Town of Nottingham
Selectmen’s Meeting
September 13, 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: Sam Demeritt, Celia Abrams, Sue Mooney, Cheryl Smith, Deb Stevens, Nottingham Conservation Commission members; Charlene Andersen
Others: Charles Brown, Town Administrator; Traci Chauvey, Recording Secretary
ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS
Mr. Brown reported:
- There are four candidates for the open police officer positions. They have been tested and will be interviewed.
- The old fire car has been sold.
- Mr. Brown is still working on the numbers from Back Creek Bridge. Funds were expended from the shim and sealcoat line that need to be moved to the encumbered engineering line. The road agent is waiting to see what funds are left in the shim and sealcoat lines once the expenses have been moved. The gentleman from Homeland Security and Emergency Management who is reviewing submission for projects under this mitigation grant program called to praise Nottingham's submissions. The selectmen acknowledged Mr. Brown for a job well done. Mr. Brown informed them that Marge Carlson, Nottingham's bookkeeper, is the person deserving of the praise. He also submitted an invoice for $91,060 with the reports.
- The recreation department has requested $200 to be expended from the recreation revolving account to aid the school in obtaining an in-floor net system for volleyball. The PTA has donated $650. Total project cost is approximately $2,000. The project involves putting "plants" in the floor to hold the net posts. The goal is to start a kids volleyball program and a school team, however, it will be used by the recreation department for at least the first year.
Chair Bock updated the community on Nottingham Day, reminding viewers that the event was to take place this Saturday. He commended the recreation department for all their efforts on behalf of this town event, noting that under the guidance of the recreation department, this event is supported by volunteers.
Mr. Brown announced there is a public meeting with members of the legislature, Role of Municipalities in Regulating Groundwater Withdrawals, to be held at the Rochester Community Center on September 30, at 6:30 PM. He read the write-up received in the mail.
There was discussion around the budget schedule and the need to hold a workshop. The Budget Committee would like a first draft by November 4. First draft was due November 12 last year. Department head deadline for submission to Mr. Brown is October 5. Mr. Brown is to verify the last possible date to hold the public hearing, which is 25 days before Town Meeting. March 8, 2011 is voting day and March 12, 2011 is Town Meeting.
Mr. Anderson and Mr. Brown relayed discussions of getting a new piece of equipment for the Recycling Center. The Bobcat is 25 years old and in need of new tires. New tires are $2,500. Mr. Anderson has suggested a Versahandler, which he inquired about with the Bobcat dealer. Cost is approximately $44,700. Mr. Anderson feels this piece of equipment will be a big cost savings to the town in that we would be able to get twice the amount of material in in each haul cutting the hauling cost in half.
MINUTES
July 19, 2010 (Non-public)
Motion: Bonser, second Anderson to approve the minutes of the July 19, 2010 non-public session as written.
Vote: All in favor. Motion passed: 3-0
Minutes from 08/16 were not reviewed.
August 30, 2010 (Meeting)
Motion: Bonser, second Anderson to accept the minutes of the August 30, 2010 meeting as written.
Vote: All in favor. Motion passed: 3-0
Discussion: Chair Bock noted that action item of voting on recommendations for the upcoming Legislative Policy Conference.
ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS Cont.
The selectmen addressed the signature file:
Motion: Bonser, second Anderson to sign the MS-5.
Vote: All in favor. Motion passed: 3-0
The selectmen signed the documents.
Mr. Anderson reported that the Planning Board had received an invite from the Town of Raymond for a community meeting. He will be attending this meeting Thursday, September 23, at 7:00 PM.
There was discussion around the Law Lecture Series. It appears much of the three day schedule conflicts with other selectmen obligations; however they will all review their schedules and consider attending where, when, and if, they can.
APPOINTMENTS
7:00 PM – NOTTINGHAM CONSERVATION COMMISSION (NCC)– WETLAND RESERVE PROJECT (WRP) REPORT
At 6:56, Chair Bock acknowledged Mr. Demeritt and invited him to the mic.
Mr. Demeritt took his seat and informed the selectmen that he wanted to update them on the Wetland Preserve Projects in town.
