BOARD OF SELECTMEN’S MEETING
JULY 28, 2009
The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m. by Chairman Joseph Story with the pledge of allegiance to our flag. Selectmen Michael Bulgaris, Audrey Keller, Vincent Russo, Geoffrey Walker and Town Administrator Chuck Kostro were in attendance.
Frank Chiaravalloti and Suzanne Densmore members of the Newbury delegation to the Triton School Committee addressed the Board regarding the most recent state budget cuts and the effects on the Triton budget. Chiaravalloti noted that it will be important that the towns and the school committee meet early, possibly as early as September, to begin the process of establishing a budget that can satisfy both entities. He stated that their biggest concern this year is whether or not the state budget can be sustained. Chiaravalloti and Densmore answered some questions posed to them from Kostro and the BOS regarding positions, salaries, contracts and the recruiting process for hiring a new superintendent of schools to replace Halloran upon retirement in October 2010. Chiaravalloti and Densmore were thanked for their time and input.
Chairman Story read a proposed warrant article to amend the regional agreement to allow member towns to elect only their three members and not members of the other two towns and also to give all committee members an equal vote. If passed by Town Meeting and Town Election this would then go to the Legislature and the Governor before enactment. It was moved by Selectman Russo, seconded by Selectman Walker and voted to send this proposed article to Salisbury and Rowley for their review and feedback as unanimous agreement of the three towns will be needed to move forward.
Selectman Russo questioned the signage for the Ampet Service Station. It was determined that a sign permit would be needed and Sam will be asked to investigate. A fuel storage license for Ampet Inc. was approved on a motion by Selectman Bulgaris, seconded by Selectman Walker and voted unanimously. Operating hours for the station will be Monday thru Friday 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday 8a.m. to 8 p.m. The repair bay will operate Monday thru Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. to 12 noon.
A one-day liquor license was approved on a motion by Selectman Russo, seconded by Selectman Bulgaris and voted unanimously for the Plum Island Foundation for a fundraiser (Saving Plum Island) on Monday, August 17th from 5-9 p.m. at the Plum Island Grille.
A one-day liquor license was approved on a motion by Selectman Russo, seconded by Selectman Keller and voted unanimously for a wedding at Spencer Pierce Little Farm on Saturday, September 5th from 6 p.m. to 12 midnight.
A banner has been placed on Jeanne’s deck to warn people to keep off the sandbags. A thank you letter will be sent to Julian Geiger for the use of his building. Selectman Russo moved to waive any requirements for a sign permit, seconded by Selectman Keller and voted unanimously.
A home occupation for Jim Noyes at 1 Noyes Lane for auto repair services was tabled to the August meeting in order to obtain Sam’s approval.
A letter of interest from Paul Daubitz to be part of the new CATV committee was accepted and filed until a mission statement and defined membership is established.
The resignation of Mike Bulgaris from the Conservation Commission and Board of Fire Engineers retroactive to May 13th was accepted with regret on a motion by Selectman Walker, seconded by Selectman Russo and voted unanimously.
On the recommendation of the Recreation Committee the following persons were appointed to the Rec. Comm. on a motion by Selectman Bulgaris, seconded by Selectman Russo and voted unanimously: Diane Brown, Rich Capolupo, Dick Joy, Joe Kennedy, Warren Manter, Dan Streeter, Rebecca Takesian and Dave Taylor.
On the recommendation of the Finance Committee the following persons were appointed to the FinCom on a motion by Selectman Russo, seconded by Selectman Bulgaris and voted unanimously: J. Frank Remley, Eugene Case, Anna Tenaglia and Robert Connors to replace Pete Morse who has resigned.
On a motion by Selectman Walker, seconded by Selectman Bulgaris and voted unanimously, Edward Russell was appointed to the 375th Anniversary Committee.
A letter of thanks to Tim Leonard and his staff from Virginia Sykes of Old Pine Island Road was read and filed.
The following re-appointments were approved:
Conservation Commission – Worthen Taylor III – moved by Selectman Walker, seconded by Selectman Russo and voted unanimously.
Fr. Sears Mem. Park Advisory Committee – John Bursaw, Barbara Murray, Lorraine Connelly, Elizabeth Szymanski on a motion by Selectman Russo, seconded by Selectman Keller and voted unanimously.
Historical Commission – John Karahalis on a motion by Selectman Bulgaris, seconded by Selectman Russo and voted unanimously.
Personnel Board – Linda Collins and Mark Gleckman on a motion by Selectman Walker, seconded by Selectman Russo and voted unanimously.
Zoning Board of Appeals – Howard Traister and Robert Watt (alternate) on a motion by Selectman Russo, seconded by Selectman Bulgaris and voted unanimously.
Plumbing and Gas Inspectors – Gerry Downs and Charles Laudani (assistant) on a motion by Selectman Russo, seconded by Selectman Keller and voted unanimously.
Wiring Inspectors – William Robitaille and James Soffron (assistant) on a motion by Selectman Russo, seconded by Selectman Keller and voted unanimously.
Selectman Keller proposed a mailing to P.I. residents to address the proposed FEMA map changes at a cost of approximately $500 and the use of volunteers for printing, folding and stuffing envelopes. Selectman Russo moved to go forward with this mailing, seconded by Selectman Walker and voted unanimously.
The transfer of the liquor license for Corner Cupboard has been approved by ABCC and the new license was signed by the Selectmen.
The Selectmen also approved and signed a Chapter 90 request for a new dump truck for the Highway Department on a motion by Selectman Bulgaris, seconded by Selectman Walker and voted unanimously.
