Minutes
Selectmen’s Meeting
January 9, 2006
6:30 PM Chair Netishen opened the meeting and asked all those present to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.
Members: Bill Netishen, Mary Bonser, Peter Bock and Town Administrator Charles A. Brown.
Guests: Sue Mooney, Tom Howe, Chris Wells, Deb Stevens, Jim Fernald, Sam Demeritt and other Conservation Commission members.
Mr. Brown explained the situation with 2 bridges, Deerfield Road near the end of Flutter Street and Freeman Hall Road that have been recommended by the state for closure. Much discussion followed. The detour for Deerfield Road will be approximately 14 miles so immediate action will be needed to bring this back to a safe condition. This is also a safety issue so the Board will make every effort to maintain access in this area. The Freeman Hall Road Bridge will be an inconvenience if closed but a detour would not be unreasonable. This may be addressed with an article in the warrant for advanced construction in 2006.
Motion: Bonser, second Bock to post bridges with signs saying Car Traffic Only, Pass at Your Own Risk.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
This matter will remain a high priority. Mr. Brown is in contact with the State and the Town’s engineering firm and will keep the Board informed of ongoing discussions.
The Board signed documents.
Motion: Bonser, second Bock to accept a 1-year assessing and data verification agreement in the amount of $50,650.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
Land Use Change Tax recommendations were considered for Map 40, Lot 10, Map 8, Lot 20, Map 40, Lot 4, Map 18, Lot 16-3 and Map 8, Lot 16-4.
Motion: Bonser, second Netishen to approve above stated LUCT assessments.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
An abatement was considered for Map 23, Lot 2-106.
Motion: Bock, second Bonser to approve the recommendation for the abatement.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
Next, the Board addressed minutes of previous meetings.
Motion: Netishen, second Bock to approve as corrected the minutes of December 12, 2005.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
Motion: Netishen, second Bock to approve as corrected the minutes of December 15, 2005.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
Mr. Brown informed the audience about the bridge issues. Mr. Brown will look into placing steel plates and gravel on the Deerfield Road bridge as suggested by Mr. Fernald as a possible temporary solution.
Next, Tom Howe and Chris Wells from the Society for the Protection of NH Forests spoke to the Board concerning the proposed conservation easement. Ms. Bonser asked about the Town’s executory interest statement. Mr. Howe responded that the Town can certainly be added and that LChip has their own executory statement. Much discussion followed regarding this issue. Mr. Netishen feels the town should have this executory interest and that it would be fine to have a co-interest with LChip. The Purchase and Sale Agreement will state a contingency plan regarding funds. Mr. Bock stated his understanding of the process was that the Town would be the first major contributor.
Communication throughout this whole process will be a big factor. Mr. Netishen asked if the funds from the Town would be needed before the end of two years. It was stated that the money would be needed at the closing, which could possibly take up to two years. Mr. Bock asked to see an existing agreement between the Society and other third parties. He wants to see examples of other documents similar to the one we will have. Mr. Netishen asked about the title work and the surveys. Title work will be updated but no additional survey work will be required. Mr. Howe stated that the Town of Warner funded the whole easement cost and transaction costs in 2 of their 3 proposed conservation easements. Discussion continued regarding reserved rights in the Draft Easement Deed. Mr. Netishen asked about
exception #3 under preserved rights section of the easement on page 6 of 8.
Ms. Bonser asked about guaranteed uses. This was discussed at length. Mr. Netishen asked about the size of any proposed parking area. The Society has the right to create one but is under no obligation to do this. There are no plans at this point in the process. Mr. Wells stated that this process may take 2 years but may very well happen within one year.
Motion: Bonser, second Bock that the Board of Selectmen support this proposal and place an article in the 2006 Warrant, contingent upon the Society obtaining a Purchase & Sale Agreement. Vote: 3-0 in favor.
Mr. Netishen thanked the Fernald family on behalf of the Board and the Town of Nottingham.
8:12 PM The Board took a short break.
8:20 PM The meeting resumed.
Motion: Bonser, second Netishen to approve placement of the Conservation Commission’s non- binding referendum on the 2006 warrant.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
The Town Report and the February community newsletter deadlines are both on January 13, 2006. Mr. Brown will check into posting and publishing the hearing for zoning changes.
The Board discussed warrant articles and approved adding liability lines for retirement. It was asked if the Board should place a warrant article to appoint Zoning Board of Adjustment members.
Ms. Bonser asked about the purchase of the voting machine to be available for the March elections. Mr. Brown will check into this.
The Nottingham Youth Association submitted a request to build dugouts on the front field at the Community Center. The Board asked what will happen when the field floods. Mr. Brown feels there should be a substantial restraint to keep vehicles from driving into the back of any dugout structure.
Based on the proposals received in October, Mr. Brown and the Cemetery Trustees have recommended Griffin Lawn Care for grounds maintenance services in 2006.
Motion: Netishen, second Bock to approve this recommendation.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
8:50 PM Motion: Netishen, second Bonser to enter into non-public session per RSA 91-A: 3 II (c).
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
Return to regular meeting
9:12 PM Motion: Bonser, second Netishen to keep all discussion in non-public session non-public.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
9:13 PM Having no further discussion before the Board,
Motion: Bonser, second Netishen to adjourn.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
Respectfully Submitted,
Charles A. Brown
Town Administrator
Approved as corrected
1/23/06
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