NEWBURY BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MINUTES OF JANUARY 26, 2004 MEETING
Selectmen: James Powell, Richard Wright, Gary Budd
Town Personnel: David Jescavage, Town Admin.; Shelly Candidus, Admin. Ass’t.;
Public: Barbara Freeman, Bob Stewart, Suzanne Levine, Harry Seidel, Kevin Daniel, Kristen Senz (Argus-Champion)
The meeting convened at 6:31 p.m.
PUBLIC INPUT:
Barbara Freeman advised the Board that the Upper Valley Lake Sunapee Regional Planning Commission had contacted her regarding a meeting to be held with Jay Gamble to discuss preliminary plans for a Master Plan to address further development of Mt. Sunapee Resort. The meeting is scheduled for January 30th at the UVLSRPC offices at 3 p.m. Weiler will attend. She asked the Board to fax her any input on general issues or specific concerns that would impact Newbury. Powell agreed, but pointed out that the Board had voiced their concerns repeatedly over the past five years, and these have not changed.
APPOINTMENTS:
Bob Stewart appeared representing Bob Bell to discuss plans for the Whitethorn subdivision off Bay Point Road. This has been reviewed with the Planning Board and there is an issue regarding the establishment of common land, which the regulations require in the amount of 7 % of the area being subdivided. The Planning Board suggested a wetlands area as common land, but Bell said it wouldn’t be usable. He suggested a setback to extend beyond the state requirement around the existing wetland area. This would require a buyout by the developer and since common land is designated for recreation purposes, it was suggested that funds generated by the buyout be applied to the development of Fishersfield. Stewart’s questions were: Can the buyout funds be designated for this purpose; and how are the funds channeled to such an account?
The Planning Board needs to know if the Board is willing to accept these funds. They would be happy to have the common land in this location since it will serve to protect the wetlands. Powell said any money received would have to go into the General Fund and then a special fund would have to be created to channel the buyout funds to Fishersfield. This would have to be voted on via a warrant article at Town meeting. Wright said the proposal should be reviewed by town counsel. Powell said if it is to be brought before the town in the upcoming March meeting, the Board must have at least a draft of the proposal before the February 9th public hearing on the budget. Barbara Freeman will discuss the procedure with UVLSRPC, get final Planning Board approval, and determine the buyout price. Jescavage will discuss the matter with town counsel.
On another matter, Stewart again reviewed plans for renovation of two buildings on the Stone barn property. Since the Planning Board approved subdivision of the property, the milk house is no longer an ancillary building, and there are two potential dwelling units on one lot. The owner would like to make the milk house into a guest house, to be lived in while the barn is being renovated. The Board agreed that their position on this matter had not changed since previous reviews of the situation, and that it must be referred to the Zoning Board of Adjustment for consideration of a variance.
Harry Seidel reported to the Board that he had contacted Scott Hill who will cut and remove trees in Fishersfield in exchange for the timber. This is part of the proposal for field and road work for the area for 2004, not covered by the grant proposal being considered by LWCF. Seidel has drafted a contract for the work to be done before spring. The Board approved this proposal and Wright will inspect the flagged areas tomorrow.
Seidel also wants to have wood and logs left from the old logging operation removed to facilitate trail development. He suggested use of a team of oxen for this work, to protect the environment. The Board felt is would be faster and more economical to have Hill do this work as well as the primary clearing. Wright suggested he pursue this idea with Hill, noting that work is needed to define the trails in question.
Kevin Daniel appeared in response to a letter from the Code Enforcement Officer regarding the condition of a barn and house on Gillingham Drive. These were found to be in severe disrepair, and presenting a hazard to the public. Daniel disagreed and stated that he is paying taxes on these buildings and takes pleasure in having them. He felt his properties had been singled out and others in town were in similar or worse condition. He has a letter from a builder stating the house is structurally sound. Wright pointed out that the properties should be secure and posted against possible persons who might be injured. In such a case, Daniel would be liable. Wright repeated that the barn, in particular, was near collapse. Daniel said he was offended by the tone of the letter he received from the town, and the ultimatum. Powell apologized for
the letter and agreed the matter might have been handled with more tact. Daniel then shared with the Board his intention to tear down the barn this year and secure and clean out the house. When his son is available, they will redo the house together. Meantime, he uses it. He will apply for a building permit in the summer.
