MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING
MONDAY - OCTOBER 16, 2006 - 7:00 PM
WILLIAM HILTON CENTER
PRESENT: Selectmen Henry Richenburg, Chairman, Ed Hunt, Jerry Klima, Fred Knowles, and Donald Beaulieu
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 Sept. 11, 2006 and Sept. 25, 2006
Motion by Selectman Klima, Second by Selectman Beaulieu; Unanimously voted to approve the Minutes of Sept. 11, 2006 as printed.
Motion by Selectman Beaulieu, Second by Selectman Klima; Unanimously voted to approve the Minutes of Sept. 25, 2006 subject to some minor typo corrections on pages 3 and 4.
III. Old Business - none
IV. New Business
License Renewals - no applications received.
b. New Licenses - no applications received.
c. Committee Appointments - none
d. Update/Presentation: Planning Board and Town Planner
Chairman Cuddire reported that the Planning Board presently has a full board and 1 alternate. He is the new Chairman and Robert Straubel is the Vice-Chairman and is also the MVPC Commissioner. He went on to report that the Open Space Plan, which will become part of the Master Plan is close to completion. Some items to be part of the master plan are the affordable housing study, community development plan, open space plan and the historic inventory. Another project the Planning Board wants to undertake is the rewriting of the subdivision regulations since the latest are from 1969.
Since the last presentation to the Selectmen the Planning Board has approved/endorsed 7 ANR’s, 9 site plan reviews and 1 subdivision. The Planning Board minutes for 2004 - 2006 are all available online. He then explained the certificate of completion process and suggested that the Planning Board be part of the business licensing procedure.
Lisa Pearson addressed the Board reiterating and expanding on portions of Mr. Cuddire’s report, and reported that Leah Hill and Michelle Rowden were both made full time effective Oct. 1st.. She also stated that she has been working on the Lafayette Road sewer project with Bob Carroll and Bob Straubel on the build-out, EQR’s and privilege fees. She and her staff have submitted a $50,000 grant for the Recreational Trails to improve a recreational trail easement on the Jones property. As for the industrial park sewer, the Town is still waiting for the PWED grants which are still pending. The renovation work is progressing at Town Hall as well as the Senior Center. The latest Timberland work on the Railtrail was very successful with over 150 volunteers completing the Palis Drive trail down from Cushing Street to Bartlett Street as well as clearing to Vaughan’s and to Anne Jones land.
There are two road acceptances to be presented at Town Meeting – Cpl., Patten Way and Palis Drive and she hopes to have everything in line by that time. Her staff has been working on new regulations to help get subdivisions completed and roads accepted in a timely manner. Selectman Hunt said he would like to see all roads that are not presently accepted to be completed and accepted as soon as possible. The issue of 40B’s was touched on briefly and the Board requested that Ms. Pearson submit a memo letting the Board know where the Town stands as it relates to 40B’s.
e. Housing Authority Update
Selectman Knowles brought forth the concern at the Housing Authority as a result of the recent newspaper article relating to the units that had been highlighted by the State inspector. However, according to the Housing Director most issues have been taken care and he is currently reviewing different maintenance programs to see what would be the best way to keep on top of everything. He has also gotten quotes to get the windows repaired. At the present time, it appears that the Director is on top of things. Selectman Hunt asked whose responsibility it is to maintain the property – the town or the State and Selectman Knowles said routine maintenance should be taken care of by the Housing Director and any big capital item should be a bond issue and funded by the State. The Legislator has approved a housing bond but there is nothing that can be done until the Governor’s office releases the money.
Selectman Beaulieu asked if the Board should take a position on behalf of the seniors to get money released for improvements. It was then agreed to request the Housing Director to attend the next meeting to discuss his budget, his game plan, and when he will be filing all the proper paperwork with the State to get the bond for major improvements.
f. Vote to Sign the Nov. 7, 2006 State Election Warrant
Motion by Selectman Beaulieu, Second by Selectman Klima; Unanimously voted to sign the Warrant as presented by the Town Clerk.
g. Essex National Heritage Area Day Proclamation
Motion by Selectman Hunt, Second by Selectman Klima; Unanimously voted to sign the Essex National Heritage Commission’s Proclamation declaring November 12th as ENHA Day in Salisbury.
h. Amendment to the Selectmen’s Handbook
Motion by Selectman Beaulieu, Second by Selectman Klima; Unanimously voted to amend the Selectmen’s Handbook in Sections IIA, III B2, IV F3 and V B as outlined and explained in the Minutes of September 25, 2006.
I. Domestic Violence Awareness Month Proclamation
Motion by Selectman Beaulieu, Second by Selectman Klima; Unanimously voted to authorize the Chairman to sign the Proclamation declaring October “domestic violence awareness” month in Salisbury.
V. Comments by Visitors - none
VI. Sewer/Water
VII. Correspondence
VIII. Hearings -
7:30 PM - Sewer Abatement Hearing - C. Causer
Motion by Selectman Beaulieu, Second by Selectman Klima; Unanimously voted to open the Hearing at 7:30 PM.
Mr. Harrington reported that he received a call today from Mrs. Causer stating that she was unable to attend tonight’s hearing. He then gave the Selectman a handout which was provided by the Assessor’s office. Basically Mrs. Causer applied for an abatement of her sewer betterment associated with the project 95-1 and it was in 2002 when she started making payments. Under the law, anyone requesting an abatement must do so within 6 months of the betterment. According to the Chief Assessor, she is not eligible for an abatement. However, Ms. Gillespie said she would be happy to talk with Mrs. Causer and discuss other ways she may seek assistance and he offered to convey anything to Mrs. Causer that the Board wishes.
Motion by Selectman Beaulieu, Second by Selectman Klima; Unanimously voted to close the hearing at 7:40PM.
Motion by Selectman Klima, Second by Selectman Beaulieu; Unanimously voted to deny the request for abatement.
IX. Town Manager’s Report
Mr. Harrington summarized his written report, a copy of which is attached and made a part of these Minutes.
Chairman Richenburg spoke of the present financial situation and commended Mr. Harrington on how he has handled it and feels the Board should be very proud of their town. Selectman Hunt also thanked him as well as the Board for the excellent job they are all doing and he feels Mr. Harrington deserves a lot of credit for the staff he has put together.
X. Selectmen’s Report
Selectman Hunt commented on the annual open house held at the Fire Department which was excellent and attendance this year was the largest they ever had. He wanted to publicly acknowledge the job done by the Fire Chief and his staff.
Selectman Klima said there was a walk on the rail trail last Saturday starting on Washington St. in Newburyport and crossing the bridge into Salisbury. There were 94 walkers and the Institution for Savings provided lunch for all the walkers.
Selectman Beaulieu pointed out that in the future the town’s volunteers will have to tape the meetings and functions and suggested that when an event, such as the recent walk, is going to take place that cable be notified so that it can be televised.
Chairman Richenburg reminded the public of Town Meeting next week and urged everyone to attend.
XI. Executive Session - none
XII. Adjournment
Motion by Selectman , Second by Hunt; Unanimously voted to adjourn at 8:27 PM.
Respectfully submitted:
Janet E. Flannery, Secretary
Approved:______________________________
Donald Beaulieu, Clerk