Minutes
Selectmen’s Meeting
January 7, 2008
6:30 PM Chair Bock opened the meeting and asked all those present to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.
Members Present: Peter Bock, Bill Netishen, Mary Bonser and Town Administrator Charles Brown.
Others: Jaye Vilchock, Janet Horvath, Sue Siggelakis, Jonathan Witham and Heidi Seaverns.
Chair Bock opened the meeting by announcing that Jaye Vilchock had been elected Fire Chief for 2008 by the department at their meeting on Sunday night. Mr. Bock read the appointment form and the Board members signed it. All the Board members congratulated Chief Vilchock and he left at this time to be sworn in by the Town Clerk.
Janet Horvath & Sue Siggelakis stepped forward to address the Board about the Nottingham Theater Project. Ms. Horvath has had numerous conversations with the Attorney General’s Office-Charitable Trust Division-about how to best handle the money that the Theater Project has. Terry Knowles from that office recommends that the Project give the money to the Town and establish a Trust Fund for it. The money would be used if the Project’s production lost money to reimburse the revolving fund. The Board reviewed a draft letter from the Theater Project addressing the money for the Trust Fund. A lengthy discussion followed about the program, what would happen to the money if the Project remained dormant for a period of time and how best to include the Theater Project under the Recreation Department. The Board would
like the letter from the Theater Project to address what happens to the money if the program is dormant for a period of time. They would also like the Town Attorney to review the process as well. Ms. Siggelakis thanked the Board and left. Ms. Horvath reviewed with the Board the copy of the Business Directory on the Chester website she provided to them. The Board liked the idea of a simple directory. Ms. Horvath will pursue this option for the website. Mr. Netishen again brought up the facility rental cost. He would like a breakdown of heat, electricity and other costs associated with the building so the Board can determine if the fee charged to rent the facility covers the cost. Ms. Horvath will work on this request. She told the Board that there are 5 events booked for the month of January. She thanked the Board and left.
Mr. Bock next reminded the audience that the Primary Election would be held on Tuesday January 8th. Polls will be open 8 AM-7 PM. There will also be a special election held on January 22, 2008 to fill a vacancy for a State Representative with the same polling hours,
8 AM-7 PM.
The Board next reviewed a draft letter that would be sent to individuals that plowed snow across a roadway and/or left snow in the road as a result of plowing. With the large amount of snow we have had this winter, this is becoming a problem in many places in Town. The governing statute is RSA 236:20 and people responsible for these actions are subject to fines and penalties. Discussion followed. The Board gave their approval to send the letters.
Jonathan Witham stepped forward to address the Board. He had a number of questions in regard to the Square. His areas of concern are the care & maintenance of the flagpole & flag; the dead tree that needs to be removed; mowing of the Square & maintenance of the stonewall and the well sweep that he would like to replace with the Board’s permission. A lengthy discussion followed on all these issues. The outcome of the conversations was that the Town will be responsible for the flag, flagpole and maintenance and will look into a solar light for the flagpole. The Town will remove the dead tree this summer, and the Town will be responsible for mowing that portion of the Square that abuts Mr. Witham’s property. Any major maintenance of the stonewall will the Town’s responsibility but Mr. Witham may
do minor maintenance. The Town will secure the wellhead before Mr. Witham replaces the well sweep on the well located on the Square. A question came up in regard to testing of the water at the well done by the State this summer. Mr. Witham stated he did not request the testing, and he had not received any results. It is believed that this testing is part of testing done by the State yearly. Mr. Witham requested permission to park cars on that particular portion of the Square as he has in the past for a party he has on July 4th every year. The Board asked that he request permission closer to the event. Mr. Witham thanked the Board and left.
Regarding outstanding minutes,
Motion: Netishen, second Bonser to accept as amended the minutes of the meeting on November 28, 2007.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
Motion: Bonser, second Netishen to accept as written the minutes of the meeting on December 5, 2007.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
Motion: Netishen, second Bonser to accept as written the minutes of the morning meeting on December 10, 2007.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
Motion: Bonser, second Bock to accept as amended the minutes of the meeting on December 10, 2007.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
Motion: Netishen, second Bonser to accept as written the minutes of the meeting on December 28, 2007.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
The remaining outstanding minutes will be considered at the next meeting.
