BOARD OF SELECTMEN’S MEETING
OCTOBER 9, 2012
Chairman Story opened the meeting at 7:00 p.m. with the pledge of allegiance to our flag. In attendance were Selectmen Story, Bulgaris, Mountain, Walker and Town Administrator Tracy Blais. Selectman Bear was absent.
Chairman Story asked for a moment of silence for the sudden passing of Lois Smith, who died Sunday, October 7th.
A certificate of appreciation was presented to Sheriff Frank Cousins for his cooperation in providing work crews to help with the painting of Town Hall, the Library and other projects. Sam Joslin noted that it was a community effort with our local restaurants donating lunches to the crews. Sheriff Cousins offered aid in cleaning up around the playing fields in Byfield which was gratefully accepted.
TA Blais advised that after the last meeting, she had compiled a list of concerns brought before the Board by residents of the Sunset area. She noted that we are beginning a comprehensive study on Plum Island with MVPC and they will be addressing all issues listed, look at the Island as a whole, see where we can safely put parking and will draw up plans for the Town’s consideration, as was done for Byfield Village. In the meantime, she recommended taking back/rescinding the additional parking added as requested in the petition filed at the last meeting. The remainder will be left as is until the studies are completed. Selectman Mountain moved to accept the Town Administrator’s recommendation, seconded by
Selectman Walker and voted unanimously.
Blais noted that the Town had received a $10K grant for the audit of internal financial controls which is to be completed June 30, 2013. She also advised we had received our “free cash” certification from DOR in the amount of $959,003.00 which allows us to sustain our operating budget for now but does not address the operational budget deficit. We are still in need of an override to fill the budget gap.
The Selectmen granted Fred Jackman use of the Upper Green on Saturday, October 13th for a yearly fund raiser on a motion by Selectman Bulgaris, seconded by Selectman Walker and voted unanimously.
On the recommendation of the Planning Board, George Morse was appointed Associated Member to the Planning Board for a one year term, as moved by Selectman Bulgaris, seconded by Selectman Walker and voted unanimously.
A new license for Donald B. Walton d/b/a Walton’s Auto Lab @ 78 Hanover Street was approved on a motion by Selectman Bulgaris, seconded by Selectman Mountain and voted unanimously.
The minutes of previous meetings were tabled to the next meeting.
A request from the producers of the HBO movie Clear History to film in Newbury at the Martin Burns Management area and on Middle Road was approved contingent on their working directly with our Police Department for needed details and directions, on a motion by Selectman Bulgaris, seconded by Selectman Walker and voted unanimously.
Warrants were signed for TA Blais.
At 8:10 p.m., Chairman Story moved to enter into an executive session to consider the purchase of a parcel of land as an open meeting may have a detrimental effect of the negotiating position of this body, seconded by Selectman Bulgaris. A roll call vote was taken: Story, yes; Bulgaris, yes; Mountain, yes; Walker, yes. Chairman Story stated the open session would not reconvene at the conclusion of the executive session. The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m. at the close of the executive session.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathleen Sirois, Admin. Asst.
| 