The Nottingham Conservation Commission is currently considering purchasing the property across the street from the Municipal Office Complex for $25K. It has been through the WRP process and Mr. Falzone has turned it over to Bear Paw for $1. Part of NCC's consideration for the purchase of this property is the town's use for overflow parking and the fishing derby. This property may not be available to the town if purchased by another private owner. The fee of $25K is to help Bear Paw recoup some of the money spent during the WRP process. At Chair Bock's inquiry, Mr. Demeritt stated that he did not have an account of monies spent by Bear Paw. There was discussion around parking, restoration, and allowed use of the property. Mr. Demeritt, Ms. Stevens, and Ms. Smith explained that
parking cannot be expanded. Mr. Brown stated that he had received mixed signals from Mr. Auger regarding parking use. The restoration plan, which will be funded by the Natural Resource Conservation Service, a division of the Department of Agriculture, is for grading and re-sloping of the parking and bank areas to stop rain water running from the street and parking area into the river. The selectmen indicated they did not see a need to purchase this property if the easement restricts use of the property to what it currently is, vacant land. Mr. Demeritt indicated that Bear Paw is not in a rush to sell, although they are not in the business of owning property. Ms. Abrams noted that Bear Paw will offer the town first refusal of the property when they are interested in selling. Ms. Smith informed the selectmen that the wetland reserve easement is specific in what it allows; there cannot be commercial activity, including a farm stand. Ms.
Andersen informed the selectmen that the Economic Development Committee had previously discussed and envisioned extending the trail leading along the river up to the school to supply the school and students with a pathway for education purposes.
The Conservation Commission has, also, voted to expend funds for both the Tasker property (approximately 72 acres) and the Dagget property (approximately 40-50 acres). The owners of the properties are currently working to place easements with NCRS on each property. Purchase price for the Tasker property will be in the range of $3K-$4K , while purchase price for the Dagget property will be approximately $40K. There was discussion around the price of the Dagget property. Mr. Demeritt explained the easement will be only on about 14 acres on the west side of the river and $30K of the cost is to address the cost of the subdivision that could take place on the remaining property.
There was brief discussion around the status of the easement at 3 Ledge Farm Road, which is unknown and around NCC membership, which is full at this time. Chair Bock asked Mr. Demeriit to inform Mr. Brown if the opportunity arises to walk the Tasker and/or Dagget properties.
Mr. Demeritt stepped down and the NCC members left the meeting.
7:15 PM – CABLE FRANCHISE RENEWAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE – FRANCHISE RENEWAL UPDATE
At 7:15 PM, Chair Bock acknowledged Mr. Stucker and invited him to the mic.
Mr. Stucker introduced himself as committee chairman and informed all that they held a meeting on September 7, 2010. The existing contract extension is going to expire and they requested another 30 day extension. Mr. Stucker noted that the committee members are frustrated with the pace of things, adding that Comcast's most common response is, "We'll get back to you." and they do not/have not gotten back to them with the answers. The committee feels that this process has been more dictation than negotiation and as though Comcast's response, or lack thereof, to town issues that the committee is trying to address is indicative of their desire to retain Nottingham as a franchisee. There was discussion around taking the issue to Town Meeting to see if the resident's wish to seek out a new
provider, the ramifications to residents and businesses should the town be without cable, internet, and phone services for a period of time, and what expectations there would be for customer service (as a franchisee) from another provider. It was noted that Comcast's customer service is far below par.
There was discussion from Ms. Bonser about using franchise fee money to pay the satellite bill for Steven's Hill Road residents. She noted that, although the cost, for internet alone, is $240 per month, it would be cheaper than paying to install cable, which may become obsolete within a short period of time. Mr. Stucker informed the selectmen that the committee has voted to recommend a warrant article placing half of the franchise fees in the revenue for the general fund and placing half in a special revenue fund for maintenance of the cable system, which would include maintenance and service to roads such as Steven's Hill Road. There was discussion around the warrant article and what specifics the committee would need to include. Ms. Chauvey inquired as to whether the committee was asking for
anything extraordinary that is holding up negotiations. Mr. Stucker explained that some items have been negotiated;' however, the majority of items that were placed before Comcast last April, have not been responded to; Stevens Hill Road is the largest of the issues. Secondly, Ms. Chauvey informed the selectmen that her understanding of the issue the gentleman from Stevens Hill Road is having is that satellite is not adequate for his needs, regardless of who pays. He runs a home business and is only allowed a certain amount of bandwidth each day. Every time he goes over, he is shut off for a 24 hour period. Ms. Anderson indicated that it would not be in Comcast's best interest to shut the town off. Mr. Stucker stated that he had been told by the committee's attorney that that has been done before. There was more discussion around the ramifications of businesses losing their internet service and whether or not Comcast really wants to retain
Nottingham. There was discussion around Comcast's representative not showing for five out of the last eight meeting and about going over his head.
