BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF JUNE 25, 2007 MEETING

WILLIAM HILTON CENTER

 

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

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

 

I.          Call to Order/Salute to the Flag

Chairman Klima called the meeting to order at 7:02 PM.

 

II.        Acceptance of Minutes - none

             

III.       Old Business - none

 

IV.       New Business

            a.  License Renewals:

Motion by Selectman Richenburg, Second by Selectman Beaulieu; unanimously voted to renew a General license for: Hairstyles by Michele – 50 Elm St., R&L Liquors – 105 Elm St., and Mike’s Package Store (for years 2006 and 2007) – 121 Bridge Rd.

 

Motion by Mr. Richenburg, Second by Mr. Knowles; unanimously voted to renew 2 Entertainment licenses to Chef Howie’s Hobo Café & Lounge – 5 Broadway – 1 for a juke box and the other for live entertainment

 

            b.  New Licenses

Motion by Selectman Richenburg, Second by Selectman Beaulieu; unanimously voted to approve a Common Victualer license for: Subway – 192 Elm St.

Motion by Selectman Richenburg, Second by Selectman Knowles; unanimously voted to approve a Common Victualer license for Stepping It Up – 50 Elm St. contingent on Board of Health approval

 

Motion by Selectman Richenburg, Second by Selectman Beaulieu; unanimously voted to approve a General license for Real International Emporium – 50 Elm St. contingent on Board of Health approval and to have the application corrected to reflect the proper address of the business

 

Motion by Selectman Beaulieu, Second by Selectman Richenburg; unanimously voted to approve a General license for Exit 60 Mobile on the Run – 66 Main St.

 

Motion by Selectman Richenburg, Second by Selectman Hunt; Voted to approve a General license for Elm Street Farms d/b/a Route 110 Bait & Tackle – 61 Elm St. contingent on the approval of the Planning Board.  VOTE: 4 yea’s – Selectman Knowles abstained

 

            c.  Committee Appointments

Board of Registrars: 2 openings: 1 for 2 years and 1 for 3 years: waiting for recommendations from the Republican Committee at which time appointments will be made.

 

 

 

 

BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF JUNE 25, 2007 MEETING

 

Council on Aging: 3 openings for 3 years: 3 applicants:  Vera Spampinato and Jim O’Brien (both incumbents) and John Labby

Motion by Selectman Beaulieu, Second by Selectman Richenburg; unanimously voted to re-appoint Vera Spampinato and Jim O’Brien for a three year term expiring on June 30, 2010.

 

Motion by Selectman Hunt, Second by Selectman Knowles; voted to appoint John Labby.  VOTE: 2 yea’s – 3 nay’s.  Motion failed.

Selectman Beaulieu is concerned because John is not a resident of Salisbury and feels the Town should “beat the bushes” and find a resident to serve and suggested that his letter of interest be held until July and if there are no residents forthcoming he would be willing to consider appointing Mr. Labby.  Selectman Hunt feels the Board should take it on an individual basis and not where a person lives.  As far as the residency rule in the Charter he suggested that the Board may want to think about changing it. 

The vacancy remains open.

 

Harbor Commission: 2 openings for 3 years: 1 applicant – Reggie Santos

Motion by Selectman Richenburg, Second by Knowles; unanimously voted to re-appoint Reggie Santos for a three year term expiring June 30, 2010.

 

Historical Commission: 3 openings for 3 years: 1 applicant – Beverly Gulazian

Motion by Selectman Richenburg, Second by Selectman Beaulieu; unanimously voted to re-appoint Beverly Gulazian for a three year term expiring June 30, 2010.

 

Housing Authority: 1 opening for 5 years: 1 applicant – Gloria Kimball

Motion by Selectman Richenburg, Second by Selectman Beaulieu; Voted to appoint Gloria Kimball for a five year term expiring June 30, 2012.  VOTE: 4 yea’s – Selectman Knowles abstained.

 

Library Trustees: 3 openings for 3 years: 3 applicants – Donna Stucker, Karen MacInnis, and Martha Tilton

Motion by Selectman Beaulieu, Second by Selectman Richenburg; unanimously voted to re-appoint Donna Stucker, Karen MacInnis and Martha Tilton for a three year term expiring June 30, 2010.

