MINUTES
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING
JANUARY 30, 2006
PRESENT: Chairman Joan A. Funk, Vice Chairman Paula Proulx, Selectmen Paul Parker, Matt Scruton and George Meyer. Town Administrator Paul Weston, Planning and Community Development Director Paul Esswein, Planning Board Chairman Charlie King, Water/Waste Water superintendent Dale Sprague, Wright and Pierces Edward Leonard, and Selectmen’s Secretary Megan Taylor taking minutes.
REVIEW OF MINUTES: The Board requested that in the 1-16-06 and 1-18-06 minutes the names of the selectmen who made and seconded the motions be stated. Matt Scruton made a motion to table the minutes until the additions are made. Paul Parker seconded the motion. All in favor.
ZONING ORDINACE AMENDMENTS: Paul Esswein and Charlie King came before the Board to review the proposed amendments. In response to a question by Joan, Charlie noted that the Planning Board would be discussing a draft for a fence and noise ordinance. There needs to be clarification on which department would enforce these ordinances and how. There are 16 proposed zoning ordinance amendments. (Please refer to attached memo and draft to the final copy of these minutes available from the Town Clerks Office) Charlie stated that 12 of them could be grouped together and the remaining could stand on their own. The Board advised Paul Weston to seek legal counsel from the Town’s attorney regarding the grouping or separation of the ordinances. In regards to a petition to change the density
requirements for lots, Charlie King stated that the Planning Board would be making an official opinion to address the petition at the February 7th meeting. There was not enough time to thoroughly examine the petition. After the February 15th Public Hearing, there will be a final warrant for the Selectmen to sign.
CONSERVATION EASEMENTS (Waldron Woods and Jones Brook): The Conservation Commission accepted a conservation easement for Waldron Woods. This is part of a multiphase development project in which each phase will have a corresponding conservation area which will then be turned over to the Town at the end of the development. The developers have agreed to encompass Waldron Pond and it will join the Town Forest. Paul Parker motioned to authorize the Selectmen Chairman to sign both the Waldron Woods and the Jones Brook easements on the suggestion of the Conservation Commission and the Planning Board. Matt Scruton seconded the motion. Discussion: Paul Esswein stated that the Conservation Commission did not recommend approval of the Jones Brook Easement and that there were to be negotiations with the developer to
set aside money for monitoring the easement. The Town will not own the easement but will be responsible to monitor it in perpetuity. Motion to approve the Waldron Woods Easement only. All in favor. Paul Weston presented the Conservation commission Meeting Minutes of January 24, which showed that the Jones Brook Easement was approved. Randy Orvis wants to negotiate an agreement with the owner, thus the acceptance of the easement will have to wait.
REVIEW OF NEW PROPOSAL TO UPDATE TREATMENT PLANT UPGRADE: Dale Sprague, Ed Leonard and Tim Vadner, Wright and Pierce engineers, approached the Board to discuss the options of the plant upgrade. (Please see attachments to final copy of these minutes available form the Town Clerks Office) Ed explained that the EPA was going to issue a new license by the end of February. When the license is issued, the Town will negotiate with the EPA a compliance schedule. It is expected that the plant in its current condition cannot meet the numbers that will be required in the license. We will have time to work towards compliance. The Board stated that without the final information and numbers, they could not commit to a plan at this time. They would like to work towards groundwater discharge. Dale stated that he could
be prepared by the 2007 Town Meeting. Paul Weston stated that there is $34,000 for engineer consulting and Dale stated that that would cover the balance of the 2005 contract with Wright and Pierce. Dale recommended the money for negotiations with EPA, and the preliminary research for land based discharge. Paul Parker motioned to add $50,000 to the Wastewater account for the plant upgrades engineering, which will be taken from The Special Revenue Funding. Paul Proulx seconded the motion with a friendly amendment stating that Wright and Pierce will finish the existing scope of work before they spend any of the appropriated money for research. All in favor.
REQUEST FOR REIMBURESEMENT FOR KILLED LIVESTOCK: Matt Scruton recused himself from discussion of this issue. Ruth Scruton came before the Board to discuss a problem with a neighbor’s dog. A dog owned by Mr. Trembly who lives in a trailer off of Haywagon Road, attacked and killed one of Ruth’s Shetland ewe lambs on January 9, 2006. According to New Hampshire statute RSA 466.22, the Town is responsible for the cost of replacing this lamb. (Please see copies of the statute and a memo from Ms. Scruton attached to the final copy of these minutes available from the Town Clerks Office). Mrs. Scruton is asking for $350.00. When Ruth reported the incident to the police, they returned the dog to its owner with a warning. The owner of the dog has not followed through with promises to repay.
