BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MAY 12, 2008

 

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 in the Colchester Room, Salisbury Town Hall.

Chairman Klima the public that town elections were being held tomorrow between 10 AM and 8 PM at the Hilton Center and town meeting at the elementary school on May 19th at 7 PM.

 

II.        Acceptance of Minutes

            Minutes of April 28, 2008

Motion by Selectman Richenburg, Second by Selectman Beaulieu; unanimously voted to approve the Minutes of April 28, 2008 as written.

 

III.       Old Business - none

 

IV.       New Business

            a.  License Renewals – no applications received

 

            b.  New Licenses

Motion by Selectman Richenburg, Second by Selectman Knowles; unanimously voted to approve a General license to New England Services – 239 Front Lafayette Rd.

 

Motion by Selectman Richenburg, Second by Selectman Beaulieu; unanimously voted to approve a Common Victualer license to Connie’s Stagecoach – 95 Elm Street which is under new ownership.

 

            c.  License Amendments - none

 

            d.  Committee Appointments - none

 

            e.  Update/Presentations:  Board of Health

Lou Masiello, Chairman of the Board of Health reported that there has been a vacancy on the Board for about a year; Linda Firth who is currently on the Board has resigned effective the end of June and he himself has tendered his resignation but has remained on until a replacement could be found but he is officially announcing that he will only stay on until the end of June.

As for regular business from January 2008 to the present the Board of Health has issued the following licenses: 52 restaurants, 39 pre-packaged foods, 2 mobile home parks, 5 campgrounds, 3 tattoo parlors, 4 tanning salons, and 5 semi-public swimming pools.  Also, 30 septic installers have been licensed and 9 septic haulers.  Due to the sewer systems being installed, only 1 septic system was approved and 3 upgrades.  Overall inspections that were completed are 23 housing, 30 restaurants, 6 motels and 4 ice cream trucks.  The State now licenses massage parlors, therefore the Town does not do so.  As for tobacco permit fees, the State issued a letter giving an update of the statewide fees; the Town’s rate is $40 and the State’s is $100 and they are advising that the Town raise theirs to $100.00.  License renewal applications for 2008 were sent out in January, February, and March; this year a letter will be sent out early fall advising that applications and fees must be returned by November 1st and if they are not then the fee will be doubled.  This is done in other communities and the Board will be voting on this.

 

            f.   Adoption of Policy re: Comments by Visitors at Selectmen’s Meetings

Chairman Klima stated that the present policy could be improved in such a way to cut down on the time the people speak.  The revision was read at the last meeting and read again tonight as a second reading for adoption. 

Motion by Selectman Richenburg, second by Selectman Beaulieu; unanimously voted to approve the amendment of the current policy by adding the following at the end of the policy and deleting the next to the last sentence of the final paragraph in order to avoid repetition.

 

“Normally, the period set aside for all visitor comments is limited to about 10 minutes, and each visitor’s time is limited to 2 to 5 minutes, but these periods can be lengthened or shortened in the discretion of the Chairman.  If it appears that a matter discussed during Comments by Visitors requires additional time for discussion or requires official action, the Selectmen may decide to place the matter on the agenda of a future meeting.”

 

“Under Massachusetts law no person may address a public meeting of a governmental body such as the Board of Selectmen without permission of the presiding officer at the meeting.  In addition, all persons at a public meeting must be silent if the presiding officer so requests.  If, after a warning from the presiding officer, a person persists in disorderly behavior, the presiding officer may order him or her to withdraw from the meeting.  If a person ordered to withdraw does not do so, the presiding officer may order a constable or other person to remove him or her and confine him or her in a convenient place until the meeting is adjourned.  Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 39, Section 23C.” 

Selectman Beaulieu suggested that all Chairmen of all board and committees receive a copy of Chapter 39, Section 23C.

 

            g.  Discussion of Waterstone Development Agreement

A number of discussions have been held between the Town Manager, Chairman Klima, Chris Reilly and Waterstone Development regarding the shopping center they are planning on Main Street.  Mr. Harrington referred to an outline of the Agreement regarding the “town and Waterstone’s contributions”.  Basically, part of the town’s contributions would include the two warrant articles the request to rezone a portion of the site which is industrial to be compatible with the commercial zone; there is also an abandoned street named Old Locust Street that needs to be officially abandoned and transferred to Waterstone.  A copy of the Agreement is attached and made a part of these minutes.

 

            h. Vote relative to Stevens Tree Farm Agricultural Preservation Restriction

Mr. Harrington explained that Mr. Stevens has contacted the State about the possibility of applying for and receiving a agricultural preservation restriction on the tree farm land on Route 110 except for his house and barn, and part of the process requires a vote to approve and sign the document.

Motion by Selectman Richenburg, Second by Selectman Beaulieu; unanimously voted to support the application for the Agricultural Preservation Restriction at 75 Elm Street and 73 Mudnock Road, and to sign the application.

 

 

 

            i.  Town Manager Evaluation

Each Selectman had filled out an evaluation form which the Chairman finalized and read it into the record, a copy of which is on file in the Selectmen’s office.

 

V.        Comments by Visitors – none

 

VI.       Sewer/Water

 

VII.     Correspondence

  • Notice of an upcoming MVPC meeting scheduled for May 15th.

 

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 Knowles; unanimously voted to ratify the signing of the following weekly warrants: W08-166 thru W08-169 and W08-176 thru W08-178.

 

Selectman Richenburg asked what is being done to advertise the Town Meeting and the Manager said 25 signs are being put up with the date, time and location and a large flashing sign will be put up in the square.  Selectman Richenburg also suggested that the other Boards announce it at their meetings this week and possibly see if the Reverse 911 system could be used. 

 

Selectman Knowles reminded the public about the parade to be held on May 26th starting from the Fire Station at 10 AM.

 

The Selectmen will meet prior to Town Meeting at 6 PM at the school. 

 

XI.       Executive Session - none

 

XII.     Adjournment

Motion by Selectman Richenburg, Second by Selectman Beaulieu; unanimously voted to adjourn at 8:45PM.

 

 

Respectfully submitted:

Janet E. Flannery, Secretary

 

                                                            Approved: ___________________________

                                                                              Fred Knowles, Clerk