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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-11-17 Board of Selectmen Minutes BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES November 17, 2014 CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Richard Vaillancourt called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM at Town Hall Meeting Room. ATTENDANCE: The following were present: Chairman Richard Vaillancourt, Clerk William Gordon, Rosemary Smedile, Donald Stewart, Tracy Watson, Town Manager Andrew Maylor, and Assistant Town Manager Ray Santilli, Executive Assistant, Laurie Burzlaff. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE APPROVAL OF MINUTES: William Gordon made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart, to approve the Open Session Minutes of October 20, 2014. Vote approved 4-0-1. Tracy Watson abstained. COMMUNICATIONS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS: New Business Recognition Hollie Baggs from The Maker Mill was present to receive a Certificate of Appreciation. Budget Status Report Director of Finance, Lyne Savage, gave an update on the budget through the first quarter(9/30/14) and indicated everything is on track and there are no issues with revenues or expenditures to date. Ms. Savage also stated that the Revenue and Fixed Cost Review Committee endorsed the estimates contained in the Budget Policy Statement. Town Manager, Andrew Maylor, noted that the town has not raised fees on permits, ambulance, etc. for several years. Chairman Vaillancourt announced that the North Andover High School football team won the Division 2 North and is one win away from going to the Super Bowl. The Board congratulated the team on their success and also congratulated the North Andover High School cheerleading team for winning regionals. Tracy Watson announced the Best Buddies wrestling event taking place on Friday, November 21 st The Board wished Donald Stewart's wife, Mary Stewart a Happy Birthday. CONSENT ITEMS: Rabbi Zalman Borenstein of Chabad of North Andover requests to use the Town Common for the lighting of the Chanukah Menorah from December 15 to December 24, 2014 and on December 18, 2014 for a ceremony from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The Board received a request from Rabbi Borenstein to use the Town Common for the lighting of the Chanukah Menorah from December 15-December 24, 2014 and for a ceremony on December 18, 2014 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. All relevant Town Departments submitted recommendations for approval. Rosemary Smedile made a MOTION, seconded by Tracy Watson, that the Board of Selectmen approve the request of Rabbi Borenstein to use the Town Common for the lighting of the Chanukah Menorah from December 15 to December 24, 2014 and for a ceremony on December 18, 2014 from 5:30 p.m, to 7:00 p.m. Vote approved 5-0. Eric Foulds of The North Andover Festival Committee requests permission to conduct the annual Santa Parade on Saturday, November 29, 2014. The Board received a request from Eric Foulds of the North Andover Festival Committee and the North Andover Police Association to use Main Street, Elm Street, Water Street, and Sutton Street on Saturday, November 29th for the Annual Santa Parade starting at 12:00 p.m. and ending at approximately 2:00 p.m. The Committee is also seeking permission to limit parking on these streets beginning at 8:00 a.m. on November 29th due to safety concerns. All relevant Town Departments submitted recommendations for approval. Tracy Watson made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile, that the Board of Selectmen approve the request of the North Andover Festival Committee to close Main Street, Elm Street, Board of Selectmen Minutes November 17, 2014 2 Water Street and Sutton Street on Saturday, November 29, 2014 for the Annual Santa Parade and to limit parking on these streets beginning at 8:00 a.m, that day. Vote approved 5-0. Appointment to Greater Lawrence Community Action Council-Jonathan Z. Pearlson The Board's Appointments Subcommittee recommended the appointment of Jonathan Z. Pearlson to the Greater Lawrence Community Action Council. William Gordon made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart, that the Board of Selectmen appoint Jonathan Z. Pearlson to the Greater Lawrence Community Action Council for a term ending June 30, 2015. Vote approved 5-0. Appointment to Elderly/Disabled Taxation Fund Committee-Muriel Katschker The Board's Appointments Subcommittee recommended the appointment of Muriel Katschker to the Elderly/Disabled Taxation Fund Committee. Rosemary Smedile made a MOTION, seconded by William Gordon, that the Board of Selectmen appoint Muriel Katschker to the Elderly/Disabled Taxation Fund Committee for a term ending June 30, 2017. Vote approved 5-0. Winter Parking Ban The Board received a memo from Police Chief Paul Gallagher recommending no changes be made to the Winter Parking Ban for the upcoming season and explaining how residents will be notified of the ban. The proposed `All Night Winter Parking Ban' will be in effect for the months of December, January, and February. Residents will be notified via town wide call and information will also be posted on the website. William Gordon made a MOTION, seconded by Tracy Watson, that the Board of Selectmen approve the proposed`All Night Winter Parking Ban'from December 1, 2014 through February 28, 2015. Vote approved 5-0. Request to Dispose of Surplus Equipment— Fire Department A memorandum from Fire Chief, Andrew Melnikas was provided to the Board requesting the Board surplus the 2006 Ford Crown Victoria per Town policy. Tracy Watson made a MOTION, seconded by William Gordon, that the Board of Selectmen approve the request of Fire Chief Andrew Melnikas to surplus the 2006 Ford Crown Victoria per his memo to the Town Manager dated October 23, 2014. Vote approved 5-0. Appointment of Custodian for 43 Lincoln Street, North Andover(MGL, c60 §77B) Town Treasurer, Jennifer Yarid, notified the Town that it will acquire the property at 43 Lincoln Street by