Town of New Boston
Selectmen's Meeting
November 28, 2005
PRESENT: Gordon Carlstrom Selectman
David Woodbury Selectman
Christine Quirk Selectman
Burton Reynolds Town Administrator
A. CALL TO ORDER: A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was called to order by Gordon Carlstrom at 7:00PM beginning with the Pledge of Allegiance.
B. PUBLIC COMMENT: No public comments were made at this time.
C. APPOINTMENTS:
1. 7:00 PM John Riendeau Road Agent
John Riendeau was present to meet with the Selectmen to discuss the status of current projects that the Highway Department is working on.
· The Bog Road project is almost done, they had to put gravel down on a short section and they raised an area near the cistern. Fire Chief Dan MacDonald plans to ask Bob LaPointe to cut the pipe and raise the cistern. The Highway Department still has to clean up the area, fix some driveway entrances and put a driveway culvert in.
· They did some ditching on roads around town recently. A corner on Bedford Road was ditched and a culvert will be installed.
· All planned paving resurfacing is completed.
· The Howe Bridge problem has been patched which should last until spring when Hanson gets back to repave. The problems here were caused by lack of a tack coat and the asphalt was put on too thin.
· John is getting an estimate from George St. John to have garage doors and two side doors put on the Highway Shed building used for storage.
· The cost of plow trucks and drivers will go up this year because the state just gave them a raise. John expects to have enough plow drivers this year.
· The Highway Budget is increasing 7.7% this year.
· John Bunting sent in a letter saying Hutchinson Road should not be a separately named road. The Selectmen feel it is too late to change it now and Christine feels it is better as a separately named road.
· The Styles Road sign may be missing at the end at Riverdale Road. John will double check before ordering a new sign.
· When John calls Base100 on the radio in the middle of the night to let them know the Highway Crew is out plowing, etc., he has been using the Fire Department channel. It is believed that this causes several Fire Department volunteers to switch off their pagers if they are woken up by this which decreases the number of responders at early morning calls. John will check to see if he can use the police channel from now on.
D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
1. Minutes of November 14, 2005 - The Selectmen reviewed the minutes. Corrections were noted. David moved that they be accepted as amended. Christine seconded the motion. All were in favor.
2. Non-Public Minutes of November 14, 2005 - 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:
1. Planning:
· Jane and John Workman subdivision Pine and Thornton Roads-A 2 acre section at Pine Road may be subdivided off and they request an access road to their 20 acres and main house behind this piece. There was discussion on if it is appropriate to consider potential subdivision and it was decided not to allow the access road at this time. There is a drainage problem on the new lot. Bob Todd will dedicate an 8’ drainage easement to help solve this problem. This brought up discussion on an issue that the town is often taking responsibility for unforeseen extra runoff from the clearing of properties.
· Right Way Builders-They are considering abandoning the age restriction and this project may become 20 single-family homes instead of condexes. The million-dollar road was discussed and the Planning Board feels the Selectmen will have to plan and approve the road. Dave requested the developer bring the final plan for the road to the Selectmen for approval or denial.
· The Steep Slopes Committee met with the Planning Board and presented a radically altered ordinance saying it is ok to build on steep slopes as long as the project is adequately engineered. A public hearing was scheduled for December 13. The Steep Slopes Committee requested that the town retain an engineer to inspect steep slopes issues. This position would probably be revenue neutral. Amy Alexander and her firm could be asked to take this on, but they already seem overworked. Burton suggested asking Brian Dorwart or Roch Larochelle to see if they might be interested in this type of extra work or if their engineering firms would.
· Compliance hearings were held for the new pet grooming place, the Leclair lot and Sizemore property.
· Carriage Road grading at Susan Road intersection-This is Earl Sandford v. Amy Alexander. Earl was present at the hearing and asked to continue with T.F. Moran’s plan. Amy was not but sent in a letter stating she wishes to lower the grade of the road. No decision was made. A sitewalk was scheduled.
2. 2006 Operating Budget Topics-
· The Selectmen reviewed the Police Department budget, which reflects a $60,000 increase. The Selectmen feel this is too high. The overtime budget was felt to be excessive due to requests from the police Chief for extra coverage while officers are away on vacation or at training. Burton will talk to Chris Krajenka about this. Chris also requested a part time prosecutor or a part time police officer. Dave prefers a part time officer, Gordon agrees with the prosecutor idea. The Selectmen plan to request a monthly calendar from Chris showing how these people will be used before making a decision on this. They will also talk to Chris for
clarification on the prosecutor’s function. Floor tile replacement was requested for the police station. Christine went in recently and noticed that the tiles have not been waxed or maintained. The tiles in the offices and bathroom should be waxed now but the tiles in the front room need to be replaced. The project probably won’t cost the projected $3,000. The estimate to pressure wash the police station is believed to be too high, and other estimates may be too high and will be checked.
· The library has requested to hire a new assistant. This will be discussed when more information is received. The roof estimate seems high.
F. NEW BUSINESS:
1. Selectmen’s 2006 Budget-Burton reviewed the budget with the Selectmen.
2. Holidays for 2006-The Selectmen reviewed and approved a list of holidays taken by town employees.
3. Selectmen’s Meeting Schedule for 2006-The Selectmen reviewed and revised a list of dates to hold Selectmen’s meetings.
G. OTHER:
1. Burton asked the Selectmen if they had any suggestions for the photo for the cover of the Town Report. The Town Hall roof was selected. Burton also asked for suggestions for milestones. The Selectmen will get back to him on those.
2. A Livable Walkable Communities meeting will be held Wednesday November 30 at 7:00 PM at the Community Church. The Selectmen may wish to attend.
3. A contract to have GZA do the wells has been reviewed with Jerry Cornett, the Transfer Station manager. The Selectmen signed the contract.
4. Mary Pinkham-Langer from DES has rescheduled to come to New Boston to view the major gravel pits on December 7. She will look at Tingley’s pit while she is here.
5. A sign from New Boston Artisans was erected without permission on the town grounds across from the bank.
H. PUBLIC COMMENT: No comments at this time.
I. Move to enter Non-Public Session: David made a motion to go into Non-Public session per RSA 91-A:3II(a) at 10:12 PM. Christine seconded the motion. All were in favor.
J. Move to exit Non-Public Session: David made a motion to exit Non-Public Session at 10:55 PM. Christine seconded the motion. All were in favor.
K. ADJOURNMENT: David made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 10:55 PM. Christine seconded the motion. All were in favor.
Prepared by Maralyn Segien
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