Town of Newbury
Board of Selectmen
MINUTES
Date: February 5, 2015
Present: Chairman Geoffrey Walker, Selectmen, Chuck Bear, and Damon Jespersen
Chairman, Geoffrey Walker, called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. with the salute to the flag.
Board and Committee Reports:
Eric Svahn, Chairman of the Municipal Building Committee gave a summary of the progress of the Municipal Building Committee. He reported that with the all the snow storms the Committee has had difficulty meeting. A flyer had gone out with the Town’s census mailing. The Committee has had some response and has also received several e-mails. The Committee encourages residents to contact members of the Municipal Building Committee with questions regarding information contained on the flyer.
Eric reviewed that during the last joint meeting of the Municipal Building Committee with the Board of Selectmen, Finance Committee, Capital Planning Committee and Police Department, the current Town Hall site, for reasons of the availability of municipal water and sewer connections and the no-cost factor, was recommended as the preferred site for the building of a combined Police Department and Town Hall facility. Although small in size, it is the center of town and offers certain synergies.
In investigating how to get a little more space on the site, the Municipal Building Committee sent a letter to Fire Protection Co. #2, asking if they would make a proposal to the Municipal Building Committee on the fair value of the land abutting their building along with any terms and conditions. The Fire Company replied with a purchase price of $275,000.00 which is within the $300.000.00 budgeted amount. Three conditions of the sale exist, that of maintaining parking pertaining to the function hall, the ability to hook up to the Newburyport Sewer System and not being held liable for clean-up costs that may be associated with the land. The third condition would not allow the Committee to accept the offer and move forward and therefore turns them back to the Town Hall site.
Eric explained that the Municipal Building Committee felt that building a new, separate Police Station and deferring the problems and deficiencies of Town Hall would make the cost of addressing those problems much more expensive. The cost benefits of combined facilities will be further discussed, analyzed and voted on by the Municipal Building Committee with a recommendation and outline made at a later date.
Deputy Chief John Lucey reported to the Board that he had recent communication with 20th Century Fox regarding a filming project in Newbury on February 17th and 18th. The project will be filmed primarily on private property but will also be filming on Scotland Road involving periotic short interruptions of traffic flow. A Police Detail has been arranged. Deputy Chief Lucey requested 20th Century Fox to apply for a Public Property Use Special Permit to be considered by the Board of Selectmen.
Motion: A motion was made by Selectman Bear, seconded by Selectman Jespersen and voted unanimously to approve the Public Property Use Special Permit for February 17th and 18th, 2015, for 20th Century Fox.
Citizen’s Concerns – No citizen’s concerns
Town Administrator’s Report:
Town Administrator, Tracy Blais, commended the DPW for their work during the clean-up following the recent string of snow storms. She asked that residents continue to be patient as the DPW continues to work through the clean-up. Residents may phone the Board of Selectmen’s Office or DPW with issues or concerns.
In December, all Department Managers participated in a CPR and automated external defibrillator training class held at Newbury Town Library. Sargent Stephen Jenkins of the Police Department and Robert Bishop of the DPW and Fire Department led the class. The defibrillator was generously donated to the Town by the Sunman Family.
With the assistance of Building Commissioner Sam Joslin, Ms. Blais reported a claim for the recent septic back-up into the Police Department was submitted. A reimbursement of $26,000.00 is expected from the Town’s insurance company.
Beta Engineering has provided an update of the two projects currently underway. The engineering report for the Town Hall sewer connection was received outlining the potential future flows and base mapping for the project. Beta has been coordinating with pump manufacturers to determine the best option for the Town. Design specifications are under way.
All road inspections pertaining to the pavement management project were performed by Beta Engineering before the initial snow fall began. The results of the inspections are going through Beta’s internal quality processes. When the final report is received, Beta will review it with the Town and identify the roads that are the highest priority with the intention of developing a road improvement program.
The FY2016 Budget development is currently underway. During the past several weeks budget hearings have been conducted.
Ms. Blais further reported that the Town auditors are expected during the week of February 2nd.
New Business:
Request of John A. Van Loan to place an article on the May 10, 2015 Annual Town Meeting Warrant authorizing the Selectmen to petition the General Court to enact An Act authorizing the relocation, replacement, reconstruction and maintenance of a piling supported building at 41 Plum Island Turnpike.
Motion: A motion was made by Selectman Bear, seconded by Selectman Jespersen and voted unanimously to approve the request.
Request of the Town Clerk, Leslie Haley, to appoint the Election Workers for all 2015 elections.
Motion: A motion was made by Selectman Jespersen, seconded by Selectman Bear and voted unanimously to appoint all as listed.
Public Hearings:
Motion: At 7:30 p.m. a motion was made by Chairman Walker, seconded by Selectman Bear and voted unanimously to open the Public Hearing for Borrego Solar Systems, Inc.
