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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1983-05-09 Board of Selectmen MinutesMAY 9, 1983 (continued) BRUIN HILL FARM (continued) In Middleton, Essex, Haverhill and Ipswich, to name a few, hayrides have been given for the last 30 years.on the public roads throughout the Towns. The basis of the complaint "Manure on the roadway" as a health hazard is totally absurd. No signs have ever been posted warning that people should be cautious around horse manure. The Board voted unanimously to send a letter to Jewel Brand to inform the complainants that there was a finding of insufficient facts, that the Monroes are not in co,fl/ct with' any law or in violation of any state or municipa/ law. That they have received their complaint and report. They advised the complainants that, if they have any further information they want the Board to review, to submit it. The Board a/so strongly urged the petitioners of the letter to communicate with the Munroes'; it may be that these issues can be resolve~ in a neighborly fashion. If further complaints are to be brought before this Board, Mrs. Brand was advised that they be quite specific and that some discussion take place between them and the owners of Bruin Hill Farm in order to isolste the points of disagreement. They were also told that the subject of horse manure dropping is strictly a Board of Health issue and any problems in this area should be addressed to the Board. As they requested, a copy of Robin Munroe,s letter wiU be sent to them. TOWN COUNSEL CONTRACT: Letter from the Advisory Board advised the Selectmen that, after several meetings with Town Counsel, it is the opinion of the Advisory Board that consideration of restructuring of the contract retaining Legal Counsel in North Andover might be in the best interst of the Town. Town Counsel has indicated his willingness to upgrade his retainer and eliminate some or all of his Special Legal fees. They requested that the Selectmen and the Town Counsel appoint- ing Committee meet to discuss this matter. It was unanimously voted to set up a meeting with the Town Counsel Committee to discuss the sUbject matter the following week. LENO v. TOWN OF NORTH ANDOVER Letter from Town Counsel on the above-captioned matter (Planning Board had requested that Town Counsel represent them in the suit concerning Bardeourt Estates-Camp/on Hall) advised the Board that upon examination of the Complaint'he was of the opinion that there would be no exposure on the part of the Town to any monetary loss or otherwise. Therefore, %ny lgal costs involved in sustaining the decision of the Planning Board ought to be the responsibility of the petitioners before the Board...that his services were not needed. The Board unanimously voted to request Town Counsel to file an answer and not take any further action until instructed by the Board of Selectmen. ~ CAROLINE COLE-CITIZEN: Le~te~ received from Caroline Cole requesting police reports re the Aziz-Donnelly easel' copies of the executive session minutes for meetings and discussions held prior to the appointment of Acting Chief Russell Donnelly. She also requested that she be supplied with the resolution of legal cases against the Town as they occur. The Board voted to research the minutes and refer Cole's request to Attorney Randazzo for answers requested. It was also motioned to release any minutes that are' avaflble, execu rive included. It was voted unanimously not to ta_k.._e_ ~a~_y..action~.o~ her r.equest.s for. eopie.s of the executive scs.sion minutes thatl,ware held prior to ~onneny s appointment cna suppAying her with resblut~ons of legal eases against the Town. The Board were deeply concerned about the article Cole wrote in the citizen about the Chief. Chairman Salisbury stated the report was not true and wanted a retraction of the artiel~. The subject of fair, decent and honest reporting was discussed and it was voted to have the Chairman contact the cablevis/on people to see if it would be possible to h~ve Channel 3 cover the meetings to give the public true reporting of the meetings. This would provide protection the their public offieisls. SANITARY ]]ISPOSAL SITE: Letter received from the Dept. of Enviornmental Qualtiy Engeering re adxrerse conditions at the dispoosai site. Highway Surveyor, Bud Cyr, advised the Board that, in his opinion, · the letter was politically instigated. It was unfortunate that the State decided to make their inspection at this time of the year. He stated that the continuous reit% had made a mess of the site, that it was impossible to maintain the disposal site the way he usually does with all the rain and wind. He has made progress in all respects at correcting oomplaints pointed out in the letter. Selectman McEvoy stated that he had viewed the site and said he could not f,'.lnd, anyt~h, in~ to cause, a letter of this sort to be written. 