Town of Nottingham
Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes
December 22, 2008
6:32PM Acting Chair Bonser opened the meeting and asked all those present to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.
Members Present: Mary Bonser and Peter Bock
Members Absent: Bill Netishen
Guests: Daniel Kern, Bear Paw Regional Greenways Executive Director; Sam Demerrit, Nottingham Conservation Commission Chair; Christopher Minot Granbery, Resident; Noreen Granbery, Resident; Tom Duffy, Pawtuckaway Lake Improvement Association
Others: Charles Brown, Town Administrator and Traci Chauvey, Recording Secretary
ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS:
Mr. Brown updated the Selectmen on activity during and since the ice storm. The only auxiliary power for the Town is at the fire station. All emergency personnel (i.e., police and emergency management) had to relocate and operate from that location. Although there was power, all calls had to come in through dispatch. Fire Chief Jaye Vilchock ensured 24-hour a day coverage at the fire station and welfare checks until the emergency was over. Mr. Brown informed the Selectmen that there is a small generator at the Highway Department that allows for refueling of vehicles. The Highway Department supplied considerable support to the electric companies by removing trees and branches from the wires.
Ms. Bonser requested that a letter of appreciation be sent to the Nottingham Police Department, Nottingham Fire/Rescue Department, Nottingham Highway Department, and the Nottingham Emergency Management Director.
Mr. Bock publicly thanked all emergency service personnel for their extraordinary efforts and support, Liar’s Paradise for use of their generator to keep the food pantry going, and the community, at large, for their overwhelming generosity in providing warmth and shelter to those without.
The Selectmen discussed budgeting for a generator to service the Municipal Complex in the 2009 budget. The main priority is servicing the Police Department so that their base of operations does not need to be relocated in an emergency. Heating may be an issue as it comes from the other side of the building. The Selectmen asked Mr. Brown to research installation of a small portable heater and generator for the Police Department. Mr. Bock noted for the record that the food pantry is located in the other side of the building and that, also, requires electricity during power outages.
The Selectmen set a workshop for Monday, December 29, 2008 at 8:30 AM to discuss encumbrances and the final budget.
Mr. Brown reported that the Highway Department had gone through quite a few strobe lights, mirrors, and other such things during the ice storm but the vehicles are holding up well considering their workload.
Mr. Brown informed the Selectmen that he had received a complaint about the tree trimming on Kennard Road. Trees are being trimmed at this time due to the ice storm. Any large trees that had been trimmed had been trimmed with the property owner’s permission.
Turning to the Kimball Conservation Easement, Ms. Bonser acknowledged Daniel Kern, Bear Paw Regional Greenways Executive Director, and Sam Demeritt, Nottingham Conservation Commission Chair and invited them to the mic.
Mr. Kern explained that they have been working on this conservation easement for approximately one year. In the end, it will be a complete donation of 22 acres bordering the North River. There was discussion on the tie-in with other conservation lands. Mr. Kern noted that protecting the buffer to the river is important and they hope that the area of protected land along the river will be expanded upon in the future. Fish and Game personnel caught an endangered species of fish on the Kimball property. Bear Paw will be the primary easement holder and the land will be open to the public.
Mr. Demeritt reported that the Nottingham Conservation Commission had voted to support the easement and to expend up to $5,000 for the transaction.
Motion: Bock, second Bonser to accept the Kimball easement, as written.
Vote: All in favor. Motion passed 2-0.
Mr. Brown left to get his Notary stamp and returned at 7:03 PM. Ms. Bonser signed the easement documents. Mr. Brown notarized Ms. Bonser’s signature.
Mr. Kern thanked the Selectmen for their support. Mr. Kern and Mr. Demeritt left the meeting.
APPOINTMENTS
7:00 PM – Cable Franchise Renewal Committee Discussion
At 7:05 PM, Ms. Bonser acknowledged Mr. Granbery and invited him to the mic.
Mr. Granbery reported that he is the one remaining member of the original Committee and voiced his intent to remain a member. His qualifications include past employment in the cable industry, where he served in a management position. Mr. Granbery informed the Selectmen that he has kept a report of events that have taken place over the years, some against his recommendation, to “meet the terms” of the original agreement. At Mr. Brown’s inquiry, Mr. Granbery informed the Selectmen that he was not in support of the Town hiring legal counsel for the renewal process. The Selectmen informed Mr. Granbery of issues that have come before them recently. Most significantly, a resident has not been able to obtain service. Comcast informed the Selectmen that all Nottingham
residents would be charged for the approximately $97,000 installation fee to provide service to that resident’s area. Mr. Granbery questioned the legality of such action. Mr. Bock reported that elderly residents are inquiring about senior discounts. Mr. Granbery indicated that the FCC ruling does not allow towns to dictate the discounts/rates provided. There was discussion around the Communication’s Policy Committee and their work. Mr. Granbery advised caution, noting that the cable company agreement has requirements and policies of its own. The Selectmen voiced the need for changes in current services, noting that the community has grown tremendously in the past 20 years. Mr. Bock acknowledged that the issue of Mr. Comeau not being able to obtain service has been significant for the Selectmen, as well as the process of providing public access. The Selectmen indicated they would be seeking significant changes in the
renewal contract.
There was discussion about the renewal process they are going though. Mr. Brown read from the letter received from Comcast. Mr. Granbery informed all that this was an informal process and may never reach the formal process if negotiations could be reached.
Ms. Bonser acknowledged Mr. Granbery’s intent to continue with the committee. The Selectmen agreed to make another appointment to the committee.
Motion: Bonser, second Bock to appoint Frank Case to the Cable Franchise Renewal Committee.
Vote: All in favor. Motion passed 2-0.
The Selectmen agreed to place this on the January 5th agenda to make the remaining appointments. At Mr. Granbery’s inquiry, they confirmed that this committee would be responsible for making recommendations to the Selectmen for the negotiations of the contract.
Mr. and Mrs. Granbery left the meeting.
7:15 PM – Tom Duffy, Pawtuckaway Lake Advisory Committee (PLAC) Warrant Article
At 7:27PM, Ms. Bonser acknowledged Mr. Duffy and invited him to the mic.
Mr. Duffy asked the Selectmen to submit a Warrant Article for the Lake Host Program. He gave them a run-down of the work they have done, the training they receive, the volunteer man-hours that are donated, and acknowledged the good relationship they have with, and support they receive from, the State. There was discussion on weeds that have been found in Pawtuckaway. The Selectmen agreed that they wish to continue supporting this effort. Ms. Bonser read the Article from last year’s Warrant. Wording will remain the same for the 2009 Town Meeting.
Motion: Bonser, second Bock to move the Lake Host Warrant Article forward.
Vote: Unanimous. Motion passed 2-0.
Mr. Duffy left the Selectmen with disc copies of the new Shoreland Protection Act. Mr. Brown informed Mr. Duffy that he had some concerns about getting the paperwork for the last grant back to the State by the end of the month. Ms. Bonser asked Mr. Duffy to follow up and have all pertinent documents forwarded to Mr. Brown by the end of the week. Mr. Duffy agreed to do his best.
Mr. Duffy left the meeting.
ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS Cont.:
Selectmen turned their attention to the signature file. Ms. Bonser noted that the Deed for the Brook’s Crossing Conservation Easement did not contain an <acres>
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