Board of Selectmen’s Meeting
Monday, April 11, 2005
6:00 p.m.
Selectmen’s Chambers,
356 S. Main St., Municipal Offices
Present: Joan Funk, Paula Proulx, Matthew Scruton, Paul Parker & George Meyer
Chairman Joan Funk convened the meeting at 6:07 pm.
1. Pledge of Allegiance
2. Minutes:
Approval:
3/21/05: After one typing error was pointed out and corrected. Joan Funk made a motion to accept as amended. George Meyer seconded the motion. All in favor.
Non-Public: Roll call was not entered, Joan Funk made a motion to accept as amended with the roll call added. George Meyer seconded the motion. All in favor.
3/28/05: An error on the last page was pointed out and corrected. Joan Funk made a motion to accept as amended. George Meyer seconded the motion. All in favor.
Minutes signed: 2/7/05, 2/28/05, and 3/14/05.
Public comment:
John Nolan, representing the Farmington Historical Society, referred to a discussion at the March FHS meeting concerning drafting an ordinance, which would protect Farmington cemeteries and their immediate surroundings including trees. The FHS requests the Board of Selectmen to consider such an ordinance. This ordinance would be modeled after a draft ordinance created by the Rochester Planning Department (see attached). ( FHS is working on putting together a list of all cemeteries in Farmington). Ernie stated that the procedure would be for the Planning board to make it an ordinance. Joan Funk suggested setting a time for further discussion. John Nolan invited all the board members to attend a Farmington Historical society meeting.
3. Board applications.
Ernie Creveling stated that there were 3 applicants for the Zoning Board: Jerry McCarthy, Elmer Barron, III and Barry Elliott. There were 2 regular positions open, (1 with a 3 year term and 1 with a 1 year term) and 1 alternate position open. All 3 applicants were given a chance to speak and were then interviewed by the Board. Paul Parker made a motion to appoint Jerry McCarthy (for the 1 year term) and Elmer (Butch) Barron (for the 3 year term) as regular ZBA Board members and Barry Elliott as an alternate ZBA member. Matt Scruton seconded the motion. All in favor.
Ernie explained that there were four applications for the Planning Board: Mark Paulin, David Kessner, Lauren Douglass and Jason Lauze. Lauren Douglass was not present at the meeting. There were four alternate positions open on the Planning Board. Each applicant was given the chance to speak and was then interviewed by the Board. George Meyer made a motion to accept David Kessner, Mark Paulin and Jason Lauze as alternates on the Planning board. Paula Proulx seconded the motion. All in favor.
The selection for the Economic Development commission was tabled to a later meeting.
4. Planning/Zoning, Paul Esswein, Director of Planning and community Development
a) Warrant Article for a special Town meeting.
Paul Esswein, presented to the Board a request to hold a Special Town Meeting to see if the Town will vote to amend the Farmington Flood Plain Development Ordinance by repeal of the introductory paragraph Flood Plain Development Ordinance and to amend the Farmington Zoning Ordinance by repeal of Section 4.05 Floodplain Protection Overlay District, Paragraph (A). Paul explained that the Flood Plain Development Ordinance was a tool used for flood insurance eligibility. Maps are used to determine where flood plains are located. Joan Funk asked if this amendment request was previously presented at the Town Meeting. Paul stated that it was included in the Zoning Ordinance change article, which was defeated, most likely because it was lumped in with other articles. Matt Scruton stated that the voters
did not approve this at the town Meeting – Special Town Meetings are costly, there is poor participation and it does not represent a true consensus. George Meyer agreed but stated that if it were not amended it would cause hardship for some people. Hiram Watson pointed out that there were two separate questions. Paul stated that the only change is the date and there were no changes to the ordinances themselves. David Kessner suggested that voters become ‘gun shy’ when it comes to changing ordinances. It would have a better chance of getting passed if the specifics of the change were made clear. Ernie Creveling said to make it one question. Paul Parker made a motion to hold a special Town Meeting for voters to amend the Farmington Flood Plain and Zoning Ordinance . The motion was seconded by Paula Proulx. George Meyer in favor, Paula Proulx in favor, Joan Funk in favor, Paul Parker in favor, Matt Scruton opposed. The motion passed.
b) Bond for Pike Industries and Paulson road paving.
The Planning Board approved an excavation permit for Pike Industries for Paulson Road. One of the conditions for the permit was that Pike Industries obtain a bond to insure reclamation. The bond should have no expiration date and cannot be canceled by the owner of the bond. Paul presented the bond to the Board and asked to approve it. Paul Parker made a motion to approve the Reclamation bond for Pike Industries. Matt Scruton seconded the motion. All in favor.
c) Junk yard licenses and Mobile home park licenses.
The first application for a junkyard license was from Harold Butt on Pound Road. Paul Esswein stated that Mr. Butt’s junkyard was inspected by the code enforcement Officer and was in compliance with the ordinances. Matt Scruton made a motion to approve the junkyard license for Harold Butt. George Meyer seconded the motion. All in favor. The second application was from Bill Baxter on Milton Road. Paul Esswein stated that there were no violations at Mr. Baxter’s junkyard. Paul Parker made a motion to approve the junkyard license for Bill Baxter. Matt Scruton seconded the motion. All in favor. Paul Parker questioned the ordinances on recycling at junkyards. Paul Esswein commented that he would like to see junkyards cleaned up. The third application was for Rene Lapierre on Milton
Road. It was pointed out that Mr. Lapierre was recently deceased and that his son, Randy, would be taking over the junkyard. Joan Funk made a motion to approve Mr. Lapierr’s license, with the condition that his son’s name, Randy, be put on the license. Matt Scruton seconded the motion. Paula Proulx in favor, George Meyer in favor, Joan Funk in favor, Matt Scruton in favor. Paul Parker opposed. Motion passed.
