SELECTMEN’S MEETING
February 6, 2006
Call to Order
Chairman Harding opened the meeting at 7:04pm. In attendance were Selectman John P. Ulcickas, Selectman Gary F. Nelson, Chairman Norman P. Harding and Town Administrator Nancy J. Wrigley. Minutes were transcribed and typed by Office Manager Mary B. Winglass.
Introduction of Guests
Old Business
A. Mr. John Walsh of Brookside Lane RE: Operation of the Transfer Station
Chairman Harding asked if Mr. Walsh was present at the meeting. Mr. Walsh was not present.
The Board discussed Mr. Walsh’s e-mails and letter regarding his issues that are not only with discarded tires on town property located at the back of his property but the cleanliness and operation of the Transfer Station. The Board decided to not discuss Mr. Walsh’s concerns without him being present. The Board did discuss with Conservation Commission Chairman Trisha McCarthy the plan to pick up the tires in the spring before mosquito season for it cannot be done now for the tires are frozen to the ground. The Board decided to send a letter to Mr. Walsh inviting him to the next Selectmen’s meeting to discuss his concerns with the operation of the Transfer Station and to notify him that the tires will be picked up in the spring before mosquito breeding.
Roger Clark, Transfer Station Manager discussed with the Selectmen appointing a Solid Waste Task Force Committee to investigate trash disposal, recycling, bulky items and the beautification of the Transfer Station. The Board requested that Mr. Clark write up a list of duties to be performed by the Task Force for the Board’s consideration. The Board announced that at this time they are considering appointing a Solid Waste Task Force Committee and anyone interested in becoming involved need to submit their request in writing to the Selectmen’s Office. The Board requested that the letter to Mr. Walsh include information about this committee for he may want to get involved.
Conservation Commission Chairman Trisha McCarthy added that the property located behind the Transfer Station is not Conservation land. In order for town owned land to become Conservation land, the legislative body must vote favorably at an Annual Town Meeting; this land does not have easy access to it and would be difficult to manage. Ms. McCarthy stated that she would talk about this land at the next Conservation Commission meeting.
B. Stewardship Committee Bylaws
Mary Marshall, Chairperson of the Stewardship Committee was present to answer any questions the Selectmen may have concerning the draft bylaws. Chairman Harding questioned her whether there is a state RSA governing this committee. Mrs. Marshall responded that there are no State RSA’s governing this committee. This committee functions as a subcommittee of the Board of Selectmen, therefore she was careful to delineate that the Board of Selectmen are the responsible agents in charge of spending money out of the legal fund for the protection of the easement. The legal fund started with $10,000 and is held by the Treasurer at the Merrimac Savings Bank and funding is also available from LCHIP if the landowner and the town through arbitration are unable to resolve the problem. Mrs. Marshall added that the
interest earned can be used to train new committee members.
Chairman Harding motioned that the Board of Selectmen adopt the draft bylaws as written for the Stewardship Committee. Second by Selectman Nelson. Vote: Unanimous.
The appointments for this committee were discussed and it was decided that appointments for the committee will be staggered so that one appointment is concluded each year and the Board will process the five year appointments in April after the Annual Town Meeting.
New Business
A. Mr. David Morgan of Valley Drive RE: Snow plowing concerns
The Board asked if Mr. David Morgan was present at the meeting. Mr. Morgan was not present. The Board briefly reviewed Mr. Morgan’s letter of concern regarding the plows passing by the front of his property. Mr. Morgan lives on a dead end street and he has watched the plows go by his street without plowing the front of his property. Mr. Morgan included pictures from the last snow storm. Road Agent Frank Gibbs was present and stated that the first complaint was that the town plowed too close to the stakes and the next complaint was that the town plowed too far away from the front of his property. The Board decided to table this issue until all parties are present to discuss it. The Board requested that a letter be mailed to Mr. Morgan inviting him to the next Selectmen’s meeting in order
to hear both sides of the issue.
B. Mr. & Mrs. Timothy Crowley RE: Snow plowing concerns
Mr. & Mrs. Timothy Crowley were present and discussed with the Selectmen that they have lived on Kenwood Drive for almost 10 years and the plowing has always been done beautifully and he has had no problems in the past. This year he is having a problem for the snowplow is digging up the grass and shrubs and he placed reflectors at the edge of the pavement in order to protect the area. Mr. Crowley added that the markers are bent over and broken and the grass is dug up and we have not even had a lot of snow this year.
Chairman Harding explained that the town has approximately 13 feet from the edge of the pavement as the town’s right of way. Since the grass, shrubs and reflectors were placed within the town’s right of way, they are placed there under their own peril. Road Agent Frank Gibbs stated that the town has an obligation to clear the roads and to open them up after each storm by pushing the snow back off the road onto the town’s right of way.
Selectman Nelson asked Frank Gibbs if it is reasonable to ask the snowplowers to be careful of the shrubs. Mr. Gibbs responded that he would speak to him.
Mary Crowley added that the Newton Postmaster came out to their property to tell them exactly where to place the mailbox and if they are going to hit the reflectors then they may hit the mailbox. Mr. Gibbs responded that we will try to be more careful.
C. Recreation Commission RE: Newly Adopted and Revised Rules, Chapter Env-Wq
1100 Public Bathing Places
The Board reviewed a letter from the State of New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services informing the town of the new changes that need to be incorporated into the Public Bathing Place (town beach) starting this summer.
The Board discussed the supervision, safety, emergency rescue equipment, toilets and trash receptacles regulations defined in the newly adopted and revised rules, Chapter Env-Wq 1100 Public Bathing Places Adopted Effective 11/01/2005.
Selectman Nelson stated that the Recreation Commission has reviewed the newly adopted rules and plan on having more signs this year notifying the residents in the absence of a lifeguard the location of the nearest public telephone. The Board discussed providing a toilet at the beach installed so that it cannot be tipped over; Selectman Nelson will convey these issues to the Recreation Commission at their next meeting.
D. Transfer Station Manager Roger Clark RE: Solid Waste Task Force Committee and
the town’s Solid Waste Contract
The Board reviewed the Invitation to Bid for Solid Waste Disposal that was used in the year 2003 when the town last went out to bid. The town’s contract for solid waste disposal with G. Mello Disposal runs out early in 2007 and the Board needs to start looking at going out to bid as the process can be lengthy.
The Board reviewed the specifications attached to the bid and the Board requested that the tonnage to be updated to include year 2003 and 2004 totals. In the meantime, the Board will review the information given to them regarding the current contract.
Announcements
· First Session of Annual Town Meeting (Deliberative Session) is tomorrow night, February 7th at 7pm in the gym at the Middle School
Cable Committee Chairman Andy Morse requested that the Selectmen’s Office contact the Middle School to remind them of the Deliberative Session and that the Cable Committee will be there around 4:30pm to set up and to make sure that this information gets to the custodial staff.
· First Session of Annual School District Meeting on Thursday, February 9th at 7pm held at the Sanborn Regional High School, Swasey Gym
Accept Minutes of Selectmen Meetings
· Public Hearing minutes of January 16, 2006
Chairman Harding motioned to accept the Public Hearing minutes of January 16, 2006 as written. Second by Selectman Nelson. Vote: Unanimous.
· Public Meeting minutes of January 16, 2006
Chairman Harding motioned to accept the Public Meeting minutes of January 16, 2006 as written. Second by Selectman Nelson. Vote: Unanimous.
Reports from Department Heads
Review of Action Items
Adjourn
Chairman Harding motioned to adjourn at 8:16pm. Second by Selectman Nelson. Vote: Unanimous.
Respectfully Submitted,
Mary B. Winglass
Office Manager
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