TOWN OF FARMINGTON
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
Monday, February 1, 2010
356 Main Street, Farmington, NH
Board of Selectmen Meeting
Monday, February 1, 2010
Selectmen Present: Paula Proulx, Gail Ellis, Joan Funk, Charlie King and Gerry McCarthy
Also Present: Kathy Seaver, Joel Moulton, Jim Presher and Liz Beddard and Bill StraubChairman Proulx called the meeting to order at 6:00PM and asked everyone to join her in the pledge of allegiance.
Town Clerk Kathy Seaver asked Megan Taylor-Fetter to draw a letter for the ballot. The letter ‘I” was drawn which will be the starting letter alphabetically for the ballot.
Joan Funk addressed the viewers in regards to the recent death of Marc Decoteau, son of former Town Administrator Marc Decoteau and stated that anyone wanting to send condolences could call Megan at the Town Offices for information.
Charlie motioned to table the minutes to the end of the meeting seconded by Gail. All in favor.
2. Single Stream Recycling.
Jim Presher and Liz Beddard made a power point presentation outlining the process for Single Stream Recycling. This type of recycling takes all cardboard, plastics, glass, tin, aluminum, steal ‘mixed-recyclables’ un-separated. This makes it much easier for people to recycle which significantly reduces the amount of household trash and increases recycled items. The Town would still have to maintain a transfer station for metal, appliances, construction debris ect. This does not include regular household trash. No bailer is needed.
JI Presher presented a 6 minute movie showing the single stream recycling process. The property for the site has been purchased in Concord off of route 93, they are now looking for associate members to meet the 25,000 tonnage needed to proceed for a partnership. The Town would have to sign for a 15 year commitment, no cash up front. 32 communities have signed up so far. The advantages to signing up now are that the Town would be an RFAM member which gives the Town a 1 per 500 per capita vote on the board. The agreement includes a catastrophe clause which states that if the facility was to close due to catastrophe, the co-op takes full responsibility. Once construction begins, no new RFAM members can join but can use the facility as non members but will not get the benefits;
revenue/costs.
Gerry asked if the tipping fees were set and Jim replied that they look at the budget and make a recommendation. There are two ways a municipality can get out of the contract: 1: if the cost gets so high, if 90% cost of tipping fees. 2: If in the fall the facility decides you get paid for recyclables but then the next fall decides cost. The town can give a 6 month notice to end the agreement.
Charlie asked what the total tonnage capacity is and Jim answered 70,000 but it can be easily retrofitted to handle 140,000. Charlie asked what the cost to run the facility is and Jim responded that all costs are carried by revenue. Liz stated that economics change as markets change-the revenue for tonnage went from 50 to 15 per ton. Tipping fees are set once per year, reconciled quarterly. Transportation is the responsibility of the town. Joel will research estimated cost to transport. Gail suggested having Town legal look over the contract which Jim gave to Tony in digital form. TheSelectmen asked Joel for his recommendation and Joel answered that in his opinion this was the way to go. Liz stated that some Municipalities put this on a warrant for Town Meeting depending on
legal advice and can make a commitment contingent upon legal advice and approval at Town Meeting.
Liz and Jim stated that they would be willing to come back for further discussion.
3. CMA Engineers/Transfer Station
Bill Straub presented a hybrid of the original footprint of the layout for the transfer station. Overall costs are at the low end; possibly hold on the construction of the retaining wall outside of the landfill footprint. A scale can be added in future with this concept. This concept does not allow for independent recycling which makes single stream the best option. Single Stream would increase recycling by up to 30%. There is access to sand/salt areas on the back side. Layout to be added in the future: make minimal capital investment now. Charlie asked if the existing buildings would stay. Permanent structures cannot be erected on capped landfills, nothing connected to the ground. Gerry asked if areas would be set up for brush and construction debris. Temporary containers could be
set up. Eventually we will want to have a scale, estimates will not be accurate. The Town needs to move in a direction sooner or later, permits are needed; construction could be done in spring/summer. Paula stated that we need to concentrate on function, we have been provided with a hybrid, it comes down to funding. A workshop is needed in which Joel can provide numbers and more information. We can integrate in the future; this proposal will get us going.
Charlie asked if the area (?) could be maximized and Bill replied that the slopes are too steep, we are limited to the existing footprint. Not much to work with in the north side, we have to get off the ‘cap’ . Joan Funk motioned to proceed with the presented hybrid concept for permitting purposes. Charlie seconded the motion. No discussion. All in favor.
Charlie asked for more information on options, trucking fees/revenues, if we go with single stream how many trips per year to the facility and what size containers do we need? Gerry suggested asking Milton to combine trucking with Farmington. Tony will inquire. A workshop will be held on Monday the 8th at 6:00PM.
4. Bay Road Bridge Contract with Jacobs Engneering.
The Towns obligation is $35,000. The amended contract was presented to the Board. Joan made a motion to authorize Tony to sign the contract with Jacobs engineering for the Bay Road Bridge. Gerry seconded the motion. No discussion. All in favor. Joel will bring the contract to Tony on Tuesday to sign.
