BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF JUNE 23, 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.

 

II.        Acceptance of Minutes

            Minutes of June 9, 2008 – Regular Session

Motion by Selectman Beaulieu, Second by Selectman Richenburg; unanimously voted to approve the Minutes of June 9, 2008 – regular session as written.

 

III.       Old Business

            a.  Amusement License – Mark Fanelli’s Traveling Amusement Park – Discussion of License Fee

The fee had been brought up at the last meeting but not finalized.  Selectman Beaulieu also pointed out that no Sunday license had been applied for but due to the timing it will have to be applied for after the fact.  Motion by Selectman Beaulieu, Second by Selectman Richenburg; Voted to set the fee at $150.00 for license which was approved at the last meeting and in addition require the applicant to apply for a Sunday license with the State before the amusement license is released.  VOTE:  3 yeas – Selectmen Hunt & Knowles opposed – motion carried.

 

IV.       New Business

            a.  License Renewals:

Motion by Selectman Hunt, Second by Selectman Knowles; unanimously voted to renew a Earth Removal Permit, with the same conditions/restrictions that may have been on the original license and all subsequent renewals for Elmknoll Trust – 103 Main St.

 

            b.  New Licenses

Motion by Selectman Beaulieu, Second by Selectman Richenburg; unanimously voted to approve a General license to Mike Welding – 55 Beach Road contingent on the name of the Corporation being put on the application and that the Fire Dept. sign off before the license is released.

Motion by Selectman Richenburg, Second by Selectman Hunt; unanimously voted to approve a General license to JW Salon, Inc. – 158 Bridge Rd. Unit B

 

Motion by Selectman Hunt, Second by Selectman Richenburg; unanimously voted to table a Common Victualer application for Weiner Dogs II – Hot Dog Cart – 191 Beach Rd. in order for the Board to research the by-law as there was a question as to whether hot dog carts were allowed.

 

Motion by Selectman Richenburg, Second by Selectman Beaulieu; unanimously voted to approve a Common Victualer for Hank’s Franks, etc. – 191 Beach Rd. for the sale of watermelon cups.

 

 

 

            c.  License Amendments

Motion by Selectman Beaulieu, Second by Selectman Richenburg; unanimously voted to approve a name change on a General License from Gordon’s Service Center to Gordon’s Sew & Vac Center at 54B Bridge Rd.

 

            d.  Committee Appointments

Arts Lottery – 4 openings – 3 years - no applicants

 

Board of Registrars – 2 openings – 3 years – no applicants

 

Council on Aging – 3 openings – 3 years – 2 applicants: Pastor Rusty Davis and Ron Koontz

Motion by Selectman Beaulieu, Second by Selectman Richenburg; unanimously voted to appoint Pastor Davis for a three year term and to re-appoint Ron Koontz for a three year term, both expiring June 30, 2011.

 

Harbor Commission – 2 openings – 3 years – 3 applicants: George Milliken, James McCarty (presently an alternate), James Bamford

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

1st vacancy:  Roll vote – Selectman Richenburg – George Milliken; Selectman Beaulieu – George Milliken; Chairman Klima – James Bamford; Selectman Hunt – George Milliken; Selectman Knowles – George Milliken.

By a vote of 4 – 1 George Milliken was re-appointed for a three year term expiring June 30, 2011.

 

2nd vacancy:  Roll vote – Selectman Richenburg – James Bamford; Selectman Beaulieu – James Bamford; Selectman Hunt – James McCarty; Chairman Klima – James Bamford; Selectman Knowles – James McCarty.

By a vote of 3 – 2 James Bamford was appointed for a three year term expiring June 30, 2011.

 

Historical Commission – 3 openings – 3 years – 1 applicant: Nancy Meehan

Motion by Selectman Beaulieu, Second by Selectman Richenburg; unanimously voted to re-appoint Nancy Meehan for a three year term expiring June 30, 2011.

 

Housing Authority – 1 opening – 5 years – no applicants

 

Library Trustees – 2 openings – 3 years – 2 applicants: Maureen Dupray & Nicholas Sullivan

Motion by Selectman Beaulieu, Second by Selectman Richenburg; unanimously voted to re-appoint Maureen Dupray and J. Nicholas Sullivan for a three year term expiring June 30, 2011.

 

License Commission – 2 openings – 3 years – 2 applicants: James McDonnell & Brian McMenimen

Motion by Selectman Beaulieu, Second by Selectman Richenburg; unanimously voted to re-appoint James McDonnell and Brian McMenimem for a three year term expiring June 30, 2011.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pike School Trustees – 5 openings – 2 for 2 years and 3 for 3 years – 1 applicant: Janet Juntunen

Motion by Selectman Beaulieu, Second by Selectman Richenburg; unanimously voted to appoint Janet Juntunen for a three year term expiring June 30, 2011.

