Town of New Boston
Selectmen's Meeting
April 24, 2006
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 David Woodbury at 7:00PM beginning with the Pledge of Allegiance.
B. PUBLIC COMMENT: No public comments were made at this time.
C. APPOINTMENTS:
None
D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
1. Minutes of April 17, 2006 - The Selectmen reviewed the minutes. Corrections were noted. Christine moved that they be accepted as amended. David seconded the motion. All were in favor.
E. OLD BUSINESS:
1.Planning: None
2. 4-H Taxation-The Selectmen reviewed a memo from Burton dated April 18, 2006. Willard Dodge was present to discuss this topic with the Selectmen. He explained that 4-H has been taking gravel to expand parking and to help pay for some expenses involved in maintaining the grounds such as paying Dave Yost to work on Hall House and the septic that is expected to be done this year. He expects the gravel removal in the front should be completed before the Fourth of July Celebration but the back operation is expected to continue off and on for a number of years. Anna Herrero from DES recommended they go with a 20-year excavation plan, which the 4-H Foundation is considering. Dave’s opinion is that the gravel removal for construction of a parking area for 4-H use is
probably not taxable but the gravel operation from which they generate revenue to be applied toward expenses probably is taxable. Willard said that the gravel is being removed from an area of less than 2 acres, and the size will be reduced further since some of it will be closed by 2007. He said approximately 28,000 yards were removed last year and they expect to remove around the same amount this year. Dave pointed out the law calls for real estate taxation but the Selectmen do have the power to abate any tax and if they do choose to abate they will have to review the tax and decide whether to abate it every year. Willard pointed out that the tax would generate a minimal amount for the town and 4-H has saved the town approximately $30,000 by selling gravel to the Town in prior years at below market cost. The Selectmen were concerned if they abated this tax they would have to stop taxing other charitable real estate such as the apartment at Nan’s
House at the Community Church, however, the town gets a major direct benefit from 4-H grounds but not from Nan’s House. Also, should the foundation ever dissolve, the Town will inherit the 4-H property and buildings. The Selectmen agreed not to assess the town property tax on the gravel pit area. Christine moved not to put on property tax at the 4-H grounds where the gravel pit is. Gordon seconded the motion. All were in favor. The gravel tax will be collected as required by the state.
F. PUBLIC COMMENT:
John Palmer was present and was able to speak to the Selectmen about sludge containing coliform bacteria entering his property, which is entering through a stonewall from the property at the corner of Old Coach Road and Route 13. The sludge eventually gets dumped in the river through a drain in the road. 3 town health inspectors have dealt with this problem through the years. The sludge has been tested. People from NH DES have reviewed the situation. However, there has been no decision on how to deal with it. John said he and Heidi might want to sell the property someday and this will affect the sale if nothing is done about it. He believes the cause of the problem may be because the hill is mostly ledge and there is no way for the sludge to be absorbed before coming to the bottom of the hill.
The exact source of the sludge is not yet known. John suggested several solutions for the problem, one being to create a village sewage precinct. He requested the Selectmen get permission from his neighbor at the corner of Old Coach Road and Route 13 to enter their property with a backhoe to try to determine the cause of the problem by removing the stone wall and clawing down until ledge is hit and watching to see if the sludge is coming from up the hill. John asked if the town could pipe the sludge from the ledge source directly to the drain it eventually travels to or the town could buy the affected parcel of land or an underground perforated drainpipe could be installed. The Selectmen agreed to do a test to see if the level of coliform bacteria has increased or decreased. Dave suggested that the person from DES who is dealing with the Almus Chancey septage issue become involved with this problem as well as they join together at the same area
but are separate problems. John has already dealt with a person from DES who he does not want involved with this again and he will get the name of the person for the Selectmen. Dave suggested scheduling a sitewalk with the Selectmen and someone from DES to try to figure out what to do. It is not known at this time who would pay for a village sewer system or whether the financial obligation would fall on the Town at large, what it would cost or where it would be placed. The town was recommended many years ago to buy the field behind Howard Towne’s property but the town never acquired it. John also suggested a better way to test would be to dig out the cleanout for the D-box and put the required dye in there so it goes directly though leach fields instead of flushing it down the toilet as is normally done. The Selectmen will contact DES to set up an appointment to meet about this situation.
