NEWBURY BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MINUTES OF APRIL 14, 2003 MEETING
Selectmen: James Powell, Richard Wright
Town Personnel: David Jescavage, Town Administrator; Shelly Candidus, Administrative Assistant; Cal Prussman, Highway Administrator; Betsy Soper, Zoning Board
Public:
The meeting convened at 6:33 p.m. There was no public input.
APPOINTMENTS:
Betsy Soper appeared to discuss several issues with the Board. She first addressed a request from an owner of agricultural property who wanted to remove a small hill from a farm field, excavate gravel to level the area, and incorporate the flattened area into the existing field. The Board had referred this request for excavation to the Planning Board, who told the owner he would have to apply to the Zoning Board for a Special Exception, involving a public hearing, notice to abutters, etc. Soper reviewed the RSAs pertaining to Excavation and found that special permitting was not necessary under RSA 155E:2-a & b. This exception covers excavation incidental to agricultural use and minor surface adjustment. The Board agreed with Soper that this is a very minor matter and asked her to work
with Jescavage to prepare a memo of explanation for the Planning Board and the property owner.
Soper next reported that the Stuarts continue to claim restricted use of their property due to the presence of a fence put in place by their abutter. The matter is still in court. Powell said he had looked at the site and felt that propane trucks, police, fire and other emergency vehicles could provide necessary services to the house even though vehicle access was limited. The Board agreed that this continues to be a civil issue to be handled by attorneys for the parties involved.
Soper asked for clarification of who does mailings and notifications of hearings for the Zoning Board. The Board responded that this is now the responsibility of the Land Use clerk, Lacy Harte. Wright added that this position will help coordinate work between the Planning and Zoning Boards. Harte will also make initial contact with applicants to the Boards and will answer procedural questions. Powell said the present ZBA secretary will continue to do the meeting minutes, and if she is interested in additional work, she might contact the Planning Board to see if she can do their minutes as well.
Soper asked what the applicant fee to the ZBA and Planning Boards covers. The Board
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April 14, 2003 Page 2
agreed the fee should cover publishing notice in the papers, certified mailings to abutters, and administrative time. Wright added that all fees should be paid in full before any application is accepted. The Board mentioned that certified mailings should be sent return receipt requested.
This subject will be addressed further at the next joint meeting of the boards, on May 13th.
Cal Prussman reported that bids for road work for 2003 all came in under budget. Bids were awarded as follows:
Paving and Shimming Pike Industries
Dust Control All State Asphalt
Culvert Pipe Redhead Supply Co.
Crack Sealing Henry Dow
Winter Sand & Crushed Gravel Walter Graf
Prussman said major projects for 2003 will include work on Morse Hill Road, Bay Point Landing Road, South Road, and parts of Newell and Sutton Roads. Powell suggested that he look carefully at the 5-year road plan and see if it should be revised in part or in whole. In response to a question about sweeping, Prussman said he hoped this would be complete before Memorial Day.
NON-PUBLIC SESSION:
The Board voted to go into non-public session with Prussman at 7:38 to discuss personnel matters. Applications for the position of highway worker were reviewed and a candidate was selected. The Board came out of non-public session at 7:50 p.m.
REGULAR BUSINESS:
SEPTIC DESIGNS:
Laustsen, Mark & Janet. Map/lot# 51-109-490. Approved.
Behrens, Tom. Map/lot# 42-326-024. Approved.
INTENT TO EXCAVATE:
Whitman, Mike. Map/lot# 44-213-430. Approved.
INTENT TO CUT:
Folsom, Harold. Map/lot# 31-603-157. Approved.
PAYROLL & ACCOUNTS PAYABLE: Week ending April 12, 2003 approved. MINUTES: Minutes of March 31, 2003 meeting approved to file.
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April 14, 2003 Page 3
OLD BUSINESS:
Jescavage reported that a letter supplying the information required by the DRA to renew the Groundwater Permit at Blodgett Landing wastewater plant was sent to meet their April 15th deadline.
Jescavage has notified Jacques Whitford engineers that their contract for groundwater testing at Blodgett Landing will not be renewed.
Jescavage reported that a contract for lawn care in 2003 has been signed with FVB. They will start work in April, weather permitting.
Jescavage has prepared a comprehensive job description for a Code Enforcement Officer. Ads will be placed in the local papers, the Shopper, the Valley News and Eagle Times, and on the NHMA web site.
NEW BUSINESS:
The Board signed warrants to collect timber taxes in the amounts of $199.40, $35.62, and $2,106.42..
The Board signed a warrant to collect Excavation Taxes in the amount of $359.06.
The Board signed an application for Current Use for Boqacz, map/lot# 42-083-018.
The Board signed a request for a rebate of $230 for a motor vehicle registration transfer fee.
The Board awarded a vending permit to Jim Tinker for sale of food at Bell Cove during the 2003 summer season.
The Board agreed to disband the Welfare Review Committee.
The Board asked Candidus to arrange for assessor Mike Ryan to attend an upcoming board meeting to discuss abatement requests.
The Board asked Jescavage to contact Harry Seidel about organizing the summer concerts. Bands need to be booked and sponsors solicited. If Harry cannot do it this year, ask him for recommendations for someone to handle this project.
The Board authorized Jescavage to review and approve requests for elderly and disabled tax exemptions. Jescavage will keep the Board informed about the number of exemptions approved.
The Board asked Jescavage to investigate possible grant money to fund a project of putting in a sidewalk to run from the library to the caboose.
MEETING ADJOURNED at 8:40 p.m.
NEXT REGULAR MEETING: Monday, April 28, 2003, 6:30 p.m. at the Town Office.
________________________ ______________________ ________________________
James M. Powell Gary Budd Richard Wright
NEWBURY BOARD OF SELECTMEN
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