Minutes
Selectmen’s Meeting
December 11, 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: Peter Gylfphe, Robert Small, Carol Stephenson, Roy Christenson, Elizabeth Kotowski, Edward Kotowski, William Loconzolo, Denise Blaha, Julia Dundorf, Cheryl Smith, Charlene Anderson, Therese Thompson, Judy Doughty, Elaine & Carl Schmottlach, Mike Russo, Bonnie Whittemore, Mary Martin, Gail Powell, Noreen Roy, Chris Mills, Chris Regan, Mr. & Mrs. Peter Thompson, Jean Eichhorn, Linda Wood and a few other people.
Ms. Bonser recognized Peter Gylfphe and he stepped forward to address the Board. He informed the Board he would be willing to take on the file reorganization project in the Planning/Zoning Office. He explained that the Planning Board was reorganizing their files by Map/Lot rather than the alphabetical listing that had been used in past years. This will make it easier for staff that have not been in Town for long and aren’t aware of property history to find older files. Ms. Beauchamp has reorganized the files back to 1999 but there are many years left to do. It has been brought to the Board’s attention that Ms. Beauchamp is paid the same rate per hour ($45/hour) if she is reorganizing files or reviewing plans. Mr. Glyfphe is willing to take the task on for a small stipend. Mr. Netishen asked if there was money
in the budget for this. Mr. Brown stated he had not budgeted for this task. Mr. Brown will try to get an estimate from the Planning staff of the amount of time needed to finish the project. The Board agreed to pay Mr. Gylfphe a stipend to finish the file reorganization in the Planning/Zoning office. Mr. Gylfphe thanked the Board and left at 6:40PM.
Mr. Brown informed the Board that there was no new business from any department head. He informed the Board that he is working on getting the financing paperwork completed for the new grader so the Town can make this year’s payment before the end of the year.
Ms. Bonser recognized William Loconzolo who deferred to Ms. Kotowski to act as the Indian Run property owner’s spokesperson. She handed out to Board members a copy of the letter signed by the residents of Indian Run requesting that the Board designate Indian Run as an emergency lane under RSA 231:59-a. Ms. Kotowski read the letter. The letter cited emergency access to the lake and access to the power line that runs through the property and goes underground to the other side of the lake in addition to the benefit of the residents as reason to declare Indian Run an emergency lane. The letter also said that Indian Run residents had not had the opportunity to present their case in the original establishment of emergency lanes in Town in 1995. Mr. Brown stated that in 1995 the Town acted on the camp roads that had been
plowed by the Town already and Indian Run was not one of those roads. Much discussion followed. The Board will consult the Town Attorney to see what action should be taken next. If a public hearing needs to be held, it would not be held until January 2007. The Indian Run residents thanked the Board and left at 7:10PM.
7:11 PM Denise Blaha, representing the Carbon Coalition, stepped forward to address the Board. She read a prepared statement about the Carbon Coalition and its objectives to promote a multi layered approach to reduce carbon emissions throughout the world. She presented the Board with a petition to place the Carbon Coalition climate change resolution on the warrant in March and she asked the Board to endorse the resolution. Both Gail Powell and Chris Mills spoke in favor of the resolution. Mr. Bock asked Ms. Blaha if she had any other presentations scheduled in Town. Ms. Blaha replied that at this point most of her time is spent going to different towns to increase awareness and support for the resolution. She has been asked to speak at a PTA meeting and she was told to get in touch with the Nottingham School
principal if she wanted to schedule a time for a presentation there.
Motion: Bock, second Netishen to endorse the New Hampshire Climate Change resolution.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
Ms. Blaha thanked the Board, handed in the petitions and left at 7:29PM
7:30PM Mike Russo of the Neighborhood Guardians stepped forward to address the Board.
He gave the Board a letter outlining the Guardians concerns about the driveway permit issued to USA Springs by NH DOT, the issuance of the building permit to USA Springs even though in their opinion, the driveway permit was under appeal, and the Town’s appeal to the Water Council. Mr. Russo then discussed the Guardians concerns that the traffic study that was done is not complete or up to date and their frustration with DOT in providing information they request. He requested that either the Board of Selectmen or the Police Chief appeal the issuance of the driveway permit. The Board told him they would need to check with council before making any statements. Mr. Russo stated that the Guardians had no issue with the Nottingham Building Inspector and that he had been unfairly targeted by some individuals in the press.
He went on to say the Guardians want to work in cooperation with local officials. Mr. Netishen stated the building permit had been issued only after the Building Inspector had received an extension for the driveway permit from NHDOT. Much discussion followed. Mr. Russo asked if the Board was aware of the Water Council hearing on Tuesday. The Board was not aware of it. Mr. Brown will contact Attorney Kinder in the morning. Chris Regan, Judy Doughty and Chris Mills each stepped forward to voice their concerns about the safety issues on Route 4 that already exist and their deep concerns about how serious the situation may become when the plant goes in. Mr. Russo thanked the Board for their time and left at 8:07PM. Ms. Bonser informed the audience that the Board was going to go into non-public session and the remaining audience members left. The Board took a short break.
Upon their return,
8:14 PM Motion: Netishen, second Bock to enter non-public session under RSA 91A: 3 II (a) & (c).
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
8:51 PM Motion: Bonser, second Bock to come out of non-public session.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
8:51 PM Motion: Bonser, second Bock to keep all discussions in non-public session sealed and all actions taken will be recorded in the public minutes.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
The Board took the following actions in regard to Map 13 Lot 12:
Motion: Netishen, second Bock to abate the interest on 2003 taxes and apply to 2004 lien for Map 13 Lot 12.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
Regarding the outstanding minutes of November 27, 2006,
Motion: Bock, second Netishen to accept as printed the minutes of November 27, 2006.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
Motion: Bock, second Netishen to accept as corrected the minutes of November 13, 2006.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
The Board next addressed the items in the signature file,
Motion: Netishen, second Bock to approve the abatement for Map 23 Lot 2-143 in the amount of $ 25.19 (interest only).
Vote: 2 in favor with 1 abstention (Bonser).
There was a brief discussion about the recent Zoning Board decision approving a new lot with only 30 feet of frontage. The Board came to the conclusion that since there was no new information available, there was no basis for an appeal. Mr. Brown informed the Board that the recent problem at Citizen’s Bank was being addressed and that the situation would not be handled that way again.
The Board then discussed the budget. The Board has decided to bring the COLA wage increase for employees down to 3.3% to reflect the September rate. Given the increased legal costs facing the Town, the increase in health costs and the prospect of financing a new fire station, the Board is going to remove the funds for the additional police officer from the 2007 budget. The Board agreed that the money requested for both Capital reserve funds should be decreased to $ 25,000 for each fund (fire vehicles & highway). The legal line will stay the same for now.
9:56 PM Having no further business before the Board,
Motion: Netishen, second Bock to adjourn.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
Respectfully Submitted,
Heidi Seaverns
Approved as printed
1/08/07
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