BOARD OF SELECTMEN’S MEETING
NOVEMBER 9, 2010
Chairman Joseph Story called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. with the pledge of allegiance to our flag. In attendance were Selectmen Story, Bulgaris, Keller, Walker and Town Administrator Chuck Kostro. Selectman Bear was absent.
Selectman Keller offered an update on cable access for Mr. Daubitz who was unable to attend the meeting. Kostro noted he was confused as to what was needed next. The Cable TV Advisory Committee was to be reactivated and it was suggested that an outside entity be hired to do an analysis of proposed costs, equipment requirements and the bid package. Selectman Walker asked about the proposal to join Rowley and Salisbury. Kostro advised that this would be considered (tri-town option) as well as a stand alone scenario and Port Media. Selectman Keller moved to solicit quotes for a consultant to conduct a cost analysis on the three options, seconded by Selectman Walker and voted unanimously. Kostro noted that the scope of work was clear in
the RFQ. Selectman Walker suggested we move quickly when the quotes are in.
Lois Smith announced that the 1st meeting of the League of Women Voters would be held at 7 p.m. at the Newbury Library on November 18th and it was open to both men and women. She hoped all would attend.
Town Administrator Chuck Kostro spoke on the highway facility closing. The full report is on the web site, he advised. Sam has posted the building, the equipment is stored outside and the crew will be working out of the office area with a supplemental electrical system. He noted that Tim is in the process of soliciting quotes for a work bay. The immediate problem is how to make snow and ice removal work within the budget and a limited crew. The expected time frame to rebuild the facility is 2-3 years. Kostro suggested the board look at all the town facilities at this time. The police station and town hall have serious facility issues and there is no capital plan in place. Kostro presented a
proposed three phase capital plan which included construction of a combined police station and DPW facility on Rte.1, converting the Woodbridge School to the main town hall offices and converting the existing town hall to a town hall annex. This could solve Newbury’s problems for the next fifty years he commented. He also included a plan to manage our debt over the next 20 years which included three debt exclusions in a five year period and use of the proceeds from land sales. Selectman Walker noted that Kostro’s plan had real merit but if it is feasible we need an operational plan and a budget to support the plan. Kostro advised he would bring his suggestions to the Finance Committee next week for their consideration and ask them to reactivate a “capital planning committee”. Public input will also play an important part in this, he noted. A discussion ensued as to whether it was
worth putting $100K into the old DPW facility while the new facility is being built. Kostro advised that bay rental would be about $1500 per month or $18,000 per year and this would come out of Tim’s operating budget. Selectman Bulgaris commented that spending money on the old facility may be throwing good money after bad. Selectman Story asked if repairs to the old facility would be considered a capital expenditure and Kostro said they would. Several people suggested considering the use of Morton Buildings and Kostro advised this would be looked at during the selection process. The first step is to have a feasibility study done and then the design work would follow.
Kostro advised that a new street light adjustment policy has been established to handle a few public safety situations which have arisen. Selectman Walker moved to allow Kostro upon the recommendation of the Police Chief to request National Grid re-instate a street light, at a cost of $25 per light, only for public safety situations, seconded by Selectman Bulgaris and voted unanimously. To update the P.I. land sale, Kostro distributed a surplus property sale checklist. He advised that the appraisal for the P.I. property will be available for review at the next meeting. After proper advertising a possible 1/24/11 bid opening date would be proposed.
A request for a memorial for Marion Donahue Bryant (Byfield/Newbury teacher/principal) was presented by John Elwell and Bernie Field. A four foot slab of granite with a memorial plaque attached was proposed to be placed on the little island between the Byfield Yellow School and the Church. This would be at no cost to the town and would be maintained by the neighbors. It was moved by Selectman Bulgaris, seconded by Selectman Keller and voted to allow the memorial to be placed on this piece of town owned property as presented.
A request for use of the Upper Green by the American Hand Fire Engine Society for a firemen’s muster on Saturday, July 30, 2011 was approved on a motion by Selectman Bulgaris, seconded by Selectman Keller and voted unanimously.
