Minutes
Selectmen’s Meeting
June 26, 2006
6:30 PM Chair Bonser opened the meeting and asked all those present to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.
Members: Mary Bonser, Peter Bock, Bill Netishen, Town Administrator Charles Brown and Heidi Seaverns.
Guests: Paul Colby (Building Inspector), Tom McGowen, Andrew & Sabrina Lichtenwalner, Julie Peel, Joel Shepard, Debra Nelson, Ellen Bleakley, Nancy & Kevin Montville, several other Priest Road residents and David Wright (7:53pm).
Ms. Bonser stated that the Board had originally intended to go into non-public session at the beginning of this meeting but given the number of residents of Priest Road in attendance she suggested the board hear their concerns first. The other members concurred. Ms. Bonser then recognized Andrew Lichtenwalner, 71 Priest Road as the spokesman for the residents. He informed the Board that the residents of Priest Road are very concerned about the increased traffic and the increased speed of the traffic on Priest Road since the Freeman Hall Bridge has washed out. They have submitted a petition requesting the Police Department set up a speed trap on Priest Road. Mr. Lichtenwalner stated that the heaviest traffic occurs between 6:30am-8:00am and from 4:00pm-6:00pm. Ideally, they would like an officer stationed somewhere on the
road for ½ hour in the morning and ½ hour in the afternoon. Mr. Brown stated that the Town has 6 full time Police officers at this time so it would be next to impossible to post an officer on Priest Road. We will be losing 1 officer in July and another officer will be leaving to go to the Police Academy in August Mr. Lichtenwalner stated that many residents have said that the Police could park in their driveway if necessary while performing speed enforcement. Mr. Lichtenwalner stated that he had seen an increased police presence on the road since speaking with the Chief & Sgt. Foss. One of the residents suggested cutting some brush on the sides of the road to increase the sight distances. Mr. Bock wanted to assure the residents that the Board takes their concerns seriously. He went on to say that roads are an almost daily topic of conversation, be it the condition of them or the speed in which they are traveled. Mr. Bock also voiced his concerns about the size of the
Police Department. A discussion about signage on the road followed. Mr. Netishen then asked Mr. Lichtenwalner if he thought that residents of the road were the ones speeding or was it people passing through. Mr. Lichtenwalner replied that both residents & non-residents were speeding. He commented that one resident in particular speeds all the time. Mr. Netishen asked if the speeding was a new problem since the bridge had been closed or had it been going on before. Mr. McGowen stated that speeding had been a problem before the bridge closure but it has increased dramatically since the closure. Mr. Lichtenwalner reported that the problem was a little better since the school had closed. A brief discussion about school buses and the speed of the buses followed. It was suggested that a letter be sent to the bus company in regards to the speed in which some buses travel as well as a letter to the residents of the road reminding them of the speed limit. Many residents brought up the
fact that there are several blind driveways on Priest Road and there is only 1 sign to indicate that. Ms. Bleakley said that she frequently walks her horse on the side of the road and people speed by her. Ms. Nelson suggested that the Board put an article in the Town newsletter reminding people of the speed limit on Town roads. Mr. Bock reminded everyone that
if the proposed new fire station is approved at Town Meeting next year, it will be located at the Route 152 end of Priest Road. He went on to say that the impact to the majority of the road would be minimal but there may be some widening done at the 152 end of the road. Mr. McGowen then asked if Priest Road was a scenic road. There was not a definitive answer. If it is designated as a scenic road, there are restrictions about the size of trees that can be cut without a public hearing. Mr. Brown will check into the status of Priest Road in this regard. As a result of the discussion , the Board will discuss additional signage (2 speed limit signs already up) and clearing of brush on the roadsides with the Road Agent, they will discuss with the Police Department about sending a letter to residents of Priest Road in regards
to the speed limit as well as putting an article in the newsletter and they will send a letter to the bus company in regards to buses speeding on Town roads. Mr. Lichtenwalner then informed the Board of an incident he had with an Eastern Propane Truck on Priest Road. He told the board that he had spoken with the transportation manager at Eastern on the day of the incident. Ms. Bonser remarked that maybe a letter from the Police Chief should go to Eastern Propane reminding them of the speed limit on Town Roads. Mr. Lichtenwalner then went on to state that in no way was this petition a slight on the Police Department. He stated that all the residents felt that the PD was doing their job. The Board thanked the residents for their input. All of the Priest Road residents left.
