Town of New Boston
Selectmen's Meeting
November 30, 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:
1. 7:00 PM Climate Committee
Members of the Climate and Energy Committee were present to meet with the Selectmen to discuss the proposed ordinance to adopt the provisions of RSA 38-D and allow them to become the New Boston Climate Commission. This is a Public Hearing noticed in the Goffstown News of November 12. The ordinance allows them to have 3 to 10 members, the Climate Committee discussed it and thought a commission consisting of three members and one alternate would be a good fit for their group, but after discussion with the Selectmen the ordinance will read according to the statute and will probably begin with five regular members and two alternates as other town commissions do. Climate and Energy Committee Chairman Susan Carr also noted the committee is still tracking energy grants and obtaining quotes for the work on the Town Hall
outlined in David Ely’s report. Burton mentioned a quote of approximately $10,000 was received for asbestos abatement in the Town Hall basement. Christine moved to adopt the provisions of RSA 38-D for a New Boston Energy Commission. Rodney seconded the motion. All were in favor. The Selectmen plan to adopt the ordinance and vote on the committee members at their next meeting. Burton will work on the ordinance draft and e-mail it to all parties to make sure they agree on the language before the next meeting. The Climate and Energy Committee also asked if the $500 they asked for to use for workshops and mailings would be included in the town budget next year. The Selectmen said that would be discussed at the Finance Committee meeting December 3. Susan also asked for a member of the Planning Board to serve as a member of the Energy Commission and wanted to make sure the Planning Board members knew they were welcome to be part
of the Energy Commission. The Selectmen suggested instead the Energy Commission could bring issues to the Planning Board for input and suggested they send a letter to the Planning Board to be placed on their agenda under miscellaneous to discuss the role the Planning Board would take on the Energy Commission.
2. 7:20 PM John Riendeau Road Agent
Road Agent John Riendeau was present to meet with the Selectmen to discuss road issues.
- The state installed new road signs all over town funded under a federal grant. There have been a few complaints. John is reviewing them and will decide how to fix any that he determines need to be changed.
- John and Rodney looked at Laurel Lane where Jestine and Adam Miller have asked to subdivide Peter Beers’ property and build a house on a Class VI road. They felt it isn’t reasonable to make the road a Class V road and if the proposed subdivision does happen it should be built on a Class VI road. This is the last expected subdivision of Peter Beers’ land. Dave asked the Planning Board how this would work and they said the Selectmen could allow as many houses on a Class VI road as they desire. Jestine and Adam won’t have to go to the ZBA for permission to build on a Class VI road but will to get permissionto subdivide on a Class VI road; they will just have to sign a waiver. John and Rodney also noted the condition of the road is good for a driveway. It is wide open with a solid gravel base. If it did become a class V gravel road it would need to be widened and a turnaround for a plow truck would be necessary. That would be difficult due to the placement of other residences
already in the area. Emergency vehicles could probably make their way down the road now but if it is not plowed in winter they may not be able to and that will be covered in the waiver.
- John noted Skip Gomes has been plowing the post office parking lot and the town portion of the road in the same area for years and has been doing a fine job. However he didn’t get the bid for the post office lot this year. Skip has already been signed to plow the town portion and noted he would still be able to do it per the agreement. The library contractor will plow the library area this year. The Selectmen decided next year the town vehicles will plow the library and probably the area Skip Gomes’ has been plowing.
D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
1. Minutes of November 16, 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 16, 2009 - The Selectmen reviewed the non-public minutes. Christine moved that they be accepted as presented. Rodney seconded the motion. All were in favor.
E. OLD BUSINESS:
1. Planning:
- The Planning Board reviewed the proposed zoning changes. Workforce and multifamily housing issues were discussed and the language has not yet been finalized. Public Hearings will be held shortly. These topics will be discussed again at the next Planning Board meeting. The Selectmen were concerned about proposed new building requirements.
- The LaChance subdivision and Twin Bridge Land Management subdivisions were found to be in compliance.
2. Asbestos Remediation-A quote of approximately $10,250 was received for asbestos removal in the Town Hall basement. This could be a Warrant Article subject to withdrawal from the Town Hall Renovation CRF. Burton will check with the company to make sure this price will still be good in the spring when the town would be ready to have it done.
3. Laurel Lane – Class VI Portion-The Selectmen would like the road to remain Class VI.
4. Footbridge Meeting-A meeting will be held December 15 at 7:00 at the Town Hall to meet with Mr. Tracy to see if there are any options to place the footbridge on his property. Burton will be unable to attend. The Selectmen were encouraged to attend.
F. NEW BUSINESS:
1. Hoyle Tanner Construction Contract – Lyndeborough Road Bridge-Hoyle Tanner can now move ahead with the bid process. An ad for bids will be placed in the Union Leader and various construction periodicals. One easement for the bridge construction is not yet finalized.
2. Personal Insurance Solicitation-Liberty Mutual asked if the town would schedule a meeting with the employees to discuss personal auto and home policies with Liberty Mutual. Principal Rick Matthews will also ask the School Board if they would like Liberty Mutual to meet with school employees to see if they have any interest in buying insurance from Liberty Mutual. The Selectmen might be willing to have pre-folded brochures placed in the envelopes with the employee paychecks if the school is willing to do the same.
3. LGC Conference-Burton reviewed the seminars he and Russ Boland attended at the recent Local Government Center Conference.
G. OTHER:
1. The Transfer Station called Christine Saturday during the power outage to ask if they could shut down due to the power outage. Burton and the other Selectmen were unavailable to consult so Christine granted permission.
2. The Board expressed their condolences by unanimous consent to the Dodge family for the loss of Betsey Dodge.
H. PUBLIC COMMENT: No comments at this time.
I. ADJOURNMENT: Christine made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:05 PM. Rodney seconded the motion. All were in favor.
Prepared by Maralyn Segien
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