MINUTES - Special - 3/9/2016
CITY OF SALEM
CONTINUATION OF PUBLIC HEARINGS
MARCH 9, 2016
Continuation of Public Hearings of the Salem City Council was held in the Council
Chamber on Wednesday, March 9, 2016 at 6:00 P.M. for the purpose of discussing a
discontinuance of a public way known as Beckford Way, convey a portion of 297 Bridge
St. for the sum of $10,001.00 and land disposition agreement and conveyance of land to
Sun King LLC. Notice of this hearing was posted on February 24, 2016 at 2:46 P.M.
Councillors McCarthy and Ryan were recorded as absent.
Councillor Gerard arrived at 6:10 P.M.
Councillor Josh H. Turiel presided.
In attendance were the following: Mayor Kimberley Driscoll and City Solicitor
Elizabeth Rennard and Attorney Joseph Correnti for F.W. Webb
#6 - DISCONTINUANCE OF A PUBLIC WAY KNOWN AS BECKFORD WAY (A.K.A.
BECKFORD ST. EXTENSION)
Mayor Driscoll – stated that people are familiar with this. You have a site plan.
Attorney Joseph Correnti, 63 Federal Street – representing F.W. Webb stated we have
presented you with a double sided proposed building – project overview. He gave an
explanation of the parking lot and the access for pedestrians. There will be a sidewalk
within the site.
Councillor Turiel – in the proposed configuration what would prevent people from walking
across the parking lot.
Attorney Correnti – nothing
Councillor Turiel – what about the easement is it buildable
Attorney Correnti – there are no plans to build
Councillor Milo – what about storage, how often will it be accessed.
Bob Matkachuk, manager F.W. Webb – The white pvc pipe is stored outside, bulk storage
will be relocated there
Councillor Milo – Someone walking the path will there be a safety issue
Bob Matkachuk – stated it’s a gated area
CITY OF SALEM
CONTINUATION OF PUBLIC HEARINGS
MARCH 9, 2016
Councillor Milo – accessing the storage facility won’t be a problem?
Bob Matkachuk – stated it will be fenced off
Councillor Famico – There is stone steps to walking, is this something you will improve
Bob Matkachuk – It can be discussed
Councillor Dibble – Easement define utility easement
Solicitor Rennard – stated sewer lines are there, in addition is the Beckford Way, this
should be discontinued as a public way. It wasn’t accepted correctly
Councillor Dibble – do you have a diagram of the utilities
Bob Matkachuk – we can bring it to you
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FOR COMMENT 6:15 PM
IN FAVOR:
There was no one who appeared in favor.
OPPOSED:
Jan Schlectner, 15 ½ River Street – opposed, feels like public right is being asked to be
given up. Beckford Way opens to a green space. Other towns protect historical paths,
ways and footpaths. Very disappointed that Salem does not. River Street has been
beautified and it has been extended to Beckford Way. Please vote no.
(Mayor left at 6:30 PM)
Jane Stauffer, 28 Beckford Street – we should preserve Beckford Way, it has been used
for 350 years.
Jane Arlander, Federal Street – the proposed easement will be 380 feet vs 110 feet
currently. Commuters will continue to use a straight route. There are 3 entrances
accessing in and out to Bridge Street.
Fred Biebesheimer,17 ½ River Street – he stated he uses the public way every day he is
opposed to the sale
CITY OF SALEM
CONTINUATION OF PUBLIC HEARINGS
MARCH 9, 2016
Tim Doggett, 9 Lynn Street – there was a debate in this chamber 40 years ago regarding
development. This is happening today. This is the last one that hasn’t been hot topped or
done away with.
Lou Serriani, Botts Court – Museums own houses of historic nature., Our houses are as
old. The PEM brought a Chinese house to Salem, why, it is the same age as the houses
on Essex Street. Salem has not embraced historic places and ways. Let us preserve this
well used piece of history.
Meg Twohey, 122 Federal Street – opposed to selling it. Chapter 91 protects public
access to water. This public way absorbs water. It protects from hazards and loss.
Ann Whittier, 10 River Street – She stated that she appreciates the opportunity to speak.
This parcel is under-valued. the Mayor calls it a goat path.
Carol Carr, Federal Street – Is opposed to discontinuance, this is an old town way. Her
handouts showed old public ways of Marblehead.
Jennifer Firth, 9 North Street – the discontinuance will destroy a historical endangered
resource of Salem
Justin (resident) – stated he is opposed
Alex Marks, 7 Botts Court – opposed, please consider these changes, it’s important for
flooding
Constance Arlander, 91 Federal Street – There are safety concerns. Other communities
celebrate public ways, why can’t Salem
David Hart, 104 Federal Street – (Historical Commission) address the contamination, no
one can be on the site more than 16 hours.
Jeremiah Jennings, 18 River Street – stated he is opposed
Barbara Cleary, 104 Federal Street – stated she is opposed
John Carr, 7 River Street – don’t change something that’s 400 years old. No compelling
reason to change.
Darrow Lebovici,122 Federal Street – heavy traffic over utility pipes this will cause
destruction. He stated he is opposed
Male Resident, 170 Federal Street – stated he is opposed
Steve Whittier, 10 River Street – pipelines explosion due to deterioration
CITY OF SALEM
CONTINUATION OF PUBLIC HEARINGS
MARCH 9, 2016
Elizabeth Biebeshiemer, 17 ½ River Street – is opposed, this is a well-used path. Improve
the path, please preserve it.
Susan Weldon, 106 Federal Street – is concerned that the City’s lack of preservation of
this way. Honor the past.
Jennifer Lock, 103 Federal Street – stated she is opposed
Councillor Sargent asked the City doesn’t have a deed to this land, who owns it?
Councillor Famico moved that the hearing be closed. It was so voted.
Councillor Famico moved to refer the matter to the next Council meeting. Seconded by
Councillor Eppley. It was so voted.
#7 - CONVEY A PORTION OF 297 BRIDGE STREET 1,260 SQUARE FEET KNOWN
AS PARCEL B TO SUN KING LLC FOR THE SUM OF $10,001.00 WITH A
PERMANENT PEDESTRIAN AND VEHICULAR ACCESS ON THE ENTIRE PARCEL
FOR THE BENEFIT OF 30-32 BECKFORD STREET
Councillor Famico to continue to Wednesday, March 30, 2016 at 6:00 PM. Seconded by
Councillor Eppley. It was so voted.
#8 - LAND DISPOSITION AGREEMENT AND CONVEY A PORTION 297 BRIDGE
STREET 52,491 SQUARE FEET (FORMER UNIVERSAL STEEL) AND 311 BRIDGE
STREET, 2,015 SQUARE FEET TO SUN KING LLC AFFILIATE OF F.W. WEBB CO.
FOR THE SUM OF $990,000.00
Councillor Famico to continue to Wednesday, March 30, 2016 at 6:00 PM. Seconded by
Councillor Eppley. It was so voted.
On the motion of Councillor Furey the meeting adjourned at 7:25 P.M.
ATTEST: CHERYL A. LAPOINTE
CITY CLERK