Town of New Boston
Selectmen's Meeting
November 16, 2009
PRESENT: Rodney Towne 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: None.
C. APPOINTMENTS:
None.
D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
1. Minutes of November 2, 2009 - The Selectmen reviewed the minutes. Corrections were noted. Christine moved that they be accepted as amended. Rodney seconded the motion. All were in favor.
- Non-Public Minutes of November 2, 2009 - The Selectmen reviewed all three sets of non-public minutes. Christine moved that they be accepted as presented. Rodney seconded the motion. All were in favor. The Selectmen also discussed whether non-public minutes should be more explanatory in the future. Burton will ask Dan Crean for his opinion.
E. OLD BUSINESS:
- John and Kristen Montgomery withdrew their desire for an informational session. However, several interested residents attended. The Montgomerys did request to expand their hours of operation to start lunch at 11:00AM instead of noon daily and have a Sunday brunch starting at 10:30AM.
- The workforce Multifamily Housing Committee’s work was discussed but no decisions were made. There is a deadline in January.
- The Planning Board discussed proposed zoning amendments.
- The Planning Board discussed the Capital Improvement Program. Most members felt a downtown cistern is not worth pursuing and should be removed from the CIP. The Planning Board approved the rest of the CIP. The CIP is the Selectmen’s ultimate decision after discussion with the Finance Committee. Fire Chief Dan MacDonald and Burton have also discussed the cistern and remembered that the Planning Board was the initial entity that put this program forward. They also decided the cistern plan is now ready to be brought forward after many years of consideration. The Selectmen also discussed alternative options of getting water downtown in case of a fire.
- A sitewalk was held at the LaChance development on Lull Road and the Twin Bridge Road development on Page Lane. No issues were found and compliance hearings should take place without issues.
- Doug Hill Christian Farm Drive Request-The Planning Board decided they were not ready to change their policy and accept roads that are not ready to be accepted and told Doug the road is not ready for acceptance because of the problems. Dave Elliott noted the road was constructed properly but was insufficiently plowed last winter by a pick up truck. He thought that may have caused some of the problems and recommended the road be plowed in the same manner that the town would this winter to see if that would prevent the same problem from happening again.
- The Northpoint Engineering Contract with Kevin Leonard is ready for renewal. The Planning Board noted they are well satisfied with his services.
- Town Grounds Cost Sharing-The town is considering a cost-sharing proposal with the Recreation Department. The Recreation Commission will be sent a letter inviting them to meet with the Selectmen to discuss it. Rodney noted the Recreation Department’s revolving fund was depleted by the grandstand project but is expected to grow again slowly. The Recreation Department cares for many areas in town. Dave spoke to Recreation Commissioner Lee Brown about the possibility of the Recreation Commission taking over ownership of the Depot building and Lee recommended they take it over as a rental property to generate some revenue but probably wouldn’t generate much. Dave would rather the town take it over for its historical value and investigate ways a different entity could own it in the future
preserving its historical value. Burton wrote to Town Attorney Bill Drescher about it but he hasn’t sent a reply. The Recreation Department has also noted they plan to do more fundraising in the future.
- Christian Farm Drive Request-The Selectmen approved a letter to Doug Hill. This will be the second on the subject of plowing the subdivision road this winter and restates the Board’s view that the Town should not take on this responsibility as it does not yet own the road.
F. NEW BUSINESS:
- Raffle License Request-The Selectmen reviewed a raffle request from Hair For Good. There are some questions about how long they have been operating and what their tax status is. Burton will get more information from Ginger Bateman and contact Terry Knowles at the New Hampshire Attorney General’s office for more information if necessary.
- Asbestos Abatement-Envirovanage surveyed the basement today and will send a letter to Burton about what needs to be done. Burton is then hoping to have the information needed to get some quotes and start applying for grants to get the work done.
- 3.Twin Bridge Estates Road Name-The Selectmen will ask for clarification on where the road is. If it is a new road they will suggest some names reflecting the names of the owners of the first mill in New Boston that once stood in that area. The names are Wright, Walker or Emery.
- Northpoint Engineering Contract-The Selectmen signed the contract.
- Preparation Of Selectmen Budget-The Selectmen reviewed the budget.
G. OTHER:
- Conservation Commission - Ken Lombard was present to speak with the Selectmen about a possible purchase of land for town use.
Move to enter Non-Public Session: Rodney made a motion to go into Non-Public session per RSA 91-A:3II(d) at 8:45 PM. Christine seconded the motion. All were in favor.
Move to exit Non-Public Session: Christine made a motion to exit Non-Public Session at 9:00 PM. Rodney seconded the motion. All were in favor.
- . Police Chief Chris Krajenka was present to speak with the Selectmen about the Community Meeting the Police Department held tonight in light of the recent incident in Mont Vernon and the spike in firearm and alarm permits. He noted the meeting was a success and the speakers that attended were very helpful. Someone offered to hold a firearms course to the public in town. Chris will get his credentials and see if this would be possible to schedule.
- . Rodney suggested Town Clerk Irene Baudreau meet with the Selectmen and Police Chief to work out security for the Town Clerk office especially at night and the meeting will be scheduled. Burton noted she purchased a wireless doorbell to alarm other departments in the building when an incident is in progress during the day so other employees can come to her aid. The night hours were discussed and the Selectmen considered moving the night hours to Wednesday instead of Thursday as Wednesday is a more active night for town meetings or a second employee could also work with her on Thursday night.
- . The town needs to hire a Deputy Town Clerk now that Nancy has resigned.
- . Transfer Station Manager Gerry Cornett is arranging with D&S to help with the disposal of debris from the recent fire at the Riendeau residence on Saunders Hill Road.
- . Burton will make sure a representative from town will attend the upcoming John Stark Scenic Byway Council meeting.
- . Peter Clark sent an inquiry, as he wants to hunt on Ken Marvel’s property, which is posted. The town has an easement but it says the Marvels have a right to post the property. However they receive a 20% current use reduction and must allow recreation on the property such as hunting. Dave suggested Burton should write to the Marvels and ask how they want to handle it. The town should also have a system in place to review how other properties receiving a reduction under current use are using their land. Jack McCarthy who is helping with the revaluation may be able to help with this.
H. PUBLIC COMMENT: No comments at this time.
K. ADJOURNMENT: Gordon made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 11:00 PM. David seconded the motion. All were in favor.
Prepared by Maralyn Segien
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