TOWN OF FARMINGTON
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
Monday, December 22, 2008
356 Main Street, Farmington, NH
Selectman Present: Chairman Gerry McCarthy, Marty Gilman, Paula Proulx and Gail Ellis.
Selectman Absent: Joan Funk
Town Staff Present: Town Administrator Anthony Mincu, Water/Wastewater Department Head Dale Sprague, Town Clerk Kathy Seaver and Director of Community and Development Dan Merhalski
Public Present: Ed Leonard, John Terriault and Marc Guilmette.
Chairman McCarthy opened the meeting at 6pm.
1. Review of Minutes:
A. Marty Gilman motioned to table the public minutes of 11-17-2008 so that the Board can check to see if the decision made in the non-public session of 11-17-08 needs to be reflected in the public minutes, 2nd Gail Ellis. Motion carried with all in favor.
- Marty Gilman motioned to accept the public minutes of 12-1-08 as amended, 2ndPaula Proulx. Motion carried with all in favor.
C. The public minutes of 12-8-08 were tabled.
D. Marty Gilman motioned to accept the non-public minutes of 12-8-08, 2nd Paula Proulx. Motion carried with Gail Ellis abstaining because she was not present for the meeting.
2. Public Comment:
A. John Terriault of Cherub Estates informed the Board that Peter Rizzo has not been maintaining their roads as he is suppose to this year, now that the town has released his bond. He also stated that the residents of Cherub Estates are writing a petition article to get their roads classified as Minor Local Streets and would like the Board’s endorsement based on the fact that they released the bond because the roadway was deemed acceptable by the town.
3. Discussion on Waste Water Facility Upgrade:
A. Dale informed the Board that he spoke with Dan Arsenault of the EPA today and that he is hoping to follow-up with him over the next several days to get some answers. Ed Leonard, of Wright-Pierce, stated that over the past month the EPA has said they were in agreement with the amount the town wants to discharge in the ground but that they are still reviewing the river discharge proposal. The tone he got from Dan Arsenault this week is that the EPA is willing to work with the town on utilizing the river for discharge during peak seasons, though the Board might need to consider establishing flow thresholds to propose to the EPA.
Marty asked who dictates the depth of the rapid infiltration beds and Mr. Leonard replied that the engineering firm would. Gerry then asked for a figure on the savings the town would receive by using the river for peak flows versus utilizing all land discharge with extra pits. Mr. Leonard said he would look into these figures. Mr. Leonard then stated that the town’s biggest benefit will come if they phase the projects because more grant funding will be available for smaller projects.
B. Dale asked if the Board is interested in septage treatment, noting that he would not be in favor of reopening the septage lagoons. Dale added that CMA Engineers spoke with DES recently on behalf of the town, and are under the impression that it is probably not in the town’s favor to open septage lagoons. Dale also stated that in 2004, DES did deny a 500,000 gallon septage permit by the town. Marty asked if Dale has calculated the approximate revenue for accepting septage. Dale replied no, but historically the town took in 42,000 gallons a year so he would estimate the revenues at $42,000. The Board was in consensus that they should not re-open the septage lagoons at the landfill but utilize the wastewater treatment facility.
C. The Board reviewed the “2009 Town Meeting Informational Packet” drafted by Wright-Pierce to mail to all the households in Farmington. Gail asked when Dale plans to review this document with the Budget Committee since their recommendation is included. Dale said a date would just need to be set. Gerry commented that the Board is looking for a figure to put forth to the voters. Dale responded that the town will not have an absolute bottom line cost for this project until the project is designed and bid out. The engineer’s estimate is $11.6 million for the plant and $1 million for the I & I work; these are the best estimates that the town has to work with. Dale then added that the Board needs to come to a conclusion as to how they are going to spread
the cost over the users and taxpayers. The Board then reviewed Mr. Leonard’s calculations on different breakdowns of percentages with figures based on $5 million of cost because he is assuming the town will get 60% funding from grants.
Dale also stated that he drafted letters to the Senators Shaheen and Sununu requesting their support in increasing rural development grants and information on the STAG program. Gail asked for a copy of the administrative order issued in March of 2008 and Dale said he would forward a copy to all the Board members.
