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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1983-02-28 Board of Selectmen Minutes_FEBRUARY 22 1983 (Con't) 453 FIREPIGHTER CONTRACT RE-OPENING: Chairman Salisbury stated that last week in executive session the Board had discussions with the firefighters. He noted that the Board of Fire Engineers and the Union had negotiated a grievance involving the ten-man manning clause and long-term disabilities and they wanted the Board to re-open the existing contract to include an amendment which would clarify matters and that they were both agreeable to the language. Chairman Salisbury noted that the amendment gives the Town more latitude in terms of fl]ling in for long-term vacancies for people who are disabled in the department and also noted that the wording of the amendment was placed before the Board last week. The Board unanimously voted to re-open the contract for the purposes of the amendment. APPOINTMENTS: The Board unanimously voted to approve the following appointments: Selectman Joyce as the Transit Authority Representative and Chairman Salisbury as Labor Service Director pending the appointment of a new Executive Secretary. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: 1. Status of C. D. Director's Position - Lisa Ruben, Acting C.D. Director, stated that applicant Nelson Self has withdrawn his application because he has taken another position. She: also stated that the interview scheduled for tonight was changed tentatively to Saturday, February 26. Selectman McEvoy'stated that he also has 2 other people to interview because he was unable to attend their previous interviews, and he would like to interview them later this week. 2. Btatus of Housing Rehab. Manager's Position - Miss Ruben submitted a li~t of 8 names to the Board that the Applicant l~view Committee had selected of candidates qualified for this position. She also. submitted copies of their applications, the criteria that wes used for reviewing the candidates, and the job description for the position. She hopes that the Board will get back to her next Monday so she can set up inter~,iews with those people if the Board so choices. The Board agreed that it would be best to first get the new Director on board and then let him help get involved in the process. The Board unanimously voted to notify the 8 applicants that they are finalists and that they will be contacted in the future to set up interviews, to send a letter to release the applicants who did not qualify and to thank them for their application, and to sent a letter to the 'Screening Committee thanking them for ~oing a good job so quicklY. 3. Status of the Housing Specialist Position - Miss Ruben stated that there were 10 candidates. She stated that she contacted each of them to determine if they would be still interested in the position if : i; it were on a part-time basis (2 or 3 days a week). She noted that 3 stated that they would not be interested. Selectman McEvoy stated that he feels that part-time people are good in some fields but not'With this position especially with an organization that has had problems noting that the Board is trying to bring it up to level funding and action. Selectman Graham stated that in deciding whether this position should be full or part time the main thing is to find out whether HUD or EOCD insists on having a full-time person, which would mean that they have no choice, and also feels that the Director should know in a short period of time whether he needs a full-time person or not. Selectman Graham feels that you should not over staff the office. 4. 'Senior Center - Miss Ruben stated that Randy Jones, City Design, was scheduled to meet with the Board tonight to go over the options, but he would not be able to attend. She stated that Chairman Salisbury and herself met with Robin Campbell and Steve Post of E.O.C.D. and discussed in an informal way what the likelihood of E.O.C.D. is in approving a budget request of $60,000 for the Senior Center. She stated that no firm decision of either yes or no was presented by her. Ms. Campbell did request a comparison of operation and maintenance expenses between the 350,000 and the 275,000 buildings. She stated that Randy Jones would have the information for Ms. Campbell by the end of the week and stated that Ms. Campbell would get back to us two weeks from then. Chairman Salisbury stated that Ms. Campbell realizes that the building they are now looking at has gone through major changes and is not the same building as before that the difference is now $60,000 for either a clapboard or a brick structure which has some impact on maintenance. She is not outright receptive to allowing funds to be transferred from oneline item to another unless the Town shows it is making sacrifices on its part to get thebuilding and has good reason for doing it and is not just spending the federal governments mone~. He stated that the Board has known for the last 3 weeks that tonight the decision of which direction they would be going would be made and he has tried between now and then to run as many options to the ground