Board of Selectmen Meeting 04/18/05
  







NEWBURY BOARD OF SELECTMEN
                                                MINUTES OF APRIL 18, 2005 MEETING
                                                                                                        
Selectmen: James Powell, Richard Wright, Gary Budd                      
Town Personnel: Dennis Pavlicek, Town Administrator; Shelly Candidus, Admin. Assistant; Cal Prussman, Highway Admin; Officer Glen Drewniak
Public: Jean Christiansen, Dan Wolf, Robert Scott, Bob Bell, Chris Covel, Paul Groulx
                                                                                                        
The meeting convened at 6:30 p.m.
                                                                                        
PUBLIC INPUT:
        Jean Christiansen appeared before the Board on behalf of several residents of Allwood.. The developer of that subdivision has expressed his wish to move on, after creating thirteen building lots and putting down one coat of blacktop. The residents want the town to take over maintenance of the roads and hiking trails. Wright said the developer’s work was not complete; there needs to be a barrier around the fire pond and final paving needs to be done when the development is built out. To date, 8 lots are built on and there are 3 buildable lots left. The town can then take over the road by petition of residents (25 signatures required) at Town Meeting, if so voted. Christiansen asked about her assessment, saying she is paying full value without all the town services. Powell said this is not the case. Valuations are based on many things, including road status.  He suggested she discuss this with the town assessor. He added that in an emergency, all steps are taken to keep the road open. Christiansen asked about the maintenance of the hiking trail system. Wright said the system would be overseen by the Fire Department if and when it was taken over by the town.

        Dan Wolf appeared at the request of the Board to discuss recycling. Powell explained that the Board wanted to investigate the recycling of plastics and electronic equipment. Wolf said he would contact the Recycling Committee to ask about disposal options for electronics. As for plastic,                           He said the Committee looked into this in 2003. Plastic materials have to be sorted properly prior to baling. Sorting is time consuming since there are several categories which cannot be intermingled. He will look into this again and report back to the Board. Meantime, the town is saving time and money on the new systems for disposing of paper and glass.
        On another topic, Wolf submitted a report on the status of all town trust funds for the auditor, as mandated by the Attorney General’s office.

        


Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes                     April 18, 2005                         Page 2




NON-PUBLIC SESSION:
        The Board voted to go into non-public session with Officer Drewniak under RSA 91-A:3, II, a-e  at 7:10 p.m. to discuss Police Department personnel issues.  The Board came out of non-public session at 7:45 p.m.
        At the conclusion of the non-public session, Drewniak gave the Board an employment contract signed by Ernest Rowe, and the Board agreed to compensate Rowe for his weekend wages while he completes training at the Police Academy. Drewniak also mentioned that there will be a Highway Safety Committee meeting on April 28th in response to a letter from Chalk Pond residents. Powell said he would attend.
APPOINTMENT:
        Bob Bell, Robert Scott and Chris Covel came before the Board to present a schedule and plans for road work on Cheney Road and the intersection of Old Province and Old Post Roads. Construction on the bridge on Cheney Road will begin on August 1st, allowing time for the town to obtain a Wetlands permit and for grading and replacement of a culvert. The work will take more than a month. Powell asked if the road will have to be closed. Bell said not shut down, but it will be closed for an hour or two at a time.  Prussman said he would call Bob Stewart for assistance in obtaining a Wetlands permit. Robert Scott indicated the page on the submitted work plan where the permit will be included. The intersection of Old Province and Old Post Roads will need to have some trees removed. Prussman has marked these. Additional trees on Old Post and Cheney Roads need to be removed. Because Cheney Road is designated a scenic road, a public hearing may be required. Pavlicek will check the location of the trees to see if they are in the restricted area. It was noted that there is a wet area at the intersection, and Prussman said he will try to direct run-off to go under the road, to be done in conjunction with ditching.
        On a separate matter, Chris Covel reported that he had conducted tests on the road material in question in Bell’s subdivisions. He tested specifically for the contaminants Wright specified. None of the samples showed a significant presence of toxins except for chromium, which was not significantly elevated and which is widely present in the area. Covel distributed a detailed report of his testing methods, results, and conclusions. He collected samples during a rainstorm to include water samples from above and below the Whitethorn site where previous leeching occurred. Tests showed the patch in question is not leaking out any dangerous materials. He believes the leeching was the result of a localized spill of a petroleum product. He recommended capping this area by putting a finish surface on it without delay. He believes further testing here and at other sites is not required.
        Wright said his concern was water running off down onto the cottage properties below Summer Street. He asked if this flow can be diverted. Bell said the grade needs to be leveled off. He doesn’t own the land on either side of the road, but said he can do some diversionary work to reduce the run-off.
        Wright said he was satisfied with the report, since it gave the town concrete information in case of future concerns. However, he added that this material should not be used in future road projects without Planning Board approval. Bell asked if he could continue to use it for work in progress. The
Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes                     April 18, 2005                         Page 3




Board agreed that this would be permitted. The Board further agreed to lift the Cease and Desist order on Bell’s construction work in Newbury as of April 21, 2005, pending a final review of the data submitted by Covel.

