TOWN OF CHARLESTOWN
SELECTBOARD MEETING
DECEMBER 6, 2006
Selectboard Present: Jon LeClair, Brenda Ferland, 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: Jon LeClair called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING(S):
Steve Neill moved to approve the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard meeting of November 15, 2006 as printed. Brenda Ferland seconded the motion. With all in favor, the motion was approved.
Steve Neill moved to approve the Minutes of the regular Selectboard meeting of November 15, 2006 as printed. Brenda Ferland seconded the motion. With all in favor, the motion was approved.
PUBLIC HEARING – Acceptance of Brackett Circle as a Class V Public Street: Mr. LeClair opened the public hearing and asked if anyone present had any questions or comments on the petition to accept Bracket Circle as a Class V Public street. Tom Minickiello questioned if Brackett Circle is a 50-foot right-of-way. Dave Edkins responded that it is a 50-foot right-of-way. Tom Minickiello asked if the drainage system on the south side is on Town or private property and what happens when it fills up with sand. The petitioner, Norm Beaudry said it is all on Town property. There are sumps to capture sand and other debris which can be cleaned out as necessary; it is a common way to treat storm water and was designed by Tom Dombroski. In the event of a heavy storm the
surplus runs down the ditch, through the existing grass swale and into the brook. Tom Minickiello noted that no one seems to know where the design is. Norm Beaudry said that Pete Jewell was the Superintendent of the Highway Department at the time of construction and he checked the project fairly often; he did not favor that particular system but wanted a culvert all the way down through but this system was approved by the Planning Board and constructed according to the plans. It stood up during the major storm last year; he has not touched that ditch since they did the work and there is grass growing in it. There was discussion relative to the Highway Advisory Board being involved at that time but Tom Minickiello said that Board was not as well organized as it is now. He feels this will come back to haunt the taxpayers because it will fill up. Keith Weed has not seen the plans but asked how many infiltration chambers there are. Norm Beaudry
said six or eight chambers on each side with a foot of stone under the chambers. This is the same design as was used for the Hill View project. Norm Beaudry had posted a bond on the Brackett Circle project. About two years ago the curbing was damaged so he hired Bazin Bros to redo all of the curbing and put one more one-inch of asphalt on the road. The road went through two winters with the original asphalt and there are no frost heaves. If it does seal up about 20 years from now it will mean that the water will flow alongside the road where it always has been going. Jon LeClair asked for additional comments but there were none. He closed the Public Hearing at 7:18 pm.
Brenda Ferland moved to accept Brackett Circle as a Class V public street. Steve Neill seconded the motion. With all in favor, the motion was approved.
DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS:
Highway Department: Keith Weed reported that repairs to the sand and salt shed are done and the other building that was attached to it is down and cleaned-up. They redid the parking lot. The work on Old Cheshire Turnpike will be done tomorrow. The new trench box was picked-up today. The truck is back from Concord; it needed new hydraulics. A new clutch was put in one of the dump trucks. CRS Culvert, out of Maine, will be here next Wednesday at 6:30 pm to explain their culvert lining product to the Selectboard and the Highway Advisory Board as a possible means of repairing the Fling Road Bridge. Work is being done on Hackett Swamp Road where new culverts are being installed. There is a 14” elevation difference on the left hand side of the road. If
the weather stays good they will start that process next week.
Transfer Station: Keith Weed advised that they lost their electricity last Saturday so they replaced approximately 300-feet of wire. Work needs to be done on the compacter; it will cost about $5,200 to repair it and will take two days. There is a meeting next Wednesday in Concord regarding mandatory recycling of electronics through the NRRAA. Steve Neill would like some research done to find out when this compacter was purchased before taking action on the repairs. It will probably have to be fixed rather than replaced at this time due to budget constraints.
Water and Sewer Departments: Dave Duquette reported that they worked on the old Summit Hill pump station. The technicians came in again today and the new station worked well. They have been winterizing their buildings. Daniels Construction finished the Clay Brook/Fling Road sewer line work across the stream. The department crew pumped and cleaned the contact tank at the sewer plant and cleaned sewer lines on several streets. He has been working on the arsenic removal system in North Charlestown and is writing a letter requesting that the State allow the Town another 90 days for testing. A chart comparing arsenic results from Eastern Analytic and Aqua Check was distributed and reviewed. Following a few months of splitting the samples he would like to switch to Aqua
Check as their arsenic test levels are slightly lower. He has been trying different methods to reduce the arsenic levels and will report back to the Selectboard.
