TOWN OF CHARLESTOWN
SELECTBOARD MEETING
JULY 20, 2005
Selectboard Present: Brenda Ferland, Jon LeClair, Steven Neill
Staff Present: David Edkins, Administrative Assistant
Keith Weed, Highway Superintendent
David Duquette, Water & Sewer Superintendent
Edward Smith, Police Chief
Regina Borden, Recording Secretary
CALL TO ORDER & PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Chairperson Brenda Ferland called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS:
Water and Sewer Departments: Dave Duquette was on vacation last week but Rod Rumrill and the crew did meter pits, repaired curb stops and handled customer complaints very well. The Norman Avenue project was started at the Springfield Road; they laid about 280 feet of pipe and hooked-up about six houses. A notice was mailed to the Morway’s Trailer Park about the meter situation. Archie Major, the new park manager, contacted Dave Edkins last week, set up an appointment but called to say they could not make it and would re-schedule. He also had a message from park owner Rachelle Bamford that she wanted to provide an up-date but did not call back. They are aware of the issue.
Police Department: Police Chief Ed Smith reported that the new cruiser is in and is at Whelen Engineering to have the lights put on. They addressed the issues brought up at the last meeting and are doing foot patrols and checking on Patch Park. He submitted a grant request that will require signatures from the Selectboard and will need a match. The State is offering money to do two six-hour blocks of time to do patrols on weekends; the function being DWIs. He thinks it is a good idea and the department employees agree so they would like to do it. Archie Major at Morway’s Trailer Park has expressed an interest in doing a Neighborhood Watch Program so Chief Smith has been working with them. Chief Smith took care of a fireworks complaint. He spoke to the kids
about picking-up the chair and other materials that were left at the Tennis Court in Patch Park but their equipment can be left there. It was noted that the Police Department is now wearing their new summer uniforms.
Elizabeth Bascom, Cemetery Trustee, requested that, especially when there is a funeral in one of the Main Street churches, the new Sexton can contact the Police Department to make arrangements to assist with the traffic. Many times vehicles that are not a part of the funeral service will break into the line of traffic. Chief Smith agreed to provide this service, noting that they already do when a large is anticipated.
Highway Department: Keith Weed advised that the new truck is here but they are waiting for it to go to Whelen for the lights. Dave Edkins will take a picture of the truck and an article will be written for the next Our Town publication. The department finished the work on the Unity Stage Road. Presently one crew is on the South Hemlock Road; the road will be chip-sealed next week. A roadside mower has been rented starting Monday. It appears that the Town will be paid for at least one of the snow events by FEMA. Chester Stone, on the Old Claremont Road, has decided that he would like catch basins installed to solve his drainage problem. There is an 80/20 grant being offered through the Upper Valley Lake Sunapee Regional Planning Commission for strictly new sidewalks,
bike paths, restoring historic buildings, etc. Keith Weed handed-in the form.
Cemetery Trustees: Elizabeth Bascom and Vicki Sargent, Cemetery Trustees, were present. Elizabeth Bascom said they are concerned about the condition of their office in the Old Town Hall. It appears that the room has no heat and the paint is peeling. Last night they interviewed applicants for the Sexton position. They would like to have that person work year-round; in the winter the Sexton work on plans and paperwork and in the summer work in the cemeteries. Ron LeClair left a list of things that need to be done. There is no phone in their office yet the Sexton has to make confidential calls, make arrangements for buying lots, and contact the funeral homes and other Town departments. When people are grieving they do not want to go through several people. Their
documents are in three different locations. At times they need access to documents after the other offices have closed for the day. It is a hectic situation; they need a private area. The Selectboard agreed to try to work something out.
MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING(S):
Steve Neill moved to approve the Minutes of the regular Selectboard meeting of June 15, 2005, with the following correction: The Board did not have these Minutes in their packet for approval at the July 6th meeting; therefore, they should indicate that corrections can be found in the minutes of the July 20th meeting. Jon LeClair seconded the motion. With all in favor, the motion carried.
Steve Neill moved to approve the Minutes of the Non-public Selectboard meeting of June 15, 2005, as printed. Jon LeClair seconded the motion. With all in favor, the motion carried.
