HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-06-09 Board of Selectmen Minutes
BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES June 9, 2020
CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Richard Vaillancourt called the meeting to order at 7:00PM. In accordance
with Governor Baker’s Executive Order issued on March 12, 2020, suspending certain provisions of the
Open Meeting Law due to the ongoing COVID-19 public health emergency, this meeting took place via
conference call. All Board members and staff participated in this meeting remotely.
ATTENDANCE: The following identified themselves as present on the call: Chairman Richard
Vaillancourt, Clerk Rosemary Smedile, Chris Nobile, Phil DeCologero, Laura Bates, Town Manager,
Melissa Murphy Rodrigues, Deputy Town Manager, Denise Casey, Director of Administrative Services,
Laurie Burzlaff, Town Counsel, Suzanne Egan, Director of Community and Economic Development,
Andrew Shapiro.
Chairman Vaillancourt read the following statement:
Pursuant to Governor Baker’s March 12, 2020 Order Suspending Certain Provisions of the Open Meeting
Law, G.L. c. 30A, §18, and the Governor’s March 15, 2020 Order imposing strict limitations on the
number of people that may gather in one place, this meeting of the North Andover Board of Selectmen is
being conducted via remote participation. No in-person attendance of members of the public will be
permitted, but every effort will be made to ensure that the public can adequately access the proceedings
as provided for in the Order. A reminder that persons who would like to listen to this meeting while in
progress may do so by tuning in to Comcast channel 8 or Verizon channel 26 or online at
www.northandovercam.org. If you have public comments, please email selectmen@northandoverma.gov
Chairman Vaillancourt welcomed newly elected Laura Bates to the Board.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Ms. Smedile asked for the minutes to be amended to include her comments about the flag policy.
Chris Nobile made a MOTION, seconded by Phil DeCologero to table the approval of the minutes
for July 1, 2020 until the next meeting. Roll call vote: Smedile-yes; Bates-yes; DeCologero-yes;
Nobile-yes; Vaillancourt-yes. Motion approved 5-0.
NEW BUSINESS
Appoint licensing chair
Since Regina Kean is no longer on the Board, a new licensing chair needed to be appointed.
Chris Nobile made a MOTION, seconded by Laura Bates that the Board of Selectmen appoint Phil
DeCologero as the licensing chair. Roll call vote: Smedile-yes; Bates-yes; DeCologero-yes;
Nobile-yes; Vaillancourt-yes. Motion approved 5-0.
Mr. Vaillancourt suggested the Board move into Licensing as he needed to temporarily leave the meeting.
Chris Nobile made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile that the Board of Selectmen move
into licensing. Roll call vote: Smedile-yes; Bates-yes; DeCologero-yes; Nobile-yes; Vaillancourt-
yes. Motion approved 5-0.
Mr. Vaillancourt left the meeting at 3:09PM.
LICENSING COMMISSIONERS
Approve license agreement and other documents related to temporary outdoor seating for restaurants
Included in the packet were the guidelines, license agreements and application for temporary outdoor
seating. Community and Economic Development Director, Andrew Shapiro, reviewed the process the
town used to get these documents done. A business reopening committee met to discuss how to best
proceed. In response to a question from Chris Nobile, Town Counsel, Suzanne Egan, stated that the
applicant is required to provide insurance to protect the town from liability.
Rosemary Smedile made a MOTION, seconded by Chris Nobile that the Board of Selectmen,
acting as Licensing Commissioners, approve the license agreements and other documents, as
presented, for temporary outdoor seating at restaurants. Roll call vote: Smedile-yes; Bates-yes;
DeCologero-yes; Nobile-yes. Motion approved 4-0.
Board of Selectmen Minutes June 9, 2020 2
Waive fees for temporary outdoor seating licenses
The Board was asked to waive all fees for the temporary outdoor seating licenses.
Rosemary Smedile made a MOTION, seconded by Laura Bates that the Board of Selectmen, acting
as Licensing Commissioners, waive all fees for temporary outdoor seating licenses and permits.
Roll call vote: Smedile-yes; Bates-yes; DeCologero-yes; Nobile-yes. Motion approved 4-0.
Vote to authorize Town Manager to approve temporary outdoor seating licenses
In order to expedite the approvals, the Board was asked to give the authority to approve the temporary
outdoor seating licenses to Town Manager, Melissa Rodrigues.
Rosemary Smedile made a MOTION, seconded by Laura Bates that the Board of Selectmen, acting
as Licensing Commissioners, authorize Town Manager, Melissa Murphy-Rodrigues to approve all
temporary outdoor seating applications. Roll call vote: Smedile-yes; Bates-yes; DeCologero-yes;
Nobile-yes. Motion approved 4-0.
Chris Nobile made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile, that the Board of Selectmen,
acting as Licensing Commissioners, move out of licensing. Roll call vote: Smedile-yes; Bates-
yes; DeCologero-yes; Nobile-yes. Motion approved 4-0.
Mr. Vaillancourt returned to the meeting.
NEW BUSINESS (continued)
Review and vote to send letter to community regarding George Floyd
A draft of a statement was presented to the Board from the Town Manager. Mr. DeCologero requested to
add contact information so residents could reach out to the Board and Town Manager. Town Manager
Rodrigues suggested the Board form a diversity commission and have monthly speaker series. Mr.
Vaillancourt agreed to put that discussion on the next meeting.
Chris Nobile made a MOTION, seconded by Phil DeCologero that the Board of Selectmen approve
the letter to the community regarding George Floyd, as presented. Roll call vote: Smedile-yes;
Bates-yes; DeCologero-yes; Nobile-yes; Vaillancourt-yes. Motion approved 5-0.
Town Manager Rodrigues left the meeting.
Vote to authorize approval of amendments to special permits and any other approvals that may be
needed for temporary outdoor seating
With the Governor’s Order to allow temporary outdoor seating, the Board is being asked to authorize Paul
Hutchins, the Inspector of Buildings, to approve any relief that may be necessary pursuant to MGL c. 40A
to expand the seating requirements for the purpose of permitting outdoor service. Town Counsel,
Suzanne Egan, indicated this is allowed under the Governor’s order.
Rosemary Smedile made a MOTION, seconded by Phil DeCologero that the Board of Selectmen
authorize the Inspector of Buildings, Paul Hutchins, to approve any relieve that may be necessary
pursuant to MGL c. 40A to expand the seating requirements for the purpose of permitting outdoor
service. Roll call vote: Smedile-yes; Bates-yes; DeCologero-yes; Nobile-yes; Vaillancourt-yes.
Motion approved 5-0.
ADJOURNMENT
Rosemary Smedile made a MOTION, seconded by Phil DeCologero to adjourn the meeting at
3:45PM. Roll call vote: Smedile-yes; Bates-yes; DeCologero-yes; Nobile-yes; Vaillancourt-yes.
Motion approved 5-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Laurie A. Burzlaff
Executive Assistant
_______________________________
Rosemary Connelly Smedile, Clerk of the Board
Board of Selectmen Minutes June 9, 2020 3
Documents used at meeting:
Minutes of June 1, 2020
Letter to community
License agreement and related documents