Town of Farmington
Board of Selectmen Meeting Minutes
Monday, November 20, 2006
Present: Chairman Paula Proulx, Vice Chair Paul Parker, Selectmen Gerry McCarthy, Martin Gilman and William Tsiros.
Also present: Water Wastewater Superintendent Dale Sprague, Fire Chief Richard Fowler, Planning Board Chair Charlie King, Downtown & Business Committee Chair Joan Funk, George and Loraine Meyer, John Quinn, Joann Doke, Jean Pease, Silvia Howard
At 6:00 PM, Chairman Proulx called the meeting to order and asked everyone to join her in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Review and approval of Minutes: 11-13-06 Public: After one correction, Paul Parker motioned to accept the minutes as amended, seconded by Bill Tsiros. All in favor. 11-13-06 Non Public: After one correction, Paul Parker motioned to accept the minutes as amended, seconded by Bill Tsiros. All in favor.
Public Comment:
Joan Funk approached the Board and questioned if they had come to a decision regarding the purchase of a parcel of land located at Winter Street and Charles. The property owner will delay listing the property with a realtor if the Town agrees to put the purchase on a warrant article for Town meeting this March. Gerry McCarthy motioned to bring the possible purchase of the property in question for a certain price and put on a warrant for Town Meeting. Paul Parker seconded the motion. Discussion followed. Gerry amended his motion to include that if the warrant does not pass, there will be no obligation to purchase the property by the Town. Parker added that the warrant should include justification for purchasing the property and the advantage to the Town. A vote was taken: all in favor. Jean Pease spoke up
to say that she would like to include in the record that she recommends a written agreement be drafted. Gerry responded that he trusts a verbal agreement. Joan added that an advanced plan is not needed at this time for the property; a parking lot or municipal buildings are a few suggestions.
Charlie King came before the Board to ask if there has been any discussion for funding of the items listed in the Hazard Mitigation Plan or if they will be line items in the CIP . Has the Town adopted this plan? Paula stated that the Planning Board will hold a Public Hearing and then the Board of Selectmen will adopt the plan.
Silvia Howard stood up to ask Chairman Proulx what the procedure for unsealing Non Public Minutes is and if the Non-Public minutes of 7-31-06 have been unsealed. Paul responded that ½ of the 7-31-06 minutes are unsealed and explained the procedure to her.
Citizen Rebecca Howard read a statement (copy will be attached to final copy of these written minutes) outlining her dissatisfaction with the lack of progress on repairing Meadorboro Road and its hazardous conditions. Gerry responded that a lot of work has been delayed due to the May floods and that the public works director and his crew have been doing a fine job. They are aware of the situation; the base of the road has to be fixed first and the ledge has to come out.
Water Wastewater Issues:
Superintendent Dale Sprague came before the Board. He began by stating that he is in the process of reviewing and editing the Water Master Plan.
Dale went on to seek the advice of the Board on whether to replace the power vent or to have a chimney installed at the plant. He presented quotes for both. Gerry McCarthy motioned to approve the installation of a chimney in place of a power vent to be installed by Masonry Unlimited for the price of $2,100.00. Marty seconded the motion. All in favor
Regarding the sewer moratorium, Dale distributed to each Selectmen a draft copy and asked them to review it and get back to him with any suggestions. Gerry stated that he hopes the attorney understands that the current plant is just about at capacity and that a bigger plant would be needed to service the whole community; can we limit our service area? We need a 2/3 vote to build a bigger plant. Paul Parker asked if specific reasoning has been identified for addressing implementations in the moratorium. The Board will review the draft moratorium.
Dale asked the Board to consider approval of the contract amendment with Wright and Pierce. The Board previously had a question regarding indirect costs. Dale spoke with John Bush at DES and was told that the rates quoted are on the lower side relative to other contracts. Once the Board accepts the contract, it goes to DES for review and then is eligible for 20% grant funding. The Board discussed the future options for disposal of effluent. Dale explained the combination option as the most cost effective and most convenient.. Paul Parker motioned to accept the amendment contract with Wright and Pierce for $7,600 to cover the cost of representation to the EPA for licensing representation. Marty Gilman seconded the motion. Paul Parker suggested that they have other firm’s check the numbers and Dale said
that that is typically done after a decision and is called valued engineering. A vote was taken and all in favor.
On the subject of service elevation, Dale explained that the maximum level for service lines is 395 above sea level for the areas of wells # 4 & 5, which was implemented before well #6 was in service. Paula Proulx asked Dale to define the areas and he agreed to get back to the Board with this information.
