Town of New Boston
Selectmen's Meeting
September 22, 2008
PRESENT: Gordon Carlstrom electman - Absent
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:
Steve Stepanek a republican candidate for executive council was present to introduce himself to the Selectmen and let them know what the function of the executive council is. The executive council appoints judges, state department heads and commissioners and review and approve every state contract over $5,000. He graduated from Villanova University with a degree in finance and economics and started and owned Hampshire Paper up until a few years ago when he sold the company. He has experience as a small business owner and was a Selectmen in Amherst, served on the Ways and Means Committee, is in his third term as a state representative and is currently on the Finance Committee, is one of 4 non-lawyer members of the Supreme Court Committee and served 5 years on the Hillsborough County Executive Council and is now running
for the state Executive Council for district 5 representing 25 towns and 2 cities. He feels they need someone like him with business experience to help review contracts. He also reminded the Selectmen that if they have a problem with a state department or committee they should contact their executive council representative to help when dealing with state agencies. He is here because he wants to get to know all of the towns and cities he could represent to learn how to best help them. Another interest of his is economic development and if elected he wants to improve the state involvement in economic development to get more businesses and jobs in New Hampshire. Dave suggested he contact the New Boston Bulletin to get his message out to the town.
C. APPOINTMENTS:
1. 7:00 PM John Riendeau Road Agent
Road Agent John Riendeau was present to meet with the Selectmen to discuss the purchase of the new 10-wheel dump truck the Department is proposing to purchase next year. He has found a brand new 2007 Mack chassis and received a quote of $98,000 for it. The Mack representative was scheduled to attend tonight’s meeting but was unable to attend. The Selectmen are interested in this option and want to discuss it further with the salesman. A 2008 Mack was quoted for $123,545. John recommends the town get the 2007 truck. The 2007 may also be less costly to maintain because it will not have the new emissions requirements the 2008 or 2009 would have. The town has been offered a finance plan of $0 down and pays 50% of the price the first year and the rest of the price the second year. There is
currently $150,000 in the CRF fund for the truck, which would cover the first year plus the body of the truck. A warrant article to expend the funds would be placed on the March ballot. Brandy Mitroff was present and suggested the town might want to consider using 2 Warrant Articles to handle this purchase. Of the $55,000 total planned to go toward truck purchases, some will be needed for the truck purchase and the remainder would go into the CRF for Highway Trucks. Burton will research how it was handled for the Fire Department last year. John also mentioned the Highway Department is pouring the last of the concrete in the first pipe on Tucker Mill Road. They will start taking the portable dam out Wednesday and swap it over to start working on the other pipe next week.
2. 7:30 PM Interviews-Footbridge
Bill Rossignol, Thomas Levins and Russ McKee from Holden Engineering were present to meet with the Selectmen to discuss plans for the footbridge. Bill said that since the last meeting the firm has done some field surveying and he pointed out on the plans there is about 80 feet of wetland between the bridge and the path the town will also have to deal with. They brought a contractor to the site to get bridge assembly prices from him and they included these on a chart. The contractor he worked with suggested another bridge or a catwalk over the wetland at a price of $40-50,000. The proposed 110’ long bridge the town predicted will fit nicely over the river. They designed redi-rock abutments outside the floodway and at the top of the bank. Redi-rock is a man made material that holds up well to
flooding. The data they used comes from 2001 in contrast to the recent flooding that has occurred in the past 3 years. The town will have to determine which conditions they want to build to. Bill then discussed the possible bridge types his firm suggests: 1. The Algonquin bridge which is similar to the Gregg Mill Bridge. 2. Used steel beams with a chain link fence 54” high or core ten steel with a timber rail. 54” is the minimum height permitted under code, they recommend a 4 or 5’ high chain link otherwise it gets more expensive for special ordered chain link of 54”. Steel prices are going up at this time and it is hard to get an accurate quote for delivery in 2009 at this time. 3. Wood pressure treated. 4. Old Metal Truss: It is hard to get good price information on this type as they have to contact a bridge finder, then once they find a bridge they have to go out and look at it and do
analysis to see if it would work in the location. 5. Concrete bridge probably too expensive to consider for this project. They recommend the town use the steel stringer bridge. They also suggested the contractor can use a crane on the tavern side of the river to get equipment and material to the Conservation Commission side of the river minimizing impact to that area. They have already spoken to Nancy Mayville at NH DOT about the possibility of getting more money for the project from the state and learned it may be possible. They understand the town does not want to ask town taxpayers for any more money for this project.
