NEWBURY BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MINUTES OF MARCH 29, 2004 MEETING
Selectmen: James Powell, Richard Wright, Gary Budd
Town Personnel: David Jescavage, Town Admin; Shelly Candidus, Admin. Assistant, Cal Prussman
Public: Alice Gove, Doris Newell, Frances Ward
The meeting convened at 6:30 p.m.
PUBLIC INPUT:
Gove, Newell and Ward appeared to discuss steps involved in donating the Sunapee Lake Grange to the town, as approved at Town Meeting. They presented a sample agreement, which will be referred to town counsel for review. Ward asked if the Grange would be allowed to use the building for meetings once or twice a month. The Board agreed that this would be permissible. Wright added that the town might find other future uses for the building. Powell said the town will change the locks and provide new keys to the Grange. He noted that the Historical Society uses the Old Town Hall and suggested that they might act as stewards of the building. Powell said the town will pay utilities costs and insurance and asked that the Grange keep the building clean and inform the Board of any areas that need additional upkeep. Ward said the Grange will
gather their supplies together and keep them in a locked area. Newell asked if the agreement could be signed before April 9th, since they would like to present it to their members for a vote. Wright said that the town might charge a usage fee to cover maintenance costs and that the agreement should carry a clause noting “the Town reserves the right to charge a nominal fee for use of the building.” Powell and Wright will tour the Grange Hall with the above representatives on April 27th at 11 a.m.
Prussman appeared to ask why a line item for funds which will be bonded for the new Highway Garage appears in his 2004 budget. He was concerned that expenses associated with the new construction be kept separate from regular budget expenses. The Board and Jescavage assured him that all expenses associated with the new Highway Garage and shed will be covered by bonded funds, and will not have an impact on his working budget.
CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS:
Wright asked for an update on the Building Committee’s action on the renovation and addition to the Town Office. Powell said the committee had identified several possible architects and construction managers. RFPs were sent today with a due date of April 15th. The Committee will meet on April 19th to review responses.
Engineering proposals for the new Highway Garage will be available for review at the next
Highway Advisory Committee Meeting. A construction manager will also be hired for this project.
REGULAR BUSINESS
SEPTIC DESIGNS:
Hardy, Roger. Map/lot# 42-760-271 Revision approved.
BUILDING PERMITS:
Strickland, Peter. Map/lot# 35-509-362. Permit to extend deck & add porch approved.
Bohl, John & Cynthia. Map/lot# 35-374-116. Permit for new house approved.
Briott, LLC (Scott Falvey). Map/lot# 44-078-083. Permit for new house approved.
INTENT TO CUT:
Stallbohm, Michael. Map/lot# 42-790-153. Supplemental cut approved.
INTENT TO EXCAVATE:
Graf, Marlene (Willow Pond). Map/lot# 44-316-433. Supplemental excavation approved.
PAYROLL & ACCOUNTS PAYABLE: Week ending March 27, 2004 approved.
MINUTES: Meeting minutes of March 15, 2004 approved to file.
OLD BUSINESS:
Jescavage reported that a quit claim deed for Diego Solimine had been reviewed and amended by legal counsel. The deed asserts that the town has no claim on a small parcel of land (Map/lot# 51-489-522) which will then become part of Solimine’s larger parcel (Map/lot# 51-438-457). The Board expressed willingness to sign the deed once Solimine has reimbursed the town for legal expenses.
NEW BUSINESS:
The Board signed an agreement with UVLSRPC to hold Hazardous Waste Day in Newbury on August 21, 2004 from 9 a.m.- noon.
Powell asked Jescavage to determine if New London is charging Newbury for glass crushing.
In response to a request from Tim Mulder to continue to work at the Transfer Station on weekends during the summer, the Board decided that his time was needed at Blodgett Sewer on spring and summer weekends.
The Board noted that $6,000 was allocated at Town Meeting for the purchase of a pick-up truck to be used at the Transfer Station. Wright said a state surplus truck would be available via auction in April. Jescavage said Heselton may already have a vehicle in mind. The Board asked Jescavage to discuss this matter with Heselton.
The Board reviewed a proposal from NHMA to perform a wage study for the town. In view of the cost, the Board decided not to accept the proposal. Instead, Jescavage will ask town staff and department heads to provide him with job descriptions. Comparable job descriptions and pay rates from similar towns will be studied to determine where on the wage scale Newbury’s jobs fall and what, if any, adjustments should be made.
The Board accepted a plan from Bob Bell to set aside some land in the High Meadow area to become part of the Greenway Corridor trail system. A plan from the Forest Society yet to come will provide an additional link which will create a continuous trail system. The Forest Society proposal will go before the town for approval at Town Meeting 2005.
The Board noted a request from Millard Whiteside to return the HO gauge train diorama he provided to the town several years ago. The Board released the diorama to him with thanks.
Jescavage reported that Bill Weiler has asked for clarification of his role in the engineering study of the Old Town Hall. Budd said he should come before the Board to discuss this question and how he perceives his role. Jescavage said Weiler also pointed out that the preamble to the Building Regulations (“Important Notice”) was never adopted as part of the building code, and should be so noted. The Board said that paragraph #1 of the preamble clearly states that these procedures are “suggestions” and no revision of the latest version (3/9/04) of the Building Regulations is needed.
The Board agreed that Jescavage should sign lawn care maintenance agreements with FVB Landscaping for town cemeteries and other property (excepting Blodgett Landing) for 2004.
The Board signed Current Use Applications for Hanamoto (Map/lot# 32-661-340) and Bolyn Land Investment (Map/lot# 29-178-142 & 29-089-140). They asked for clarification of map & lot number for Heath to determine what parts of the land are in Newbury, and what parts in Sunapee.
The Board signed a rebate of $708.00 for overpayment of 2003 property taxes.
The Board signed appointment letters for Clare Bensley and Eric Unger to continue to serve on the Conservation Commission.
NON-PUBLIC SESSION:
The Board voted to go into non-public session at 8:27 p.m. to discuss the status of Baker Hill Golf Club’s appeal to abate property taxes. The issue remains unresolved. The Board also discussed prospective employment at the Transfer Station and other employment issues. The Board came out of non-public session at 9 p.m.
MEETING ADJOURNED at 9:00 p.m.
NEXT REGULAR MEETING: Monday, April 12, 2004 at 6:30 p.m. at the Town Office.
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