 

Planning Board – 2 regular openings – 5 years –2 applicants: Robert Straubel, David   Holscher; 1 alternate for 2 years – 2 applicants: Louis Masiello and Louis Marini

Motion by Selectman Beaulieu, Second by Selectman Richenburg; unanimously voted to re-appoint Robert Straubel and David Holscher for a five year term expiring June 30, 2013 and to appoint Louis Masiello to the alternate position for a two year term expiring June 30, 2010.

 

            e.  Update/Presentations:  Police Chief L’Esperance and School Committee

School Committee:  Sue Fish reported that the school committee elected new officer in May and they are: Dina Sullivan, Chair; Ed Mavragis, Vice Chair; and Debbie Choate, Secretary.  Two new members were elected in the May election and they are Holly Janvrin from Salisbury and Lane Bourne from Rowley.  Triton held its 36th graduation with 220 students graduating; of those 220 students nearly 80% will pursue a college education and 3 students are entering the military.

In May the Superintendent’s Task Force on School Choice made a presentation to the school committee with the results of the surveys that were sent out as to why families choice out of the district.  The topics of the survey were: academic deficiencies – perceived or otherwise, extracurricular activities, teacher-student relationships, teacher-parent relationships, parent-administrative relationships, budgetary variables, presence or lack of current technology in the system, perception of administration, class structure and size, and role of attrition in staff.  Of the families who choice out, 70% of them have resided in one of the three towns in the district for 10 or more years and about 1/3rd indicated that their children had never attended any school in the district.  In 2007, 117 students choiced into Triton District and 141 in 2008, which is a 20.5% increase over 2007.  The net loss of students to choice at Triton declined to 115 in 2008 from 153 in 2007 – a decrease of 25%.

In June it was reported that Triton High School is progressing to being the first “Green School” in this area.  They are actively working to move Triton to solar energy and it’s a real possibility for the spring of 2009; wind power is the next phase and a year long study needs to be conducted to gather data and acquire a permit from the Town of Newbury.  The Superintendent’s evaluation for the 2007-2008 school year was presented in June and on a scale of 1 – 4, 4 being the highest she received a score of 3.1 and she received a 4.40% raise which will bring her to an annual salary of $151,392.

 

Chief L’Esperance thanked the Town Manager and Selectmen for their continued support.  The Police Dept. has looked at some of the drug problems in Town and in collaboration lead by Sgt. King and Detective Mark Thomas there have been about 60 drug arrests and 5 search warrants.  He met with Judge Doyle and expressed his concern about the number of cases that are just sitting in Court and not being heard; they have responded and now seem to be hearing the cases and moving them along.  Officer Jim Leavitt has been promoted as the domestic violence officer and in conjunction with that, the Department is working with the Women’s Crisis Center.  They are also working on developing an initiative for the school and trying to get an officer at the school; Officer Alder may be assigned to the school one day a week so the children get to know him and will feel comfortable with the department. The Dept. is hoping to start a cable TV project by having the police officers appear on television and introducing themselves so the townspeople get to know who they are.

 

Craig LeSage has been hired on permanently.  The Chief met with the Boys & Girls Club about the summer programs; they have about 200 kids signed up for the programs and Officer Alder is going to do his best to go over and work with them.  The Salisbury Beach Partnership has given the department access to an on-line camera at the beach as well as at Lions Park.  An officer has also been assigned to Lions Park on a 4-wheeler which has cut down on the vandalism somewhat.  Under the 9-1-1 call system, they have had 836 to date averaging about 10 emergency calls a day.  In addition to the policing grant, the Department is working on the following grants: domestic violence, highway safety, homeland security, $10,000 for more emergency 9-1-1 training, as well as looking to raise money for a new station, for the reverse

9-1-1 program, and a sign similar to the one that is lent to the Town by SPS for town meeting.

 

            f.  Vote to approve 9th Annual “Nelson’s Ride” – Aug. 23 and 24, 2008

Dennis Palazzo stated that the sole purpose of Nelson’s Ride is to raise funds for the families of its deceased members.  The event is taking place on Aug. 24th only and they would like permission to use levels 2 and 3 of the back parking lot, at no cost, for ‘staging’ the motorcycles from 9:30 AM – noon when the ride leaves.  Selectman Hunt said he would like to see public safety involved and come up with a plan for Mr. Palazzo to bring back before the Board.

Motion by Selectman Richenburg, Second by Selectman Beaulieu; unanimously voted to table to the special meeting scheduled for June 30th at 5:00 PM.

 

            g.  Vote to ratify the firefighter’s contract

Motion by Selectman Beaulieu, Second by Selectman Hunt; unanimously voted to discuss in Executive Session.

Selectmen moved into Executive Session at 10:35 PM to discuss this contract and moved back into regular session at 10:45 PM to take the following vote.

Motion by Selectman Richenburg, Second by Selectman Beaulieu; unanimously voted to approve and ratify the Firefighters Contract as presented by the Manager.