REGULAR BUSINESS:
    PAYROLL & ACCOUNTS PAYABLE: Week ending April 16, 2005 approved.
    MINUTES: Meeting minutes of April 4, 2005 approved to file.
    INTENT TO EXCAVATE:
        Whitman, Michael. Map/lot# 44-213-430. Approved.
    INTENT TO CUT:  
        Day, Russell. Map/lot# 51-369-396. Approved.

OLD BUSINESS:
        The Board and Walter Graf made a visit to the new Highway Garage on April 12th to assess the rocks and boulders on the site. It was agreed that Graf will construct a wall along the property line over the next couple of years. This project might cost up to 20,000 with special blasting requirements.
        The Board agreed that the closing on the Bald Sunapee property should take place by the end of April. Powell asked Pavlicek to advise the owners that all their personal property should be removed by that date. Two greenhouses have already been taken away.
        Pavlicek reported that the Highway Garage is nearing completion. Punch list items are being addressed. Landscaping will be performed in the fall. The Town Office renovation is also complete with the finishing up of punch list items. Pavlicek asked the Board if they would approve leaving the ceiling in the basement open for accessibility to wiring and systems. The Board agreed. This will cut $2,000 from the renovation cost.
        The Board noted a report from William Weiler saying water running onto the Fogwill property has compromised their septic system. Therefore, the town may take appropriate action. Pavlicek has asked Paul LaCasse to contact the property owner and ask him to correct the problem.  
        Pavlicek reported that new hourly rates for employees reflecting the cost of living increases have been implemented. He asked if these raises should apply to new part-time employees. The Board agreed they should.  
                                                
NEW BUSINESS:
        The Board signed a purchase order for fire equipment for 4 Scott air tanks in the amount of $2,748.
        The Board signed a purchase order for a traffic counter in the amount of $2,655 to be split between the Police and Highway departments.
        The Board signed a contract with FVB Landscaping in the amount of $15,684.

        The Board signed several purchase orders for the Highway Department: crack sealing from Nicom up to $8,000; culvert pipe from JAF Industries up to $7,000; dust control from Allstate up to $10,000; crushed gravel from Willow Pond for $30,000; winter sand from Willow Pond up to $9,000. Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes                        April 18, 2005                         Page 4




        The Board signed 3 Timber Tax Levies for $361.01, $3,035.72, and $2,016.08.
        The Board reviewed a subdivision plan from JWF Real Estate (Map/lot# 42-790-153) prior to its consideration by the Planning Board. The Board approved the plan as submitted.
        Prussman reported that there is a wet area on South Road by the Highway Garage that needs a culvert. The culvert would direct water onto adjacent property. Powell                                                                        Advised him to get the property owner of record to approve the placement and installation of the culvert. Pavlicek advised the Board that Joe Cronin will have an opening of his art exhibit in the new Meeting Room on June 24th. Candidus will publicize the event. Light refreshments will be served.
        The Board agreed that the Grand Opening of the Town Offices will be on Saturday, July 9th, from 3 - 6 p.m.  Board members will grill hot dogs and hamburgers. Salads will be donated. A commemorative sheet cake will be ordered.
        Pavlicek reported that adult diversion workers will be on hand on upcoming weekends to do painting projects. These will include the gazebo, platform at the caboose, the caboose and various town buildings. The Board said the Vet’s Hall should be painted, but Powell advised it be thoroughly scraped and wire-brushed before painting. Sherman Hall also needs painting, perhaps next year.
        Pavlicek advised the Board of a letter from a resident who made and donated a sign for the Vet’s Hall. The Board accepted the sign with appreciation.
        Pavlicek advised the board that the MRI Results Lab will be held at the Town Office on May 5th. Residents will be asked to attend one of several 1-hour sessions scheduled throughout the day to provide input on the qualifications for a new Police Chief. Applicant interviews will be scheduled with town boards on a following Thursday, and with the Board of Selectmen on a Friday.
        The Board noted that Weiler has asked the town for $2,500 to have a survey done of the land in back of the Old Town Hall to help define it and plan for its future use. The Board will revisit this request in late summer.
        Pavlicek has requested PSNH to remove the streetlight at the Town Office. He has also asked about burying electric lines. PSNH says this might infringe on buried communications lines in place. Pavlicek will pursue this problem.
        Pavlicek announced that he will be on vacation from May 18-May 25.
        Pavlicek reported that a title search on the Bald Sunapee property has been completed by town counsel.
        The Board signed an agreement with Mill Pond Maintenance for installing a fuel pump.
        The Board noted a letter to the owner of the Mount Sunapee Circle store from the DES regarding test results in the fuel tank area that did not meet state accepted levels.
        The Board received a letter from a resident asking for reconsideration of her request for an abatement of property taxes. The matter was referred to the town assessor.
        
NON-PUBLIC SESSION:
        The Board voted to go into non-public session under RSA 91-A:3, II, a-e  at 9:45 p.m. to discuss a personnel issue.  No decision was made, and the Board agreed to revisit this issue at the next meeting. The Board came out of non-public session at 9:50 p.m.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes                     April 18, 2005                         Page 5




                                                                                    
MEETING ADJOURNED at 10:00 p.m.
NEXT REGULAR MEETING: Monday, May 2, 2005 at 6:30 p.m. at the Town Office.

________________________    ______________________      ________________________
      James M. Powell                  Richard Wright               Gary Budd

                                
sc/Apr18//05                                   NEWBURY BOARD OF SELECTMEN




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