TOWN OF NEWBURY
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MINUTES
DATE: September 22, 2015
PRESENT: Chairman Geoffrey Walker, Selectmen Chuck Bear, Damon Jespersen and J.R. Colby
Chairman Walker called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. with the salute to the flag.
Board and Committee Reports:
Selectman Bear reported that he had recently attended the Veterans’ Services Board of Directors Meeting, held in Ipswich. Audits were reviewed and the future direction of the Veterans’ Services and the personnel by-laws were discussed. Selectman Bear informed the Board that Karen Tyler had been hired as the new Veterans’ Services Director and spoke highly of her work to date.
Selectman Bear complimented and thanked the Newbury Highway Department for a job well done on paving Orchard Street and Middle Road.
Citizen’s Concerns – No citizen’s concerns
New Business:
- Request of William Langlais of 162 Orchard Street, Byfield for permission to install a drain pipe in the swale in front of his home to correct an existing drainage problem.
The letter received from Mr. Langlais was read by Chairman Walker. The problem regarding the swale and drainage was explained by Mr. Langlais. A possible solution of installing a drainpipe was suggested by him. Conservation Agent, Doug Packer further explained the problem and presented three possible solutions; refurbishing the drywell, installing hard pipe, or re-establishing the swales which he thought was the best idea. DPW Director, James Sarette presented an alternative idea of redoing the basin and back-filling with enough stone to make sure the drywell leaches properly. He felt that pipe, installed without enough cover may heave, causing damage to the driveway which may create further expense. The Town is willing to re-do the drywell and reassess the area next summer. Following further discussion, the solution of redoing the basin
and drywell was accepted by William Langlais.
Public Hearings:
At 7:15 p.m. the Public Hearing was opened by Chairman Walker. Selectman Jespersen read the legal notice for a public hearing - Petition of NATIONAL GRID and Verizon New England, Inc., Plan #19927593 to locate poles, wires, and fixtures, including the necessary sustaining and protecting fixtures, along and across the public way - National Grid to install a new JO pole at 199 High Road for new home.
Motion: A motion was made by Selectman Jespersen, seconded by Selectman Bear and voted unanimously to approve the Petition of National Grid and Verizon New England, Inc., for the pole at 199 High Road, as proposed.
Old Business:
John O’Connell, Chairman of Storm Water Management, updated the Board about the progress of the SNN (Salisbury, Newbury, & Newburyport) Task Force for the Great Marsh Coastal Community Resiliency & Adaptation Program in relation to sea level rise and the Hurricane Sandy relief grant. The group has met twice with the Ipswich River Watershed Association and is ¾ of the way through the first phase which is to assess and prioritize the vulnerabilities. A meeting will be held in October to review everything that has been done so far. A public workshop will be held in November and taped for the Town’s website. A meeting in January of 2016 has been scheduled to brainstorm on possible solutions.
New Business:
Appointment of Norm Rehn, 1 Anchor Way as an Alternate to the Master Plan Committee
Motion: A motion was made by Selectman Bear, seconded by Selectman Colby and voted unanimously to appoint Norm Rehn, 1 Anchor Way as an Alternate to the Master Plan Committee.
Public Property Use request - Mike St. Laurent, LOCO Sports, Inc., Newmarket, NH, Harborside Half Marathon Road Race, Sunday November 15, 2015
Motion: A motion was made by Selectman Jespersen, seconded by Selectman Bear and voted unanimously to approve the Public Property Use request of Mike St. Laurent, LOCO Sports, Inc., Newmarket, NH.
Karen F. Tyler, Director of Veterans’ Services, Eastern Essex Dept. Veterans’ Services, hired in July, introduced herself to Selectmen. Her office is at Ipswich Town Hall but she is available to the eight towns that she covers. In the near future, she hopes to set up office hours in each town served.
Public Hearings:
At 7:30 p.m. Selectman Jespersen read the legal notice for a public hearing on the “lay out” hearing of Livingston Lane.
