HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-07-15 Board of Selectmen Executive Minutes ^ BOARD OF SELECTMEN EXECUTIVE MINUTES July 15,2002
EXECUTIVE SESSION: The Executive Session convened at 7:05 PM.
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: Wendy Wakeman made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart,to move
into Executive Session to discuss Real Estate matters regarding Lawrence Airport Enterprise
Commission, Maritimes Pipeline and land adjacent to the Water Treatment Plant;Labor Relations;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.
Lawrence Airnort Enterprise Commission.
Selectmen Smedile and Town Manager Mark Rees are the town's representatives on this commission,
which has been mired in a discussion with the Town's partner on the project,the City of Lawrence,on
whether it would be most advantages to lease or sell the property proposed for development. Since the
Enterprise Commission is poised to begin those discussions again. Tim Sheehan,the representative from
Mass Development, has been providing logistic and advisory assistance to the Enterprise Commission
was present and updated the Board of Selectmen. The Town Manager and Rosemary Smedile are still of
the opinion that the sale of the land is still the most advantageous to both North Andover and Lawrence, it
would bring in the most money and is the cleanest and quickest way. The disposition of land has to go
through the FAA. The FAA has given guidelines and there is not a lot of room for compromise.
Rosemary Smedile asked for clarification as to what are the FAA guidelines and what is the law. Mark
Rees stated the Airport Commission would be sending in the application to release the land for
development not the Town of North Andover or the City of Lawrence.
Mark Rees asked for some direction from the Board as how they should proceed. Should North Andover
walk away from this or compromise to move the project forward. The Town Manager stated that even
with a lease arrangement there would be some benefit to the Town as in additional revenue coming in
from PILOT arrangements(Payment in lieu of taxes)and additional jobs in the area.
Maritimes Pipeline.
Beth Goodman, Special Counsel for this matter,has completed negotiations on the town's behalf with
Maritimes Pipeline regarding the granting of easements over town owned land and submitted the
Settlement Agreement and Release documents for signature. In Attorney Goodman's opinion the
settlement represents the best the Town can get from Maritimes,short of taking them back to court and
incurring additional legal expenses. Maritimes&Northeast Pipeline has agreed to pay the Town of North
Andover$217,785 which represents$150,000 for the easement and the balance for Fire training.
Maritimes is also paying$3,500 to the Town Conservation Commission for replacement of one dozen
large trees that will be removed during construction.As far as safety,Beth Goodman stated Maritimes
would not agree to a timeline and the Department of Transportation(DOT)does not specify for regular
inspections for the pipeline.
James Xenakis made a MOTION,seconded by Wendy Wakeman,to approve and sign the"Settlement
OpN Agreement and Release"with Maritimes&Northeast Pipeline;vote approved 5-0.
^ Land Adiacent to Water Treatment Plant.
The owner of the property adjacent to the water treatment plant is not willing to sell the Town a portion of
the property,which would allow the room for future expansion of the Water Treatment Plant. There are
three options the Board may want to consider:
I. See if the owner would be willing to sell the Town the entire parcel.
2. Begin the process of eminent domain taking.
3. Do nothing.
James Xenakis made a MOTION,seconded by Susan Haltmaier,that Town Manager to pursue the idea of
taking the small portion of land needed for the Water Treatment Plant by Eminent Domain;vote approved
4-1. (Wendy Wakeman opposed).
ADJOURNMENT: Wendy Wakeman made a MOTION,seconded by James Xenakis,to move out of
executive session;vote approved 5 -0.
Kathleen A.O'Neill,Administrative Secretary