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 7:05 PM in the
Colchester Room,
II. Acceptance of Minutes
Minutes of June 23, 2008 – regular
session
Motion by Selectman Beaulieu,
Second by Selectman Hunt; unanimously voted to approve the Minutes of June 23,
2008 of the regular session as written.
III. Old Business
a. Finalize Nelson’s Ride
Mr. Palozzo reported that he had spoken with the Police Chief and DPW Director and reached an agreement to pay $1,000 for the use of the parking lot for August 24th and he is negotiating with the police department for the detail requirements and parking. Selectman Richenburg pointed out that at the last meeting the Selectmen had said they did not want parking on Oceanfront South. Ms. Louise Roberge, operator of the Upper Deck spoke on the parking situation and requested that they be allowed to park there as well as along Broadway in order to help promote business since the beach businesses are hurting for business.
Discussion ensued and it was the general consensus to have the Police Chief poll the merchants at Broadway Mall and see if they want the Selectmen to re-consider parking on Broadway.
Motion by Selectman Beaulieu, Second by Selectman Knowles; voted to approve the agreement stated above between the Town and Nelson’s Ride based on the approved plan by public safety. Also between now and the next meeting get a report back from the Police Chief as to the parking on Broadway Mall. VOTE: 4 yeas; Selectman Richenburg opposed. Motion carried.
b. Common
Victualer License – Weiner Dogs II –
Motion by Selectman Beaulieu,
Second by Selectman Hunt; Voted to approve a Common Victualer license for Weiner Dogs II –
c. Class II License –
Mr. Harrington stated he obtained an opinion from Kopelman & Paige regarding this license; a copy was given to each Selectman. However, in fairness to the applicant he said he would like to discuss it with him and make him aware of the opinion and the Board can take the appropriate action at the next meeting.
Motion by Selectman Beaulieu, Second by Selectman Knowles; unanimously voted to have the Manager discuss the matter with the property owner and place it on the agenda for the next meeting.
IV. New Business
a. License Renewals:
Motion by Selectman Richenburg,
Second by Selectman Knowles; unanimously voted to renew a Sunday license, with the same conditions/restrictions that may have
been on the original license and all subsequent renewals for: Salisbury
Kartland, Inc. –
Motion by Selectman Richenburg, Second by Selectman Beaulieu; unanimously voted to renew an Entertainment license, with the same conditions/restrictions that may have been on the original license and all subsequent renewals for: Chef Howie’s Hobo Café & Lounge – 5 Broadway (live entertainment & juke box – 2 licenses) and a Common Victualer at the same location
Motion by Selectman Richenburg,
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: Kartland,
Inc. –
Motion by Selectman Hunt, Second
by Selectman Richenburg; unanimously voted to renew a Class II license, with the same conditions/restrictions that may
have been on the original license and all subsequent renewals for: Paul’s Auto
Body & Glass, Inc. –
Motion by Selectman Hunt, Second
by Selectman Richenburg; 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: George
O. Fowler –
b. New Licenses
Motion by Selectman Beaulieu, Second by Selectman Richenburg; Voted to approve a Sunday license for Mark Fanelli’s Traveling Theme Park – 12 Broadway for one day, June 29th.
VOTE: 4 yeas – Selectman Hunt opposed. Motion carried.
Motion by Selectman Hunt, Second
by Selectman Richenburg; unanimously voted to approve a Common Victualer license for Cosmos Restaurant –
Motion by Selectman Richenburg,
Second by Selectman Hunt; unanimously voted to approve a General license for SBZM Enterprises, Inc. d/b/a Richdale Convenience
Store –
Motion by Selectman Richenburg,
Second by Selectman Hunt; unanimously voted to approve a General license for Coastal Landscaping, LLC –
Motion by Selectman Beaulieu,
Second by Selectman Richenburg; unanimously voted to table a General license
application for Northeast Boat Storage –
c.
License Amendments - none
d. Committee Appointments
Board of Registrars – 2 openings – 1 Republican and 1 Democrat: 2
applicants – Walter Sidley (D) and Robert Becotte (R)
Motion by Selectman Hunt, Second by Selectman Richenburg; unanimously voted to appoint Walter Sidley for a 3-year term expiring June 30, 2011 and Robert Becotte for a 2-year term expiring June 30, 2010.
Council on Aging – 1 regular and 1 alternate opening – 2 applicants: Shirley Ogden and Patricia Rioux
Motion by Selectman Beaulieu, Second by Selectman Knowles; unanimously voted to appoint Shirley Ogden for a 3-year term expiring June 30, 2011 and Patricia Rioux to the alternate position.
