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Selectmen Minutes 09/13/2010
TOWN OF FARMINGTON
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
Monday, September 13, 2010
356 Main Street, Farmington, NH

Selectmen Members Present:      Paula Proulx, Gerry McCarthy, Charlie King, Gail Ellis and Joan Funk.

Town Staff Present:     Interim Town Administrator Alan Gould
Public Present: Dave Connolly, Anna Boudreau, Don Whittum, Sharon McKenney, David Salzer

Chairman Proulx called the meeting to order at 5:30pm.
Gail Ellis motioned to go in non-public session under RSA 91A.3.II (b), 2nd Charlie King.  Roll Call – Paula Proulx (yes), Gail Ellis (yes), Charlie King (yes), Joan Funk (yes) and Gerry McCarthy (yes).
At 6:09 the Board came back into public session and noted the non-public minutes were sealed.
  • Public Comment:
  • Sharon McKenney asked the Board if they are working on her drainage situation.  Alan replied that he spoke with the State and they are trying to come up with a resolution.
Paula reported that she and Charlie went down on Sunday and presented the Boston Cane to Pearl Tufts.

  • Review of Minutes:
  • Joan Funk motioned to accept the minutes of 8-30-10 as amended, 2nd Gail Ellis.  Motion carried with all in favor.
  • Joan Funk motioned to accept the non-public minutes of 8-30-10 part A as amended, 2nd Gail Ellis.  Motion carried with all in favor.
  • Joan Funk motioned to accept the non-public minutes of 8-3-10 part B as amended, 2nd Gail Ellis.  Motion carried with all in favor.
  • Joan Funk motioned to accept the non-public minutes of 8-30-10 part C as written, 2nd Gail Ellis.  Motion carried with all in favor.
  • Joan Funk motioned to accept the non-public minutes of 8-30-10 part D, 2nd Gail Ellis.  Motion Withdrawn.
  • Gerry McCarthy motioned to table the non-public minutes of 8-30-10 part D until the non-public session later tonight, 2nd Gail Ellis.  Motion carried with all in favor.
  • Gail Ellis motioned to table the non-public minutes of 8-30-10 part E until the non-public session later tonight, 2nd Gerry McCarthy.  Motion carried with all in favor.
  • Whittum Conservation Project:
Anna Boudreau of the Strafford Rivers Conservancy (SRC) explained that she is here tonight to present the Board with information regarding the Whittum Conservation Easement.  She explained that SRC has obtained bids for the surveying of the easement of which the Conservation Commission has voted to fund in the amount not to exceed $15,000.  (The survey cost is $12, 600)  The parcels to be deeded in the easement are R-62 and R-63 and the Whittum would like to allow public access on the back side of the property.  (The Whittum’s will have the surveyor mark the line of which they will allow public access up to.)  SRC is looking for the Board to vote to accept the executory interest holder responsibilities for the Whittum Easement contingent upon legal review of the easement deed.  Gerry asked what the responsibilities would include and Ms. Boudreau explained there would not be any responsibilities unless SRC ceases to exist.  The Conservation Commission voted to apply up to $15,000 towards the easement.

Dave Connolly, Conservation Commission Chairman, noted that this a 90 acre parcel the Commission is interested in conserving.  The biggest concern the Commission had in regards to this easement was the public access.  The Board was concerned that the Commission has not had time to review the draft deed, noting they were not comfortable moving forward without the Commission’s blessing.  Dave explained that the Commission was only concerned with the public access being noted in the deed though they did not necessarily care that the public access is identified on the map.  Gail stated she is concerned that there is not an identified access for the public.  Ms. Boudreau explained that this is not uncommon with private property conservation easements and those wishing to access the property would need to find their own way onto the property (as they currently do) or ask for permission from the landowner.  

Ms. Boudreau asked if she could move ahead with the surveying contract until the Commission is able to review the deed.  The Board replied no, the surveying should wait until the Conservation Commission has time to review the deed and get back to the Board with their blessing.  Dave will try to pull together an emergency Commission meeting.

  • New Business:
  • Charlie King informed the Board Tracy Major resigned from her position on the Planning Board and the Board regretfully accepted it.  There is currently at least one opening on the Planning Board.
  • Old Business:
  • Statewide Mozaic Parcel Map – David Salzer of the Department of Revenue Administration explained the statewide mosaic parcel map project they are commencing.  The reasons for this project are to improve the state equalization system, to create a statewide GIS map and be able to allow state agencies access to these maps.  There is no cost for this project to the towns/cities in the state but it will provide invaluable information especially in emergency situations like tornadoes, floods, etc.  The town will have access to this system once it is complete.  Charlie asked who would have access to this information and Mr. Salzer explained that the state agencies will have access and will sign a contract stating they will follow the same privacy rules they use.  Joan asked what the man hours from the Town would be expected and Mr. Salzer explained that the information they are requesting is already in the town computers so it would just be a matter of downloading it to their office.
Alan asked what the process would be if the State wanted to open this system to the public and not just to municipalities and state agencies.  Mr. Salzer replied that all the records are public record and the state intent is to use it for the state agencies only at this point.  The information that would be included would be less than what is included on the tax card.  Charlie asked Alan if he has asked Bonnie for her opinion on this project and whether or not it will assist her with her work.  Alan replied no, but he would speak with her about the project to get her opinion.  The Board agreed to take the information under advisement and discuss this at a later meeting.
  • Safe Routes To School Grant – Alan explained that the Selectmen need to move forward with the selection of the engineering firm to respond to the Safe Routes to School Grant funding.  Alan suggested the Board review the engineering proposals over the next week and be prepared to make a decision on an engineering firm at the next meeting.
  • Town Owned Property Sale Requests – Alan reminded the Board that they have received correspondence from two people requesting the opportunity to purchase two town properties.  Alan asked if the Board has any interested in moving forward with discussions on selling these properties.  Charlie stated he would like more information in regards to what amount of taxes were owed when the property was taken, the assessed value of the properties, and the restrictions that might need to be applied to the parcels.  Paula questioned if the Town has any use for the property (the one near Ten Rod Road) and questioned if the Conservation Commission has reviewed this parcel since they have been spending money to conserve land in this area.  Alan would like to communicate with the person who made the request and let them know that the Conservation Commission will be reviewing the parcel.
Alan then questioned if the Board was interested in selling the other property (off Rte. 11) that was requested.  Kathy Menici forwarded a memo to the Board in regards to this property in regards to the condition of the lot as it is under a conservation easement.  Paula said expressed that she is concerned that granting a lot line adjustment on this parcel could potentially land-lock the conservation easement and she is not sure this is conducive with the easement deed and the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG).  Alan will schedule a time for the interested party to come and discuss this parcel with the Board and the Conservation Commission.

