NEWBURY BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MINUTES OF AUGUST 8, 2005 MEETING
& PUBLIC HEARING
Selectmen: James Powell, Richard Wright, Gary Budd
Town Personnel: Dennis Pavlicek, Town Administrator; Shelly Candidus, Admin. Assistant
Public: Jacqueline Donovan, Bud Hogan, Sue Blothenberg & Jack Schelling (PSNH), James Lowe (Argus-Champion), Brock Rutter (Intertown Record)
The meeting convened at 6:30 p.m.
PUBLIC INPUT:
Jacqueline Donovan came before the Board to discuss a couple of issues. First, she stated that while she appreciated current work on Rollins Road, this was “only a band aid on an open wound.” She feels that the road is dangerous because of washouts and guardrails needed on open culverts on the upper ridge of the road. She also wants to see “winding road” and speed limit signs. She said some signs are obstructed by brush, especially at the intersection of Rollins Road and Route 103A. She mentioned that cars using the road get covered with dust, and the condition of the road discourages potential property buyers. She also mentioned that Rollins Road should be part of the school bus route, since no child should have to walk more than a mile to be able to get to school. Donovan asked the Board to act
now on getting the road paved, and not to wait until town meeting. She suggested the town take out a bond to pay for paving.
Wright replied that the Board recognizes that more roads need to be paved as the town grows. He said there are traffic counters in use and they will be moved to various locations to see which roads have the most travel. He said that the town has taken out two large bonds in the last year to pay for town buildings, and any additional one would need town approval. He pointed out that the first section of Rollins Road has been paved, but needs to be upgraded. Donovan said that the developer of High Meadow paved roads in that area that have stood up well under heavy construction traffic. She asked if the standards for road work were more stringent for a developer than for the town. Wright replied that in some cases a developer is required by the terms of his subdivision plan to do more extensive preparation work including, for
example, the removal of boulders. This work requires equipment and labor, which would place a financial hardship on the town.
Donovan also mentioned that she believes her property is over-assessed. She asked what portion of property taxes went to the town, and what portion to schools. Powell explained that a pie chart in the back of the annual town report gives the percentages of tax distribution.
Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes August 8, 2005 Page 2
PUBLIC HEARING - 7 p.m.
Jim Powell opened the public hearing by reading the public notice that “the hearing is being held to discus a proposal by Public Service of New Hampshire (PSNH) to replace the type of lights in existing town street lights with more energy-efficient fixtures that will provide cost savings to the town...” Powell turned the hearing over to PSNH representatives Susan Blothenburg and Jack Schelling. The representatives presented a slide show detailing Newbury’s proposed street light conversion. There are presently 84 street lights in town with an annual cost of $13,356. A conversion to metal halide lights would provide a cost savings of $4,378. A conversion to high pressure sodium lights would provide a cost savings of $6,010. PSNH’s “Smart Start” program would allow the town to apply
the savings to the cost of the conversion. When that cost is paid, the savings would be fully realized. No up-front funding by the town would be required. Powell asked how the different quality of light would be perceived by the public. Schelling said the existing lights diminish in intensity over time. New technology has made the metal halide lights very bright and stable. The low pressure sodium have more of a yellow cast. It is possible to choose full light output or cut-off options to cut the light output. Bud Hogan asked if it was possible to have brighter lights in the commercial areas and softer lights in residential areas. Schelling said that was possible but not as cost effective. There were no further questions, and Powell thanked the representatives for their demonstration. The public hearing closed at 7:30 p.m.
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