Town of Nottingham
Selectmen’s Meeting
June 7, 2010
6:30 PM, Chair Bock opened the meeting and asked all those present to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.
Members Present: Peter Bock, Mary Bonser, Gary Anderson
Guest: Gail Mills; Robert Sprague; John Terninko
Others: Traci Chauvey, Recording Secretary; Chris Mills; Judy Doughty
ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS
Chair Bock acknowledged Mr. Brown's absence and referred all to this evening's agenda, noting there would be no department reports.
The selectmen made the following announcements:
Paving will begin on Route 152 (Stage Road) on Tuesday, June 8.
The Senior Picnic is being held on Wednesday, June 14, rain or shine. Please RSVP to the recreation department at (603) 679-3435.
Mr. Anderson reported that he, along with Mr. Brown and Mr. Cinfo, had attended the NRRA Annual Conference. The selectmen are still looking into avenues to improve the recycling center. Mr. Anderson has come to believe that single-stream recycling, such as what the selectmen had been looking into, is for larger cities. There was a brief discussion around what other communities are doing and more assurances that the issue is still being looked into.
At Chair Bock's inquiry, Ms. Mills informed him that she did not need him to wait until her appointed time of 7:00 PM to acknowledge her for discussion.
APPOINTMENTS
7:00 PM – Gail Mills, Discussion of Town Website
At 6:40 PM, Chair Bock acknowledged Ms. Mills and invited her to the mic.
Ms. Mills informed the selectmen that the town's website is in need of updating. She had gone on to the site looking for information, only to find that not all policies and procedure are there and what is there is not current. She would like to see the personnel policies, job openings, fees, announcements, and quick links, among other things. There was a brief discussion around staffing issues and the need to carry out day to day business. Chair Bock informed all that he would like to personally work on this issue with Ms. Mills. He would like to sit with her, the town's people, Mr. Brown, and staff. He feels this is a legitimate issue and he would like to see it worked through.
Ms. Mills raised the issue of a work-study student from UNH, noting that she had started the process and submitted a contract to the selectmen at some point when she was on the Planning Board, however, she never received it back. Chair Bock will send Ms. Mills an e-mail to get the process going.
Ms. Mills stepped down at 6:54 PM.
Acknowledging Mr. Terninko's (7:15 PM appt.) absence, Chair Bock asked Mr. Sprague if he was ready to address the selectmen.
7:30 PM – Robert Sprague, Discussion of Town Employees
At 6:55 PM, Chair Bock acknowledged Mr. Sprague and invited him to the mic.
Mr. Sprague read a written statement. He did not like his discussion topic as placed on the agenda. He feels that the people of Nottingham cannot work together. He referred to opinion pieces that have been printed in the Forum, as of late that question the integrity of the town's administration. He voiced concern over the inaccuracy of the articles and lack of civility. He referred to several specific articles and voiced concern that the articles infer that the selectmen are keeping secrets from the residents while offering no proof. He stated that the Forum has refused to publish letters he has written in rebuttal.
Mr. Sprague thanked the selectmen, all other town government staff members, and library staff for their dedication, commitment, and professionalism. He feels that residents, such as he himself, have not done a good job supporting the work of the town's administration. He informed the selectmen that, moving forward, he intends to provide Nottingham residents with correct quality information around issues by way of fact sheets that will be hand delivered throughout the community. He will do this every time he believes misinformation is being passed around about the town's administration and staff.
In closing, Mr. Sprague stated that his hope is that in the end, we can all work together towards a better community. The selectmen thanked Mr. Sprague for his opinion. Mr. Sprague stepped down at 7:06 PM.
7:15 PM – John Terninko, Discussion of USA Springs
At 7:08 PM, Chair Bock acknowledged Mr. Terninko and invited him to the mic.
Mr. Terninko supplied the selectmen with copies of the UNH Storm Water Report. He asked them to review the data on retention ponds.
Mr. Terninko discussed starting his own water bottling company, USA Springs, NAFTA, WTO, and Codex Alimentarius. Ms. Bonser noted that Kate Peters, the governor's special assistant for policy, has been contacting the AG's office to obtain a timeframe for the response to the open question on USA Springs large groundwater withdrawal permit. Mr. Terninko discussed Attorney Donovan's tasks, noting that he feels Attorney Donovan was asked the wrong questions in relation to the water ordinance. He feels the selectmen should have asked Attorney Donovan if there are good laws and bad laws and if the ordinance was one way to confront bad laws in New Hampshire. There was discussion around home-rule states. The selectmen will inquire of Attorney Donovan what states operate under home-rule; possibly make
contact to see how the state works it.
At Mr. Terninko's inquiry, Ms. Bonser informed all that the board of selectmen has not provided any direction to any other departments or boards in regards to USA Springs. The town has been preempted from considering anything to do with the water withdrawal. If, and when, USA Springs comes in front of the planning board, if their plan meets regulations, approval must be granted. Mr. Terninko inquired as to whether the selectmen would enforce the ordinance if 60% of the registered voters supported their enforcement. There was discussion around other avenues being taken. The selectmen agree that as the responsible agents for the town, they must try all other avenues before considering putting the town at such risk.
Mr. Mills raised the issue of the special exception warrant article passed at the last town meeting. He believes that this warrant renders USA Springs special exception null and void. The selectmen will seek advice on this as they believe that USA Springs would have vested rights.
Mr. Terninko stepped down at 7:55 PM.
Ms. Doughty inquired about the meeting between Commissioner Burack and Dr. Ballestero. Ms. Bonser informed her that they have made contact but have not been able to schedule a meeting, at this point in time.
Mr. Mills thanked the selectmen for the exchange of information and asked the selectmen to continue to keep them updated.
MINUTES
May 10, 2010 (Meeting)
Motion: Bonser, second Anderson to approve the minutes of the May 10, 2010 meeting, as written.
Vote: All in favor. Motion passed: 3-0
May 10, 2010 (Non-public (a))
Motion: Bonser, second Anderson to approve the minutes of the May 10, 2010 non-public session (a), as written.
Vote: All in favor. Motion passed: 3-0
May 10, 2010 (Non-public (e))
Motion: Bonser, second Anderson to approve the minutes of the May 10, 2010 non-public session (e), as written.
Vote: All in favor. Motion passed: 3-0
May 17, 2010 (Workshop)
Line 37: Change Stuck to Stucker
Motion: Bonser, second Anderson to approve the minutes of the May 17, 2010 workshop, as amended.
Vote: All in favor. Motion passed: 3-0
May 24, 2010 (Non-public (b))
Line 43: remove the word is
Motion: Bonser, second Anderson to approve the minutes of the May 24, 2010 non-public session (b), as amended.
Vote: All in favor. Motion passed: 3-0
May 24, 2010 (Non-public (c))
Motion: Bonser, second Anderson to approve the minutes of the May 24, 2010 non-public session (c) as written.
Vote: All in favor. Motion passed: 3-0
GENERAL BUSINESS
The selectmen discussed writing articles for the Nottingham Community Newsletter to keep people informed of open issues. Ms. Chauvey will obtain deadlines from the Rhoda Capron.
Mr. Anderson and Ms. Bonser would like to get some business cards. Ms. Chauvey will follow up with Mr. Brown.
Ms. Bonser informed the other selectmen that the auditors are looking for a policy regarding funds coming in through the recreation department.
Having no further business,
Motion: Bonser, second Anderson to adjourn the meeting.
Vote: All in favor. Motion passed 3-0.
Meeting adjourned at 8:25 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Traci Chauvey
Recording Secretary
Approved as written at the July 19, 2010 meeting
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