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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-03-30 Board of Selectmen Minutes SELECT BOARD MINUTES MARCH 30, 2022 Call To Order: Chair Laura Bates called the meeting to order at 6:30PM in the Town Hall Select Board Meeting Room. Attendance: Chair Laura Bates, Janice Phillips, Clerk Rosemary Smedile, Richard Vaillancourt, Town Manager- Melissa Murphy Rodrigues, Director of Administrative Services- Laurie Burzlaff and Deputy Town Manger- Denise Casey were present. EXECUTIVE SESSION Chair Bates stated the Board will enter Executive session to conduct strategy with respect to litigation, to discuss strategy with respect to consider purchase of real estate, approve executive session minutes and declared that an open meeting will have a detrimental effect on the litigating position of the Board. MOTION: Ms. Phillips motioned the Select Board enter into Executive Session pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 30A, Section 21(a)(2) to discuss contract negotiations with non-union personnel. Ms. Smedile seconded. Motion approved 5-0. The Board returned to Open Session at 7:00PM. The open session meeting was recorded. Eagle Scout Jackson Keeton Jackson Keeton was present at the meeting to speak about his contribution of a handmade announcement chalkboard to the Youth Center Town Meeting Update-Moderator Mark DiSalvo Moderator Mark DiSalvo was present at the meeting to discuss the upcoming town meeting in June. Mr. DiSalvo stated upcoming meeting is anticipated on being held indoor this year. Mr. DiSalvo stated his concern with the anticipation of possible controversial articles and interest. Mr. DiSalvo stated expectations of 2000 to 2500 people. Mr. DeSalvo suggested to have a social distancing or mask required space to make sure everyone feels comfortable attending the meeting. If there is a spike in Covid at time of meeting, the meeting will be moved to the Joe Walsh Stadium to be held outdoors and the date may have to be moved forward as well if it is in fact decided to be held outdoors. Ms. Smedile stated her concern for residents with mobility issues with the bleachers. Mr. DiSalvo stated it is in the plan. Mr. Nobile suggested pre- announcements prior to the meeting for a better understanding of the Town Meeting. Mr. DiSalvo agreed. Update on DPW projects Jim Stanford, John Borgesi of the DPW and Jim Fitzgerald, Margo Schoenfelder of Environmental Partners were present at the meeting. Mr. Stanford gave a presentation on DPW projects. Mr. Vaillancourt asked about the plastic pipe. Mr. Stanford stated would have preferred a heavier pipe but feels this pipe will be fine performance wise and will have longevity. Mr. Vaillancourt asked if the funding from Columbia Gas is running out due to cost increases. Mr. Stanford stated the settlement stated North Andover was to receive $750,000 per mile of roadway repair and North Andover has 15 miles that is needed for repair. Mr. Stanfield stated has been working within budget of what has been given. Ms. Smedile asked about the annual roads program. Mr. Stanford stated there is $850,000 from Chapter 90 and the town appropriates $400,000. Mr. Stanford mentioned using vertical granite on major roads and where it makes sense since it cost more than slope granite. Ms. Smedile asked about the bump out proposed near Thomson school. Mr. Stanford stated it slows down traffic. Mr. Fitzgerald stated bump outs are fantastic when improving line of sight with pedestrians and oncoming motorists. Ms. Bates asked how much land is being taken from the homes near Thomson school. Ms. Schoenfelder stated none. 1 SELECT BOARD MINUTES MARCH 30, 2022 PUBLIC COMMENT Stan Limpert, 43 Stonecleve Rd., stated his concerns with the road conditions. Mr. Limpert suggested looking at road studies for next budget and for the next Town Meeting. Bill Callahan, 23 Lyman Rd., commented on the proposed donation of the parcel next to 140 Academy Rd. Mr. Callahan stated Center Realty Trust stated in 2014 that they would build a parking lot next to 140 Academy Rd. Mr. Callahan stated at present time Center Realty Trust stated they never intended to make the lot a parking lot. Mr. Callahan stated his concern after eight years there was no public use of this lot and the way the conservation restriction is written that the public would not be allowed to use it. Mr. Callahan stated he would