Fire Department Issues:
Chief Richard Fowler came before the Board. He filled the Board in on the status of the Americorps Grant and stated that it is up and going.
The ladder truck passed stated inspection and will go for the ladder inspection in December. Marty asked to see the paperwork from Dover Motor Mart.
In regards to the seatbelt policy recently instituted by the Town, Rich asked the Board to consider an amendment, which excludes Medical personnel in transport who have to perform procedures on a patient. Gerry responded that the intent of the policy is for riders and that it is understood that medical personnel cannot be seat belted when performing a procedure. Bill asked Rich to ask other towns and departments what their policy is.
Chief Fowler then asked the Board for permission to burn the town owned house on Perkins Avenue for a training purposes. Paul Parker responded that because of the cost of $500.00 it would be better to wait until next year.
Chief Fowler told the Board that he is bringing on 5 new volunteers, 2 are certified, 2 are not and 1 will help with dispatch and taking photos at scenes. Gerry requested the names of the volunteers and asked if they had applied.
At 7:45 PM, Chairman Proulx called for a ten-minute recess. All in favor.
The Board reconvened at 7:35PM at which time Paul Parker motioned to go into Non Public Session per RSA 91-A:3 (a) (b). Gerry McCarthy seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken: Paula Proulx –yes, Paul Parker – yes, Gerry McCarthy – yes, Marty Gilman – yes.
At 9:30 Pm, Gerry McCarthy motioned to come out of Non Public Session seconded by Paul Parker. A roll call vote was taken: Paula Proulx –yes, Paul Parker – yes, Gerry McCarthy – yes, Marty Gilman – yes.
The Board discussed the need to address the issue of hiring a full time planner as opposed to a contractual planner. Marty Gilman motioned to wait until the 1st of the year to decide on whether to hire a full time planner and to advertise. Bill Tsiros seconded the motion. All in favor.
Streetlight request for 58 Dodge Cross Road. Paula explained that Joel looked at the pole in question and it is determined that it is on the Town right of way and is 6-8 feet off the road. The light if installed will face the street. Paul Parker motioned to grant permission to the owner of 58 Dodge Cross road to have PSNH install a streetlight with the stipulation that the Town has no liabilities or responsibilities and that the property owner has full responsibility for payment of the light. Gerry seconded the motion adding that if the resident moves and it becomes an issue for payment the light will be taken down. All in favor.
Library Budget: Paula spoke with Deb Christie and was told that they are going over the first draft.
Low salt signs: The signs are in and will be installed soon for Meadorboro Road.
Public works Director Joel Moulton requests approval for a No Thru way for Trucks on Dodge Cross Road. Many trucks use this road as a thruway and it is taking its toll on the road. Paul Parker suggested putting up a ton limit sign instead and motioned to allow Joel to put up signage on Dodge Cross Road restricting the load limits and trafficking of large scale trucks seconded by Bill Tsiros. Paul Parker, Bill Tsiros and Marty Gilman in favor. Gerry McCarthy and Paula Proulx opposed stating that they are in favor of Joel’s recommendation to post a no thru way for trucks sign instead.
Coast Bus Shelter: the Board questioned the status of the shelter and the advertising, which was promised by Coast Bus. Gerry stated that they should fulfill their obligation.
Selectman McCarthy presented 2 petitions to the Board and asked fellow Board members to review these petitions and consider sponsoring them. Copies of these petitions will be attached to the final written minutes. One petition calls for amending the current zoning ordinance, space and Bulk Standards Table 2.04 (B) and the other calls for the appointment of a CIP per RSA 674:5 of the NH Planning and Land Use Regulation. The Board will review and consider these petitions for next meeting.
Selectmen’s Secretary Megan Taylor presented a memo to the Board stating that she is under the understanding that she will be putting the Town Report together this year and seeks the permission of the Board to proceed ( A copy of the memo will be attached to the final written copy of these minutes). Gerry stated that the Board previously voted to dedicate the report to Dr. Lord and that he would like to see the vital statistics, births, deaths and marriages included in the report.
At 9:45 Pm. Paul Parker motioned to adjourn the meeting seconded by Bill Tsiros. All in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
Selectmen’s Secretary
Megan Taylor-Fetter
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Chairman Paula Proulx Vice Chair Paul Parker
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Gerald McCarthy Martin Gilman
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William Tsiros
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