TOWN OF FARMINGTON
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
Monday, June 14, 2010
356 Main Street, Farmington, NH
Selectmen Present: Chairman Paula Proulx, Gerry McCarthy, Gail Ellis Joan Funk and Charlie King
Town Staff Present: Town Clerk Kathy Seaver, Finance Administrator Pam Merrill, Fire Chief Rich Fowler, Planning Director Kathy Menici, Rec Director Rick Conway, Police Chief Scott Roberge, Water/Wastewater Superintendant Dale Sprague, and Public Works Director Joel Moulton.
Public Present: Mrs. Miller, Ed Leonard, Barry Elliot and Denise Roy Palmer
Chairman Proulx opened the meeting at 5:04pm.
Charlie King motioned to go in non-public session under RSA 91A.3.II (c), 2nd Gail Ellis. Roll Call – Paula Proulx (yes), Gerry McCarthy (yes), Charlie King (yes), Gail Ellis (yes) and Joan Funk (yes).
The Board reconvened in public session at 7:04pm.
1. Public Comment:
a. Mrs. Miller came forward to complain that while the Town was doing their most recent work along the river bank they took out four feet of her stone wall. Paula explained that Joel has been out to the site to investigate the situation and will forward his findings to the Board in writing before replying to Mrs. Miller.
2. Review Of Minutes:
Charlie King motioned to table minutes until later in the meeting, 2nd Gerry McCarthy. Motion carried with all in favor.
3. WEDCO Property Tax Exemption:
Denise Roy Palmer presented the Board with a time line of what has occurred with the tax exemption since its beginning in August 5, 1997 at a Special Town Meeting. This agreement came to light as a result of questions by NH DRA that there should be an agreement with the Town. Charlie asked if the parcels are currently listed for sale and she replied that they were listed for sale but at this time due to the economy, they are currently not listed. The lots are difficult to sell due to their location and topography and any interested buyer would probably move forward like Voith did with grants. There are currently two lots remaining; Lot 17-2 (25 ½ acres) and Lot 17-4 (5 ¾ acres). Gail asked what the selling price was for these lots and Ms. Palmer replied she would have to do some
research and get back to the Board but noted there is no access road to these parcels. Gail said she would like to see the properties actively being listed and Mrs. Palmer stated they can put some new signs up and list it on the website.
Charlie noted that he would be in favor of entering the agreement for a time period certain like 3-4 years instead of “forever” and then revisiting it at that point to keep the Town apprised of what has been occurring with the property. Barry noted that the WEDCO Board does a really great job to promote business, growth and development.
Joan Funk motioned to enter the agreement for tax exemption for WEDCO (Wentworth Economic Development Corporation, Inc.) effective April 1, 2010 to April 1, 2020, 2nd Charlie King. Discussion followed in which Gail noted she is concerned with the amount of time of this agreement because she would like to keep apprised of what is occurring on site. Ms. Palmer stated they could submit annual or bi-annual reports to the Board and then meet with the Board also. Gail stated she would be more inclined to go with a three year agreement and Charlie agreed. Joan and Charlie both withdrew their motion to give Ms. Palmer time to contact their attorney to discuss changes to the agreement to reflect a three year time period with yearly reports to
the Town.
4. Wastewater Treatment Plant:
A. USRDA Grant – Paula stated that the USRDA stated project completion needs to be scheduled for at least September 30, 2015 and she asked Mr. Leonard if this is acceptable and in line with the plan. Ed replied that it is consistent with what has been occurring and the administrative order calls for completion by 2012.
Charlie King motioned to authorize Paula Proulx to sign the USDA Rural Development commitment for the Wastewater Treatment Plant funding, 2nd Gail Ellis. Motion carried with all in favor.
B. Wright & Pierce update –
1. Ed Leonard informed the Board that Phase 1 construction is on-going and is approximately 63% complete on time and 46% complete on price. NHDES completed an audit of the project for Buy American and certified payrolls and there were no issues. A recent survey indicated that a total of 5,020 CY will be needed to fill the low lying area on-site; a significant portion of this material can come from on-site and a portion will likely need to be purchased. (SUR Construction quoted $2.74/yard).
Charlie King motioned to allow Wright-Pierce and SUR Construction to proceed with the filling of the low lying area up to grade according to the plans, utilizing first the materials on-site and then off-site materials to not exceed $35,000, 2nd Joan Funk. Motion carried with all in favor.
