MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING

MONDAY - JUNE 27, 2005 - 7:00 PM

 

WILLIAM HILTON CENTER

 

PRESENT:     Selectmen Henry Richenburg, Chairman, Robert Carroll, Ed Hunt, Knowles, Jerry Klima, and Fred Knowles

 

ALSO PRESENT:  Neil Harrington, Town Manager and Janet Flannery, Secretary

 

I.          Call to Order/Salute to the Flag

Chairman Richenburg called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.

 

II.        Acceptance of Minutes

Minutes of June 13, 2005

Motion by Selectman Hunt, Second by Selectman Klima; Unanimously voted to accept the Minutes of June 13, 2005 as printed.

 

III.       Old Business - none.

 

IV.       New Business

 

License Renewals:

Motion by Selectman Hunt, Second by Selectman Klima; Unanimously voted to approve renewal of an Entertainment license to the Sands of Salisbury - 3 Central Ave. For an arcade and juke box (2 licenses)

 

Motion by Selectman Hunt, Second by Selectman Klima; Unanimously voted to approve renewal of a General license to MacDougall Sales & Service - 29 Old Ems St.

 

Motion by Selectman Hunt, Second by Selectman Klima; Unanimously voted to approve renewal of a Common Victualer license to the Sands of Salisbury - 3 Central Ave.

 

b.  New Licenses:

Motion by Selectman Hunt, Second by Selectman Klima; Unanimously voted to approve an Entertainment license to the Winner’s Circle - 211 Elm St. for Kareoke.

 

Motion by Selectman Hunt, Second by Selectman Klima; Unanimously voted to approve a General license to Triple Nickel Tactical Supply - 90 Lafayette Rd.

This license is for the sale of public safety equipment to Police and Fire Departments, corrections and military and some items to the civilian population.  Guns will not be sold.  Items sold just to police officers would be shipped from the factory to the officers and these items would not be sold

to the general public.  Nothing classified or restricted would be sold.

MINUTES OF THE BOARD SELECTMEN MEETING OF JUNE 27, 2005

 

Motion by Selectman Hunt, Second by Selectman Klima; Unanimously voted to approve a General  license to: Woodward Fence and Supply Corp. - 4 Old Elm St., and Creative Cuts - 6 Merrill St. Unit 1.

Motion by Selectman Hunt, Second by Selectman Klima; Unanimously voted to table action on a Common Victualer license application for Stella’s Place - 238 Lafayette Rd. and request that the applicant attend the next meeting.

 

Motion by Selectman Klima, Second by Selectman Carroll; Voted to approve a General license to Coastal Marine Electric - 11 Lewis Ave.  VOTE: 3 yea’s, Selectman Hunt opposed and Selectman Knowles abstained.  Motion carried on the condition that employees or customers are on the premises.

Selectman Hunt opposed because he didn’t feel a license was necessary since it is basically a mobile service.

 

Motion by Selectman Hunt, Second by Selectman Knowles; Unanimously voted to approve a General license to Martha Birkenshaw - 131 Rabbit Rd. For the sale of sunglasses.

 

c.  Committee Appointments:

Rent Control Board - 1 vacancy

Motion by Selectman Carroll, Second by Selectman Hunt; Unanimously voted to re-appoint Christine Gallison for a 3-year term.

 

Board of Registrars - 1 vacancy

Motion by Selectman Klima, Seconded by Selectman Hunt; Unanimously voted to table until the next meeting to allow for the Democratic Committee to make a nomination.

 

Council on Aging - 3 vacancies

Motion by Selectman Carroll, Second by Selectman Hunt; Unanimously voted to re-appoint Ted Irvin, Susan Kilduff and Ron Koontz for 3-year terms.

 

Harbor Commission - 2 vacancies

Motion by Selectman Hunt, Second by Selectman Klima; Unanimously voted to re-appoint George Millikin for a 3-year term and to appoint James Bamford for a 3-year term.

