NEWBURY BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MINUTES OF APRIL 26, 2004 MEETING
Selectmen: James Powell, Richard Wright, Gary Budd
Town Personnel: Shelly Candidus, Admin. Assistant, Cal Prussman, Tim Mulder
Public: Harry Seidel, Carol Conforti Adams, Greg & Duane Quinn (Rocky Mt. Pure), David & Mary Thayer, Michael Joyce, Bill Syvertsen, Jim Bruss, Bob Bell, Michael Wilkes, Heather Durfey (Argus-Champion)
The meeting convened at 6:30 p.m.
PUBLIC INPUT:
Harry Seidel advised the Board that the town has made it through the first step in obtaining a grant from the Land and Water Conservation Fund Program for developing Fishersfield trails and fields. Funds are made available through the National Park Service on their approval of additional components to be included in a Project Agreement packet. As the next step, Seidel is asking for Board approval of the Project Agreement. Conforti Adams said the Fishersfield Committee will track all expenses and payments. Powell said the Board would review the information in the next few days and will respond to Seidel with comments and, if approved, signatures in a week’s time.
Bill Syvertsen appeared to question the location of the new Highway Garage. He said this would be an industrial facility located in a residential area. Powell said he did not consider the building to be industrial, since nothing will be manufactured or sold there. It is primarily a storage facility. It will not be a source of noise or generate any environmental hazards. Syvertsen asked if other sites had been explored and if an impact study had been done. Wright said the current site meets all required standards and the aquifer is protected. Powell added the warrant article describing this site was accepted by vote of the town. He said other sites were considered but were ruled out. The Board realizes this is a sensitive area and all possible precautions have been taken to protect it.
Greg and Duane Quinn from Rocky Mountain Pure came before the Board to describe their modular wastewater treatment system. These above-ground stainless steel units handle a specific flow and can be added onto if needed. They are fully automated, self-contained, PC-controlled, factory assembled and tested and UL approved. No chemicals are used. They produce water fit for re-use. Monitoring is automatic. Their reduced sludge output reduces environmental concerns. Wright asked if the size of the unit is customized. Greg Quinn said it could be, based on peak flow. Budd asked about the cost per unit. Quinn said there were many variables effecting cost, but a ball park figure would be $650,000 for a 50,000 gallon unit. Powell asked about maintenance costs and training. Quinn said these would be covered for the first year by terms of
the agreement. Budd asked about the life expectancy of the units. Duane Quinn replied it was about 30 years. Powell asked how many man hours were needed to oversee the system. Greg Quinn replied supervision of the system required about 100 hours per year.
The Quinns provided information about their system and a web site address. The Board thanked them for coming.
Michael Joyce appeared to inquire about access to a lot he purchased off Skytop Drive which is on a paper road. Powell noted this is a gray area and suggested he discuss the problem with the Planning Board and talk to a lawyer regarding the law declaring paper roads not put in use for 20 years to be null and void. Wright suggested he approach his abutter to get an easement and then come back to the town for a driveway permit. The easement would have to be a legal document.
Building Projects:
Highway Garage: Wright reported that the Highway Advisory Committee met on April 22nd and reviewed all engineering and construction manager proposals. The Committee recommended hiring CLD Engineering and Bruss Construction. The Board considered these recommendations and voted unanimously to accept them.
Town Office: Wright expressed concern about what the town is actually getting for the extra $200,000 approved at Town Meeting. He noted that $50,000 will go toward updated filing and phone systems. He is concerned that the engineering and architect’s fees may not leave enough to cover construction costs. Jim Bruss suggested that if an architect is hired, he might work for the construction manager which would provide cost and management efficiencies. The Board will bring this idea before the Building Committee.
Budd reported that work is moving forward to update the phone and filing systems. The primary phone equipment will be installed in the Safety Services building, with lines coming under Route 103 to serve the Town Office and library. Prussman reported he has been working with the state to bring the lines under the road. They require a $10,000 2-year bond or line of credit. Budd said the conduit for the lines should be 4 inches and the piping under the road should be kept as straight as possible. Budd requested a purchase order of $6,560 for PHD Communications for phone equipment and a letter from the town specifying the equipment and town tax ID number. Candidus will prepare this. Updating the filing system in the vault will begin in mid-June. Powell cautioned that while it was important to move ahead on these projects, it was
also important to consider all necessary details.