Police Department: Police Chief Ed Smith advised that Peabody Electric came in and explained their solution to the generator emergency shut-off concern. He talked to Keith Weed about adding a winterizing fuel additive. He would like to purchase the repeater before the grant runs out in February even though the charge for putting it on the tower is still unknown. He talked to the Ossippee Mountain communications company but they will not give an estimate until they look at the site and are unable to come for about two weeks. He is proposing R & R as they provided a good quote and have it on hand; labor for the mounting is included in the quote. The Selectboard approved having Chief Smith contact R & R to make the arrangements to purchase the repeater to avoid delays.
While Chief Smith was talking to John Olson about the repeater and the tower, he asked if the Chief was ready to change vehicles and offered to take back the Explorer and give the Town a Durango that is about two years newer with fewer miles. The Selectboard approved this request.
Chief Smith advised that the new Nextel phones are working out very well. Officer Bob Kelcey came up with six areas in Town that do not have good service and this information was relayed to the Nextel representative.
Chief Smith will be in Concord on Friday for a training session on the Governor’s new law on Sexual Offenders.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Sharon Francis and Dick Holmes: Sharon Francis and Dick Holmes submitted a Petition that was signed by 84 residents of the Town to the Selectboard. Sharon Francis read the Petition as follows:
“We, the undersigned, being legal voters in the Town of Charlestown, hereby petition the Board of Selectmen of said Town to place the following article on the warrant for the 2007 annual meeting.
New Hampshire Climate Change Resolution
To see if the town will go on record in support of effective actions by the President and the Congress to address the issue of climate change which is increasingly harmful to the environment and economy of New Hampshire and to the future well being of the people of Charlestown.
These actions include:
1. Establishment of a national program requiring reductions of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions while protecting the U.S. economy.
2. Creation of a major national research initiative to foster rapid development of sustainable energy technologies thereby stimulating new jobs and investment.
In addition, the town of Charlestown encourages New Hampshire citizens to work for emission reductions within their communities, and we ask our Selectmen to consider the appointment of a voluntary energy committee to recommend local steps to save energy and reduce emissions.
The record of the vote on this article shall be transmitted to the New Hampshire Congressional Delegation, to the President of the United States, and to declared candidates for those offices.”
Sharon Francis advised that this is being considered in over 100 towns in the State. The Carbon Coalition, out of Portsmouth, is the sponsor. Their purpose is to educate people in the State of New Hampshire about carbon emissions and global warming. If all of us speak out as a state next year we can say to the presidential candidates that “x” number of towns representing “x” number of people are concerned with these issues. She suggested that the Selectboard consider establishing a Volunteer Energy Committee in town; it would be nice to have one-or-two Fall Mountain students to have a voice. The Selectboard agreed that they have no problem with putting this article on the Warrant.
South Hemlock Road: Ken and Diane Weaver, residents at 928 South Hemlock, explained their difficulty with access into their driveway after highway work was done two summers ago including installation of a culvert. The culvert is a safety issue and there is a hump in the road. He would like to have the driveway area put back the way it was, as the current situation is unsatisfactory to him. Before the work there was no ditch. Following a previous conversation with Mr. Weaver, Keith Weed and Dave Edkins looked at the area and disagree with Mr. Weaver. Tom Minickiello said the Highway Advisory Board discussed this project and are familiar with what happened there. This was Keith Weed’s decision as he maintains the roads. Jon LeClair and Steve Neill will look at
it before making a decision. Tom Minickiello said the Highway Advisory Board will meet again next Wednesday night and he felt that the Highway Advisory Board will discuss it again and take another look at it. Jon LeClair advised that between now and the next Selectboard meeting they will try to have everyone involved take a look at it and get back to Mr. and Mrs. Weaver.
SELECTBOARD COMMENT:
There was no Selectboard comment made at this meeting.