to make the information available. With the information that is available tonight there is no way he can guarantee the $60,000 is available but thinks it is possible. Selectman Graham stated his concerns that this will only delay the project longer and feels that we have to get the project going. He stated that he came to make a decision tonight and plans on doing it. Selectman McEvoy noted that the Board has gone to the State before and got no where. He feels we should give the elderly the best Possible building now with the funds available. He stated that if he thought there was a chance to get the extra $60,000 he would fight for it but feels there is no chance of getting the money. Miss Ruben stated that the Building Committee met and made some recommendations which were passed on to City Design; She noted that if the Board wanted a brick venire building within budget, it may mean cutting back an additional 700 sq. ft. Bud ¢~r, Highway SurVeyor, feels that only a brick venire building should be used on a public building. He doesn't think that a clapboard exterior should even be considered. He also stated that he understands $90,000 is allocated for parking, drainage impro.vements, and a ne.w access in from Main Street and feels this is alot of money for this work. He stated that if the Board would like he could analyze the costout there and see what savings can be made if his men did some of the work. He stated that he is not looking for extra work but would be willing to do it to help the Senior Center along. He feels there could be a substantial savings. (eon't) 454 .FEBRUARY 22~ 19~3 4. Senior Center (Con't) - Thomas Cantone, Chairman of the Council on Aging, noted that the Building Committee made substantial changes when they met and he expected Randy Jones to come here tonight to show them just' what the savings were. He stated that Selectman Graham is insistent on taking an affirmative vote tonight but he does not go along with that. He feels we have wasted so must time already and feds we should wait 2 or 3 more weeks to see Randy 3ones~new proposals or to see what the State has to say. He stated that at this point he is not %i.l~.ing to accept either a clapboard exterior or cutti.ng another 700 sq. ft. to stay in budget noting that there/~vate homes with more sq. footage than that. Emily Murphy agreed noting that the Council's programs are growing fast and they need the extra room. Selectman Joyce agreed with Mr. Cantone~s position stating that in the last couple of weeks they have been trying to come up with a way to build the brick venire building without sacrificing any more floor ptans. He presumed those figures would be available tonight but they are not. He stated that he is very upset that Mr. Jones is not here tonight to present this information especially since the Board made it very clear that any information they needed to be able to proceed was tO be presented tonight. He noted that there are a couple of options now presented which have not yet been pursued - one is the Review Comm. has made internal changes to further bring down the cost of the brick venire building, and also Bud Cyr has just offered to throw in the services on the parking lot side of it. He feels it is a very serious mistake to build anything except a brick venire building and stated that we have waited this long and it should be put on next weeks agenda and hopefully We will have the details that we were not given tonight. He feels that if it means going to the State for those funds, then that is the route they ought to go to build the Senior Center right even if it takes another couple of weeks. He maintains that if we convince the State that we are reviewing- this project and are bringing it back down as far as we can that in some point in time they will meet us. He noted that we have not yet approached the new administration and feels it would be a wholly irresponsible position of the State not to meet us at a point which provides a building for the Town which meets the services of the elderly and which won't give us serious maintenance problems 5 years from now. Selectman' Graham felt that even though we do not have all the options in front of us, we should still make a Commitment to something tonight stating that enough time has already been spent. Selectman McEvoy agreed. After further discussion, Selectman Graham made a motion and it was unanimously approved to direct Mr. Jones to come in to us with a brick venire building within budget and to provide that to us on Saturday with the intent to pursue this option unless unacceptable by the majority of the Board. Miss Ruben stated that when the Board decides which building they want to be brought to the construction stage, then City Design will begin charging. Selectman Joyce stated that he is interested in pursuing an ~' amendment to the contract which gives a fixed figure to the contract so if they design a building whiChr goes over that price, they are responsible to redesign the building at no extra cost to the Town. Lisa felt this should be discussed with Town Counsel to make sure that if the clause is entered