Town of Nottingham
Selectmen’s Meeting
May 26, 2009
6:29 PM Chair Bonser opened the meeting and asked all those present to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.
Members Present: Mary Bonser, Peter Bock, Gary Anderson
Guests: John Terninko, Resident
Others: Charles Brown, Town Administrator; Traci Chauvey, Recording Secretary; Jaye Vilchock, Chief, Nottingham Fire/Rescue; Sandy Vilchock, Nottingham Fire/Rescue Member; Heidi Carlson, Deputy Chief, Nottingham Fire/Rescue; Gunnar Foss, Chief of Police; Paul Colby, Building Inspector
ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS
Police Department Business – The candidate for the open Patrol Officer position has passed the background check and Chief Foss plans to move forward with an offer after the polygraph. The only open issue is the starting salary. Chief Foss has not addressed the issue of insurance benefits with him at this time; however, Mr. Brown informed all that the officer that vacated the position was on the highest tier and the funds have already been budgeted.
Chair Bonser assured the public that this is an internal adjustment and will not affect the bottom line of the budget. Mr. Bock acknowledged the lag that has happened between Nottingham and surrounding towns and the need to be competitive, not only for the COPS grant, but to retain the officers that we invest in. He supports the recommendations as written in the memo from Mr. Brown, Town Administrator. Chair Bonser also supports the recommendations. Mr. Anderson reiterated the need for Nottingham to keep up with surrounding communities.
Chair Bonser confirmed with Chief Foss that this was a replacement officer and not a new position. She inquired about the employment contract. Chief Foss informed her that he is adapting Grantham’s contact, which has been successfully defended in court, and it will be signed by the new officer upon hire.
At 6:38 PM, the fire/rescue alarms sounded. Chief Vilchock, Ms. Vilchock, and Deputy Chief Carlson left the room.
Motion: Bonser, second Bock to approve the increase of starting pay for a patrol officer from $31,000 pre-academy and $33,000 post-academy, to $34,000 and $36,000, respectively, and to increase the salaries of the existing patrol officers from $33,495 to $37,000 and from $34,794 to $38,000, as recommended by the Chief of Police and Town Administrator.
Vote: All in favor. Motion passed 3-0.
At 6:39 PM, Chief Vilchock returned to the meeting.
Chair Bonser thanked Chief Foss for staying on top of the situation in his department. Chief Foss resumed his seat in the audience.
Fire/Rescue Business – Chief Vilchock reported that the F-1 has been at the body shop since May 20. A replacement box is going to take up to six (6) weeks, with the repair taking a total of approximately eight (8) weeks. The tank has been taken to Lakes Region Fire Apparatus for inspection. It has not yet been determined if it is repairable.
Chief Vilchock publicly thanked both Nottingham residents for their patience while burning is restricted and John Fernald, Nottingham Road Agent, for his assistance with the tank.
Chief Vilchock informed the Selectmen that he has applied for one FEMA grant for a replacement thermal imagining (TI) camera. If awarded the grant, the Town’s contribution would be $1,250 - $1,500 on the $25,000 camera cost.
Mr. Bock inquired about the injured department members. Chief Vilchock reported that they were still out of work as of last Friday. Chair Bonser inquired about the other driver. Chief Vilchock and Mr. Brown informed the Selectmen that they have received no reports from Raymond at this time.
Chair Bonser thanked Chief Vilchock for his update. Chief Vilchock and Chief Foss left the meeting.
Building Department Business – Mr. Colby, Nottingham Building Inspector, proposed the following changes to the Fee Schedule:
- Under Construction cost – add living space renovations after $50 per square foot of garage area,
- Change HUD Homes to Manufactured Homes,
- Remove entire section for Renovations/Additions/Swimming Pools/Sheds and replace with Swimming Pools/Shed = $50.00,
- Under Additional Building Permit Fees –
- Change the fee for Application for permits after the fact from $100.00 to twice the permit fee,
- Building permit transfer fee to Building permit renewal fee (Town regulations do not allow for transfers),
- Change the fee for Recall Inspection from $20.00 to $25.00,
- Under Other Permits – Change Heating to Mechanical
There was discussion about the after the fact permit fee. Mr. Colby explained that he had polled the building inspectors at his last meeting, and twice permit fee was pretty much standard. Mr. Brown noted that the fee is supposed to be a deterrent; however, few people view $100 as such. Chair Bonser inquired about when a building permit is required. Mr. Colby explained that a permit needs to be pulled prior to digging into the ground.