OLD BUSINESS:
Acworth Road Project Bids: Jon LeClair advised that at the last Selectboard meeting bids were received for the Acworth Road culvert project. Last Monday night Jon LeClair and Brenda Ferland met with Keith Weed to discuss the bids and made a decision to reject all bids for this year. They want to take that money and put it into the Calavant Hill work. Keith Weed was asked to put together a complete new bid package that will be clear to everyone.
Boston Post Cane: Brenda Ferland felt that the cane should be given to the oldest resident of the town that is on the list. Dave Edkins noted that another decision that needs to be made is does the Selectboard want a more formal protocol to decide who is eligible for it as requested by the Heritage Commission; should there be more criteria besides age. Steve Neill noted that another issue raised is whether or not to give out the original cane or to keep the original in the office and give out a replica. There was discussion relative to whether or not residents who move into out-of-town nursing homes would be eligible. Dave Edkins will check with the Town Clerk to see if those residents are still eligible to vote in Charleston. It was noted that the Selectboard Chairman
traditionally presents the cane to the recipient.
Cannon Issue: Dave Edkins has not heard from the Old Fort No. 4 about the written loan agreement for the cannon but will check with them again as the cannon is now on their property.
FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION – Payroll, Purchase Orders, Vouchers, Warrants, Abatements, Etc.: The Payroll was approved and signed. The Accounts Payable vouchers totaling $40,922.65 were signed by the Selectboard.
Purchase Orders: The following Purchase Orders were approved and signed by the Selectboard: 1) Highway – E.W. Sleeper for chains $665.60; 2) Police – NH Department of Safety $1,125.00; 3) Highway – S.G. Reed Truck Service $401.00; 4) Wastewater – Tom’s Septic Service for pumping $793.00; and 5) Ambulance – for the building $1,811.00 and $391.00.
Paving Proposals: The Selectboard acknowledged receipt of two paving proposals from Pike Industries for work on Calavant Hill. Keith Weed will obtain additional quotes.
Abatements: The Selectboard approved nine Abatements for the following amounts: 1) $1,324.27; 2) $2,465.19; 3) $1,322.19; 4) $10.00; 5) $10.00; 6) $621.43; 7) $49.13; 8) $1,990.90 and 9) $382.55.
Disability and Health Insurance Rates: Jon LeClair, as Chairman, signed the transmittal document for 2007 Disability and Health Insurance rates.
Warrants: The Selectboard signed two Warrants for the Tax Collector to collect in the following amounts: 1) $7,296.63 and 2) $11,168.99.
Municipal Assessment Data Sheet: The Selectboard approved and signed the Municipal Assessment Data sheet.
Veterans Exemption for Property Taxes: The Selectboard approved and signed two applications for Veterans Exemptions for Property Tax.
Permit to Use Alcohol: The Police Chief and Selectboard approved a permit to consume alcohol for a Christmas party in the Town Hall.
APPOINTMENTS, PERMITS, LICENSES, & RESOLUTIONS:
Recreation Committee: Steve Neill and Jon LeClair signed the appointment of David Mix as a member of the Recreation Committee.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Ken Champney: The Selectboard signed the letter to Ken Champney in response to his concerns about the Old Claremont Road and Acworth Road intersection. The Highway Advisory Board agreed that his proposal to re-align the intersection is not feasible.
Sullivan County – Pandemic Flu: Dave Edkins reported on the Sullivan County pandemic flu preparedness effort. There will be a meeting in Charlestown on Friday. They are pulling together quite a major effort in the event of an outbreak. Bud Von Ahnen has been attending those meetings and keeping Dave Edkins up-to-date on the developments. He pointed out that it is a time commitment because of all the meetings so he is not sure that he can attend all the meetings but Patty Henderson has been attending on behalf of the hospital and will pass the information back to him when he cannot attend. The Selectboard felt some reimbursement might be offered to her. Charlestown has been grouped with the towns of Acworth and Langdon who have been meeting to talk about specific things
that should be done. We will have to find room for people to go, cots, storing of containers, etc.; space will be a huge issue.
