Town of New Boston
Selectmen's Meeting
August 23, 2004
PRESENT: Christine Quirk Chairman
Gordon Carlstrom Selectman
David Woodbury Selectman
Burton Reynolds Town Administrator
A. CALL TO ORDER: A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was called to order by Christine Quirk at 7:OOPM beginning with the Pledge of Allegiance.
B. PUBLIC COMMENT: No public comments were made.
C. APPOINTMENTS:
1. 7:00 PM Chief Greg Begin Police Department
Chief Greg Begin was present to give an update to the Selectmen:
· Cell Phones - Chief Begin has spoken to representatives from Verizon and US Cellular regarding their cellular phone plans. He will also be speaking with Nextel within the upcoming week. To date, the best plan has been with US Cellular who provides a family plan for $40.00 per month, 4 more cell phones at $15.00 per phone which all share 1000 peak minutes, free minutes 7:00 PM to 7:00 AM and free mobile to mobile. They do provide plans for municipalities but the family plan is more feasible. They also provide the cell car kit to be leased at $3.50 per month. Chief Begin would like each officer to have a cell phone and may discontinue the pager service which costs $10.00 per
month.
· Cruisers - The mileage and repair costs for the Police Department cars were discussed. As of today's date, the mileage for the unmarked car is 147000, the Ford Explorer 87000 and the Crown Victoria 96000. The costs for repairs on these cars have already exceeded the budget by $600.00. The Chief discussed the option of leasing for the future police department vehicles. Leasing options were discussed with Chris Pappas of John Grappone Ford. The Police Department could lease a Ford Explorer or Expedition with four year payments equaling $24,130.03, which is close to one vehicle the department has been trying to obtain by warrant. David questioned what happens to the vehicle at
the end of the lease. Per Chief Begin, the cost to buyout the vehicle at the end of the lease is $1.00 and at that point the vehicle has more resale value than the current vehicles the police department owns at this time. Chief Begin stated that car #3 had a transmission replaced costing $2700.00, which is more than the cars' worth. David also questioned if other towns were
leasing at this time. Chief Begin stated at this time he knows Mont Vernon, Derry and Manchester have problems with car replacements and now lease. The Selectmen all agreed the proposal for leasing the vehicles should be presented to CIP.
· Fair - The Police Department will have 4 full time and part time staff working the fair, shift 5 to 10 and 12 to close. A-1 Saw has donated "gators" 2X4 and 4X6 vehicles to use at the fair for the weekend. It was voted by the staff to wear "alternative uniforms" for the fair coverage.
· Staffing - The Chief would like to consider additional staffing in 2005 for additional coverage on Sundays and some night hours. He currently has two candidates for
the open part-time position and is performing background checks.
· Skateboard Park - Chief Begin will be meeting with Mike Sindoni and Lee Brown of
the Recreation Department regarding the skateboard park ordinance.
· Bio-terrorism Committee - Health officials from the City of Manchester set up
facilities for surrounding towns for vaccines, etc in case of emergencies. They have coordinated a bio-terrorism committee. Chief Begin will be the representative from New Boston.
· Dog Licenses - Burton asked the status of the dog licenses. Chief Begin stated currently the list is 20 or 30 unknowns where at one point the list was 400.
D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
1. Minutes of August 9, 2004 - The Selectmen reviewed the minutes. Corrections were noted. David moved that they be accepted as amended. Christine seconded the motion. All were in favor.
E. OLD BUSINESS:
l. Planning:
July 27, 2004
Julie Dillon - Riverdale Road - Riding Stables/Horse Boarding - The applicant was present for the proposal of horse boarding and riding stable. The Planning Board had concerns for manure management as this area is close to the Piscataquog River. As the applicant was not prepared at this time, a hearing did not occur and was adjourned.
Susana LeClair Revocable Trust - Bedford Road/Baker Lane - The applicants were present for a 5-lot subdivision using road frontage on Bedford Road and giving a back lot road frontage on Baker Lane. The Planning Board felt the back lot using Baker Lane was "stacking" and therefore this plan was not acceptable.
Jeffrey & Jacqueline Fillmore - Hopkins Road - 4-Lot Subdivision - The plans and final application were submitted for a 4-lot subdivision. A site walk has been scheduled and the hearing was adjourned to August 24, 2004.
Bradley Wilde Educational Ventures, LLD/Lynn Strong - Site Plan Expansion - 643 North Mast Road - Route 114 - Daycare - The application for the expansion of the daycare was accepted as completed and the hearing adjourned to August 24, 2004.
Curtis Hill, LLC - 7-Lot Subdivision - Old Coach Road - (Wildwood Campground) - This was a preliminary hearing for the proposal to subdivide 39.19 acres into six front lots and one back lot. There were discussions regarding residential sprinklers and cisterns being required. A site walk has been scheduled and the hearing adjourned to August 24, 2004.
