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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-01-22 Select Board Minutes NORTH ANDOVER SELECT BOARD MINUTES JANUARY 22, 2024 Call To Order: Chair Laura Bates called the open meeting to order at 7:00PM in the Select Board Room at Town Hall. Select Board in Attendance: Chair Laura Bates, Janice Phillips, Clerk Richard Vaillancourt, Rosemary Connelly Smedile and Brian Roache were present. Non-Board Members in Attendance: Town Manager Melissa Rodrigues and Assistant Town Manager Laurie Burzlaff were present. Public Comment Boyd Holk, General Manager at North Andover Country Club, was present speaking on behalf of the North Andover Country Club to comment on 400 Great Pond Rd., with concerns that if property is removed that the lake level does not maintain or increase a higher lake level. Mr. Holk is concerned that trees have been underwater consistently since last year and would like to work with the town to establish Shoreline. Peter Boynton of 320 Stevens St., North Andover Harbormaster, stated the concern about the lake level and the area of shoreline. Mr. Boynton stated Brooks School was concerned about the area of shoreline has been submerged an extended period of time affecting tree growth. Mr. Boynton stated there are sections of the shoreline inundated 30 to 40 feet from the typical shoreline. Mr. Boynton stated the concern that it exposes the shoreline to new erosion. Mr. Boynton suggested to commission a technically competent study of the water column in order to determine what the effects of the higher level in the lake. Master Plan Implementation Bi-Annual Report Jon Strauss, 23 Old Farm Rd., chair of Master Plan Implementation Committee, was present at the meeting. The primary focus of the MPIC over the last six months was to continue refinement of the website that provides up-to-date information relative to the implementation status of all the elements and strategies contained in the Master Plan. This site, which is available through the Town’s website, categorizes each of the seven (7) elements and provides both an overarching summary and a detailed breakdown of completed action items that fulfill the individual strategies for each of the elements. Mr. Roache asked about the ADU survey. Mr. Strauss stated a third-party conducted the survey. Mr. Vaillancourt asked about the numbers strategies that have been looked at. Mr. Strauss stated out of 107 strategies there are about 12 that have not been addressed. PUBLIC HEARING- Request of Massachusetts Electric Company d/b/a National Grid to install poles, wires, fixtures and underground conduits on Clark Street MOTION: Ms. Smedile motioned to open the public hearing for the petition from Massachusetts Electric d/b/a National Grid to install poles, wires, fixtures and underground conduits on Clark Street. Mr. Roache seconded. Motion approved 5-0. Dave Boucher, representative from National Grid, was present at the meeting explaining the plan to install polls, wires, fixtures, and underground conduits on Clark Street. Ms. Bates asked if it will impact any businesses. Mr. Boucher stated no, there is no traffic with the construction will be. Ms. Phillips asked about any power loss. Mr. Boucher stated there is no, it is a repair of Wheelabrator’s back up feed and no residence will be affected. Ms. Rodrigues stated there are conditions to be incorporated into the motion. MOTION: Ms. Phillips motioned to close the public hearing for the petition from Massachusetts Electric d/b/a National Grid to install poles, wires, fixtures and underground conduits on Clark Street. Mr. Vaillancourt seconded. Motion approved 5-0. 1 NORTH ANDOVER SELECT BOARD MINUTES JANUARY 22, 2024 Vote on Massachusetts Electric d/b/a National Grid petition to install poles, wires and fixtures and underground conduits on Clark Street MOTION: Mr. Roache motioned to approve the petition from Massachusetts Electric d/b/a National Grid to install poles, wires, fixtures and underground conduits on Clark Street subject to all conditions contained in the order. Ms. Phillips seconded. Motion approved 5-0. John Lavoie, Superintendent of Greater Lawrence Technical School, presentation regarding Town Meeting warrant articles to purchase hangar and building John Lavoie, Superintendent of Greater Lawrence Technical School, was present at the meeting regarding a Town Meeting warrant article to purchase a hanger and building. Superintendent Lavoie discussed the following: 1.) Purchase of a New Facility- cost of $6 million funded by bond financing 2.) Expansion of the Existing Building- cost of $7 million funded by grants obtained 3.) Purchasing of a Airport Hanger- cost of $300,000 funded by E & D account Ms. Smedile asked about the aviation program. Superintendent Lavoie explained the program will train students for engine repair and frame, small engines to jet engines and helicopters. Ms. Bates asked how the students will be transferred to the new building. Superintendent Lavoie stated students will be transported by bus. Mr. Roache asked about how the operational costs will work. Superintendent Lavoie stated each community will be assessed by the state, and the cost will be spread out over the number of students. Superintendent Lavoie stated the number is approximately what is anticipated, and true numbers will be submitted once it is negotiated. Mr. Roache asked