Historical Commission – 2 openings – 1 applicant: Grace Marchese
Motion by Selectman Richenburg, Second by Selectman Knowles; unanimously voted to re-appoint Grace Marchese for a 3-year term expiring June 30, 2011.
e. Update/Presentations: Planning Director and Planning Board
Chairman David Holscher recognized Bob Straubel - Vice Chairman, Lisa Pearson – Director, and Leah Hill – Assistant Planner. He also commended Lisa for the way she works well with the Board and applicants, saying that she does a great job on projects. He added that Leah does a fantastic job of preparing the Board with plans, comments and staff reports.
Mr. Holscher stated that one of
the goals of the Planning Board was to leverage the staff in a way that ensured
the applications were more complete when the first hearing was held and they
are doing an excellent job with this as well as providing guidance consistent
with their rules. By continuing these
actions it should help to raise the quality of development in
Project updates and permits issued since January 2008 are:
4
ANR’s:
9
SPR’s:
2
subdivisions: 113 and
1
Certificate of Completion at
Mr. Holscher stated that the Vaughn project is ready to start; a pre-construction meeting was held at the beginning of July and Mr. Vaughn has a tenant interested. CVS is in process, completion is on schedule and site work on Town property is anticipated late August/early September. The Planning Board has been working to increase the number of sidewalks in Town as well as helping to make connections between existing sidewalks. The sidewalk fund was passed at the last town meeting which will allow the Planning Board to accept contributions to sidewalk projects. Since many of the main routes through Town are State roads, assistance from the State will be a key to getting sidewalks in place. The Master Plan is in its final stages and Vol. 2 is being reviewed. The whole plan is to go to Fall Town Meeting for endorsement and to the Planning Board in the fall for acceptance.
Planning Director Lisa Pearson
reported that the Open Space Plan has been finalized and is on line. The new CDBG grant will support continuation
of the housing rehab program. The grant
will also allow the Town to continue to support the Girls and Boys Club on
their scholarship program and to continue to support Pettengill House and will
provide funds for a sidewalk program on
f. Adoption of new Planning Board Fees
Lisa Pearson addressed the Board regarding fees and stated as part of the regulations that the Planning Board has been working on they worked through a subcommittee and held a hearing on fees in February. She presented a fee survey and provided the Selectmen with the recommendations of the Planning Board; she explained that the reason for the increases is that the fees presently collected do not cover all the expenses incurred. She outlined the survey, a copy of which is available for review in the Selectmen’s office.
Motion by Selectman Beaulieu, Second by Selectman Richenburg; unanimously voted to approve the recommendation of the Planning Board relative to their fee structure presented this evening.
g. Bob Straubel – Master Plan Update
Mr. Straubel gave a power presentation of the of the final stages of the Master Plan 2008, a copy of which is available for review in the planning office.
h. John Fouhy – Comcast Presentation
John Fouhy, VP of Government & Community Relations addressed the Board to talk about the analog migration that took place in July and to address the digital programming that is to take place in February 2009, at which time many stations will not be broadcasting in analog. There will be little impact for the vast majority of customers by the DTV transition, except to the extent that they have analog television sets that are not yet connected to cable. Comcast recognizes that for some customers it will mean a change and an increase and therefore they are offering a free starter box for one year and a discount on 2 extra boxes, and after 1 year there will be monthly charge for the boxes. He added that at some point next year the boxes will be available for retail sale for customers who do not wish to pay the rental cost.
i. Amesbury Jets – Request for Tag Days on Aug.
22nd and Aug. 23rd
Motion by Selectman Beaulieu, Second by Selectman Hunt; unanimously voted to approve the reques,t subject to them working with the Police Dept.
V. Comments by Visitors -
none
VI. Sewer/Water
VII. Correspondence - none
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. W08-208 through W08-216 and W09-01 through W09-17.
Selectman Hunt commented on the Tall Ships and the turn out for the week-end. Chairman Klima also commented and said he was impressed with the way the ships were brought in and the floating walkway system that was put in to make it possible for the public to board them.
XI. Executive Session - none
XII. Adjournment
Motion by Selectman Beaulieu, Second by Selectman Richenburg; unanimously voted to adjourn at 9:55 PM.
Respectfully submitted:
Janet E. Flannery, Secretary
Approved: ___________________________
Fred Knowles, Clerk