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Home My WebLink About2014-09-29 Board of Selectmen Minutes BOARD OF SELECTMEN September 29, 2014 1 BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES SEPTEMBER 29, 2014 CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Richard Vaillancourt called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM in Parlor A at the Stevens Estate in North Andover. ATTENDANCE: The following were present: Chairman Richard Vaillancourt, William Gordon, Clerk, Tracy Watson, Licensing Chairman, Donald Stewart, Rosemary Smedile (arrival 6:05), and Andrew Maylor, Town Manager. NEW BUSINESS: The Board of Selectmen discussed the following items as part of the Strategic Planning Session for FYI 6, no votes were taken. • Street paving refresh. —publish the list of planned roadway improvements and ensure that it is continually being updated. o Richard Vaillancourt discussed making the 5 year roadway improvement plan available to the public and updating that plan on a regular basis. The other selectmen voiced their support. The Town Manager indicated the town is working on an updated plan and he will work with Bruce Thibodeau to have the plan posted on the town's website. • Review of all parcels in town to see which ones we have an interest in for future use and to protect the town from poorly placed or designed 40b projects. o Rosemary Smedile introduced this topic and the discussion narrowed to having the Town Manager identify 5-10 parcels which pose the most downside if developed from their current use without community involvement (i.e. farms). The selectmen then agreed that when the parcels were identified the town could BOARD OF SELECTMEN September 29, 2014 2 look into obtaining either a first right of refusal regarding a purchase, a conservation restriction or some other control mechanism. • Keep doing what we are doing...sustainable government, no overrides, increase our Stabilization Funds. o William Gordon expressed his support for continuing the plan that has yielded positive financial results during the past three years. The other selectmen voiced their support as well. • Transportation to and from Boston...commuter rail or bus. o The board expressed their support for increasing transportation from North Andover to Boston via bus or rail. • Trees...we need a sustainable program that will maintain our current tree lined streets and continually plant new trees every year. o William Gordon and Tracy Watson indicated that we needed to implement a plan to replace the many trees that have been lost over the years in the downtown and library area. All selectmen agreed that money should be regularly budgeted to plan and maintain trees and that we should explore grants. The concept of having neighborhoods request and then adopt new trees was also discussed. • Work with the state on getting noise barriers put up along Rte. 495. o Rosemary Smedile and Don Stewart indicated that the noise from Rte 495 had increased over the years and the town should seek relief in the form of barriers from the state. The balance of the board supported the idea. • Rte 125 Development plan....keep focused on development and possible benefits of bringing water and sewer to that corridor. BOARD OF SELECTMEN September 29, 2014 3 o Tracy Watson, William Gordon, and Rosemary Smedile all expressed support for the implementation of the Rte 125 corridor study prepared by UMASS. The question of sewer service in the area was discussed with no firm agreement reached as it relates to that aspect of the plan. • Relationship with Lawrence and other communities-regional strategic partnerships. o Richard Vaillancourt indicated that we should further explore our relationship with Lawrence to see if there are additional initiatives that can be jointly undertaken. The board supported this idea and Tracy Watson also with encouraged additional strategic partnerships. • Improve the streetscape in the downtown areas with tree plantings, sidewalks, etc. o Tracy Watson and Rosemary Smedile, along with Don Stewart expressed their strong support for improving streetscaping in the downtown area including the mills. The Town Manager spoke about the approved CIP project to enhance this area. • Develop a plan with the Police Department on how to best address the substance abuse problem and drug trafficking in our town and surrounding area. o Tracy Watson requested that the Town Manager work with the NAPD to develop a plan to address substance abuse and drug trafficking in town. Rosemary Smedile supported Ms. Watson's position as did the other members of the board. • Middle School/Atkinson School development of a Sports Field Complex. o William Gordon and Tracy Watson expressed interest in improving this area similar to McEvoy Field, but on a larger scale. Richard Vaillancourt indicated that this project could be positively transformative for the town. All members voiced BOARD OF SELECTMEN September 29, 2014 4 support for this project. The Town Manager said he would work on establishing a committee to work with a consultant to prepare a preliminary plan. • Business Relationships -possible meeting with our local large business leaders and discuss their thoughts on the direction of the town. o Richard Vaillancourt, with the support of the other board members, would like to develop a business round table to obtain ideas regarding growing and retaining businesses in town. • Complete the town buildings complex on Main Street of Town hall, Community Development, and the Senior Center along with a parking plan. o Don Stewart and the entire board voiced their support for the Facility Master Plan and to see the plan to its completion. • Continued technology improvements. o Richard Vaillancourt indicated that the town has made progress in implementing technology enhancements during the last several years and should continue to strive to use technology whenever possible to enhance communication with the public. The entire board agreed with Mr. Vaillancourt. • Long term plan for the Stevens Estate, Gate house, Carriage House, pool and surrounding grounds. o William Gordon and the entire board expressed support for the continuing operation of the Stevens Estate as a function facility. They also supported the need to request CPA funding for bathroom improvements. The board also discussed other ideas to increase revenue at the estate like the use of the BOARD OF SELECTMEN September 29, 2014 5 swimming pool. The board did not see the benefit of investing in maintaining the gate house. • Formalized Policy and Procedures review and update. Ex. draft a policy to address board vacancies and classroom TIP Certification for all liquor license holders. o Richard Vaillancourt expressed an interest to review and update the town's policies and procedures. Don Stewart expressed his support for this idea and indicated he would prefer that TIPS certification be held in the classroom. The Town Manager expressed his desire to have the selectmen do this on an annual basis, the board supported this idea. • Work with state on addressing too many signs, especially at the Olde Center. o Rosemary Smedile introduced this topic which expanded to limiting the small metal pole signs used to advertise events around town to private property and school property (unless they adopt their own policy). • Rte 114, Merrimack College....keep working with the State to improve the pedestrian access of that corridor. o William Gordon, Richard Vaillancourt, and the balance of the board agreed that the town should continue to focus on working with the state and the college in making pedestrian and traffic safety improvements in this area. The Board of Selectmen agreed that the Town Manager should include these items in the Budget Policy Statement which will be voted at a future meeting. ADJOURNMENT: BOARD OF SELECTMEN September 29, 2014 6 Tracy Watson made a MOTION, seconded by William Gordon, to adjourn at 8:10 PM. Vote approved 5-0. Andrew W. Maylor Town Manager