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Home My WebLink About2013-01-28 Board of Selectmen Minutes BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES JANUARY 28, 2013 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 Vaillancourt made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart, to approve the Open Session Minutes of January 07, 2013, as written. Vote approved 5-0. COMMUNICATIONS, ANNOUNCEMENTS: Note: Take Out of Order IVB FY12 Audit Report Richard Sullivan from the Town’s outside auditing firm of Powers and Sullivan gave the Board an overview and analysis of the town’s financial activities of FY12. The overall financial picture is good with no serious internal problems; the auditors said they have an unqualified opinion meaning an accurate report. The Management Letter was short with a few comments and recommendations; seven out of ten prior year recommendations were resolved and three will be in the near future. There are only four comments and recommendations for the current year; Library Trust Fund Bank Accounts; Segregation of Duties – Ability to Add, Delete or Modify Payroll and Vendor Master Files; Consider Centralizing the Collection of Permits, Fees and Other Receipts; Enhance controls for Over-the-Counter Collections. Mr. Sullivan commended the work of the Finance Director Lyne Savage for her work on the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report. Mr. Sullivan also commented that it was a pleasure working with the Town’s financial team and thanked them for their assistance. This was a very good report and the Board should be proud of the work. Note: Take Out of Order VG Request to Research, Tap & Harvest Sap from Maple Trees Paul Boulanger and Kathleen Gallagher owners of Turtle Lane Maple Farm are requesting approval to research, tap and harvest maple sap from maple trees located on town property. Donald Stewart made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile that the North Andover Board of Selectmen hereby votes to authorize Paul Boulanger and Kathleen Gallagher to harvest sap from maple trees located on town property from February 2013 through May 2017. Vote approved 5-0. Legislative Priorities Senator Tarr, Senator O’Connor Ives, Representative Lyons and Representative DiZoglio were present and discussed the Town’s priorities for fiscal year 2014. Each of them gave their support in advocating for the Town’s most important projects and funding requests which would benefit the residents and businesses of North Andover. They all spoke briefly about the bills that were filed on behalf of towns such as North Andover. There was discussions regarding Chapter 70 funds, state mandated programs, prevailing wage law, pension reform, development on route 125 and Osgood Landing, signage on route 495 and safety on route 114. Board of Selectmen Minutes January 28, 2013 2 The Town Manager Andrew Maylor thanked them for the Health Insurance Reform Act that significantly reduces the cost of health care for employees of cities and towns. This was a fantastic example of how the legislature can provide municipalities with the tools needed to become sustainable. We encourage the same leadership in the area of pension reform. The Senators and Representatives said they would work with Town officials to work on some of their requests and revisit in about six months. nd 2 Quarter Financial Report, Finance Director Lyne Savage nd Finance Director Lyne Savage gave a budget status report for FY13 for revenue and expenses for the 2 quarter ending December 31, 2012. Tax Revenue collections are at 49% which is slightly up from this same time last year which was 48.3%. Motor Vehicle Excise Taxes collected at this point are 12.2% which is up 1% from this same time last year. Ambulance Services collections are still running on track although slightly down from this same time last year. Building Inspection Fees are up substantially from this same time last year. This is largely due to an anomaly that is being driven from several large development projects in Town. Board of Appeals receipts are up from last year also due to an anomaly where filing fees received for a 40B project generated the one time increase. Interest Income is continuing to track on target and projections indicate that we should have a small surplus in this line item. Collections at this point are 62.4% which is up 3% compared to last year’s 59.4%. When Motor Vehicle Excise Tax is factored out of Local Receipts it is tracking at 56% of budget. Expenses are running at approximately 50% of target at this point which is right on track. There will be several retirements within the Police Department that will occur this fiscal year. There are some other surpluses that will be able to absorb the related buyout costs within the General Fund budget. Due to the changes in health insurance more work needs to be completed to confirm the full impact on the FY13 budget. The Water collections are at 59% which is up 5% with expenditures at 47%. Sewer collections are at 49.2% up 7% and expenditures at 39.5%. The Stevens Estate collections are at 80.8% which is up 28.4% with expenditures running at 64.8%. The Estate continues to show monthly profits with an accumulative profit to date. Bradstreet School Property Proposal Town Manager Andrew Maylor announced that “A Coalition for a Better Acre (CBA) submitted a proposal to acquire the former Bradstreet School property at 70 Main Street. Following an inspection of the building they concluded that the optimal reuse of the site involves demolition of the current building and the new construction of a mixed used building that offers commercial retail storefronts on the first floor and 24 residential affordable housing rental units. The Board suggested that the Town Manager contact the developer to attend a future meeting and give a brief presentation on their plans. Stevens Pond Public Input Meeting th Announcement: The Stevens Pond Input Meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 30, at 7:00 PM at Town Hall. The Public is invited and participation is important. Note: Take Out of Order VIIA FY2014-2018 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN The Town Manager said the CIP requests funding for annual building maintenance, roadway improvements, an adopted Facilities Master Plan. The 2010 Town Meeting approved funding the Facilities Master Plan. The first phase of the plan is well under way with the construction of a Kittredge school gymnasium, the construction of a new school administration central office and the design of a new central fire station. Chief Board of Selectmen Minutes January 28, 2013 3 Melnikas was present and emphasized that the new central fire station should be kept in the downtown area at two possible sites. Note: ESCO was TABLED COMMUNICATIONS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Selectman Smedile announced that residents had a deadline for Tax Abatements. All Tax Abatements must be filed by Friday, February 1, 2013 at noon. Selectman Gordon announced that the Finance Committee voted in favor of the ESCO Project. Selectman Gordon announced that he read an article about an upscale Hotel to be built near Northern Essex Community College and the developer will be extending sewer lines and the neighboring businesses would be able to tie into it. Selectman Gordon said the Board should plan and discuss the new Medical Marijuana Law that was passed in November. Cities and Towns are already taking action and drafting different options. There will be thirty- eight dispensaries throughout the state. CONSENT ITEMS: Acceptance of Donation to Police Department Tracy Watson made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile that the North Andover Board of Selectmen hereby votes to accept a donation from Stella McClintock in the amount of $50 to the North Andover Police Department for general use. Vote approved 5-0. Request to Surplus Fire Department 14’ Mirro Craft Aluminum Boat Tracy Watson made a MOTION, seconded by Richard Vaillancourt that the North Andover Board of Selectmen hereby votes to approve the request of the Fire Chief to surplus the 14’ Mirro Craft Aluminum Boat per his memo dated January 11, 2013. Vote approved 5-0. Information Technology Request to Surplus Equipment Richard Vaillancourt made a MOTION, seconded by Tracy Watson that the North Andover Board of Selectmen hereby votes to surplus equipment determined to be of no value per his memo dated January 18, 2013. Vote approved 5-0. Affordable Housing Unit Resale – 1 Harvest Drive, Unit 307, Oakridge-Maplewood Reserve (CHAPA) has notified the Town that the affordable housing unit is up for sale. It is recommended that the Board not exercise its right of first refusal. Richard Vaillancourt made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile that the North Andover Board of Selectmen hereby votes to decline the right of first refusal to purchase the affordable housing unit at 1 Harvest Drive, Unit 307, Oakridge-Maplewood Reserve. Vote approved 4-0-1. Tracy Watson abstained. Appointment to Affordable Housing Trust Fund – Stephen L. Bernard Richard Vaillancourt made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile that the North Andover Board of Selectmen hereby votes to appoint Stephen L. Bernard to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, Board of Trustees for a term ending June 30, 2013. Vote approved 4-0-1. Tracy Watson abstained. LICENSING COMMISSIONERS: Richard Vaillancourt made a MOTION, seconded by Tracy Watson, to open a meeting of the North Andover Licensing Commission. Vote approved 5-0. Board of Selectmen Minutes January 28. 2O13 4 Spectrum Adult DaV Health, 1820 Turnpike St, Reguest for a One-Day Wine & Malt License Tracy Watson made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart, that the Board of Selectmen acting aothe Licensing Commissioners, hereby grant a one day wine and malt license per M.G.L. chap. 138 sec. 14 to � Spectrum Adult Day Health, 1O2D Turnpike Street, om February 10. 2013. from 1:30 PN1kz4:OOPM. Vohs | approved 5-0, Donald Stewart made o MOTION, seconded bv William Gordon, hxclose a meeting of the North Andover Licensing Commission, Vote approved 5-0. TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT: Capital Proiect Status Report The Town Manager provided a report on various on-going capital and major projects. Position/Vacancy Log Human Resources Director Cathy Darby provided a report outlining the status of various recruitments that are ongoing or recently completed Donald Stewart made oK8[}T|ON. seconded b y Richard Vaill di the tp.m. Vote approved 5-0. Adele J. Johnson Administrative Secretary Richard Vaillancg(ert, Clerk of the Board