BUDGET REVIEW/WARRANT ARTICLES:
Powell noted that the overall budget reflects a 3.4% increase, before adding the warrant articles. He would like to see a smaller number. Budd remarked that this is not an unwarranted increase in light of the growth in the town. He asked Jescavage to provide a spread sheet or MS-2 showing the impact of the warrant articles. Wright added that growth had to be accommodated and the town had to meet the needs for services. He felt that proposed projects had to be done, and the time to do them was now, while interest rates are low. If we wait, projects like the Highway Garage will be more costly. Jescavage said approval for funding a new Highway Garage would have no impact until 2005.
Powell asked that a warrant article be included to propose the town taking over the Grange Hall, as requested by the Grange. He asked Jescavage to discuss the provisions with Alice Gove.
Wright reported he was meeting with Jim Bruss tomorrow to discuss costs to renovate the Town Office building. He will be asked to attend the Feb. 2nd Board meeting. Powell said two warrant articles should be prepared: one for renovations on the scale of the Sherman proposal with a new meeting room, and one for a simple addition of office space in the current meeting room, without adding a new meeting area. Budd said systems updates and networks must be included in these proposals.
Powell said since conversion to Munismart software is complicated and time-consuming, the office staff has recommended that we postpone conversion. He suggested creating an Expendable Trust Fund of $10,000 or $12,000 this year to be used as needed for initial future purchases of modules.
The Board approved the sum of $5,000 (not $7,000) for the article to cover the architectural study of the Old Town Hall.
Regarding the article for purchasing upgraded computer hardware and software, the Board approved a sum of $12,000 (not $25,000).
$3,000 should be designated for a Cemetery Maintenance Fund.
The Board reviewed a draft of the Fishersfield article and asked Jescavage to prepare paragraph one for the warrant.
The Board noted that final cost estimates are still needed for the articles on the construction of the Highway Garage and renovation of the Town Office. These numbers will be in hand by February 2nd.
REGULAR BUSINESS:
PAYROLL & ACCOUNTS PAYABLE: Week ending January 24, 2004 approved.
MINUTES: Minutes of January 19, 2004 approved to file.
OLD BUSINESS:
The Board noted receipt of a letter from a property owner on Route 103 who had been advised to remove an unsafe structure. The property owner described plans to demolish the existing shed and construct a new one. Since this matter had been referred to town counsel, counsel will be asked for legal input and a procedure for scheduling the proposed work.
Wright reported that he had met with representatives from Fish & Game and the Sullivan County Fish & Game sportsmen’s group to discuss Senator Below’s proposal for the development of Wild Goose for public access to Lake Sunapee. No consensus was reached; DRED is still a stumbling block to that proposal. Wright urged support of the Below bill, which is now numbered and moving toward legislation. He has written in support of the bill to Hawkeye Magazine.
NEW BUSINESS:
The Board reviewed and approved plans submitted by surveyor Clayton Platt designating land at High Meadow for the Greenway public access trail system. These plans will now go to the Planning Board.
The Board approved a request from UVLSRPC to move the 2004 Hazardous Waste collection site from Newbury to New London.
The Board approved a contract with Jacques Whitford to provide water quality testing at the Transfer Station, required by the state for the issuance of a permit. The Board discussed suggestions for providing additional shelter at the Transfer Station adjacent to the second compactor. Jescavage is working on this. The Board asked that the signs posted against littering carry a warning of the maximum penalty for littering at this site.
The Board agreed to make electronic payments to the state Treasury Department for services rendered.
The Board signed two applications for Current Use and a Timber Tax levy in the amount of $2,324.72.
The Board signed 8 refunds and 5 abatements for adjustments on 2003 property taxes.
MEETING ADJOURNED at 9:30 p.m.
NEXT REGULAR MEETING: Monday, February 2, 2004 , 6:30 p.m. at the Town Office.
NEWBURY BOARD OF SELECTMEN sc/jan26/04
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