NEWBURY BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 27, 2006 MEETING
Selectmen: James Powell, Richard Wright, Gary Budd
Town Personnel: Dennis Pavlicek, Town Administrator; Shelly Candidus, Admin. Assistant; Cal Prussman, Highway Admin.
Public: Kim Mock, Brian Smith, Kelley Santii, John & Sandy Eller, Beverly Wolf, Barbara Freeman
Budget Committee: Joy Nowell, Alex Azodi, Tom Vannatta
The meeting convened at 6:30 p.m.
PUBLIC INPUT:
Kim Mock came before the Board to ask permission to blast a large rock outcroppping on Poor Farm Road, a Class VI road. She needs to provide access for a logging company to work in her woods. She provided several pictures of the location of the rock and surrounding area on Poor Farm Road. The Board noted that pipes and water bars were put in the road five years ago, and they said that the selectmen must grant permission to the residents before any work can be done on a Class VI road. Abutters John and Sandy Eller commented that the pipes had been pulled out but the water bars remain in place. Powell asked that the property owners concerned with removal of the rock provide a map and description of what they propose to do. The selectmen will then do a site
inspection of the area. This inspection is scheduled for Saturday, December 2nd at 8 a.m.
REGULAR BUSINESS:
PAYROLL & ACCOUNTS PAYABLE: Week ending November 25, 2006 approved.
MINUTES: Minutes of November 13, 2006 approved to file.
ABATEMENTS/REFUNDS/EXEMPTIONS:
Abatements on taxes for four property owners were signed, based on re-evaluations by the assessor.
A veteran requested that his name be removed from the town’s Veteran’s tax exemptions since he has established permanent residence in another state. This request was signed and notarized.
OLD BUSINESS:
Pavlicek reviewed information from Stantec Consulting regarding awarding the bid for work on updating the Blodgett Landing Wastewater Treatment facility. The low bidder was United Construction of Newport, and Stantec asks that the Board notify Stantec of their approval so they can send the necessary documentation to NHDES for review prior to awarding the contract. Some contract items will be cut or modified to keep the project cost within budget.
Pavlicek noted that NHDES requires notification of a start (and stop) date for construction at Fishersfield Park. Wright noted that the state has large quantities of fill available for use at Fishersfield, and asked Pavlicek to call Steve Chellis to arrange for receiving this material.
NEW BUSINESS:
The Board received a letter of thanks from Colby-Sawyer program coordinators of “Adventures in Learning” for the use of the Town Office Meeting Room for their fall session of classes.
The Board received notification of a public hearing on the final plans for Stonehouse Road at the intersection with King Hill Road which provides access to the proposed Harborview subdivision in Sutton. The hearing will be held at the New London Town Office on November 28th at 7 p.m.
The Board received notification of a public hearing to install a 100’ personal wireless service facility at 15 Stagecoach Lane in Sunapee. The hearing will be held at the Middle High School on December 7th at 7:15 p.m.
The Board reviewed a proposal from Ron Garceau of the Sunapee Historical Society asking about staging a “Great Race” in Newbury Harbor on September 8, 2007. The race would involve an antique boat racing to the Caboose on the water, and antique cars racing there via Route 103. The Board approved this plan, noting that it should not interfere with Labor Day weekend (September 2nd ).
The town of Goshen provided the Board with the name of a forester from Walpole whom they have arranged to do the town line perambulation, with a request that it be done in December. Joy Nowell advised the Board that her husband, Tom, had done this walk in the past and might be able to perambulate it. She will follow up.
The Board discussed correspondence from Kenneth C. Brown regarding his application to DES for a Wetlands permit to improve Mudhole Dam at Gillingham Drive. The plans include improving the spillway to reduce water volume and integrating a “beaver deceiver” to prevent construction of beaver dams within the spillway.
The Board received a report from the manager of Sullivan County regarding the status of the All Hazard Region Committee. They have recently received funding to conduct pandemic planning and have hired a consultant to help develop a Public Health Emergency Response Plan. The DHHS Commissioner will be present at the next Committee meeting on December 27th at 9:30 a.m. at the Sullivan County Courthouse.
