NEWBURY BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MINUTES OF JUNE 26, 2006 MEETING
Selectmen: James Powell, Richard Wright
Town Personnel: Dennis Pavlicek, Town Administrator; Shelly Candidus, Admin. Assistant; Chief Lee, Officer Hardy, Officer Costa, Debbie Lacombe
Public: Mrs. Costa, Frank Perrotta, Betsy Soper, Alice Lynn, Martha von Redlich, Tom Vannatta, Bill Weiler, Jane Johnsen, Jean Gaito, Ron Williams, Skip LaCalir, Holly & Mia von Svobda, Debra & Kori Plonsky, Bob Bell
The meeting convened at 6:30 p.m.
PUBLIC INPUT:
Several residents came before the Board to speak on behalf of maintaining the old Information Booth where it stands at Bell Cove, rather than moving it to Fishersfield and replacing it with a new, donated timberpeg frame structure.
Martha von Redlich said the present booth has charm, is appealing and is a piece of history. She said it is big enough, since the staffers don’t want visitors to enter the booth. She said it is sound underneath, per the Fire Chief, and just needs sanding and painting. She pointed out it would be costly to move and suggested the new building go up at Fishersfield.
Betsy Soper said the booth is an antique and meet the Master Plan directive to preserve historical structures. She said it fits in well with the other buildings at Bell Cove. She said 24 overhead wires would have to be moved to transport the building to Fishersfield. She said she had asked Del Harris for his opinion and he was quoted as saying he thought this was a poor idea. Alice Lynn said the building had been there since the 1890s. Pavlicek corrected that date to the 1930s. Lynn said it fits in there with the caboose and train station.
Jane Johnsen said she hopes it will be left where it is and maintained by the town. Ron Williams added that it is appropriate where it is as a part of town history. A new building would be a better fit at Fishersfield.
Bill Weiler said that this is where the town should draw the line at gentrification. This, and adding sidewalks to the town, will change its character from a small rural community to one less desirable and less conforming to the Master Plan directives. Tom Vannatta said difficult decisions such as this should be based on input from those who work there.
Jane Johnsen added that maintenance of the booth was important. She said she and von Redlich have been doing the painting and that the sprinklers hit the building and soak it. She has bought flags but they get tattered and need to be replaced. A rug for the booth is also needed.
Powell said he did not think a new, bigger structure would be at odds with the existing buildings at Bell Cove. He believes a new structure would serve us well and the old booth would be good at Fishersfield. Von Redlich said the staffers do not want a bigger building. Weiler said why stick an historical building away out of sight? Powell responded that a site at Fishersfield would not be “out of sight;” he said this will be an important location in the town.
Wright said it was important to take advantage of opportunities as they arose. A donated building should be considered. The value of “historical” has to be weighed against what is practical. He said if the staffers are happy with the present building, that’s fine. As for a sidewalk, this is needed for public safety. He said the Board has heard all the concerns and will consider them with selectman Budd, who was absent.
Soper added that it would make sense to have the new structure at Fishersfield, since work there is progressing slowly and a new building would be a positive sign of progress.
Lynn asked what has happened regarding plans to make a town center by moving Route 103.
Powell said this will not happen in the foreseeable future. Wright added that the state does not have the funds for such a project. It just won’t happen.
The question was asked about who wanted to donate a new information booth. Powell said it was Jay Tucker, a Newbury resident affiliated with Timberpeg buildings. Vannatta asked if the plans or design had been submitted to the planning Board. Powell said that was premature at this point.
Skip LaClair appeared before the Board to ask about building a garage that does not meet the required setbacks. Powell advised him to submit a permit and have it reviewed by the Code Enforcement Officer. It will probably be denied, at which time it can be directed to the Zoning Board for further action.
Tom Vannatta mentioned to the Board that Planning Board chair Barbara Freeman recommended that an applicant for a permit to build a shed should be denied, since setbacks are not met. The applicant can than go through an appeal process with the Zoning Board. Powell agreed.
Holly von Svoboda introduced her daughter, Mia, and Kori Plonsky to the selectmen. Ms. Von Svoboda explained that she and Kori are attending the “People to People” summit and as part of that program they want to donate their time to running a booth at Old Home Day. They plan to sell “Dippin Dots” ice cream and will donate 100 % of their profits to The Velie Memorial Fund to support a recreational facility in Newbury. Ms. Plonsky will be conducting a survey in support of a playground. They also plan to sell light-up necklaces at the evening concert. The Board approved these plans.
Chief Lee appeared at 7 p.m. to introduce new police officer Josh Costa. Mrs. Costa, Officer Hardy, Fire Chief Thomas and Debbie Lacombe were in attendance. Costa was sworn in as full-time police officer by deputy Town Clerk, Martha von Redlich. Costa has experience as a part-time officer for the state and has worked in related fields. He will attend the police Academy in January. He starts work with the town on July 3rd.