Town Planner, Martha Taylor, explained to the Board that Borrego Solar Systems, Inc. would like to withdraw without prejudice their original special permit application for the proposed solar project at 136 Main Street. Following the Special Election of February 10th, Borrego would then resubmit the special permit application for the solar project at 136 Main Street to a reconstituted Board of Selectmen. Additional information would be included that would address some of the questions previously raised. Borrego Solar Systems, Inc. intention is to resubmit the application to the Board of Selectmen on February 24th with the hope that a public hearing date could be scheduled for March 24th.
Motion: A motion was made by Selectman Jespersen, seconded by Selectman Bear and voted unanimously to approve the request of Borrego Solar Systems, Inc. to withdraw their special permit application for a large scale solar facility at 136 Main Street without prejudice.
Motion: At 7:38 p.m. a motion was made by Selectman Jespersen, seconded by Selectman Bear and voted unanimously to close the Public Hearing.
New Business continued:
- Notification of Event – Plum Island “Porch Festival” by Cynthia Keefe, Saturday, May 30, 2015 from 12:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Cynthia Keefe of 193 Northern Blvd. Newburyport, MA appeared before the Board of Selectmen to notify the Board that a community event “Porch Festival” is scheduled to be held on May 30, 2015 on private property on Plum Island. She explained the event will consist primarily of local homeowners volunteering to host several, afternoon musical acts on their properties, inviting local residents and visitors to attend and enjoy all. As the event will not include the use of public space, impede traffic, block streets or involve alcohol sales, no permitting or licensing is required. She appeared before the Board to notify them and to ensure that all local regulations will be followed.
The One-day Liquor License – Byfield Community Arts Center – Cat in the Cradle Coffeehouse, February 10, 2015 from 7:30 to 11:00 p.m. was reviewed.
Motion: A motion was made by Selectman Bear, seconded by Selectman Jespersen and voted unanimously to approve the One-day Liquor License for Byfield Community Arts Center Cat in the Cradle Coffeehouse, February 10, 2015 from 7:30 to 11:00 p.m.
The One-day Liquor License – Byfield Community Arts Center – Local Lounge, February 21, 2015 from 7:30 to 11:00 p.m. was reviewed.
Motion: A motion was made by Selectman Bear, seconded by Selectman Jespersen and voted unanimously to approve the One-day Liquor License for Byfield Community Arts Center Local Lounge, February 21, 2015 from 7:30 to 11:00 p.m.
Planning Board appointment recommendation – Richard Moss, the Board’s current Associate Member, to fill the Planning Board seat vacated by the resignation of member Kathleen Pearson, effective February 1, 2015. The appointment would be effective until the next regular Town Election in May.
Motion: A motion was made by Selectman Bear, seconded by Selectman Jespersen and voted unanimously to approve the appointment of Richard Moss to the Planning Board, effective February 1, 2015 until the next regular
Town Election in May.
The 2015 Business License Renewals were reviewed.
Motion: A motion was made by Selectman Bear, seconded by Selectman Jespersen and voted unanimously to approve the 2015 Business License Renewals as follows:
Robin Davies dba Parker River Dental, 3 Kent Way, Byfield, General Business/Dental
John Gallant dba J. Gallant Pool & Spa, 96 Newburyport Turnpike, General Business
Correspondence:
All correspondence was reviewed.
Following the review of the letter received by Triton Regional School District regarding how to fund the stadium project and how the total annual payment should be divided (equally by all three or based on foundation enrollment), Steve Fram of 21 Forrest Street, encouraged the Selectmen to encourage the School Committee to divide the stadium project (if paid for with a debt exclusion), equally by three.
Old Business
Selectmen Jespersen reported that Marlene Schroder, Vice President of the Parker River Clean Water Association has met with the Byfield Water District about placing a memorial bench near the Central Street Dam in tribute to the late David Mountain.
Meeting Updates:
Selectmen Jespersen reported he had attended the budget meeting for the School Committee. He stated that the budget is higher than projected revenue which may result in a lot of cuts to the schools in this coming year.
Selectman Jespersen also reported he had talked with a number of people about how to generate revenue outside of overrides.
Minutes:
Motion: A motion was made by Selectman Bear, seconded by Selectman Jespersen and voted unanimously to approve the minutes of the January 13, 2015 meeting as presented.
Warrants:
Motion: A motion was made by Selectman Jespersen, seconded by Selectmen Bear and voted unanimously to approve the Warrants as presented. Warrants presented were signed by the Board of Selectmen.
Meeting Updates – No meeting updates
Executive Session: No Executive Session
Adjournment:
Motion: At 7:49 p.m. a motion to adjourn was made by Selectmen Bear, seconded by Selectman Jespersen and voted unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Ellen Jameson
Executive Administrator
| 
