TOWN OF FARMINGTON
BOARD OF SELECTMAN
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
MONDAY – September 10, 2007
Selectman Present: Chairman Gerald McCarthy, Paula Proulx, Joan Funk and Joel Chagnon.
Selectman Excused: Martin Gilman
Town Staff Present: Town Administrator Anthony Mincu, Public Works Director Joel Moulton.
Public Present: Kimo Mainzer and Dawnmarie Mainzer,
Chairman McCarthy called the meeting to order at 6:00pm. The agenda read the Board was to go into non-public session immediately but because the Attorney General and NH DRED representative were not present the Board moved down the agenda.
1. Review of Minutes:
Joan Funk motioned to approve the public minutes of 8/23/2007 as amended for a few spelling changes, 2nd Paula Proulx. Motion carried with Joel Chagnon abstaining because he was absent.
Joel Chagnon motioned to approve the public minutes of 8/27/2007 as amended for a name spelling change, 2nd Joan Funk. Motion carried.
Joan Funk motioned to accept the 8/27/2007 non-public meeting minutes of 8/27/2007, 2nd Joel Chagnon. Motion carried.
Gerry McCarthy motioned to go in non-public session under RSA 91A.3.2.(e), 2nd Joel Chagnon. Roll Call – Gerry McCarthy (yes), Paula Proulx (yes), Joan Funk (yes) and Joel Chagnon (yes).
Meeting in non-public session from 6:06 pm until 6:35 pm.
2. Public Input:
Harold Parker, resident, presented a petition to change the flow of motor vehicle traffic on High Street. He and his fellow neighbors are concerned with the excessive speeding and no striping on the road. He suggested maybe a 20 mph speed limit, a sign that reads no thru traffic and/or to make the road a dead end on the Route 11 side. Gerry asked if a Do Not Enter sign on the Route 11 sign would help and Mr. Parker said at this point anything would be helpful, even more police patrolling the area.
3. Public Works Updates: (Joel Moulton)
Ø The Ten Rod Road Bridge went out to bid last Friday.
Ø Paving and Repairs began last Wednesday.
Ø River Road Bridge Repairs will start Tuesday.
Ø The Bay Road Bridge has a potential start date for next Monday in which the road will be closed for approximately 10 days. The money from FEMA and the $19,000 from the bridge budget line will cover the cost and stabilize the bridge until 2011. Paula asked about the substantial difference between the NHDOT and Kelcey & Edwards bridge reports. Joel responded that they were looking at two different points of views when setting up priorities; for example traffic flows.
Ø Joel M. has not yet heard back about the Cocheco River dredging and will re-contact them if do not have any response by Wednesday.
Ø Joel reported he did a final sampling of the Sludge Lagoons to prove all the work is done.
Ø Joel M. would like to contract DJ’s Tree Service for tree maintenance in Town. Gerry asked if they are fully insured and Joel responded yes. Joan asked if Joel received other quotes and he explained he did and DJ’s price was significantly lower. The Board asked Joel to furnish a written contract/estimate for them to approve at the next meeting.
Ø The Board received the US Army Corps Dike recommendations. Gerry asked if Joel can inquire to see if the 15 foot non-vegetation area can be modified at some points because it will directly effect a number of property owners and their backyards. Gerry also asked what would happen if the Town did not comply? Tony responded that non-compliance is not really an option and that the recommendations did not leave any leeway and may effect future insurance and/or FEMA monies in the event of another emergency.
Ø Gerry questioned what is happening with Mr. Rizzo at Cherub estates. Joel M. responded that Mr. Rizzo has not complied with the conditions of approval and the Town should now take legal action to take over his bond for the repairs needed. Joel M. stated he will work with the Planning office and board to get this done.
Ø Gerry asked if Joel has looked into the drainage issues at Campbell Commons. Joel M. responded he will put it on his “to do list.”
Ø Joel Chagnon asked if Joel M. can install the 3 way stop signs at the Orange and School Street intersections and if the paving repairs for Bunker Street on forthcoming. Joel M. responded he will add both items to his “to do list.”
Ø Joel M. commented that in reading the minutes from the last Selectmen meeting he became aware that some Board members were under the impression that he does not return calls from residents frequently. Joel responded that he tries to return all calls at the end of the day but sometimes he has to leave a message and then the caller and him play a bit of phone tag. Joan asked about how many times Joel tries to contact a resident and Joel responded he will usually try three times and/or go out to the resident if it is an emergency before he gives up and waits for them to call again. Joel Chagnon commented that Joel Mouton needs to be more diligent when returning phone
calls to residents. Paula asked how Joel M. receives his “comments” from residents that are filled out at the Town Hall. Joel responded that his comments are generally in his mailbox and then he forwards as needed.