'C3r~ 'ktso:6om-rne~i~'d' that the NOrth.,. A~dover dlSposai site is in as good condition as other sites if not better. Chai~man- Salisbury it .h~/i§~ shown a lot ·more 'lif~1 than -expected..'~ HIRING PRACTICES: WM. CYR.: Bud Ci~r diseuased hiring practioes with the Board. He stated that it was always difficult dealing with Civil Service re the hiring of help for his department. He stated 2hat Civil Service was antiquated and understaffed. He is a firm believer in Home Rule. When he receives a list, usually the first three on the list are not qualified. He asked the Board to seriously consider getting rid of Civil Service. It was voted to request Town Counsel to look into the matter and see if it would be possible to get out of Civil Service. May 9, 1983 (continued) ~:6~ HAROLD PARKER STATE FOREST: Letter received from Gilbert A. Bliss, Director of Forests & Parks,requesting a representative from the Town of North Andover be appointed to serve on the Harold Parker State Forest Advisory Committee. Thomas McEvoy volunteered his services and it was so voted. SPEED SIGN REQUEST: Mr. and Mrs. Barry' O'Hagan, 455 Chestnut St., requested by letter that speed signs be stalled on Chestnut Street from Blueberry Hill to Rt. 114. They noted that several cars speed in this area on their way to Rt. ]14. They also requested a Go-Slow, Children sign vicinity of 455 Chestnut St. The request was voted to be referred to the POlice Chief for recommendation. SAFETY SIGNS CARL THOMAS PLAYGROUND: I~tter received from Police Chief Russ Donnelly enclosed a diagram as to where the above-name playground. It was voted to send copies of the reeommendations and diagram to the Highway Surveyor for the installation of the signs. LETTERS RECEIVED: Letter requesting the Board to participate in the Memorial Day Observances. So voted. Letter from Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center for Mental Retardation, Inc. requesting permission to solicit in North Andover, November 19th, for their state-wide fund drive. Voted to notify the Chief of Pblice that permission voted to be granted. TOWN ADMINISTRATION OF CERTAIN TESTS: Letter received from Civil Service advising that the Town should administer practical te'sts for certain titles. It was ascertained that this request only affects positions that of Tree Climber and Tree Surgeon. Copy of the letter will be sent to Leo Lafond, Tree Warden. CEDAR LANE ADJUDICATION: SPECIAL TOWN MEETING DATE: It was noted that three artiales are to be submitted in the warrant of the Special Town Meeting two zoning articles and one article for the adjudication of Cedar Lane. June 13, .1.9~3, at 7:30 p.m. was the date set for Special Town Meeting. .H..e.a..~'~m.g. set for Cedar Lane, 'J~dne 6, 1983. APPROVED: Payment to Allied Electrical Corporation for work done in the Town Building. Summer schedule beginning on this date. HOUSING AUTHORITY: It was voted unanimously to authorize the Chairman of the Board to sign the .Cooperation Agreement .relating to the construction of 45 units of family elderly and handicapped housing, ExECuTIVE SESSION: It was voted to go into executive session to discuss matters pertaining to the Fire Dept., t~e Community Development office and the contract of the new Executive Secretary, John Bohenko. LICENSING: APProved: 1-day liquor license for wedding at the B.U. Conference Center, June 25th. ;1-day liquor l~cense for Merrimack College Senior Class, May 19, 1983. Cahoots: Voted to send first letter of warning to the Cahoots Restaurant for alleged v~olation selling liquor to a minor. Alice M.Letarte, Secretary May 16, 1983 - WORK SESSON: *********************__***** work session The Board of Selectmen held their :~krxmeeting on this date with all members present excepi Selectman Graham, out of state on business. The warrant was approved as submitted. POLE LOCATION HEARINGS: ApProved were petitions to 'install 1 pole on Salem St...install approximately 30 ft. of buried cable'on Ingalls Street, from exisitin pole 36/12 northeasterly and install 3 poles on Ingalls St. from approximately 1256 ft. north of Salem Street. RECLASSIFICATION OF PROPERTY: Ted Phelan outlined the procedures that in~ust:be take~:.by, the Board. After certifi6ation'.0f State received df the. r~classifica~tion' of the'prone~ties, Selectm~n'.must post hearing 14 days' before hearing. He hopes to set tax rate by the middle Of June. PLANNING BOARD RESIGNATION: Letter of resignation received from Walter R. McDonough, as a member of the Planning Board. effective June 15, 1983. As this is an elected office, Planning Board and Selectmen must appoint person to fill vacancy to serve out McDonough's term as advertising for same.