The minutes of the June 23rd meeting were accepted as presented on a motion by Selectman Russo, seconded by Selectman Keller and voted unanimously. The minutes of the July 14th meeting were accepted as presented on a motion by Selectman Keller, seconded by Selectman Bulgaris and voted unanimously.
The Byfield Center traffic reconfiguration was opened to discussion. Selectman Bulgaris addressed how the committee (representatives from police, fire, selectmen, planner and highway) determined the changes to traffic flow in Byfield center and how the plan would be instituted on a trial basis to see what works and what does not work. This was to be done with signage and painting at very little cost to the Town and a public hearing was to be scheduled prior to the end of the trial period to get resident input. Francis O’Brien of 2 Church Street questioned the speed limit on Church Street and lack of speed limit signs. Vivian Anastasia, 56 Main St. had a petition with fifty seven signatures asking for a “cease and desist” of the project. Joanne Purinton, 36 Main Street wanted public hearings and input from everyone. John Aston, 2 Lunt Street complemented the board for acting so quickly on the situation that he and John Salter had brought before the board and he felt
the trial basis was a good option. David Powell of the Planning Board commented on the businesses in the Village not being notified of the traffic changes and he stated more communication is needed. Fred Davis, 59 Main Street noted that due to the number of school bus stops on Main Street traffic will back up and he felt not enough thought was given to the situation. Jill West, 9 Church Street thought the four-way stop was a good idea but complained that it was not monitored and is being ignored. Tom Rogers, 15 Church Street noted that the stop signs have slowed traffic but it creates a problem for him personally. Nick Childs, 4 Lunt Street stated the traffic from Georgetown to Central Street has improved but he thought some changes may still be needed. Selectman Bulgaris noted that safety should be the priority and this is an attempt to improve safety.
Selectman Walker commented that this is a tough problem. This may not be the best scenario but once in place we can look at it and come up a better solution if needed. Dick Purinton, 36 Main Street stated he wanted to be part of the solution and noted that police observation is needed. Deb Rogers, 38 Wayside Avenue commented every neighborhood has unique situations that need to be addressed. Evelyn Noyes, 5 Downfall Road stated that the Town has been trying to make Lunt Street one-way for years and it is a good idea. The Main Street issues may have to be looked at but at least something is being done. She agreed that police presence is needed. John Salter, 8 Lunt Street advised that he and John Aston had brought this situation to the BOS and he was happy with Lunt Street being one way even though it inconvenienced him. He noted
this was a very busy traffic area with AA meetings at the Church, Little League games, the Library and Yoga Center and he had proposed closing off Lunt Street entirely and making it a dead end like Green Street at the Parker Street intersection. He suggested that perhaps delineating parking from the road at the Post Office might help. Jennifer Holloran, 75 Main Street stated the corner at Main and Central needs to be addressed. She also questioned the top of Church Street as the handicap ramp and parking is on the left side of the Church and this new configuration makes it difficult to access from the one way. She suggested the possibility of the three way stop at Central and Main. Jen Brown, Library Director noted her first concern is safety and the traffic changes have caused some concerns. She advised that she was trying to educate the people using the library of the changes. Virginia
Hallman, 2 Lunt Street said she agreed with everyone. She was glad something was being done but thought more notice was needed. It was determined that a workshop would be held in two weeks (August 11th) at the Library in Byfield starting at 6:30 p.m. and the public would be invited to comment on what they felt was working and what was not working so that needed changes, if any, can be considered. Chairman Story noted that the trial was scheduled to run through September but the board will take suggestions on how to make it better at the August 11th workshop. In the meantime, Chief Reilly will be asked is he can have his department patrol the area on a regular basis to enforce the changes in place.
Town Administrator Chuck Kostro asked the BOS to approve a contract with low bidder D & R Contracting of Stoneham for the Elm Street project. Selectman Russo moved that pursuant to Section 18-3 of the bylaws, the Board of Selectman hereby authorized the award of an agreement with D&R Contracting, Inc. for the reclamation and resurfacing of Elm, School and Lower Central Streets in the amount of $747,590.57 pending receipt of the signed Chapter 90 agreements from MHD, seconded by Selectman Keller and voted unanimously. Chairman Story spoke briefly about Plum Crazy and the parking situation on Northern Blvd. Originally six parking places were staked out but with mailboxes, driveways, hydrants, etc. it was a much larger area than anticipated. A
letter from the resident at 130 Northern was read. She complained that cars were parking in front of her gate and blocking access to her mailbox. She also noted that cars are parking for the day and not for the restaurant. The Selectman directed Kostro to work with Chief Reilly and Tim Leonard and address the Board at the August 25th meeting with recommendations for Plum Crazy parking. Kostro suggested that a policy for closing the agenda for meetings be drafted and he offered to put a policy together for the board’s review. Kostro noted that a Low Street resident had called to complain about outages in their area. Kostro will contract National Grid to see why this area is affected and also to follow up on our street lights. Budget cuts to the Parks account were briefly discussed. It was noted that the Parks account has been cut
in entirety. Trash pick-up and mowing are unfunded and man power is in short supply. It was suggested that volunteers be recruited and we look into an “adopt a site” program.
Selectman Keller inquired about broadening our tax base. Selectman Russo noted that we have several excess properties to sell but we should be looking at facilitating our zoning. Martha Taylor advised that the Planning Board was looking at the Rte. 1 corridor and areas in Byfield that might benefit from zoning changes. She noted that our current commercial and industrial zones are too restrictive.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:30 p.m. on a motion by Selectman Story, seconded by Selectman Keller and voted unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathleen Sirois, Admin. Asst.
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