BOARD OF SELECTMEN’S MEETING
DECEMBER 14, 2010
Chairman Story called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. In attendance were Selectmen Story, Bear, Bulgaris, Keller, Walker and Town Administrator Chuck Kostro. Chairman Story moved to enter into executive session to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining (Police Union) because an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the Town, seconded by Selectman Bear. A role call vote was taken with the following results: Bear, yes; Bulgaris, yes; Keller, yes; Walker, yes; Story, yes. Chairman Story announced that the meeting will reconvene in open session at the conclusion of the executive session.
At 7:05 p.m. the meeting was reconvened in open session with the pledge of allegiance to our flag.
A brief summary of the Byfield Community Arts Center activities for the year was submitted to the Board and Heidi Fram thanked the Board for allowing the BCAC use of the center.
Kathleen Pearson and Selectman Bear gave a brief update of the Surplus Land Sales Committee’s endeavors. They noted there has been some interest shown in the list of surplus properties and more public hearings will be held. The Elm Street parcel will be brought before the Board at the next meeting after a check is done on the deed.
Roger Thurlow expressed his concerns about the 90 Hanover Street property. He questioned the necessity of circle checks and testing of backup alarms. Chairman Story advised he would have Chief Reilly look into the laws governing the buses and report back to Mr. Thurlow. Problems with the catch basins affecting his property were also addressed. Chairman Story will have Tim Leonard and Doug Packer look into the situation make recommendations as they deem necessary.
Matt Kozazcki and Kathryn O’Brien, local residents, complained about the Town’s method of collecting delinquent taxes by the use of a Boston law firm and questioned the surcharge levied on these taxes. Both felt the tax collecting function should remain in Newbury. Chairman Story advised that Diane Doyle, Treasurer/Collector has made recommendations to improve the collection of taxes which the Board will investigate and he noted that the concerns raised Mr. Kozazcki and Ms. O’Brien were duly noted.
Kathleen Pearson, Chair of the Planning Board advised that a Rte 1 corridor joint workshop with the Selectmen and Planning Board has been scheduled for Wednesday, January 12th.
Town Administrator Chuck Kostro updated the Board on the Plum Island land sale. He noted the final RFP had been completed and will be advertised next month. RFP’s will be available at Town Hall but registration is needed to obtain a copy to insure that if there is an addendum all participants will receive it. The Proposals are due March 10th. A contract for appraisal services had been awarded at a cost of approximately $7K. Five bids have been received for the salt shed roof and the low bid will be awarded after review of the documents. A SFP task force meeting is scheduled for tomorrow and cuts and reductions will be discussed. A preliminary budget will be presented to the Board at their
January 11th meeting. Kostro suggested a hiring freeze be implemented from now thru June with the exception of the Fire Departments. If vacancies are filled now and we have a lay off it will cost the Town, Kostro noted. Selectman Walker commented that there is rumor running rampant that we are trying to merge the Newbury and Newburyport Police Departments. This rumor should be dispelled immediately, he advised. If this was ever to be considered, it would first have to be approved by Town Meeting. Chairman Story noted that the hiring freeze has some merit. If lay off costs 33% for unemployment it is better to defer hiring. Kostro charted our work force for the Task Force meeting and from 05-11 our FTE has dropped by 12% - the hardest hit being the DPW. Police will also be hit hard as openings will not be filled until a
final budget is in place. Selectman Bear moved to apply the hiring freeze to all departments with the exception of the Fire Department, seconded by Selectman Bulgaris and voted unanimously.
A request from the Friends of the Newbury Town Library to include a flyer with the tax bills advertising their Small Business Day Expo in March was regretfully tabled indefinitely on a motion by Selectman Bulgaris, seconded by Selectman Keller and voted unanimously.
A request from the Town of Orleans to regionalize efforts to protect the environment and wildlife while providing continued access and enjoyment of our coastal resources by designating a representative to a regional committee was approved on a motion by Selectman Bulgaris and seconded by Selectman Walker. It was noted that our representative could keep involved through correspondence and would not necessarily have to attend meetings. It was moved by Selectman Walker, seconded by Selectman Keller to submit a letter of approval to Orleans and authorize Chairman Story to sign on behalf of the Board.
A letter of support for Ipswich’s Great Marsh ACEC Assembly grant application was approved on a motion by Selectman Bulgaris, seconded by Selectman Keller and authorization for Selectman Walker to draft and sign the letter on behalf of the Board was voted unanimously.
The Cable TV Advisory Committee was reinstated and David Mountain, Paul Daubitz and Audrey Keller were appointed to serve on the committee on a motion by Selectman Story, seconded by Selectman Bulgaris and voted unanimously. A mission statement will be drafted for the committee and additional members will be sought.
The minutes of the November 23rd meeting were accepted as presented on a motion by Selectman Bulgaris, seconded by Selectman Bear and voted unanimously.
A Recreation Committee letter regarding the building on the Central Street field was read by Chairman Story and opened to discussion on a motion by Selectman Bulgaris, seconded by Selectman Bear. The pros and cons of a 501c3 to solicit donations and the possibility of leasing the building were debated. Kostro noted that land leases must go through town meeting. $5K has been spent so we have $20K to purchase lumber for framing which we can do with a three quote process. If the 501c3 collects donations they can purchase additional materials. Any expenditures beyond the $25K should be addressed with the Inspector General’s office to keep them in the loop. The one clear project in front of us is the construction of the shell
for building, he noted. It was moved by Selectman Bulgaris, seconded by Selectman Bear and voted unanimously to authorize the expenditure of $20K from the revolving fund for materials for framing the building at the Central Street fields. Chairman Story advised that the Little League is interested in building one field at Central Street. Manter noted that the field has grown over with brush and will need some work but he was working with Conservation on the issue. Manter also noted that basketball is looking to build a court and the committee will be talking to them in the near future.
The following license renewals were approved on a motion by Selectman Bear, seconded by Selectman Bulgaris and voted unanimously – Plum Island Enterprises/Williamson Parking Lot, Flukes and Finds, LDM Collectibles, Newbury Butchery, Fernald’s Marine, Newbury Town Library, Romp & Roll Inc., Riverfront Marine Sports Inc., Store-U-Self Self Storage, Noyes Auto Service, Bill’s Auto Repair, The Quilted Acorn, Parker River Marine, Treasures, and the Corner Cupboard.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:55 p.m. on a motion by Selectman Bear, seconded by Selectman Walker and voted unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathleen Sirois, Admin. Asst.
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