 

Liquor Commission: 2 openings for 3 years: 2 applicants – David Colburn and Sandee Munroe

Motion by Selectman Richenburg, Second by Selectman Beaulieu; unanimously voted to re-appoint David Colburn and Sandee Munroe for a three year term expiring June 30, 2010.

 

Pike School Trustees: 2 openings for 3 years: 1 applicant – Beverly Gulazian

Motion by Selectman Knowles, Second by Selectman Beaulieu; unanimously voted to re-appoint Beverly Gulazian for a three year term expiring June 30, 2010.

 

Planning Board: 2 openings for 5 years: 3 applicants – Larry Cuddire and Donald Egan (both incumbents) and Carmen Iannuccilli

Motion by Selectman Knowles, Second by Selectman Hunt; unanimously voted to place all three names in nomination:

1st appointment - Roll vote:  Selectman Knowles – Larry Cuddire; Selectman Hunt – Larry Cuddire; Selectman Beaulieu – Larry Cuddire; Selectman Richenburg – Larry Cuddire;

BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF JUNE 25, 2007 MEETING

 

Chairman Klima – Larry Cuddire.  Unanimously voted to re-appoint Larry Cuddire for a five year term expiring June 30, 2012.

 

2nd appointment – Roll vote:  Selectman Hunt – Carmen Iannuccilli; Chairman Klima – Donald Egan; Selectman Beaulieu – Donald Egan; Selectman Richenburg – Donald Egan; Selectman Knowles – Carmen Iannuccilli.  By a vote of 3 – 2 Donald Egan was re-appointed for a five year term expiring June 30, 2012.

 

Rent Control Board:  2 openings for 3 years: no applicants

 

            d.  Update/Presentations: 

Police Chief L’Esperance:

  • He and his department have been part of the Sand & Sea Festival planning pertaining to the traffic and crowd control. 
  • As a result of a donation from an anonymous donor fencing was installed in the rear part of the station. 
  • The Chief has been working with Rep. Costello on a grant for a new station, and also working on another grant to get police presence back in the schools.
  • The criminal investigation team is doing a good job in solving cases.  Regarding the break-in at the Sparhawk School they have 2 suspects in mind. 
  • The State Police are back in town for the summer months; they are all very busy and quite professional.
  • Vehicles – the majority have been either donated or repaired through funds from the drug task force and also donated from the Sheriff’s Dept. 

 

Susan Fish, School Committee Chairman: 

  • Although school has been out, there’s much preparation for next year going on.
  • The new FY08 budget will allow class sizes to be reduced and enhance the curriculum. Nine teachers will be re-instated: 3 in Newbury, 3 at Pine Grove, and 3 in Salisbury and 1 new one assigned.  There is also a new principal starting at Pine Grove.
  • Grade 5 will be receiving new math books and improvements will be made in technology.
  • New security systems are in the process of being installed at the middle and high schools.

 

Selectman Richenburg asked if he could get an update on the computers that were provided to the schools and not hooked up yet.  Selectman Beaulieu pointed out that there had been a vote taken by the School Committee to rotate their meetings in the hope that they would be better attended; they did rotate for awhile but then stopped because it didn’t make any difference where they were held.  However, he suggested that possibly every third meeting could be held in Salisbury and those meeting could be televised.  Ms. Fish said she would bring that up at their next meeting. 

Selectman Hunt asked if the number of graduates over the past ten years could be provided to him and she said she would get those numbers.  She was also reminded to get the MCAS score for the Board.

 

 

 

BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF JUNE 25, 2007 MEETING

 

            e.  Sand and Sea Festival Presentation – Wayne Capolupo

Mr. Capolupo said there are many people working on the planning of this event, not only business owners and residents, but town boards as well and he thanked everyone for their participation and help.  He then talked about the traffic plan and issues relating to public safety and how emergencies will be handled if they should arise.  Police Chief L’Esperance then explained how traffic will be handled and where the State and local police will be stationed; he hopes the event will be a success and feels his department is prepared in the event of an emergency and that there will be adequate personnel available.