2. Ed explained that the ARRA funds require payment of Davis-Bacon wage rates. The rates are provided by the Department of Labor for different categories and several of the categories were not included. According to DOL and DES requirements, the Project Owner is responsible for restitution on job classification not listed in the specifications. The change proposal is for $305.96 to address the wage issue from project inception to April 10, 2010. Ed noted there will be more of these through the project.
Gerry McCarthy motioned to approve the change order for $305.96 for the wage rates for the paver, grader operator and landscape laborer, 2nd Gail Ellis. Motion carried with all in favor.
3. Ed then informed the Board that the access road to the RIBs does not require the final top coat of pavement and therefore there is a credit of $9,212.50. Charlie King motioned to accept the credit of $9,212.50 that was saved from not putting the top coat of paving on the RIB access road, 2nd Gail Ellis. Motion carried with all in favor.
4. Ed then explained that there are two adjustments in Phase 1. The SST Blower and Decant Pump Wiring were requested to match how the Phase 2 project describes them. If there are cost implications, we will bring them back to the Board. An adjustment to the existing building sewer piping was requested as well.
5. Charlie asked what comments Wright-Pierce received from the Town in mid-May because he doesn’t recall discussing the plans and had some comments. First, he questioned if the road needs to be curved in and why cement structures are being used for the buildings by the SBR. Ed replied the tanks are concrete and the walls are basically pre-cast concrete which are standard for Municipal facilities because they do not last as long as steel pre-manufactured buildings. Charlie followed up by asking about the reason behind the flat roof on the same building and Ed explained they chose the flat roof to get the most use out of the building without increasing the size.
6. Ed informed the Board that Tony was working on the legal services, preliminary bond transcript and the loan resolution so those items will need to be followed through with. Wright-Pierce will be completing the Bidding documents, and preparing the construction engineering services agreement. Ed will call the funding agencies and the attorneys to see where the paperwork is at and what still needs to occur. Gerry asked what permit is still pending and Ed replied the Wetlands permit has not been approved yet.
7. Ed stated that the project costs are on track and within the next few months the Town will have bids in hand and be able to see the true costs. Charlie asked what will happen if the bids come in and the cost exceeds the appropriated funds. Ed explained that there are two options at that point, the town can either step back and do a re-design or can evaluate the current design and work with the contractor to make changes and cuts to the project.
5. Hawkers and Peddlers Application:
Joan Funk motioned to approve the Hawkers and Peddlers Permit Application by River Catch, Inc. to be located off NH Route 11 at Map R23-1 “Conditional to operation” that they be inspected and approved by the NH Food Service Division and a copy of that inspection be submitted to the Planning and Codes Department prior to them conducting business in Farmington, 2nd Gerry McCarthy. Motion carried with all in favor.
6. Irving Oil Excavation Permit:
Paula informed the Board the Irving Oil submitted an excavation permit for construction upgrades recently approved. Joan Funk motioned to approve the excavation permit by Irving Oil, 2nd Gerry McCarthy. Motion carried with all in favor.
7. Other:
A. Paula read a memo from Joel asking how to proceed with filling the position he posted. The Board agreed that Joel should forward the top five candidates to the Board for interviews and also have all applications/resumes submitted for the position.
B. Paula read a memo regarding the cleaning of the previous K-9 cruiser. Gail suggested having the cleaning come out of the Police cruiser maintenance line. Gail Ellis motioned to allow Joel to have the car detailed with the payment to come from the police cruiser maintenance line of 01-4210-10-660 after he obtains three quotes to ensure the best price, 2nd Joan Funk. Motion carried with all in favor.
8. Review of Minutes:
A. Joan funk motioned to approve the public minutes of June 7, 2010 as amended, 2nd Gail Ellis. Motion carried with all in favor.
At 8:52pm, Gail Ellis motioned to go in non-public session under RSA 91.A.3.II (c), 2nd Joan Funk. Roll Call – Paula Proulx (yes), Gail Ellis (yes), Charlie King (yes), Gerry McCarthy (yes) and Joan Funk (yes).
At 9:59pm, Paula Proulx motioned to adjourn, 2nd Charlie King. Motion carried.
Respectfully Submitted,
Brandy Sanger
Recording Secretary
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Chairman, Paula Proulx Vice-Chairman, Gail Ellis
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Gerry McCarthy Charlie King
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Joan A. Funk
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