BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF JULY 10, 2006 MEETING

WILLIAM HILTON CENTER

 

PRESENT:     Selectmen Henry Richenburg, Chairman; Jerry Klima, Ed Hunt, Fred Knowles and Don Beaulieu

ALSO PRESENT:  Neil J. 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 5, 2006 Regular and Executive Session

Motion by Selectman Klima, Second by Selectman Hunt; Voted to approve the Regular Session Minutes of June 5, 2006 with two minor corrections.

 

Motion by Selectman Beaulieu, Second by Selectman Knowles; Unanimously voted to approve the Executive Session Minutes of June 5, 2006 as printed.

 

III.       Old Business - none

 

IV.       New Business

            a.  License Renewals:

Motion by Selectman Klima, Second by Selectman Hunt; Unanimously voted to renew a Entertainment license for: Normandy Lounge – 16 Broadway, Uncle Eddie’s – 8 Oceanfront, Rusnik Campground – 115 Lafayette Rd., Carefree Arcade – 6 Ocean Front So., and Carefree Arcade II – 20 Ocean Front S.

 

Motion by Selectman Klima, Second by Selectman Beaulieu; Unanimously voted to renew a Common Victualer license for: Normandy Lounge – 16 Broadway, Uncle Eddie’s – 8 Oceanfront, and Brother’s Pizza – 111 Lafayette Rd.

 

            b.  New Licenses

Motion by Selectman Klima, Second by Selectman Beaulieu; Unanimously voted to approve a

General license to Sonic Soup Music && Design – 34 Ferry Rd. subject to the conditions that no visitors or customers are on the premises.

 

Motion by Selectman Hunt, Second by Selectman Beaulieu; Unanimously voted to table a General license application until the next meeting for Alterations Plus – 124 Lafayette Rd. at the request of the applicant.

 

Motion by Selectman Hunt, Second by Selectman Knowles; Unanimously voted to approve a General license to Bob’s RV Repair – 78 Ferry Rd.

 

Motion by Selectman Beaulieu, Second by Selectman Klima; Unanimously voted to approve a General license to Hidden Treasures Holistic & Therapeutic Massage – 38 Lafayette Rd. Unit B with the condition that the hours of operation be 8AM – 12:30 AM.

 

 

 

 

MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMAN MEETING OF JULY 10, 2006

 

            c.  Committee Appointments

Council on Aging – 1 regular opening and 2 alternates: 1 letter of interest from Dorothy Pike for an alternate position

Motion by Selectman Hunt, Second by Selectman Knowles; Unanimously voted to appoint Dorothy Pike to the alternate position and to re-post the remaining openings.

 

Pike School Trustees – 2 openings – 1 applicant: Thomas Veilleux

Motion by Selectman Hunt, Second by Selectman Klima; Unanimously voted to re-appoint Thomas Veilleux for a 3-year term to serve on the Pike School Trustees and to re-post the remaining opening.

 

Harbor Commission: 1 opening – 2 applicants: James Corbin and Anne Eastman-McDonnell

Motion by Selectman Hunt, Seconded by Selectman Beaulieu; Unanimously voted to place both names on the table.

Roll vote: Selectman Hunt – James Corbin; Selectman Beaulieu – James Corbin; Selectman Knowles – James Corbin; Selectman Klima – James Corbin; Selectman Richenburg – James Corbin.  Unanimously voted to re-appoint James Corbin to the Harbor Commission for a 3-year term and to send a letter to Ms. Eastman McDonnell to see if she would be interested in serving on any other Board or Committee.

 

Housing Authority – 1 opening – 1 applicant: Ralph Sweeney

Motion by Selectman Hunt, Second by Selectman Beaulieu; Voted to re-appoint Ralph Sweeney to serve on the Housing Authority for a 5-year term.  VOTE: 4 yea’s – Selectman Knowles abstained.

 

Liquor Commission – 2 Openings – 1 applicant – Ernest Sophia

Motion by Selectman Hunt, Second by Selectman Beaulieu; Unanimously voted to table until the next meeting since there were two additional applications received after the agenda was set.

