December 5, 2011
The regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was called to order at 7:00 PM by Chairman Connor with all members in attendance.
On a Davies/Goodnow motion, the Board unanimously voted to approve a One Day Wine License for Whole Foods for a wine tasting, 12/5, Grape Expectations pourer.
Officer Gosselin/Chief Daigle – Town Youth Center
Officer Gosselin and Chief Daigle updated the Board on a youth center to be located in Bellingham Plaza, 15 North Main St. Officer Gosselin stated he started thinking about a youth center quite a few years ago. There isn’t a lot for kids to do in Town if they’re not involved in sports. He stated the center is expected to open by February 1st of next year. Mr. Rick Kaplan, who owns the plaza, has offered to lease a 6,000 sq. ft. space for a year at no cost to the Town. Officer Gosselin stated he will have to find a way to pay for utilities each month, as well as furnish the space. He stated residents and town businesses have already offered him furniture and volunteer hours. He also stated he is working with the local power plants and other business owners,
such as Tony Khoury and Matthew Clark for some financial help.
In the beginning, the center is expected to be open two days a week – Friday after school and Saturday for elementary and middle school students. The availability of the center will depend on the demand and volunteers.
On a Soter/Goodnow motion, the Board unanimously voted to sign the lease for the youth center at Bellingham Plaza, which Town Counsel has reviewed and approved.
The Board thanked Officer Gosselin for his dedication to this project and all those individuals/businesses involved in making this center a reality.
Executive Auto Center, Inc.
Chady Saghbini appeared before the Selectmen per the Board’s request. Also in attendance was Mr. Saghbini’s attorney, Warren Heller. Chairman Connor informed Mr. Saghbini that he was asked to attend this meeting because of unregistered vehicles he parked at Joliceour Door, across the street from his business.
Mr. Saghbini stated he was doing a favor for a friend who had purchased these vehicles at auction and needed a location to place them for a few days. He asked the owner of Joliceour Door, Mike Sutherland, if he could park them at that location and was informed he could do so. He did not realize it would be a problem. He apologized to the Board and stated something like that would never happen again. Mr. Saghbini stated he
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received a call from Mr. Sutherland stating he had to move the vehicles because of a complaint he received and Mr. Saghbini did move them.
Mr. Soter also asked Mr. Saghbini if he was moving vehicle alignment equipment into Mr. Sutherland’s garage. Mr. Saghbini stated he was moving equipment per Mr. Sutherland’s permission and didn’t think this would be a problem. However, he has since learned it is a problem so he will not be going forward with this move.
Mr. Soter stated he had received calls from residents in that area concerned with the unregistered vehicles and the moving of machinery into Mr. Sutherland’s garage. Mr. Soter stated Executive Auto Center’s license was approved with an eight vehicle limit for 728 So. Main St.; not to store additional unregistered vehicles at a location across the street from his business. Mr. Soter informed Mr. Saghbini that he should have contacted the Selectmen’s Office before storing unregistered vehicles and moving machinery into Mr. Sutherland’s garage.
The Board did compliment Mr. Saghbini on the appearance of his business. Mr. Saghbini thanked the Board and again apologized and stated this would not happen again.
On a Featherston/Davies motion, the Board unanimously voted to reappoint Stacey Wetstein as the Town of Bellingham’s representative to the MAPC for a term of three years to expire on December 5, 2014.
On a Soter/Goodnow motion, the Board unanimously voted to approve municipal water abatements in the amount of $5,077.74 and municipal sewer abatements in the amount of $3064.62.
On a Featherston/Soter motion, the Board unanimously voted to approve license renewals on page 1 of the attached list.
On a Goodnow/Davies motion, the Board unanimously voted to approve license renewals on page 2 of the attached list, with the exception of Countryside Motel.
Chief Daigle updated the Board on the Countryside Motel and stated although a few incidences were reported, he does not see any reason to hold their renewal.
On a Davies/Goodnow motion, the Board unanimously voted to approve the license renewal for Countryside Motel.
On a Soter/ Featherston motion, the Board voted to approve the November 21st minutes as submitted. Mr. Goodnow abstained; all other members voted in the affirmative.
On a Goodnow/Soter motion, the Board unanimously voted to adjourn the meeting at 8:05 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Jacqueline A. Bokoski, Admin. Asst.
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