BOARD OF SELECTMEN’S MEETING
FEBRUARY 22, 2011
Chairman Story opened the meeting at 7:03 p.m. with the pledge of allegiance to our flag. In attendance were Selectmen Story, Bear, Bulgaris, Keller, Walker and Town Administrator Chuck Kostro.
A public hearing was opened at 7:05 p.m. for parcel U03-0-37 (34-14th Street). The legal notice was read by Clerk Keller. Martha Taylor gave a brief overview of the property. The lot is vacant and contains .112 acres (70’x 70’for a total of 4900 s/f). An aerial photo of the location of the property was shown. The hearing was opened to public comments/questions. Wallace Thurlow of 12 Hutchins Rd. stated he would like to see this property declared as surplus. Al Romano of 16th Street asked who decides what will be sold and when. Story advised that a committee drew up the list, it was advertised and if interest was expressed in the property it was placed at the front
of the list. There being no further questions or comments, it was moved by Selectman Bear, seconded by Selectman Keller and voted unanimously to declare parcel U03-0-37 as surplus land and make it available for sale. The public hearing was closed at 7:15 p.m.
TA, Chuck Kostro presented the Board with documentation to support the use of the betterment fund to cover cost overruns for the repair of the sandbags on Plum Island. Selectman Walker moved that the BOS authorize the expenditure of up to $52,041 from the Special Assessment Fund for the purpose of paying a cost overrun resulting from an extra work order for the maintenance and repair of the sandbags at Plum Island Center which was completed on or about March of 2010, seconded by Selectman Bulgaris and voted unanimously. Kostro presented the Selectmen with a “transition book” which contains the proposed FY12 budget, list of procurements and their status, list of open contracts and job descriptions. A copy was also made available to Frank Remley (Finance
Committee) and Counsel Penski. Kostro noted that there is one year left on the Auditor’s contract. He recommended extending the contract as presented. He also requested Giusti & Hingston perform an audit per his letter, work to be completed by March 31st, fee not to exceed $1,500. Kostro noted that their contract is very competitive price wise and the town has been happy with their work and availability. Kostro advised an engagement letter will be sent to D’Ambrosio Law confirming practices and adding the statement “town reserves the right to stop all action against any delinquent taxpayer at any time without any liability under this agreement”. Kostro noted that our aim is to collect the tax and not take the property. We have never foreclosed on a property in tax title. Kostro confirmed that approval had been
received from the State for the use of Chapter 90 funds to repair the salt shed roof (cost $29,800). He will sign the contract for work to begin as soon as possible. Mass Highway has also approved our request for preliminary design services for Byfield Village Safety Improvements at a cost of $60K. This service includes survey and base plan, preliminary design, landscape design and public outreach. It was moved by Selectman Bear, seconded by Selectman Walker and voted unanimously to move forward on both these projects. Kostro advised that the pre-bid conference on the 5.4 acres on P.I. would be held on Thursday, March 24th at 10:00 a.m. at the Byfield Fire Station Hall. As this will be Kostro’s last BOS meeting he read a letter to the residents of Newbury thanking them for their help and support over the past 4 ½ years. He also thanked the Selectmen past and present, town
boards, counsel and town employees for their dedication, support and willingness to serve the citizens of Newbury. A copy of the letter was presented to Chairman Story. The Selectmen formally thanked Chuck for his assistance, guidance and tenacity to guide the town through adversities.
A letter of support for MVPC’s application for FEMA funds to update the region’s multi community hazard mitigation plan (Merrimack Valley Region Natural Hazards Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan) was approved on a motion by Selectman Walker, seconded by Selectman Bear and voted unanimously.
It was moved by Selectman Keller, seconded by Selectman Bear and voted unanimously to extend the deadline for submittal of the final FY12 TRSD budget from March 15th to March 31, 2011, as requested by the Triton Regional School Committee in their letter of February 1, 2011. Chairman Story was authorized to sign on behalf of the Board.
A one-day liquor license for a Pine Grove School fundraiser to be held at Governor’s Academy on March 19th from 7-11 p.m. was approved on a motion by Selectman Bear, seconded by Selectman Bulgaris and voted unanimously.
