BOARD OF SELECTMEN’S MEETING
FEBRUARY 14, 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 and Walker. Selectman Bear was absent.
Martha Taylor, Planner, presented for review the proposed zoning bylaw changes as discussed at the recent joint meeting of the Selectmen and the Planning Board in preparation for the May 22, 2012 ATM. Selectman Mountain moved to refer these proposed changes back to the Planning Board for a public hearing, seconded by Selectman Walker and voted unanimously.
Attorney Lisa Mead addressed the Board regarding parking on a Town right of way at 29 Southern Blvd. She noted that this property was partially destroyed by fire and will be razed and rebuilt. Discussion of the parking situation and DEP’s involvement ensued. Mead stated that awarding of parking is up to the Selectmen to continue the use. The question is can parking remain as is while permitting for the new house and drive are in the works? Selectman Walker moved to approve the driveway as shown on the plan dated December 8, 2011 by Design Consultants, Inc. but to require the applicant to cease using the parking area located on the town right of way and return it to a natural state to be approved by the
Conservation Commission when the driveway is built and construction is complete, seconded by Selectman Bulgaris and voted unanimously.
Chairman Story read a message from TA Blais. She recommended looking back at how the budget balancing decisions made during FY12 have impacted our various functions of government. To that end she invited managers whose departments sustained the most significant cuts to speak on how their operations have changed to accommodate the reduction. Chief William Pearson spoke on behalf of the Fire Companies noting that while everyday expenses continue to escalate, budgets for the past ten years remain the same or are cut. There is no money for training and dedicated volunteers enroll in schooling at their own expense. User fees have been instituted to make up for some budget cuts, grants have dried up and the department is being squeezed
from all sides. Full time coverage at the stations is necessary especially when schools are in session as there are not many call guys around during the day. If more cuts are made the ambulance service will be lost and we will lose more good people to other towns. Tim Leonard of the DPW advised that in 2000 budgets were level funded and then the cuts started. The budget for highways, bridges and sidewalks was deleted eliminating seed money for road projects. Chapter 90 funds were used to purchase equipment so we would not lose those state funds. The parks budget was eliminated and ended our summer recreation program for the children as well as regular treatment of the Upper Green Pond, cleaning beaches and mowing of all but the Greens, Town Hall and the Library. The crew is down by four positions as hiring of replacements
for retirees etc. was frozen. Regular road maintenance cannot be done due to the lack of man power and monies for supplies. It takes $200K to repair one mile of roads and we have 65 miles to maintain. Our operating facility was closed for over a year and equipment maintenance came to a stand still. Deb Rogers of the Board of Health noted that their biggest line items in the budget are for the transfer station and DEP mandated inspections. A 2% increase is necessary to cover solid waste removal. An increase in recycling would help reduce this cost but man power is needed to enforce recycling by our residents and to insure current stickers are in place. Jean Ackerly spoke for the Library describing devastating cuts to staff and reduced hours of operation. If certification is lost, residents will be unable to use any
other libraries. The building needs regular maintenance to prevent further deterioration. The budget is down 48% over the last ten years resulting in a 67% cut in expenses and a 36% cut in salaries. After barely surviving the past three years, we are again looking at further reductions for FY13. Ackerly provided circulation and population data compiled from 2010 showing Newbury as the largest in the area just under Ipswich. Volunteerism has saved the town this year but cannot continue at this pace. Chief Reilly noted his department sustained a $185K cut this year resulting in the reduction of full time officers from 13 to ten and the elimination of all full time dispatchers. We don’t have the staff to man the cruisers and are at times down to one car on patrol to cover over 24 square miles. He commended the Police
Union for not filing grievances during these trying times. We have good people. Their morale is low but they have stepped up and do a great job for the town. Martie Joe, Director of the Council on Aging, stated COA is no longer a non-essential department. We are the only social services agency in Town serving 1687 seniors over age 60. We meet our most urgent needs thanks in part to our volunteers, help from the Board of Health and our Directors and Friends but have many needs that we cannot meet. Selectman Bulgaris noted that while the people don’t want an override, no other solutions are offered. Selectman Walker commented that we all knew last year there would be hardships without an override and these are some of the examples. If it doesn’t pass this year it will be even worse. “I feel like a canary in a mine shaft”, he
said. Selectman Mountain noted that there was a joint meeting of the Rowley, Salisbury and Newbury Selectmen scheduled for the 22nd in Rowley to discuss Tritons proposed budget. Ron Barrett of P.I. commented that we cannot continue to cannibalize our town - we need to look for ways to find money. He advised that a meeting is being scheduled with Senator Tarr and Vine Engineering to look at emergency rights of way on P.I. Both the Senator and Vine are willing to work with us if we can find the funding. Plans are to solicit the local banks and Seabrook Station. If departments can draft letters for what is needed for emergencies such as equipment, cruisers, reverse 911 system, etc. they will be discussed at the meeting. It is hoped TA Blais will also attend as the town’s representative. Barrett will advise when a date is set.
