FARMINGTON BOARD OF SELECTMEN’S
MEETING MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 22, 2003
(Public Session)
Attendance: Chairman Joan A. Funk, Gerald McCarthy, Barry Elliott, David Hall & Matthew Scruton
Staff: Ernest M. Creveling, Town Administrator, Clark Hackett, Director of Hwys., Parks & Recreation
Director, Kerry Mucher, Director of Water & Waste Mgemt., Dale Sprague
The meeting convened and was called to order at 7:12 p.m. by Chairman Funk.
Joan Funk motioned to retain the street name Blue Hills View, despite the proposed E 911 name change. Gerald McCarthy seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.
Minutes Approval
Joan Funk made a motion to approve the September 8th, 2003 meeting minutes with grammatical amendments. David Hall seconded the motion and the vote was four in favor with Gerald McCarthy abstaining. The motion to approve passed.
Public Comment
Kerry Mucher asked to address the issue of the Nute Ridge Half Marathon. She said an article was published in the Rochester Times, which inappropriately slanted the information she had provided to the newspaper reporter. She said the downtown businesses were blamed for the discontinuation of the race, which is not true. Kerry said she felt strongly that an editorial response should be given to the newspaper. She said she and her assistant Kellie Chase went around the downtown, after the article appeared in the paper and personally apologized to the merchants for something that wasn’t even the fault of her department.
Walter Mills asked why there have been no Downtown Committee meetings. Joan said the Selectmen have spoken about it before and there just doesn’t seem to be the time. Tom Huse said he has asked to have meetings scheduled, noting the Downtown Committee seems to be interested in much the same as the S.W.O.T. Summit and the FEDC. Walter said the problem is the committee has no money, adding they really only need a few thousand dollars for things such as new Christmas lights. It was decided to hold a Downtown Committee meeting next Wednesday, October 1st.
Walter then asked about the Welfare Appeals Board, noting he was appointed years ago, but he thought more members were to be appointed. Ernie said it isn’t a Board, only a Fair Hearings Officer. Walter said he also wasn’t aware there was a prerequisite for driveways to be considered private roads. Ernie explained what warrants the definition and Walter said on the State’s E 911 maps his private driveway seems to have been given a name, asking that this be corrected, since it isn’t a private road, but a driveway.
Barry said, in response to Kerry’s comment about the marathon, there was discussion at last week’s FEDC meeting and the desire was expressed to see the marathon return to Farmington. He said Paul Turner and Brad Anderson would both like to see the race return to Town and to be made into a larger event. They have both offered to sit on a committee to help make this possible. Barry said they might come before the Selectmen to ask for their consideration.
Intersection of Rtes # 11 & 153
Ernie said the construction for the redesign of the intersection is still slotted to begin next spring and the only two outstanding issues are concerning land acquisition, one with Irving Oil and one other. Walter wondered if the State is really going to begin work in the spring and Ernie said yes.
500 Boys & Girls Club Ball Fields
Ernie said Pike Industries has extended the closing deadline for the last time to October 30th at 5:00 p.m. He said the legal bills to the Town of Farmington are now over $3,000. Matt asked if there is enough money in the Conservation Commission budget to cover this and Ernie said yes, but the “buck needs to stop here”. Matt then asked if they will be able to meet the deadline and Ernie said he couldn’t predict.
Main Street School Building Railings
Ernie said the wrought iron railings should be installed in four to five weeks. He said MEK Poured Foundations is also coming by this weekend to repair the bottom step of the concrete stairs out in front of the building, because the bottom step is collecting water.
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Fire Alarm Specifications
N/A
Ernie did say he has put out the RFP to three bidders and has only received one bid back. He said it’s from the same original bidder. Gerry said Fire Chief Goslin was supposed to send letters to those with Master Boxes, asking if he had. Ernie said he would check with him.
Elm Street Retaining Wall
Clark Hackett said he called Mike Burlage of the NH D.O.T./Division 6 concerning the retaining wall. He said State Engineer, Ralph Sanders is in the process of designing corrective measures to include removal of the current wall, replacing it with a 2-4’ slope, backed up with gravel and then a guardrail placed across the area. He said the cost would have to be incurred by Farmington. Discussion then ensued regarding the size of the area to be repaired, the cost to repair and when it could be performed.
