Town of Nottingham
Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes
June 16, 2008
6:30 PM Chair Netishen opened the meeting and asked all those present to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.
Members Present: Bill Netishen, Mary Bonser, Peter Bock, Town Administrator Charles Brown
Guests: Mike Kelleher, NH Department of Safety, Chief Vilchock and Deputy Chief Heidi Carlson,
Nottingham Fire and Rescue, Marge Carlson, and Heidi Seaverns
Others: Skip Seaverns, Barbara Walder, Lauren Darby, Kay Kyle, Bill Kyle, and Traci Chauvey, Recording Secretary
PUBLIC HEARING – E9-1-1 Renumbering of Cooper Hill Road
6:30 PM Chair Netishen opened the public hearing.
Chair Netishen introduced Mr. Kelleher, Chief Vilchock, and Deputy Chief Carlson and explained that tonight’s hearing was in accordance with RSA 231:133a “Address Numbers on Streets and Highways,” and pertained to Cooper Hill Road. He acknowledged Mr. Kelleher and invited him to the mic to explain what has prompted this renumbering and how the numbers would be created moving forward.
Mr. Kelleher explained that Nottingham currently uses an incremental numbering system that is based on assigning numbers at 200’ intervals. He further stated that 200’ is a great distance in this day and age and has created a lack of numbers due to the growth in the Cooper Hill Road area. He noted that there are only two options, fractional or alpha-numeric, if Nottingham continues with their system and neither is desirable. Fractional and alpha-numeric numbers can be confusing to rescue workers because they typically denote an apartment or other unit within a larger building. The new numbering system will be based on 50’ and is being used effectively for more than 100 communities around the state. He noted that this system allows for future development.
Chair Netishen asked those present if there were any questions. He acknowledged Ms. Walder. Ms. Walder inquired about Northwood. Mr. Kelleher reported that one address in Northwood will be changed; however, they are unwilling to make any other changes. Mrs. Kyle inquired about odd and even being on different sides of the road from Nottingham to Northwood. Mr. Kelleher acknowledged this situation and noted that there are several communities around the state that experience this same issue.
Ms. Walder asked if New Hampshire’s E9-1-1 system has the ability to distinguish between 3 towns on one road. Mr. Kelleher stated that it does, by way of Emergency Service Numbers (ESN’s) and pre-loaded dispatching.
Ms. Darby asked about the situation for homes that only have cell phones, not land lines. Mr. Kelleher explained that the system is Phase II compliant and the cell phone companies can provide xy coordinates, name, and phone number, adding that the caller needs to be able to provide location. Mr. Kelleher informed all that the system has the technology to pinpoint within a 60’ radius and has been successful within one meter. Ms. Bonser asked if time is an issue with receiving xy coordinates. Mr. Kelleher stated that it is not. He also noted that for older phones that do not have GPS, the system can pick up which tower is relaying the call.
Mr. Bock asked what the new highest number would be in Nottingham. Deputy Chief Carlson responded that it will be 251 when the numbers become effective and further explained that the numbers will be low coming from Barrington (Routes 202 and 9). Mr. Kelleher explained that Barrington is going through a total readdressing at this time.
Mr. Bock asked about some guarantee to the residents that this will all work out in a timely manner. Mr. Kelleher informed Mr. Bock that he has not personally spoken with the Postmaster or the phone companies but that his experience has been that they recognize both address for a period of time, usually six months to one year. Mr. Kyle noted that the Barrington Postmaster had changed numbers several years ago without authority and things were messed up for quite some time. Mr. Kelleher acknowledged Mr. Kyle’s concern and stated that this is the proper venue for such changes and it is not an attempt to disrupt people’s lives and cause chaos, noting that growth in that area requires the change to provide public safety for all residents.
Ms. Walder asked about the house number signs that residents have paid the fire department to install. Chief Vilchock replied that the signs would be corrected at the cost of the fire department and informed all that the residents need to call to ask for the change to be made.
Ms. Carlson informed all that she had been in contact with the Post Office and they are working with the Town on a packet that will be mailed to the residents of Cooper Hill Road explaining what actions need to be taken. She informed all that the letter and packet target date is July 1 and the target date for the new numbers to go into effect is July 16. Referencing Ms. Darby’s earlier question on cell phones, Ms. Carlson stated that people who receive phone service through their internet carrier will need to notify their carrier. This will all be explained in the packet that is to be mailed.
Mr. Seaverns asked if the new numbering system would pose any issues from a Planning Board perspective and inquired as to why it was set at 50’. Chair Netishen informed Mr. Seaverns that the new numbering was only for Cooper Hill Road at this time and he did not see that it would cause any Planning Board issues. Deputy Chief Carlson stated that 50’ is a standard addressing system. She noted the changes in growth that have taken place in Nottingham and the need to respond to that growth. Ms. Carlson stated that she believed the numbering system will need to be looked at closely in all upcoming subdivision to close the gap, noting that Cooper Hill is just the beginning. She noted that Steppingstone Road will need it fairly soon, also. Ms. Kyle asked what had brought the
numbering issue to light. Ms. Carlson stated that there are two 3 Cooper Hill Road addresses across from each other, one in Nottingham and one in Northwood. She also noted the subdivisions that have taken place in recent years. Deputy Chief Carlson stated that Nottingham had done incremental numbering at 200’ 20 years ago when there were only 900 homes, not thousands. Over time this will become an increasing problem. Ms. Walder voiced concern that Cooper Hill Road cannot withstand anymore subdivision, noting that the road is a one-lane road in the winter months.
