NEWBURY BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MINUTES OF MARCH 15, 2004 MEETING
Selectmen: James Powell, Richard Wright, Gary Budd
Town Personnel: David Jescavage, Town Admin; Shelly Candidus, Admin. Assistant, Cal Prussman, Debbie Prussman
Public: Skip LaClair, Diego Solimine
The meeting convened at 6:34 p.m.
PUBLIC INPUT:
Skip LaClair appeared to discuss a building permit application which has been pending since last November. The Board had approved the application for adding a farmer’s porch, but noted that this addition would encroach one foot on a state right-of-way. LaClair has not been successful in resolving this issue with the state. The Board agreed that the proposed construction met all town regulations, and said they would advise the Code Enforcement Officer to issue the permit, with the understanding that any future concerns that might be raised by the state would be LaClair’s responsibility to resolve.
Diego Solimine appeared to discuss the status of a small parcel of land: Map/lot# 51-489-522. At some point over the years, this small corner was broken off from a larger parcel now owned by Solimine (Map/lot# 51-438-457), because it had been separated by a right-of-way when land was taken for railroad construction. After the railroad was discontinued, ownership of this small lot became unclear. Solimine would like to reclaim that small parcel. The Board said the town had no interest in the parcel. He will need to hire an attorney to prepare a quit-claim deed making the transfer of this parcel from the town to him.
CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS:
Jescavage said he needed a proposed time line to prepare the bond applications. April 23rd is the deadline for June bond sales, with funds available in July. The bond bank will review the application and send us a list of requirements. Fees for review by bond counsel will run between $2,000 and $2,500. The Board asked Jescavage to apply for the full amount now and to include the bond request for the Town Office reconstruction. The Board agreed to request a bond for 10 years duration. Budd said plans for updated filing and phone systems at the Town Office were going forward. Jescavage said the filing company rep would be here on March 16th to discuss beginning work. For the phone updates, Prussman said he would contact the state about installing a trench under Route 103.
The Board agreed that work on the Town Office should begin as soon as possible. Wright said bids should go out June 1st at the latest, and preferably May 1st. The Building Committee has begun their Thursday night meetings to initiate this project.
Wright asked that a meeting of the Highway Advisory Committee be scheduled for March 25th at 7 p.m. In addition to the standing committee, Josh Perkins and Carl Christiansen will be invited to this meeting to share their ideas. Wright mentioned that engineering input is needed for both projects before final plans are adopted. Alex Azodi and Jesseman have expressed interest in reviewing the highway garage. Cal Prussman will contact them, and he will also schedule an appointment with the Planning Board to initiate a subdivision of the land for the new garage.
REGULAR BUSINESS
SEPTIC DESIGNS:
Bryck, Thomas. Map/lot# 07-381-434. Approved.
BUILDING PERMITS:
Gobes, Michael. Map/lot# 18-213-220. Renovations to milk house & barn approved per ZBA.
Hall, Deb & Woods, James. Map/lot# 16-771-092. Cottage renovations approved per ZBA.
Chambers, Francis. Map/lot# 43-343-196. Roof over deck approved, n/c.
Nemcovich, Ken. Map/lot# 22-056-245. Addition to garage approved.
Muchard, Michael. Map/lot# 41-518-249. New house approved.
PAYROLL & ACCOUNTS PAYABLE: Week ending March 13, 2004 approved.
MINUTES: Meeting minutes of March 8, 2004 approved to file.
OLD BUSINESS:
The Board noted that after the budget appropriation was approved at Town Meeting, a 5 % raise is effective for all town employees as of March 14, 2004. Budd reported that information is being gathered from towns within a 25 mile radius (and the State Police) to examine pay rates for various town jobs. Meetings will then be scheduled with departments to determine where on the pay scale Newbury falls: job scope, length of service, and averaging high and low pay rates. Budd said the study should be complete in early summer, with a goal to implement any pay adjustments by September 1st.
rompted by an inquiry from an employee, the Board asked Jescavage about the status of incorporating employee benefits updates into the Handbook. Jescavage said the only version he could find in the computer system was dated 1996, with a one-page addendum from 1999. The Board asked Jescavage to update the Handbook with all changes approved over the past couple of years. It should be reprinted at this point, with changes after the reprinting to be included as addenda.
Powell asked Jescavage about VISION’s commitment to review abatement requests for the town. Jescavage said the contract with VISION provides 5 days of review time. Rick Vincent is doing a preliminary review and sort of abatement requests and will try to reserve some time for VISION in case they are needed to represent the town at any BTLA hearings. Powell asked for a weekly update on this topic.
Debbie Prussman advised the Board that a conversion of software to Munismart should not take place until after the first tax billing in 2004. Meantime, the Board advised checking with an additional software provider to compare capabilities and conversion features.
Wright noted that the House would hear SB512 on March 24th. He and Powell plan to attend.
Powell asked Jescavage to check with legal counsel about the status of Baker Hill Golf Club’s request for abatement of taxes.
NEW BUSINESS:
The Board unanimously appointed Powell as Chairman of the Board of Selectmen.
The Board signed an Appointment letter for Charles Crickman as Cemetery Trustee.
Cal Prussman reported that he had sent specs out for bid on road work for the remainder of 2004. Sealed bids are due April 5, 2004 at noon.
Prussman advised the Board that a bond was needed for construction traffic using Morse Hill Road for access to the Allwood development. The Board of Selectmen agreed that a bond should be required in the amount of $50,000, via a letter of credit, to go into effect after the roads are unposted.
Prussman said he needs to schedule a public hearing to do road work on Cheney Road between Province and Behr roads. The Board suggested the hearing be held in conjunction with an April Board meeting. Planning Board approval is also needed for doing work on a scenic road. Prussman will pursue this with the Planning Board.
Jescavage said he had a complaint from a town employee about junk vehicles on property in Newbury Heights. Jescavage said the junk vehicles were not on town property. Powell asked Jescavage to report back to the employee and to send a letter to the property owner.
The Board determined that the Code Enforcement Officer can issue a temporary, conditional Certificate of Occupancy which is good for 30 days and is renewable.
The Board held a Supplemental Intent to Cut pending investigation into whether the land is being cleared for subdivision. Candidus will discuss with the DRA.
The Board signed a refund request reflecting veterans’ credit due on 2003 property taxes.
NON-PUBLIC SESSION:
The Board voted to go into non-public session at 7:55 p.m. with Debbie Prussman to discuss a number of office procedural matters. These will be further reviewed/discussed. The Board came out of non-public session at 9:00 p.m.
MEETING ADJOURNED at 9:50 p.m.
NEXT REGULAR MEETING: Monday, March 29, 2004 at 6:30 p.m. at the Town Office.
NEWBURY BOARD OF SELECTMEN
| 