like to know what is the public right under the conservation restriction. CONSENT ITEMS A. Accept donation of an announcement board from Jackson Keeton to the Youth Center B. Accept donation from Ridgewood Cemetery of ten lots for Veterans C. Accept donations from youth sports groups for new fields/facility fund 1. North Andover Soccer Association $22,200.00 2. North Andover Booster Club $9,500.00 3. North Andover Lacrosse Association $2,610.00 4. North Andover Youth Baseball $5,350.00 MOTION: Ms. Phillips motioned to accept all consent items. Ms. Smedile seconded. Motion approved 5-0. LICENSING MOTION: Mr. Nobile motioned to open a meeting of the North Andover Licensing Commission. Mr. Vaillancourt seconded. Motion approved 5-0. Application from Starbucks Corporation for a Common Victualler license for a Starbucks Coffee at 419 Andover Street Dan Brennan of DPP Design Consultant of Andover was present representing Starbucks and gave an overview of the design. MOTION: Mr. Vaillancourt motioned to approve the application from Starbucks Corporation for a Common Victualler license for a Starbucks Coffee at 419 Andover Street. Ms. Smedile seconded. Motion approved 5-0. Application from Asim Azim for a Common Victualler’s license at Goldenseal Apothecary, 70 Main Street Ron Rachid, one of the owners of Goldenseal Apothecary, was present at the meeting. MOTION: Ms. Phillips motioned to approve the application from Asim Azim for a Common Victualler’s license at Goldenseal Apothecary, 70 Main Street, contingent on satisfactory Fire Department inspection. Ms. Smedile seconded. Motion approved 5-0. Application from Robert Roberto of Roberto’s Seafood for a mobile food truck license Bob Roberto, owner of Roberto’s Seafood, was present at the meeting. MOTION: Ms. Phillips motioned to approve the application from Robert Roberto of Roberto’s Seafood for a mobile food truck license. Ms. Smedile seconded. Motion approved 5-0. 2 SELECT BOARD MINUTES MARCH 30, 2022 MOTION: Mr. Vaillancourt motioned to close a meeting of the North Andover Licensing Commission. Ms. Bates seconded. Motion approved 5-0. Request of Booster club to place 2 batting cages at McAvoy Field (out of order) David Brown, Vice President of North Andover Booster Club, was present at the meeting and went over placement for two batting cages. Mr. Brown asked to put up batting cages in April and take down by August 15. Ms. Rodriguez stated DPW suggested to just have one batting cage. Rick Gorman was present at the meeting and stated there is a neighborhood concern with more than one. Mr. Nobile asked if it can be a shorter time period to have the two cages. Ms. Phillips asked if there can be another location. Mr. Gorman stated there is room at High School. Mr. Vaillancourt suggested to have the batting cage practices at the High School on one day and McAvoy practices another day. Mr. Brown stated April, May, June are the busiest months where the two cages are needed. Mr. Vaillancourt suggested to speak with the neighbors to potentially have two cages April through June 10th. Mr. Gorman suggested the Fields Committee should give the neighbors a chance to give their opinion and if there are no comments an additional one can be put up with the Select Board’s vote. Mr. Stanford stated the batting cages have continuous noise and that is where the issue is with neighbors. Mr. Nobile suggested shorter hours of operation as well. st MOTION: Ms. Phillips motioned to approve one batting cage to be placed at McAvoy Field by the Booster Club April 1 8AM-8PM. Mr. Nobile seconded. Motion approved 5-0. Request of Margie Rothschild of North Andover Farmer’s Market to close First Street from Main Street to CVS entrance every Sunday from 7:00AM to 2:00PM beginning June 19, 2022 through October 2, 2022 Margie Rothschild, 315 Abbott St., Market Manager and Chair of North Andover Farmer’s Market was present. Ms. Rothschild stated the opening is on June 19th and closing on October 2nd. Ms. Rothschild stated looking to expand the market this year, currently about 20 to 30 vendors per week and adding food trucks. MOTION: Ms. Phillips motioned to approve the request of Margie Rothschild of North Andover Farmer’s Market to close First Street from Main Street to CVS entrance every Sunday from 7:00AM to 2:00PM beginning June 19, 2022 through October 2, 2022. Mr. Vaillancourt seconded. Motion approved 5-0. Stevens Pond fees (out of order) Rick