HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-08-12 Board of Selectmen Minutes BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES AUGUST 12, 2013
CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Rosemary Smedile called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM at Town Hall
Meeting Room.
ATTENDANCE: The following were present: Rosemary Smedile Chairman; Richard Vaillancourt, Clerk;
Tracy M. Watson, Licensing Chairman; William Gordon, Donald Stewart, and Ray Santilli, Assistant Town
Manager.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Richard Vaillancourt made a MOTION, seconded by Tracy Watson, to approve the Open Session Minutes
of July 15, 2013, as written. Vote approved 5-0.
COMMUNICATIONS, ANNOUNCEMENTS,AND PUBLIC COMMENT:
Swearing-in Ceremony: Police Lieutenant and Police Sergeants
Police Chief Paul Gallagher appointed Eric J. Foulds to the rank of Police Lieutenant and Scott S.
Whittaker and Stephen M. Diminico to the rank of Police Sergeant.
Chief Gallagher mentioned the retirement of Lt. John Carney and the Police Department honored him at
their annual National Night Out on August 6, 2013. Selectmen wished him a happy retirement.
Cathy Darby Human Resources Director presented an update of the process of the Town joining the
Group GIC health insurance including mass mailings for documentation, information sessions for
employees and retirees, health fair, and open enrollment. There are also links on the Town's website to
the GIC health insurance.
The Senior Center thanked Brooks School for coming to the aid of the community by providing a 12
passenger handicapped van to transport seniors to events, shopping and medical trips during a period in
July when the Town's van was being repaired.
Family events throughout the summer months were "Movies at the Stevens Estate" sponsored by the
Stevens Memorial Library on Monday evenings. "Sunday Band Concerts on the Common" and
"Children's Performances on the Common" on Tuesdays and Thursdays and Stevens Pond is still open
until next week.
The Board of Selectmen gives their condolences to the family of Dominic Scalise a well-known lawyer
who practiced law in Town for many years.
CONSENT ITEMS:
Appointments
The Board made the following appointments to the Audit Committee, Stevens Estate Board of Trustees,
and Mobile Food Regulation Committee:
Tracy Watson made a MOTION, seconded by William Gordon that the Board of Selectmen appoints
Richard Vaillancourt to the Audit Committee for a term ending June 30, 2014. Vote approved 5-0.
Donald Stewart made a MOTION, seconded by William Gordon that the Board of Selectmen appoints
Jonathan Albano to the Stevens Estate Board of Trustees for a term ending June 30, 2016. Vote
approved 5-0.
William Gordon made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart that the Board of Selectmen appoints
Tracy Watson, Sylvie Foulds, Terry Holland, Nadine Levin, Rebecca D'Etrmont, Thomas Licciardello, and
Tina Messina to the Mobile Food Regulation Committee for a term ending June 30, 2014. Vote approved
4-0-1. Tracy Watson abstained.
Board of Selectmen Minutes August 12, 2013 2
Acceptance of Donation to Police Department
Richard Vaillancourt made a MOTION, seconded by Tracy Watson that the Board of Selectmen accepts
the donation from Mr. & Mrs. Leland in the amount of$500 to the Police Department for Community
Policing Initiatives. Vote approved 5-0.
Acceptance of Donation to Fire Department
Donald Stewart made a MOTION, seconded by Tracy Watson that the Board of Selectmen accepts the
donation from Mr. &Mrs. Leland in the amount of$500 to the Fire Department Vote approved 5-0.
Acceptance of Donation to Youth & Recreation Services
Richard Vaillancourt made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart that the Board of Selectmen accepts
the donations from the Joseph N. Herman Youth Center, Inc. in the amount of$3,000 for Summer Fun
scholarships and $14,768 for Summer Fun activities to the Youth & Recreation Services Department.
Vote approved 5-0.
Request to Dispose of Surplus Stock—Public Works Department
Department of Public Works requests disposal of compost and other materials at the Town's Yard Waste
facility.
Donald Stewart made a MOTION, seconded by Richard Vaillancourt that the Board of Selectmen
approves the request of Public Works Director Bruce Thibodeau to surplus 15,000-20,000 cubit-yard
composted material and 1,500-2,000 cubit-yard of sandy loam fill per his memo to the Town Manager
dated August 6, 2013. Vote approved 5-0.
Request to Waive Special Permit Fee for Veterans Housing 138 High Street
John Ratka of the Veterans Northeast Outreach Center, Inc. requested a waiver of the Special Permit fee
for 138 High Street in the amount of$150 and all building permit fees to convert a current two family
home to a three family home. This project is being funded by a CPA appropriation approved at the 2013
Annual Town Meeting.
Tracy Watson made a MOTION, seconded by William Gordon, that the Board of Selectmen hereby
approves the request of the Veterans Northeast Outreach Center, Inc. to waive the Special Permit Fee for
138 High Street in the amount of$150 and all building permit fees. Vote approved 4-0-1. Rosemary
Smedile abstained.
Stevens Memorial Library requests permission for road closure for children's end of summer event
The library is requesting to close the road known as Davis/Middlesex for a children's end of summer
event on August 21, 2013 from 9:00— 1:00 pm.
William Gordon made a MOTION, seconded by Tracy Watson that the Board of Selectmen approves the
request of Stevens Memorial Library to close off Davis/Middlesex Street from Main Street to Greene
Street on August 21, 2013 from 9:00 — 1:00 PM. Vote approved 5-0.
Brian Locke Requests Block Party on Annis Street on Saturday, August 24, 2013
Two residents of Annis Street contacted Selectmen to hold a block party on Saturday, August 24, 2013.
The Selectmen said they would approve this subject to receiving recommendations from the various town
departments.