6:57 PM Motion: Bock, second Netishen to enter into non-public session under RSA 91-A: 3 II (a) & (d)
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
Return to regular meeting,
7:45PM Motion: Netishen, second Bock to come out of non-public session.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
Motion: Bonser, second Netishen to keep all discussion in non-public session non-public.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
Ms. Bonser recognized Paul Colby. Mr. Colby informed the Board that the next POD meeting will be held on Thursday June 29, 2006 at 1pm starting at the Elementary School. The group will tour the school facilities and then come down to the Community Center to have their meeting. He reported to the Board that the Memorandum of Understanding had been signed and forwarded on. He also informed the Board that the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) needs to be signed by the Town & the SAU. This allows the Town to use the school facility in case of an emergency. Raymond has a MOA in place for all three schools in Raymond. Ms. Bonser thanked Mr. Colby on behalf of the Board for accepting the position of Emergency Management Director.
Motion: Netishen, second Bock to approve a stipend of $2500 for Paul Colby for the remaining 6 months of 2006 for assuming the Emergency Management Director position and all duties & responsibilities that go along with the position.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
Motion: Netishen, second Bock to authorize Charles Brown to sign the Memorandum of Agreement with the school.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
Mr. Colby will start communication with the SAU in regard to the MOA tomorrow.
Mr. Netishen asked Mr. Colby if the number of building permits were running the same as last year at this time. Mr. Colby answered that he had issued permit #71 today. He went on to explain that the number of new homes remained constant from last year but he has seen a decrease in additions, garages and the like. He reported that one of the large subdivisions off Route 4 had started to build spec homes again after stopping this practice at the first of the year. He also stated that the Homestead subdivision was going to be all spec houses.
The Board next reviewed outstanding enforcement issues. First on the list was signs. Mr. Colby reported that he had not had direct contact with either the property owner or the business owner of the ice cream shop. Mr. Brown reported that he had had a phone conversation with the property owner. The property owner stated he could work with the Town in regard to signage but he felt there was no problem with the lighting on the property. Mr. Colby went on to say that he had been to the property a couple of times since the Board’s last meeting but had not seen either property owner or business owner at either visit. Ms. Bonser reported that she has been by the property a couple of times and did not see a problem with the lighting. Mr. Colby did have a phone conversation with the business owner who is reluctant to change
the signage. There was a brief discussion in regard to whether or not the new sign ordinance applied to this business. Mr. Wright stated that the applicant had been active since January and therefore should be exempt. Mr. Colby then stated that the applicant had been in contact with him prior to Town meeting but no permits had been pulled until after the new ordinance was passed. Mr. Colby and/or Mr. Brown will attempt to make contact with both the property owner & business owner.
Next to be discussed was Concrete Products of Londonderry and the concrete plant they own on Route 4. Mr. Colby reported to the Board that the company put a 36 x 43 addition on without a permit and they have not been to the Planning Board for site plan review. Much discussion followed as to the correct procedure which was agreed on that the applicant should go to the Planning Board for site plan review 1st and address the building permit after site plan is approved. If the building permit was addressed first and site plan was for some reason not approved, then the building would be in violation again. Mr. Bock asked what liability the Town takes on, if any, in the case of a building that was built without inspections. Mr. Colby replied that any certificate of occupancy for that building would clearly state that
the building was built without inspections. It was determined that Mr. Colby should make the initial contact in a letter with the property owner in regard to the building and the site plan review and what should be done to correct the situation as well as a timeframe in which it should be done. Mr. Colby thanked the Board for their time and left at 8:10PM.
The Board next reviewed a draft letter from Mr. Brown on behalf of the Town to Paul & Angela Sweet in regard to the continuing issues on their property. The Board okayed the letter. Mr. Netishen inquired as to the life of a cease & desist order. Mr. Brown stated he had spoken with the Town Attorney and that a cease & desist order does not have an expiration date but if the situation that it was issued for still persists, the Town should take action and not just let the order sit out there.
Mr. Brown reported to the Board that the Road Agent and Mrs. Carlson have been working with the FEMA representative preparing documentation for the reimbursement for the floods which is extremely time consuming. He said that each project must have its own documentation-labor, materials, equipment used. At last count Nottingham had 12-13 projects that have been completed. Once all the forms are completed, FEMA reviews them. If they approve the request, FEMA then forwards documentation to the State who is in charge of dispersal of funds.
The Recreation Department starts their summer concert series this Wednesday with the bluegrass band Mink Hills. The other concerts are on July 12- Rockus (50-90’s rock); July 26-Freese Brothers Big Band (swing); August 9-Jonathan Scott & the Blazing Hearts (country) and August 23-Susie Burke & David Surette (folk).