 

            d.  Update/Presentations: Building Inspector/Zoning Board of Appeals

Mr. Surette stated his office is staying very busy with the condo projects totaling over 100 units with another 150 coming up.  Selectman Beaulieu asked what the process is when a new person applies for a building permit and Mr. Surette said he outlines the process and gives them a list of instructions.  Selectman Beaulieu stated he personally feels there is a big gap in what is occurring than what should be done and would like to see things streamlined, hopefully by the end of the summer.  Mr. Surette said the process is all time scheduled and regulated by the State.  However, in 3 weeks changes are going to be made between the Zoning Board and Building Dept. which should help in timing.

 

Charlie Mabardy, ZBA Chairman reported that another Chapter 40 was approved and construction started.  They are working with a full board and are moving forward to another good year.  One issue before them is a request for a new cell tower in the marsh on Bridge Rd. which has been continued until the meeting of July 25th.

 

 

 

 

MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMAN MEETING OF JULY 10, 2006

 

            e.  Atty. Kelleher Letter re: John St. Cyr’s Water & Sewer Access Fees

Mr. St. Cyr has requested a hearing to appeal his water access fees.  Selectman Klima said in reviewing the material submitted he doesn’t see the need for an appeal for he feels a remedy is available, but there is a provision in the regulations allowing a hearing and the Board needs to comply with that provision.  Motion by Selectman Beaulieu, Second by Selectman Knowles; Unanimously voted to hold a public hearing on August 7, 2006 at 7:30 PM.

 

            f. Vote to approve Large project Filling Permit Application Form (from the Earth Filling By-law)

Selectman Klima explained that there are earth filling regulations that were adopted at Town Meeting and there’s been no activity in the meantime, but there is a project coming along now and under the by-law an application has to be completed which has to be approved by the Board of Selectmen.

Motion by Selectman Klima, Second by Selectman Beaulieu; Unanimously voted to approve the Large Project Filling Permit application in the form as presented. 

 

            g.  Vote regarding use of Hilton Trust Fund Monies

Manager explained that the issue at hand is that the Town received a federal grant to build a sizable addition to the Hilton Center and a grant to upgrade the kitchen.  The preliminary design included a new roof addition and in re-calculating the cost it exceeded the budget for a certain dollar amount and $55,000 more is needed.  Town Counsel has agreed that it would be proper to expend up to $55,000 in interest that has accumulated in the Hilton Trust.

Motion by Selectman Klima, Second by Selectman Hunt; Unanimously voted to appropriate up to $55,000 of interest income from the Trust to go toward the renovation, repair and improvement cost to the Hilton Center.

 

V.        Comments by Visitors

Tony Noon of Adelphia wanted to let the Board and public know that they just completed the first episode of a television show entitled “Did you know that?” with Horace Baxter, Health Agent.  This is going to be a monthly program that he and Tony produced on health and safety issues and will be aired at 6:30 PM just prior to the Board of Health meetings.

 

VI.       Sewer/Water – no action

 

VII.     Correspondence

  • Notice from Great Meadow Village Tenants Organization re: their annual family day scheduled for July 22nd from 10AM – 3PM.
  • Memorandum from Kopelman & Paige re: health insurance for school employees.
  • MMA Action Bulletin re: the FY06 budget sent to the Governor by the Legislature.

 

VIII.    Hearings

            7:30 PM – Cable TV Public Ascertainment Hearing

Motion by Selectman Beaulieu, Second by Selectman Hunt; Unanimously voted to open the Cable TV Public Ascertainment Hearing at 7:30 PM for the cable license renewal.

 

Chairman Richenburg said he would hear comments by the members of the Cable Advisory Board and then the public.  Chuck Takesian, Chairman of the Cable Advisory said he and two

MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMAN MEETING OF JULY 10, 2006

 

other members of the Cable Advisory were present 10 years ago when the current contract was negotiated.  He believes, then and now, that they negotiated a good contract.  As discussed in their meetings, some items have not been addressed, and wanted to address the Selectmen about community access which he feels has been satisfactory for Salisbury.  Two things that stand out that they have no control over are: they do not control programming, nor do they control rates.  Rates are set by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and programming is done by a private enterprise.  The key things are local programming, equipping a studio, and keeping a studio access available and hopefully in Salisbury.  Mr. Takesian noted that the Manager has been on top of this renewal and has to be commended for his efforts.