Martha Taylor presented a frequently asked question sheet from the Essex Heritage Scenic Byway website to answer the questions raised by the Selectmen at their last meeting. She also submitted a copy of a 2005 letter from the Selectmen in support of the Corridor Management Plan which states that “the Town retains the authority to approve any changes that are recommended in the plan” and a revised letter of support which included the concerns raised at the last meeting. After a brief discussion it was moved by Selectman Walker, seconded by Selectman Bear to approve the revised letter of support and to authorize Chairman Story to sign on the board’s behalf. The motion was voted unanimously.
The Selectmen addressed the Harbormaster’s fees tabled at the February 8th meeting. Selectman Walker moved to accept the fees as presented, seconded by Selectman Bear and open to discussion. Selectman Bulgaris was adamant that the 2010 fees not be changed until a ruling is received from the Inspector General. The proposed budget vs. revenues was discussed. Stokes noted that last year’s revenues took a 40% dip from $64K to $42K some of which was due to the economy. Kostro noted that there is approx. $60K in the Waterways Fund which is usually saved for capital expenditures but could be used short term, if necessary, to supplement the budget. Delays in setting the fees, proposed increases for 2011 vs.
the fees for 2010, anticipated shortfall in revenues, and expenses vs. wages were all touched upon. Chairman Story asked for a vote and the motion to accept the 2011 fees was voted down unanimously. Selectman Walker advised he wanted next year’s fees set the end of August or soon thereafter. Waiting until this late date and wondering if the revenues will support the budget is crazy. It was moved by Selectman Keller, seconded by Selectman Bulgaris and voted unanimously to retain the same fees for 2011 as in 2010 due to the lateness of the proposal and to wait for a ruling from IG’s office before setting next year’s fees. Fees for the 2012 season will be reviewed in August/September and voted in the fall.
Selectman Walker moved that, pursuant to Section 7 of Newbury’s Town Administrator Act, the Board “appoint” Anthony Penski to serve without compensation as a part-time special municipal employee “to perform the duties” of Town Administrator and Chief Procurement Officer effective March 4, 2011 until such time as the Selectmen appoint a full-time Town Administrator pursuant to Section 6 of said Act, seconded by Selectman Bear and voted unanimously. Chairman Story noted that this appointment will give the town continuity while the search for a full-time Town Administrator is ongoing.
On a motion by Selectman Bulgaris, seconded by Selectman Bear and voted unanimously the Board authorized the establishment of an IAC (Insurance Advisory Committee) to address the issues of health insurance plans for the Town. Appointments will be formalized at the next Selectmen’s meeting.
On a motion by Selectman Bear, seconded by Selectman Bulgaris and voted unanimously the minutes of the February 8th meeting were accepted as presented.
The Planning Board presented two articles to the Selectmen for consideration – proposed changes to the Commercial and Industrial Districts along Rte. 1 and proposed rezoning of three parcel in Byfield (parcels U14-21/22/23) on Main Street from Industrial to Residential/Agricultural. Kathleen Pearson, Chair of the Planning Board gave a brief overview of the two articles along with an aerial map of the Main Street parcels. It was moved by Selectman Walker, seconded by Selectman Bear and voted unanimously to accept the two articles as presented and refer them back to the Planning Board for public hearings. Chairman Story noted that this was a good example of our attempts to broaden our tax base.
Clarification of the electrical fee schedule for “remodels” and “additions” was accepted as presented by Building Inspector, Sam Joslin, on a motion by Selectman Bear, seconded by Selectman Walker and voted unanimously.
A 2011 license renewal was approved for Parker River Dental on a motion by Selectman Bear, seconded by Selectman Bulgaris and voted unanimously.
A letter from the Rowley Selectmen to the Triton School Committee requesting the school level fund the Town’s FY12 assessment was read and filed. An invitation from TRSD to the Selectmen inviting them to a meeting of the District Budget Advisory Committee on March 10th was also read and filed.
The meeting was adjourned at 9 p.m. on a motion by Selectmen Bear, seconded by Selectman Bulgaris and voted unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathleen Sirois, Admin. Asst.
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