TOWN OF FARMINGTON
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
Monday, April 2, 2007
Selectman Present: Martin Gilman, Joan Funk, Paula Proulx, Joel Chagnon, and Gerald McCarthy
Public Present: Cyndi Snowdon, Charlie King, Jim Horgan, Packy Campbell, Michelle Cross, and Joel Moulton.
Chairman Gerry McCarthy called the meeting to order at 6:00pm.
Review of Minutes:
Marty Gilman moved to accept the 3-19-07 public minutes as written, Joan Funk seconded. Motion carried.
Joan Funk moved to accept the public minutes of 3-26-07 as amended, Marty Gilman seconded. Motion passed.
Marty Gilman moved to accept the non-public minutes of 3-26-07 as written, Joan Funk seconded. Motion passed.
Gerry McCarthy moved to seal the Town Administrator Discussion portion of the 3-26-07 non-public minutes, Paula Proulx seconded. Motion passed.
Public Comment:
1. Cyndi Snowdon, President of the Campbell Commons Homeowners Association came forward with numerous questions for the Board. First, she understood that Dale Sprague was going to check on their pump station to see if he could decipher what was happening but later was told that he could only drive by to see if the lights were on and could not come on the property. Paula stated that Dale can not physically look at the pump because then the Town would be liable and that she was made aware that there is an outlet on the outside of the station where a generator can be plugged in, in case of power loss over 12 hours. Packy Campbell, the developer, offered an easement to allow Dale to enter the property but the Board was not ready to accept it because of the current conditions at Campbell
Commons.
Packy added that he has petitioned for the road to be accepted several times and would like the road agent or someone from the town to tell him what the Town would like him to do in order for them to except the road. Joan Funk stated that in her travels she noticed significant run-off and no ditches and that these would definitely need attention.
Ms. Snowdon also questioned if the entrance from Farmington Ridge going to Campbell Commons is suppose to be an active road or just used for emergency purposes. Packy responded that an easement was granted to the Ridge to use the road after he built the road width to 24 feet. Marty responded that he will check the records to see what the documented use of the road is suppose to be.
Michelle Cross, Campbell Commons Resident) stated that when she bought her home there was a gate at the afore mentioned road and then it was removed. She would like to know if her road is private or not. She has contacted the Police in the past to
report excessive speeding on the road and the officers have responded that they have no jurisdiction because it is a private road. The Board will look into this.
Marty questioned Packy Campbell if he is running a gravel operation out of Campbell Commons. Mr. Campbell responded that he is not bringing materials in but is taking gravel out and selling it and that he has been licensed for a gravel operation for the last 4 years there. However, his license did expire on March 30, 2007 and he is currently trying to renew his license.
2. Marty Gilman stated that the Police Department donated a defibulator to the Old Town Hall and that the Recreation Department Personnel were trained on it. Marty offered a public "Thank You" to the station.
3. Gerry McCarthy presented previous Selectmen Paul Parker and William Tsiros plaques in recognition of their service and dedication to the Town of Farmington.
Economic Development Commission Application:
The Board met with the applicant for the Economic Development Commission, Ron Nolan. Joel Chagnon moved to appoint Ron Nolan to the Economic Development Commission, Marty Gilman seconded. Motion passed with all in favor.
Road Weight Limit Ordinance:
A Public Hearing for this ordinance was set for Monday, April 16, 2007 at 7pm.
Highway Department:
1. Ten Rod Road Bridge Replacement - Joel Moulton, Public Works Director, brought forward a not to exceed estimate of $37,937 for the 1st phase of replacing the Ten Rod Road Bridge. This money is to be expended out of the Town's 20% portion of the total cost. Marty Gilman moved to proceed with the engineering study of the Ten Rod Road Bridge Project and to not to exceed $37,937.00, Joan Funk seconded. Motion passed with all in favor.
2. Joel Moulton brought forward 3 bids for the purchase of the excavator that was voted in at the March Town Meeting. Earlier discussions were to purchase the excavator from CASE and apply three months of rental to the cost but because Joel had to get three bids he discovered that the Volvo excavator came in with a lower price and comparable service. Paula moved to purchase the Volvo excavator as recommended by Joel Moulton, Joan Funk seconded. Motion passed with all in favor. Joel Moulton reported that he should have the excavator by the end of the month.
3. The Board questioned if Joel has heard anything back from NHDOT about the Tappan St. Bridge and he reported that he has not.
4. Joel Moulton reported that the Forestry Truck needs repairs totaling $1376.94. (Some of the repairs include tires and springs.) This truck only has 4000 miles on it and the Fire Chief would like to repair it out of his repair line in the budget. Marty Gilman moved to repair the Forestry Truck but not to exceed $1376.94 in costs, Joel Chagnon seconded. Motion passed with all in favor.