5. Storm Water Drainage Study
The completed study is complete. There were some big surprises in the size of pipes. From Cocheco River down Main Street to Grove there is 18” pipe; 42” is needed. Joel stated that we would need to start downhill and work uphill. The best solution is to split the system into two avenues which would solve the major issues. Gerry asked about problem areas such as School St. Joel stated that fixing some areas may end up affecting others. Gerry asked if grant money was available, this would be a major cost; $237, 150 which does not include paving.
******Respectfully submitted, Megan Taylor-Fetter
6. Sign Computer Agreement:
Charlie asked Tony what they decided to charge the Town for the GIS files and Tony replied that Mr. Lang said he would migrate the files in and there would be no additional charge at this time. Gail then pointed out that the date on the contract would need to be amended to reflect a February 12, 2010 commencement date. Also, Gail commented she would rather not have access outside of the Town offices and the Board agreed to restrict user access to the town offices. Joan Funk motioned to authorize Tony to accept and sign the amended agreement with TNNMI with the conditions discussed tonight, 2nd Charlie King. Motion carried with all in favor.
7. Approve Town Report Cover:
Joan Funk motioned to approve the Town Report Cover as presented, 2nd Gerry McCarthy. Motion carried with all in favor.
8. Funding Requests:Tony explained that CHANCES came forward with a request for the 2009 funding; their letter included the statement that it appeared the Town never received their original request in September. Charlie commented that he recalls this funding was established and approved on the floor by the voters at last year’s Town Meeting and since it is was the Town’s position to fund he would feel comfortable doing so. Charlie King motioned to encumber $4800 for CHANCES and distribute based on last year’s budget, 2nd Gerry McCarthy. Motion carried with all in favor.
9. Finalize Budget:
Tony informed the Board that the updates for the changed and laid off positions and the mainline renewal were completed and the proposed tax rate is $6.52. Gail added if the school budget is passed then there will be a $0.93 increase, but if the default budget passes then the tax rate will increase $1.42. Also, if the non-union pay increase warrant passed this will be an additional $0.11 increase.
The Board then discussed the library budget proposal. Gail informed the Board that the budget figure they recommended did not go forward to the Budget Committee but that an amended figure and budget did. The Board discussed that they were not comfortable with this and that the budget they approved should have gone forward or a revised budget should have come back to the Selectmen first. The Board was in consensus to move the entire Town budget forward as is.
10. 2010 Warrant Draft:
a. Article 12 – Tony explained the article is to raise and appropriate $440,000 and $110,000 has already been raised and spent by the Town; this amount equals the Town’s 20% share of participation cost in the NHDOT Municipal Bridge Aid Program. The balance of the project is 440,000 and shall be reimbursed to the Town through the Bridge Aid Program.
b. Article 13 – Tony explained this article is for the Landfill Closure Fund of which the sum to be raised is to come from the account balance which needs to be solidified. Paula asked if the “monies” need to be clarified because she believes a portion of the landfill closure fund goes into a separate account. Tony said he will check with Pam and see if the money is split into different funds or not and why.
11. Updates:
a. Gerry informed the Board that he was approached again about acquiring handi-capped parking in the downtown area and questioned if the Board would be interested in doing so. The Board was in agreement that this need should be addressed and that they will discuss it further at next week’s meeting.
b. Gerry asked Tony if a meeting has been scheduled with Middleton to discuss the Fire/EMT issues. Tony replied that the Middleton Selectmen are aware the Board wants to meet but a date has not been set yet.
c. Gerry asked Tony if he told the department heads to write letters about the traffic safety concerns on Rte. 11. Tony replied the request is in cue.
d. Paula asked for an update on the PD cruisers. Tony said he mentioned to Scott that the Board would like to meet with him and discuss the cruisers. The Board told Tony to schedule the conversation with Scott on 2/22/10. Gerry then asked if all the cameras are in the cruisers now and Tony said yes. Gerry asked if there is a policy and Tony said yes, he will have a copy forwarded to the Board. Charlie asked if the policy for the tazers can be included.
e. Tony informed the Board that the generator for the Municipal Offices will be all in and test run on Wednesday afternoon.
12. Review of Minutes:
a. Joan Funk motioned to accept the public minutes of 1-11-10 as amended, 2nd Gail Ellis. Motion carried with all in favor.
b. Joan Funk motioned to accept the public minutes of 1-18-10 as amended, 2nd Gail Ellis. Motion carried with all in favor.
At 8:58pm, Gerry McCarthy motioned to go in non-public session under RSA 91A.3.II (c), 2nd Gail Ellis. Roll call – Paula Proulx (yes), Gerry McCarthy (yes), Gail Ellis (yes), Charlie King (yes), and Joan Funk (yes).
At 9:15pm the Board came back into public session.
13. Other:
Paula informed the Board that Megan, Selectmen secretary, asked the Board to approve the posting of the public hearing for the amendment for the Wastewater Treatment Facility funding.
At 9:18pm, Gerry McCarthy motioned to adjourn, 2nd Gail Ellis. Motion carried with all in favor.
Respectfully Submitted,
Brandy Sanger Recording Secretary
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Chairman Paula Proulx Vice-Chairman, Gail Ellis
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Joan A. Funk Gerald McCarthy
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Charlie King
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