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Home My WebLink About2012-10-15 Board of Selectmen Minutes BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OCTOBER 15, 2012 CALL TO ORDER: ChairmanWilliam Gordon called the meeting to order at 7:00 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. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Richard Valliancourt made a MOTION, seconded by Tracy Watson, to approve the Open Session Minutes of October 1, 2012, as written. Vote approved 5-0. Richard Valliancourt made a MOTION, seconded by Tracy Watson, to approve the Executive Session Minutes of October 1, 2012 as written. Vote approved 5-0. COMMUNICATIONS, ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND PUBLIC COMMENT: New Business Recognition The Board presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Thomas Licciardello and Crissy Licciardello Lippman for relocating their business Licciardello Financial Services/Compass Capital Corporation in the Town of North Andover. th The Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce is hosting a debate for the 6 congressional District Candidates Congressman John Tierney, former state Senate Minority Leader Richard Tisei and Libertarian Daniel Fishman at North Andover High School on Wednesday, October 17, 2012. In the honor of founding of the Andover’s on October 24, 1645, the public is invited to explore the town’s most important historic site, the First Burying Ground, where the first church was located. Heritage Sunday at the First Burying Ground, October 21, 2012, from 1 PM – 3PM nd The 2 Annual 5K Knights Run will be held on Saturday, October 20, 2012, for all ages. PUBLIC HEARING: Personnel Policy Amendments Tracy Watson made a MOTION, seconded by Richard Vaillancourt, to enter a Public Hearing to receive comments on proposed amendments to the Personnel Policy affecting non-union personnel. Vote approved 5-0. The Town Manager Andrew Maylor and Human Resources Director Cathy Darby are recommending proposed changes to the Personnel Policy effective October 15, 2012. This draft policy was circulated to all non-union employees as part of an information communication process and to receive input of these employees incorporated into the policy. Some modifications fall into two categories, substantive and grammatical/corrective. Substantive changes relate to a change in benefits (non-economic) including the Termination Process and Additional Hours. Grammatical/corrective changes include: Work schedule to reflect new hours of operation; all references to Assistant Town Manager as Human Resources Director have been eliminated; all references to MIS have been replaced with IT (Information Technology); all references to “handicap” have been replaced with “disability”; the workers compensation language has been modified to reflect current industry practices; “Department Director” has been replaced with “Department Head”; Eliminated references to the Deputy Fire Chief. None of these changes effect monetary compensation in any way. The Board asked various questions on additional hours and compensatory time. Board of Selectmen Minutes October 15, 2012 2 Rosemary Smedile made a MOTION, seconded by Tracy Watson, to close the Public Hearing to receive comments on proposed amendments to the Personnel Policy affecting non-union personnel. Vote approved 5-0. Tracy Watson made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile, that the Board of Selectmen approve and accept the proposed amendments to the Personnel Policy affecting non-union personnel. Vote approved 5-0. CONSENT ITEMS: Pay and Classification Plan for Exempt Employees The Town Manager Andrew Maylor presented a new classification scale that allows one to see the relative worth of non-union positions without specific regard to salary. The proposed scale incorporates the more commonly used ‘Min’ to ‘Max’ range of 20% with 10% between grades. These proposed changes would not result in any pay increases or decreases for any employee since they are simply policy documents. Richard Vaillancourt made a MOTION, seconded by Tracy Watson, that the North Andover Board of Selectmen hereby approves the proposed pay and classification plan for all non-union employees effective October 15, 2012. Vote approved 5-0. Notice of Intention to Sell MGL. C61A Land – Map 62, Lot 160 This parcel of land is currently used for agricultural purposes and taxed under MGL c61A. Per the statute, the town “shall have, in the case of intended sale, a first refusal option to meet a bona fide offer to purchase the land.” It is recommended that the Board not exercise its right of first refusal. Tracy Watson made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart, that the North Andover Board of Selectmen voted not to exercise their right of first refusal option to purchase the parcel of land identified as Carter Field Road and 0 Bradford Street, Assessors Map 62, Lot 160, 2.8 Acre Parcel. Vote approved 5-0. Affordable Housing Unit Resale – 4 Harvest Drive, Unit 206 The Citizens’ Housing and Planning Association (CHAPA) has notified the Town that the affordable housing unit at 4 Harvest Drive, Unit 206 is up for sale. It is recommended the Board not exercise its right of first refusal. Tracy Watson made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart, that the North Andover Board of Selectmen declines the right of first refusal to purchase the affordable housing unit at 4 Harvest Drive, Unit 206. Vote approved 5-0. School Committee Remote Participation for November 1, 2012 This item was withdrawn from the agenda as it is no longer needed. Appointments by the Board of Selectmen Tracy Watson made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile that the North Andover Board of Selectmen appoints Denny Morganthal to the Zoning Board of Appeals as a full/associate member for a term ending June 30, 2014. Vote approved 5-0. Tracy Watson made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart that the North Andover Board of Selectmen appoints Kristen Hollenbeck to the Poet Laureate Committee for a term ending June 30, 2015. Vote approved 5-0. Tracy Watson made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart that the Board of Selectmen appoints Town Manager Andrew Maylor to the Greater Lawrence Sanitary District for a term ending June 30, 2015. Vote approved 5-0. FY14 Budget Policy Statement In accordance with the Town Charter, Chapter 9-2-3, ‘on or before the first day of November of each year, the Board of Selectmen, after consulting with the Town Manager, shall issue a policy statement relating to the budget for the ensuing fiscal year. The statement shall establish the outer limits of possible budget growth for the town.’ Board of Selectmen Minutes October 15, 2012 3 Town Manager Andrew Maylor said that the Board sets the objectives and strategic goals of the Policy Statement, but the Fixed Cost Committee establishes the outer limits of the possible budget growth for the town. Mr. Maylor suggested that the Board amend the last sentence in the future. The statement shall establish the outer limits of possible budget growth for the town.’ This can be amended on a warrant article at town meeting with Charter change by a Home rule petition The Budget Policy Statement Objectives and Strategic Goals include: Financial, Economic Development, Neighborhood Enhancement, Community Development, Public Safety, and Governmental Philosophy. Tracy Watson made a MOTION, seconded by Richard Vaillancourt, that the Board of Selectmen approves the FY14 Budget Policy Statement as presented. Vote approved 5-0. FY14 Budget Calendar The FY14 Budget Calendar presents the specific milestones in the FY14 budget process leading to the 2013 Annual Town Meeting. Depending on future developments, some of the dates may be modified. Tracy Watson made a MOTION, seconded by Richard Vaillancourt, that the Board of Selectmen approves the FY14 Budget Calendar as presented. Vote approved 5-0. 2013 Annual Town Meeting The Town Bylaws, §59-6 states, “Annual Town Meeting shall be held on the first Monday in May at 7:00 PM.” MGL c39, §9 allows the Board to postpone an Annual Town Meeting to any weekday evening Monday through Thursday at 7:00 PM until all articles in the warrant have been acted upon. Tracy Watson made a MOTION, seconded by Richard Vaillancourt that the Board of Selectmen set the date of 2013 Annual Town Meeting as Monday, May 6, 2013 at 7:00 PM. Vote approved 5-0. Tracy Watson made a MOTION, seconded by Richard Vaillancourt, that the Board of Selectmen, in accordance with MGL c39 §9, postpone the 2013 Annual Town Meeting to Tuesday, May 21, 2013 at 7:00 PM. Vote approved 5-0. Installation of a Stop Sign on Saltonstall Road at Herrick Road In an effort to further enhance the safety of the area behind the Thomson School the Police Department is recommending installing a stop sign on Saltonstall Road at the intersection of Herrick Road. Tracy Watson made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart, that the Board of Selectmen approves the installation of a stop sign on Saltonstall Road at the intersection of Herrick Road. Vote approved 5-0. Request to Conduct Ceremony & Parade on Veteran’s Day, November 11, 2012 The North Andover Patriotic Observation Committee is requesting to conduct a ceremony and parade on Veterans Day, November 11, 2012. Richard Vaillancourt made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart, that the Board of Selectmen approves the request from the North Andover Patriotic Observation Committee to conduct a ceremony and parade on Veterans’ Day, November 11, 2012. Vote approved 5-0. LICENSING COMMISSIONERS: Tracy Watson made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart, to open a meeting of the North Andover Licensing Commission. Vote approved 5-0. Merrimack College – Homecoming Weekend: Request for Five (5) One-Day Licenses Requests from Merrimack College for 4 one-day licenses: Wine and Malt for the following: 11/2/12 Homecoming Reception Campus Center Patio under awning 9 pm – 12 am 11/3/12 Homecoming Reception Campus Center Patio under awning 9 pm – 12 am 11/3/12 Homecoming – Warrior Field – under a tent 11 am – 3 pm 11/3/12 VIP Reception Rogers Center Lobby 5 pm – 7 pm Request from Merrimack College for 1 one-day licenses: All Alcohol License for the following: 11/3/12 Advisory Board Breakfast Meeting – Cascia Hall 8 am – 12 pm Board of Selectmen Minutes October 15, 2012 4 Donald Stewart made a MOTION, seconded by Richard Vaillancourt, that the Board of Selectmen acting as the Licensing Commissioners, hereby approve the four one-day wine and malt and one-day all alcohol licenses per M.G.L. chap. 138 sec. 14 to Merrimack College. Vote approved 5-0. Donald Stewart made a MOTION, seconded by William Gordon, to close a meeting of the North Andover Licensing Commission. Vote approved 5-0. PUBLIC COMMENT: School Committee members Brian Gross of 45 Settlers Ridge Road and Andrew McDevitt of 266 Barker Street asked the Board to explain their position of remote participation in a Board meeting. Both men sometimes cannot be at a School Committee meeting because they are traveling for their companies and are seeking to attend a School Committee by remote technology. The Board was not in favor of approving a request for remote participation because this would open the door for all boards to continue in this practice. These requests would be taken on a case by case basis and it would depend on the circumstances or if this was truly an emergency. There is a rule that states if you participate remotely, it does not count as a quorum and you can note participate in a vote. Town Manager Andrew Maylor suggested that they take this matter first before their School Committee Board for discussion and work out a solution. Then come back to the Board of Selectmen at a future meeting. TOWN MANAGER’S REPORT: Five-Year Financial Forecast Presentation The Town Manager Andrew Maylor will be presenting a five-year financial forecast power point presentation at the Board’s meeting on November 19, 2012. Route 125 Economic Development Study The Town will be engaging the services of the University of Massachusetts – Amherst to conduct an economic development study of Route 125. John Mullin, Dean of the Graduate School, will attend a future meeting to discuss this project in more detail. Job Posting/Vacancy Log The Town Manager provided an updated job posting/vacancy log for the Board’s review. There were two employees who received promotions: James Halchak was promoted to IT Systems Analyst and Donna Delaney was promoted to Outreach Worker/Assistant Director. ADJOURNMENT: Donald Stewart made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile, to adjourn the meeting at 8:35 p.m. Vote approved 5-0. Adele J. Johnson Administrative Secretary _______________________________ Richard Vaillancourt, Clerk of the Board