HomeMy WebLinkAbout1984-03-12 Board of Selectmen MinutesMARCH la, 984 5i'
The Board of Selectmen held their regular meeting on this date with all members present;
Selectmen Charles A. Salisbury, Christine M. Smith...two new members, Kenneth C. Grouch,
Francis X. Dugan with Ghairman John W. Graham presiding. The warrant and minutes were
approved as submitted.
Chairman Graham welcomed the two new members elected last Monday, March 5, 1984, Crouch
for a 3 yr. term and Dugan for a I yr. term on the Board. He expressed the Board's
appreciation to Selectman McEvoy for the efforts he expended while a member of the Board.
McEvoy was defeated by Kenneth Crouch in last Monday's election.
SPECIAL LEGISLATION - DANA FISHER:
The Selectmen discussed an article drawn up by Representative Joseph Hermann and wording
of Sl:ecial Legislation necessary to exempt Dana Fisher from the provisions of the law re-
quiring mandatory retirement of Fire engineers.at the age of 65. The article must be included.
in the warrant for the annual Town Meeting,action. John Duxbury, 84 Beverly St., N.A. Rna
a flreflghter in the Lawrence Fire Department, opposed the insertion of Special Legislation. He
stated that he had worked on the Pension R~form Committee and he stated that the Bill would
create many problems especially for the retirement board and it would cost the towns a great
deal of money. He stated that others who are now retiring at the age 65 would request
Special Legislation to stay on the job if the Bill went through for Fisher. Fisher wants to stay
on the job until he can no longer give valuable service to the Town. Chief Dolan stated that
he would like a change in the Fire System. He said there should be a Fire Chief and a Deputy
Fire Chief. If Fisher retires, another Deputy Fire Engineer would have to be appointed who
would not have the experience and experties of Dana Fisher. After further discussion, the
Board voted, 5-0, to seek clarification from Town Counsel on the legal position of the
and tabled their decision until next meeting.
POLE INSTALLATIONS:
The Board voted to approve the installation of 7 poles on Bannon Drive.
TRAFFIG SIGNAL LIGHT:
Letter received from the Council On Aging requesting the installation of a push button
signal light on Main Street. The Board voted to receive the letter and refer the request
to the Downtown Committee.
POLICE ,CONTRACT APPROVAL:
The Police Contract was approved by the Selectmen and the Police Union. Richard Crane,
Richard Card of the Police Department and the Selectmen signed the contract for Fy 84-85.
ST. PATRICK'S DAY PARADE:
The Board unanimously voted to participate in the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in
Lawrence on Sunday, March 25th.
NORTH ANDOVER OLD CENTER - APPRAISER:
The Board voted to appoint two appraisers for the land appraisal of a half-acre parcel
located in the Old Center. Appraisers appointed were Linda A. Ahearn, S.R.A...Fee:
$250.00 and John M. Ruth, Jr., CRA...Fee: $400. Appraisals are due by April 13, 1984.
ANIMAL INSPECTOR:
The Board voted unanimously to reappoint R.E. Atwood, DVM., Animal Inspector for the
Town.
SPARE WORKER:
The Board voted to appoint Cynthia Blandini, 950 Johnson St., a Spare Worker for
Precinct V.
NESWC REPRESENTATIVE FOR ADVISORY BOARD:
The Board unanimously voted to reappoint Edward Scanlon, the voting member representing
the Town' of North Andover on the NESWC Advisory Board and John Bohenko, alternate.
ESSEX COUNTY ADVISORY BOARD:
The Board unanimously voted to designate Selectman Francis X. Dugan the representative
for the Board on the Essex County Advisory Board.
ASSISTANT BUILDING INSPECTOR:
It was unanimously voted to appoint Daniel McConaghy, Assistant Building Inspector, for
the coming year. McConaghy was recommended by the Bldg. Inspector and J. Bohenko.
ANDOVER AMBULANCE:
Fire Chief Dolan requested the Selectmen have a letter sent to the Fire Chief of Andover
in thanks and appreciation for the loan of their ambulance while the North Andover ambul-
ance was being repaired. Fire Chief advised the Board that they had made 169 calls with
the ambulance. Copy of letter to be sent to Chief Dolan.
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MARCH 12, 1984 (continued) COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT.
Rick Domas,~C.D; Drrector, ',ntrod~ced 'Betsy b-breve, Jr. Planner, to the Board. He
ad'vised that the Andover Savings Bank clock, previously donated to the Town, will be
repaired at no cost to the Town.
Lisa Ruben reviewed the proposed plan for the Water/Main Street intersection and said
the plans had been issued to all departments for review. Whitman & Howard are
working on the final plans due March 27th. A public meetin, g will be held ~)n March 28th
and the plans will be presented to the. Downtown Rev. Committee. April 23rd, award
contract and May Ist construction will begin.~ Lisa hiqhly commended the Downtown Comm.
Lisa reported that the banks had been very cooperative, they had no major opposition
to the island proposed. Police and Fire Chief recommend the island and no parkin,g plans.
Fire Chief will make a trial run, Residents of Water Street and owners of businesses.
on Water Street said they would like the size of the island reduced.
Rick Domas will redo curbs and sidewalks and paving as far as the budget will allow.
He will seek additional funding to complete Water Street improvements. The primary
target is Main Street and the plans should be presented when applying for grant for
additional funds. He would like the Board's concurrence of the plans. The Board
voted unanimously to accept Rick's plans as presented.
The plans called for theeliminat, i,°r~f parking in the vicinity of the banks to allow the
installation .of the island. ^tter discussion it was voted 3-2 to proceed with'plans
as approved at the previous meeting.
Rick Domas requested the Board to approve a "housecleaning" amendment to the Fay
Sp0ffardfand Thorndike Contract on the access road study/engineering. The two
changes..l.) Inclusion of federal]state compliance language relative to equal employment
opportunities, non-discrimination practices, etc. 2) An increase in the insurance
limits (professional liability insurance) to match those sumbitted by Whitman S Howard.
The Board voted $-0 that the amendment be made part of the contract.
Rick Domas reported on the Riverview Street residents concern re the construction of
the boat ramp. After discussion, it was voted to have Rick set up meeting with the
Selectmen and residents of Riverview Street to discuss the project.
FALSE ALARMS:
Chief Dolan reported they had responded to several false alarms on the Merrimack
College campus. Dolan had written letters to the President of the College re the
false alarms. It was voted unanimously to have John Bohenko, Chief Dolan meet With
Bruce Baker, Director cf Student Activities, to discuss the matter and eliminate ,the
problem.
LICENSING COMMISSIONERS:
Approved: l-day liquor license for Tuesday, March 20, 198u,, at Merrimack College.
The Board voted to go into Executive Session to discuss negotiations. , /'~
Alice M. Letarte, Secretary **************************** ~ , . lerk
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