BOARD OF SELECTMEN’S MEETING
FEBRUARY 9, 2010
Chairman Story opened the meeting at 7:00 p.m. with the pledge of allegiance to our flag. Selectmen Story, Keller, Bulgaris, Russo, Walker and Town Administrator Chuck Kostro were present.
Joanne Johnson, Chairman of the Harbormaster Advisory Task Force, presented for review the findings and recommendations of the Task Force. She advised that the Task Force has been meeting regularly since November 3rd. A mission statement was adopted and they developed a plan to guide their work with emphasis on understanding both the historical and present situation. A survey of fees in neighboring communities was also conducted. Harbor management, regulations/fees, the current economy and the condition of the town’s finances were all taken into consideration. Following were some of the items addressed: ordinary maintenance for dock and ramp; staff time put to better use; maintain existing boats;
simplification and uniformity of fees; fees related to docks; commercial haulers fees; town dock and miscellaneous fees; mooring usage and moorings for river front property owners; navigational buoys; no wake zone; department budget and a permanent harbor commission. The Task Force was thanked for their time and the great job they did streamlining the facts. It was moved by Selectman Russo, seconded by Selectman Bulgaris and voted unanimously to review the recommended fee structure and set fees at the next Selectmen’s meeting on February 23rd. The possibility of forming a Harbor Commission and budget items will be addressed at a later date.
Doug Packer, on behalf of the Conservation Commission, recommended the establishment of a No Discharge Area (NDA) for the coastal waters of the upper north shore of MA from Rockport to Salisbury and asked for the Selectmen’s support for an Upper North Shore NDA application. He cited protection of our shellfish resources, swimming beaches and recreational areas as well as our ACEC. Pump-out facilities are already in place in Newbury and most surrounding towns, so there is no cost to the town at this time. It was moved by Selectman Bulgaris, seconded by Selectman Walker and voted unanimously to adopt Packer’s recommendation. A letter of support will be sent to the NDA Coordinator at CZM.
David Powell of the Planning Board addressed a letter summarizing MVPC’s evaluation of traffic flow and bicycle/pedestrian issues in the Byfield section of town. MVPC looked at improvements at the Main/Central Street intersection, Post Office parking, the Downfall Road/Central Street intersection, parking and pedestrian accommodations on Main and Lunt Streets and bus stop locations and made recommendations short and long term for each area. Some concerns were raised about complying with Mass DOT guidelines. Kostro noted that Mass Highway has a federally funded Road Safety Audit Department of engineers that may be able to help Newbury with traffic flows, signage, crosswalks, etc. and he would make contact with them to see what they can do for us.
Selectman Walker asked Powell if he could put together a matrix of the information he has collected for the Selectmen and Powell agreed to do so. Fred Davis and Vivian Anastasia, homeowners in the Main Street area between Lunt and Church Streets asked if it wouldn’t be safer to go back to the original traffic pattern to alleviate added traffic on their section of roadway while studies are being done. Powell advised he felt it would cause more problems to change back at this time.
Planner, Martha Taylor presented drafts of proposed zoning amendments for the ATM in May that are works in progress by the Planning Board. Martha summarized each amendment for the Selectmen and asked that these amendments be referred back to the Planning Board for public hearings. She noted that Counsel Penski, Sam Joslin, Doug Packer and Evelyn Noyes had all reviewed these preliminary drafts. It was moved by Selectman Russo, seconded by Selectman Walker and voted unanimously to refer the seven articles and OSRD rules and regulations back to the Planning Board for public hearings.
A request from the 375th Anniversary Committee for use of the Lower Green on Saturday and Sunday, May 1 & 2, for a two day anniversary celebration and use of the town landing for overflow parking these dates was approved on a motion by Selectman Russo, seconded by Selectman Bulgaris and voted unanimously.
Town Administrator Chuck Kostro submitted a FY11 draft budget presentation showing revenue estimates, budget increases, operational needs, budget cuts and the budget status along with some unknown items. He also addressed spending trends from ’07 to present. With no good news in the foreseeable future, the town faces a $2.3 million budget gap.
A letter from the 1st Parish Church outlined their plans for their 375th birthday celebration. An encampment on the Upper Green will be in place for three days, May 29, 30 and 31, and will be open for visiting and teaching from 9-5 on Saturday and Sunday and 9-3 on Monday. A request to have up to four horses on the Green was discussed as was the possibility of police presence for a parade from the encampment to the Church on Sunday for the 10 a.m. service. It was moved by Selectman Russo, seconded by Selectman Bulgaris and voted unanimously to allow the horses with the caveat that the Green be restored if any damage is done by the horses. The matter of police presence will be forwarded to Chief Reilly for his review and recommendation.
A request from the Historical Society of Old Newbury for permission to place small signs around Town to advertise their 31st annual Garden Tour to be held June 12th & 13th was approved on a motion by Selectman Russo, seconded by Selectman Bulgaris and voted unanimously.
The Selectmen reviewed and signed a proclamation for Anna Jaques Hospital Heart Healthy Day
The minutes of the January 26th meeting were accepted as presented on a motion by Selectman Bulgaris, seconded by Selectman Keller and voted unanimously.
Licenses were renewed for 2010 for PITA Hall and Carla J. Capolupo’s Parking Lot on a motion by Selectman Walker, seconded by Selectman Bulgaris and voted unanimously.
A one-day liquor license was approved for NES PTA for an fundraising event, “NES Pub Quiz Night”, at Governor’s Academy on Saturday, March 13th from 7 p.m. to 12 midnight.
A resolution from the BOS to the ACOE requesting a jetty study under Section 111 of the 1968 River and Harbor Act was approved on a motion by Selectman Russo, seconded by Selectman Walker and voted unanimously. It was also voted on a motion by Selectman Russo and seconded by Selectman Walker to permit Chairman Story to sign the resolution for the Board.
A request from Protection Fire Co. #2 to place a sandwich board style sign on the Upper Green from time to time to advertise their special dinner fundraisers was approved on a motion by Selectman Russo, seconded by Selectman Keller and voted unanimously.
The request from PITA for the installation of an electronic sign at PITA Hall referred to Sam Joslin at the last meeting was addressed and the request was approved on a motion by Selectman Bulgaris, seconded by Selectman Walker and voted unanimously.
A schedule of events from the 375th Anniversary Committee was presented to the Board for their review. This schedule is on the town’s website and is updated as new items are added to the calendar.
Chairman Story clarified the appointment of a representative from TRSD’s three towns to take part in the teachers bargaining sessions. Counsels from the three towns advised the representative would be a full voting member and not just an observer and the procedure specified that the Selectmen’s Chairs should vote their choice. It was decided that Neil Harrington, Town Manager of Salisbury, would be the appointed representative of the three towns with Chuck Kostro as back up should Neil not be able to attend the meetings.
Selectman Keller advised that the superintendent’s search was moving along nicely and there were some strong candidates being interviewed.
Selectman Russo officially announced that he would not run for a third term as Selectman.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:25 p.m. on a motion by Selectman Walker, seconded by Selectman Bulgaris and voted unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathleen Sirois, Admin. Asst.
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