4. Meeting with Strafford County Homeless Shelter Representative:
Tony informed the Board that the representative is not present tonight but that she wanted to discuss with the Board the possibility of the Town donating a parcel of land for the Shelter to place a donated duplex on. The Board will wait on this item until a representative from the Homeless Shelter can be present.
5. Request to waive connection fees for Mr. Mainzer:
Tony gave the Board an overview of the situation at Mr. Mainzer’s property. He currently needs only one water/wastewater connection and should be considered a new dwelling with a single connection. Mr. Mainzer added that he is still looking to have the one connection fee waived for the barn apartment because it was connected (however illegally) prior to his owning the property.
Paula stated that in her opinion the Mainzer’s should be charged the connection fee of $25 which is what would have been charged when the line was originally connected over 30 years ago. Gerry and Joan agreed because he knows the connection was pre-existing. Paula Proulx motioned to reduce the water/wastewater connection fee for the Mainzer’s to $25 for the existing connection from the “barn”, 2nd Joan Funk. Motion carried with Joel Chagnon opposed.
Gerry McCarthy motioned to reimburse the water/wastewater connection fees Mr. Mainzer already paid, less $25, 2nd Joan Funk. Motion carried with Joel Chagnon opposed.
6. Town Administrator Report:
Tony reminded the Board of the upcoming Tour to the North Conway Wastewater Plant during the week of Sept. 24 –28. Gerry commented he can go on the 24th or 26th and Joan, Paula and Joel are unable to attend at this time. Paula suggested bringing along a video camera to record visual of the plant so the public can view the plant and know what the Board is talking about.
Tony also informed the Board the water tank maintenance project has been delayed by one week.
7. Review Credit Card Policy:
Paula commented that she thinks the policy is a little extensive and is not in favor of having all department heads carry a Town credit card. The Board was in agreement that any department head who is in need of a credit card can get a verbal okay from Tony or Pam and then turn the card and slip in within 24 hours after the use. Also, all present cards should be turned in and then Town should get one set of cards from TD Banknorth in which one statement would come in to the Town Office.
8. Sign Deed for Town Property Sale:
Gerry commented that he is not sure that the supplied deed conveys the parcel of land correctly. Gerry will refer to old minutes to check the correctness of the deed before signing. The Board was in agreement that this was a great idea.
9. Updates/Correspondence:
A. Tony informed the Board that on September 17 all preliminary budgets are due from the department heads. Gerry reminded Tony that the Town utilizes zero based budgeting. Paula commented that she would like to see a yearly work plan to show justification for the budget the department heads are requesting.
B. Gerry read the Declaration of Moratorium for Sewer Connections for the public record (copy available in the Municipal Offices).
C. Tony reported that the Fire Chief is checking with the contact at Collins & Aikman about the fire alarm system at the plant. Tony will check will Chief Fowler this week to see what is happening.
D. Gerry asked how the Selectmen should respond to the latest letter from James Spaulding. Tony commented that he spoke with Attorney Spector and she said at this point it is to late to revisit the decision.
E. Tony informed the Board that the turnover rate and the salary range for the planner position are potential issues for hiring a new planner. Paula asked if Tony spoke with SRPC for assistance and Tony responded he did but did not get a good response. Tony informed the board that he publicized for the position nationally to try to get a few more applications as well as lessened the requirements to under 5 years of experience.
F. Paula stated that residents have been approaching her about the many safety issues at the center of downtown during the morning commute. Tony will forward the complaint to Chief Roberge
Joan Funk motioned to go in non-public session under RSA 91A:3.2. (a) and (c), 2nd Paula Proulx. Roll Call – Joan Funk (yes), Paula Proulx (yes), Marty Gilman (yes), Gerry McCarthy (yes) and Joel Chagnon (yes).
Joel Chagnon motioned to adjourn, 2nd Joan Funk. Motion carried with all in favor.
Meeting adjourned at 8:28pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Brandy Sanger
Recording Secretary
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Chairman Gerald McCarthy Vice-Chairman Martin Gilman
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Joan Funk Joel Chagnon
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Paula Proulx
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