Tim Mulder appeared to discuss equipment needed for Blodgett Sewer. Liners are needed for the two
remaining beds, totaling about $10,000. Powell asked him to order these as soon as possible. Work on
the beds will begin around July 1st. Mulder has a credit from a vendor for $999 and would like to use it
for a new weedwacker. Wright suggested that he ask for a refund instead and purchase the tool locally.
Mulder will provide the vendor’s name to Powell, who will call for the refund. Mulder also requested a
sludge blanket detector and a 10 gallon hot water heater. Powell will check the sewer budget before
approving.
REGULAR BUSINESS
SEPTIC DESIGNS:
Babcock, Joyce. Map/lot# 07-220-332. Approved.
Begin Construction. Map/lot# 29A-230-398, 229-410, 231-388. Approved.
Sawyer, David. Map/lot# 16A-137-064. Approved.
Souliotis, John. Map/lot# 43-437-327. Approved.
Allen, Kevin. Map/lot# 43-098-029. Approved.
BUILDING PERMITS:
Henderson, Bart. Map/lot# 30-314-262. Permit for new house approved.
Frankauski, John. Map/lot# 41-704-233. Permit for deck approved.
Allen, Stuart. Map/lot# 16A-240-487. Permit for shed approved.
Bryk, Thomas. Map/lot# 07-381-434. Permit for new house approved.
Jeanson, Matthew. Map/lot# 18-055-083. Permit for deck approved.
Long, David. Map/lot# 43-797-526. Permit to rebuild house approved.
Gruning, Gene. Map/lot# 32-276-289. Permit for deck & porch approved.
Bellissima Brick Oven. Map/lot# 20-205-294. Permit to convert window to door approved.
Lacombe, Michael. Map/lot# 51-605-516. Permit for new house approved.
Hardy, Roger. Map/lot# 42-789-302. Permit for new house approved.
INTENT TO CUT:
Stallbohm, Michael. Map/lot# 42-790-153. Approved.
Karlson, Edward and Ronald. Map/lot# 41-552-363. Approved.
PAYROLL & ACCOUNTS PAYABLE: Week ending April 24, 2004 approved.
MINUTES: Meeting minutes of April 12, 2004 approved to file.
OLD BUSINESS:
Powell has copies of town job descriptions in hand. Candidus will copy these for Budd’s review.
Powell noted that the Employee Handbook has been updated. This will be distributed to all employees.
Powell will contact Weiler for an update on the status of repairs for the damaged headstone.
The Board received recommendations from the town attorney for settling the tax assessment dispute between Baker Hill Golf Club and the town. These recommendations will be reviewed by the Board for discussion at the May 10th Board meeting.
NEW BUSINESS:
The Board voted unanimously to have the Code Enforcement Officer review and approve building permits involving minor alterations and/or additions.
The Board approved a request from a property owner on Hilltop Road to extend his building permit until August 7, 2002. The CEO will continue to monitor interior construction.
The Board approved a request from the library to hold their annual bake and book sale at the library on May 29th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Board agreed to ask Scott Nelson if he would be willing to serve as Health Officer.
The Board discussed the advisability of putting an ad in the Kearsarge Shopper asking for interested citizens to volunteer for various boards and committees in town. It was decided to wait until early summer to place an ad, when more property owners are in town.
Powell will arrange a meeting with the town attorney and the Clarks to discuss the status of property at Map/lot# 20-084-062.
The Board signed a bill of sale conveying a truck for use at the Transfer Station from Heselton to the town.
The Board signed two abatements totaling $2,776 and two refunds totaling $1,420.50.
The Board signed Timber Tax levies in the amounts of $787.20 and $544.70.
The Board held an Application for Current Use for Lizotte pending further review.
The Board signed letters appointing Suzanne Levine and Ken Ames to the Conservation Commission.
Powell reported that the bond application for funds for the town building project had been filed and funds should be in hand by early July, 2004.
NON-PUBLIC SESSION:
The Board voted to go into non-public session under RSA 91-A:3, II, a-e at 9:40 p.m. to review applications for the Town Administrator job. Powell will schedule interviews. The Board came out of non-public session at 10:15 p.m.
MEETING ADJOURNED at 10:30 p.m.
NEXT REGULAR MEETING: Monday, May 10, 2004 at 6:30 p.m. at the Town Office.
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