TOWN OF FARMINGTON
BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING MINUTES
6-5-06
Present: Chairman Paula Proulx, Vice Chairman Paul Parker, Selectmen Marty Gilman, George Meyer and Gerry McCarthy, Water-Wastewater Superintendent Dale Sprague, Police Chief Scott Roberge,
6:00 PM Chairman Paula Proulx called the meeting to order and asked everyone to join her in the Pledge of Allegiance.
PUBLIC INPUT: There was no Public Input
REVIEW OF MINUTES: 5-22-06: After one addition, Paul Parker motioned to accept the public minutes as amended. Marty seconded the motion. 5 in favor. 5-22-06 Non Public: Paul Parker motioned to accept the non-public minutes as written. Gerry seconded the motion. 5 in favor.
NEW BUSINESS: Review of proposal to install energy efficient streetlights. Kathleen Lewis, Community Relations Manager and Bruce Fulner of PSNH approached the Board. PSNH presented a proposal for a town wide conversion to energy efficient and customized lighting in Farmington. PSNH has a program called Smart Start in which PSNH pays the initial capital cost upfront and the Town has the option to pay back with the energy efficient savings. One option is to pay back 75% of the savings and keep 25% or to pay back with 100% of the savings. The first option would take longer; the second option would take approximately 57 months. George Meyer asked if the Town could vary the use of High Pressure Sodium Lights with the Metal Halide (use the metal halide Downtown and the High Pressure Sodium in other parts of
Town). Bruce explained that that HPS lamps were actually brighter than the metal halide, the difference is that colors are not as definable with the HPS. Kathleen explained that some Towns have used a combination; she can provide a list. Bruce explained that the HPS lamps have an approximate lifespan of 6 years (24,000 hours). Bruce stated that there are currently 191 streetlights in Farmington. Police Chief Scott Roberge presented a list of suggested locations to install new streetlights for safety reasons. He also listed the streetlights that are currently out. Paul Parker suggested lighting up the area where the traffic director stands at the corner of Main & Central. Bruce stated that could be looked in to. Gerry asked if the Town changes to the proposed system, what will the differences in savings be. Bruce stated that if the Town goes with a combination of lights and each fixture is replaced, the Town could have substantial savings. It is paid out of the current bill and
new bill, paying the old bill until paid off. The time frame to switch the lights would be 6-8 weeks. Bruce stated that effective July 1st, the rate tariffs are to be decreased 3.1%. Gerry stated that he would like to have the metal halide lights starting at the Main Street Bridge up to the top of Main Street at the park (Bay Road intersection), and the HPS in the other areas of town except for special needs. He stated that we should work with what we have before adding. Paul Parker stated that he liked the proposal and thought that Summer Street should be added to the list. Kathleen stated that she could provide the Board with a proposal, which shows cost comparisons. George stated that he would like the metal halide lights downtown and the HPS outside of Town. Gerry stated that both types of lights will save the Town money. The one time cost of 3,500 is built into the financing system. The town does not need to come up with any money upfront. The Board agreed to go
with option 2, which pays back PSNH with 100% of the savings and results in savings for the Town being realized at an earlier date . PSNH will come back with some estimated costs of the different lighting, will meet with a Police Officer to obtain an actual the locations and get a count of the streetlights in the various locations.
OLD BUSINESS:
Workshop on upgrading the Wastewater Treatment Plant: Dale Sprague and Ed Leonard of Wright and Pierce approached the Board. Ed Leonard presented a power point presentation of an update on strategies and the impending licenses from EPA. Two issues need to be addressed: negotiations strategy with EPA regarding the license and Selection Criteria and Alternative Analysis. The project status update includes the license renewal with EPA and the TMDL study of the Cocheco River with DES. Ed outlined the timeline: draft license in June, 30 days to comment after issued (July), 30 days to issue the license and 60 days to be effective (October). We need to resolve the negotiating strategy. W&P is working with Dale to meet permit criteria. Regarding the TMDL (total maximum daily load), there is no change. We are
still looking at 2008. W&P is working on two projects: Wastewater Facilities evaluation including population projections, regulating drivers, alternatives studies, and an additional inflow infiltration (I&I) evaluation. Dale has performed initial studies. Ed outlined four options for a negotiating strategy with EPA:
1: No action
2: Limited action
3: Implementation Schedule
4: Implement now.