One day liquor licenses were approved for Protection Fire Co. #2 for functions on Feb. 25th, March 24th, April 21st and May 19th from 7-10 p.m. and March 17th from 6-10 p.m. on a motion by Selectman Bulgaris, seconded by Selectman Walker and voted unanimously.
A one day liquor license was approved for Anna Jaques Hospital Aid Assoc. for their annual Great Chef’s Night at Governor’s Academy on Friday, March 16th from 6-11 p.m. on a motion by Selectman Walker, seconded by Selectman Bulgaris and voted unanimously.
A new fee schedule for Weights and Measures to bring our charges in line with the State was approved on a motion by Selectman Walker, seconded by Selectman Mountain and voted unanimously.
License renewals for 2012 were approved for Diamonds from the Ruff (4 Riverview Drive), Henry C. Becker Custom Bldg. Ltd. (41 Parker St.), Parker River Dental (3 Kent Way) and the Sanctuary B&B (75 Scotland Road) on a motion by Selectman Walker, seconded by Selectman Bulgaris and voted unanimously.
The Board acknowledged the Recreation Committee’s approval allowing Circus Smirkus to use the fields August 1-4, 2012 for a fee of $250. The event will benefit a local non-profit. The circus will be held on August 3 & 4 with a day for set up and a day to break down.
On a motion by Selectman Bulgaris, seconded by Selectman Mountain and voted unanimously a request from the Newbury Historical Commission to have the historical memorabilia related to the 350th and 375th anniversaries of the Town transferred to the property and oversight of their commission was approved with the exception of some of the brass coins and a few cases of “Images of the Past” which have already been assigned.
As requested in a memo from Superintendent Farmer, Selectman Mountain was nominated to be Newbury’s representative to a committee to review the proposal of merging the high and middle schools in the fall of 2013 on a motion by Selectman Bulgaris, seconded by Selectman Story and voted by Bulgaris, Story and Walker. Selectman Walker was nominated to be the alternate on a motion by Selectman Bulgaris, seconded by Selectman Story and voted by Bulgaris, Story and Mountain. Selectmen Mountain and Walker each abstained from the vote on their nominations.
A letter from Chief William Pearson regarding accessibility for fire apparatus to Sandy Lane, and 16th Tee Street was discussed. A working group was established consisting of Chief Pearson, Chief Reilly, Tim Leonard, Doug Packer, David Vine and John O’Connell (Planning Board) to address the issues of tight corners, stone walls, etc. and to look at alternatives. Selectman Story noted this may tie into the emergency accesses presented by Barrett.
An invitation from NES to participate in “Read Across America Day” on March 2, 2012 was read and filed. Anyone able to participate was asked to contact Margot Ryan at NES.
A letter from the Rowley Selectmen inviting our Board to a joint meeting (Rowley, Salisbury and Newbury) on February 22nd at 7 p.m. at the Rowley Town Hall to discuss common budget concerns and the impact of the TRSD’s fiscal 2013 budget on our communities was read and filed. Members planning to attend were asked to contact TA Eagan in Rowley.
Warrants were reviewed and signed by the Selectmen for TA Blais.
Selectman Mountain suggested that “mission statements” be drafted for each board and committee starting with the Media Committee. He advised that the letter regarding Seabrook’s re-licensing was still in the works but would be completed soon.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m. on a motion by Selectman Walker, seconded by Selectman Bulgaris and voted unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathleen Sirois, Admin. Asst.
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