G. NEW BUSINESS:
1. Building Inspector Opening-Burton and Assistant Health Officer Shannon Silver met with Ed Hunter on Friday to see if he could serve as an interim building inspector. Ed would rather be a fire inspector but does have some building experience and has worked with the Goffstown Building Inspector. Ed has served as the Goffstown Fire Chief and knows how to deal with enforcement issues generally. Ed will be in Tuesday morning to work on things Shannon has set up for him and is available for subsequent Tuesday and Thursday office hours. He has discussed coordinating duties with Shannon.
The permanent Building Inspector the town is looking to hire will also likely be the code enforcement officer. Most towns our size combine the two functions. It will be stressed in the ad and in the interviews that the codes to be enforced will include not just zoning but steep slopes, driveways and all other regulations. Planning coordinator Nic Strong has requested job descriptions from other towns and New Boston’s Building Inspector job description will be enhanced. Gordon moved to accept Dennis Sarette’s resignation per his letter dated April 19, 2006. Christine seconded the motion. All were in favor.
2. Building Department Job Descriptions-The Selectmen will collect information regarding job descriptions from other towns, review applications and start emphasizing with Ed the need for expanded code enforcement. Burton reviewed the proposed ad for a building inspector with the Selectmen and they approved it. It will be posted immediately. The Selectmen will work on the job description further.
3. Approval of Several Letters-The Selectmen reviewed proposed letters to Peter Clark and Dennis Sarette. They were approved and will be mailed.
H. OLD BUSINESS:
2. Salary Ranges-The Selectmen reviewed a memo from Burton regarding the Building Department Secretary Wage and Salary Range. Shannon has expressed interest in taking on more challenging work and has done more than others have in the position of Building Department Secretary. She also works with Fire Chief Dan MacDonald and Planning Coordinator Nic Strong. She currently makes $12.23 per hour in all departments. Burton feels she should be making more for the Building Department component of her work and suggests a raise of approximately $1.50 for the time she spends doing Building Department work. She would remain at the current wage level for her time working for the Fire and Planning Departments. Christine felt that a raise of 75 cents for her work in
all departments might be a better solution. Shannon will now be taking on the Health Officer duties. She was told to keep a log of the hours she spends on the Health Officer duties to make sure the stipend she receives for this is appropriate. Shannon also helps the Fire Inspector.
A salary range packet was distributed to the Selectmen to review at home.
I. OTHER:
1. Gordon felt that the amount charged to Officer Kelly for a copy of his personnel file should be reduced to the town rate of 25 cents per page. The Selectmen have no issue with police copying fees when it involves research and redacting but the copying charge to an employee for their file should be the same as the town copying rate. The police employee files should be kept with the rest of the town employee files as well.
2. Gordon asked for follow up on the Chancey septage issue.
3. Mary Koon’s application for Open Space Committee was received. Gordon moved to accept it. Dave seconded the motion. All were in favor.
4. Interviews for the Deputy Town Clerk position will be conducted Tuesday and Thursday. A candidate may be presented to the Selectmen at the next meeting.
5. Tax Collector Ann Charbonneau worked on sending out the liens today. By calling people and reminding them to pay their property taxes last week, $55,000 was collected prior to the lien issuance.
6. The Selectmen will review a letter received today from Planning Coordinator Nic Strong.
J. PUBLIC COMMENT: No comments at this time.
K. ADJOURNMENT: Christine made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:30 PM. Gordon seconded the motion. All were in favor.
Prepared by Maralyn Segien
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