Francestown Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes
August 8, 2011
Present: Chairman, Betsy Hardwick, Selectmen Scott Carbee and Abigail Arnold constituting a quorum.
Call to Order: Chairman Hardwick called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Posting: Hardwick stated this meeting being properly posted.
Minutes: Administrative Assistant, Debra Davidson taking minutes.
APPOINTMENTS:
7:00 p.m. Charlie Pyle – Labor Day –
- Labor Day Rock & Roll Dance will be held at the Fire Station. Snacks and soda will be available. Selectmen were all in agreement with holding the dance at the Fire Station.
- Rummage was discussed. They would like to borrow some tables from the Town Hall for the rummage sale on Labor Day. Tables will be returned on Saturday. The Rummage will be held at the lodge this year. Selectmen approved the use of the tables.
- Removing the stick hut was discussed. All Selectboard members agreed it is acceptable to remove the hut.
- There will be no pigs at the Labor Day Festivities this year. There will be mud volleyball on Sunday and another activity will be arranged for Saturday.
7:50 p.m. Town Clerk, Elaine McClary –
- Recommendation to appoint Pamela Finnell as Deputy Tax Collector/Town Clerk.
Motion by Chairwoman Hardwick to appoint Pam Finnell as Deputy Tax Collector/Town Clerk. Seconded by Selectman Carbee. Voted 3-0 in the affirmative.
OTHER:
Furnace Replacement - Larry Labor stopped in to pick up a signed furnace replacement permit. Mr. Labor indicated a donation would be made to the Fire Department.
Evelyn Vadney Fund – Ms. Polly Freese inquired as to why the trust deals with the flags. The trust was under the Cemetery Commission and not patriotic purpose. Selectwoman Arnold explained the reasoning for this. Discussion followed. It was recommended Ms. Freese and the Patriotic Purposes Committee make one order of flags for veterans, and then the account can be closed.
GENERAL BUSINESS:
MS-5 – Selectwoman Arnold mentioned holding a meeting with the auditors on August 23, 2011 at 4:30 for a review of the financial statements. This would help to assure a timely filing of the MS-5 & MS-4. Mr. Henry Khunardt requested copies of the audit report.
Old County Road S. Bridge/Logging Access – Chairwoman Hardwick reported that the bridge on Old County Road S., is an E-2 bridge, which means the logger can haul up to 80,000 lbs before needing permission to cross the bridge. However if they haul over this amount, they then need permission to cross. Road Agent, Gary Paige recommended a $10,000.00 bond.
Action: Davidson to contact HHP via letter and a phone call, notifying them of this.
Assessment - Priscilla Martin (Map 8-64) – Selectwoman Arnold discussed the timeline that has taken place over the last few years with this property. There was an acreage discrepancy when tax maps were updated. Ms. Martin also had a survey done in 2009, which supported her position.
Arnold asked the Selectboard if they would consider an administrative abatement for the house that has been removed.
Motion: Motion by Chairwoman Hardwick to grant an administrative abatement for property identified as Map 8-64 for the 2010 tax year. Seconded by Selectman Carbee. Voted 3-0 affirmative.
Settlement Agreement – Selectmen reviewed a letter from the Board of Tax and Land Appeals (BTLA) regarding a settlement agreement on SVE Northeast, LP (8-43). Administrative Assistant will review the values.
Town Clock – Carbee reported the clock is up and running. Carbee recommended getting a team together who would be in charge of the clock. Carbee will contact those he knows are interested in taking care of the clock.
Mountain Road Work – Hardwick reported the job was less than expected, it was nicely
done. Total cost was approximately $1,700.00.
Paving - Hardwick reported Brox is going to be in town Wednesday and/or Thursday. They have some warranty work from a prior job they are going to deduct from their invoice from this paving job.
Bible Hill Road – Hardwick asked that it be noted for the record that following the Boards visit to Bible Hill Road near the Bourbeau residence road agent Gary Paige~met with Kris Stewart of Francestown Sand & Gravel to review the drainage problem at that location.~ They checked the pavement grade near the Bourbeau drive and found that there was a significant dip that was channeling water towards the Bourbeau drive. This ‘dip’ may have been caused by frost action or possibly grading when shimmed. They have adjusted the grade with pavement to help alleviate the drainage problem.~The ditch improvements as discussed by the Board and Paige at the site visit have~been completed, including fixing the problem with the under drain. Paige indicated that there was still a crown
in the road, though less than before.
Russell Station Bridge – Carbee stated there was a huge pour of concrete today; the bridge is coming along fantastic.
Police Annex – The large rock was moved that was at the police annex. This will allow adequate snow removal, as well as additional parking.
Resignation – Selectmen Arnold reported Katie Gadwah has submitted her resignation as the part-time librarian.
Marshall – Franklin Savings Bank called regarding this property, they were referred to Cross Country Appraisals.
Welfare Lien - $7,000 + was received to satisfy a welfare lien. A lien release will be signed next week.
Timber Violations – State Forester and Timber Appraiser did a site inspection on Lot 9-34. There are some serious violations. The state will follow through with the logger. It was not recommended by the State Forester to charge the property owner doomage.
Public Hearing – Selectmen reviewed the Public Notice for a public hearing, scheduled August 16, 2011. Public Hearing is to be the final hearing on the Martel Retail Enterprize, Inc. site plan development application.
Miscellaneous Mail – Selectmen reviewed the miscellaneous mail.
ITEMS TO SIGN:
Selectmen signed the following:
- Check Manifests for August 8, 2011
- Reports of cut – reviewed & estimated quality was determined
- Minutes
Motion by Selectman Carbee to approve the Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes of June 6, 2011, August 25, 2011 and August 1, 2011 with minor revisions to the August 1 minutes. Seconded by Hardwick. Voted: 3-0 in the affirmative.
NON PUBLIC :
8:05 in accordance with RSA 91:A3 II (a) – Personnel Matter – motion by Hardwick to enter into a non-public session. Seconded by Carbee & Arnold. Voted 3-0.
8:30 – motion by Hardwick to come out of the non-public session and to further seal the minutes. Seconded by Carbee & Arnold. Voted 3-0 in the affirmative.
ADJOURNMENT:
8:30 pm with no further business Selectmen’s Meeting adjourned. The next scheduled meeting is Monday, August 15, 2011 at 7:00 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra Davidson
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