Mr. Colby reported that his overall permits are up by 25 from last year and 12 from 2007; however, new house construction permits are down by one (1) from last year and five (5) from 2007. At Mr. Anderson’s inquiry, Mr. Colby reported that he is seeing more and more subcontractors from the Portsmouth area.
Motion: Bock, second Bonser to hold a public hearing on the above recommended changes to the fee schedule.
Vote: All in favor. Motion passed 3-0.
Mr. Colby left the meeting.
Highway Department Business – Mr. Brown reported that the Road Agent is back in his regular capacity, having been released by his doctor. Mr. Fernald would like to start the reclaiming on Deerfield Road by the end of June.
At 7:00 PM, Mr. Brown excused himself to retrieve the paving bids from his office. The Selectmen addressed the billing manifests. Mr. Brown returned at 7:01 PM.
Mr. Brown informed the Selectmen that the low bidders were Advanced Excavation and Paving with bids of $67.50/ton (installed) for paving and .74¢/sq. yd. for reclaiming and Pike Industries with bids of $68.43/ton (installed) for paving and .72¢/sq. yd. for reclaiming. Bids were also received from Brox, Continental, and JEG. Mr. Fernald has worked with both Pike and Advanced Excavation and Paving previously and is satisfied with their work.
Motion: Bonser, second Bock to award the paving bid to Advanced Excavation and Paving for $67.50/ton (installed), and the reclamation bid to Pike Industries for .72¢/square yard.
Vote: All in favor. Motion passed 3-0.
Chair Bonser acknowledged Mr. Terninko. Mr. Terninko inquired about reclamation. Mr. Brown informed him that that is when they grind up the road.
Mr. Bock asked if there was a starting date. Mr. Brown said there was not.
Minutes
May 11, 2009 (Meeting)
Line 22: Change the words, “…hit by another vehicle at the corner of Route 156 and Ham Street.” to “involved in an accident at the corner of Route 156 and Ham Road.” Ms. Chauvey misunderstood Chief Vilchock. The forestry truck was not hit by another vehicle and the correct name of the road is Ham Road, not Street.
Line 33: Change erroneous to erroneously.
Line 46: Add to Raymond.
Line 48: Add for police officers.
Line 78: Change The to They
Line 147: Change between to proposed by.
Motion: Bock, second Bonser to accept the minutes of the May 11, 2009 meeting, as amended.
Vote: All in favor. Motion passed 3-0.
May 18, 2009 (Workshop)
Line 50: Change for the FEMA money to before the FEMA project deadline.
Motion: Bonser, second Bock to accept the minutes of the May 18, 2009 workshop, as amended.
Vote: All in favor. Motion passed 3-0.
At 7:12 PM, Mr. Bock left the room. He returned at 7:13 PM.
APPOINTMENTS
7:15 PM – John Terninko – USA Springs Bankruptcy Discussion
At 7:14 PM, Chair Bonser acknowledged Mr. Terninko and invited him to the mic.
Mr. Terninko took a seat the mic. He introduced himself and announced that he was representing the citizens of Nottingham. He distributed copies of a letter to Armand Hyatt from himself dated May 2, 2008, a letter to the US Securities and Exchange Commission from the Nottingham Tea Party dated August 22, 2008, and an Order of the Court with a hearing date of May 18, 2009 from the United States Bankruptcy Court in regards to USA Springs. He explained that he had recently discovered that his letter to Armand Hyatt had never been mailed; however, the bankruptcy court judge had allowed it to be submitted into the record at the hearing on May 18, putting any and all interested parties on notice that USA Springs current business plan is in violation of the Water Rights and Self-Government Ordinance. He
was allowed to speak at the hearing and the judge had allowed exchange. Three people spoke in opposition to the letter’s admission to the file. Mr. Terninko inquired about a building permit renewal. Mr. Colby explained that there is no application before him. Mr. Terninko asked, “What if?” Mr. Colby and the Selectmen informed Mr. Terninko that they would address the situation when it arose. Mr. Terninko stated that his point was that the ordinance is now in effect and any new application would need to comply with all local ordinances.