Consequently, on the day that Ruth came to the municipal offices to speak with Town Administrator Paul Weston about the killing, the dog in question apparently “broke into” her home and mated with her two pure bred terriers who were in heat. This will cause a substantial expense, which can also be charged to the Town. Ruth is not satisfied with the response by the police department to these incidents. Paul Weston checked with a breeder of this particular type of ewe and was given a price of $250 -$300, which surprised Ruth, who stated that she has never paid such a low price to that breeder for that type of ewe. Paul Weston will speak with legal to see how to resolve this matter. It may be more effective to have the Town attempt reimbursement form Mr. Trembly.
Matt Scruton rejoined the Board.
UPDATE ON MUNICIPAL BUDGET: (Please see attachments to the final copy of these minutes available from the Town clerks Office)
Fund Equity Analysis: Paul Weston stated that there is an anticipated use of $275,000 in this years budget for a proposed use of fund balance. Joan stated that as long as the fund balance stays at 12%, he has the consensus of the Board.
PROPOSED WARTRANT DRAFT: the Board reviewed a first draft of the proposed 2006 March Warrant. Paul Weston will revise and seek approval from Attorney tim Bates and NH DRA.
COMMUNITY TELEVISION DOCUMENTATION OF WARRANT ARTICLES: Ed Mullen proposed to film several of the items that are proposed on the warrant articles to inform the public of the facts. Matt Scruton pointed out that it should be done in such a way as not to be perceived as lobbying with taxpayers money. Paul Weston will check with legal council on this issue.
CORRESPONDANCE: Paul Weston briefed the Board on several correspondences received including a letter from The National Honor Society at Farmington High School informing us of a fundraiser they held to benefit the Town Hall project. They raised approximately $400.00. Also discussed was the Student Selectman Program. Paul will speak with high school principal Mike Lee on this subject. The Board will discuss at a later date. The sales assessment ratio study from NH DRA shows 92.9% down from 102% last year. The Recreation Department received a quote from DiPrizio to repair the mini bus. The cost will be 5,600 of which DiPrizios will pay half. There will be a 12000 mile warranty on the repair. The Bingo games are now in compliance with State laws. Attorney Emanual Krassner donated $500 to the Fire Department to make
up for many false alarms to his building.
10:30 Pm Chairman Joan Funk called the meeting to go into NON PUBLIC Session according to RSA 91-A:3 (b). A roll call vote was taken. Joan Funk, Matt Scruton, Paula Proulx, Paul Parker and George Meyer - all yes.
WELFARE DIRECTOR CANDIDATE INTERVIEW: The Board interviewed a candidate to fill the new Welfare Director Position. The Board was in agreement that this person was well qualified and would be a good fit for this position.
WELFARE RECIPIENT ISSUE: Welfare Director Megan Taylor drafted a Memo to the Board describing a situation with a Farmington Resident whose home is in need of a major cleanout and cleanup. The State of New Hampshire’s Health and Human Services Department of Adult and Elderly Services is proposing that the Town pitch in for half of the cost to do this work. The Board was in agreement that The Town should not be responsible for the cleanup and did not want to set a precedent of this type.
EMPLOYEES SALARY INCREASE REQUEST: A department head requested that the Board consider the approval of pay increases for employees whose pay rate is below the average. The Board asked for a list of priorities and would look into it.
TOWN REPORT DEDICATION: Paul Weston will look into the possibility of having both a dedication and an “in memoriam” in the 2005 Town Report. Each will have a full page.
11: 30 pm A roll call vote was taken to come out of NON PUBLIUC Session. Joan Funk, Matt Scruton, Paula Proulx, Paul Parker and George Meyer - all yes.
11:30 pm Chairman Joan Funk motioned to adjourn the meeting. Matt Scruton seconded. All in favor.
Respectfully Submitted,
Megan Taylor
Signed this date of _________________
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Joan A. Funk, Chairman Matt Scruton
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Paula Proulx, Vice Chairman Paul Parker
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George Meyer
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