  • Computer Use and Communications Equipment Policy –
Joan Funk motioned to accept the Computer Use and Communication Equipment Policy as written, 2nd Charlie King.  Discussion followed in which Gail asked if Alan will have all town employees sign this policy and Alan said yes and then it will be placed in their personnel file.  Motion carried with all in favor.

  • Interim Project Manager for Landfill Agreement –
Alan informed the Board that Joel Moulton has not been in to sign this agreement yet so he would like the Board to wait on signing this.  He then gave the Board a copy of Joel’s report from this past week; the bridge has been re-opened and is scheduled for final inspection this week.  Alan reported that he reviewed the time submitted by Joel and agrees that the hours were acceptable for the work that was done.  In Joel’s report he informed the Board that the bridge was subject to vandalism and he would suggest the Board look to recover liquid damages for delay of project since the incorrect guardrails were installed initially.  Also, the excavator tore up the hot top in the bridge area and this probably needs to be discussed with the contractor as well.  Lastly, there was a change in electrical conduit for the landfill project and Gerry agreed that this needs to be done or Public Service of New Hampshire (PSNH) will not supply the electric.

  • Updates:
  • Gail Ellis asked Alan if he received information from the department heads in regards to the time clock policy and he said he is still gathering the information.
  • Alan informed the Board that he had a conference call with Wright-Pierce and Dale and he would suggest the Board set aside a substantial amount of time to discuss updates on September 20, 2010.  He also stated that the bids needs to be reviewed by town counsel (per the state) to ensure that all the specifications in the proposals were included and correct.
  • Alan informed the Board that the ad for Town Administrator was placed again.
  • Dale is in contact with the State Work Force program to see if they have someone who can do the pump tests and it looks like they will be able to provide a worker for this role.
  • The State is working on the road swap agreement and making sure the map coincides with the verbiage.
  • The fuel bids have not been locked in yet and unfortunately the cost of oil is rising at this time.  Paula asked if the amount that the Town is being quoted would be less if the schools had not purchased fuel in the spring and therefore reduced our purchasing amount.  Alan replied that he is not sure but he does not think the amount they purchased made a significant impact.
  • Alan explained that he has been dealing with a number of issues that have been coming to him from the Department of Public Works in Town. A few of the issues he was able to resolve and some he is not sure how the Board would like to proceed.  Alan noted he did a site walk for the property on High Street and he would like the Board’s assistance on deciding what to do with this property.  Paula noted that the culvert on Orange Street is also a priority.
  • Gerry asked Alan for information regarding the Police altercation this weekend.  Alan explained that the officer was at a residence upon request so a person could get their belongings from a residence that they no longer resided at.  During this time the officer was involved in an altercation.  Gerry asked why there was only one officer on duty because he was under the impression that two officers would be on at all time.  Alan replied that the department is down two officers at this time because the new hires are at the Academy.  Charlie questioned why the salary officer was not covering the shift and Alan replied that he cannot answer that but the Police Chief will be in next week and this would be a good time to discuss this with the Chief.
  • Paula noted that a check was received for $40,886 from the State so a public hearing needs to be scheduled.  Alan then added that the Town also needs to certify that the all the work has been completed or when they will be completed.  Alan will schedule the public hearing for the next meeting within the time frame.
At 8:31pm, Gail Ellis motioned to go in non-public session under RSA 91A.3.II (e), 2nd Gerry McCarthy.  Roll Call – Paula Proulx (yes), Gail Ellis (yes), Charlie King (yes), Joan Funk (yes) and Gerry McCarthy (yes).

At 9:12pm the Board came back into public session and Paula stated the minutes were sealed.

At 9:12pm, Gail Ellis motioned to go in non-public session under RSA 91A.3.II (a), 2nd Gerry McCarthy.  Roll Call – Paula Proulx (yes), Gail Ellis (yes), Charlie King (yes), Joan Funk (yes) and Gerry McCarthy (yes).
At 9:29pm the Board came back into public session and Paula stated the minutes were sealed.
At 9:3pm, Gail Ellis motioned to adjourn, 2nd Gerry McCarthy.  Motion carried with all in favor.

Respectfully Submitted,
Brandy Sanger
Recording Secretary


__________________________________                      ______________________________
Chairman Paula Proulx                                   Vice-Chairman, Gail Ellis




_________________________________                       ______________________________
Joan A. Funk                                                    Gerald McCarthy


________________________________
Charlie King