foreclosure of tax title on December 15, 2014. MGL c60, §77B requires the Board of Selectmen to appoint a Custodian for the property. The Custodian "shall have the care, custody, management and control" of the property and shall be responsible to sell such property at public auction. Town Manager, Andrew Maylor, indicated that there is a possibility that the matter may be resolved without the need for a custodian; however, in anticipation of the foreclosure, it was recommended that Assistant Town Manager, Ray Santilli, be appointed the Custodian per the requirements of the statute. Tracy Watson made a MOTION, seconded by William Gordon, that the Board of Selectmen appoint Assistant Town Manager Ray Santilli as the Custodian for 43 Lincoln Street, North Andover in accordance with MGL c60, §77B. Vote approved 5-0. PUBLIC HEARING: Personnel Policy Amendments (Taken out of Order) The purpose of the hearing is to receive comments on proposed amendments to the Personnel Policy affecting non-union personnel. William Gordon made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile, to open the public hearing to receive comments on proposed amendments to the Personnel Policy affecting non-union personnel. Vote approved 5-0. Human Resources Director, Cathy Darby, briefed the Board on the substantive changes to the Personnel Policy for non-union personnel. Ms. Darby explained that the revisions were distributed to impacted employees for comment prior to the public hearing. Tracy Watson commented that she heard from several employees that they were happy with the process. Board of Selectmen Minutes November 17, 2014 3 Rosemary Smedile made a MOTION, seconded by Tracy Watson to close the public hearing to receive comments on proposed amendments to the Personnel Policy affecting non-union personnel. Vote approved 5-0. Chairman Vaillancourt requested Ms. Darby provide employees with a bulleted list of the substantive changes. Tracy Watson made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart, that the Board of Selectmen approve the proposed amendments to the Personnel Policy affecting non-union personnel. Vote approved 5-0. Property Tax Classification Hearing The purpose of the hearing is to receive comments regarding classification and taxation of property according to use. Rosemary Smedile made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart, to open a public hearing on property tax classification. Vote approved 5-0. Town Assessor, Garrett Boles, presented information regarding the classification and taxation of property according to use. Mr. Boles explained that the vacancy of Schneider Electric and Converse from the mills resulted in a $7 million value change. Town Manager, Andrew Maylor, provided the Board with four scenarios for the purpose of discussion. Mr. Maylor explained that with any one of the scenarios, the Town will still be within the budget passed at Town Meeting for FY15 and any excess over what was budgeted at Town Meeting would go into free cash. Stan Limpert of 43 Stonecleave Road, was acknowledged by Chairman Vaillancourt for public comment. Mr. Limpert asked about the affect this would have on the FY15 budget. Town Manager, Andrew Maylor, explained that it has no effect on the FY15 budget. Mr. Maylor explained that in December he will present his 5 year forecast and the levy expectation for FY16 will be 2.5%. Clerk, William Gordon, read a letter submitted by the Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce. Chairman Vaillancourt reviewed the next steps in the process and explained that the Board will review the information presented tonight and vote to set the tax classification at the next meeting. Rosemary Smedile made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart, to close the public hearing on property tax classification. Vote approved 5-0. OLD BUSINESS: None NEW BUSINESS: None PUBLIC COMMENT: None TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT: "Ask the Manager" William Gordon asked "Are citizens still being surcharged for underground wires at the Common?" Assistant Town Manager, Ray Santilli, answered that based on the most recent report, the estimate for National Grid is that the surcharge will end around October/November 2015. Mr. Santilli stated that for Verizon, however, it will be much longer since there is a smaller base to draw from. Mr. Santilli also explained that the Town paid for part of the work through Community Preservation and the surcharge is for the remaining balance. Mr. Gordon asked when the annual meeting for license renewals would take place. Town Manager, Andrew Maylor, indicated it would be on the agenda for the December 15th meeting. Mr. Maylor announced there would be a Groundbreaking Ceremony for the new fire station on November 25th at 8:00 a.m. Board of Selectmen Minutes November 17, 2014 4 Mr. Maylor updated the Board regarding solar installations in Town. Mr. Maylor stated they are in the process of issuing a Request for Proposals to evaluate sites in town. Mr. Maylor announced that an easement was drafted regarding the Dog Park; however, the Board of Selectmen does not have authorization from Town Meeting to grant an easement for recreational use. Therefore, they are working on a short term lease to allow the Town to use the property. Mr. Maylor updated the Board on the Commuter Bus Service to Boston. He indicated everything will hopefully be in place for service to start in a few weeks. Police Department-October 2014 Crime Statistics Included in the packet is a summary of the October 2014 crime statistics provided by Police Chief Paul Gallagher. Fire Department-October 2014 Activity Report Included in the packet is the September 2014 Activity Report provided by the Fire Department. Job PostingNacancy Log Included in the packet is the Job PostingNacancy log provided by the Human Resources Department. NEXT MEETING DATE: December 1, 2014. ADJOURNMENT: Donald Stewart made a MOTION, seconded by Tracy Watson, to adjourn the meeting at 8:16 p.m. Vote approved 5-0. Laurie A. Burzlaff Executive Assistant William F. Gordon, Clerk of the Board