Motion by Selectman Hunt, Second by Selectman Knowles; Unanimously voted to send a letter to James Crooks for his years of service.

 

Historical Commission - 3 vacancies

Motion by Selectman Hunt, Second by Selectman Klima; Unanimously voted to re-appoint Rodney Cook for a 3-year term and to post the 2 remaining vacancies.

 

 

MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING OF JUNE 27, 2005

 

Library Trustees - 2 vacancies

Motion by Selectman Hunt, Second by Selectman Carroll; Unanimously voted to re-appoint Maureen Dupray and J. Nicholas Sullivan both for a 3-year term.

 

License Commission - 2 vacancies

Motion by Selectman Carroll to table until the next meeting, Second by Selectman Klima for discussion.

There was one applicant but Selectman Carroll explained he doesn’t like to appoint someone without being able to talk and/or meet with the individual.  He has nothing against the applicant, but cannot vote at this time.  Motion and second withdrawn.

 

Motion by Selectman Hunt, Second by Selectman Klima; Voted to appoint James Bagshaw of 107 Atlantic Ave. To serve for a 3-year term on the License Commission contingent on his meeting the residency requirement.  VOTE: 4 - yea’s - Selectman Carroll opposed.  Motion carried.

 

Motion by Selectman Hunt, Second by Selectman Klima; Unanimously voted to send a letter of appreciation to Joanne Housianitis and Vicki Brown for their years of service, and to re-post the vacancies.

 

Pike School Trustees - 2 vacancies

Motion by Selectman Hunt, Second by Selectman Klima; Unanimously voted to re-appoint Rodney Cook and Bryan Eaton both for 3-year terms.

 

Planning Board - 2 vacancies

Motion by Selectman Hunt, Second by Selectman Knowles; Unanimously voted to place the following names in nomination: Jack Christian, Michael Wolpert, David Holscher, Robert Straubel, Lisa Lane and Scott Kinter. 

1st appointment: roll vote: Selectman Carroll - Robert Straubel; Selectman Klima - Robert Straubel; Selectman Knowles - Michael Wolpert; Selectman Hunt - Michael Wolpert; Selectman Richenburg - Robert Straubel.  Robert Straubel appointed for a 3-year term by a vote of 3 - 2.

 

2nd appointment: roll vote: Selectman Knowles - Michael Wolpert; Selectman Hunt - Michael Wolpert; Selectman Carroll - Jack Christian; Selectman Klima - Jack Christian; Selectman Richenburg - Jack Christian.  Jack Christian appointed for a 3-year term by a vote of 3 - 2.

 

Since Robert Straubel held an alternate position that will be posted for an appointment to be made at the next meeting.

 

Sewer Advisory Board - 3 vacancies - no applicants.

To be re-posted.

 

MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING OF JUNE 27, 2005

 

Water Advisory Board - 3 vacancies

Motion by Selectmen Hunt, Second by Selectman Klima; Unanimously voted to appoint Lance Wisniewski for a 3 year term.  The other 2 vacancies will be re-posted.

 

Affordable Housing Trust Fund

Motion by Selectman Hunt, Second by Selectman Klima; Unanimously voted to table until the next meeting and to re-post in order to get more applicants.

 

Route 1 Study Committee - 5-7 members

Motion by Selectman Klima, Second by Selectman Knowles; Unanimously voted to increase the committee to 9 members.

 

Motion by Selectman Knowles, Second by Selectman Carroll; Unanimously voted to appoint the following to serve: Ronald Ray, Horace Baxter, Robert Carroll, Marilyn Ford, Henry Richenburg,  Donald Levesque, Germaine Bolduc of the Sewer Advisory Board, a Planning Board member to be appointed by the Planning Board.  The remaining vacancy will be re-posted.

