NEWBURY BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING MINUTES AND PUBLIC HEARING
OF SEPTEMBER 6, 2005
Selectmen: Richard Wright, Gary Budd
Town Personnel: Dennis Pavlicek, Town Administrator; Shelly Candidus, Admin. Assistant; Bob Lee, Police Chief
Public: Monica Cashin, Donna Seabolt, Tom Behrens, Harry Seidel
The meeting convened at 6:30 p.m.
PUBLIC INPUT:
Monica Cashin came before the Board to request that grinding the upper part of South Road be postponed until next spring, when paving has been scheduled. Prussman told her that some months are needed to allow installed culverts to settle into position. She suggested the culvert work be done this fall but not grinding, since this causes very rough road conditions during the winter. Donna Seabolt agreed, and Cashin also presented a letter from South Road resident von Svoboda supporting postponing road work until spring. Wright said he understood the problem, but there were budget considerations, since the quote for work and materials applied to work done this fall. In the future, grinding and paving of a road will be done in the same year. Cashin asked if the same could be
done for South Road at this time. After discussion, the Board voted to encumber funding so grinding can be postponed until next spring.
Tom Behrens appeared before the Board to seek approval for changing the size and location of his sign for the Best Western motel. He explained that he would like to remove the present sign and combine it with that for Murphy’s Grille, resulting in two signs on one post located at the entrance to these businesses. The Board approved this proposal with the understanding that the total area for signage will not exceed 72 square feet.
Behrens also expressed concern that he was having difficulty obtaining a permit to enclose the existing deck at Murphy’s Grille. He pointed out that the deck has been there since 1994 and he plans no additional seating; just to rearrange the seats and have more usable room by enclosing the space. Because of delays, it is too late for him to do the work this year. Instead, he will put on a small deck for storage (up to 400 square feet), and will plan to use his annual allotment of additional footage for enclosing the existing deck in 2006.
Behrens also inquired about renting part of the old Highway garage for storage this winter. Wright explained that Fire Chief Thomas had already arranged for storage space there. He suggested
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that Behrens discuss his space requirements with Thomas and if some space is available, to return to the selectmen with a proposal for using it.
PUBLIC HEARING:
Present: Wright, Budd, Pavlicek, Candidus, Chief Lee, Kara Obey, Barbara Gibson, Mary Thayer, Sarah Kassman, et. al.
Wright opened the public hearing at 7 p.m. and read the proposed ordinance to regulate the use of town docks and parking at town-owned public areas on Lake Sunapee. The new ordinance is designed to replace the pre-existing ordinances of 1962, 1963, and 1976 (see attached). Wright explained that the new ordinance was the result of complaints received from residents about boats being tied up for extended times at the town docks. He invited public input.
Obey asked who will enforce the ordinance. Wright said the Newbury Police Department. It was asked if these regulations had been enforced in the past. Wright said the proposed regulations will go into effect in 2006. The old regulations had no enforcement power.
A remark was made that in the past boats were tied up at Blodgett Landing dock for hours, blocking access for other boats. There was no way to pick up or discharge passengers from the dock.
Gibson remarked that 12:00 midnight was too late for closing the town dock to boat traffic. She suggested that 11:00 p.m. would be more appropriate. Chief Lee replied that for boaters who are out late, it is a good idea to give them that extra hour to return home safely. He noted that this is a change from the current ordinance closing the dock to boats from 11 p.m. until 5 a.m.
Obey asked who had been considered for towing third-time violators. Wright said the Board will look into a towing provider and select one before next boating season.
An attendee asked if the problem occurred at both town docks, or just at Blodgetts. Wright said boat violations were more frequent at Blodgett Landing, and car parking violations were more frequent at the harbor dock.
Thayer said parking for boaters causes hazards to swimmers and other users of the dock. Wright said the Highway Safety Committee should be alerted to look into this.
A resident remarked that there is increased police presence at night at the Landing, and she appreciates that.
Obey asked where the money from fines would go. Wright said these funds would be put into the town general fund.
Wright thanked those present for their comments. He said the Board would vote on accepting the new ordinance when all three members were present. He added that when accepted, the ordinance will be posted in town, at Blodgetts, on the town web page and in the local papers.
The public hearing closed at 7:30 p.m.
APPOINTMENTS:
Harry Seidel appeared to update the Board on activity at Fishersfield. He presented a list of tasks to be completed, all of which depend on receipt of the anticipated engineering study and recommendations. A time line was submitted and discussed, noting that the dates provided were all
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calculated from a start date of September 10th. Seidel suggested that the Board write the Velie Fund to recap the points of agreement of the recent joint meeting, and to ask for area specifications for a proposed playground.
Seidel also mentioned that the concert series went very well, but he would ask that the concerts not be used as solicitation venues in the future.
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