Sean James, Jason Lodge and Matt Low from Hoyle-Tanner were present to meet with the Selectmen to discuss plans for the footbridge. Jason explained how the project is not adequately funded but they have ideas to help keep it moving forward. He explained the bridge, abutments, design engineering and construction will cost approximately $300,000 equaling $60,000 for the town portion and $240,000 for the state portion. After their last meeting with the footbridge committee they reviewed bridge options. They considered the following: 1. Adaptive reuse of a rehabilitated old metal truss. In this situation you have to wait for a bridge to come along that meets the town’s needs. They have already started looking for a bridge for the town. 2. Glulum Bridge/prefab timber bridge. This type is limited to 95’ long per section so the town would need 2 pieces and a pier in the middle to make the 110’ span, which would ultimately increase the cost too much. 3. Prestressed concrete box
beam. This would be $90,000 for the bridge only delivered to the site, not including installation or railings. They suggested the cost of the railing could be donated to the town at approximately $10,000, comparable to the Con-tech and Anderson prices. 4. Used bridge. They said this type of bridge is possible but similar to number 1. 5. Acrow bridge. These are used as temporary vehicle bridges during road construction, they showed a picture and it is not very aesthetic and they do not suggest the town use this bridge although it is the most affordable option. Otherwise all these bridge types are similar in price. They suggested helical piles under concrete abutments for support for minimum impact to the area. They have met with Nancy Mayville at NH DOT to find out if there is any more money available for this project and learned it may be possible. They understand the town does not want to ask town taxpayers for any more
money for this project. They suggested a number of fundraising ideas to get donations for part of the town’s portion of the funding. They mentioned foundation construction on the Conservation Commission side will be involved but they do have some options to consider for that. They also suggested a shorter span at an alternate location might decrease the cost.
Roch Larochelle from CMA Engineers, James Karmozyn from HEB and Bob Todd from Todd Land Use Consultants were present to meet with the Selectmen to discuss their ideas for the footbridge. Brian Dorwart was unable to attend tonight’s meeting. Roch explained that the process for this footbridge will not be similar to the process the town used through the bridge aid program when they installed the bridge on Gregg Mill Road. He said the proposed 110’ length seems appropriate but they still need to survey the area. He explained the town will need a construction easement on the tavern side of the river to get equipment in to work on the project. They also suggested the contractor can use a crane on the tavern side of the river to get equipment and material to the Conservation Commission side of the
river minimizing impact to that area. Roch then discussed the possible bridge types for this location: One option discussed was a used bridge. In this situation you have to wait for a bridge to come along that meets the town’s needs. He also discussed low impact foundation options and proposed a boardwalk over the wetlands on the conservation side. He suggested Helical piles under concrete abutments for support for minimum impact to the area unless the geo-technical study on the Conservation Commission side shows ledge. Spread footing is the least expensive option; another option would be to drive steel piles. Another option is a 150’ bridge to span most of the wetland as well as the river. Roch said an Algonquin Bridge, the least expensive option at approximately $50,000, is not possible to use in this situation because they are made in Canada and under the conditions of the grant all materials and craftsmanship
must be from the United States. He received a quote from Con-Tech of $96,000 for bridge and delivery to the site. It is his opinion that the total cost of the project would be approximately $300-350,000 including construction, engineering, boardwalk and mobilization of the crane. He discussed the difference between a participating and non-participating cost and said the boardwalk could possibly become a non-participating cost but would be part of the design and permitting for the footbridge project. The bridge would be a participating cost but the state would remain involved with both to make sure they are constructed to standards and codes. They have already spoken to Nancy Mayville at NH DOT and Tom Jamieson about funding options. He learned that hearings are starting in November and the town needs to send an e-mail or a formal letter to Tom asking to be placed on the hearing agenda. He recommended the town go before NHDOT/TEAC at the
hearings in November for additional funding and the town should contact them immediately to be placed on the agenda. He also recommended the complete engineering study be done now for informational purposes and then re-evaluate the project pending status of funding from the state.
D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
1. Minutes of September 8, 2008 - 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: Gordon is not present to update the Board on the Planning Board activity. David will attend tomorrow night’s meeting in Gordon’s place.