Motion: Bonser, second Anderson to sign the30 day extension to the contract between the Town of Nottingham and Comcast of ME/NH, Inc., extending the end date to November 15, 2010.
Vote: All in favor. Motion passed: 3-0
Mr. Stucker informed the selectmen that new laws have been passed regarding pole tax and the committee expects that this will be addressed in the next presentation of the contract from Comcast. Ms. Anderson noted that the selectmen had sent a letter in support of letting the pole tax exemption lapse. There was discussion around this and Mr. Brown noted that no one yet knows how this will affect anything as it is new. He does not believe that the towns will even
be aware of its affect. There was discussion around the recommended warrant article. Mr. Stucker will e-mail a copy to the selectmen's office.
Mr. Stucker recommended that once the cable contract is settled, the selectmen consider appointing a cable committee to oversee operations.
Discussion with Town Moderator , Brian Stucker
Mr. Stucker then addressed the selectmen as the Town Moderator, noting the Primary Election tomorrow. Even though it is a mid-term election, it is still important for people to get out and vote. The polls will be open 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM.
The selectmen discussed coverage times for poling hours. Ms. Bonser is working as a Ballot Clerk from 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM. Mr. Anderson will cover 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM. Chair Bock will cover 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM.
Mr. Stucker indicated that they would tear down on Wednesday and publicly thanked Mr. Terry Bonser for his assistance with preparations this AM. The Secretary of State is predicting a 20%-25% turnout for voting. The General Election is Tuesday, November 2. There was discussion around sign holders for the candidates. Mr. Stucker is planning to move them to the first two parking spaces in front of the Dame building.
Mr. Stucker stepped down and left the meeting at 8:08 PM.
GENERAL BUSINESS
The selectmen made the following recommendations to oppose NHMA's support of the following General Government, Revenue, and Intergovernment Relations (GGRIR) policies (see official file for all proposals and wording):
#2. Oppose NHMA's support.
#5. Oppose NHMA's support.
#10. Oppose NHMA's support in the first part and support their opposition in the second part.
#11. Oppose NHMA's support.
#15. Oppose NHMA's support.
The selectmen made the following recommendations to oppose NHMA's support on the following floor proposals (see official file for all proposals and wording):
Lebanon City Council's policy proposal submitted by Mayor Georgia Tuttle, MD in regard to the permitting of municipal assessing offices to request financial information.
Selectmen Bentti Hoiska's (New Ipswich) proposal in regards to amending 105:9 III.
Selectmen Bentti Hoiska's (New Ipswich) proposal in regards to amending 72-B:1 I.
Selectmen Aboul B. Kahn's (Seabrook) proposal in regards to the expansion of gambling.
Selectman's Assistant Will Fenno, M.D. (Sharon) in regards to establishing a legislative committee to study the repeal of RSA 128 and re-enacting RSAs 125:2.
Mr. Brown and Ms. Bonser will attend the Legislative Policy Conference relating to the above proposed policies on Friday, September 17, 2010.
Chair Bock reminded all that Nottingham Day is this Saturday, September 18, 2010.
The selectmen received a request from the building committee to move forward with the work to address their recommendations regarding improvements to the space for the food pantry.
Motion: Bonser, second Anderson to move forward with the recommended renovations:
Vote: All in favor: Motion passed: 3-0
There was discussion around the need for a Budget Committee secretary. Eleven dollars per hour will be posted as the starting rate of pay. Ms. Chauvey will create a job ad to submit to The Forum.
Having no further business,
Motion: Anderson, second Bonser to adjourn the meeting.
Vote: All in favor. Motion passed 3-0
Meeting adjourned at 8:55 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Traci Chauvey
Recording Secretary
Approved as amended at the September 27, 2010 meeting.
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