NEWBURY BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MINUTES OF JANUARY 5, 2004 MEETING
Selectmen: James Powell, Richard Wright, Gary Budd
Town Personnel: David Jescavage, Town Admin.; Shelly Candidus, Admin. Ass’t.; Chief Valiquet
Public: Bill O’Brien & Gordon Marshall (LSPA); Sen. Clifton Below
The meeting convened at 6:35 p.m. There was no public input.
APPOINTMENTS:
Bill O’Brien, new Executive Director of LSPA, and outgoing director, Gordon Marshall, appeared to update the Board on LSPA’s efforts to control milfoil infiltration on Lake Sunapee. The shoreline of the lake has been divided into 24 sections and volunteers check them regularly. In fact, 25 % of all efforts to control infestation are now concentrated on Lake Sunapee. Since 2001, eleven sites have been identified as potential problem areas for milfoil. A summer staff of college students has monitored all these sites and documented them by text and photos. So far, the growth is contained at Georges Mills. The boat wash at George’s Mills is working well, and another is planned for Sunapee Harbor. LSPA is asking for continued support from the town to control milfoil, and Powell said funds would continue
to be available through an expendable trust fund, as approved at Town Meeting. He asked if a representative from LSPA would attend March 2004 Town Meeting to answer any questions about this effort, and O’Brien agreed.
Senator Cliff Below appeared to discuss legislation he is proposing regarding the use of Wild Goose for public boat access to Lake Sunapee. The bill has not yet been assigned a number, nor is it available for public review for another week . Below’s bill would alter the plan for parking and provide for 34 spaces for vehicles with boats. He will propose hours for access to be from 4:30 a.m. - 9 p.m.. Parking fees would be waived for NH residents with fishing licenses and boat registrations. Fees would apply to out-of-state users. The bill would also provide for a cooperative agreement with the town of Newbury for maintenance and operation, with an option to lease part of the site for town access. Below asked if the town would be interested in such an arrangement. Marshall from LSPA said supporters of the bill should stress that it
supports public access more efficiently and at a fraction of the cost of the Fish & Game plan. Powell asked how sportsmen will react. Wright said the NH Wildlife Federation continues to support the Fish & Game proposal. He added that access should not be interpreted as allowing only boats to enter the lake, but should provide a spot for fishing and water activities from a public dock. It was suggested that supporters of Below’s bill visit local Fish & Game clubs to promote his plan. Below asked the town to endorse the legislation, discuss the plan with town residents and local sportsmen, and go to public hearings on this matter. Powell said the Board would re-activate the Wild Goose Committee and formally take a position on this legislation. The Board agreed by unanimous vote to support this bill.
Chief Valiquet appeared at the request of the Board to review the contract with New London Dispatch for 2004. The contract was signed. The Chief asked if the town snow removal policy should be updated/revised and publicized. Candidus said the current town policy was posted in two locations. The Board asked Jescavage to review the ordinance to determine if changes are needed.
NON-PUBLIC SESSION: The Board voted to go into non-public session with Valiquet at 7:45 p.m. to discuss some procedural issues. Police Department salary recommendations were also discussed.
Non-public session continued with general discussion of the salary review process. A procedure was recommended by the Board, to be put in place by Department Heads by January 12th.
Still in non-public session, the Board discussed a complaint regarding a cemetery matter. Jescavage will respond by letter. The Board came out of non-public session at 9:50 p.m.
BUDGET REVIEWS:
Jescavage distributed a revised budget proposal for 2004. The Board asked Jescavage to remove the Revaluation category ($30,000) from the budget, since these funds will be added to an existing Capital Reserve Fund. It was noted that the line for Assessing Clerk in the Financial Administration category should be $7,488 rather than $10.00. The Special Articles category (no funds) should be deleted. The line for Professional Services under General Government, Buildings should be deleted, since this fund request for an engineering study for the Old Town Hall will be handled via a warrant article. Powell asked Jescavage to check with Chief Valiquet to see if the proposed salaries reflect overtime, special duty, etc.
Jescavage noted that errors in some of the budgets reflect errors in the reporting software, which is printing figures inconsistently on different reports. He will pursue this with the vendor.
REGULAR BUSINESS:
SEPTIC DESIGNS:
Day, Russell. Map/lot# 50-499-188. Approved.
LaCombe, Michael. Map/lot# 51-605-516. Approved.
INTENT TO CUT:
Francoeur, Paul. Map/lot# 43-294-424. Approved.
PAYROLL & ACCOUNTS PAYABLE: Week ending January 3, 2004 approved.
MINUTES: Minutes of December 29, 2003 approved to file.
NEW BUSINESS:
Powell distributed a draft of a letter addressed to users of the sewer system at Blodgett Landing, explaining the history, current status, and state-required procedures to keep this system operational. The letter was approved by the Board. It will be prepared for mailing the week of January 12th. Powell also noted that the Board was exploring information about alternate sewer systems, and Jescavage distributed information on one such self-contained system.
The Board denied a request from the COA for additional town funding in 2004.
The Board will hold the annual Budget Public Hearing on February 9, 2004 at 7 p.m.
The Board will hold a public hearing on a bond issue for funding a new Highway Garage on February 16, 2004 at 7 p.m.
The Board signed a warrant to collect timber taxes in the amount of $140.
The Board signed a supplemental Property Tax Warrant in the amount of $1,649.
The Board signed 7 requests for abatement and one request for a refund of property taxes.
MEETING ADJOURNED at 10:55 p.m.
NEXT REGULAR MEETING: Monday, January 12, 2004 , 6:30 p.m. at the Town Office.
________________________ ______________________ ________________________
James M. Powell Gary Budd Richard Wright
NEWBURY BOARD OF SELECTMEN sc/jan5/03
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