Public Meeting: There will be a Public Meeting on the Tree Program sponsored by the Heritage Commission on Tuesday, December 12th at 7:00 pm in the Community Room. It will primarily address the preservation, maintenance and replacement of the trees on Main Street. Everyone is invited to attend.
Upper Valley Lake Sunapee Region Planning Commission: The UVLSRPC has scheduled a meeting on Thursday, December 14th from 6:00 to 8:00 pm in the Claremont Middle School Library to discuss a new approach to transportation planning. The Route 12 project in South Charlestown is designated as one of the State Highway projects that will utilize this approach. Dave Edkins will plan to attend.
Silsby Library: The Library Board of Trustees invited the Selectboard to their celebration of the holiday season on Thursday, December 14th between 5:00 and 6:30 pm. There will be light refreshments.
Town Clerk’s Office: Deb Clark, Town Clerk, advised that the Town Clerk’s Office will be closed on Tuesday, December 26th, 2006.
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT’S REPORT:
Town Deliberative Session: Dave Edkins advised that the Town Deliberative Session will be held on Wednesday, February 7th, 2007, and will be held in the Town Hall rather than the Charlestown Elementary School.
Silsby Library Roof: Dave Edkins reported on the Silsby Library roof that needs to be repaired. Two bids were received as follows: 1) Gerard Leone in the amount of $3,100.00 for a temporary patch now and to come back in the spring; and 2) Jancewicz & Son in the amount of $16,000.00 for repairs to the entire roof.
Steve Neill moved to have Gerard Leone do the repairs for the amount of $3,100.00. Brenda Ferland seconded the motion. With all in favor, the motion was approved.
River Street: A resident on River Street called Dave Edkins to explain there is confusion over River Street and River Road especially for deliveries. She wanted the Selectboard to be aware of this concern. Dave Edkins called her back to advise that renaming streets is now a difficult task with the E-911 system. Brenda Ferland noted that the Selectboard would be more aware of similar sounding road names in the future.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Conservation Commission – Steve Neill: Steve Neill has been unable to attend the meetings due to a conflict with the Finance Committee meetings.
CEDA – Jon LeClair: Jon LeClair reported that CEDA had a meeting last week in the Connecticut River Bank. There were only four members in attendance. They are still dealing with the restrictive covenants for the Gristmill property.
Planning Board – Brenda Ferland: Brenda Ferland advised that the Planning Board met last night. There was one Site Plan Review application for Mr. Jim Feleen who has purchased the green house across from the Heritage property on river Street; that application was accepted as complete.
Tom Minickiello feels that the Highway Advisory Board and Planning Board should seriously look at the cul-de-sac and hammerhead design guidelines so they are clear to applicants and emergency service providers.
Solid Waste Committee – Jon LeClair: Jon LeClair said that there have been no Solid Waste Committee meetings since his last report.
Heritage Commission – Brenda Ferland: Brenda Ferland reported that there has not been a Heritage Commission meeting since her last report.
Ambulance Department – Steve Neill: Steve Neill advised that there have not been any Ambulance Department meetings since the last report.
OTHER BUSINESS:
Lower Dam: Dave Duquette questioned if the Selectboard want to do anything with the lower dam on clay Brook. Jon LeClair asked how important it is to maintaining the aquifer levels. Dave Duquette said quite important. Mr. Smith talked to Dave Edkins about his concerns as he is directly down the stream. Steve Neill felt that it should not be breached but it is important to know who owns what in that area. Dave Duquette offered to take the Selectboard to view the area.
NON-PUBLIC SESSION – RSA 91-A:3 II:
Brenda Ferland moved to enter into a Non-Public Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II to discuss (a) Personnel, (b) Hiring, and ( c) Reputations which, if discussed in public, might adversely affect the reputation of any person other than a member of the Board itself. Steve Neill seconded the motion and, on a roll call vote with all in favor, the motion was approved. The time was 9:00 pm.
Respectfully submitted, Approved,
Regina Borden, Recording Secretary
Jon B. LeClair, Chair Steven A. Neill Brenda L. Ferland
(Note: These are unapproved Minutes. Corrections, if necessary, may be found in the minutes of the December 20th, 2006, Selectboard meeting.)
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