HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-06-24 Board of Selectmen Executive Minutes BOARD OF SELECTMEN EXECUTIVE MINUTES June 24,2002
EXECUTIVE SESSION: The Executive Session convened at 7:05 p.m.
ATTENDANCE: The following were present: Rosemary Smedile,Chairman;Donald B. Stewart;
Wendy Wakeman; Susan Haltmaier,Mark Rees,Town Manager; Ray Santilli,Assistant Town Manager.
James Xenakis left before the vote and returned 10 minutes later.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: Susan Haltmaier made a MOTION,seconded by Wendy Wakeman,to move
into Executive Session to discuss land acquisition Maritimes Pipeline and negotiations with non-union
employees;vote approved 4-0.
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;Rosemary Smedile yes.
Chairman Smedile stated the Board would be returning to Open Session after the Executive Session.
Maritimes Pipeline.
The Town Manager for the Town of North Andover received a letter from F.S. Gressner,Manager Right
of Way,dated June 17,2002 and forwarded the letter to Attorney Beth Goodman of Bernstein,Cushner&
Kimmel],P.c.for a response. The letter makes an offer of$160,000 for easements from the Town for the
Maritimes&Northeast Pipeline,L.L.C.("Maritimes")pipeline project.
The Town does not accept the offer presented in the June 17,2002 letter. Since January 2002,the Town
and Maritimes have been exchanging draft settlement documents and otherwise attempting to settle this
matter without resorting to litigation. Most recently,the Town and Maritimes have agreed upon payment
to the Town in the amount of$217,785.72,although the final terms of the settlement documents have not
yet been agreed upon.
Negotiations with Non-union employees.
The Deputy Fire Chief and the Police Chief met with the Town Manager and had concerns with where
/1 they are on the Wage&Classification Plan and made an argument that it was not fair to compare base
salaries and brought forward numerous examples of other Chiefs with Holiday pay,shift differential and
longevity that are substantial in dollar amount and increase the base pay. The consultant's only charge
was to come up with base pay. Ray Samilli will be doing a much more detailed survey of other
communities with how public safety employees are compensated. This should help compare apples to
apples. This will take more work but it is for a limited number of people.
Wendy Wakeman told the Town Manager she thought it was very generous for management to look into
this and was disappointed in what the consultant came up with didn't meet their needs as it is a lot of
work. Ms. Wakeman also stated she thought the onus should be on the employee and not on
management. Town Manager Mark Rees stated that information has been provided and now it has to be
verified.
Town Manager's Evaluation.
James Xenakis made a MOTION,seconded by Wendy Wakeman,to approve a 3%increase on base
salary of$97,500, 1'/�%deferred compensation plan, $2,500 towards insurance and disability insurance,
and allow the Town Manager to bank 2 weeks of his vacation in FY03;vote approved 5-0.
The Town Manager wanted the opportunity to bank up to 10 weeks and carry over as a vacation
allotment.In the event the Town Manager would leave the Town,this would be earned time that has been
banked which could serve as a severance while he looks for another position.Wendy Wakeman stated she
has a problem with circumventing the Town Charter and encouraged the Town Manager to look into this
issue with Town Counsel for next year's review.
ADJOURNMENT: Wendy Wakeman made a MOTION,seconded by Susan Haltmaier,to move out of
executive session;vote approved 5 -0.
Kathleen A.O'Neill,Administrative Secretary