5. Joel Moulton reported that the last shredding of debris at the landfill cost $5500. Gerry questioned why we don't burn and Joel responded that the shredded material is used
for cover for the landfill plus we save about $10-$15,000 by shredding. Gerry stated that Board really needs to look at the fees being charged at the landfill and see if they are fair and justifiable.
6. Joel Moulton asked the Board if they would consider letting his department move to a four day work week for the summer months as they have over the past several years. He reminded the Board that three people would be on call on every Friday and in the event they were needed they would not receive overtime but he would work it out with their schedules instead. Joan Funk moved to approve the 4 day work week for the Highway Department starting on April 30, 2007 and ending on November 11, 2007, Paula Proulx seconded. Motion passed with all in favor.
7. Joel Moulton has a party who is interested in trading 3 weeks of use of a grizzly screen and 2 weeks of a redal screen for the 1984 truck the Town owns. This truck is not good for anything to the Town because they pulled the front axle off of it over the winter for another truck, so it is basically scrap. Marty Gilman moved to accept the trade of the 1984 truck for the 5 week use of the two different screens, Joel Chagnon seconded. Motion passed with all in favor.
8. A letter from DES was received on a wetlands permit that was incomplete and Joel Moulton stated that he already responded to it.
Road Review Policy:
This Policy does not require a public hearing but in the best interest of all parties a public discussion on the Policy will be held on April 16, 2007.
Discussion on Primex Property Liability Renewal:
The Board was in consensus to seek bids for a comparable policy before signing the renewal with Primex.
Chairman Gerry McCarthy recessed the meeting at 7:37pm.
Meeting reconvened at 7:51pm with Joel Chagnon excused to give his report to the School Board.
Sewer Line Bids:
Bids were received to map out any breaks or leaks in the sewer lines using television equipment. Marty Gilman moved to have Dale Sprague contract Ted Berry Company, Inc. for the sewer line project at $0.77/ft., Joan Funk seconded. Motion passed with all in favor.
Discussion on Air Quality re-test at 356 Main St:
Joan commented that the original testing showed that the air quality on the main and second floors of the building was as good as the air outside but the basement was cleaned so it should be rechecked. Marty added that the fire stop around the pipes still needs to be done before the test is done again. Joan Funk moved to reseal around the pipes where they come through each floor and conduit and then make an appointment for re-testing the air quality of the building, Marty Gilman seconded. Motion passed with all in favor.
Strafford Regional Planner Contract:
Paula reported that the SRPC contract is about to run out and Ms. Copeland stated that they (SRPC) is available to continue the contract through the end of the year. Joan Funk moved to contract Strafford Regional Planning Commission for the remainder of the year with the option to terminate the contract if the Board chooses to move in another direction, Marty Gilman seconded. Motion passed with all in favor.
Updates:
1. Dennis McCann, from SEDCO requested $343,000 in which they will use to provide a permanent working capital loan to SAMCO. The CDBG grant administrator, Donna Lane, agrees with this request. The Board would like Donna or Dennis to come in front of them to explain and/or show where/how the funds will be expended. Joan Funk moved to transfer $343,000 to Strafford Economic Development Corporation (SEDCO),once the Town receives the money for the SAMCO block grant, Paula Proulx seconded. Motion passed with all in favor.
2. A letter from Tom Magruder, Farmington resident, was received this week. Paula reported that Dennis Roseberry, Code Enforcement Officer, stated that this is a civil matter and that the Town should not get involved unfortunately. Dennis will send out a response letter to Mr. Magruder telling him this.
3. Marty questioned if the Board ever asked Legal what can be done about the "trash" in people's yards that becomes an eyesore to their neighbors. Gerry responded that it is difficult to define "trash" and therefore hard to enforce any policy.
4. Joel Chagnon questioned if the Dept. heads regularly present to the Board. Gerry responded that Dale usually does but others do not but it would be a good idea to get them in the habit of reporting in once a month.
5. Joan stated that the Purchase Orders are signed by the Chairman but that the other Selectmen should see them so that they can follow what money is being spent and where.
6. Board in concensus that a memo needs to be sent out to all Dept. heads reminding them to post their work hours and to post if they need to leave town for any reason and where they are going.
Joan Funk moved to go in non-public session under RSA 91-A:2.3.b, Marty Gilman seconded. Roll Call - Martin Gilman (yes), Joan Funk (yes), Paula Proulx (yes), Joel Chagnon (yes) and Gerry McCarthy (yes).
Marty Gilman motioned to adjourn, Joel Chagnon seconded. Motion passed with all in favor.
Meeting adjourned at 8:50pm.
Respectfully Submitted: Brandy Sanger, Recording Secretary
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Chairman, Gerry McCarthy Vice Chairman, Martin Gilman
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Paula Proulx Joel Chagnon
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Joan A. Funk
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