into the contract it does hold the architect to that figure. Selectman Joyce made a motion and it was unanimously approved to get the information and make it available at this point for the board to decide whether to pursue it.. Selectman Joyce also request Mr. Cyr to sit down with Li§a some time this week to let her know Whete he could contribute and what kin_d of savings can be made. SELECTM]/N'S MEETING ROOM - REQUEST: Ted Phelan, Assessor, requested the use of the Selectmen's Meeting Room during the day for 2 or 3 weeks in March to hold interviews for people who have questions with the new revaluation results. The Board unanimously approved his request. LICENSING COMMISSIONERS: ONE-DAY LIQUOR LICENSE - SONS OF ITALY: An application was received from Robert Mele, Lawrence Lodge 902, Sons of Italy, for a one-day liquor license on April 15, 1983, from 5:00 p.m. to 12:00 midnight for a fund raising activity at the Volpe Complex, Merrimack College. Mr. Mele explained that this is a concert with Sergio Franchi preforming and they plan on serving champagne before the show, at intermission, and after the show to raise money to build.an addition on their lodge. They plan on approximately 4,500 people to attend. The Board stated that they were concerned with security in lieu of past problems that have occurred at the college, and Selectman Graham was especially concerned with the problems that may arise when the crowd leaves. Mr. Mele stated that he is working with Merrimack College and the Police Chief on the security problems, and he is willing to only serve champagne before and during intermission and not after the show if it would ease the Board's minds. Selectman Joyce made a motion and it was unanimously approved to grant the license from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and that the security be further worked out with the Police Chief and the applicant. ONE-DAY LIQUOR LICENSE - MERRIMACK COLLEGE An application was received fr~)m the Class of 1985 at Merrimack College for a one-day liquor license on February 26, 1983, for a Sophomore Parents weekend. The Board unanimously voted to grant the license. ONE-DAY LIQUOR LICENSE & TWO-DAY WINE & BEER LICENSE - LAWRENCE GENERAL HOSPITAL AIDE A~SOCATION: An application was received from the Lawrence General Hospital Aide Association for a One-Day Liquor License on Friday, March 18, 1983 from 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. and a Two-Day Liquor License on March 19 & 20, 1983,from 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. at the Volpe Sp~rts Complex, Merrimack College for an Antique Show to raise money for the hospital. Patricia Quinlan.stated that on Friday night it's going to be a private show by invitation only with approximately 150 - 200 ~ople attending. On Saturday and Sunday she noted that the time stated on ~he application westhetime the evont ~heduled but they only plan on serving wine at lunch from approximately 12:00 noon - 2:00 p.m. She stated that she has talked with Merrimack College about this. A representative from Merrimack College stated that the college consented to the Son~ of Italy's and this application because they felt there would be no problems with the people involved. He also stated that he has spoken to the Police Chief on both instances. Selectman McEvoy made a motion and it was unanimously approved to grant the licenses. : Karen A. Robertson, Acting Secretary***********************~ Clerk FEBRUARY 28 1983 457 The Board of Selectmen held a Work Session on this date with an members pn~ent. Present were Selectman Thomas J. McEvoy, John W. Graham, Ralph R. Joyee, Esq., R. Louis DiFruscio, with Chairman Charles A. Salisbury presiding. The warrant was approved as submitted. CHESTNUT STREET & RTE 114 INTERSECTION: Chairman Salisbury noted that the State had an on-site meeting with Selectman Joyce, the Bighway Surveyor, and the Police Chief to consider design improvements to the above-mentioned intersection. The recommendations made were that the southerly side of the intersection remain essentially the same with grade improvements and..brush and tree prunirig to improve the line of site into the intersection. On the northerly side, the Board is considerin~ in lieu of dead-ending Chestnut Street, making it one-way from Mill Road to Rte. 114 with appropriate signage. Letters were received from the Police Chief, Fire Chief, and Fred Rex, School Department all indicating that they had no real problems with these recommendations.