Town of New Boston
Selectmen's Meeting
July 10, 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 June 26, 2006 - The Selectmen reviewed the minutes. Corrections were noted. Christine moved that they be accepted as amended. Gordon seconded the motion. All were in favor.
2. Non-Public Minutes of June 26, 2006 - The Selectmen reviewed the non-public minutes. Gordon moved that they be accepted. Christine seconded the motion. All were in favor.
E. PUBLIC COMMENT: Police Chief Chris Krajenka said he is not sure how much of the prosecutor money he will use for improvements to the police station; he will wait until the end of the year to determine this.
F. OLD BUSINESS:
1. Opinion Survey-The department heads were present to meet with the Selectmen to discuss an employee opinion survey. Dan MacDonald spoke about the background of the department heads’ desire for a town employee opinion survey. He said the idea was initiated at a department head meeting as the department heads are seeking goals for the town, improve morale, discover what is important for town management and to identify and solve problems the employees feel are important. The survey consists of a broad range of questions, which the Selectmen feel may be too many but the department heads think it is the correct length for what they want to accomplish. The department heads want the results tabulated by a company outside the town of New Boston such as a
college. They are here to discuss the letter to employees prepared by the Selectmen and other issues with the survey. The department heads said they will encourage the employees within their department to answer the survey. After the results are tabulated the department heads wish work sessions between the department heads, Selectmen and Town Administrator to be set up to determine solutions to any problems that are revealed through the survey. Gordon requested that space be provided in the survey for positive comments as well. There was discussion on how to keep the comments from employees anonymous, as it may be evident through phrasing and style who wrote which comments. The tabulating company could try to generalize the comments if the department heads decide that is what they want done. After problems are determined, Planning Coordinator Nic Strong said it would be up to the department heads to determine if that particular problem
exists within their department. The survey will go to employees who work 18 hours per week or more. The Fire Department will get a similar questionnaire that will also contain questions specific to the Fire Department. The department heads will arrange for the tabulating company. Burton will redraft the letter to the employees based on revisions the department heads make.
G. Move to enter Non-Public Session: Gordon made a motion to go into Non-Public session per RSA 91-A:3II(a) at 7:52 PM. Christine seconded the motion. All were in favor.
L. Move to exit Non-Public Session: Gordon made a motion to exit Non-Public Session at 8:20 PM. Christine seconded the motion. All were in favor.
I. OLD BUSINESS:
2. Planning:
· Old Shipwreck Restaurant-The new owner came in with a design. The new building will be in the same footprint but will be squared off. The restaurant will be raised to overlook the river. The plan contains a full cellar, which, if he can show reduced water usage, ½ of the cellar may become a lounge in the future. The application was accepted as complete and approved. The burn of the old building will take place in two weeks.
· Right Way Builders Beard Road-Developer requested a 50 foot right of way but the Planning Board felt this would be too small so tabled it for now. A 2800’ cul-de-sac is planned.
· McCollum & Meadow Roads Subdivision 4 lots-Sitewalk took place and everything looked fine. 22.6 acres with an over 8% grade which the Planning Board will allow since the road is not heavily used. The application was approved.
· Pulpit Road Major Subdivision 7 lots-A traffic study was done which showed 2700 cars per day travel Bedford Road. Backlots are not allowed in this district. 1 backlot is planned but it has the most road frontage of all the lots. They were asked to come back when they have their permits from DES.
· Pulpit, Bedford and Campbell Pond Roads-Abutters were present concerned that lot #71-4 would come off of St. Jude Road. They were told this couldn’t happen. A sitewalk is scheduled for July 18. Gordon will attend.
· Rick Martin 217 Beard Road-Compliance sitewalk scheduled for July 18.
· Right Way Builders-A dam permit is needed. The town will not own the dam per Selectmen.
3. Alarm System Inspection Service-Burton will discuss the quote from John Briggs with the department heads but feels it is reasonable.
4. Personnel Manual Update-Burton has started working on this. Revision is prompted by a new manual from the Local Government Center with suggested language for many human resource topics.
H. NEW BUSINESS:
5. Wakeham lot-The Conservation commission is in favor of purchasing and option. Assessor George Hildum will send a letter containing his opinion on its value to the Selectmen.
I. OTHER:
1. The building inspector will work on the situation on Old Coach Road where a messy yard is spilling onto the road and a second driveway has been cut in.
2. Gordon showed an example of plastic decking from Mark Ciarla, which Mark proposes to use on the deck in front of the town hall. Some decking may be replaced with it to see if it helps. Lyndeborough also used this on the handicap ramp at their town hall.
3. Realtor signs look sloppy around town. The Building Department will also speak to the new Mill Street cafe owners to get the signs at Klondike Corner taken down. The sign permit policy should be reviewed to see if it should be changed to include signs all over town. If so, realtors should be brought in to discuss it.
4. Master Plan Contract. Scope of work deadline extended to December.
5. Arrowwood Drive, Phil Consolini’s new garage, by Woodmaster-is code not yet in effect? Did Dennis say it was ok-can this be documented? Go by code if possible. Let vent go and maybe sheetrock too (if occupancy change, it must be done).
J. PUBLIC COMMENT: No comments at this time.
K. ADJOURNMENT: David made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 10:35 PM. Christine seconded the motion. All were in favor.
Prepared by Maralyn Segien
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