2. Survey:
· Employee manual. Burton has completed the last of the chapters of the employee manual and given them to the committee members.
· Retirement. The Selectmen wanted to tell the employees that consideration of the state retirement option should be put on hold for a while. Burton and the Selectmen will include it with information for the employees about the 457 plan. The Selectmen are considering increasing the town’s contribution to 4% if the employees increase the money they put in the plan to 8%
· Salary Plan. Burton is preparing a letter for the employees addressing the cap on the COLA of 3% the Selectmen decided to implement and including background information Burton has compiled.
F. NEW BUSINESS:
1. Sprinkler Inspection Fee Change-The Selectmen reviewed a letter they received from Fire Inspector Russ Boland asking to change the sprinkler inspection fee from $195 to $150. Burton and Russ discovered that surrounding towns do not have a consistent fee amount for this. They also determined that the actual cost to the town to perform this service is approximately $150. It is the town’s practice to try to use fees to cover the actual cost to the town of the service instead of use them to make revenue for the town. This fee will now be tracked on the Fire Inspector budget line instead of the Fire Department line. Christine moved the Selectmen accept the proposed fee change from $195 to $150. David seconded the motion. All were in favor.
G. OTHER:
1. Burton marked in the Local Government Center conference brochure the sessions he would like to attend at the upcoming conference in November. He asked the Selectmen to review and approve the selections.
2. Burton spoke to Karen Levchuk regarding how to handle Officer Kochanek’s appeal process. Burton asked if the Selectmen could be the appeal board and she referred him to RSA 43:6 which was reviewed and it was determined that the Selectmen should be disqualified from the appeal board. RSA 43:7 explains how to replace one Selectman on the appeal board but in this case all the Selectmen would have to be replaced so RSA 43:8 was consulted as it explains how to replace the whole Selectboard for the appeal board. Karen will check with Officer Kochanek and his Attorney Soltani on what they will agree to in this regard and get back to Burton. She also suggested town counsel should assist in running the appeal meeting.
3. Footbridge: Sandi Van Scoyoc from the Footbridge Committee was present during the engineering firm presentations and said she originally preferred to use Hoyle-Tanner for the project because they had the most experience with the TE program and council but tonight she thought Holden did a lot of good work and research and their total cost was less than the other 2 firms, however she worried this might be an underestimate since the other 2 consistently estimated approximately $350,000. Holden was also the only firm that really considered a used bridge, which could account for the lower cost estimate. Brandy Mitroff was also present and wondered if the state would approve a used bridge for the project. The town considered asking Bill Rossignol if he could ask Nancy Mayville about the option of using a used
bridge for the project. David said Hoyle-Tanner seemed the least connected with the cost issue tonight. Holden’s weakness was not emphasizing the wetland but in the end had the same idea as CMA for how to deal with it. It was agreed that Holden’s and CMA’s proposals and presentations were similar. Burton pointed out that Roch had a good point about how the actual cost will not be known until the engineering is done but otherwise Burton feels the process would be similar to the process used in the state bridge aid program. Everyone agreed that Holden is the preferred firm as they have already done a lot of work the other firms have yet to do. Brandy expressed concern about the difficulties with financing in this situation as there is cash on hand now to use for engineering but in the end it will be approximately 40% than is needed to complete the project. She spoke to the engineers about this and they said other towns
borrow money from the block grant and the Highway Department budget to cover it while they are waiting for the state funds to come in, but that could take 5 years. Burton said that it wouldn’t take 5 years because once the bridge is done or even as bills come in he can send them to the state for reimbursement and the state will reimburse them within 30 days as long as the town follows the schedule set by the state. The town and engineers are working within the state schedule. David asked if it makes sense to do the engineering study now if the town can’t raise the money to complete the project but said he thinks it does to get the information needed for the hearing in November. Burton and Sandi agreed. Brandy and Christine were not sure if they agreed because they don’t want public funds used without knowing if the state and town can get the extra money needed to complete the project. Sandi will contact Nancy Mayville and ask if
the town should do the engineering study before the hearing. Brandy also suggested Holden be contacted about why they did not consider Helical piles for abutments. Once the town has the answers to their questions they will contact the engineering firm they wish to use on this project.
H. PUBLIC COMMENT: No comments at this time.
I. ADJOURNMENT: Christine made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 10:45 PM. David seconded the motion. All were in favor.
Prepared by Maralyn Segien
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