Steve Neill moved to approve the Minutes of the Non-public Selectboard meeting of July 6, 2005, as printed. Jon LeClair seconded the motion. With all in favor, the motion carried.
Steve Neill moved to approve the Minutes of the regular Selectboard meeting of July 6, 2005, as printed. Jon LeClair seconded the motion. With all in favor, the motion carried.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Boy Scouts: Shawn Kennedy was present to take notes for a requirement he is working on for the Boy Scouts.
Sharon Francis: Sharon Francis discussed a logging matter on the Borough Road. The 70-acre, long and thin, parcel changed hands last winter, and is adjacent to her property. Mrs. Francis spoke with a Forester who was checking the boundaries. The parcel is awkward to access because of the stream, wetlands and ledge. The previous owner was given permission to cross her property when logging was done. Mrs. Francis is uncomfortable with this proposed project and contacted the DES. The Conservation Commission is aware of the plan and Jim McClammer completed the Wetlands application for the new owner, Mr. Zampini. Keith Weed, Dick Holmes and Dave Edkins wrote a letter in March to Mr. Zampini about a driveway access. The land is in Zone D, the Water Shed area, and the
letter outlines that the Zoning regulations that state that agriculture and forestry are permitted provided they are not detrimental to the water shed. When Mrs. Francis met with Mr. Zampini in June he indicated his intent was to build the access road and clear a one-acre area for a house lot. The Conservation Commission did an on-site visit a few nights ago, came back to discuss the issue and signed the Wetlands application. Mrs. Francis requested that the Selectboard refer back to the March letter and advise Mr. Zampini that he did not submit the requested Forest Management Plan. Mr. Edkins noted there is nothing in the regulations to require this logger to provide a Forest Management Plan and, since they have not required this of other loggers, it would be difficult to impose that requirement on Mr. Zampini. Mr. Edkins contacted the Town’s attorney, the legal counsel at the Municipal Association, the State Forester, and the Town Forester, and
the consensus of all was that the Town does not have the authority to require the submittal of a Forest Management Plan as a condition to sign the Intent to Cut or the Driveway Permit. Most of the regulatory and enforcement authority for timber operations rests with the State Division of Forests and Lands. The Intent to Cut by the Selectboard is primarily to allow monitoring for Yield Tax purposes. Steve Neill noted the driveway would probably be much wider than 12 feet, probably closer to 35 feet with the shoulders and drainage. All everyone involved can do is to keep an eye on the operation. If there are problems, address them right away. Mrs. Francis asked who should be contacted if someone should see a violation. There was a consensus to contact Mr. Edkins or the Police Department. The local Police Department has the authority to go in, if a State Forest law is being violated, to shut the operation down.
SELECTBOARD COMMENT:
There was no Selectboard comment made at this meeting.
OLD BUSINESS:
There was no Old Business at this meeting.
FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION – Payroll, Purchase Orders, Vouchers, Warrants, Abatements, Etc.: The Payroll was approved and signed.
Abatement: One Abatement was approved and signed due to an administrative error.
APPOINTMENTS, PERMITS, LICENSES, & RESOLUTIONS:
Zoning Board of Adjustment – Vacancies: A letter was received from Ken Place, Chairman of the Zoning Board of Adjustment, advising that Eric Lindblade has resigned as a regular member but would like to be appointed as an alternate member. Mr. Place recommended that Ken Arkell be appointed as a regular member. Mr. Edkins noted that basically Eric Lindblade and Ken Arkell would change places.
Steve Neill moved to accept the resignation of Eric Lindblade as a regular member of the Zoning Board of Adjustment and to appoint him as an alternate member. This term will expire in March 2006. Jon LeClair seconded the motion. With all in favor, the motion carried.
Steve Neill moved to appoint Ken Arkell as a regular member of the Zoning Board of Adjustment. This term will expire in March 2007. Jon LeClair seconded the motion. With all in favor, the motion carried.