Drainage on Rte # 153
Clark said the first basin will be set on top of the hill, then the State will place three 3’ drop inlets with granite curb reveal on the side of the drainage and basins. He said they would then pave from the roadside to the curb line.
Watson Corner Road Bridge
Clark said he spoke with Bob Barry of the NH D.O.T. and asked him if the bridge inspectors had filed their initial report yet. He said Mr. Barry told him not yet. Clark said Bob did tell him though that he wants to treat these bridge repairs as a “bridge aid” project, because there was nothing the Town could have done to prevent this problem. He said this way the State will pay 80% and Farmington will only have to pay for 20% of the repairs. Ernie wondered if a load limit needs to be put in place and Clark said Bob Barry mentioned nothing to him when the State called requesting that the east lane of the bridge be closed to traffic. Joan wondered if the repairs take 3-4 weeks, would extra time need to be allowed for the cement to set up. Clark said nothing extra was mentioned
to him and the area being repaired is small. He said the State expects to have the work complete by the end of October, beginning the work in mid-month.
Veteran’s Exemption
Ernie said the increased amount of the exemption is on hold until the 2004 budget is discussed. Gerry asked what amount his fellow Selectmen are considering and Joan said a flat increase from $100.00 to $250.00.
The meeting adjourned to non-public session at 7:53 p.m. per NH RSA91-A:3. David Hall motioned to enter non-public session. Joan Funk seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous. The Board resumed in public session at 8:03 p.m.
Barry Elliott ratified his motion to make a conditional offer of employment to Eugene Elander for the position of Animal Control Officer. David Hall ratified his second of the motion and the vote was unanimous.
Radio Proposal
Ernie said the applicable department heads have been meeting to resolve the communications problems in Town. He said recently the Police Chiefs removed their repeater on Chesley Mtn. and have gone to digital radios, noting the Fire Dept. is still on low-band transmission. Ernie said they have reviewed their individual department needs and Industrial Communications has offered a package to include four base units and 17 45-watt mobiles. Ernie said this would be the most cost effective way to meet the needs of the community by entering into this type of arrangement. He said the Town won’t be eligible for any grant funding from the department of Homeland Security, due to the type of radios, but this option is much less expensive that complete digital transition. Ernie said the cost for the
Industrial Communications package is $32,500 for a lease/purchase agreement. He said the Town would be saving $7,200 per year in prior repeater charges paid by Farmington and would save over $11,000 by year one. Ernie said Industrial Communications would allow free use of the tower for the duration of the contract too.
Gerry asked why not consider all digital radios and Ernie said it would be very expensive, and they would only be able to get about one half the equipment for that same price. He said much of the Police department funding for their digital radios was through the Police Net grant. Ernie said eventually grant funding would be available to the Fire dept. and the command personnel will have digital radios then, but will also have hi-band capability. Clark said the radios would be multi-channel and could be programmed for different departments. Matt asked Clark if the Town makes the investment now will Farmington
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eventually have to scrap these radios in lieu of all digital radios and Clark said they could update a few radios per year. Ernie said there could come a time when strictly digital would be required, but hi-band will be available for a while. Barry said he believes in five years that low and hi-band will be defunct and will be replaced with digital. He said the tower would be the determining factor eventually. Gerry said he believes there’ll be plenty of grant monies available for the transition to digital. He said it would be worth exploring the prospect of grants before spending the $30,000 though. Barry agreed. Ernie said he would ask the Industrial Communications sales representative to come before the Selectmen, along with the department heads.
