BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF JANUARY 28, 2008

 

PRESENT:                 Selectmen Jerry Klima, Chairman; Ed Hunt, and Fred Knowles

ABSENT:                    Selectmen Beaulieu and Richenburg

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 held in the Colchester Room, Salisbury Town Hall.

 

II.        Acceptance of Minutes

            Minutes of December 3, 2007 and January 14, 2008

Motion by Selectman Knowles, Second by Selectman Hunt; unanimously voted to approve the Minutes of December 3, 2007 and January 14, 2008 as written.

 

III.       Old Business

            a. Class II License – Crystal Motors – 192 Elm St. 

Mr. Hagan appeared as requested by the Board and reported that he had been notified by his landlord that he would have to find another location due to renovations/expansion of the property at 192 Elm St.  His landlord then offered him space at another location which he was in the process of buying, but due to a problem with the deed the sale fell through.  Mr. Hagan is still looking for a location, but in the meantime he has been conducting his business at auction on a wholesale basis only.  Due to these circumstances he asked if the Board could consider a temporary license so he can liquidate his vehicles.

Motion by Selectman Hunt, Second by Selectman Knowles; unanimously voted to approve the Class II license for a 3 month period and at the end of that time have Mr. Hagan determine if he is going to turn the license in or extend it provided he has found a location to conduct his business.

 

IV.       New Business

            a.  License Renewals:

Motion by Selectman Hunt, Second by Selectman Knowles; unanimously voted to approve a Taxi Cab license to Cars Port Taxi which is issued by the Town Clerk.

 

Motion by Selectman Hunt, Second by Selectman Knowles; unanimously voted to renew a Common Victualer license, with the same conditions/restrictions that may have been on the original license and all subsequent renewals for: Salisbury Dairy Queen - 96 Elm St., Performance Nutrition Center – 50 Elm St., and Hodgie’s Too of Salisbury j- 136 Rabbit Rd.

 

Motion by Selectman Hunt, Second by Selectman Knowles; unanimously voted to renew a General license, with the same conditions/restrictions that may have been on the original license and all subsequent renewals for: Melo’s Liquor Store – 1 Broadway, Della Salon & Day Spa – 102 Bridge Rd., Creative Touch Designs – 72 Elm St., The Brazilian’s Place – 10B Elm St., Atlantic Leasing – 11 Main St., Canine Day Spa – 119 Ferry Rd., U-Haul of Salisbury – 6 Merrill St., Pines Camping Area – 28 CCC Rd., Wash ‘N’ Wags – 8A Beach Rd., and Monkeyhouse Entertainment – 28 Elm St.

 

 

 

 

            b.  New Licenses

Motion by Selectman Knowles, Second by Selectman Klima; voted to approve a Common Victualer license for Lee Hunt Seafood, LLC – 5 Ocean (new ownership).  VOTE: 2 yeas – Selectman Hunt abstained.  Motion carried.

 

            c.  Committee Appointments - none

 

            d.  Update/Presentations:  Building Inspector/ZBA/School Committee

Mr. Surette reported that 339 permits were issued in 2007 totaling $225,010.00 in revenue. Included in the permits were: 20 new single family homes, 1 - 16 unit condo project, 3 – 3 unit condo project and 2 – 2 unit condos.  Also included in the total were electrical permits, plumbing & gas permits, and annual occupancy inspections. 

 

Ms. Susan Fish, School Committee Chairman reported that the school committee met on January 23 with members from all three towns present.  The main discussion was regarding the assessment which is expected to be 5% above last year’s.  The next district communications meeting will be held Thursday Jan. 31st at 7:00 PM.  She said that the District’s technology needs will be addressed by entering into a contract with a full time network manager who will be available to monitor their computers 24/7 at a price of $145,000 for 12 months.  The next school committee meetings are scheduled for Feb. 6th and Feb. 13th; a public hearing on the budget will be held on March 5th with a final vote being taken on March 12th.