 

d.  Update/Presentations: Fire Chief/Liquor Commission

Chief Souliotis updated the Board on the grants he has received since his last update in December.  Specifically, Homeland Security Grant, Firefighters Safety Grant for rapid intervention training, an $18,000 extension to the 2003 FEMA Grant.  He has also applied for a grant to replace the pump truck.  He also reported that 5 call firefighters have completed the course at the Fire Academy and will be starting July 1st.

 

Liquor Commission:

Chairman Richenburg explained that the Liquor Commissioners did not appear at the last meeting due to a mis-communication.  Stan Brown, Chairman of the Liquor Commission thanked the Selectmen for having them tonight and he then introduced the remaining commissioners; Sandra Munroe, Paul Doyle, Ernest Sofia, and Chuck Colburn.  He also reported that their Board is made up of 7 members, in which 5 constitute a quorum.  Approximately $64,000 is collected annually from liquor licenses.  Mr. Doyle explained some of the duties, specifically granting alcohol licenses for pouring and package stores, and they are committed to preventing illegal activities, under-age drinking, over serving and they abide by and uphold Chapter 138 of the Mass. General Laws.  Meetings are held twice a month on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday.

 

Mr. Colburn then addressed the Board and apologized for the letter he sent after their not appearing at the last meeting as requested, and stated he would like to see more open communications between the License Commission and the BOS.  Chairman Richenburg agreed that it was a mis-communication and he believes the apology is well received and as far as more open communications he feels the Board would welcome that also, and suggested a workshop be set up between the two Boards to openly discuss any issues that might still be outstanding.  Mr. Doyle said


MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING OF JUNE 27, 2005

 

he would bring this up at their meeting scheduled for tomorrow evening and would get back to Chairman Richenburg to schedule a workshop.  Mr. Brown, speaking for himself, said he has a lot of respect for the Selectmen and for what they do.  Mr. Sophia stated that there wasn’t much more to add, but did say he looks forward to working further with the Selectmen.  Selectman Hunt said he sat on the Liquor Commission for 4 years and knows what each individual goes through and it’s not an easy job.  He thanked the present Commissioners and told them that they are doing an excellent job and he appreciates the work they are doing.  Selectman Klima personally thanked the Commissioners for the work they do and for coming tonight.

 

e.  Signing of the Contract for Forest Rd. & Old County Rd.

Motion by Selectman Klima, Second by Selectman Hunt; Unanimously voted to sign and approve  the execution of the proposed Contract for Forest Rd. and Old County Rd., contingent that the new performance and payment bonds are obtained before the Contract goes into affect.

 

f.   Request Newburyport Postmaster to have Drive-up Postal Box in Salisbury

Selectman Knowles requested this item and requested that a letter be sent to the Newburyport Postmaster requesting a drive-up postal box in Salisbury.

Motion by Selectman Knowles, Second by Selectman Hunt; Unanimously voted to send a letter request a drive-up collection box in the Town of Salisbury.

 

V.        Comments by Visitors

Steven Nichols addressed the Board requesting their supporting his effort to preserve the Ida Foote house in Salisbury Square.  He is setting up a nonprofit corporation for the project which is estimated at a cost of $525,000.  He is proposing to move the home, purchase a parcel of property on Elm St and renovate the home and adapt it for individuals with special needs.  Prior to tonight’s meeting Carolyn Sargent had sent a letter to the town requesting the house be saved since it has been recommended for listing in the National Register of Historic Places.

It was the general consensus of the Board that this is not under the jurisdiction of the Selectmen but that of the Town Manager and Treasurer to handle.  Motion by Selectman Carroll, Second by Selectman Knowles; Unanimously voted to endorse the letter from Ms. Sargent stating that the Board supports the idea of saving the house.

 

Mr. Colburn of Seabrook Rd. stated that he is an avid fisherman and enjoys fishing off the pier; however the Harbor Commission has closed the pier to public fishing and he asked the Selectmen to request that the Harbor Comm. reverse their decision and open the pier to public fishing.  Selectman Klima suggested that Mr. Colburn speak to the Harbor Commission directly and Selectman Knowles said he would like to see the Commission have a trial period to insure that people are not cutting the fish on the benches and casting over people’s heads, etc.  Chairman Richenburg supported the request of Mr. Colburn and agreed that he put it in writing.