EPA stated that they are not waiting for the rivers study and have the authority to issue the license now. Ed stated that they have a pretty good handle on the numbers and can make a good plan decision based on past numbers. They are looking at strategies to get out of the river. They are reviewing current limits, and future flow. Ed stated that there would be different licenses for land-based discharge if we get out of the river; there are different effluent criteria. Paul Proulx asked what it would take to meet the current license. Ed stated that they need to show a good faith effort to meet the requirements. Gerry stated that we wont know the requirements until 2008, and asked why spend money now if we wont know what requirements will be. Gerry stated that we should show efforts to meet the current limits. Paul
Parker asked if the interim numbers are close to the final numbers at the end of the TMDL. Ed stated that the phosphorous levels are not expected to change much. When you design a plant, you design for ranges and to achieve the future limits (plan for potential). The goal would be to change to land based discharge in 2010. Ed stated that in the interim, numbers could be out into the implementation schedule; target numbers. Gerry asked if we choose option 2, limited action, could we do it within the budget. Marty asked what the plant would need to do to accept town septage and thought the Town should have a plan to accept it. Dale stated that it would need more aeration capacity, possible another storage tank, chemical treatment and maybe a bigger discharge permit. Gerry stated that the possibility of new homes and new sewer lines should be addressed now; this will affect the design of the plant. Dale stated that we are working on copper levels daily. Paula stated that we have
to decide what to do now. She stated that she does not want to see the Town get locked into a schedule without seeing the numbers, but we should take steps forward and meet the current numbers. Paula stated that she would like W&P to come up with a proposal to go to DES with specific ideas. The Board agreed that they would like to proceed with option 2, limited action. Charlie King, Chairman of the Planning Board approached the Board and stated that the Town could put a restriction on proposed additional water/wastewater users between now and 2008. The Town could ask for voluntary steps from the community to reduce the phosphorous levels. The Town could change the policy in applications to minimize effects. The Planning Board could steer applicants one way or another. Some applicants require Town services; other applicants have choice of options. Gerry stated that the Town should limit the number of people on the system and that the Town should handle the septage from the
community. Paul Parker stated that until we have definite numbers, we should limit the amount of septage going into the plant. Charlie stated that an incentive for builders is the availability of services. The consensus is to encourage development in the BT zone and downtown. Paula stated that we should be clear on what page we are all on, there needs to be a discussion on density numbers. Gerry stated that the Town is not legally bound to provide services and Paul Parker disagreed. Paula stated that it goes back to the Master Plan. Ed Leonard discussed the Selection Criteria: Reliability, Flexibility, Life Cycle Cost, Capital Cost and Cost per Gallon. Gerry stated that we need a 2/3 vote of the Town. Ed stated that we need a vision. Paula stated that a healthy combination of all could be presented if it can be justified. We need to show a good reason to vote. The Town might qualify for a grant if we can show a good reason for life cycle, it would cost the users less.
Dale presented a request to the Board to start a water wastewater Advisory Committee. Paul Parker stated that a CIP Committee was needed instead to identify and address the issues brought up by Dale. Gerry stated that he was not in favor of a WWAC and that these issues were the responsibility of the Selectmen. George stated that he thought it was a good idea.
Dale stated that the next step is to come up with a Selection Criteria, a Negotiation Outline and a Strategy. He will come back within a month .
NEW BUSINESS
Authorization to advertise the Assessing Clerk position: Paul Weston stated that the Town should proceed with advertising for this position as soon as possible. There is money budgeted for three months. Judy Nichols, present assessing clerk, would like to train someone through the MS1 in September. She will be putting together a manual of operations and tasks of the assessing clerk. The Board agreed to proceed immediately with the process for hiring an assessing clerk. Gerry asked Weston to make sure there was money for the new hire.
ADMINISTRATORS REPORT
Budel Contract: Paul Weston stated that a few changes were made to the contract. The attorneys have reviewed it and looked at the language of the payment bond. Paul Parker stated that he would like the language changed in item 3 to state that the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen has the authority to approve change orders. Paul Parker motioned to approve the Budel Contract, with the amendment to item #3, for the renovation and construction of an addition to the Public Works Garage. Gerry seconded the motion. 5 in favor.
Conservation Easement signing – Dubois property: Paul Weston stated that he spoke with Mr. Dubois and he is willing to give the Town an extension. The Stewardship Plan can be put on hold. Paul Weston recommended not signing the contract and to go to the governors counsel for signing by both parties. The sale may not close until September 1. The Board requested Weston to write a good faith letter to Mr. Dubois.
Town Hall: Weston stated that he spoke with Shawn Bergeron regarding the sprinkling of Town Hall. Bergeron stated that the main hall may have to be sprinklered. Nothing is finalized and Weston hopes to get it done within the budget.
Flood Damage/FEMA: Weston, Welfare Director Yvette Martin and Selectmen’s Secretary Megan Taylor met with FEMA representatives on the topic of private claims. Citizens can either apply for a grant or a loan from the Small Business Association if they qualify.
Culvert Damage: The Town follows the same policy as the NH Department of Transportation in which a culvert is only replaced at the expense of the Town if it interferes with town roads. It is looked at on a case-by-case basis. Property owners are otherwise responsible for repairing/replacing their damaged culverts. Paul Parker stated that the driveway permit policy should be looked at for revision regarding culverts.
Paul Weston stated that Susan Loker would be conducting interviews of Town Officials for Community Television.
Gerry McCarthy excused himself from the meeting.
At 9:30 PM, Paul Parker motioned to go into Non Public Session per RSA 91-A:3 (b). Marty seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken: Paula Proulx – yes, Paul Parker –yes, Marty Gilman – yes, George Meyer – yes.
Discussion with Fire Association President Will Panek on the recruitment of a full time Fire Chief.
Brief discussion on the sale of property in the Downtown area.
Discussion on the pricing of the Sarah Greenfield Park lots.
10:00PM Paula Proulx motioned to come out of Non Public Session. Marty seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken: Paula Proulx – yes, Paul Parker –yes, Marty Gilman – yes, George Meyer – yes.
Paul Parker made a motion to seal the Non Public Session Minutes for 90 days and upon a review by the Board. Marty Gilman seconded the motion. Paula, Paul, Marty and George in favor.
Meeting Adjourned at 10:00PM
Signed this date of ____________, 2006
_______________________ _________________________
Chairman Paula Proulx Vice Chairman Paul Parker
______________________ _________________________
George Meyer Gerry McCarthy
___________________________
Marty Gilman
| 