Hawkers & Peddlers’ Permit – Grenier: Dave Edkins advised that this is a lunch wagon operation that has set up previously in front of the Claremont Savings Bank. Permits have previously been approved for Mr. Grenier. The Selectboard approved and signed the permit.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Home Stats: The memo from Pat Royce to Dave Edkins regarding a request from Anthony Little of Home Stats was reviewed. Home Stats is requesting property tax information for all parcels on CD. They do not resell any data. In the past the Board has been reluctant to provide tax information but rather made the agency/outside individuals come in themselves to gather the data. It is public information so the Town is obligated to make it available. The Town can charge for the service. Steve Neill feels that the policy should remain the same; if they want information let them come in and get it. Jon LeClair agreed; the Board is not denying access.
The Selectboard took a break from 7:55 to 8:00 pm.
Fireworks: Brenda Ferland received a letter from a citizen that was told she could not use her fireworks during their July 4th family gathering. Police Chief Smith sent her a letter and enclosed a copy of the State statutes.
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT’S REPORT:
Recreation Areas: Dave Edkins escorted an employee of the State Department of Recreation around to inspect the recreational areas and the pool. She found everything was okay and a copy of her report is in the Selectboard file.
Propane Bids: Pat Royce had solicited bids for propane from Johnson & Dix, Young’s, Limoges, and Irving Oil. The proposals were for an estimated 4,752 gallons with most of it being for the Water & Sewer Departments. Three of the bids were as follows: 1) Johnson & Dix - $1.89.95 per gallon; 2) Young’s - $1.59.9 per gallon; and 3) Limoges - $1.31 per gallon. Irving Oil did not respond. Limoges was the low bidder. Steve Neill questioned if service is tied to the delivery and will it be an issue with Dave Duquette.
Steve Neill moved to accept the low bid from Limoges in the amount of $1.31 per gallon if it meets with Dave Duquette’s approval as it affects the Water and Sewer departments the most. Jon LeClair seconded the motion. With all in favor, the motion carried.
If this does not meet with Dave Duquette’s approval, Dave Edkins is to contact the Selectboard individually. There was some reluctance to wait until the next meeting as the prices might change if they are not locked in soon.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Conservation Commission – Steve Neill: The Conservation Commission met last Monday night on the Borough Road to view the site previously discussed in this meeting. Landmark Land Sales applied for a Wetlands crossing permit. Some beetles were released in three areas of Town. They are supposed to purple loosestrife, an invasive plant species, so it will not regenerate. There was discussion about the trail map they are trying to put together for walking and snowmobiles; should it show the whole town.
CEDA – Steve Neill: CEDA cancelled their July meeting.
Planning Board – Brenda Ferland: The Planning Board met last night. They approved a Sign Permit for Blueberry Hill Park to move their sign closer to the road for better visibility. The Planning Board accepted as complete a sub-division application on the Meany Road for Wayne and Barbara Kennett. They talked about the Land Use chapter of the Master Plan.
Solid Waste Committee – Jon LeClair: There have been no meetings since the last report.
Heritage Commission – Brenda Ferland: There will be no Heritage Commission meetings in July or August.
Ambulance Department – Jon LeClair: The Ambulance Department met last Wednesday. Most of the discussion was about filling out the proper forms when they do a run. The new ambulance needs some Warranty items. As of last Wednesday they responded to 276 calls. The Selectboard requested that Dave Edkins check to make sure that the new ambulance is registered and inspected.
Steve Neill felt it was time for Dave Edkins to advertise the old pick-up and the old ambulance for sale. The Selectboard will retain the right to accept or reject any and all bids.
OTHER BUSINESS:
Police Department: The Selectboard congratulated Jolene Williams for graduating from the 137th New Hampshire Police Academy.
NON-PUBLIC SESSION (if necessary) – RSA 91-A:3 II:
Steve Neill moved to enter into a Non-public session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II ( c ) Reputations, (d) Litigation, and (e) Acquisition of Land. Jon LeClair seconded the motion and, on a roll call with all in favor, the motion carried. The time was 8:22 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Regina Borden, Recording Secretary Approved,
Brenda L. Ferland, Chair Jon B. LeClair Steven A. Neill
(Note: These are unapproved Minutes. Corrections, if necessary, may be found in the Minutes of the August 3rd, 2005, Selectboard meeting.)
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