Harbor master Ray Pike announced that a public hearing has been scheduled for July 20th at 7:30 PM at the elementary school to address several issues and this is one of them.  He further stated that a petition had been sent to the town from several residents on Rings Island regarding the fishing, as well as the condition of the pier, removal of floats, activities that take place at the pier, parking, etc.  He will be putting a copy of the hearing notice at each of the residents houses who signed the petition.  Mr. Jansen, of the Harbor Commission urged people to come to the Harbor Commission meetings to address any issues or problem so as not to take up the time of the Selectmen at their meetings.

 

Mr. Colburn asked for an update on the “sting” operation that took place last week-end.  Mr. Harrington said he was informed by the Chief last week that his Dept. was going to do a sting for under-age drinking.  They had an under-age officer go into every establishment and the results were that 6 out of the 29 establishments were found in violation and the owners were fined and given a warning.  Mr. Colburn asked why the Liquor Comm. was not informed and Mr. Harrington said the Police Dept. Has the authority to do this and were not required to inform the Commissioners.  Chairman Richenburg said this is an item to be discussed at the upcoming workshop.

 

VI.       Sewer/Water:

No action item tonight.  However, Selectman Hunt asked if the Manager could give an update, perhaps at the next meeting, on the search for a new well.

 

VII.     Correspondence

·                      Copy of a letter from the Chairman of the Conservation Commission to the EOC re: the state of the beach after the last storm.

·                      Letter from Sen. Baddour and Rep. Costello addressing the issue of the deterioration of the beach resulting from the last storm, indicating that there will be a community meeting on June 30th at 7PM at the COA.

·                      MMA Action Bulletin.

·                      Letter from Christine Gallison announcing her resignation from the Cable Committee.

·                      Dept. Of Telecommunications & Energy re: their acquisition of several subsidiaries from Adelphia.

 

VIII.    Hearings - none

 

IX.       Town Manager’s Report

Mr. Harrington summarized his written report, a copy of which is attached and made a part of these Minutes.

 

X.        Selectmen’s Report

Selectman Hunt:

Re: Sweet Apple Tree Lane - he would like to ask Fish & Wildlife for a status report as to what is going on at that location; it is a mess and has been left in an unsuitable state.

 

Veterans: He asked the Manager what is happening with them and said he thinks it is time for a decision to be made.  Mr. Harrington said he will have a report this week.

 

Mr. Antonellis: asked if there is anything that can be reported on re: Atty. Mason and the Manager said there is nothing to be done until a decision is reached and provided by the Essex Retirement Board.

Steps at Town Hall: There are a few bricks missing in front and on the back step one is broken.  Manager said we are in a dispute with the contractor regarding the back step; the Town doesn’t believe that it was hit by a vehicle and the contractor doesn’t feel it’s due to a defect in their work.

Baseball season ended last week-end with a cookout for all teams – baseball and softball and it was unbelievable to see how everyone got together and had such a good time.  There are about 300 children who participate in these activities and Selectman Hunt thanked everyone who volunteered.

 

Selectman Klima thanked Karen Manzi, the Beach Betterment Assoc. and the Seaspray Garden Club for the work done in the front of Town Hall, as well as the other buildings they have been keeping up.

 

Chairman Richenburg stated he had a number of calls this week-end re: traffic coming off the beach and he suggested that when the police officers are put in the square to move traffic along that they be deployed earlier in the day to move it along faster.

 

XI.       Executive Session - none

 

XII.     Adjournment

Motion by Selectman Hunt, Second by Klima; Unanimously voted to adjourn at 9:37 PM.

 

 

Approved:______________________________

     Fred Knowles, Clerk