Mr. Brown next presented the Board with a policy for lost/misplaced payroll checks that the bookkeeper has prepared and would like action on. Lost/misplaced checks are a problem every year with the summer recreation employees and it is very time consuming to replace a check. The bookkeeper has proposed a $25.00 fee for a replaced check and that fee cannot be taken out of the replacement check.
Motion: Netishen, second Bock to adopt policy for lost/misplaced payroll checks as outlined.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
Ms. Bonser recognized David Wright. He gave the board a copy of the flyer that he & Janet Horvath have been working on to distribute at the State Park. The flyer has some information on Nottingham businesses and also the summer concert schedule. He would like to get the flyers printed so they can be given out to campers this weekend at the State Park. He has a quote of $220 from Bradford to print & cut the flyers and will take the money from his budget. The Board was happy with the flyer and gave Mr. Wright the go ahead to print the flyers. Mr. Bock reported to the Board that the Economic Development Committee is working on a letter to be sent to businesses in Nottingham promoting the opportunities of Nottingham Day. There is going to be a tent for businesses to display their products at Nottingham Day even if
they are unable to attend. There is also work being done on a Made in Nottingham tag for marketing purposes. Mr. Wright left at 8:26PM.
Ms. Bonser reported to the Board that the Accuview Voting Machine had been ordered from LHS today and would be used at the September Election. The Secretary of State’s Office has been notified as required that Nottingham will be using the machine.
Next on the agenda was the Recycling Center policies. Mr. Brown informed the Board that this would be a recurring item on the agenda. The Board needs to start thinking about how to address the Town’s recycling needs and how to best pay for it. The pay per bag system as well as set amounts for different size truckloads of debris would distribute the costs to the people using the recycling center. There are various options out there but the Board should start thinking about what they want to do.
Mr. Brown reported that the generator for the Highway Shed had been delivered and installed. The Board would like Mr. Colby to review Sgt Foss recommendations for additional signage barriers, etc and let them know what is needed.
Ms. Bonser reported that David Smith signed the agreement with SRPC for the part time planner to work for Nottingham. She will attend Wednesday meetings of the Board and be in the Planning Office on Thursdays for 8 hours. Her hours will possibly increase towards the end of the year with regulation review/proposed changes.
Mr. Brown reported to the board that the bids for the Freeman Hall Bridge project were opened today with Matt Low from HTA in attendance. HTA must review all bids for accuracy and once verified they will make a recommendation for award. DOT must approve the award of the project and usually goes with the low bid. The following bids were received:
J. Parker & Daughter $ 374,078.50
Bayview Construction $ 417,449.50
Busby Construction $ 347,559.50
T.Buck Construction $ 387,066.00
The soonest that construction would start would be August 1st, but that is unlikely. The process with DOT can take a month or more. The easements that are needed for the project are being worked on.
There were 2 bids received to demolish the old Police Department Building-
BAR Excavating $ 8483.80
Danley Demolition $ 5500.00
Motion: Bock, second Netishen to accept the bid of $ 5500.00 from Danley Demolition for demolition & removal of the old Police Department Building per specifications of the bid.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
There was one bid received for the trim/siding work to be done at the Community Center-
Spagna Remodeling $ 17,207.00
Motion: Netishen, second Bock to accept the bid of $ 17,207 for the trim/siding work to be done at the Community Center per specifications of the bid.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
Motion: Netishen, second Bock to accept as corrected the minutes of June 12, 2006.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
The Board reviewed the signature file.
The first item in the signature file was an abatement request for a portion of a Land Use Change Tax for Map 18 Lot 16-4. The Board reviewed the letter from Avitar in regards to the request from the taxpayer. There was an error made when the amount was originally assessed. After some discussion,
Motion: Bock, second Netishen to abate $ 8600.00 of Land Use Change Tax for Map 18 Lot 16-4.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
The remaining item in the signature file was the proposal for design services for the new fire station from Ricci Construction Company, Inc. The amount for the proposal is $ 14,580.00. The Board had previously voted to authorize this expenditure. A general discussion took place in regards to site suitability and the possibility of enclosing a portion of the bay area for the ambulance so it could be kept at a higher temperature. Mr. Bock stated that the engineering that Appledore has done indicates that the proposed site will be above the static level of the river and as long as the culvert is cleaned out and maintained. Mr. Bock went on to say that the Building Committee is striving to have the design of the building done in time for display at Nottingham Day in September.
Having no further business before the Board,
9:26 PM Motion: Bock, second Netishen to adjourn.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
Respectfully Submitted,
Heidi Seaverns
Approved as printed
7/10/06
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