HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-03-25 Board of Selectmen Executive Minutes BOARD OF SELECTMEN EXECUTIVE MINUTES March 25,2002
WCUTF SESSION: The Executive Session convened at 6:05 p.m.
ATTENDANCE: The following were present: Rosemary Smedile, Chairman;Donald B. Stewart;James Xenakis;
Wendy Wakeman; Susan Haltmaier;Mark Rees,Town Manager;Ray Santilli,Assistant Town Manager.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: James Xenakis made a MOTION,seconded by Susan Haltmaier,to move into Executive
Session to discuss negotiations with union and non-union employees,a real estate matter and pending litigation with
Mesiti Development;vote approved 5-0.
The Board of Selectmen was individually polled and each voted to move into Executive Session.
Vote: Wendy Wakeman yes; Donald Stewart yes; Susan Haltmaier yes;James Xenakis yes;Rosemary Smedile yes.
Chairman Smedile stated the Board would be returning to Open Session after the Executive Session.
Waste and Classification Plan.
Several months ago,the Town embarked upon a process to update its wage and classification plan for by-law(or non-
union employees).After a Request for Proposal was issued,the Town hired Ronald Mullett of Howard-Tabor
Associates,a wage and benefits consultant,to conduct this review and make recommendations to the town. Mr.
Mullett was present at tonight's meeting and explained two points to remember: First,a wage and classification plan
should not be confused with ajob performance review. Any salary adjustment being recommended is based on
making the position, (not the employee)competitive with competing markets and to provide internal equity between
positions of comparable responsibilities and job functions. Second,employees whom of the opinion that their
classification is not appropriate will have the opportunity to meet with the consultant to review the basis for his
recommendation.
Wendy Wakeman asked the Town Manager to look over the wage and classification study and bring it back to the
Board in two weeks with an implementation plan. Ms. Wakeman did not want to go over each line item but asked the
Selectmen to voice any concerns with the Town Manager.
A
`ark Rees stated to fund the changes($129,000)there is currently$90,000 in the budget for non-union increases. The
rown Manager is proposing to give everyone a 3%increase retro to July 1,2001. The new recommendations from the
wage and classification study will be implemented on April 1,2002 of this year.
The next step will be a performance review system.
Nestotiations with Union Employees.
Memorandum of Agreement-Professional Librarians Group.
A letter was received from AFSCME representative of the Professional Librarians Group(AFSCME Council 93,Local
2978C)
James Xenakis made a MOTION,seconded by Donald Stewart,to ratify the contract with the Professional Librarians
union and to authorize the Town Manager to sign the Memorandum of Agreement with the Professional Librarians
Union;vote approved 4-0-1.(Wendy Wakeman abstained).
Neeofiations with Non-Union Employees.
Water/Sewer Distribution Superintendent Vacancy. In the FY02 budget for the Division of Public Works,the position
of Water/Sewer Distribution Superintendent was proposed and approved. Due to a variety of concerns and issues,the
position remained vacant. William Hmurciak requested and received permission to advertise the position. Interviews
of applicants were conducted and Mr. Hmurciak is recommending Mr. Timothy Willett for the position. Mr.Willett is
currently the Town's Staff Engineer and has held the position for the past nine years. The Town Manager has
proposed to hire an outside consultant to perform a review and assessment of the operation and organization of the
Division of Public Works. The scope of the review and assessment will cover all aspects of the organization including
organizational structure,staffing needs,administrative operations and internal management controls. The Board of
^electmen has decided to delay their decision pending receipt and review of proposals from interested vendors.
After a number of discussions with Mr.Hmurciak,Mark Rees proposes to appoint Mr.Timothy Willett to the
budgeted position of Water/Sewer Distribution Superintendent on a temporary basis at an annual salary of$55,000.
Mr.Willett is currently being compensated$46,000 annually as Town Staff Engineer. If the Board decides that the
EXECUTIVE MINUTES Page 2. March 25,2002
�tudy is not to go forward,the Town Manager will recommend Mr. Willett be permanently appointed. If the study is
entually conducted and this position is recommended in the Division's organizational structure,Mark Rees will also
recommend Mr. Willett be permanently appointed. If the study recommends this position be deleted or substantially
modified,then Mr.Willet will return to his position as Staff Engineer. During this process,the position of Staff
Engineer will remain vacant.
