BOARD OF SELECTMEN’S MEETING
OCTOBER 7, 2014
Chairman Walker opened the meeting at 7:00 p.m. with the pledge of allegiance to our flag. In attendance were Selectmen Walker, Bear, Bulgaris, Jespersen, Mountain and Town Administrator Tracy Blais.
On the recommendation of Chief Reilly appointments were approved for Jason DaCunha and William LeBlond as Reserve Police Officers, on a motion by Selectman Bear, seconded by Selectman Jespersen and voted.
Review of the new forms for “one day liquor licenses” and “entertainment licenses” was tabled to the October 28th meeting on a motion by Selectman Bear, seconded by Selectman Jespersen and voted.
A one-day liquor license was granted to the Greater Newburyport Mothers and Families Club for a function at SPLF on October 26th from 2-5 p.m. on a motion by Selectman Bear, seconded by Selectman Jespersen and voted
An entertainment license request from the Plum Island Grille for live music on fourteen Thursday evenings from 6-9 p.m. (November 6th thru February 26th) was granted on a motion by Selectman Jespersen, seconded by Selectman Bear and voted. During a brief discussion with Mark Friery, Manager, it was determined that the P.I. Grille met the zoning requirements and occupancy would not exceed ninety-nine.
An entertainment license request from the Plum Island Beachcoma for live music for a Halloween party on Oct. 25th from 6-10 p.m. was addressed by Kathy Pugh. She advised they were currently getting quotes for a sprinkler system and working on their appeal to the Board of Building Regulations and Standards as suggested by Sam Joslin. While it was the consensus of the Board that they were in favor of small business and wanted the Beachcoma to succeed, the requirements of the Building Inspector and Public Safety Officials must be considered. Selectman Bear moved to deny the request as the Beachcoma does not meet the zoning requirements. There was no second and the motion died. Selectman
Mountain moved to approve the request, seconded by Selectman Jespersen and opened to discussion. Jespersen asked if there were any issues with the reunion party that had been approved. Pugh advised there were no issues. They had a fire detail on site and approximately seventy-five people in attendance. Mountain noted he was torn as he believed the Pugh’s were working in the right direction. Blais reminded the Board that sign offs from Fire and Police were needed with the old permit form. Kathy Pugh advised she had tried to reach both but neither were available this week. Walker suggested holding off on a decision until Sam returns and Chief Pearson can be reached. Selectman Mountain moved to withdraw his original motion, seconded by Selectman Jespersen and voted. Selectman Mountain moved to table this matter
to the meeting of October 14th, seconded by Selectman Jespersen and voted.
At 7:35 p.m. the continuation of the Borrego Solar Systems, Inc. solar array special permit for 8 Middle Road was called to order. Steve Long and Joe Harrison of Borrego and Counsel Lisa Mead were in attendance. Long advised that a noise control report and tree mitigation report with associated costs had been submitted. Blais advised that the Town and Applicant had come to terms on a tax agreement. Mountain noted that the noise control study was a good report. The traffic study on sight distance was also to the point. Tree mitigation is the only sticking point left. Chairman Walker moved on to the draft decision. He read section I. Procedural History and Special Permit Criteria under Section II for the audience. Section C under Findings was addressed step by step. There was no discussion on parts 1 through 14 and it was concluded that the intent of the bylaw had been met. Section III Decision was also read and each step addressed. There was
no discussion on parts 1 through 3. Part 4 the words for Fire and Police were inserted after “shall provide training”. Part 5 there was no discussion. Part 6 (tree mitigation) prompted a lengthy discussion. Borrego provided a proposal for “live stakes” at a 1:1 ratio or $3700 for the tree fund. Selectman Mountain moved to accept the $3,700 as proposed, seconded by Selectman Jespersen and discussion ensued. Atty. Mead suggested using a ratio of 1-1 for the 6-11” trees, 2-1 for the 12-23” trees and 3-1 for over 24” which will total $5,101.50. After some thought, Borrego agreed and Jespersen moved to amend the motion on the floor changing the figure from $3700 to $5101.50, seconded by Mountain. The amendment was accepted unanimously and the amended motion was approved by a unanimous vote of the
Board. Parts 7 through 13 had no discussion. Part 14 (tax agreement) now reads: Applicant offered and Town agrees the Applicant will enter into a Tax Agreement with the Town to pay annually $12, 500 per DC MW for personal property taxes for twenty (20) years. This tax agreement does not include real property tax. Chairman Walker asked if anyone in the audience wished to speak for or against the permit and there was no one. A motion was made by Selectman Bear, seconded by Selectman Mountain to approve this special permit subject to the terms and conditions above. The Selectmen voted unanimously (5-0) to grant the special permit for a ground-mounted solar photovoltaic installation at 8 Middle Road (application dated July 16, 2014), subject to the above stated terms. There was no one in opposition. The hearing was closed at 8:30 p.m. on a
motion by Selectman Jespersen, seconded by Selectman Bulgaris and voted unanimously.
The minutes of the September 23rd meeting were accepted as presented on a motion by Selectman Mountain, seconded by Selectman Bear and voted unanimously. The minutes of the September 30th meeting were accepted as presented on a motion by Selectman Bear, seconded by Selectman Mountain and voted unanimously.
Selectman Bear commended the DPW for a job well done paving Church Street and Larkin Road. It was noted a survey will be conducted next week on the Larkin Road Bridge.
Town Administrator Tracy Blais advised she had received notification from DOR that our free cash has been certified for $1,591,092. On September 25, 2014, Sam Joslin was voted Vice President of the Mass Building and Inspectors Association. Joanne Moore has been hired as Asst. Treasurer/Collector and will start next Tuesday, October 14th. Susan Noyes has asked that the Selectmen turn in their I-pads after the meeting for updating.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 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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