BOARD OF SELECTMEN’S MEETING
JUNE 17, 2014
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chairman Geoffrey Walker with the pledge of allegiance to our flag. In attendance were Selectmen Walker, Bear, Bulgaris, Jespersen, Mountain and Town Administrator Tracy Blais.
The first order of business was the beaver problem on Middle Road. Doug Packer of Conservation noted that the beavers have shut down Middle Road and Moody Street. Money has been placed in the budget for trapping or deceiver devices. Packer suggested that the Board take the advice of trapper Art Page for handling the beavers. Page spoke about the method of systematic draining he has been using on Adams Lane. He didn’t recommend trapping or deceiver devices in this area. He also suggested alternatives for Stubbs culvert and the culvert behind Pritchards. He noted he has been working with private homeowners. Where there are wells or septic involved, the Board
of Health has issued permits to trap. Selectman Bear moved to allow the expenditure of funds on the beaver project, seconded by Selectman Bulgaris and open to discussion. This will include trapping, deceiver devices and cleaning on town property. The neighbors will be responsible for their properties. Tim Leonard asked if permits would be needed for maintenance and Page said permits would not be needed. Page noted that he would need town permission to remove the rods in the sluice way near Middle Road and Leonard promised to work closely with Page. Selectman Walker asked for clarification for clearing water on private property and Steve Fram of the Board of Health advised that the homeowners would take out the permits. Selectman Jespersen asked where the water from Stubbs property would be diverted and Page said past Bandoian’s to the Little River
under the big culvert at Route One. Tim and his crew will maintain anything on town property and homeowners may do their own or hire Page. The motion was voted unanimously.
At 7:30 p.m. the legal notice for a public hearing on National Grid’s plan #16747807 to install conduit across Temple Blvd. from pole #4 to #3 Temple was read and the hearing was opened. Michelle Stacy of National Grid explained the project to the board. It was moved by Selectmen Bear, seconded by Selectman Jespersen and voted unanimously to approve the plan as presented.
A letter from Mark Abel of the Army Corp of Engineers to Newbury and Newburyport alerting them to an opportunity to receive a portion of Portsmouth’s improvement dredging project sand for nearshore placement off our Plum Island beaches was discussed. A letter of interest to Abel is needed to keep us on the list. It was moved by Selectman Bulgaris, seconded by Selectman Bear and voted unanimously to have Doug Packer send a note of interest to Mark Abel.
A one-day liquor license for Ipswich Ale Brewing for the Music Festival June 28th from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. was approved on a motion by Selectman Bear, seconded by Selectman Jespersen and voted unanimously.
Town Administrator Tracy Blais reminded the board that Angel Wills our town accountant would be leaving June 25th and interviews are being conducted with Personnel for her replacement. The fire truck specifications are complete and the BOFE has voted to approve the purchase. Counsel Kremer is reviewing the contract documents and the purchase will be executed when complete. Patriot Properties is conducting data collection from June 23rd to the end of the month. All representatives will have proper documentation to prove who they are to homeowners. They are just collecting data and measuring properties at this time. Blais noted
that in April the BOS approved electronic billing, however, a vote was not taken at that time. Selectman Mountain moved to adopt MGL Chapter 60, section 3A to allow electronic billing, seconded by Selectman Bear and voted unanimously.
A discussion on town road repair was opened. Tim Leonard, DPW Director, noted he had recommendations for a few immediate improvements. In the works are the Moody Street repairs and guard rail on P.I. Turnpike near Bob Lobster, which will be partially paid by a WRRRP program award of $41,139. Also in the works is crack sealing Scotland Road which will use Chapter 90 funds. Bids have been secured. It was moved by Selectman Walker, seconded by Selectman Bear to proceed with the crack sealing project on Scotland Road and the motion was voted unanimously. Tim reported he had approximately nineteen roads on his priority list which included the Byfield Village
railing, Hay St., Larkin, Church and Highfield. The DPW will do the best we can with the Chapter 90 monies available, Tim noted. Tim’s report on the roads was accepted with thanks.
A one-day liquor license for Newburyport Brewing Co. for the Music Festival on June 28th from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. was approved on a motion by Selectman Bear, seconded by Selectman Jespersen and voted unanimously.
A one-day liquor license for McDonnell and NS Bartending for a wedding at SPLF on June 21st from 4:30 to 10:30 p.m. was approved on a motion by Selectman Jespersen, seconded by Selectman Bear and voted unanimously.
Eileen Wallwork of the “Friends of Newbury” addressed the board regarding a “Welcome to Newbury” packet they are planning to present to new residents of the town. She invited the Board to write a welcome note to be place in the packet. Chairman Walker agreed to include a welcome letter.
A request from the P.I. Beachcoma for un-amped music on Sundays from 4-7 p.m. was discussed. It was noted that the request did not have a limit and was not very clear. Selectman Mountain noted that music occasionally would be okay but as a regular venue an entertainment license should be considered. After a brief discussion with input from neighbor Tim Leonard and Kathy Pugh of the Beachcoma, it was moved by Selectman Jespersen, seconded by Selectman Bear to table the request to the next meeting to allow the owner time to revamp the request to include dates inclusive and definitions of the type of entertainment proposed. The motion was voted unanimously.
It was moved by Selectman Mountain, seconded by Selectman Bear to appoint Linda McCamic as an alternate member to the ZBA and move Eric Svahn from alternate to full member, voted unanimously.
A letter of resignation from the ZBA was received from David Sylvanowicz and accepted with regrets and thanks for his service on a motion by Selectman Mountain, seconded by Selectman Bear and voted unanimously.
