will have a long-term effect which will be beneficial
to the Town and its employees.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Bernie Judge of 247 Middlesex Street requested that the Town look at Retirees percentage rate
contributions to health care supplemental plans with Medicare. Retirees are paying 35% vs. employees
paying 25%.
Board of Selectmen Minutes August 20, 2012 5
TOWN MANAGER’S REPORT:
Job Posting/Vacancy Log
The Town Manager provided an updated job posting/vacancy log for the Board’s review.
Town Hall Hours
The Town Manager said that based on feedback from residents and employees gathered by the Town
Clerk, Inspectional Services, Fire Chief and Human Resources the modified hours have been a success.
Therefore, they will stay in effect indefinitely.
Comprehensive Permits – Berry Street and Route 114
The Town Manager gave the Board information about two comprehensive permits (MGL 40B) for 49
townhouses to be constructed on Rte. 114 and the application for a comprehensive permit to construct
240 rental units on Berry Street.
ADJOURNMENT:
Donald Stewart made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile, to adjourn the meeting at 8: 45 p.m.
Vote approved 5-0.
Adele J. Johnson
Administrative Secretary _______________________________
Richard Valliancourt, Clerk of the Board