 

            e.  Notice of Intent re: a portion of 106 Main St. & the Town’s option of first refusal

Mr. Harrington explained that there is a proposal to transfer property at 106 Main St. that is now taxed under 61A.  It is being sold and the Town has the right of first refusal.  Assessor Cheryl Gillespie said it is not a buildable lot in a sense that a house cannot be built on it.  It is of no use to the Town and an abutter is looking to purchase it to put a barn on it.  Therefore, it is requested that the Selectmen vote on this issue and to also waive the 120 day waiting period.

Motion by Selectman Knowles, Second by Selectman Hunt; unanimously voted to waive the Town’s right of first refusal and to waive the 120 day waiting period.

 

            f.  Vote re: Merrimack River Jetty

Chairman Klima explained that he’s been working with the Army Corps of Engineers and had organized a meeting last week at Plum Island regarding dredging and beach replenishment.  There’s been a lot of discussion about the problems with the Newburyport jetty and he found that there are as many problems on the Salisbury side.  The Army Corps told Chairman Klima that if the Selectmen send a letter asking them to review the condition of the Salisbury jetty and put it on a repair list, they would do so.  Therefore, he prepared a letter and asked the Board to vote to approve and to send it out.

Motion by Selectman Hunt, Second by Selectman Knowles; unanimously voted to send the letter to the Army Corps, Navigation Section as presented.

 

            g.  Reverse 911 Presentation – Sgt. Kevin Sullivan and Kristine Harrison

Sgt. Sullivan and Dispatcher Harrison provided handouts to the Board on Code Red vs. Reverse 911 emergency notification services and gave an in-depth presentation as to the advantages of Code Red over Reverse 911, copies of which are available in the Selectmen’s office.  Two of the major advantages are lower cost and more flexibility.  They also said that the staff of Code Red readily returns calls, whereas Reverse 911 does not.  At the present time they are contacting other communities who have this service and requesting their feedback and are hoping to have a recommendation to present at the May Town Meeting.

h.  Vote on CDBG Grant Application – Lisa Pearson

Ms. Pearson informed the Selectmen that based on the proposals she had received from the Selectmen and other department heads, she recommended applying for the full $1M CDBG Grant to be applied towards continuation of the housing rehab program, scholarships for the Boys and Girls Club, Pettengill House, sidewalks for the Maple Street/Spring Street area, and making the “little red school house” handicap accessible. 

Motion by Selectman Knowles, Second by Selectman Hunt; unanimously voted to move forward on the CDBG Grant as presented by Ms. Pearson up to $1M.

 

V.        Comments by Visitors

Christine Masiello of Kendell Lane addressed the Board re: an appeal case that Carmel Realty Trust has against the tenants and she asked if the Town could reconsider defending the tenants.  Selectman Knowles informed her that the Rent Control Board met this evening and this was brought up and will be discussed again at their next meeting but did state that Carmel Realty is taking the Rent Control Board to court and not the tenants.  He also said that Mr. Longo is not pursuing the case actively and everything right now is on hold.

 

VI.       Sewer/Water

            Beach Water Tank and DPW Update – DPW Director

Mr. Levesque introduced Mr. Mackie of the BETA Group who presented the preliminary design of the new water tank that will replace the existing tank on No. End Blvd. which is severely corroded.  Mr. Levesque stated that the closing for the land acquisition in the watershed protection area is scheduled for Feb. 12th.  The low interest loan application for the replacement of the Rabbit Road water main has been reviewed and approved by the State.  The next step is to get the Board’s blessing to move forward with the process.

Motion by Selectman Knowles, Second by Selectman Hunt; unanimously voted to get the approval from the State and to bid it out.

 

VII.     Correspondence

Letter from Mass.  Highway - District 4 indicating their approval of the preliminary design of “Border to Boston” rail trail.  Mr. Klima noted that the State would pay for the design of the part of the trail from Mudnock Road north to the state line which will be a major benefit to the Town.

