NEWBURY BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MINUTES OF MARCH 17, 2003 MEETING
Selectmen: James Powell, Gary Budd, Richard Wright
Town Personnel: David Jescavage, Town Administrator; Shelly Candidus, Administrative Assistant; Cal Prussman, Highway Administrator
The meeting convened at 6:35 p.m. The Board welcomed new selectman, Gary Budd. There was no public input.
CURRENT ISSUES:
The first order of business was the re-appointment of Jim Powell as Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, by unanimous vote. The Board appointed Gary Budd as Ex-Officio Selectman to the Planning Board.
The Board noted that the private water supply serving residents of Sunapee Hills in the Chalk Pond area has a severe problem with leaks which cannot be readily located. It was reported that the system is only being turned on for one hour in the morning and another hour in the afternoon. Powell asked Jescavage to check with legal counsel to see if the town has any liability in this matter. He also noted that a continuation of the problem could constitute a health concern requiring action by the town.
The Board noted that recent warm temperatures have resulted in deep mud ruts on some dirt roads. Water is running over ice-packed culverts and down the roadways. Conditions are especially bad on Old Province and Rollins roads. Prussman will work to put some crushed stone onto these road surfaces. All town roads have been posted with a 6-ton limit.
Prussman met with the Board to discuss highway vehicle maintenance. He reported that the loader received its 3,000 hour complete service of everything but valve adjustments, which will be done this week. The grader has been inspected by John Deere. Its use is averaging 1,000 hours per year. All equipment is greased regularly and fluid levels are monitored daily.
Powell remarked that Dave Kinsman has agreed to serve on the Highway Advisory committee. Prussman will call a meeting to discuss and study Highway Garage building options. He will provide at least a one-month lead time when notifying the Committee of the meeting, so members will be able to research building options for discussion.
Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes
March 17, 2003 Page 2
Prussman presented a Purchase Order for the new backhoe/loader. The machine will come from Caterpillar because while the price is slightly more than the John Deere model, their service has proven to be superior. The Purchase Order was approved. Delivery is expected within 60 days.
NON-PUBLIC SESSION:
A motion was made and passed to go into non-public session at 7:20 to discuss a number of personnel issues. Some of those will be addressed further at the next meeting of the Board. The Board authorized Jescavage to interview and hire a candidate for the position of Land Use Board Clerk. The selectmen came out of non-public session at 8:00 p.m.
REGULAR BUSINESS:
SEPTIC DESIGNS:
JA Construction. Map/lot# 50-743-045. Approved.
Powers, James. Map/lot# 50-757-231. Approved.
Hemond, Ronald. Map/lot# 31-044-179. Approved.
BUILDING PERMITS:
Hardy, Roger. Map/lot# 43-095-245.Permit for new house approved.
Diekmann, Elizabethann. Map/lot# 28-300-168. Permit for new house approved.
Hague, Paul. Map/lot# 20-009-543. Permit for shed approved.
INTENT TO EXCAVATE:
Kinsman, David. Map/lot# 44-666-156. Approved.
PAYROLL & ACCOUNTS PAYABLE: Week ending March 15, 2003 approved. MINUTES: Minutes of March 3, 2002 Meeting approved to file.
OLD BUSINESS:
The Board noted a recommendation from town counsel regarding an assessor experienced in specialized assessments. The cost of services from this expert is very high. The Board would like to seek an alternative course of action or further recommendations. A special meeting will be called with town counsel as soon as possible.
Jescavage reported that he spoke with a property owner on Old Province Road regarding failure of the septic system and other violations. Jescavage referred him to the DES for action to be taken on the septic system. He also mailed him the building inspector’s report of findings after his site inspection.
Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes
March 17, 2003 Page 3
Wright suggested that further action on the Fishersfield Master Plan should wait until the snow cover is gone when a meeting with the Board, Harry Seidel, and other interested parties could be held at the site to identify an access road. The Board recommended that the Velie family be contacted for a commitment to long-term site development plans, to be done by early May.
NEW BUSINESS:
The Board reviewed a contract with Virtual Town Hall to establish and maintain a town web site. The Board authorized Jescavage to sign the contract and go forward with the work.
The Board reviewed an application from a vendor for one of three available town locations. The application will be held until the deadline for applications: April 1st.
The Board noted that FEMA funds were available to qualifying communities to cover costs related to emergency snow management February 17-18, 2003. Powell asked Jescavage to attend a meeting on criteria for funding to be held in Concord on March 24th.
The Board signed a timber tax levy in the amount of $479.71.
The Board signed a warrant to collect Excavation Taxes in the amount of $120.00
The Board signed a warrant to collect Land Use Change Taxes in the amount of $9,650.00.
The Board noted that there has been a problem with collecting fees from applicants to the Planning Board for site plan reviews and other hearings. Powell will contact the Board to discuss this. One partial payment was accepted as a final fee.
The Board discussed the possibility of advertising for proposals for an expansion/renovation of the town offices.
The Board asked if the Fishersfield property bond would be paid in full by June 1st. Jescavage will check on this.
The Board asked that public announcements about the new elderly and disabled tax credit rates be placed in local papers. Candidus will do this. Exemptions already in place will be updated.
MEETING ADJOURNED at 9:10 p.m.
NEXT REGULAR MEETING: Monday, March 31, 2003, 6:30 p.m. at the Town Office.
________________________ ______________________ ________________________
James M. Powell Gary Budd Richard Wright
NEWBURY BOARD OF SELECTMEN
sc/Mar17/03
| 