Bob Bell appeared before the Board to ask for guidance on repairing the box culvert on Cheney Road. He said he has had many varying opinions about how the work should progress. Powell said he has spoken to the state (Wetlands Bureau) and they will not put up any unnecessary hurdles once the plans are submitted. Bell said he had a good plan from a local contractor, but the engineers on the project will not sign off on it since the contractor is not a certified engineer. Powell referred Bell to the source at DES that he has been in touch with. He suggested contacting local engineer Ron Williams to expedite completion of the drawings. The Board agreed with Bell that the proposal to duplicate and rebuild the current culvert would be the simplest and best solution.
REGULAR BUSINESS:
PAYROLL & ACCOUNTS PAYABLE: Week ending June 24, 2006 approved.
MINUTES: Meeting minutes of June 12, 2006 approved to file.
INTENT TO CUT:
Mock, Kimberly, et. al. Map/lot # 48 -299-133. Approved.
OLD BUSINESS:
The Board received notification from the State Police that their helicopter will be available to be a part of Old Home Day.
Pavlicek reported that he had received bills from Bruss Construction pertaining to work done last year on the Town Office building and the new Highway Garage. He contacted Bruss and said the bills had been paid in full. At their suggestion, he noted this on the bills and returned them to Bruss.
Pavlicek reported that he checked with town counsel and found that there is no impediment to using a real estate agent to sell town property. Thus, an agent could be used if sale of the old Highway garage is approved by the town.
The Board decided to postpone discussion of the letter from Ms.Gonyer regarding run-off down Spring Street until the next meeting when Budd will be present.
As requested, Pavlicek researched the history of perambulations of town lines with neighboring towns. A number of lines are due or overdue to be walked. As senior town, Newbury facilitates perambulations. The Board asked Pavlicek to contact the towns in question and arrange for perambulations at an early date.
NEW BUSINESS:
The Board approved an application for a sign for Colby Real Estate.
The Board denied an application for a building permit for a shed because setback requirements were not met. The application was referred to the Zoning Board of Adjustment.
The Board approved an application to display fireworks at 50 Lake Avenue on July 4th. They suggested that Fire Chief Thomas inspect the area after the event.
The Board approved the appointment of Katheryn Holmes as an alternate member of the Conservation Commission.
The Board signed a letter to DOT Commissioner Carol Murray expressing their concerns with the proposed trailered boat access at Wild Goose. A copy of the town-generated Pathways Engineering report on traffic on Route 103 was enclosed. Copies of the letter went to the governor and other state officials.
The Board received notification that the Upper Valley Lake Sunapee Regional Planning Commission will meet on June 28th.
The Board noted that Courtney Beaton received the 2006 Edith K. Eaton Memorial Scholarship award in the amount of $50.
The Board received an invitation to the annual meeting of the Velie Memorial Fund to be held on June 29th at the library. A Board member and/or Pavlicek will attend.
The Board received a letter from a property owner at Frost Top who was concerned that the planned sidewalk to run from Bald Sunapee to the Caboose will interfere with access to his property. Pavlicek has discussed this issue with him and reassured him that when the work gets underway next year, we will address his concerns.
The Board received a copy of a letter from a seasonal resident addressed to TDS asking about the requirement of a cable box for seasonal service. A response from the Board is not required.
Pavlicek reported that excess funds from FEMA in the amount of about $2,000 were in hand after using money for the update of the Emergency Management manual. After discussion, the Board agreed to use the money to purchase a laptop to be used by the Emergency Management Director conducting town business in the field. Excess funds from a Fire Department grant for protective equipment will be used to purchase more protective gear.
Pavlicek reported that Library trustee Bev Wolf contacted him about raising the bricks at the library entrance. She said water has been pooling there and leaving patrons with wet feet. Pavlicek will follow up.
The Board received notification that Highway Administrator Cal Prussman has earned a Master Roads Scholar certificate from the state.
Powell asked Pavlicek to arrange for Prussman to attend the next meeting. They want to discuss formalizing the maintenance of town roads that were accepted at the 2006 Town Meeting.
NON-PUBLIC SESSION:
The Board voted to go into non-public session under RSA 91-A:3, II, a-e at 7:26 p.m. to discuss Police Department issues and mutual aid. No decisions were reached.. The Board came out of non-public session at 8:00 p.m.
MEETING ADJOURNED at 9:45
p.m.
NEXT REGULAR MEETING: Monday, July 10, 2006 at 6:30 p.m. at the Town Office.
________________________ ______________________ ________________________
James M. Powell Richard Wright Gary Budd
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