BOARD OF SELECTMEN’S MEETING
SEPTEMBER 24, 2013
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Vice Chair Michael Bulgaris with the pledge of allegiance to our flag. In attendance were Selectmen Bulgaris, Bear, Mountain and Town Administrator Tracy Blais.
A request from the Jeanne Geiger Crisis Center to place a banner on the back stop of the Upper Green from 9/25 to 10/6/13 to advertise their Annual Walk Against Domestic Violence was approved on a motion by Selectman Bear, seconded by Selectman Mountain and voted unanimously. Mary Wetherbee from the Center advised the banner was approximately 6’ x 3’.
By a vote of 2-1 on a motion by Selectman Bear, seconded by Selectman Bulgaris it was decided Newbury would join the Eastern Essex Veterans District for our veterans’ services. Both Terry Hart, agent from Eastern Essex and Kevin Hunt, agent from the Newburyport District were present to answer questions from the Board.
Planner Martha Taylor advised that the Institution for Savings Bank had awarded the Town a $5K grant to be used toward the design segment of the Border to Boston Trail that will run through Newbury.
Kathleen Pearson presented a final update including an in-depth analysis of water resources in the Business Light Industrial District (BLID) and their effect on potential development in this area which she undertook as her graduate degree project. The Board praised the amount of time and work she had done on this project and expressed their hopes that the town could utilize the report in the future.
Selectman Mountain advised that the media forms to be reviewed were on the web site and asked if the insurance problem had been resolved. Blais said it was resolved but not finalized as yet. Mountain noted that once in place the Media Committee can begin to accept submissions for broadcast materials. Final approval of the forms was tabled to the next meeting.
The facilities form for use of town fields and buildings was approved and will be utilized for all future requests.
A letter of request for the refund of fees paid to the Conservation Commission for an application to permit a dock, ramp and float at 13 Davoli Way from owner, George Russell was read by Selectman Bulgaris. Also read and entered into the records was a letter from Doug Packer, Chair of the Conservation Commission explaining the permitting process. After a brief discussion, it was moved by Selectman Mountain, seconded by Selectman Bear and voted unanimously to deny the refund request.
A proposal submitted by William Blackwood IV to install a bicycle skills park and pump track on land under the Rte.1 bridge adjacent to the MBTA parking lot was reviewed and rejected by the Board. The land is owned by MA DOT and they require the Town to provide liability insurance for this proposed installation. While the Board thought the project was a great idea they were not willing to assume that responsibility for state owned land.
The minutes of the September 10th meeting were tabled to the next meeting for approval as Selectmen Bulgaris and Mountain were not present at the September 10th meeting.
A one-day liquor license for Jules Catering for a function at SPLF on October 12th from 4-9 p.m. was approved on a motion by Selectman Bear, seconded by Selectman Mountain and voted unanimously.
A one-day liquor license for Andrew Ketcham for a wedding at SPLF on October 4th from 4 to 11 p.m. was approved on a motion by Selectman Bear, seconded by Selectman Mountain and voted unanimously.
A one-day liquor license for the National Farmers Market Association for a function at SPLF on October 5th from 12 noon to 3 p.m. was approved on a motion by Selectman Bear, seconded by Selectman Mountain and voted unanimously.
A letter from Comcast regarding their free internet services to schools and libraries was read and filed.
A notice from MMA regarding their Fall Conference for Selectmen was read and filed.
Warrants were signed for the TA Blais.
Blais announced that second quarter real estate and personal property bills will be issued October 1st and will have a slightly new look. Kelley and Ryan will be printing and mailing the bills to homeowners and a new vendor, City Hall Systems, will be facilitating the online billing option. Residents must re-register with the new vendor if they wish to receive their bills or make payments electronically.
Diane Doyle, Treasurer/Collector was congratulated for successfully passing her exam and meeting all certification requirements to be designated a “Certified Mass Municipal Collector”.
The Board declared a 2010 Crown Victoria with mileage of 92K+ as surplus property on a motion by Selectman Bear, seconded by Selectman Mountain and voted unanimously. Blais announced the Town would accept bids on this vehicle until October 8th. The procedure for disposition of surplus property under $5K was briefly discussed and will be reaffirmed at the next meeting.
A draft of the Fall Special Town Meeting warrant was reviewed article by article. Article #1 to pay old bills was approved on a motion by Selectman Mountain, seconded by Selectman Bear and voted 3-0. Article #2 to adjust budgeted appropriations for FY14 was approved on a motion by Selectman Mountain, seconded by Selectman Bear and voted 3-0.
Article #3 to appropriate from the Sale of Land Account the sum of $57,200 for repairs to the Byfield Town Hall was approved on a motion by Selectman Bear, seconded by Selectman Mountain and voted 3-0. Article #4 to appropriate from the Sale of Land Fund the sum of $77,800 for the purchase of a new alarm receiving system for our dispatch centers was approved on a motion by Selectman Bear, seconded by Selectman Mountain and voted 3-0. Article #5 to appropriate from the Sale of Land Fund the sum of $50K to replace a non-compliant septic system at Manter Fields was approved on a motion by Selectman Bear, seconded by Selectman Mountain and voted 3-0. Article #6 to transfer$7,950 from Receipts Reserved Fire Alarm to repair the fire alarm system was approved on a motion by Selectman
Bear, seconded by Selectman Mountain and voted 3-0. Article #7 to appropriate the sum of $27K from Free Cash to purchase a document management system was approved on a motion by Selectman Bear, seconded by Selectman Mountain and voted 3-0. Article #8 to appropriate the sum of $8K from Free Cash to purchase a commercial plotter was approved on a motion by Selectman Bear, seconded by Selectman Mountain and voted 3-0. Article #9 to amend the Zoning Bylaw, Article X-General Regulations to add a temporary moratorium on Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers/Dispensaries was approved on a motion by Selectman Bear, seconded by Selectman Mountain and voted 3-0. Article #10 to amend the Zoning Bylaw, Article V-Special Permits by correcting scriveners’ errors was approved on a motion by Selectman Bear, seconded by Selectman Mountain and voted 3-0. Article #11 to amend
Chapter 460 of the Acts of 2008 establishing a Selectmen-Administrator form of government was removed from the warrant on a motion by Selectman Bear, seconded by Selectman Mountain and voted 3-0. Articles #12 and 13 were also removed as there was not sufficient information provided on a motion by Selectman Bear, seconded by Selectman Mountain and voted 3-0.
Selectman Mountain gave a brief update on the workings of the Media Committee noting they were still looking at some major equipment purchases. The Triton connection is missing some key pieces to become part of our education system but it is being investigated. Hopes are high that all will be in place to broadcast the Annual Town Meeting live.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:55 p.m. on a motion by Selectman Bear, seconded by Selectman Mountain and voted unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathleen Sirois, Admin. Asst.
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