Donald Stewart made a MOTION, seconded by William Gordon, to approve the request to hold a block
party on Annis Street on August 24, 2013 from 3:00—9:00 PM subject to approval from the various town
departments. Vote approved 5-0.
LICENSING COMMISSIONERS:
Donald Stewart made a MOTION, seconded by Richard Vaillancourt, to open a meeting of the North
Andover Licensing Commission. Vote approved 5-0.
Board of Selectmen Minutes August 12, 2013 3
Renewal of Livery License—Timothy Eatman, One Stop Transportation
Donald Stewart made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile that the Board of Selectmen acting as
Licensing Commissioners approves the renewal of a Livery License for Timothy Eatman of One Stop
Transportation. Vote approved 5-0.
St Gregory's Armenian Church requests One-Day Wine & Malt License on 9/8/13 from 12:30—5:30 PM
William Gordon made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart that the Board of Selectmen acting as
Licensing Commissioners approves the One-Day Wine & Malt License for St. Gregory's Armenian Church
for September 8, 2013 from 12:30—5:30 PM. Vote approved 5-0.
Bertucci's Restaurant Corp. application for a Change of Officer/Director, Transfer of Stock, New
Stockholder, and Issuance of Stock
William Gordon made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart that the Board of Selectmen acting as
Licensing Commissioners approves the application of Bertucci's Restaurant Corp. for Change of
Officer/Director, Transfer of Stock, New Stockholder and Issuance of Stock. 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 HEARING:
Removal of Public Shade Trees per MGL C87, §3—Judy Batson, 773 Winter Street
Richard Vaillancourt made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart, being said that it is after 7:00 PM to
open a Public Hearing for the Removal of Public Shade Trees per MGL C87, §3 on Winter Street.
Roll Call vote: William Gordon yes, Donald Stewart yes, Rosemary Smedile yes, Richard Vaillancourt,
and Tracy Watson yes. Vote approved 5-0.
Mr. Jay Batson of 733 Winter Street requested the Town's permission to remove 7 trees from the Town's
right of way in front of their house on Winter Street. These trees represent an ongoing safety hazard and
are also now inflicting damage to their property.
Bruce Thibodeau Director of Public Works and John Lavin Tree Arborist reviewed the trees and
recommend the removal of the trees.
Richard Vaillancourt made a MOTION, seconded by Tracy Watson, to close the Public Hearing regarding
the Removal of Public Shade Trees per MGL C87, §3—Judy Batson, 773 Winter Street.
Tracy Watson made a MOTION, seconded by William Gordon that the Board of Selectmen approve the
request of Jay and Judy Batson to remove seven (7) public shade trees per MGL c87, §3 on Winter
Street. Vote approved 5-0.
Removal of Public Shade Trees per MGL c87, §3—National Grid
Tracy Watson made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart, being said that it is after 7:00 PM to open
a Public Hearing for the Removal of Public Shade Trees per MGL C87, §3— National Grid.
Roll Call vote: William Gordon yes, Donald Stewart yes, Rosemary Smedile yes, Richard Vaillancourt,
and Tracy Watson yes. Vote approved 5-0.
Chairman recognized Neil Dorman from National Grid
Neil Dorman representing National Grid requested to remove 27 public shade trees and to prune 4 trees
along Sutton St., Main St., Maple St., Second St., Waverly Rd., Mass. Ave. and Peters Street. The work
is recommended to remove hazard trees and prune for additional clearance in order to reduce tree
outage problems affecting large numbers of customers served by these main lines.
National Grid offers the Town to apply for a Grant through the DCR for$2,500 to replace trees which
would replace about 6 or 7 trees.
Board of Selectmen Minutes August 12, 2013 4
David and Mary Moore of 118-120 Second Street asked National Grid to save the tree that is in front of
their house on Second Street. Instead of cutting it down, they suggested cutting off the dead part and
treating the rest of the tree. David Moore offered to treat the tree himself if National Grid would only cut
off the diseased part.
Heather McNeil of 13 Union Street said not to make a hasty decision to cut down the trees and talk about
alternative methods of saving trees.
National Grid's Arborists biggest concern is safety for the community. The trees that were identified to be
cut down are too far gone with disease and could break apart and fall onto buildings, vehicles or
pedestrians.
Bruce Thibodeau Director of Public Works said that he and John Lavin Tree Arborist say the roots are
exposed and the hollow cavity is 11 inches deep and needs to come down.
Richard Vaillancourt made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart, to close the Public Hearing
regarding the Removal of Public Shade Trees per MGL C87, §3— National Grid.
Roll Call vote: William Gordon yes, Donald Stewart yes, Rosemary Smedile yes, Richard Vaillancourt,
and Tracy Watson yes. Vote approved 5-0.
The Board had a discussion some of favor of saving the tree and others of cutting it down.
William Gordon made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart, that the Board of Selectmen approves
the request of National Grid to remove twenty-six (26)trees and prune 4 trees and eliminate the one tree
on Second Street. Vote approved 3-2. Tracy Watson and Richard Vaillancourt opposed.
TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT:
Position/Vacancy Log
Human Resources Director provided an update report outlining the status of various recruitments that are
ongoing or recently completed.
Monthly Police Department Report
Police Chief Paul Gallagher provided an activity report for July 2013.
Monthly Fire Department Report
Fire Chief Andy Melnikas provided an activity report for July 2013.
NEXT MEETING DATE
September 9, 2013
ADJOURNMENT:
Donald Stewart made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile, to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 p.m.
Vote approved 5-0.
Adele J. Johnson
Executive Assistant
Richard Vaillancourt, Clerk of the Board