BOARD OF SELECTMEN’S MEETING
JANUARY 24, 2012
Chairman Story opened the meeting at 7:00 p.m. with the pledge of allegiance to our flag. In attendance were Selectmen Story, Bear, Bulgaris, Mountain, Walker and Town Administrator Tracy Blais.
TA Blais advised that a Performance Extension had been executed on January 11th for the 3 Temple Blvd. property. She asked Bob Connors, Chair of the Capital Planning Committee to address a proposed bylaw amendment for the Capital Planning Committee. He noted that a manual for operation had been adopted by the Committee and was being presented to the Selectmen for their consideration. The Town Administrator and the Finance Committee have approved this final version of the operation manual, he advised. He also presented to the Board an amendment to the May 2007 bylaw adopted by Town Meeting for the Capital Planning Committee. He noted this language change is boiler plate from DOR, the Government Finance Office and Finance
Committee Association of Mass. No action is required tonight, he advised. This amendment is for the Selectmen’s review and recommendation for Town Meeting. Blais acknowledged a recent donation of $5K from Julian Geiger to the COA. A letter of appreciation will be sent from the Selectmen. Blais advised that the Byfield Community Arts Center (grange hall) has been included in our Capital Plan as a town building in need of repairs to the roof. Selectman Bulgaris noted that the front steps also needed work. Selectman Mountain inquired about the school building and Blais advised it would be offered for sale as soon as zoning is clarified. The Ethics Commission is offering a “conflict of interest” seminar on February 15th from 9 a.m. to 12 noon in the NES Auditorium. Attendance earns points for the Town as a
credit on our insurance premiums. Sign up for the seminar is in the Selectmen’s office. The Board of Library Trustees announced the resignation of Mary Leary from their board and the recommended the appointment of Nancy Colombo to fill her position. The “Keep Newburyport Beautiful Project” has asked Newbury to help with their April 28th clean up by having the DPW pick up filled trash bags along P.I. Tpke. This matter was taken under advisement. Chairman Story advised he had also received a request from Coastal Zone Mgmt. to aid in a state wide clean up of the beaches in the spring.
The Selectmen addressed the matter of a letter of concern to NRC regarding Seabrook Station’s re-licensing which was tabled at the last meeting. Selectman Mountain moved to send a letter requesting re-licensing be suspended until all public safety concerns have been addressed. The motion was seconded by Selectman Walker and a discussion ensued. The motion was voted unanimously and Selectman Mountain will draft a letter for the board’s consideration.
General business licenses were approved on a motion by Selectman Bear, seconded by Selectman Bulgaris and voted unanimously for Seacoast Cycle, 4 Nbypt. Tpke. (Class II); Gallant Pool & Spa, 96 Nbypt. Tpke (general business) and Carla Capolupo, 26 P.I. Blvd. (parking lot).
The warrant for the State Primary Election to be held on March 6th was approved and signed by the Selectmen on a motion by Selectman Bulgaris, seconded by Selectman Bear and voted unanimously.
The minutes of the January 10th meeting were accepted as presented on a motion by Selectman Bear, seconded by Selectman Mountain and voted unanimously.
A one-day liquor license for the Newbury PTA for a function at Governor’s Academy in the Phillips Building, on March 3rd from 7-11:30 p.m. was approved on a motion by Selectman Bulgaris, seconded by Selectman Bear and voted unanimously.
The Selectmen approved the Board of Library Trustees appointment of Nancy Colombo to replace Mary Leary until the May 2012 election on a motion by Selectman Bear, seconded by Selectman Bulgaris and voted unanimously.
On the recommendation of the Finance Committee Frank Wetenkamp was appointed to the Capital Planning Committee to fill Anna Tenaglia’s term, on a motion by Selectman Bulgaris, seconded by Selectman Bear and voted unanimously.
Selectman Mountain gave a brief update on the recent meetings of the Media Committee. He noted they were working on bid documents for equipment
Warrants were signed for TA Blais.
At 7:50 p.m. Selectman Walker made a motion to enter into executive session with representatives of the City of Newburyport to discuss strategy with respect to litigation pertaining to the Plum Island water/sewer systems as an open meeting could have a detrimental effect on the litigation position of the Town, seconded by Selectman Bear. A roll call vote was taken: Selectman Bear, yes; Selectman Bulgaris, yes; Selectman Mountain, yes; Selectman Walker, yes; Selectman Story, yes. Selectman Story announced that the open meeting would not reconvene at the close of the executive session.
At 9:30 p.m. the executive session was closed on a motion by Selectman Bear, seconded by Selectman Mountain and voted unanimously. The open meeting was adjourned on a motion by Selectman Bear, seconded by Selectman Bulgaris and voted unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathleen Sirois, Admin. Asst.
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