Chair Netishen invited Deputy Chief Carlson to the mic to speak on the reasonability of changing the numbers. Deputy Chief Carlson informed the public that seconds count when a call has come in and to have odds on one side, evens on the other, and appropriate sequencing can be life saving. Mrs. Kyle inquired again about the differentiation of towns in the E9-1-1 system, noting that Barrington had been called for her car accident at the intersection of Routes 152 & 4. Deputy Chief Carlson felt that Barrington had been called because of the way the 9-1-1 call had been called in. She believes the New Hampshire E9-1-1 system is a great system and there is little room for error.
Mr. Bock informed the residents that the Town Office is available to support any resident who is confused by the changes.
At 7:07 PM, Chair Netishen closed the hearing.
Motion: Bonser, second Bock to accept the E9-1-1 map as presented.
Vote: All in favor. Motion passed 3-0.
ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS
Mr. Brown informed the Selectmen that the invoice for the phone system was increased from the quote due to the company having to run cables. Ms. Bonser inquired as to whether it was over the appropriation. Mr. Brown replied that it was.
Bills were reviewed and signed off on by the Selectmen while residents discussed the E9-1-1 map.
Mr. Brown presented a letter from the fire department requesting that the Selectmen accept items purchased through the trust fund to be covered under the Town’s insurance. The list covered several years and Mr. Bock inquired about the viability of some of the items. Deputy Chief Carlson explained that they are not insured item to item.
Motion: Bonser, second Bock to accept all purchases made through the Douglas McLean Trust Fund that have not been previously accepted.
Vote: All in favor. Motion passed 3-0.
Motion: Bock, second Bonser to authorize Mr. Brown to file the LOGO Form for Municipal Land Fills on behalf of the Town of Nottingham.
Vote: All in favor. Motion passed 3-0.
Mr. Brown asked the Selectmen for availability in regards to setting up perambulation dates with the abutting towns. Chair Netishen is available anytime in July after July 4. Mr. Bock is available anytime between July 5 and July 20. Ms. Bonser is available anytime, preferably on Wednesdays.
GENERAL BUSINESS
Ms. Bonser informed Mr. Brown that he would be receiving a memo from Mr. Mooney, Chair of the Pawtuckaway Lake Advisory Committee to be placed on the June 25 agenda to discuss the two sites that have been chosen for the mitigation work. She asked to have PLAC tentatively placed on the agenda, in the mean time. Mr. Brown asked Ms. Bonser to follow up with obtaining a draft contract from Geosyntec.
Mr. Brown informed the Selectmen that he had submitted a letter requesting a one-year extension on the FEMA funds for the Mill Pond Bridge. The 18-month deadline for using the funds ends October 26, 2008 and the bridge is expected to be completed October 1, 2009.
Ms. Bonser informed the other Selectmen that she had read the USGS study and contacted one of the authors who informed her that the Route 4 groundwater withdrawal data was not included in the study. She further stated that the author had stated that the data is significant and will have profound effects because the water is being removed from the bedrock. Ms. Bonser distributed copies of a map (Map E) from the study and directed their attention to the pink shaded area. She was informed by the author that that area would have been shaded red, indicating a more stressed area, if the data had been included. The board discussed avenues to take and decided to speak with Council about sending a letter to DES to reconsider or begin a groundwater bedrock study that will include Nottingham while also
contacting the author to get a written statement that the Route 4 groundwater withdrawal was not included in the study. Mr. Bock suggested the Selectmen make a statement to the effect that they are engaged in a fact finding mission. Chair Netishen agreed and felt they should discuss it further at the next meeting.
MINUTES
Motion: Bock, second Bonser to approve the minutes of April 14, with the following amendments:
Line 8: Rearrange members to place Chair Netishen first, Ms. Bonser second, and Mr. Bock third.
Line 40: Insert the word “she” between the words “…however, wanted…”
Line 124: Replace the words “…that the…” with “…it…” and add an “s” to the word “fall”.
Vote: All in favor. Motion passed 3-0.
Motion: Bonser, second Bock to approve the minutes of April 28, with the following amendments:
Line 23: Move the heading “APPOINTMENTS” above the paragraph that starts, “Noting that bills,…”
Line 98: Replace the word “they” with “he.”
Line 125: Remove the words, “and the Pawtuckaway Lake Improvement Association (PLIA), who does not have a budget,”; replace the words, “asked them” with “approached the Board of Selectmen”; and, add the letter “g” to the word printing in the same sentence.
Vote: Ms. Bonser and Mr. Bock voted in favor. Chair Netishen abstained. Motion passed 2-0-1.
Motion: Bock, second Bonser to approve the minutes of May 12, with the following amendments:
Line 90: Replace the words “Fire Department” with “old Town Hall”
Line 225: Insert the word “on” after the word “done.”
Vote: All in favor. Motion passed 3-0.
Motion: Bonser, second Bock to approve the minutes of May 13, as written.
Vote: All in favor. Motion passed 3-0.
Motion: Bonser, second Bock to approve the minutes of May 15, with the following amendments:
Line 12: Geosyntec is incorrectly spelled as “Geocentric.”
Vote: All in favor. Motion passed 3-0.
Motion: Bonser, second Bock to approve the minutes of May 16, as written.
Vote: All in favor. Motion passed 3-0.
May 21, 2008 – These were not approved. It was determined that Ms. Bonser and Ms. Chauvey had incomplete copies.
Motion: Bock, second Bonser to approve the minutes of May 27, as written.
Vote: All in favor. Motion passed 3-0.
Having no further business,
Motion: Bonser, second Bock to adjourn the meeting.
Vote: All in favor. Motion passed 3-0.
Meeting adjourned at 8:11 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Traci Chauvey
Recording Secretary
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