Gail asked if the plan was approved in March of 2009, would construction start in 2010-1011. Mr. Leonard replied yes and that the interest rate increases for each year would have to be reflected in the costs somehow when presented to the town. The Board requested the cost figures for the three phases presented; 1. Treatment Plant and first effluent disposals system (RIB), 2. I & I removal program and 3. future RIB. Gerry asked if the project is approved in 2009 when would the town start applying for grants. Dale explained the town would start with the 1% Bridge Loan from DES and then once reached the substantial completion date, the town would apply for all the other available grants. The following grants are currently available; 1. rural development for 25%, 2. tribal grant for $500,000,
3. STAG program for $500,000 and 4. PSNH grant for about $20,000.
Gerry asked if a warrant is being drafted for design only or design and construction. Mr. Leonard suggested design and construction and the Board agreed the whole project should be presented with the phases broken down within it. Gail asked how long the town has between phases. Mr. Leonard replied the town needs to meet the DES deadline of getting out of the river or meeting the river discharge requirements by 2012 per the administrative order. Marty then asked if the warrant fails at town meeting, what would happen to the administrative order. Mr. Leonard explained that a special town meeting would need to be scheduled to reconsider the vote. Gerry asked how the clarifier funding 3was broken up and Dale replied it was a 50/50 split between the users and the taxpayers. Paula then
asked how the original plant was funded and Dale replied the principal was paid by the tax base. Dale then stated that he will need a final decision by the Board by 1/12/09 on how the cost will be dispersed to the town. The Board agreed to meet with Dale and Wright-Pierce again on 1/12/09.
4. Town Clerk Proposed Budget:
A. The Board reviewed this budget proposal.
1. Kathy Seaver explained that she increased line 15 (printing ballots) because Dan Merhalski informed her that the planning board has 10 warrants to go on the ballot.
2 Kathy stated that she always includes a contingency for replacing a calculator, fax and printer for her office because they are such costly, necessary items.
3. Gerry asked why line 13 (clerk ½ TC offie) is up 35.39% and Kathy explained she adding 10 hours a week to this position. The extra hours will be paid through the Municipal Agent fee increase that comes into the town as revenue.
4. Gail asked if the department has overtime and Kathy explained that they use comp. time instead.
5. Marty asked if the dog revenue goes to the state or town. Kathy explained that $4 goes to the town, $2 to the state and 50 cents to another part of the state.
6. Gail asked Kathy if she could explain the tax impact from the school because right now their proposed budgets show a 1.9% increase but they have the $1 million that was found. Kathy explained that the $1 million was money that was suppose to go in the capital reserves but did not. And that the taxes will go up $2 based on their figures because the $1 million is not available to buy down the taxes.
B. Road Petition, Labrador Rd. – Kathy informed the Board that she received a petition for road acceptance for Labrador Road, though they are still working on getting a few signatures of the land owners.
5. Encumbrances:
The Board agreed to put these off until next week.
6. Other:
A. Town Report Dedication – The board mentioned several names like; Bette Vachon, Arthur Scruton, Willis Berry, Jeanette Greeley, the 500 Boys and Girls Club, and all town veterans. The Board agreed to come to the next meeting, each with several names or thoughts and then decide.
B. Marty said then when the town holds $500 of a developer’s bond the developer never seems to finish the last few items and questioned if the town should start keeping a higher amount at the end to ensure completion. Tony said that the bond has to be relative to the costs remaining for the project but he will ask LGC for their opinion.
C. Gail asked if the Board ever made a decision on what to do with SRPC and the Tony replied that SPRC has not given him any answers yet because their last meeting was cancelled.
D. Gail asked if the Board received the revolving fund revenue report for the Rec and Tony said no.
E. Paula asked if the town needs to set up a sidewalk committee as requested by SRPC and when it would need to be established and Tony said he would look into the details.
F. Paula asked if Mr. Spaulding’s complaint has been addressed and Tony said he is unsure of how the town can address the complaint since it has gone to the Supreme Court. Paula asked if the town should continue plowing until Mr. Spaulding provides the town with a survey and Tony said yes.
G. Paula asked for an update on the Opera House roof and Tony replied that Sullivan roofing came out last Friday and he is contacting another roofing company this week for an estimate also.
H. Tony informed the Board that the sprinkler system for the Old Town Hall is being bid out in January.
I. Gail asked if the Board has addressed the request by Hunter’s Tavern and Tony replied that he would check with the Police Chief.
J. Paula asked if the company came in for the air samples at the police station and Tony said no, he was not sure if they were ever contacted about being awarded the bid yet.
K. Gerry asked if the culvert that was installed on Tall Pine was billed and paid for yet and Tony replied that he would check.
Marty Gilman motioned to adjourn, 2nd Gail Ellis. Motion carried with all in favor.
Meeting adjourned at 9:38pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Brandy Sanger
Recording Secretary
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Chairman, Gerald McCarthy Vice-Chairman, Martin Gilman
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Paula Proulx Gail Ellis
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Joan A. Funk
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