Town of New Boston
Selectmen's Meeting
January 5, 2009
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 Gordon Carlstrom at 7:00PM beginning with the Pledge of Allegiance.
B. PUBLIC COMMENT: None.
C. APPOINTMENTS:
1. 7:00 PM John Riendeau Road Agent
Road Agent John Riendeau was present to meet with the Selectmen to discuss the Highway Department budget. It was noted there is approximately $25,000 left in the 2008 budget but some bills are still pending for December and the budget may be overexpended. The 2001 Ford F550 transmission will be replaced in the 2008 budget. It was noted that the department spent more than was provided in the FEMA grant for repairs from the flood damage but the operating budget covered the extra expenses. The department also spent more than it was given for the block grant but that amount was absorbed by the budget. John said the recent ice storm didn’t affect the department’s budget too much; it will have an impact in the spring when then begin cleaning up the branches on the side of the road. He noted the
department has a chipper and they may also hire a chipper to help with some of the big tress for a couple days at that time. He also noted there was a lot of storm activity in December that required the department to be out salting and plowing the roads, averaging two times per week. The department is pleased with the Magic Salt product they have recently begun using. The 2009 road paving plan was reviewed. It was suggested that the block grant money be used to catch up on the paving program. The Selectmen asked John to look at the potholes at Parker Road Bridge to see how they can be fixed. The Selectmen asked John if he could use the rock and glass material the Transfer Station collects instead of selling it to Weare to use in their roads. John said he doesn’t have a crusher to crush the material and it wouldn’t be that valuable to him. Mr. Montgomery responded to the Selectmen’s letter to him regarding replacing
the guardrail on Tucker Mill Road saying he is considering the possibility of private funding for a guardrail more aesthetically pleasing to him. John will research the cost of a replacement and will meet with him to discuss the options as he requested.
2. 7:30 PM Susan Carr Climate Committee
Susan Carr and the Climate Committee were present to meet with the Selectmen to discuss the ideas they have to help the town and residents save energy.
· They researched the cost of the energy audit they discussed with the Selectmen last week and found that it will cost $3500 for a report from the Jordan Institute prioritizing the changes needed in two town buildings (the committee chose the Town Hall and the Police Department) and it would tie in with the EPA Energy Challenge the town is currently involved in. The Jordan Institute has done this for several surrounding towns. The Selectmen asked how the $3500 would be paid back to the town and Susan said the cost could be included in the cost of renovations to make the building more energy efficient. Renovations are planned for the Town Hall in five years. The auditors would also consult during the renovations at an additional fee. The audit is needed to get
rebates and savings that are available when a building is made more energy efficient. The Selectmen wondered if the audit would be out of date by the time the Town Hall is renovated. The committee said energy efficiency technology is changing rapidly but the report should still be valid in five years. The Selectmen decided the Warrant Article for the energy audit should be included on the March ballot. Susan will meet with Burton to work on the language for the Warrant Article.
· The committee will work with the Planning Department regarding the new 422 Master Plan law permitting the Master Plan to have an energy chapter. The town’s Master Plan doesn’t contain one.
· The committee will ask some UNH interns to come and work with New Boston regarding energy issues and products.
· Susan mentioned Retscreen, free software that is available to municipalities to evaluate the value of energy projects to the town. She said NH towns that are realizing savings from energy changes are using this software. The Selectmen were interested in getting it for New Boston.
· The committee will give the energy training they discussed with the Selectmen at the last meeting to the Department Managers at a Department Manager meeting.
D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
1. Minutes of December 29, 2008 - The Selectmen reviewed the minutes. Corrections were noted. David moved that they be accepted as amended. Christine seconded the motion. All were in favor.
2. Non-Public Minutes of December 29, 2008 - The Selectmen reviewed the non-public minutes. Christine moved that they be accepted as presented. David seconded the motion. All were in favor.
E. OLD BUSINESS:
1. Planning:
· Public hearings took place to discuss the nine proposed amendments to the zoning ordinance, building code and flood plain ordinance. A second hearing will be scheduled regarding the zoning ordinance as this hearing resulted in some changes to it.
· Keith Diaz met with the Planning Board and asked the town to defer posting a bond for a conditional use permit until he had the permit. He will ask for his date to be changed to 2011 and the Planning Board said they will grant it.
· The Planning Board decided the Byam Road driveways will not be approved until there is a guardrail up the entire length of both sides or the slope requirements are met.
· The Planning Board is having difficulty determining the amount of the bond needed for the Cabral driveway on Inkberry Drive. The issues with the driveway are the fines that are washing into the town right of way from the driveway, the gradient and curvature and steep sideslopes of the driveway.
· The Planning Board will work with the Albertini’s on their driveway.
2. Survey-
· The meeting with Primex scheduled for January 7 was canceled due to the weather forecast. The Department Manager meeting scheduled that day will be postponed to January 14.
· Planning Coordinator Nic Strong will meet with the Selectmen at their January 20 meeting to discuss the evaluation process.
3. 2009 Budget-Burton said he has almost completed working on the operating budget. He expects it will be approximately $90,000 more than the default budget. The default budget is $3,785,000. The increase in the operating budget equals about 24 cents on the tax rate but decreases in the capitol expenditures will offset this. The revenue side could have a 15-20 cent impact on the tax rate. Town Assessor George Hildum said the town’s assessed value will go up $8,600,000 or 1.3% to 653M. The Selectmen will meet with the Finance Committee Saturday.
4. Topics For Selectmen’s Report-The Selectmen will prepare comments regarding the topics discussed at last week’s meeting.
F. NEW BUSINESS:
1. Default Budget-See above.
2. Land For Town Use-The Thibeault gravel pit is for sale. Ken Lombard from the Conservation Commission was notified. Burton e-mailed Thibeault and asked them to meet with the Selectmen after the Deliberative Session to discuss the property.
3. Vacation Carry-Over Requests-The library has 5 employees with vacation carry-over requests. Karen will get the details of their requests.
G. OTHER:
1. Fire Chief Dan MacDonald e-mailed Burton, as there will be a meeting at the Police Department on January 28 at 7:00 PM to discuss the ice storm.
2. The ice storm was declared an emergency so the town will get some money back from FEMA for it.
H. PUBLIC COMMENT: No comments at this time.
I. Move to enter Non-Public Session: David made a motion to go into Non-Public session per RSA 91-A:3II(a) at 8:40 PM. Christine seconded the motion. All were in favor.
J. Move to exit Non-Public Session: David made a motion to exit Non-Public Session at 9:00 PM. Christine seconded the motion. All were in favor.
K. ADJOURNMENT: David made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:01 PM. Christine seconded the motion. All were in favor.
Prepared by Maralyn Segien
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