MINUTES
FARMINGTON BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING
January 18, 2006
PRESENT: Chairman Joan Funk, Vice-Chairman Paula Proulx, Selectmen Paul Parker, George Meyer, and Matt Scruton; Town Administrator Paul Weston
ZONING BOARD VACANCIES: Butch Barron advised the Selectmen Neal Gosselin, Jr. and Donna Gorney have resigned from the ZBA. Randy Orvis seeks to go from regular member to alternate, and Barry Elliott has volunteered to go to regular member from alternate.
PUBLIC WORKS GARAGE: Butch Barron, Barry Elliott, and Marty Gilman, members of the Town Garage Committee, came in front of the Selectmen to present a proposal to renovate the present Public Works Garage per the plan developed by Bud Meader of Budel Construction (proposal attached to official minutes). The renovation and a two bay addition are estimated to cost $314,047. and a three bay addition is estimated to cost $355,545. Much discussion ensued concerning each alternative, and the long range needs and mission of the Public Works Department. It was decided to load the Municipal Budget at $355,545. knowing we may change to the recommended two bay proposal. Selectmen needed more time to review and read the materials. The Town Administrator and the Committee were asked to proceed to
seek sealed bids on the two alternatives for presentation at Town Meeting.
DUBLOIS PROPERTY PURCHASE: Randy Orvis, Chairman of the Conservation Commission, and Cynthia Belowski, Director of the Moose Mountain Greenways, were present to request consideration of the purchase of 178 acres on both sides of the Mad River for conservation purposes. Cost would be $170,000. NH Fish and Game have verbally committed $70,000. towards the project, and the balance of the purchase would come from the Conservation Fund (present balance $119, 000.). Upon motion by Paul Parker, a second by Paula Proulx, and a unanimous vote in favor, the Selectmen voted to move forward on the purchase as follows: have the Town Attorney revise the Sales and Purchase agreement, issue a $5,000. deposit to be held by the Moose Mountain Greenways from the Conservation Fund, do title, and
place this onto the upcoming Town Meeting Warrant, contingent on the commitment from the NH Fish & Game Department.
CONSERVATION COMMISSION FUNCTIONING: The Town Administrator discussed the need to sign a Waldron Woods Conservation easement upon a favorable recommendation from the Conservation Commission. Mr. Orvis explained the difficulty in attendance – he suggested the membership go back to 5 in number. The Administrator’s office will call all members in an attempt to convene the Commission, and signature of the easement will be before the Selectmen on the 30th.
RESPONSIBILITY FOR MAINTENANCE OF PRIVATE ROADS: Chairman Funk discussed this issue by saying she was not concerned about the authorization of the Fire Chief to call upon the Public Works Department to sand private driveways or private roads while at a fire scene. She was concerned about the developer or owner being held responsible for sanding and plowing. Should there be any recourse if the developer is not performing, such as charging for the sanding. Mr. Scruton responded the Town should not cover for inadequate performance of the private developer. The Board determined that the Fire Chief has the power, under an RSA, at the scene of a fire, to request the sanding of a private or public road and the Town would not charge for sanding at a fire scene.
LAND USE CHANGE TAX (LUCT): Chairman Funk asked the Board if they wished to reconsider the dedication of 75% of the Land Use Change Tax to the Conservation Fund. Mr. Scruton expressed support for funding adequately the Conservation Fund, as green space can reduce taxes by adding value to adjacent property. Upon motion Matt Scruton, a second by Paul Parker, and a three to two vote in favor, (Parker, Proulx and Scruton in favor, and Funk and Meyer opposed), the Selectmen voted to insert an article onto the upcoming warrant to dedicate 100% of the Land Use Change Tax to the Conservation Fund.
ENCUMBRANCES: Upon motion by Joan Funk, a second by Matt Scruton, and a 5 – 0 vote in favor, the Board voted to encumber the following items:
Boundary Survey $1800.
Blue Mountain Consulting (Natural Resource Inventory) $7,000.
Care of Trees – (DPW) $2,000.
Repairs to D4 Dozer – (Repairs and Parts – DPW)- $3,644.
Backhoe payment – (Lease Purchases) $4,880.
Backhoe payment- (Water Dept.) $2,439.
Backhoe payment – (Wastewater) 2,435.
Revaluation $29,361.
Ambulance purchase $77,786.
Library (Capital Improvements) $35,000.
Water Department (Master Planning needs) $13,308.
MUNICIPAL BUDGET: The Board continued review of the 2006 Municipal Budget.
ADJOURNMENT: Upon motion by Matt Scruton, a second George Meyer, and a 5 – 0 vote in favor the meeting was adjourned at 9:40 PM
Respectfully submitted,
R. Paul Weston, Town Administrator
Town of Farmington
Approved March 13, 2006
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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