Board members reviewed bills, mail & correspondence.
The Board gave their approval of a letter written by Mr. Brown to Avitar Associates informing them their contract would not be renewed for 2008.
Mr. Bock then asked the members for their comments on the RFP’s that Ms. Seaverns has drafted. There are 3 RFP’s-one for contract assessing services, one for data verification and one for analysis of the update that was done in 2007. Mr. Netishen asked why there was no provision for the company to provide the Town with a bond. Ms Seaverns stated that in her experience bonds are typically requested during revaluations so she did not include that provision in the RFP’s. She also reminded the Board that requiring a bond adds to the cost of the services. Mr. Bock stated that DRA has reviewed the RFP’s and had no issues with them. Discussion followed. Ms. Seaverns will email RFP’s to assessing companies on Tuesday. The next item to be discussed was Article 5 from the Special Town Meeting. The
Board is in agreement that an advisory assessing committee should be formed with a cross section of members from all areas of Town if possible, and that the committee should have a yet to be determined time frame in which to produce their recommendations. Mr. Bock told the audience that if this action is not satisfactory to anyone, they should contact one of the selectmen to discuss it. If anyone is interested in serving on the committee, they should make contact with Mr. Brown. He will compile a list of volunteers to be considered for the committee. Mr. Netishen suggested that the Board get definition of the terminology used in the article. There was a brief discussion of the letter outlining the intentions and expectations of the Taxpayers Alliance. All Board members were in agreement that if items/actions are not reflected in the actual articles or the minutes of the meeting, they will not be considered.
Bill Kyle has resigned from the Supervisor’s of the Checklist effective January 10, 2008. The Supervisors have someone to fill the remainder of Mr. Kyle’s term (4 years). This vacancy is not filled by election but by appointment by the remaining supervisors. The Board thanked Mr. Kyle for his service.
Mr. Brown informed the Board that a representative from Carol Shea-Porter’s office had contacted him. Ms. Shea-Porter would like to include a report in the Town Report. The Board thought that this would not be appropriate for the Town Report. The Board next discussed the time of their next scheduled meeting on January 22. The Planning Board has a public hearing scheduled for the night of the 22nd for proposed Zoning Changes. Some discussion followed. The Board decided to hold their meeting at 8:00AM on the 22nd.
The Board has budget workshop meetings scheduled for January 8th and January 15th starting at 8AM.
The Board next addressed the signature file,
Motion: Bonser second Netishen to approve the timber tax levy for 2007 for Map 11 Lot 9.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
Motion: Bonser, second Netishen to approve an abatement in the amount of $ 34.56 for
Map 39 Lot 13-2.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
The Board members signed an intent to cut for Map 29 Lot 8.
Mr. Brown provided copies of the draft warrant for the Board’s review. Items discussed were:
1) An article for replacement of baler at Recycling Center
2) An article to amend the purpose of ambulance fund, an article for a new ambulance and an article to withdraw $ 10,000 from the ambulance fund for maintenance of the ambulance.
3) An article for a standby generator for the Community Center that would power the building. Preliminary estimates are $ 47, 400. If the Board wants to pursue this, Mr. Brown will get itemized estimates.
4) Articles for contributions to the Highway Capital Reserve Fund and the Fire/Rescue Capital Reserve Fund.
Ms. Bonser requested CIP information from the Highway department as well as for the Town from Mr. Brown. Mr. Brown said he would touch bases with the Road Agent and that the Town’s CIP would most likely include the recycling center baler and the standby generator, if the Board wants to pursue this.
Mr. Brown reported to the Board that members of the Fire department were doing the cleanup of the old fire station.
Having no further business,
8:40 PM Motion: Netishen, second Bonser to adjourn.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
Respectfully Submitted,
Heidi Seaverns
Approved as written
2/4/08
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