BOARD OF SELECTMEN’S MEETING
JANUARY 11, 2011
Chairman Story opened the meeting at 7:05 p.m. with the pledge of allegiance to our flag. In attendance were Selectmen Story, Bear, Bulgaris, Walker and Town Administrator Chuck Kostro.
The legal notice for a public hearing on National Grid/Verizon’s petition number 9780179, dated 11//8/10 was read by Chairman Story. Engineer John Butler of National Grid advised that in recent years several services in the area of Columbia/Bryn Mawr Ways have been upgraded causing voltage problems. They propose moving the pole at the intersection of Columbia/Bryn Mawr approximately 20’ to the opposite side of the intersection and improving services to homes in the area. He noted this may also involve some work on O’Connors Court and Island Lane properties. It was moved by Selectmen Bear, seconded by Selectman Bulgaris and voted unanimously to approve the petition as presented.
A letter of recommendation from the Town Owned Surplus Dissolution Committee to the BOS was read by Selectman Bear. The committee recommended the sale of seven properties with one hearing for each property except for the three properties on Old Point Road for which a single hearing can be held. He asked that these properties be declared “surplus”. A discussion ensued regarding parcel #1 (Elm Street), as ownership has not been confirmed at the Registry of Deeds. It was moved by Selectman Bear to declare parcels 2 through 7 as surplus pursuant to public hearings for each property as recommended, seconded by Selectman Bulgaris and voted unanimously.
Kostro presented a preliminary budget to the BOS, including revenue estimates and staffing comparisons FY05 to FY12. He noted that projected revenues are flat. The bottom line of the budget is a 3% decrease over this year. General government is up 1 1/2 % due mainly to an increase in the reserve fund (from $35K to $65K) and an increase in insurance expense due to the number of vacant buildings. To offset this, every department has cut their expense budget. Public safety is decreased 16.6% including their wage account. Education is estimated at a 2.8% increase but school budgets have not been filed as yet. DPW is cut 5.8%, BOH cut 11.7%, and Culture and Recreation cut 23.4%.
Employee benefits show a 10.6% increase due mainly to our pension assessment to cover loses in 08/09. Health insurance approximates a 13% increase but the town is looking at a tiered coverage system which must be approved by the police union before any decisions are made. Bill Plante of Hay Street noted that the people are not swayed by budget figures. You need to put human faces on the numbers. This will be essential if an override is being considered. Chairman Story announced that the Strategic Financial Planning Task Force will be holding three public meetings to review where we are and to get public input from our residents as to what they want for services. Tentatively these meetings are scheduled for Feb. 1st @ 7 p.m. at the NES Auditorium, Feb. 10th @ 7 p.m. at the Newbury Library and Feb. 16th @ 7 p.m. at PITA.
Frank Remley, Chair of the Finance Committee advised that only less than 25% of the budget is discretionary, the remaining 75% is fixed costs over which we have no control.
Kostro noted that the P.I. land sale would be advertised in the Daily News and Central Register on January 19th. Bid opening will be March 24th. Bids on the salt shed roof repair have been reviewed. The low bid has been disqualified. It was moved by Selectman Bear, seconded by Selectman Bulgaris and voted unanimously to accept the second low bid @ $29,800. These monies will come from Chapter 90 funds.
The Selectmen signed a memorandum of agreement between the Town and the Police Association extending their current contract to the end of FY11. Kostro also advised the Selectmen that town hall would be closed tomorrow as Triton has already cancelled classes for the day due to the impending storm.
The proposed appointment of a sheet metal inspector was tabled indefinitely on a motion by Selectman Walker, seconded by Selectman Bulgaris and voted unanimously.
The minutes of the December 28th meeting were accepted as presented on a motion by Selectman Bulgaris, seconded by Selectman Bear and voted unanimously.
Gene Case of the Finance Committee spoke briefly on Hamilton/Wenham’s newly initiated exemption program for tax relief for low income elders and advised that Newbury would be looking at this program over the next year for implementation here if possible.
It was moved by Selectman Walker to put out a RFP for a manager of operations and to have this person write the specs for equipment needed for Cable Access, seconded by Selectman Bulgaris and voted unanimously. The Cable TV Advisory Committee is charged to return with a recommendation within thirty days of the review of the RFP, moved by Selectman Walker, seconded by Selectman Bear and voted unanimously.
Selectman Bulgaris moved to appoint David Powell (Planning Board member) to the SFPTF, seconded by Selectman Walker and voted unanimously.
Amendments/language changes to the “findings and declaration” section of the declaration of emergency approved at the 12/28 meeting were accepted on a motion by Selectman Bear, seconded by Selectman Bulgaris and voted unanimously. These final changes were approved by Counsel Penski.
A one-day liquor license was granted to Historic NE/Mercury Brewing Co. for a fundraiser at the Spencer-Peirce-Little Farm on Saturday, 1/15//11 from 4-10 p.m. on a motion by Selectman Bulgaris, seconded by Selectman Bear and voted unanimously.
The following 2011 general business licenses were approved on a motion by Selectman Bear, seconded by Selectman Bulgaris and voted unanimously – Schneller BMW Performance, J. Gallant Pool & Spa Inc., Universal Visions LLC, Applied Automotive Technology, and Angie’s Service Inc. (Class II).
Martha Taylor briefed the Selectmen on her report to Mass Clean Energy and a request for an extension to use the balance of our grant funds. Two possibilities that will be investigated are a feasibility study on the installation of solar panels on the Town Library and continued education on clean energy.
The Selectmen acknowledged the receipt of a letter from FEMA which addresses and resolves the protests made by Newbury on the FIRM (flood insurance rate map).
Bob Connors addressed the Board regarding the extension of the deadline for FEMA grant money to April 2011. He volunteered to attend a workshop the end of January on “how to write a grant request”. He also suggested that a “hazard mitigation plan committee” be formed and volunteers be appointed. The Selectmen will address this at their 1/25 meeting. Selectman Bulgaris cautioned we should investigate the opportunities offered and how to move forward but we must make sure it does not cost the town money.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:25 p.m. on a motion by Selectman Bear, seconded by Selectman Walker. Before the vote Chairman Story asked to reopen the meeting. The meeting was reopened on a motion by Selectman Bulgaris, seconded by Selectman Bear. Story advised that as a result of a conversation with Counsel he recommended a screening committee begin the process of advertising the position of Town Administrator. He recommended the committee consist of himself, Counsel Penski, Chief Reilly and Steve Salvo of the Personnel Board. Timing of this is to allow submission of an ad for the February’s Beacon. Selectman Bulgaris moved to follow Counsel’s recommendation to start the process of
advertising the TA position, seconded by Selectman Walker and voted unanimously.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 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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