Economic Development RFP’s
Ernie said at the request of the Economic Development Commission he has drafted two proposals. He first reviewed the Economic Development Services RFP. Matt wondered whom this individual would report to and Ernie said they would report to him and to the FEDC Chairman. He said programs would be developed by the FEDC for this person to initiate and follow through with. Gerry asked what the cost would be for such services and Ernie said if he were talking principally, the charge would be approximately $35.00 per hour of direct work. He said it would also depend upon the number of hours worked. Gerry asked if the FEDC is looking to hire an Economic Development Director and both Barry and Ernie said no, just looking for assistance with some programs that the FEDC volunteers and he, as Town
Administrator, simply do not have the time to perform such as: general site review, business visitation, etc. He said the FEDC is only looking to spend money that would be necessary and feels they could work out a reasonable cost with the individual, giving the amount of money and asking what they could plan/do for a specific amount. Ernie said the FEDC is looking for an individual to staff the FEDC meetings and to oversee and be more visible with some of the FEDC programs. He said he simply couldn’t keep up with this type of work, since it is not his primary job focus. Joan agreed this could be helpful. Gerry expressed concern about this expenditure getting out of hand, giving the example of the city of Rochester and how only are they in the position of being able to bring back their Economic Development Director. Debate ensued regarding whether or not economic development should be a priority. Matt said he would like the RFP
to include references. Barry said they need ideas too, in order to meet the needs of Farmington. Ernie gave an example of Ron Howard’s project, noting Economic Development Services could have worked as an advocate for Mr. Howard as he progressed through the process of site review, etc.
Gerry said he thought this was the function of the Technical Review Committee (TRC). Barry explained the difference between a planner and an Economic Development director. Debate ensued regarding the need to increase the Town’s tax base and to bring in more business versus decreasing spending. Matt Scruton motioned to put out the RFP for Economic Development Services. Joan Funk seconded the motion. Gerry requested to have information such as these RFP’s ahead of time; instead of presenting them the same night the Board is to make a decision. The vote was four in favor and Gerald McCarthy opposed. The motion passed.
Ernie then reviewed the Economic Development Planner RFP. Matt asked how this RFP is different and why are the two separate. Barry said one RFP is a “one shot deal” to work with planning, zoning and the Master Plan, in order to put together a core of material with a plan to identify where businesses should be located, etc. Matt then asked when the services would terminate and Ernie said at the end of the Master Plan revisions. Barry explained the thoughts behind the FEDC. Ernie said he has spoken to RKG Assoc., Applied Economic Resources, Jerry Cougan and Jack Mettie, all of whom are interested in bidding, noting their responses were positive. He said the FEDC could perform the initial interviews. Gerry asked why marketing is noted in the RFP’s and Ernie said
it’s all tied in and Matt agreed. Debate ensued concerning what should and shouldn’t be included within the RFP. Ernie said a lot could be hammered out during the interviews. David asked if one of the possible bidders could perform both functions and Ernie said he doesn’t believe the Selectmen would want that, due to the expense to have a more experienced planner. He said the Economic Development Services RFP is more task oriented. David asked how many hours would the planner be utilized and Ernie said it depends upon the projects they’re involved in. He said the bidders would have to provide recommendations and they would let the bidders define the parameters. Barry reiterated the planner would only be used this one time. He said he believes the Interim Growth Management Ordinance will pass and this would give the Town one year to complete all the tasks before them adding that Farmington could use the
assistance and professional expertise.
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Matt Scruton made a motion to put out to bid the RFP for an Economic Development Planner. Joan Funk seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.
Ernie said in talking about this, particularly the planning issue, his thought was to have enough money available from now through the year’s end, (looking at the budget line item for the TAN note interest ($10,000) which hasn’t been used this year) he thinks the Board should consider the transfer of $5,000 to add to the existing $3,000 in the Economic Development budget line; giving just over $8,000 to work with, for this purpose. Gerry said any expenditure, by any committee, is supposed to come before the Selectmen, noting the recent purchase of a banner and two signs by the FEDC, this did not occur. Ernie said he rushed without permission for the purchases, so these items could be in place before Hay Day.
Barry Elliott made a motion to transfer $5,000 of funds from the TAN note interest line to the Economic Development budget line. Matthew Scruton seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous. Ernie said this Thursday is the public hearing for the IGMO, in preparation for the Special Town Meeting warrant vote. He said it would be televised by Metrocast.
Matthew Scruton motioned to adjourn. Gerald McCarthy seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous. The meeting adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Lynn C. Seaboyer
Admin. Asst.
APPROVED
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Joan A. Funk, Chairman
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Barry Elliott
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David Hall
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Gerald McCarthy
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Matthew Scruton
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