 

VIII.    Hearings

            7:15 PM – Verizon Pole Hearing – Placement of 1 Pole on Toll Road

Motion by Selectman Knowles, Second by Selectman Hunt; unanimously voted to open the hearing at 7:15 PM.

Mr. Gleason, Right of Way Agent for Verizon stated that his presence tonight is more informational since Toll Road is a State road, maintained by the State and Verizon has petitioned the State Highway Dept. and received permission to work on their roadway.  As a matter of course Verizon always appears before each municipality and take back any information or concerns that various boards may have.

The new pole at the corner of the right of way is to run service down the right of way to provide new service to lot 19.  DPW Director, Mr. Levesque stated he has looked at the location and sees no problems.

Motion by Selectman Knowles, Second by Selectman Hunt; unanimously voted to close the hearing at 7:20 PM.

Motion by Selectman Hunt, Second by Selectman Knowles; unanimously voted to approve and accept the plan as presented.

            7:30 PM – Continuation of Hearing for the Proposed Changes for Salisbury                   Waterways and Docking Fees

Mr. McCarty reiterated the reasons for the proposed changes to the waterways and docking fees.  Selectman Hunt said he didn’t see any need for the increases considering the monies that are available in their accounts.  He said that the Harbor Commission has 3 funds totaling $370,112.00 and he believes that one of them exceeds the amount that was agreed on at Town Meeting.  Also, the town pier appears to be paid off and he doesn’t see any obligations coming out of that account.

Randy Hitchcock spoke about the history of the Harbor Commission when there were no bank accounts, and noted that four years ago the Harbor Master had only two assistants.  He also pointed out that a fee is not supposed to generate extra revenue and he feels that at the present time this is a tax and not a fee.

Mr. McCarty and the Harbor Master discussed some differences of opinion about the budgeting process.  Chairman Klima said he personally doesn’t feel there is enough information to make a decision at this point in time and would like the Harbor Master and Commission to at come back with a proposal that both parties can agree upon.

Motion by Selectman Hunt to utilize the present budget and not increase any fees this fiscal year.  Motion failed a second.

Motion by Selectman Knowles, Second by Chairman Klima; voted to continue the hearing until Feb. 11, 2008 at 7:30 PM.  VOTE;  2 yeas – Selectman Hunt opposed.  Motion carried.

 

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 Knowles, Second by Selectman Hunt; unanimously voted to ratify the signing of the following weekly warrants:

          W08-110         Gen., Sewer, Water                              W08-111         Town Payroll

            W08-112         Police Payroll                                       W08-113         Sewer Payroll

            W08-114         CDBG Payroll                                      W08-115         Gen., Sewer, Water

            W08-116         Program Income

 

Selectman Knowles reminded everybody that next Tuesday is election day and urged everyone to get out and vote.

 

Selectman Hunt said he’s been approached by several people on the baseball league re: funds to get work done on the in-field and he asked if the budget could be looked at to see if this was feasible.  Mr. Harrington said he will find out and make sure the funds are made available.

 

Chairman Klima said the sewer rate study committee has been meeting regularly and will soon be making a recommendation for a rate increase; it has been over 10 years since any increase.  He also mentioned that the recent sewer license renewal would require additional investments to improve the treatment facility.  He then presented a schedule of the upcoming committee meetings.

 

 

 

 

Chairman Klima stated that he had met with Senator Bruce Tarr and other state and federal officials to discuss a long-term beach management and maintenance plan involving dredging and beach replenishment.  He said that Salisbury Beach and other North Shore beaches are suffering from long-term erosion problems and that current dredging practices are not addressing the erosion problems.  He said that if Salisbury can work with other cities and towns from Cape Ann  north it could be a way to get a dredging and beach replenishment program moving with less cost to everyone.

 

XI.       Executive Session - none

 

XII.     Adjournment

Motion by Selectman Knowles, Second by Selectman Hunt; unanimously voted to adjourn at 9:50 PM.

 

 

Respectfully submitted:

Janet E. Flannery, Secretary

 

 

 

                                                            Approved: ___________________________

                                                                              Fred Knowles, Clerk