Wendy Wakeman made a MOTION, seconded by James Xenakis,to appoint Timothy Willett on a temporary basis to
the position of Water/Sewer Distribution Superintendent and the position of Staff Engineer is not to be filled pending
the budget approval at Town Meeting;vote approved 5-0.
Police Chief Teaching Contract-University of Massachusetts. Police Chief Richard Stanley has been employed as an
adjunct faculty member at the University of Massachusetts Lowell in the area of criminal justice. If the Chief s work
with the University overlaps with his primary employment with the Town of North Andover,Chief Stanley has used
his personal or vacation time. In order to firmly establish that his work with the University was not in violation with
state ethics laws,Chief Stanley wrote the enclosed letter to the state ethics commission from which he received a
response stating that he could work at both positions.In order to complete the necessary documentation the University
of Massachusetts is requesting a letter from the Board of Selectmen,as his appointing authority,authorizing the
Chief s part-time employment at the University.
James Xenakis made a MOTION,seconded by Wendy Wakeman,to authorize the Town Manager to send a letter on
behalf of the Board of Selectmen,to the University of Massachusetts authorizing the Chief s part-time employment at
the University;vote approved 5-0.
Wendy Wakeman commended Chief Stanley for keeping fresh with the latest and continuing with teaching school.
/'0romerty Acquisition: Salem @ Boxford Street.
—ast September,a request for proposal was issued seeking a parcel of real estate to be used for construction of the`but
country"fire station. Two proposals were received: one from Red Gate Realty Trust for 6.7 acres of land located
between 871 and 895 Salem Street;and another from Ruth Adis for 1.25 acres located at 22 Boxford Street.The sale
price for the Salem Street parcel was$825,000 while the Boxford Street price was$550,000.
Since the parcel of land at 22 Boxford Street was more acceptable to the Fire Department,authorization was given to
Chief Dolan and Ray Santilli to meet with the owners and negotiate a more favorable price. In the meantime,today,
Ray Samilli received an opinion from the Inspector General's Office that the Town is not allowed to negotiate with
any of the bidders. In accordance with 30B procedures you accept the bid,reject it and go onto another bid,or reject
all the bids outright and start again or take the property by eminent domain. The bid received on the Adie property
was$550,000,further Chapter 30B requirements required an independent appraisal that came back at$275,000. The
assessed value of this property is$200,700.
James Xenakis made a MOTION,seconded by Wendy Wakeman,to reject the two bids received for the"out country"
fire station;vote approved 5-0.
James Xenakis made a MOTION,seconded by Wendy Wakeman,to instinct the Town Manager work with the Fire
Chief to discuss the best parcel or land and include the option of eminent domain for the Adie property;vote approved
5-0.
Thrift Shoo Lease.
The Town has for the last two years made considerable effort in finding a new location for the North Andover Thrift
Shop,a non-profit organization that lost its store when the"white"building in the Old Center burned down over two
tears ago. Town Counsel has stated that based on previous town meeting votes, the town has an obligation to provide
..c Thrift Shop with space to operate their store. Using a portion of the insurance settlement,the`red"building at the
intersection of Sutton Street and Main Street was purchased. In order to comply with state procurement laws,a request
for lease proposals was developed and one bidder,the Thrift Shop responded. Their proposal was for$200 a month
EXECUTIVE MINUTES Page 3. March 25,2002
,.�pd they will pay their own utilities. There is a balance of$91,000 in the insurance settlement that can be used for
Sprovements to the"red"building.
Susan Haltmaier made a MOTION,seconded by Donald Stewart to accept the lease for 3 years for the Thrift Shop for
$200 a month as proposed.
James Xenakis amended the MOTION,accepted and seconded by Susan Haltmaier,to offer the 3 year lease to the
Thrift Shop on a sliding scale of$200/month for the first year; $225/month for the second year;and $250/month for
the third year,vote approved 5-0.
Town Manager Mark Rees stated if the Thrift Shop agrees with the amounts he will execute the lease, if not he will
bring this back to the Board.
Pending Litigation' Mesiti Development
The Town's insurance carrier(American Alliance Insurance Co.)is willing to settle our lawsuit with the Town by
reimbursing the Town for our legal cost to date for the Mesiti case in return for a release of further claims. The
amount is$104,549.02.
James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart,to accept the Insurance Company's settlement of
$104,549.02;vote approved 5-0.
ADJOURNMENT: Susan Haltmaier made a MOTION, seconded by Wendy Wakeman,to move out of executive
session;vote approved 5-0.
0,kathleen A. O'Neill,Administrative Secretary