BOARD OF SELECTMEN’S MEETING
SEPTEMBER 13, 2011
Chairman Story opened the meeting at 7:30 p.m. with the pledge of allegiance to our flag. In attendance were Selectmen Story, Bear, Bulgaris, Mountain, Walker and Town Administrator Tracy Blais.
Town Administrator Tracy Blais reported that the bid openings on Town Owned Land would be Wednesday, September 21st. Acceptance of resumes for the job posting for a full time Library Director has been extended. The first meeting of the Storm Water Management Team has been scheduled for Wednesday, September 21st at 11 a.m. at the Library. Collective bargaining negotiations are ongoing and the next session will be September 22nd at 10 a.m. Work on the DPW garage has begun. Sam Joslin has been working with Whittier and local contractors to get it done by winter. Phase 1 electrical has been completed by Whittier students under the direction of Gil Moran, Senior Electrical Instructor. Contractor Dean Fantini is providing the Phase 2 electrical work, Bill Wendt (plumber) is working on the heating service, Caswell HVAC is installing an air handler and Bob Connors has donated work to complete fire blocking in the building. All contractors have donated their time
and/or materials. A MIIA grant has been secured to replace all five garage doors and National Grid will cover the cost of replacing lighting fixtures with high-efficiency units. It was moved by Selectman Walker, seconded by Selectman Bulgaris and voted unanimously to request TA Blais write letters of appreciation to all contractors for their service and donations to the Town.
A one-day liquor license was approved for Mercury Brewing Co. for a function at Spencer-Peirce-Little Farm on Saturday, September 17th from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on a motion by Selectman Bear, seconded by Selectman Bulgaris and voted unanimously.
On the recommendation of Martie Joe, Director of the COA, it was moved by Selectman Bear, seconded by Selectman Walker and voted unanimously to reappoint the following persons to the COA Board of Directors: Gene Smith, LuAnn Kuder, Geri Dorr, Richard Joy, Joe Lojek, Evelyn Noyes and Russell Peirce.
A proclamation for the United Nations Association of Greater Boston naming October 24th as United Nations Day was reviewed and signed by the Selectmen on a motion by Selectman Mountain, seconded by Selectman Bear and voted unanimously.
A request from the Newbury Recreation Committee for consideration of naming the Central Street fields for Warren Manter was read. It was moved by Selectman Bulgaris, seconded by Selectman Bear and voted unanimously to evaluate the request and table a decision to a later meeting. Assessor Budd Kelley spoke in favor of the request. Selectman Walker noted that he had always considered it Manter Field.
The PEG Access support quarterly payment from Comcast in the amount of $24,540.31 was acknowledged as received.
A letter from Patrick Brennan of 195R High Road was read requesting permission to install a dock on the freshwater impoundment between his property and Pine Island Road. This site appears to be town owned land. Doug Packer has notified Mr. Brennan that this could be a violation of the Wetlands Protection Act. The matter was tabled to a future meeting to allow the Board to confer with Counsel regarding liability and the possibility of setting a precedent.
A new license for Mad Martha’s Island Café was approved on a motion by Selectman Walker, seconded by Selectman Bear and voted unanimously. The new owners, Kendall Bowie and Kyree Gerson were in attendance. They advised they would be keeping the same hours as the past owner serving breakfast and lunch. They also offer private parties, a book club twice a month and other activities. All Board of Health permits are in place. The Board wished the new owners the best of luck in their new venture.
A letter from Eileen Savage-Creedon of 96 High Road asking for the Board’s consideration of a cross walk in the vicinity of her property was read. She noted that Mass DOT was willing to assess the site with the Town’s approval. It was moved by Selectman Bear, seconded by Selectman Bulgaris to ask DOT to assess the need for a crosswalk in this area. A brief discussion ensued. Kathleen Pearson inquired about recommending a location. Chairman Story advised that they would ask DOT to evaluate the request and ask that they come back with a recommendation to the Town. TA Blais will be asked to write to Mass DOT requesting an assessment of the site for a possible crosswalk and report their findings back
to the Town. The motion was voted unanimously.
A letter from MEMA regarding a new Public Safety Mutual Aid Law was reviewed. Selectman Bulgaris noted that there are three options offered to opt-in. He moved to have TA Blais meet with Fire, Police, Highway and Inspectional Services to review the law and recommend which option would be best for Newbury, seconded by Selectman Walker and voted unanimously.
Four one-day liquor licenses were approved for the Byfield Community Arts Center for their Cat-in-the Cradle Coffeehouses on Sept. 10th, Oct. 21st, Nov.19th and Dec. 17th, all from 7:30 to 11 p.m., on a motion by Selectman Bear, seconded by Selectman Walker and voted unanimously.
The minutes of the August 9th meeting were accepted a presented on a motion by Selectman Bear, seconded by Selectman Bulgaris and voted unanimously.
A Class II license was approved for William Koski d/b/a Bill’s Auto Repair at 24 Middle Road on a motion by Selectman Bear, seconded by Selectman Mountain and voted unanimously.
A letter of appreciation from the First Parish Church was acknowledged and filed.
Warrants were signed for Town Administrator Blais.
Updates on meetings attended were noted. Selectman Bear spoke on the Byfield Center Traffic Study and advised that after local input on the intersections are completed there will be one final public meeting. Selectman Walker advised that the ACEC Management Plan meeting is in fledgling form and will be a long process. Chairman Story spoke on the Merrimack River Beach Alliance meeting at which plans to mobilize a group to petition Washington for funding for the repair to the jetties was initiated by Senator Tarr. A date is in the works. Kathleen Pearson, Chair of the Planning Board noted that her Board was looking at the zoning district in Byfield Center, reformatting the use section of districts and exploring the idea of an accessory
by-law, all for the spring town meeting. Budd Kelley, Chair of the Board of Assessors spoke briefly on their recent ATB rulings and the “stigma” attached to ocean front properties on Plum Island. He noted that their 10-year re-evaluation is in the works.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:05 p.m. on a motion by Selectman Bear, seconded by Selectman Mountain and voted unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathleen Sirois, Admin. Asst.
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