about the parking at the facility. Superintendent Lavoie stated parking has been increased by 200 spaces. Update on recycling from Star Waste Systems Patsy Sperduto, CEO of Star Waste Systems, was present at the meeting to give an update on recycling and address the issues. Mr. Sperduto stated that after the assessment: - There were not enough carts available. - Several drivers left the position during the implementation causing staff issues. - A number of missed pick up calls caused delays in regular routes. - The month of December was especially difficult due to the increase of recycling being collected. Mr. Sperduto stated currently the average missed is one pick up per day. Ms. Phillips asked about having recycling and trash picked up on the same day. Mr. Sperduto stated he will work with Republic to rework routes. Ms. Rodrigues stated she has asked Republic not to reroute until recycling has settled. Ms. Rodrigues stated will call a joint meeting when ready to move forward to make a change. Mr. Sperduto stated he would like to look at it in 60 days to see if pick up has improved. Ms. Phillips asked if drivers are still.collecting trash outside of bins. Mr. Sperduto stated yes, all drivers are now aware to pick up outside of bins. Ms. Bates stated there have been debris all over the street. Mr. Sperduto stated trucks have been adding a second laborer. Mr. Sperduto stated the long-term plan would be to get back to an automated truck, but for now the focus is on receiving service level that has been accustomed to. Mr. Sperduto stated the transfer station is always available to take any recycling. Star Waste Systems acknowledged that a contract exists and that it has financial penalties for non-performance. Sean Thompson of Thompson Brothers was present at the meeting and mentioned the issue with the residents facing the bins the correct way for automated check to collect. Mr. Roache asked if a log is being kept on residents that have had a number of issues. Mr. Sperduto stated yes. Vote on recommendation for 400 Great Pond Road Mr. Vaillancourt went over the recommendations for 400 Great Pond Rd. Peter Boynton, member of 400 Great Pond Rd. Committee, mentioned there were possibly some items that may have true historic value. Mr. Boynton suggested asking the Historical Society to send someone to evaluate. Ms. Rodrigues suggested to work toward a warrant article for design and demolition and site work cost. Ms. Bates asked if a grant was applied for a study. Ms. Rodrigues stated yes, as well as other 2 NORTH ANDOVER SELECT BOARD MINUTES JANUARY 22, 2024 related grants. Mr. Vaillancourt asked if there are any status on the adjacent property. Ms. Rodrigues stated there is no additional information as of yet. MOTION: Ms. Phillips motioned to accept the recommendation of the 400 Great Pond Road Committee to remove the existing building and structure from 400 Great Pond Road. Mr. Roache seconded. Motion approved 5-0. Vote to open the warrant for the May 14, 2024 Annual Town Meeting from 8:00AM on January 23, 2024 until 4:30PM on March 11, 2024 MOTION: Mr. Vaillancourt motioned to open the warrant for the May 14, 2024 Annual Town Meeting at 8:00AM on January 23, 2024 and close the warrant at 4:30PM on March 11, 2024. Ms. Phillips seconded. Motion approved 5-0. Vote to appoint a sufficient number of police details for elections MOTION: Ms. Phillips motioned, in accordance with Massachusetts General Laws chapter 54, section 72, to appoint the number of police details for the elections that is recommended by the Chief of Police. Mr. Roache seconded. Motion approved 5-0. Vote to appoint a sufficient number of police details for elections MOTION: Ms. Phillips motioned, in accordance with Massachusetts General Laws chapter 54, section 72, to appoint the number of police details for the elections that is recommended by the Chief of Police. Mr. Roache seconded. Motion approved 5-0. Appoint George Kangos as an associate member to the Council on Aging MOTION: Ms. Phillips motioned to appoint George Kangos as an associate member to the Council on Aging for a term ending June 30, 2025. Mr. Roache seconded. Motion approved 5-0. Approval of Open Session Minutes of January 8, 2024 MOTION: Mr. Roache motioned to approve the Open Session minutes of January 8, 2024. Ms. Phillips seconded. Motion approved 5-0. SELECT BOARD UPDATES - Ms. Phillips thanked Ms. Rodrigues for the Mayors & Managers presentation - Mr. Roache mentioned attending the recent MMA conference - Mr. Vaillancourt announced he does not plan to seek re-election to the Select Board after a 12-year term as a Select Board member - TOWN MANAGER UPDATES - Ms. Rodrigues mentioned her visit to the Firefighter Academy for their graduation - Ms. Rodrigues mentioned that she is currently focus on budgets ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Ms. Phillips made a MOTION, seconded by Mr. Roache to adjourn the Select Board meeting at 8:47PM. Motion approved 5-0. 3 NORTH ANDOVER SELECT BOARD MINUTES JANUARY 22, 2024 Respectfully submitted, Jillian A. Brothers Executive Assistant _______________________________ Richard M. Vaillancourt, Clerk of the Board Documents used at meeting: Report submitted by Master Plan Implementation Committee Plans from National Grid for upcoming work on Clark Street Presentation from Greater Lawrence Technical School Appointment Application Memorandum Minutes 4