Town Planner, Martha Taylor explained the process required under Massachusetts General Law for laying out and accepting a road and the history of Livingston Lane, part of the Scotland Woods Subdivision off of Highfield Road, beginning in 2002. The Planning Board had written a letter on August 25th recommending to the Board of Selectmen that Livingston Lane be accepted by the Town as a public way as requested by Jon Rausch, Manager of Scotland Woods, LLC. She explained that the sign-off was received from the Town Engineer at that time and the performance guarantee has been released Support of the recommendation was given by the DPW Director, the Police Chief and the Fire Chief.
Motion: A motion was made by Selectman Bear, seconded by Selectman Jespersen and voted unanimously to lay out Livingston Lane as show on the plan entitled: Street Acceptance Plan, Livingston Lane, Newbury, MA, sheets 1 of 2 and 2 of 2, dated February 20, 2015, scale 1” to 40’
prepared by Hayes Engineering, 603 Salem Street, Wakefield, MA 01880, which plan shall be filed in the office of the Town Clerk in accordance with Mass General Law Chapter 82 section 23.
Motion: A motion was made by Selectman Jespersen, seconded by Selectman Bear and voted unanimously to close both Public Hearings.
New Business:
The Selectman reviewed the results of the September 15th Election and discussed alternative ideas for the Police Station, Town Hall and Fire Station with residents and officials in attendance.
Motion: An motion was made by Selectman Jespersen, seconded by Selectman Colby and voted unanimously to hold a Board of Selectmen meeting on Saturday, October 3rd at 10:00 a.m. to discuss the warrant and to discuss placing an item on the warrant pertaining to the proposed Public Safety Complex and to hold a Board of Selectmen meeting on Monday October 5th at 8:00 p.m. to sign the warrant.
Public Property Use request – Jeanne Geiger Crisis Center – Banner on the Backstop at Newbury Upper Green to promote Jeanne Geiger Crisis Center Annual Walk Against Domestic Violence Monday, September 21 – Monday, October 5, 2015
Motion: A motion was made by Selectman Bear, seconded by Selectman Jespersen and voted unanimously to approve the Public Property Use request of the Jeanne Geiger Crisis Center.
Commercial Clam Permit Application of Dennis MaGuire, 33 Spring Hill Rd., Byfield
Motion: A motion was made by Selectman Bear, seconded by Selectman Jespersen and voted unanimously to approve the Commercial Clam Permit Application of Dennis MaGuire.
One-day Liquor License – Byfield Community Arts Center, 7 Central St., Byfield, Cat in the Cradle Coffeehouse – Saturday, September 26, 2015 from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.
Motion: A motion was made by Selectman Bear, seconded by Selectman Jespersen and voted unanimously to approve the One-day Liquor License – Byfield Community Arts Center, 7 Central St., Byfield, Cat in the Cradle Coffeehouse – Saturday, September 26, 2015 from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.
Request of Mass Audubon to the Town of Newbury to approve and conduct phragmite & pepperweed management and maintenance for parcels R32-2-7A and R32-0-14A, off of High Road and parcel R32-2-30 on 32 Pine Island Rd and approval to sign permission letter for same.
Chairman Walker recused himself from the vote.
Motion: A motion was made by Selectman Bear, seconded by Selectman Jespersen and voted unanimously to approve the Request of Mass Audubon to the Town of Newbury to approve and conduct phragmite & pepperweed management and maintenance for parcels R32-2-7A and R32-0-14A, off of High Road and parcel R32-2-30 on 32 Pine Island Rd and approval to sign permission letter for same.
Jonathan B. Higgins, GPG, LSP, Principal Earth Scientist, Higgins Environmental Assoc., Inc. appeared to present the demonstration proposal for technology he created for algae removal. He would like to complete a proof of concept demonstration of the new technology to directly remove algae from the Upper Green Pond.