Mr. Terninko informed the Selectmen that he had read that the former head of NH DES is now a lobbyist for Nestlés. He had also read an article about Barnstead and Nottingham passing water ordinances.
Chair Bonser thanked Mr. Terninko. As Mr. Terninko began to leave, he addressed the Selectmen commenting that he was not able to see the presentation that took place at the HCPP Community Forum that was aired on May 19, 2009. He suggested they install another camera to cover the other wall when needed. Chair Bonser informed him that Nottingham is currently working on renegotiations with the cable company and new equipment would be an expectation. Mr. Terninko had wanted to be part of that committee. He was informed that their first meeting was tonight in Conference Room #2.
Mr. Terninko left the meeting.
ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS Cont.:
The Selectmen addressed the paperwork for the new fire truck.
Motion: Anderson, second Bock to sign Promissory Note No. 904082996 to Northway Bank, for the new fire truck.
Vote: All in favor. Motion passed 3-0.
Motion: Anderson, second Bock to sign the General Obligation Note in the amount of $249,013, at an interest rate of 3.5% to Northway Bank, for the new fire truck.
Vote: All in favor. Motion passed 3-0.
Motion: Bock, second Anderson to have Chair Bonser sign the Errors and Omissions form on Promissory Note No. 904082996 to Northway Bank, for the new fire truck.
Vote: All in favor. Motion passed 3-0.
Mr. Brown informed the Selectmen that there was quite a bit of supporting documentation required for submittal, including example ballots, proof of meetings and notice thereof, official minutes, and so forth. Nottingham must close on the loan by June 11.
OTHER BUSINESS
Mr. Brown reported that he had sent a letter to each of the owners of property on Winter Street and Layne Farm Road notifying them that the town will no longer be providing winter maintenance on those roads. Mr. Brown explained that the statutes had changed back in 1995 regarding what rights the town has in regards to private roads. These two roads do not meet the criteria; they were inadvertently left on the list. The mistake was discovered by Mr. Brown last year when an issue arose on one of the roads. He informed the Selectmen that he had written a draft for the churches notifying them that the Town will no longer provide plowing and sanding services. There was discussion about the new church and the economy. The Selectmen decided to give this issue some more
consideration.
Mr. Brown distributed copies of a letter he received from a resident in regards to the Recycling Center. Mr. Brown would like the Selectmen to take their time with the issue. He acknowledged that there are some good points in the letter but he is also aware of some falsities. Mr. Brown has had some discussion with Recycling Center staff and would like to continue on the path he is on. As the Selectmen’s liaison to the Recycling Center, Mr. Anderson would also like to have some discussions. Mr. Bock noted that he is quite concerned about the liability issue. Chair Bonser informed all that she had received a call from a constituent who is quite proud of the fact that he “picks the dump” and is able to recycle or outright sell the items he takes. The money helps
him. Mr. Anderson noted that people are removing scrap that has value to the town.
Chair Bonser informed all that she had received a call from a resident who is concerned that, during ball games, there are children on the river bank who are not being supervised. Chair Bonser acknowledged that there is not much the Selectmen are able to do about that situation but felt the obligation to bring it forward. She also received a suggestion that the Grange Hall should be vinyl sided. She believes that something of this nature would need to go before town vote. Mr. Bock suggested passing it to the Building Committee. Chair Bonser agreed.
Chair Bonser inquired as to whether Mr. Brown had heard from Commissioner Merrill regarding the guinea hens. Mr. Brown reported that he had received an e-mail. There are no statutes governing domestic fowl. He will forward the response to the Selectmen.
Mr. Anderson asked to discuss a Memorial Day observation. He asked the Selectmen to consider planning something to begin next year. Chair Bonser fully agreed. There was discussion about what type of an event should take place. Mr. Brown noted that parades are a big deal, as far as work and permitting. Chair Bonser suggested placing a wreath on the statue at the library on May 30. All agreed. Chair Bonser will order and deliver the wreath. They will plan for next year.
Having no further business,
Motion: Bonser, second Bock to adjourn the meeting.
Vote: All in favor. Motion passed 3-0.
Meeting adjourned at 8:02 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Traci Chauvey
Recording Secretary
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