 

V.        Comments by Visitors

Tim Lamprey of Harbor Garden stated that Mass. Highway has proposed to fix the Whittier Bridge and the Hines Bridge and the last time work was done on the Chain Bridge there was traffic backed up on Rte. 1 and it wasn’t unusual to see traffic backed up from Salisbury Square on Bridge Road down to Gallagher’s.  If the Whittier Bridge is funneled down to single lanes, traffic is going to back up as well and he is concerned with the problems this manifest.  He’s bringing this up now as there is time to plan for and it is something that needs to be addressed, especially if they are going to do the Hines Bridge at the same time.  Selectman Richenburg suggested a letter be sent asked Mass. Highway to come and explain what they are going to do and to have Sen. Baddour and Rep. Costello here as well to help circumvent any problems/issues.

 

VI.       Sewer/Water

 

VII.     Correspondence - none

 

VIII.    Hearings

            7:30 PM – Amendment of Sewer & Water Access Fee Regulations & EQR Schedule

Motion by Selectman Beaulieu, Second by Selectman Richenburg; unanimously voted to open the public hearing for amending the sewer and water access fee regulations and EQR schedule at 9:20 PM.

Chairman Klima explained that the sewer and water access fee regulations adopted in 2004 had a schedule to have the fees in place through June 30, 2008 and he had suggested that the existing rates be extended until a study could be done by Weston & Sampson. The breakdown from Weston & Sampson updating the access fees was provided, a copy of which is on file with the Town Clerk.

 

No residents/users were in attendance.  After some discussion the following votes were taken:

 

Motion by Selectman Richenburg, Second by Selectman Knowles; unanimously voted to approve the amendment of regulations and EQR schedule as presented in the summary of the betterment of user and access fees used by Salisbury and the DEP.

 

Motion by Selectmen Richenburg, Second by Selectman Hunt; unanimously voted to accept the amended EQR schedule as presented tonight including retail trade and retail shopping center, and accept the formula for adjusting the access fees as follows: “the following formula shall be used to convert the actual water consumed to EQR’s: Actual water consumed during computation period in gallons: e.g., 730,000 gallons divided by days in the period (365) equals 2,000 gallons per day (GPD) average consumption times 2.0 (adjustment factor to convert average consumption to maximum daily flow) equals 4,000 GPD maximum daily flow, divided by 330 GPD equals 12.12 EQR’s.”

 

Motion by Selectman Richenburg, Second by Selectman Beaulieu; unanimously voted to accept the change in the regulation on the formula from 1 ½ to 2.

 

Motion by Selectman Richenburg, Second by Selectman Beaulieu; unanimously voted to adopt the amended EQR fee structure presented dated 6-23-08.

 

Motion by Selectman Richenburg, Second by Selectman Beaulieu; unanimously voted to close the hearing at 9:55 PM.

 

            8:00 PM – Amendment of Sewer User Fee Regulations

Motion by Selectman Beaulieu, Second by Selectman Richenburg; unanimously voted to open the hearing on amending the sewer user fee rules and regulations at 9:56 PM.

Chairman Klima stated the sewer user fee regulations that were adopted 15 years ago are pretty much out of date.  The proposed changes allow for appeals to be dealt with internally with the sewer department and if the people aren’t satisfied they can then go to the Selectman. 

The following are the proposed changes:

  • Changes the rules for converting non residential customers to metered.
  • Reducing the eligibility to anyone who has at least 2 EQRs.
  • Gives the sewer department the authority to adjust the rates.
  • Sewer usage will be set for new users when the meter is installed.

Motion by Selectman Richenburg, Second by Selectman Beaulieu; unanimously voted to amend the sewer user fee rules and regulations as presented in draft 5-29-08.

 

Motion by Selectman Richenburg, Second by Selectman Hunt; unanimously voted to close the hearing at 10:08 PM.

 

 

 

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: W08-199 through W08-207.

 

Selectman Richenburg is concerned with the present cost of gas and what the people will be faced with in the fall in order to heat their homes, etc. and he would like the Town to seek all possible grants for fuel assistance and if that fails to see if there is free cash in the fall that can be utilized through Pettengill House or the COA to administer fuel assistance to include electricity, oil or gas to help citizens who may be struggling.  Selectman Knowles suggested inviting Community Action to get involved.

 

Chairman Klima reported that Mass Highway had a public hearing last Thursday on the rail trail that went very well.  All comments were positive; the negative was re: the flooding of the rail trail but it is on track and looking to go out to bid in September.

 

XI.       Executive Session

Motion by Selectman Beaulieu, Second by Selectman Richenburg; unanimously voted to move into Executive Session at 10:30 PM for the purpose of discussing the Firefighters contract with the intent of returning to Open Session to vote on the contract.  Roll vote: Selectman Richenburg – yes; Selectman Beaulieu – yes; Selectman Hunt – yes; Selectman Knowles – yes; Chairman Klima – yes.

 

XII.     Adjournment

Motion by Selectman Richenburg, Second by Selectman Beaulieu; unanimously voted to adjourn at 10:51 PM.

 

 

Respectfully submitted:

Janet E. Flannery, Secretary

 

                                                            Approved: ___________________________

                                                                              Fred Knowles, Clerk