Elizabeth Szymanski, former member of the Fr. Sears Memorial Park Advisory Committee, addressed the board regarding restarting the committee. She noted she was willing to work with new members but did not want to be part of it. Maintenance (trimming, mowing and watering) is the key issue for the volunteers. Neighbors work with the committee on spring cleanup. There is a small endowment for upkeep of the park. Blais will ask the Daily News to advertise for volunteers to work on the committee. The P.I. Beautification Committee is also willing to work with the committee to get them started. Elizabeth was thanked for her past service.
Eric Svahn reported on the work of the Municipal Building Committee which was recently formed to find a favorable solution to developing a plan for a new Newbury Police Department building. He gave a time table for past work done on this project and noted that the present location does not even meet minimum standards. Public awareness is a big issue he advised. Now is the time for action. Physical deficiencies cause expense and wasted time and these issues need to be addressed. The BOS and residents need to become better informed and commit to this project. Svahn was thanked for his report.
Appointment renewals were approved for FY15 on a motion by Selectman Bear, seconded by Selectman Jespersen and voted unanimously for the following:
Agricultural Commission – William Colby and Matt Kozazcki
Animal Inspector/Pound Keeper – Carol Larocque
Principal Assessor – Michelle Braciforte
Borders to Boston Trail Committee – Christine Wilkinson, John VanSchalkwyk, Martha Taylor, Steve Fram and Tim Kuist
Building Commissioner/ADA Administrator/Compliance Officer – Sam Joslin
COA Board of Directors – LuAnn Kuder, Gerri Dorr, Joyce Machiros, Jean Doyle, Alba Gouldthorpe, Joanne Hogan, Evelyn Noyes
Conservation Commission – John Hartnett
DPW Director – Tim Leonard
DPW Foreman – James Sarette
Electrical Inspector – William Robitaille; James Soffron, Assistant
Gas/Plumbing Inspector – Gerry Downs; Charles Laudani, Assistant
Historical Commission – Diane Doyle, Kathleen Sirois, Ginny Kremer, Alix McArdle, Sgt. Patty Fisher
Media Committee – Mario Carnovale, Paul Daubitz, Alicia Greco
Open Space Committee – Dan Streeter, Martha Taylor, Michael Carbone
Recreation Committee – Bill Wendt, Dave Taylor, Diane Manter, Rich Capolupo, Warren Manter, John Marcolini
Administrative Asst. to BOS – Kathleen Sirois
Storm Water Management Team – Arthur Costonis, Deborah Rogers, Doug Packer, John O’Connell, Martha Taylor, Tracy Blais, Yvonne Buswell
Town Administrator – Tracy Blais
Town Planner – Martha Taylor
Zoning Board of Appeals – Rick Salmonson
Newbury Cultural Council – Michael Updike
A hold was placed on Bob Connors reappointment to the Finance Committee and briefly discussed. It was moved by Selectman Bear, seconded by Selectman Jespersen to approve the appointment of Bob Connors to the Finance Committee and voted in favor by Jespersen, Bulgaris and Walker. Bear and Mountain voted opposed to his reappointment.
On the recommendation of the Planning Board, John O’Connell was reappointed to serve as PB Rep. to the Conservation Commission and Kathleen Pearson was appointed as PB Rep. to the ZBA, on a motion by Selectman Bear, seconded by Selectman Jespersen and voted unanimously.
On the recommendation of Town Clerk Haley, Douglas Kuhlmann was appointed as a Registrar of Voters to replace Ed Carpenter, deceased, on a motion by Selectman Bear, seconded by Selectman Jespersen and voted unanimously.
Geoff Walker and Chuck Bear were appointed as representatives to the Essex Veterans District on a motion by Selectman Bulgaris, seconded by Selectman Jespersen and voted unanimously.
An updated listing of “special municipal employees” for the State Ethics Commission was approved on a motion by Selectman Bulgaris, seconded by Selectman Bear and voted unanimously.
A request to place a banner on the Upper Green back stop from BCAC to advertise the music festival at Manter Field on June 28th was approved on a motion by Selectman Bear, seconded by Selectman Jespersen and voted unanimously. The banner will be put up on June 17th and removed on June 29th.
Permission was given to the COA to place a membership drive letter in with the next tax bill mailing.
Martha Taylor was appointed as liaison to the Essex Coastal Scenic Byway Wayfinding Signage Project on a motion by Selectman Jespersen, seconded by Selectman Bear and voted unanimously.
The minutes of the May 27th meeting were approved as presented on a motion by Selectman
Bear, seconded by Selectman Bulgaris and voted by Bear, Bulgaris, Mountain and Walker.
Selectman Jespersen abstained from the vote as he was not present at that meeting.
An invitation from the Yankee Homecoming Committee 2014 to attend their presentation of the
Senior King & Queen was read and filed.
Final judgements/foreclosures for 8 Blue Hill Ave. and Kent Way were accepted and filed.
A letter of appreciation and support from the Hugh Doyle Resource Center for Carol Larocques’
Programs for pets of the elderly and low income homes was read and filed.
Warrants were signed for TA Blais.
At 9:25 p.m. Selectman Bear moved to enter into an executive session to consider the
purchase of real property, because an open discussion may have a detrimental effect on the
negotiating position of the town, seconded by Selectman Mountain. A roll call vote was
taken - Bear, yes; Bulgaris, yes; Jespersen, yes; Mountain, yes and Walker, yes. It was
announced that the meeting would not reconvene at the conclusion of the executive session.
At 9:50 p.m. the executive session was closed and the meeting adjourned on a motion by
Selectman Bear, seconded by Selectman Bulgaris and voted unanimously by roll call vote.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathleen Sirois, Admin. Asst.
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