Minutes
Selectmen’s Meeting
October 16, 2006
6:35 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, Elaine Schmottlach, and Hal Rafter.
Regarding department business, Mr. Brown reported that there were no new department issues to report other than the material added to the Nottingham Lake Dam during the May flood has been removed. The area has been loamed and seeded as well.
Paul Colby stepped forward to address the Board about the draft guidelines for code administration. Much discussion followed. In general, the Board wants to insure that the Town Administrator is aware of all correspondence and communication regarding Code Administration, that the Board members are notified prior to any communication being sent out to property owners, and that the timeframes for response to a complaint and the appeal process be clearly defined in all communications. The members want to see a sample letter; Mr. Colby will prepare one and forward it to them for their review. Mr. Bock asked if the Town could impose fines for violations. Mr. Colby stated the court could impose fines if it goes that far. Mr. Brown informed the Board that the office had received a complaint about junk cars, junk being stored,
tires being stockpiled and an illegal business being operated out of a residence. Mr. Colby did a site visit and observed from the street no junk cars in view, no junk being stored in view and a few tires. He recommended no further action be taken and will respond to the complainant with the Board’s approval. The complaint was dated October 3, 2006. With the new system in place, complaints of this nature will be handled more efficiently. Ms. Bonser brought up working in conjunction with the Health Officer. Mr. Colby replied that he often works with the Health Officer on failed septic systems, as well as other issues. He went on to state that in many life safety issues, the Health Officer has more authority than he or the Town Administrator does. Mr. Colby will make the changes to the guidelines and forward them to the Board for review before the next meeting. It is the Board’s intention to adopt the guidelines at the next meeting pending the changes made at this
meeting. Mr. Colby left at this time.
7:00PM Hal Rafter stepped forward in regard to changing polling hours. Mr. Brown stated he had been in contact with the Town Attorney and he is of the opinion that the Board of Selectmen cannot change state and federal election polling hours without going through the process outlined in RSA 659:4 which had been discussed at length during previous meetings. The Town/School election polling hours can be changed by the Selectmen or by vote at Town Meeting. The process for the state/federal election takes about 2 years. Much discussion followed. Mr. Bock said he wanted the Board to follow through, if the extended hours are approved, on staffing issues to make the process work. Elaine Schmottlach then stepped forward to address the Board. She stated she wants people to vote and it is getting harder to find people that are able
to be ballot clerks. If someone’s work schedule doesn’t allow him or her to make it to the polls, they can vote by using an absentee ballot. She went on to state that she is in favor of putting the issue to a vote at Town Meeting; so all present can provide input. More discussion about the process and also about absentee ballots followed. Mr. Rafter requested that information about obtaining an absentee ballot be put on the
Town website. Ms. Seaverns stated she would speak with the Town Clerk and get the appropriate information on the website.
Motion: Netishen, second Bock to put question on the 2007 warrant that is time specific to change polling hours for all elections (Town, School, State & Federal).
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
Both Ms. Schmottlach & Mr. Rafter thanked the Board and left the meeting at 7:35PM.
Regarding the outstanding minutes of October 2, 2006,
Motion: Netishen, second Bock to accept as corrected the minutes of October 2, 2006.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
Regarding the outstanding minutes of October 2, 2006 department head workshop meeting,
Motion: Netishen, second Bock to accept as corrected the minutes of October 2, 2006 department head workshop meeting.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
Ms. Bonser inquired if there had been a response to the letter to the Dam Bureau in regard to notification process for dam releases. Mr. Brown stated he had not received a reply. He will e-mail Jeff Blaney on Tuesday to check on the status of the request.
The Board next reviewed the commercial application form for use of the Recycling Center. Mr. Bock read the application form out loud. The only change to the form was the addition of the phrase “and their recycling permit numbers” to the end of statement # 4.
Motion: Bock, second Netishen to adopt the commercial enterprise application form as amended effective 30 days from this date.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
Both Mr. Bock and Mr. Netishen were at the recycling center on Saturday and reported that most people are happy to comply with the policies that are in place.
The Board next addressed the items in the signature file,
Motion: Netishen, second Bock to approve the abatement for 2004 taxes for NH Electric Co-op in the amount of $ 6492.48.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
Motion: Netishen, second Bock to approve abatement of a portion of a 2006 Land Use Change Tax (LUCT) in the amount of $ 3500.00 for Map 3 Lot 4-2.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
Motion: Netishen, second Bock to deny the current use application filed for Map 58 Lot 6-2A, Map 58 Lot 6-2 and Map 58 Lot 6.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
Mr. Brown informed the Board that deed letters from the Tax Collector had gone out and the deed date is December 6, 2006.
Next item to be discussed was the bond for Gerrior Lane Trust that will come due October 20, 2006. Mr. Brown reported that the Planning Board has multiple concerns about this project and do not want the bond to expire. The Planning Board meets on the 18th yet the Board of Selectmen do
not meet again until 30 October, 2006 so the bond could lapse if it is not called in time. Discussion followed and a result,
Motion: Netishen, second Bock to approve calling the letter of credit # 9425292 issued by TD BankNorth for Gerrior Lane Trust if recommended by the Planning Board.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
Motion: Bock, second Netishen to authorize Chairman Bonser to sign documents pertaining to this issue as Nottingham’s representative.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
Mr. Brown informed the Board that he would be leaving the office early on Friday morning to attend the Municipal Manager’s Meeting in Londonderry.
Next to be discussed were two letters received from citizens in regard to the police Chief’s testimony at the DOT hearing for the driveway permit for USA Springs. Both letters urged the Board to authorize the Police Chief to represent the Town in this matter. The Board feels they do not need to take any further action. They have given the Chief their full support in this matter. Mr. Brown will respond to the letters on behalf of the Board.
Mr. Bock informed the Board he had attended the Nottingham Day wrap up meeting. The location of next year’s event is still yet to be decided. The parking/safety concerns are being considered. Mr. Bock feels that the parking issue at this facility needs to be addressed, as do the other Board members. Mr. Netishen stated that the Building Committee had done some work to address the problem and they could revisit the issue.
Mr. Netishen thanked the Recreation Director for the program information she provided to the Board. All the members agreed that it was very informative.
Mr. Brown informed the Board that FEMA has given conditional approval for Nottingham’s Hazard Mitigation Plan. The next step was to hold a public hearing to adopt the plan, which Mr. Brown has scheduled for 7:00PM on October 30, 2006.
Mr. Brown informed the Board that the billing issues had been straightened out with Strafford Regional Planning Commission.
Mr. Brown reminded the Board they have a budget workshop scheduled for Tuesday October 17, 2006 at 8:00AM and they have scheduled a meeting with department heads on October 23rd, 2006 at 8:00AM as well. The October 24, 2006 budget meeting will be posted but will only be held if needed.
There was a brief discussion about upgrading the first 500 feet of Priest Road. Mr. Brown was unsure where to place the money ($ 18,000) in the budget to accomplish this; in the highway budget or in the warrant article for the station. Mr. Bock stated that the Route 152 entrance would be the main entrance for the station. At this time, the upgrade of the road would not be necessary because the Priest Road access would be restricted.
8:36 PM Motion: Netishen, second Bock to enter non-public session under RSA 91A: 3 II (a), (c) and (e).
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
8:50 PM Motion: Netishen, second Bock to come out of non-public session.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
8:50 PM Motion: Netishen, second Bock to keep all discussions in non-public session sealed.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
Having no further business before the Board,
8:51 PM Motion: Bock, second Netishen to adjourn.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
Respectfully Submitted,
Heidi Seaverns
Approved as corrected
10/30/06
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