TOWN OF NEWBURY
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MINUTES
DATE: November 10, 2015
PRESENT: Chairman Geoffrey Walker, Selectmen Chuck Bear, J.R. Colby and Selectwoman Alicia Greco
Motion: At 7:00 p.m. a motion was made by Selectman Bear to open the meeting. Chairman Walker called the meeting to order with the salute to the flag.
Board and Committee Reports:
Eric Svahn, Chairman of the Municipal Building Committee provided an update to the Board of Selectmen. Time is quickly passing and we are fast approaching Annual Town meeting in April. To keep boards and committees updated and informed about the building project and progress of the MBC, a schedule of joint meetings with various boards and committees is currently being created. The joint meetings will allow the boards and committees to come to agreement as the Town moves forward. Joint meetings will also be scheduled for residents.
Selectwoman Greco reported that the Media Committee had recently met. The committee had been charged with helping with the Town’s electronic website content. The committee offered to assist with the Town’s website content which is currently being redesigned through Virtual Town Hall.
Selectwoman Greco reported that the Media committee has recommended that the Annual Town Meeting be moved from Newbury Elementary School gymnasium to the Triton High School auditorium which they feel offers better acoustics. Chairman Walker asked residents for input on a change of venue. Town Administrator, Tracy Blais will look into availability and the fee.
Citizen’s Concerns: No citizen’s concerns
Public Hearings: No Public Hearings
Town Administrators Report:
Town Administrator, Tracy Blais reported that after conducting several interviews, the laborer position at the Department of Public Works was offered to Jason Abram who will begin his employment with the Town on 11/23/15.
Council on Aging Director, Martie Joe and Ms. Blais have reviewed all applications received for the Council on Aging Director possition which will become available on December 24th. Interviews begin on November 17 th with the hope that someone will be hired and in place prior to Martie’s departure.
The new Town Hall sewer connection will be operational on Friday, November 13th.
The deadline for use of the temporary trailers is just 7 months away. If possible, DPW Director, James Sarette would like to see some of the trailers removed before the winter plowing season begins. Quotes are being gathered for rental of local office space for the Board of Health and Inspectional Services.
Ms. Blais recently met with the Finance Committee who gave a preliminary review of the budget schedule which will begin in early in December. The meetings of the Municipal Building Committee and Capital Planning Committee will be added and the preliminary budget calendar will be forwarded to Selectmen for review.
New Business:
Review, approve and sign – 2015 New Business License for Jan Lorrey Flowers, 72 Newburyport Turnpike, Florist
Motion: A motion was made by Selectman Bear, seconded by Selectman Colby and voted unanimously to approve the new Business License for Jan Lorrey Flowers, 72 Newburyport Turnpike, Florist
Request for Public Property Use:
Newbury Girl Scouts, Cub Scot Pack 44 and Boy Scout Troop 44 – Veteran’s Day Ceremony on the Upper Green, Wednesday, November 11, 2015 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Motion: A motion was made by Selectman Bear, seconded by Selectman Colby and voted unanimously to approve the request for public property use of Newbury Girl Scouts, Cub Scot Pack 44 and Boy Scout Troop 44 – Veteran’s Day Ceremony on the Upper Green
One-day Liquor License – Byfield Community Arts Center – Local Lounge, Saturday, November 14, 2015 from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.
Motion: A motion was made by Selectman Bear, seconded by Selectman Colby and voted unanimously to approve the One-day Liquor License for Byfield Community Arts Center – Local Lounge, Saturday, November 14, 2015 from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.
One-day Liquor License – Byfield Community Arts Center – Local Lounge, Saturday, November 21, 2015 from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.
Motion: A motion was made by Selectman Bear, seconded by Selectman Colby and voted unanimously to approve the One-day Liquor License for Byfield Community Arts Center – Local Lounge, Saturday, November 21, 2015 from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.