The Board received notification from the state Division of Parks & Recreation that funds from the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund program for 2007 have been initiated. The grant program covers the development of facilities for public outdoor recreate on. Pavlicek suggested the town might apply for funding for work at Fishersfield in 2008.
The Board received a memo from the NH Council on Resources & Development requesting Newbury’s support of a 20-year lease with the New England Handicapped Sports Association at Mount Sunapee State Park. No action was required on the part of the Board.
2007 PROPOSED BUDGET REVIEWS:
Planning (Presented
by Barbara Freeman $ 50,085 – Down $ 2,345 Reflects reductions in Master Plan update
expenses and legal expenses. Preliminary
approval.
Library (Presented by
Beverly Wolf) $ 74,885 – Up $ 7,074 Reflects funds needed for building
maintenance and repair. Preliminary
approval.
Highway (Presented by $760, 436 – Up $111,658 Budget reflects addition of employee
Cal Prussman) benefits, increases in sweeping and
road reconstruction, and guardrails.
Discussion: Prussman noted that funding for equipment for 2007 will appear in the warrant.
Powell suggested salt might be purchased now and stored for use in 2007, since the Department now has storage capacity. The road reconstruction line was set at $175,000 on Powell’s advice that materials are getting cheaper and he advised Prussman to get new estimates from suppliers based on this figure. The allocation for guardrails was up sharply, and Prussman said they were needed along culverts on Old Post Road, at the intersection of Old Post and Province Roads, and on Mountain Road. Powell asked if these could be installed over two years. Wright said it was a safety issue and has to be addressed. Budd concurred that the guardrails should be installed all at once. Regarding bridge costs, Powell said these could be removed from the budget and put into a new Bridge Capital Reserve fund. No action was taken
on this suggestion at this time. Regarding chip sealing, Prussman said the cost of regular shimming, overlay and sealing was $71,500 vs. $19,750 for chip sealing alone. Chip sealing will help protect and preserve the road surface, but will not make it smooth. Prussman said he might try the material out on Old Province Road in 2008. This budget, revised after discussion, will be distributed to the Board and Budget Committee for review. It was given preliminary approval.
Financial Administration $ 413,315 – Up $58,895 Reflects addition of employee benefits and largely offset by permit fees. Preliminary
full cost of Tri-Town assessor, which will
be offset by Sunapee & NLondon shares.
Preliminary approval.
Transfer Station
Solid Waste $ 128,073 – Up $34,225 Increase reflects an additional full-time
person for 7 months. Decreases appear in
the equipment, miscellaneous and contract
services lines. Preliminary approval.
Disposal $ 134,500 – Up $ 4,000 Preliminary approval.
Recycling $ 7,400 -- Up $ 4,400 Costs largely offset by fees charged.
Discussion: Wright stressed the importance of recycling and asked how much revenue is being taken in via vouchers issued by the town. Pavlicek will report on revenue and contact NRRA for information on savings via recycling. The Board decided to discuss the hiring of another Transfer Station employee and how many hours he would be needed at their meeting on December 11th.
NON-PUBLIC SESSION:
The Board voted to go into non-public session under RSA 91-A:3, II, a-e at 9:05 p.m. The first discussion item dealt with land acquisition and Pavlicek reported an agreement had been reached with the property owner and a deed was being prepared by legal counsel. The Planning Board and the town mapper will be so notified. There was additional discussion about a second parcel of land. No decision was reached. A third item pertained to an invoice from a consultant which the Board felt was not justified. After discussion, they agreed to withhold payment. The Board came out of non –public session at 9:20 p.m.
MEETING ADJOURNED at 9:30 p.m.
NEXT REGULAR MEETING: Monday, December 11, 2006 at 6:30 p.m. at the Town Office.
________________________ ______________________ _____________________
James M. Powell Richard Wright Gary Budd
sc/Nov.27/06 NEWBURY BOARD OF SELECTMEN
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