Town of Newbury
Municipal Building Committee
MINUTES
DATE: December 4, 2014 Approved as written, 1/6/2015
Present: Eric Svahn, Chair; Mike Doyle; John Lucey, Jr.; Richard Ronder; Martha Taylor
Absent: Tracy Blais; Steve Fram; Sam Joslin
Guest: Geoffrey Walker, Chuck Bear, and Damon Jespersen, Selectmen
Eric Svahn, Chair, called the meeting to order at 7:05 a.m.
Motion: A motion was made by R. Ronder and seconded by M. Doyle to approve the meeting minutes of November 6, 2014, as amended. The motion passed with four in favor (E. Svahn, M. Doyle, R. Ronder, and M. Taylor) and one abstention (J. Lucey, who was not present at that meeting).
The minutes of November 13, 2014, were held until the next meeting.
The Committee discussed a query from a resident who asked why planning for the project didn’t include regional rather than local dispatch. It was noted that moving to regional dispatch was studied by the Newbury PD, which determined that it would not eliminate the need for a person to staff the police station 24/7, particularly when someone is in custody, and in the long run would be more expensive than maintaining local dispatch. E. Svahn and J. Lucey suggested that this question be included in an FAQ sheet to be developed.
The November 22 Workshop was broadcast live on Channel 9 and is now available for viewing on YouTube. A hard copy will be available in the Clerk’s office and supporting documents, including previous studies, are to be placed on the Town’s website.
An informational flyer regarding the project is to be placed in the January 1, 2015 tax bill.
The Committee is completing due diligence for the Town Hall site and a suggested site at the northern end of Route 1. G. Walker informed the Committee that Protection #2 has indicated interest in selling its excess land on Morgan Avenue to the Town for the police station; once the Town receives a firm proposal, this option will also be vetted.
M. Doyle reported on his progress obtaining information on recent comparable projects.
- Next Joint Meeting with Selectmen:
The Committee discussed the goals for the next joint Board and Committee meeting, to be held on December 9. The MBC’s focus will be on getting the tax bill insert approved and narrowing down the location for the project.
On a motion made by M. Doyle and seconded by J. Lucey, the meeting was adjourned at 8:15 a.m.
NEXT MEETING:
December 9, 2015, 7:00 p.m., Town Hall
(Joint Meeting with the Board of Selectmen, the Finance Committee, the Capital Planning Committee, the Planning Board, and the Police Department)
Respectfully submitted,
Martha L. Taylor, Town Planner
MBC Secretary
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