The minutes of the October 12th meeting were accepted as presented on a motion by Selectman Bulgaris, seconded by Selectman Keller and voted unanimously.
On the recommendation of the Newbury Cultural Council the following appointments were approved on a motion by Selectman Walker, seconded by Selectman Keller and voted unanimously: Chris Drelich, Heidi Fram, Mary Ann Varoski, Pamela Jacobson, Joanne Johnson and Anne Walsh. Reappointed to the Council were Joe Fix, Keith Augeri, Michele Augeri, Sara Fix, Sharon Broll and Wenda Shelter. All appointments are for a three year period.
An invitation from the Triton Regional School Committee for Newbury to join their “budget planning advisory committee” was discussed. It was moved by Selectman Walker, seconded by Selectman Bulgaris and voted unanimously to join the school committee and to name Joe Story and Chuck Kostro as our delegates to attend these meetings. Should Story be unable to attend, Geoff Walker and/or Audrey Keller will attend in his place.
A request from Newbury’s Girl Scout/Cub Scout Pack 44 and Boy Scout Troop 44 for use of the Upper Green for a Veterans Day Ceremony was approved on a motion by Selectman Keller, seconded by Selectman Walker and voted unanimously. An invitation to the ceremony was also read – ceremony to be held Thursday, Nov.11th at 11 a.m. Scouts will meet at the Fire Hall at 10:30 a.m. and march to the Green for the laying of wreaths and all are invited to return to the Fire Hall t 11:45 for a scout-hosted lunch.
Martha Taylor introduced Juliet Walker of Taintor & Associates and Mary Williamson. Ms. Taintor gave an update on the development of the Corridor Management Plan (CMP) for the Essex Heritage Scenic Byway which includes 13 communities from Lynn through Newburyport. The Corridor Management Plan will identify strategies for preserving and enhancing the byway’s key attributes and for marketing the byway. A CMP is also a prerequisite for attaining designation as a National Scenic Byway, which could possibly bring additional funding to the route and the region. A brief slide show was presented and a suggestion to extend the byway to Plum Island was discussed briefly. A meeting with PITA has been held regarding this extension and
Ms. Walker was seeking input from the BOS on this possibility. A series of public hearings are being held throughout the thirteen communities and Newbury is scheduled for January hearings. She noted that a letter of support will be requested when the CMP is in place. Ms. Walker was thanked for her input and time.
A Mass DOT advisory on the Border to Boston Trail Project was read. Martha Taylor advised that the MOU was still in progress and must be brought back to the Board prior to being accepted. While the MOU is just for the design process, it is the license and release agreement that the Board needs to closely review, noted Selectman Walker.
A letter from Steve Bandoian of Middle Road was read for the files. Kostro noted that Middle Road has once again been closed due to flooding and possible icing problems. MVPC looked at the proposed project to see if it qualified for grant funds and the plan was not recommended. It was suggested that the area hydrology be studied to see what corrections are needed. Tim Leonard advised that Mass Highway is working during daylight hours to pump the area but four days are needed to clear two inches of rain. The beavers and muskrats have taken over. Tim has a trapper available but a release is needed from Bandoian to remove the beavers from his land. Kostro stated that Bill Decie had been contracted for design of the structure wanted by
Bandoian but there is not money available for construction if the design is approved.
A letter from the Library to the Board of Library Commissioners requesting a waiver of the 2011 Municipal Appropriation Requirement was read and filed.
A letter of thanks from Sandy Halloran was read and filed.
At 9:00 p.m. at the request of the Chair, Selectman Walker moved to enter into an executive session to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining with the Police Union as an open meeting might have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the Town, seconded by Selectman Keller and voted by roll call – Bulgaris, yes; Story, yes; Walker, yes; and Keller, yes. Chairman Story announced that the board would not reconvene in open session at the conclusion of the executive session.
At 9:35 at the close of the executive session the meeting was adjourned on a motion by Selectman Bulgaris, seconded by Selectman Walker and voted unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathleen Sirois, Admin. Asst.
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