NEWBURY BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 3, 2003 MEETING
Selectmen: James Powell, David Kinsman, Richard Wright
Town Personnel: David Jescavage, Town Administrator; Shelly Candidus, Administrative Assistant; Del Harris, Building Inspector
Interested Parties: Jim Reynolds, US Fish & Wildlife; Clyde Bacon
The meeting convened at 6:30 p.m.
PUBLIC INPUT:
Jim Reynolds came before the Board to present plans for rebuilding a storage barn at the Fells. It will be built in the same footprint as the original barn, which collapsed in 2001. The Planning Board has been apprised of the plans, and a building permit application will be processed next spring. The Board reviewed the plans and found no problem areas.
Del Harris appeared before the Board to discuss several issues. First, he made a site visit to a house with an addition under construction at Lake Todd. He found that the foundation measurements exceeded those specified on the permit by 4 feet. He also found that insulation had been completed on the interior prior to the inspection of wiring and plumbing work, as called for in the building regulations. This problem had been discussed with the builder in the past. The Board agreed to issue an immediate Cease & Desist on any further work, and to so notify the owner and builder by certified mail with a request that they appear before the Board to discuss the problems as soon as possible.
Harris also recommended that the position of Code Enforcer to be voted on at town meeting should include the duties of building inspector and issuance of permits. He suggested that the building regulations be updated to include the installation of mandatory smoke detectors and that an Occupancy Permit be issued by the town to cover final inspections of new construction. He will make a list of these and any other concerns for the Board of Selectmen and the Planning Board for possible inclusion on the 2004 warrant.
Harris also noted that there is a need for the town to bring house numbers up to date. The Board agreed that this was an important issue, and also numbers need to be prominently displayed. Street names should be clarified to make sure there is no confusion when responding to emergency calls.
REGULAR BUSINESS:
SEPTIC DESIGNS:
Hemond, Ronald & Judith. Map/lot# 31-044-179. Approved.
Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes
February 3, 2003 Page 2
BUILDING PERMITS:
Welsh, Emily. Map/lot# 43-592-097. Permit for new house approved.
Birch Land Lodges (Chris Clifford). Map/lot# 51-371-430. Permit to raise house and add foundation approved.
INTENT TO CUT IN BUFFER ZONE:
Azodi, Alex. Map/lot# 50-638-385. Application to cut a dozen trees re-submitted with notation that the cut would not represent 50 % of basal area. The Board noted that this percentage could be taken over a 20 year period, not as a single cut. Application again referred to the Zoning Board.
PAYROLL & ACCOUNTS PAYABLE: Week ending February 1, 2003 approved.
MINUTES: Meeting minutes of January 20, 2003 approved to file.
OLD BUSINESS:
The Board discussed a preliminary proposal from Pat Sherman/Bristol Sweet for enlarging/re-designing the space in the town office. Should this appear on the warrant for 2003? Wright noted that there are already many warrant articles for consideration. On the other hand, space for existing/new personnel is extremely limited. Planning and Zoning Boards should have their own designated space, as should a new Code Enforcement officer, if approved. Powell noted that an initial study would cost just under $5,000 and the Board agreed to put a proposal for a feasibility study not to exceed $5,000 into a warrant article for 2003.
Powell also asked that a warrant article be drawn up to propose hiring a single person to work 30 hours per week to handle all office work for the Planning and Zoning Boards. It was further agreed to expand file storage capability by renovating available space in the basement, cost be included in the proposed budget.
Jescavage presented information from the Municipal Bond Bank for funds to cover the cost of the landfill closure ($370,000). Plans covered debt schedules for 5, 10, 15 and 20 years. A public hearing will be held on this issue on February 19, 2003, after proper notification.
NEW BUSINESS:
Powell advised the Board that the KRSD will hold a local forum at the Newbury Town Office on March 4, 2003 at 7 p.m. to discuss warrant articles to be voted on at the March 11, 2002 elections. Panel members will include Dean Bensley, Dan Wolf and Superintendent Tom Brennan.
The Board reviewed a request from Charles Niebling, Dir.of Policy & Land Management, Society for the Protection of NH Forests, to support the Pillsbury-Sunapee Highlands project. This a part of a cooperative effort to protect forests in an highlands area ranging from Mt. Monadnock to Mt. Sunapee. It includes a conservation easement on approximately 7,000 acres of land held by New Forestry, LLC, for sale for approximately $2.5 million. The project is being submitted for federal funding consideration in 2004.
The Board agreed to prepare a letter of support for this project.
Powell asked Jescavage to check with Tim Mulder to see if he can perform future periodic well testing at the Transfer Station.
Jescavage reported that he is seeking bids for work to perform the landfill closure. The Board authorized him to sign letters soliciting bids.
Jescavage reported that the town website is seriously out-of-date. There are no Planning Board or Zoning Board minutes posted, and the Board of Selectmen’s minutes are not current. He has investigated using the services of “Virtual Town Hall” to keep the site updated. There is an initial fee of $350 to set up the information and train a designated coordinator (town employee). There is an annual fee of $995 to host the site. The Board agreed to use this service and fund it under “General Government.”
Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes
February 3, 2003 Page 3
The Board noted a letter from Pike Industries announcing an increase in asphalt costs for 2003. They asked Jescavage to have Prussman contact Pike regarding the impact this will have on scheduled road work.
The Board noted a request from Janet Ward to include an insert in the Town Report giving details of the Velie family’s wish to establish a memorial nature center/recreation area on the Fishersfield property. It was agreed that this might better be distributed prior to town meeting by flyer in public areas, rather than by inclusion in the report.
The Board noted a letter from New London Hospital requesting funds to enhance their ambulance service. No action will be taken at this time.
The Board signed a Purchase Order for sand from Willow Pond in the amount of $4,452.95.
Wright suggested that department heads meet with the Board at the beginning of each year to state their goals and objectives for the year. Year-end performance reviews can then be based on results of the annual plan.
NON-PUBLIC SESSION:
The Board voted to go into non-public session at 8:25 p.m. to discuss land purchase for a highway garage and compensation issues. These matters were resolved. The Board came out of non-public session at 9:15 p.m.
MEETING ADJOURNED at 9:25 p.m.
NEXT REGULAR MEETING: Wednesday, February 19, 2003, 9:00 a.m. at the Town Office.
________________________ ______________________ ________________________
James M. Powell David Kinsman Richard Wright
sc/Feb03/03 NEWBURY BOARD OF SELECTMEN
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