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Board of Selectmen's Minutes 10/19/2009
Town of New Boston
Selectmen's Meeting
October 19, 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:    

Adam and Jestine Miller were present as they had questions on the procedure they should follow to begin the process of building a house on a Class VI road.  They plan to subdivide Jestine’s father’s property on Laurel Lane a Class VI road and build a house there.  Adam and Jestine may have to upgrade the road up to their property.  They have not yet surveyed the property.  They are not sure of the Class V standards or what would be needed to bring the road up to Class V standards.  Burton will get the standards information for them and ask Road Agent John Riendeau to look at the road and see what needs to be done.  The Selectmen also recommended Adam and Jestine hire a registered land surveyor for an opinion of what needs to be done.  

C.  APPOINTMENTS:

        1.  7:00 PM             Dan MacDonald           Fire Department

Fire Chief Dan MacDonald and Assistant Fire Chief George St. John were present to meet with the Selectmen to discuss an additional expense to the Hose 1 refurbishment.  The Hose 1 refurbishment project was rebid in August 2009 due to problems with the company that was originally selected for the project.  Valley came in with the low bid but it was more than the $35,000 CIP.  They were awarded the refurb for $35,000.  This did not include a hydraulic package the Department wants to add to the truck to improve safety for $8,400 or a lights package for $6,150.  Burton said the money for these could be found in various places in the operating budget.   Dan said the Fire Department budget could probably cover most of it due to savings for gear of almost $10,000 and a $5,000 savings due to the projected number of runs this year.  The Selectmen decided to have the hydraulics package done now and decide on the lights package in November when the Fire Department meets with them again as they will have a better idea of the savings from the projected number of runs for the year at that time.  It was also suggested that the refurb program name on the CIP be changed to “Refurb and upgrade” due to the nature of the work now being done during the refurb process.  An additional Selectmen’s meeting will be scheduled in November with the Fire Department to discuss the possible implementation of billing for ambulance service.


        2.  7:30 PM             Nicola Strong                   Planning Department

Planning Coordinator Nicola Strong was present to meet with the Selectmen to clarify the Selectmen, Town Administrator and Department Manager roles in the evaluation process.  It was decided that the Selectmen have three roles in the process:  1.  to agree to any “exceeds expectations” rating.  2. to act as arbitrators in any disagreement on rating between the Town Administrator and Department Manager.  3.  as an appeals board if an employee does not agree with their rating.  Nic asked that the arbitration piece be added to the personnel manual, as there is nothing in there now relating to that issue.  The Selectmen also decided each evaluation year would be dealt with separately even if the same issue regarding rating comes up two years in a row.  Nic also noted that Planning Assistant Michele Brown has sent in her letter of resignation and her last day will be November 3.  A potluck lunch is planned for October 28 at noon if the Selectmen wish to attend.  Nic also said that Michele currently handles three things for the town that are not planning related.  One is Stamps.com.  Bookkeeper Karen Craven has agreed to handle that.  Michele also is the backup bookkeeper and office supply orderer for most of the town departments.  No one has taken over those duties at this time.

Move to enter Non-Public Session: Christine made a motion to go into Non-Public session per RSA 91-A:3II(b) at 8:08 PM.   Rodney seconded the motion.  All were in favor.

Move to exit Non-Public Session:    Christine made a motion to exit Non-Public Session at  8:45 PM.     Rodney seconded the motion.  All were in favor.

        3.  8:00 PM             David Ely and Energy Committee

David Ely, Susan Carr and Betsy from the Climate and Energy Committee were present to discuss the Town Hall energy improvement project with the Selectmen.  David has prepared a document to be used to get pricing estimates on the various components of the project he suggested in his report.  Mitch Larochelle is working on gathering the estimates.  David said the goal of the improvements is to get the Town Hall air sealed and this could save the town up to 50% on its energy bills for the Town Hall.  Geothermal is also a possibility for the Town Hall and David is researching this possibility with Bill Wenzl.  The committee is hoping residents will notice how inexpensive this project is and consider the same type of improvements for their own homes to decrease the energy use of the town of New Boston.   Climate and Energy Committee Chairman Susan Carr noted the committee continues to research the available grants and needs the pricing documentation to continue.  Burton will work on the asbestos abatement portion of the project.  Betsy noted the state government formed a task force last year and HB189, a 2009 bill, was passed that enables municipalities to establish energy commissions.  She recommends the town change the Climate and Energy Committee status to a commission as energy is expected to become even more of an issue and matter of policy as the years go by and becoming a commission will give the committee the status and respect it deserves and will allow the committee to accomplish more for the town.  If a commission is formed it will ask for $500 per year for supplies and workshops that the committee members have been paying for themselves since the committee was formed.   It was unclear if the Selectmen could make a decision for the town on this or if it would have to go to a town vote.  The Selectmen decided to review the proposal further and discuss it at their next meeting. 