 

            f.  Vote to Ratify the Fire Chief’s Contract

Mr. Harrington reported that the Fire Chief has been operating without a contract since being appointed in 2003.  He then gave a brief overview of the Chief’s rights, duties, responsibilities, benefits, and salary.  In looking at the comparable salary in other communities, he is grossly underpaid and Mr. Harrington is looking to get him in line over the next 3 years.

Motion by Selectman Richenburg, Second by Selectman Beaulieu; unanimously voted to ratify the proposed 3 year contract for Chief Souliotis as presented by the Town Manager.

 

            g.  Vote to Ratify Police Patrolmen’s Contracts

The Town Manager stated that there are 2 contracts being proposed tonight:  The current contract with the police union expired at the end of 2005 which was extended for 2006 with nothing other than a 3% increase in base pay and the other contract is a 3 year contract covering 2007, 2008, and 2009.

Motion by Selectman Beaulieu, Second by Selectman Richenburg; unanimously voted to ratify the police contracts as presented.

 

            h.  Vote to petition State Emergency Board for authorization to borrow $400,000

Motion by Selectman Beaulieu, Second by Selectman Richenburg; unanimously voted that the Board of Selectmen, in accordance with Chapter 44, Section 8, Clause 9 of the Mass. General Laws, and a vote of Town Meeting taken on May 14, 2007, petition the State Emergency Board for approval to borrow $400,000 for not more than two years for the purpose of paying for engineering, construction and other costs relating to the emergency repairs of the railroad dike at Town Creek.

 

            i.  Steve Paquette re: 40B Project at 54 Beach Road

Mr. Paquette wanted to follow-up to present some changes to his proposed 40B LIP project.  At the time his proposal was approved by the Board it was subject to a number of conditions.  In particular he was asked to look into increasing the 20-foot buffer from properties on Glenwood Ave.   He presented a revised site plan and said he had increased the buffer to 50 feet and reduced the project from 36 units to 32, with eight affordable units.  The site planning has not been completed, but he did a series of test pits to look at the ground water.  He further stated that he will do everything he can to assure everyone involved that what he does will make the site better and will not cause any problems for the area; he is attempting to comply with all local boards’ rules and regulations.  Another condition was to have an adequate play area, which is being done.  He is still working on a potential walking path so that pedestrians can go through Ferry Road through Brad Kutcher’s development to Beach Road.  He has met with a number of town departments and the conceptual plan has been approved by the Fire Dept.  Adequate sewer and water pressure and supply has been discussed with the DPW.  Everything presented tonight

 

BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF JUNE 25, 2007 MEETING

 

is in keeping with the conditions set forth.  In closing, Mr. Paquette said he will continue to do all he can to address everyone’s concerns and he will reach out to the neighbors prior to any public hearings scheduled for August.

Bob Cox of 23 Glenwood invited Mr. Paquette to go to his property which he said he would do so prior to any public meeting.

Motion by Selectman Beaulieu, Second by Selectman Knowles; voted to authorize the Chairman of the Board to sign the LIP application once Chairman Klima has drafted an amendment of the conditions put forth in March to reflect the current application and after the Chairman has reviewed the final application.  VOTE: 4 yea’s – Selectman Hunt opposed because he doesn’t feel that property is sufficient for any housing to be built on.

 

V.        Comments by Visitors - none

 

VI.       Sewer/Water

            a.  Set Public Hearing Date for Proposed Water Rate Change

Motion by Selectman Beaulieu, Second by Selectman Richenburg, unanimously voted to set a public hearing for Monday, August 6, 2007 at 7:00 PM and to follow the water rate meeting calendar presented at the meeting.

 

            b.  Vote on beach water tank alternative

Mr. Levesque stated that the town has been pursuing a new water tank and the last meeting on this subject was a workshop to determine what the best avenue would be to take.  Looking at the feasibility and the cost it was felt the larger 500,000 gallon tank would be the best one.  However after that meeting, a fifth proposal was brought up which was made of concrete and steel which is basically a little more in cost in maintenance, but a lower initial cost  than the lighthouse glass tank.  Chairman Klima stated everyone felt the larger tank is necessary and the extra cost in not that much greater and that extra amount will be paid from access fees collected from the new users and by current users.

Motion by Selectman Beaulieu, Second by Selectman Richenburg; unanimously voted as water commissioners to endorse and approve the replacement of the beach water tank with option 5 which is a compressed concrete base and a steel water tank.