13-15 Hopkins Road/Joseph Swiezynski - 9-Lot Subdivision - Salisbury & Hopkins Roads - Final approval was not given at this time as information for a completed road design review and the review of legal documents by town counsel, Bill Drescher, had not been completed. The hearing was adjourned to August 24, 2004.
Vista Road, LLC - 14-Lot Subdivision - Inkberry & Wilson Hill Roads - The applicants were present to propose instead of the 14-lot cluster home subdivision to now add an additional lot utilizing land dedicated for open space. As the applicants are currently waiting for a hearing with ZBA for a buffer variance, this hearing has been postponed to September 14, 2004.
RJ Moreau - Wetlands Crossing - A review did not occur as nothing had been flagged.
June Edwards - 6 Lot Subdivision - Dougherty Lane & Tucker Mill Roads - Approval was given for the 6-lot subdivision.
Non-Residential Site Plan Review Regulations - The Planning Board discussed changes in wording recommended by the So. NH Planning Board.
Common Land/Cluster Homes - The topic of tax issues and liens on common land and cluster home development were discussed. Gordon stated his concerns for the protection of the town should an owner become default in a cluster home development.
2. Boston Post Cane - It was agreed by the Selectmen that the replica would be given to the New Boston oldest resident. An article will be put in the New Bos7ton Bulletin asking of any known birth dates prior to 2-15-09.
3. Conservation Commission Appointment - The application of Kim Burkhamer for the Conservation Committee was reviewed and accepted. David made the motion to appoint Kim Burkhamer as an alternate member for a two-year term. Gordon seconded this motion. All were in favor.
4. Policy on Barn Easement Conditions - Discussion occurred regarding Roger Noonan's application for the barn easement. The property file will be pulled and reviewed, as there were questions that this location was originally commercial space. Should this be the case, the application will be reviewed like the Apple Barn in which the abatement cannot be applied to commercial uses.
5. Personnel Manual - Update Progress - Burton and the Administrator of Lyndeborough have reviewed other town personnel manuals and it appears
New Boston is the best and will be used as a template.
F. NEW BUSINESS:
1. Acceptance of Credit Cards and Payments over the Internet - A meeting was held by Jim McLaughlin of Integrated Merchants Services with staff members, Burton Reynolds and Christine Quirk regarding the services his company provides in processing of ATM/debit cards and online payments. It was agreed by all that credit card payments would not be accepted due to the processing charge of 2 to 3% by the processing company. There is a fee of .35 cents for processing online payments by debit charges or by check which the Town can offset by charging a processing fee of $1.00 to be put in the offsetting revenue budget. Christine stated she has 2 machines with pin pads she is selling for $100.00 a piece which will be necessary for the processing of debit cards. The software package does have a charge of
$600.00 for the startup. More information will be provided as we get closer to becoming online with the Virtual Town Hall website.
2. Donation of Land (Map 3 Lot 58) - Map 3 - Lot 58 - Aggregate Industries has donated a triangle of land. The Conservation Commission will cover the legal costs for the legal fees involved with the agreement. Gordon moved to accept Map 3, Lot 58. Dave seconded this motion. All were in favor.
3. Acceptance of Easement Deed (Map 12 Lot 89) - Indian Falls (cul-de-sac) - The agreement for the annex to Map 3, Lot 86 owned by the Conservation Commission was given to the Selectmen to review and sign.
4. Review of MS-4 (Revenues) and MS-1 (Assessed Values) - Were given to the Selectmen and reviewed.
5. Comments from Departments on Salary Plan - The overall reaction was positive but guarded.
6. Thank You Letters for Volunteers - It was discussed and agreed that should a volunteer resign from their position, a thank you letter would be sent thanking them for their services. The Selectmen may also send annual "thank you" cards to those who serve on boards, commissions, committees, etc.
G. OTHER:
1. Bedford Road - There was a question if a resident could pave a Class 6 road to their driveway. It was agreed this was not feasible as the Class 6 road would have to be upgraded to Class 5.
2. .Playground Association - An upcoming meeting has been scheduled and Christine Quirk will attend. The Recreation Department is currently working on obtaining grants to assist in the repairs/replacement of the old grandstand owned by the Playground Association.
3. ZBA - Christine Quirk stated that no quorum occurred at the last ZBA
meeting for the applicants and abutters and she questioned if the Selectmen
could assist in these circumstances. David was to research the question.
4. Doherty Lane Bridge - The excavation began today.
5. Twin Bridge - This project is to begin in mid September.
6. Scale Project - The scale project at the Transfer Station has been going well.
A candidate has also applied for the open position.
7. Joseph Foistner - Foxberry Drive - Notification has been received from the
US District Court with actions against the Town.
H. PUBLIC COMMENT: None.
I. ADJOURNMENT: David made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 10:OOPM. Gordon seconded the motion. All were in favor.
Prepared by Karen Heselton
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