Notice of Intent to Sell for Other Use, 255 High Road, Assessors Map R27-64, Owner: William J. Hurley, Trustee of WJH Realty Trust dated 10/16/15 Note: revised Notice to Sell for Other Use dated 11/2/15 received 11/5/15, Current owner: Paul J. Hurley, Trustee of WJH Realty Trust
Town Planner, Martha Taylor reviewed the process for the Notice of Intent to Sell For Other Use received for property located at 255 High Road which is currently classified under Chapter 61A and which has received a bona fide offer to purchase the property “as is” for a purchase price of $500,000.00. The Town has 120 days (until March 2nd, 2016) to exercise the first right of refusal, vote to assign it to another entity such as a non-profit land conservation group such as The Trustees of Reservations, vote to refuse it, or vote to use the default provision. As part of the process the Selectmen must hold a public hearing and obtain input from various boards and committees and input from any interested members of the public.
Motion: A motion was made by Selectman Bear, seconded by Selectman Colby and voted unanimously to set the Public Hearing date for December 8, 2015.
Old Business:
Request of Marshall Jespersen for permission to make modifications and repairs to the barn at the Jespersen’s’ property at 1 Marsh Meadow Lane, (previously Orchard St.) which is subject to a Building Restriction drafted as part of the approval for the Marsh Meadow Subdivision and held by the Selectmen. The modifications are needed due to the fact that the barn foundation is failing.
Marshall Jespersen explained the work he wished to do as part of the rebuilding and preservation of the barn. He wishes to remove the L section of the barn and rebuild the foundation of the main barn.
The Building Restriction Agreement of March 25, 2015 between the Town of Newbury and Elena Jespersen, Trustee of the Elena M. Jespersen Revocable Trust was reviewed. Appendix A, Marsh Meadow Barn was read: “If any portion of the barn is to be demolished, it must first be further researched by the Applicant or subsequent owner of Lot 6 to determine age and history of the structure and photographed for inclusion in the Newbury Historical Commission’s archives of significant historical structures.”
Motion: A motion was made by Selectman Bear, seconded by Selectman Colby to allow the
Removal of the barn L and to keep restrictions and covenants in place.
Following discussion about the requirements set forth in the Building Restriction Agreement - Appendix A, Marsh Meadow Barn:
Motion: A motion was made by Selectman Bear, seconded by Selectman Colby and voted unanimously to table the request for further review.
Vote to execute the Commonwealth of MA, Division of Marine Fisheries - Town of Newbury Shellfish Management Plan for Moderately Contaminated Shellfish Areas of the Merrimack River and Plum Island River
Motion: A motion was made by Selectman Bear, seconded by Selectwoman Greco and voted unanimously to sign the Town of Newbury Shellfish Management Plan for Moderately Contaminated Shellfish Areas of the Merrimack River and Plum Island River.
Larkin Mill Dam Removal – Grant Application
Town Administrator, Tracy Blais reported that she had received word from Ben Gahagan of the MA Division of Marine Fisheries that the Larkin Mill Dam Removal Grant Application, expected to be received in November, was postponed until December. Given the lack of information to work with Mr. Gahagan suggested that the review be postponed.
Following discussion:
Motion: A motion was made by Selectman Bear, seconded by Selectman Colby and voted unanimously to table the review until the grant is received in December.
Correspondence: None
Review of Meeting Minutes: October 27, 2015
Motion: A motion was made by Selectman Bear, seconded by Selectman Colby and voted unanimously to approve the October 27, 2015 minutes as read.
Warrants
Motion: A motion was made by Selectman Bear, seconded by Selectman Colby and voted unanimously to sign the warrants as presented.
Meeting Updates: None
Executive Session: None
Adjourn:
Motion: At 7:56 p.m., a motion was made by Selectman Bear, seconded by Selectman Colby and voted unanimously to adjourn.
Respectfully submitted,
Ellen Jameson
Executive Administrator
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