Motion: An motion was made by Selectman Jespersen, seconded by Selectman Bear and voted unanimously to allow Higgins Environmental Assoc., Inc. to complete a proof of concept test
in the Upper Green Pond. Should the test make the water clear the Town will revisit to determine if the algae should be tested and at that time potentially enter into a long term agreement to provide a showcase for
Higgin’s technology in return for continued clearing and removal of algae.
Vote to sign Warrant for October 20, 2015 Special Town Meeting:
Town Administrator, Tracy Blais explained that the final warrant would have to be available to sign on Monday Oct. 5th and posted by 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 6th. If the Board is going to meet to begin discussion about the warrant on Monday, Oct 5th at 8:00 p.m., it will make for a very late meeting.
Motion: An motion was made by Selectman Jespersen, seconded by Selectman Bear and voted unanimously to post the Board of Selectmen meeting for 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 3rd to discuss the warrant.
Town Administrators Report:
Town Administrator, Tracy Blais reported that with regret, she has received the resignation of Council on Aging Director, Martie Joe who will be retiring effective December 24th. A job advertisement will be placed soon and Martie has agreed to help with the interview and selection process.
Motion: An motion was made by Selectman Jespersen, seconded by Selectman Bear and voted unanimously to write a letter of appreciation to Martie Joe for all her excellent work
at the Council on Aging.
The Free Cash certification of $2,076,506.00 was received from the Department of Revenue, a level that has not ever been realized for the Town of Newbury. $1.1 million from last year was closed out and carried forward. $574,000 in excess revenue over the anticipated amount was received. The largest component was $154,000 in motor vehicle excise taxes; license and permits was $100,000 over what was estimated; investment income of $11,000 has risen significantly because as the Town has free cash and available reserves, it is being invested. Taxes, liens and foreclosures took in over $120,000 last year, grant proceeds over $35,000 and unexpended appropriation balances of over $400,000. The Finance Committee will be supplied with a detailed analysis of the unexpended appropriation balances. Overall this is very good news for the Town
as there will be availability to do some one time projects and if interested, perhaps spend money on engineering and design which would further decrease the amount of the impact on the individual taxes.
Ms. Blais reported that the DPW has or will complete work on Middle Road, Orchard Street, Boston Road, Coleman Road, Hickory Lane, Main Street, Hay Street, Green Street, Old Elm Street and Highfield Road which is unprecedented for the Town. Ms. Blais commended the DPW crew for their talent and creativity shown at the Public Safety Day which was recently held.
Triton Regional School Committee has notified the Town of their vote of September 9th approving the authorization of $4 million in debt to move forward with their stadium project. The Town now has two choices; take no action which is an automatic approval or include it on the warrant for Town Meeting action. The disucssion will contintue as the warrant articles are reviewed.
Ms. Blais reported that the granted time extension for the 3 outdoor trailers in use is due to expire on July 13, 2016 which leaves nine months to find a permanent solution.
Old Business:
Chairman Walker reminded all about the David Mountain Memorial Dedication which will be held Saturday, September 26th, 10-11 a.m. on the bank of the Parker River at the Central Street dam in Byfield.
Sign Lease Agreement between Town of Newbury and The Byfield Community Arts Center
Motion: An motion was made by Selectman Jespersen, seconded by Selectman Bear and voted unanimously to sign the lease agreement between Town of Newbury and The Byfield Community Arts Center
Correspondence: None
Review of Meeting Minutes
August 11, 2015
Motion: A motion was made by Selectman Bear, seconded by Selectman Jespersen and voted unanimously to approve the August 11, 2015 minutes as read.
September 8, 2015
Motion: A motion was made by Selectman Bear, seconded by Selectman Jespersen and voted unanimously to approve the August 11, 2015 minutes as read.
Warrants
Motion: An motion was made by Selectman Jespersen, seconded by Selectman Bear and voted unanimously to sign the warrants as presented.
Meeting Updates: None
Executive Session: None
Adjourn
Motion: At 9:22 p.m. a motion to adjourn was made by Selectman Jespersen, seconded by Selectman Bear and voted unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Ellen Jameson
Executive Administrator
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