BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 24, 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 7:00 PM.

 

II.        Acceptance of Minutes - none

 

III.       Old Business

            Proposed acceptance of conservation land off Michelle Dr.

Motion by Selectman Richenburg, Second by Selectman Knowles; unanimously voted to remove from the table.

Eric Botterman of Millenium Engineering provided an updated deed from the developer to the Selectmen and requested that they accept the open space that was part of Meadowbrook Estates.  He also indicated that ConComm did not sign the deed at their last meeting because they wanted a chance to review it, but he was assured by Michelle Rowden, ConComm Agent, that it would be signed at the next meeting.  Selectman Beaulieu said he has a concern with the deed in that it is the third one he’s received and he believes they are allowing ConComm to accept the land and not the Selectmen.  He also wants to be assured that the 7 items on the punch list have been, or will be done.  Mr. Harrington said that, according to the Planning Director, Ms. Pearson, they would be done.

Chairman Klima said he feels the Board should ask for the full information on the report and not make any decision tonight.  Selectman Beaulieu said he doesn’t feel the Selectmen should vote to give the authority to another Board to vote and accept the land.  Therefore, it was the general consensus of the Board to take a vote at the next meeting in October after further review.

 

IV.       New Business

            a.  License Renewals – no applications received

 

            b.  New Licenses

Motion by Selectman Richenburg, Second by Selectman Knowles; unanimously voted to approve Entertainment licenses to Uncle Eddie’s, Inc. – 8 Ocean Front S. for 2 pool tables, jukebox and band/DJ (3 licenses)

 

Motion by Selectman Richenburg, Second by Selectman Knowles; unanimously voted to approve a General license to The Odd Couple’s Timeless Treasures – 15 Main St.

 

Motion by Selectman Richenburg, Second by Selectman Knowles; unanimously voted to approve Common Victualer licenses to: Uncle Eddie’s, Inc. – 8 Ocean Front S and Haley’s Diner – 6 Elm St.

 

            c.  Committee Appointments - none

 

 

 

 

            BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 24, 2007 MEETING

 

            d.  Update/Presentations - Assessor and School Committee

Ms. Gillespie passed out three handouts: (1) FY08 Certification Schedule, (2) Triennial Certification Plan and Schedule, and (3) Step by Step Summary of the annual assessment and levy allocation process (copies of which are on file in the Selectmen’s office, as well as with the assessor).  She then gave an overview of the handouts.  The date of the classification hearing was changed from November 26th to November 19th at the request of the Selectmen.

 

Jim Poulin, School Committee Member, reported that many changes have been made among the administration and teachers.  There are a lot of new teachers in all schools in the district and class size is down, allowing the teachers to handle classes better.  New computers have been purchased for the Salisbury Elementary School, networking has been increased and everything should be up and running in the week or two.  Homework.com is now being used which assists the parents in helping with homework.  Parents can also log in and get progress reports, report cards, etc.  There is a busing issue right now due to the bridge being out on Rte. 1A in Newbury which will entail the busses going in different directions and requiring running more buses.  Triton is working with the State Rep to see if the State will assist with the additional funding.  The School Committee’s goals and Superintendent’s goals are being worked on and will be finalized possibly next month.

Selectman Hunt asked how our school choice stands and Mr. Poulin said he believes it’s about the same as last year but those numbers won’t come out until the first of October and he will get them to the Board at that time.  Selectman Knowles said he still has not received an update on the MCAS scores that he requested last month and Mr. Poulin said he would get that information and forward it on to him.

 

            e.  Catherine Garnache – AJH Blood Bank Director

Selectman Knowles introduced Ms. Garnache whom he and Selectman Richenburg had met at a meeting at Anna Jacques Hospital.  Ms.Garnache thanked the Board for the opportunity to speak and explained that Anna Jacques Hospital is trying to create its own blood supply and would like to collect enough blood to get through Red Cross blood shortages.  She stated that the hospital had transfused 200,000 units of blood last year.  She then demonstrated the hospital’s newest machine which is a state of the art instrument and is the safest way to donate blood with the least amount of adverse donor reactions.  Anyone wishing to be a donor can get all the information on the web for AJH.  Basically, anyone who is healthy can donate and she urged everyone to do so.

 

            f.   Appointments of Convener Board for Cable Access

Mr. Beaulieu stated that at the last meeting Rika Welsh suggested that the town seek volunteers to serve on the Cable Access Convener Board from a wide variety of people.  He stated that he had received a number of letters and presented a list of the volunteers.