 

VII.     Correspondence

  • Letter from the Army Nation Guard thanking the Board for allowing them to come to Salisbury.
  • Letter from the Town of Walpole requesting support in filing legislation to cause immediate suspension of 40B’s.  This issue will be placed on the next agenda.

 

VIII.    Hearings

            7:30 PM – National Grid – Beach Road – Install Underground Conduit

Motion by Selectman Beaulieu, Second by Selectman Richenburg; unanimously voted to open the hearing at 7:30 PM.

Request was presented to the Board to allow National Grid to construct a line of underground conduit at 233 Beach Rd. for the transmission of electricity.

Motion by Selectman Beaulieu, Second by Selectman Richenburg, unanimously voted to close the hearing at 7:35 PM.

 

            BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF JUNE 25, 2007 MEETING

 

Motion by Selectman Beaulieu, Second by Selectman Richenburg, unanimously voted to approve the request as presented.

 

            7:45 PM – Verizon – Ocean Street – Remove one pole; place one pole

Motion by Selectman Beaulieu, Second by Selectman Richenburg; unanimously voted to open the hearing at 7:45 PM.

This request was made in order to accommodate a newly built residence.  However, the placement of the pole was going to interfere with the abutter’s parking lot.  Therefore it was suggested that the new pole be placed 2 feet farther west than planned.  Verizon was in agreement with the change, as was the abutter. 

Motion by Selectman Beaulieu, Second by Selectman Richenburg; unanimously voted to close the hearing at 8:10 PM.

Motion by Selectman Richenburg, Second by Selectman Beaulieu; unanimously voted to approve Plan #654 subject to the change of moving it west 2 feet and centered on the existing wooden fence on the corner.

  

            7:50 PM – Verizon – Ocean Street – Place one pole

Motion by Selectman Beaulieu, Second by Selectman Richenburg; unanimously voted to open the hearing at 8:15 PM.

Ms. Fraser of Verizon explained that with the move of the previous pole and the requirements along the existing pole line it is necessary to place a pole between #16 and #18 to service the pole line.

Motion by Selectman Richenburg, Second by Selectman Beaulieu; unanimously voted to close the hearing 8:20 PM.

Motion by Selectman Richenburg, Second by Selectman Beaulieu; unanimously voted to approve Plan #655 as presented.

 

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

            a.  Ratification of Signing of Weekly Warrants:

Motion by Selectman Beaulieu, Second by Selectman Richenburg; unanimously voted to ratify the signing of the following weekly warrants.

            W07-193         Town Payroll                                        W07-194         Police Payroll

            W07-195         Sewer Payroll                                       W07-196         CDBG Payroll

            W07-197         Gen., Sewer, Water                              W07-198         CDBG

            W07-199         Community Development                      W07-200         Gen., Sewer, Water

            W07-201         CDBG

 

Selectman Beaulieu said he was at the ConComm last week until 1:00 AM.  He requested that the Manager arrange for Kopelman & Paige to conduct a workshop for all Board Chairmen relative to issues of the flow of meetings, and open meeting laws.  He also suggested that no board or committee should take up any new business after 10:30 PM and meetings should not go any later than 11:00 PM.

 

 

BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF JUNE 25, 2007 MEETING

 

Selectman Beaulieu referred to the Building Inspector’s update and he requested a report of building permits but the inspector didn’t think that was a good idea.  However, Selectman Beaulieu would like to re-visit that and have him give a monthly report showing the number of permits issued, the type and the dollar value.

 

Selectman Hunt said that there has been a door opened at the back of the Memorial School and suggested that Sparhawk check on that.  He also asked that the propane tanks near the new sewer system on Old County Road be protected; the Manager said he will check to see when the fence is going up.

 

Chairman Klima reported that the Board of Selectmen was awarded the Louis Hailson award at the Chamber of Commerce award dinner on June 14th.

 

XI.       Executive Session - none

 

XII.     Adjournment

Motion by Selectman Hunt, Second by Selectman Richenburg; unanimously voted to adjourn at 10:55 PM.

 

 

Respectfully submitted:

Janet E. Flannery, Secretary

 

                                                            Approved: ___________________________

                                                                              Fred Knowles, Clerk