D.  APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

        1.  Minutes of October 5, 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 October 20, 2009 - The Selectmen reviewed both sets of non-public minutes.  Christine moved that they be accepted as presented.   Rodney seconded the motion.  All were in favor.
E.  OLD BUSINESS:

  •    Planning:  
  • The Planning Board received a letter of resignation dated September 25, 2009 from recording clerk Susan O’Brien.
  • The Planning Board met with Raymond Shea from Sandford Engineering regarding the Bussierre subdivision.  Three parcels were combined.  A one-year extension was requested.  The Planning Board decided this would be the last extension they would allow on this project.
  • The Planning Board reviewed and approved improvements to Neville Hall, soon to be called Gravity Hall.
  • The Planning Board approved a mobile generator from PSNH to be installed at Sizemore Auto.
  • The Planning Board noted that the Senate passed HB147 further defining unnecessary hardship requirements for variances under zoning ordinances.
  • The Planning Board discussed the recommendations from the Commercial Zoning Committee.
  • The Wilson Hill Road subdivision for the cell tower was asked to clarify the deed regarding the class 6 road status or request a variance.
  •    LeClair Builders Road Name-The developer wrote to the Selectmen saying they prefer the Fieldstone Drive road name.  Rodney moved to approve Fieldstone Drive.  Christine seconded the motion.  All were in favor.
  •    Lyndeborough Road Bridge-Burton noted the meeting with the abutters was held.  Mrs. Carlson signed three easements.  All abutters asked the town to consider a wooden guardrail instead of metal for an additional $10,000.  The Selectmen approved doing so.  Diane Blake wanted to make sure Hoyle Tanner knows her septic is near the bridge so they don’t put heavy equipment on it.  Jason Lodge from Hoyle Tanner has noted that and changed the plan to correct the property owner’s name.  She also asked about shrubbery replacement and if underground utilities could be considered for her property.  Burton will write to her with answers and then she will hopefully be ready to sign her two easements.  The project will then be ready to move forward.
F.  NEW BUSINESS:

  • Town Hall Phone System-The Town Hall phone system went down last week.  It was discovered the phone system has a hard drive that needs replacement for $900.  The new one is expected to last 7-9 years.
  • Non-Public (Employee Review(s))-Deferred to the end of the meeting.
G. OTHER:  

1.  Burton will ask Road Agent John Riendeau for a status on the storm damage cleanup.
2.  The Highway Department is working on the Town Hall/Fire Department project this week.
3.  Developer of Christian Farms Doug Hill asked the town to plow Christian Farm Road this winter although the road has not yet been approved.  The Selectmen will write advising town maintenance must await Planning Board acceptance of the road.
4.  Primex wrote asking the town to add a two-year extension until 2015 to its workers compensation contract with them for an additional discount of 2.5%.  The town is currently in a three-year contract with a discount of 5%.  Burton recommends staying with the current contract.  
5.  Health insurance premiums are expected to increase 16% this year.  Dental is expected to increase 5.5% this year.

H.  PUBLIC COMMENT:  No comments at this time.  
 
I.  Move to enter Non-Public Session: Christine made a motion to go into Non-Public session per RSA 91-A:3II(a) at 9:52 PM.   Rodney seconded the motion.  All were in favor.

J.  Move to exit Non-Public Session:    Christine made a motion to exit Non-Public Session at  10:15 PM.    Rodney seconded the motion.  All were in favor.

K.  ADJOURNMENT:    David made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 10:16 PM.   Christine seconded the motion.  All were in favor.


Prepared by Maralyn Segien