Gorman gave a presentation on the Stevens Pond upcoming season. Mr. Gorman stated geese continue to be a big issue. Mr. Gorman stated this year he worked on a five-year plan with Ms. Rodrigues and Ms. Savage. Ms. Rodrigues proposed a 2.5% year increase for seasonal and daily adult and a 5% increase in swimming lessons. Ms. Rodrigues and Mr. Gorman asked the Select Board to approve the whole your five year plan so that the rates can be published and given to the residents ahead of time. Ms. Phillips asked if a resident cannot pay is if there an opportunity for financial assistance. Mr. Gorman stated yes. MOTION: Mr. Vaillancourt motioned to accept proposed 2022 Stevens Pond rates and accept proposed increases through 2026. Ms. Phillips seconded. Motion approved 5-0. Vote to adopt FY23 Budget MOTION: Mr. Vaillancourt motioned to approve the FY23 Town Manager recommended budget. Ms. Phillips seconded. Motion approved 5-0. Vote on warrant article recommendations MOTION: Mr. Vaillancourt motioned to recommend favorable action on Articles 1, 2, 3 and 4 . Ms. Phillips seconded. Motion approved 5-0. 3 SELECT BOARD MINUTES MARCH 30, 2022 MOTION: Mr. Nobile motioned to recommend favorable action on Article 5 . Ms. Phillips seconded. Motion approved 5-0. MOTION: Mr. Nobile motioned to recommend favorable action on Article 6 . Mr. Vaillancourt seconded. Motion approved 5-0. Ms. Rodrigues suggested holding off on Article 7and having an Executive Session to discuss prior to taking a vote. Ms. Rodrigues give presentation on Article 8. Ms. Smedile asked about how to make the fence look good. Ms. Rodrigues stated would have to work with owner at 140 Academy Rd. and also go in front of Historical Commission with plans to make any changes to fence and wall. Mr. Vaillancourt asked about the parking lot. Ms. Rodrigues stated most likely people will park on the curb and grass. Mr. Nobile suggested to look at all pieces and figure out what will work best for the parking. Ms. Smedile asked if the owners of 140 Academy Road are aware of what is going on. Ms. Rodrigues stated they are aware but have not spoken to them in person. Ms. Bates asked how Greenbelt would care for the property. Ms. Rodrigues stated Town Council Suzanne Egan is looking into it. MOTION: Ms. Phillips motioned to recommend favorable action on Article 8 . Mr. Vaillancourt seconded. Motion approved 5-0. Ms. Rodrigues suggested holding off on discussing the Civil Service articles and have an Executive Session to discuss prior to taking a vote. MOTION: Mr. Vaillancourt motioned to recommend favorable action on Article 14. Mr. Nobile seconded. Motion approved 5-0. Request of the Affordable Housing Trust to disburse $50,000 from the housing trust to hire consultants for proposed development at Fountain Drive Mr. Vaillancourt stated this is to hire a consultant on the open parcel of land. MOTION: Mr. Nobile motioned to approve the request of the Affordable Housing Trust to disburse $50,000 from the housing trust to hire consultants for the proposed development at Fountain Drive. Ms. Phillips seconded. Motion approved 5-0. APPROVAL OF OPEN SESSION MINUTES OF MARCH 14, 2022 MOTION: Mr. Nobile motioned to approve the Open Session minutes of March 14, 2022. Ms. Phillips seconded. Motion approved 5-0. APPROVAL OF OPEN SESSION MINUTES OF MARCH 17, 2022 MOTION: Mr. Nobile motioned to approve the Open Session minutes of March 17, 2022. Mr. Vaillancourt seconded. Motion approved 5-0. Town Manager’s Report Ms. Rodrigues stated the following: - Currently 12 COVID cases th - April 4 will be a Call-In Show on NACAM - Thanked Town Clerk Dawne Warren for a successful election day th - Mentioned the YMCA Mobile Food Truck Pantry is coming to North Andover on April 19 4 SELECT BOARD MINUTES MARCH 30, 2022 Select Board Update - Ms. Phillips mentioned she spoke with Joanne of the Sustainability Committee and have been successful composting and reducing number of trash bags that are removed from the cafeteria ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Mr. Nobile made a MOTION, seconded by Ms. Phillips to adjourn the Select Board meeting at 9:35PM. Motion approved 5-0. Respectfully submitted, Jillian A. Brothers Executive Assistant _______________________________ Rosemary Connelly Smedile, Clerk of the Board Documents used at meeting: Memorandum Letter Minutes Presentations License applications Warrant articles Donations 5