Tuesday, August 13, 2002
By Harold A. Gushue Jr.
Telegram & Gazette Staff

WEBSTER-- Selectmen voted 2-1 last night to again ask the Police Department not to enforce a bylaw on dock permitting fees.

Selectmen Robert J. Miller and Robert Stawiecki voted to send the letter to police while Chairman Irene A. Martel was opposed. Selectmen Mark G. Dowgiewicz and Jan F. Kujawski were absent.

At a July 1 meeting, about 90 residents complained about the process and left enraged when Mrs. Martel told them to leave or she would have police escort them out.

The bylaw requires residents who have docks on Webster Lake to fill out a two-page application to register the docks and to pay a $10 annual fee. They are given an identification plate to attach to the dock. Police Officer Reid Bagley oversees the permit program.

Last night, Mr. Miller said he got calls last weekend about the process. He said people, including himself, got notices to pay or a fine would be issued. Stating that the bylaw is unclear, he said: "Fine me."

He said nobody is listening to the board and he was "highly insulted we sent a letter as a board and we're totally ignored." He was referring to a previous letter asking that the bylaw not be enforced until the matter is resolved.

Mrs. Martel said no one has the authority to override a town meeting vote and the only way to change the bylaw is through town meeting. She said, "We do not have the right to go against a town meeting vote." She added, "We didn't even have the right to send that letter."

Mr. Stawiecki said, "We're the police commissioners in this town."

He said that when the board issues a directive "it has to be taken seriously." He moved that the board send a letter asking Officer Bagley to suspend action. Mr. Stawiecki said the board was ignored by the police chief.

Mrs. Martel asked what authority the board has to say he is wrong if he tells his officers to enforce a bylaw.

In other business, about 12 residents attended the meeting to complain about Doc Holiday's Bar and Grill on Route 12 near the Oxford line. The Zoning Board of Appeals is to hold a September hearing on the legality of the business, for which selectmen approved a liquor license transfer last night.

Residents complained of noise from within the establishment, noisy motorcycles and patrons urinating on their lawns.

Selectmen said they had heard no complaints.

Selectmen agreed to seek a list of the complaints from police and notify residents when the matter will be on the agenda.

Selectmen agreed to delay televising the names of people who have not tied into the town sewer system. They previously voted to publicize the names.

Mr. Stawiecki said last night the list is not correct. He said those who recently connected should make sure they are not on the list. On his  motion, the board voted to delay televising the names for 90 days.