Motion by Selectman Beaulieu, Second by Selectman Richenburg; unanimously voted to nominate the following people to serve on the Cable Access Convener Board: Nicholas Sullivan, Mary Anne Clancy, Holly Janvrin, Fred Knowles, Deborah Chiaravalloti, Bobbi Klima, Deb Smith, John Housianitis, Chuck Takesian, and Jim Keenan

 

V.        Comments by Visitors - none

 

 

 

 

 

            BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 24, 2007 MEETING

 

VI.       Sewer/Water

            a. Set Betterments for Forest Road Phase 1 and Old County Road Sewer Projects

Mr. Harrington stated that the Forest Road Phase 1 and Old County Road sewer projects had been completed and that it would be appropriate to accept the sewers and to set betterment assessments for the projects.  Information on the betterments had been provided to Selectmen in advance of the meeting.

Motion by Selectman Richenburg, Second by Selectman Beaulieu; unanimously voted to sign the Sewer Betterment Assessment Notice for the Old County Road Sewer Project and in doing so accept the Old County Road sewer, as laid out and constructed, as a common sewer, and authorize Town Counsel to record said notice to create a lien to secure the payment of betterment assessments; that interest on apportioned assessments shall be five percent (5%) per annum; and to sign the Order Assessing Sewer Betterments for the Old County Road Sewer Project and determine the number of Equivalent Residential Units (“EQR) for each property, and that the price per EQR be set as follows for the Old County Road Sewer Project:

 

Project Name               Total Project Cost                    Total EQR’s                 Price/EQR

Old County Rd.            $292,633.69                                  11.00                     $26,603.06

 

Motion by Selectman Richenburg, Second by Selectman Beaulieu; unanimously voted to sign the Sewer Betterment Assessment Notice for the Forest Road Phase l Sewer Project and in doing so accept the Forest Road Phase l sewer, as laid out and constructed, as a common sewer, and authorize Town Counsel to record said notice to create a lien to secure the payment of betterment assessments; that interest on apportioned assessments shall be five percent (5%) per annum; and to sign the Order Assessing Sewer Betterments for the Forest Road Phase l Sewer Project and determine the number of Equivalent Residential Units (“EQR) for each property, and that the price per EQR be set as follows for the Forest Road-Phase l Sewer Project:

 

Project Name               Total Project Cost                    Total EQR’s                 Price/EQR

Forest Rd. Phase l        $338,053.59                                  19.00                     $17,792.29

 

            b. Vote to approve Old Elm Street/Rabbit Road/Fanaras Drive Sewer Project

Mr. Harrington stated that borrowing funds for this project was authorized by Town Meeting and that it had been designed and was ready to go out to bid.  However, in looking over the records there was never a Selectmen’s vote to authorize proceeding to put the project out to bid.  Therefore, the Board is being requested to do so tonight.

Motion by Selectman Richenburg, Second by Selectman Beaulieu; unanimously voted that the Selectmen, acting in their capacity as Sewer Commissioners, authorize the Town Manager and the DPW Director to proceed with soliciting bids to construct the Old Elm Street, Rabbit Road and Fanaras Drive Industrial Area Sewer Project with the understanding that the project is a single project that may be constructed in phases as determined by the Town Manager and the DPW Director.

 

VII.     Correspondence

Letter from Carolyn Sargent resigning from the Historical Commission and Pike School Trustees due to health reasons.  Motion by Selectman Beaulieu, Second by Selectman Knowles; unanimously voted to accept her resignation and post the opening.

 

BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 24, 2007 MEETING

 

Notice of Chamber of Commerce meeting scheduled for October 13th at 6:30 PM having Chris Reilly as the guest speaker.

 

VIII.    Hearings - none

                                                                             

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 Hunt; unanimously voted to ratify the signing of the following weekly warrants:

          W07-37           Gen., Sewer, Water                              W07-38           CDBG

            W07-39           Comm. Development                            W07-40           Town Payroll

            W07-41           Police Payroll                                       W07-42           Sewer Payroll

            W07-43           CDBG Payroll                                      W07-44           Gen., Sewer, Water

            W07-45           General, Water

 

Selectman Beaulieu announced that there will be a training session on the cable access video equipment on October 18th at 7:00 PM and anyone interested in learning how to operate the equipment should call Tony at Comcast or Selectman Beaulieu through the Town Hall.

 

XI.       Executive Session - none

 

XII.     Adjournment

Motion by Selectman Richenburg, Second by Selectman Beaulieu; unanimously voted to adjourn at 9:25 PM.

 

 

Respectfully submitted:

Janet E. Flannery, Secretary

 

                                                            Approved: ___________________________

                                                                              Fred Knowles, Clerk