Mobile Home Park Licenses. The first application was from Mark G. Phillips, Farmington Ridge Mobile Home Park. Paul Esswein stated that Mr. Phillips was planning on expanding his mobile home park. The license would be amended if and when he did expand the park. There has been a problem with the residents of the park using an emergency access road to get to Winter Street. The Town will be installing a gate. Paul Parker stated that he thought there were issues that previously caused concern and needed to be looked into prior to approving the licenses. He questioned if these issues had been resolved. Joan Funk asked for the Mobile Home Park Licenses to be tabled until the next meeting.
Paul Esswein informed the Board that the Conservation commission recommended to the Planning Board that there be a redeliniation of the class 2 wetland to a class 1 which would increase the buffer zone to wetlands. There will be letters sent out to abutters asking for a discussion session.
5. Economic Development Commission landscaping Proposal.
The Economic Development Commission presented a proposal to the Board of Selectmen requesting to fund $26,014.00 from the Sarah Greenfield Business park account for landscaping the route 153 frontage at the Sarah Greenfield Business Park. The proposed landscaping would include Plantings, groundcover, irrigation and maintenance. Ernie Creveling pointed out that there is currently $50,000 in the SGBP funds, which was acquired from lot sales from the first phase. Paula Proulx stated that the landscaping would improve the marketability of the SGBP and hopefully get some movement going at the park. Joan Funk asked if the remaining lots were ready for sale and would money be needed to make them ready. Ernie replied that 1 lot is free and clear and 1 would require excavation to clear. Ernie added that there
are electrical pads installed, water and telecommunication availability at the sites. Matt Scruton pointed out that non-retail industries would not be interested in aesthetics, economic factors and infrastructure were more important. Mark Paulin stated that there was only one chance to make a first impression. Joan Funk agreed that aesthetics were important and lend to the whole perception of Farmington. Paul Parker stated he agreed with making a good first impression with landscaping but thought the cost of the trees was too high; they should start with the basics such as loom and irrigation. Matt Scruton stated that spending money for flowers and trees was not necessary, but the lack of utilities and unfinished lots would make a bad first impression. Mark Paulin pointed out that Ernie stated earlier that there were utilities available at the sites. Cyndi Paulin stated that there was a need to address the gravel and sand issues. Paul Parker asked if the landscaping had been
put out to bid. Brad Anderson responded that Camerons was chosen because they are a Farmington business. Matt Scruton pointed out that the Town’s purchasing policy requires the prices be put out to bid. Paul Parker asked if the cost of the trees only should be put out bid and Matt replied that they should adhere to the policy and put the whole proposal out to bid. Ernie stated that Cameron’s would charge for the design. Joan Funk asked to table this issue until next year. Paula Proulx and Brad Anderson agreed both stating that it would not be a good idea to piece up the project.
6. 500 boys and Girls Club Abatement
Randy Talon, Vice President for the 500 Boys and Girls Club asked the Town for an abatement of $2451.92 for water service put in by the water department to the Boys and Girls Club building on Paulson Road. Randy stated that money was tight for the club they still have a lot of work to do on the construction of their new building. Dale stated that the water department donated their time to install the water system but could not offer any more assistance. Ernie suggested that at the end of the year if there was money left in the budget, they could look into putting it towards the bill. Ernie also suggested talking with Kathy Seaver, the Town Clerk, about waiving the interest on the bill.
7. Workshop on Wastewater Plant work by Wright-Pierce.
Dale Sprague addressed the Board regarding having a specific direction of engineering to put together a contract with Wright and Pierce. He stated that he would like to have a consensus of topics and have good communication with the public. The first thing to do is to look at new data and to come to an agreement on the census that was done in 2000. Paula Proulx stated that Russ Thibeault said the numbers were not right. Dale stated that they should decide how proactive they wanted to be to move out of the river; a 5,10,15 year program? They could look at sites for groundwater injection; there were potential sites where hydro geological studies could be made. There is a solid 5 year window in 2006, the permit is up for renewal, we could work towards the next 10 years. Dale continued: Do we want to
resurrect Phase I and reintroduce it to the public in 2006 Town Meeting. Public input was important and the public should be informed. A wastewater workshop with Wright and Pierce was scheduled for the May 2, 2005 Board of Selectmen’s Meeting.
OtherBusiness
Joan Funk referred to a letter she received from the Venture Crew Advisor. The advisor stated that she was not consulted on a previous letter sent to the BOS from a member of the Venture Crew requesting money for a trip. The advisor stated that the intention of the Venture Crew was not to ask for money but to thank the Town for it’s support.
One proposal for street sweeping was submitted to the Town. Ernie told the Board that the budget for street sweeping was $7,820.00. The bid came in at $7,800.00 with an additional $275.00 a month for bi monthly sweeping. Joan Funk made a motion to accept the Bid from Ruel Street Sweeping. George Meyer seconded the motion. All in favor.
At 9:45 p.m. a roll call vote was taken to go into Non-Public Session RSA91A:3 (I) (II).
Matt Scruton -yes, Joan Funk -yes, Paul Parker -yes, Paula Proulx -yes, George Meyer –yes.
At 10:00 Paula Proulx made a motion to come out of Non Public Session RSA 91:A:3 (I) (II). A roll call vote was taken. Paula Proulx – yes, Paul Parker – yes, Joan Funk – yes, George Meyer – yes, Matt Scruton – yes.
Matt Scruton made a motion to adjourn. George Meyer seconded the motion. All in favor.
Approved on this _______day of _________, 2005
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Joan A. Funk, Chairman Paula Proulx, Vice Chair
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George Meyer Paul Parker
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Matt Scruton
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