 

Larry Cuddire, member of the Cable Advisory wants to bolster the community access.  Currently, the Selectmen Meetings, Board of Health and Town Meetings are broadcast live which is vital to the Town.  He feels it has made an enormous difference as to how meetings are conducted and how information is communicated, for people are able to watch things for themselves.  Other meetings are taped to be aired at a later date and this is done through volunteers with the assistance of Cable employees training them.  This is important and should be continued; however this is a need for better equipment and a new studio.

 

Bobbi Klima, member of the Cable Advisory talked about the bulletin board on Channel 18 that provides vital information for the citizens and a good example of that was at the time of the recent flood emergency, Cable was an indispensable way to get the emergency information out to the public, including road closings, shelter and disaster assistance information.

 

COA Director, Kristin Murphy, asked the Selectmen to request extending the senior citizens discount to more people by expanding the eligibility requirements.  To qualify for a discount at the present time, residents 65 years of age and older must meet federal low income guidelines.  The poverty level is $9,500 per year and many of our residents could benefit from the discounts who are not earning much more than that.

 

Selectman Beaulieu wants the new contract to bring new cable products to Salisbury, such as telephone service which may lower costs for residents.  If that happens, Selectman Klima wants the new services to be free to the Town.  Relative to the senior discount, Selectman Beaulieu said there are a lot of activities and programs available to the seniors, and once they qualify for any program, they should qualify for the cable discount.  It is also very important to get as many live meetings as possible for they are very helpful.  He would also like to make sure that there is a stipulation that all town buildings are connected to cable and work to get internet access for all town offices at no charge.

 

Selectman Knowles asked that in addition to the French-speaking Canadian station included in Salisbury, that the cable company provide an English-speaking Canadian station also for he’d like to see a Canadian English speaking station, especially if it carried National League hockey games.  He also suggested that if the Cable Company is the same as Amesbury’s, that their community should be covered in Salisbury as well.

 

Mr. Harrington stated that one of the things he’s going to insist on is getting our own studio because this greatly enhances local communication within the Town.  Having ownership with our own studio, we equipped and run by volunteers is very important.  How this can happen and how it will be paid for he will leave up to the Attorney to figure out, but this is his highest

MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMAN MEETING OF JULY 10, 2006

 

priority.  Selectman Beaulieu pointed out that everything in the existing contract is still on the table.  He also suggested that the Town Hall renovations be included in the contract as far as the studio goes.  Manager suggested that the Town put a dollar amount to the equipment needed and not just “equipment.”

 

Mr. Takesian said when negotiating 10 years ago they were very specific on certain things.  Basically we got equipment without charge and a discount was kept to a specific target.  Personally he would like to see more Triton school related programs, plays and sports aired; we now have 2 dedicated channels; Channel 18 being reserved for live programming.  He would like to see 3 channels: 1 dedicated to live, 1 for announcements, and 1 for re-runs.  Also, he’d like to have the ability to have competition within the Town for another Cable Company.

 

Motion by Selectman Beaulieu, Second by Selectman Hunt; Unanimously voted to close the Public Hearing portion of the ascertainment hearing at 8:10 PM but leave the record open until 1:00 PM on 7/21/06 for the purpose of any written comments from any citizen or public office wishing to submit.

 

IX.       Town Manager’s Report

Mr. Harrington gave a brief overview of his written report, a copy of which is available in the Town Manager’s office.

 

X.        Selectmen’s Report

Selectman Hunt was contacted by some businesses on Bridge Rd. re: a culvert that crosses the road in the area of David’s Fish Market and Hudson’s who were wondering if the Town can contact Mosquito Control to see if they can clean the culvert out in order to make it drain better.  Mr. Harrington said he will check into it.

 

Selectman Hunt thanked all involved in the baseball/softball leagues for getting all their games in and announced that Salisbury won the trophy – they deserve a lot of credit.  Selectman Beaulieu suggested that their trophy be displayed in town hall after the renovation.

 

Chairman Richenburg reminded everyone that the August meeting has been changed to Aug. 7th.

         

XI.       Executive Session - none

 

XII.     Adjournment

Motion by Selectman Klima, Second by Selectman Hunt; Unanimously voted to adjourn at 9:00 PM.

 

 

Respectfully submitted:

Janet E. Flannery, Secretary

 

                                                            Approved: ___________________________

                                                                              Donald Beaulieu, Clerk