BOARD OF SELECTMEN’S MEETING
AUGUST 9, 2011
Chairman Story called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. with the pledge of allegiance to our flag. In attendance were Selectmen Story, Bear, Bulgaris, Mountain and Town Administrator Tracy Blais. Selectman Walker was absent.
Heidi Fram of the Byfield Community Arts Center advised that the arts center building would be closed for one week beginning August 20th for maintenance on the floor.
Bonnie Patch of Byfield expressed her concern about the lack of a procedure to inform board members of the issues to be voted at their meetings, especially appointments. Chairman Story advised there was process - agendas are finalized Thursday afternoons before the meeting and e-mailed to members, back up information is available at the Selectmen’s office early Monday morning for anyone who wishes to review it prior to the meeting. Discussions on the information cannot be held as it would violate the open meeting law. Selectman Mountain suggested that going forward with appointments, perhaps resumes could be e-mailed to the Board so they would better informed. Ms. Patch was thanked for her concern.
Town Administrator’s Report - Town Administrator Tracy Blais presented the Board with copies of the Auditor’s final report for FY10 along with management letter comments. She emphasized the importance of reviewing these documents as many comments will carry forward to 2011 but most should be corrected by 2012. A letter from Chief Reilly notifying the Newburyport Police Department that Newbury was withdrawing from the Newburyport Police Dive Team due to budgetary concerns was accepted and filed. Blais advised that RFP’s for the sale of surplus properties had been advertised in the Central Register and will be appearing in the Daily News. Bid opening date is set for September 27th. Job postings have been
advertised for an Assistant Town Clerk (part time) and a Library Director. On the recommendation of Blais the following persons were appointed to a new Communications Committee, on a motion by Selectman Bear, seconded by Selectman Bulgaris and voted by Bear, Bulgaris and Story: David Mountain, Joe McDonough, Paul Daubitz, Richard Hendrickson, Alicia Greco and Mario Carnovale. Selectman Mountain abstained from the vote as he is on the committee. On the recommendation of Blais the following persons were appointed to a Storm Water Management Team, on a motion by Selectman Bulgaris, seconded by Selectman Mountain and voted by Story, Bulgaris and Mountain: John O’Connell, Martha Taylor, Arthur Costonis, Doug Packer, Tim Leonard, Deb Rogers, Chuck Bear, Yvonne Buswell and Tracy Blais. Selectman Bear abstained from the vote as he is on the team. John O’Connell gave a brief overview of the EPA unfunded mandate requiring monitoring and improvement of the town’s
drainage system that initiated the establishment of this committee. He noted that costs would be involved and must be budgeted, lots of work is needed including public education and participation, detection of illicit discharges, and pollution prevention, but this group brings much needed expertise to the program. Massive amounts of paperwork will be required, but non-compliance with this mandate is not an option. On the recommendation of the Finance Committee, Erica Jacobsen was appointed to replace Dick Passeri, on a motion by Selectman Bear, seconded by Selectman Bulgaris and voted unanimously.
A request from John Wilkinson of High Road for use of the Upper Green on September 5th for an Indian Motorcycle ride-in rally and raffle was approved on a motion by Selectman Bulgaris, seconded by Selectman Bear and voted unanimously.
A letter of resignation from Elizabeth Armstrong from the Historical Commission was accepted with deep regret and thanks for her years of service on a motion by Selectman Bear, seconded by Selectman Bulgaris and voted unanimously.
A request from Neurofibromatosis, Northeast to include Newbury in their route for a “Coast to Cure” bike ride on Saturday, September 10th was granted on a motion by Selectman Bear, seconded by Selectman Bulgaris and voted unanimously. A “welcome to Newbury” letter will be sent.
A request from the First Parish Church for a waiver of the building permit fee for work on their handicapped railing and bathroom was approved on a motion by Selectman Bear, seconded by Selectman Mountain and voted unanimously.
A one-day liquor license for a fund raising event at the Spencer-Peirce-Little Farm by Mercury Brewing Company on Sunday, August 28th from noon to 5:30 p.m. was approved on a motion by Selectman Bear, seconded by Selectman Bulgaris and voted unanimously.
A request from Wendy Smith of Iron Moon Farm to place a sign on the Upper Green providing directions to the farm was approved on a motion by Selectman Bear, seconded by Selectman Bulgaris and voted unanimously. Mrs. Smith advised that the sign was the same one used last year and would be taken down the day after the farm closes for the season.
A new license for Eileen Cashman d/b/a Lalobarun Ranch at 83 Scotland Road for equine breeding, boarding and sales was approved on a motion by Selectman Bear, seconded by Selectman Bulgaris and voted unanimously.
On the recommendation of Selectman Mountain the following persons were appointed to the Historical Commission, on a motion by Selectman Bear, seconded by Selectman Bulgaris and voted unanimously: Nancy Thurlow, William Towne, Barbara Rogers, Channing Howard, Christopher Drelich and Marcia Peirce.
The following re-appointments were approved on a motion by Selectman Bear, seconded by Selectman Bulgaris and voted unanimously: D. Doyle/Treasurer Collector; C. Marshall/Asst. Treasurer Collector; A. Wills/Accountant; M. Taylor/Planner; K. Hunt/Director of Veterans Affairs; T. Leonard/DPW Director; J. Sarette/DPW Superintendent; S. Joslin/Building Commissioner; R. Cunningham/Burial Grounds Superintendent; Recreation Committee – W. Manter, R. Capolupo, J. Kennedy, R. Joy, D. Manter, J. Marcoline, R. Takesian, D. Taylor and N. Walker; Open Space Committee – M. Taylor, D. Streeter, D. Powell, M. Kozazcki, M. Schroeder, M. Carbone; Cemetery Committee – G. Woodworth, D. Stickney, J. Cunningham, R. Cunningham; Fr. Sears Memorial Park Advisory Committee – L. Connelly, E. Szymanski, J. Bursaw, B.
Murray; 8-Towns & the Bay – C. Eicher; Sandy Point State Reservation Committee – S. Smith; B2B Trail Committee – S. St. Arnault, J. VanSchalkwyk, C. Wilkinson, S. Fram, M. Taylor and T. Leonard.
The minutes of the July 12th and July 28th meetings were accepted as presented on a motion by Selectman Bulgaris, seconded by Selectman Mountain and voted by Story, Bulgaris and Mountain. Selectman Bear abstained as he was absent.
A one-day liquor license was approved for Northshore Bartending Service/Mass Democratic Party for a fundraiser at 69 High Road on August 27, 2011 from 3-8 p.m., on a motion by Selectman Bear, seconded by Selectman Mountain and voted unanimously.
A letter of commendation from the Office of the Inspector General on Tracy Blais’ completion of the Public Contracting Overview section of the MCPPO Program was acknowledged and filed.
Warrants were signed for the Town Administrator.
Bernie Field of Byfield advised the Board that he was against the Byfield Village Traffic Study project as presented to date. He noted that the promised survey had not been completed before plans were submitted and he would be campaigning against the project. Dick Cunningham commented that people seem to have adjusted to the few subtle changes made there – if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it. Martha Taylor insured that the survey would be complete by the next meeting and concerns will be addressed.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m. on a motion by Selectman Bear, seconded by Selectman Bulgaris and voted unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathleen Sirois, Admin. Asst.
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