Minutes
Selectmen’s Meeting
March 20, 2006
6:30 PM Chair Netishen opened the meeting and asked all to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.
Members: Bill Netishen, Mary Bonser, Peter Bock and Town Administrator Charles A. Brown.
Guests: John Fernald, Chelli & Kerry Tennis and Terry Bonser.
The Board addressed nominations for new board assignments.
Motion: Netishen, second Bock to nominate Ms. Bonser to Chairman of the Board of Selectmen.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
Motion: Bonser, second Bock to nominate Mr. Netishen as the representative from the Board for the Budget Committee.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
Motion: Bonser, second Netishen to nominate Mr. Bock for the Building Committee.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
Motion: Netishen, second Bonser to nominate Mr. Bock for the Economic Development Committee.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
Motion: Netishen, second Bock to nominate Ms. Bonser to the Planning Board.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
Mr. Bock asked about the Pawtuckaway Lake Advisory Committee and who would best handle that position. Ms. Bonser indicated that see would like to continue on this committee.
Motion: Bock, second Netishen to nominate Ms. Bonser to the PLAC.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
Ms. Bonser hopes that maybe the Capital Improvement Program could be added to the warrant recommendations in future years.
Motion: Bock, second Bonser to nominate Mr. Netishen to the CIP.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
The Road Agent, John Fernald, addressed the Board regarding his recommendations for the purchase of the road grader. He eliminated CAT as they did not quote a machine comparable to others and the price was much higher. Mr. Fernald went to New Brunswick, ME recently to demo a John Deere he had no issues with that machine, again, the price was higher than he is prepared to recommend. Mr. Fernald feels the choice is down to Komatsu or Volvo. Mr. Fernald explained the difference between direct and torque converter drives. The main difference between Komatsu and Volvo is the transmission. Komatsu has both options. The Volvo is direct drive only. Mr. Fernald has inquired into the Volvo transmission option but never received a figure from the salesman. Mr. Fernald would like to add a
transmission option if the Board decides go with Volvo. Mr. Fernald recommends the Komatsu as he feels the torque converter drive is more versatile and it is a similar transmission as in our existing machine. Also, Volvo is a new design just added to the product line.
Motion: Bock, second Netishen to accept Mr. Fernald’s recommendation to purchase the Komatsu Motor Grader.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
It was noted that the vote on the Mulligan Forest was a record vote with 96% of the voters approving a bond to purchase the conservation easement.
The Board discussed the voting process next. Moderator Terry Bonser feels overall the vote tally machine worked well. The whole process was different but overall they had few problems. A privacy screen would help to improve the system. There was a high numbers of write-ins this time which slowed the process a bit. Mr. Bock covered a number of questions he had received from voters. Mr. Bonser stated the day was a learning process concerning the ballot tabulation machine, the container and deflector that directs ballots into the proper area of the storage container. The manner in which ballots are fed into the machine affects the performance. The machine only holds 1500 ballots. All ballots should be different colors. Much discussion regarding trial machine and the whole
process. Mr. Bonser recommends the purchase of this machine. Mr. Netishen feels the write-ins should be published. The recount of School District questions will be at the Community Center at 7:00 PM in conference room #1.
7:38 PM Mr. Bonser left.
Chelli and Kerry Tennis spoke to the Board next. They would like to place temporary living quarters on their lot for six months with the possibly a six month renewal if necessary. This will allow them to live onsite while a new home is built on their existing lot. Mr. Brown gave the Board and the Ms. Tennis a copy of required conditions from the Building Inspector. The Tennis’ felt the conditions were reasonable.
Motion: Netishen, second Bonser to allow Mr. and Mrs. Tennis to place temporary housing on the lot while building a new home. This would be contingent upon an agreement being signed between the two parties. Subject to the Building Inspector’s requirements.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
Mr. Brown read a memo from the Recreation Director regarding the Nottingham Youth Association’s request to build two dugouts on the front field. The Board questioned the size and stated the biggest issue is safety. Mr. Brown stated he has brought up the need to place a barricade between the parking lot and the rear of the 1st baseline dugout. The Association has agreed this needs to be done and plans to use concrete filled pipes. The Board asked questions about this idea. The Building Inspector will need to be consulted.
Motion: Bonser, second Netishen to allow construction conditioned on the Building Inspector’s oversight of the project.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
Mr. Brown read another letter from the NYA concerning field usage and painting the website address on the side of the building.
Motion: Bonser, second Netishen to allow the NYA to use the fields this spring.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
The Board does not feel painting the address on the side of the building would be appropriate. They are concerned about the size and feel a removable sign would be better. Mr. Brown will discuss this with the Association, and give approval on the final design.
Next, the Board reviewed items that require signatures.
Motion: Bock, second Netishen to issue pole license #2587-T for NH Electric Co-op & Verizon.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
Motion: Bock, second Netishen to approve Sam Demeritt’s recommendation to appoint Diane Kirkwood as alternate to the Conservation Commission.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
After prior review of documentation and recommendations, the Board acted on the following items.
Motion: Bock, second Netishen to approve an abatement for Map 7, Lot 12 as recommended.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
Motion: Netishen, second Bock to approve an abatement for Map 25, Lot 13 as recommended.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
Motion: Bock, second Netishen to deny the request for abatement for Map 71, Lot 3 as recommended.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
Motion: Netishen, second Bock to deny the request for abatement for NH Electric Co-op as recommended.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
Motion: Netishen, second Bock to approve the Gravel Tax Levy for Map 10, Lot 8.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
There was a written request to abate interest on an overdue tax bill for Map 71 Lot 117.
Mr. Brown recommended denial of this request as this would set a bad president and there is no way the Town can update property transfers until we receive notification. Property owners must realize they are responsible for taxes. Towns do not sent follow-up notices if taxes are not paid on time.
Motion: Netishen, second Bonser to deny the request for abatement of interest on Map 71, Lot 117.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
Mr. Brown informed the Board regarding his discussion with legal counsel on the Lee Farm cleanup and the State’s involvement.
Ms. Bonser, as an abutter, recused herself for the Lee Farm issue. Mr. Brown asked the Board for input on possible uses of the property if it is deeded to the Town. Most suggestions revolved around conservation issues and athletic uses. Because of contamination on the property, the Town is negotiating with the State for a waiver of liability or some similar agreement before accepting a tax deed for this property. Much general discussion followed, no action was taken.
Ms. Bonser returned to the table.
The Board decided that previous minutes will be acted on during the Wednesday morning meeting.
It was asked what will occur if the P/S agreement for Mulligan falls through. Mr. Brown stated that he will be asking our financial sources for the best ways to deal with that possibility. He feels it maybe beneficial to deal with sources other than the Bond Bank.
Ms. Bonser made several announcements.
8:55 PM Having no further business before the Board,
Motion: Netishen, second Bock to adjourn.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
Respectfully Submitted,
Charles A. Brown
Town Administrator
Approved as corrected
4/3/06
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