-. A letter was also received from Bud Cyr, Highway Surveyor, stating that in general, he is opposed to dead-ended and one-way streets as far as Town services go, but in this case, he would go a~ong with it. His letter stated that he preferred to reverse the direction from Rte. 114 to Mill Road or to consider a "No Left Turn" from Rte. 114 onto Chestnut Street. Charles Carrol stated that the plan as proposed would make it so he could not get into his driveway and the way Mr. Cyr proposed it, Mrs,' Kellner could not get into hers. He feels that it should be left the way it is. Ted Phalen stated that he uses that road all the time and does not see any problems with it, also in the 40 years that he has lived thorne, he has no knowledge of any accidents. Helen Kellner feels that she shares a commitment for the safety in Town but feels that the problem hasn't been defined properly that the real problem is on Mill Road, Winow Street, and Rte. 114, and feels that this is a State problem not a Town problem. She noted that stop signs were recently put up and feels that the Board should wait to evaluate how safely that has made their street. Bud Cyr, Highway Surveyor, noted that this is the type of input that comes from this type of hearing and noted that when he made his recommendation in his letter he did neglect to consider the people who were residing there. He noted that he has previously said that he feels that the State was not facing up to their responsiblities and they were passing it on to us. Selectman McEvoy felt that the Board should go along with the people who are using the roads and who stated to give the · stop signs a chance to work. He doesn't go for the one-way street and feels it should be left as it is. Selectman Joyce stated that the most dangerous movement is straight across and the best way to relieve this is.to dead-end Chestnut Street which the Town department heads are stron~yagainst and by making it one-way, irrespective of which way you make it, that is not really saving alot of movement. Selectman Joyce made a motion and it was unanimously approved to adopt the action proposed on the southerly side of the street and to take no action on the northerly side. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR'S POSITION: Chairman Salisbury noted that they have interviewed all the candidates and their references are now being checked. Selectman Joyce made a motion and it was unanimously approved to take it under advisement. SENIOR CENTER: Lisa Ruben~ Acting Community Development Director, noted that the Council on Aging had met two week~ ago:and'voted to pursue a brick venire building within the 275,000 budget. They had met again. today and voted to go with the present plans that will be presented tonight by Randy Jones, City Design, which is in the 275,000 budget. Mr. Jones stated that we are now talking about a brick venire structure compatible to the Town Building with 3,000 sq. ft. of new space and to rehabilitate the existing Council on Aging office to bring the total to 3,700 sq. ft. He noted that the meeting room will seat approximately 160 people. He also gave a run down of additional features. He noted that on Saturday the Board had discussed with him the establishment of a fixed limit of construction and stated that he hasno problems with this. He noted that they will now be going though an initial design development phase which will pin down the very specific nature of the costs of each item and establish a detailed cost estimate which will be the subject of establishing a fixed limit of construction on the project. The Board will then authorize them to finish the bid set. He stated to do a full set of specs and plans and to go through a bidding process the price will be in the $15,000 - $16,000 range. Mr. Jones stated that he will now prepare a contract amendment #3 and bring it back for the Board's consideration. He noted that he is going on vacation for two weeks beginning next Monday and will submit the contract to the Board when he gets back. He stated that they can go to bid in the middle of May. Chairman Salisbury stated that they~were originally hoping to meet the spring construction season and now it looks like construction won't begin until summer. Mr. J~,nes stated that if they reach an agreement by which they can proceed this week, they can shorten the time frame by a couple of weeks noting that work on his end will not begin until an agreement is reached. He stated that he can draw up an agreement and give it to Miss Ruben Wednesday morning. Selectman Joyce wanted to leave the understanding with the Board to come in on Wednesday afternoon and review by Friday the amendment #3 and to have the authorization at the end of the week. Miss Ruben noted that Town Counsel has to look at i.t and offer an opinion. Mr. Jones noted that he would leave word with his people that if the Board authorizes the agreement Monday night, work can then proceed. Selectman Graham made a motion and ii{was unanimously approved to direct the Community Development Director and the architect to proceed with a detailed design of the Senior Center as it is described this evening. Thomas Cantone, Chairman of the Council on Aging, thanked the Board for the hard work they put ihto this decision and for being sincere and honest in looking after the good of the Town and the seniors in Town. ANNUAL TOWN MEETING WARRANT RE-OPENING: The Board unanimously voted to include the following two articles in the Annual Town Meeting Warrant: Citizen petition for an amendment to the General By-Laws that automobile service stations operating between the hours of 10:00 p.m. - 5:30 a.m. be licensed & article from the Highway Surveyor establishing fee schedules for the North Andover landfill.