BOARD OF SELECTMEN’S MEETING
MARCH 9, 2010
Chairman Story called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. with the pledge of allegiance to our flag. Selectmen Story, Keller, Russo, Walker and Town Administrator Chuck Kostro were present. Selectman Bulgaris was absent.
Council on Aging Director Martie Joe advised that COA is looking for volunteers for their Board of Directors. Anyone interested in serving is asked to contact her at 978-462-8114 or by email at newburycoa@hotmail.com.
Town Administrator Chuck Kostro submitted a tentative budget to the Selectmen in accordance with Chapter 460 of the Acts of 2008, Chapter 16. He walked through several items and changes and noted that due to adjustments in revenue and expenditures the budget was in balance. The question of lifeguards was discussed briefly. Selectman Russo suggested a fund drive be initiated to raise monies for funding lifeguards on the beach. Any money raised would be less we would have to take from our reserve funds for this line item. It was moved by Selectman Walker, seconded by Selectman Russo and voted unanimously to include a request for donations to a Life Guard Fund with the next tax bill. The Board agreed to send this recommended budget to the
Finance Committee for their review and approval on a motion by Selectman Walker, seconded by Selectman Russo and voted unanimously. The Board approved a FY2010 contract between the Board of Health and CDM for landfill monitoring in the amount of $25K and designated the Town Administrator as Chief Procurement Officer to sign the contract, on a motion by Selectman Keller, seconded by Selectman Walker and voted unanimously. Kostro advised that a meeting had been held with a member of the engineering firm contracted to the state to perform safety audits to discuss the Byfield Village Traffic changes. It appears this project may be eligible for road safety funding and approval from the state will be requested. Copies of the annual audit for FY09 were distributed to the Board for their review and comments. The search for a Treasurer/Collector has been completed and Diane Doyle is recommended for appointment at a
salary of $45K. It was moved by Selectman Keller, seconded by Selectman Russo and voted unanimously to appoint Diane Doyle to the position of Treasurer/Collector. Kostro thanked all involved in the screening of resumes and interview process especially Budd Kelly of the Assessors Department and Gene Case of the Finance Committee. On the recommendation of Kostro, the Selectmen unanimously approved the state of emergency declared on February 26th remain open and in effect until all damage and clean-up matters are settled. This SOE will be discussed again at the next meeting on the 23rd. On a motion by Selectman Russo, seconded by Selectman Walker and voted unanimously, Martha Taylor and Audrey Keller are authorized to select a color for the walls of the meeting room in anticipation of cable access. Sam Joslin has arranged with the Sheriff’s Department
for a crew to paint the Lower Green Schoolhouse and Town Hall interior. Requests for a RFQ for the highway barn design and feasibility study have been advertised and a pre-bid conference is scheduled for March 15th at the Library at 11 a.m.
A request for a one-day liquor license for 1st Parish Church benefit concert on Saturday, March 27th from 7:30 to 10 p.m. was granted on a motion by Selectman Walker, seconded by Selectman Keller and voted unanimously.
A request from Plum Island Grille for permission to have entertainment on premises Wednesday, March 17th from 6-9 p.m. was approved on a motion by Selectman Russo, seconded by Selectman Walker and voted unanimously.
Amendments to the Clam Regulations were again tabled to allow Selectman Walker time to investigate the recommendations with the Commissioners. The matter will be addressed at the March 23rd meeting.
A new license for massage therapy for Patrick Melican d/b/a Tranquil Times @ 9 Moody Street was approved on a motion by Selectmen Russo, seconded by Selectman Walker and voted unanimously.
A request from Byfield/Newbury Little League for a long term lease on Pearson Field and the Kent Way property was referred to Counsel Penski for his review and recommendation.
The minutes of the February 23rd meeting were accepted as presented on a motion by Selectman Keller, seconded by Selectman Russo and voted unanimously. The minutes of the February 26th meeting were accepted as presented on a motion by Selectman Walker, seconded by Selectman Story and voted by Walker and Story.
On the recommendation of Doug Packer, James Cunningham was appointed to the Conservation Commission for the three year term (thru FY13) on a motion by Selectman Keller, seconded by Selectman Walker and voted unanimously.
On the recommendation of Chief Reilly, Charles Colby was appointed Shellfish Constable on a motion by Selectman Walker, seconded by Selectman Keller and voted unanimously.
Letters of support were entered into the records from Parker River Clean Water Association and Trout Unlimited for the full dam removal alternative proposed in the Larkin Dam Removal Feasibility Study.
An invitation was read from the 375th Anniversary Committee to the Selectmen requesting their attendance at an art show and sale at the Library on Friday, March 12th from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Selectman Keller updated the Board on the Superintendent’s Tri-Town Meeting. There is interest in having a resource officer at Triton and they would like to speak with Chief Reilly about this possibility. Selectman Walker noted that he felt the proposal should come from the school as the problems are in the school. It should not be the onus of the Selectmen of the three towns to propose placing an officer at the school. Keller advised that the Selectmen of Rowley and Salisbury are just looking for more information to present to the school district as to the feasibility of dedicating an officer for 180 days school time, costs and funding. Chief Reilly will be invited to make a presentation at the next school committee meeting.
Selectman Keller also announced that Sylvia Jordan is retiring as principal of NES at the end of this school year. The superintendent’s search has been narrowed down to two candidates and there will be a meet and greet luncheon held for each on Thursday, March 11th from 12:45 to 1:30 p.m. for Christopher Farmer and Friday, March 12th from 12:45 to 1:30 p.m. for Kelly Clenchy, with an open reception from 4-5:30 p.m. each day. All are invited to attend the reception.
Christopher Paglia was appointed Manager of the Byfield Community Arts Center on a motion by Selectman Walker, seconded by Selectman Russo and voted unanimously.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m. on a motion by Selectman Russo, seconded by Selectman Walker and voted unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathleen Sirois
Administrative Assistant
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