NEWBURY BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MINUTES OF APRIL 3, 2006 MEETING
Selectmen: James Powell, Richard Wright, Gary Budd
Town Personnel: Dennis Pavlicek, Town Administrator; Shelly Candidus, Admin. Assistant; Cal Prussman, Highway Admin.; Henry Thomas, Fire Chief; Bob Lee, Police Chief
Public: Matt Shea, Atlas Pyrotechnical Co.; Mike McCrory, Pathways; Patrick von Kannewurff, Bill and Margie Weiler, Barbara Freeman, Sean Kendrigan, Wayne Whitford, and from LSPA: Thomas Richards, Gordon Marshall, June Fichter, Walter Goddard
The meeting convened at 6:30 p.m.
PUBLIC INPUT:
Matt Shea from Atlas Pyrotech appeared before the Board to discuss his proposal to supply fireworks for the town Old Home Day on July 8th. After inspecting a couple of sites, he feels the display would work to best advantage if set off at the harbor in the no-wake zone. He can supply a portable floating trailer, approved by the state and used for many water shows. The trailer could be launched at a local marina. The Fire Department should be on hand to maintain a recommended perimeter around the display trailer. He would plan for about a 20-minute show. The fireworks are cardboard material and biodegradable. All permits and insurance will be in place and are covered in the proposed contract. The rain date would be Sunday, July 9th. The Board approved this proposal and
authorized Pavlicek to sign the contract and arrange payment.
Patrick von Kannewurff came before the Board to ask for a copy of the MRI study of the Fire Department. Powell explained that the final report had only recently been received and it would not be released to the public until the Board and the Fire Chief had a chance to review it in depth. Powell said he expected the information to be available by April 18th.
Mike McCrory, Pathway Consultants, came before the Board to discuss their analysis of the DOT’s traffic study of Route 103 at the proposed Wild Goose boat access site. The state study was done last summer and their report was made on June 30, 2005. McCrory noted that the study focused on the north intersection of Birch Grove Road with Route 103. He provided a summary of the report for attendees and discussed various conclusions/recommendations made by the state. These included:
Reducing the speed limit at the intersection area;
The north intersection of Birch Grove Road requires improvements – an “open house” configuration was recommended ;
No special turn-lanes or by-pass lanes are warranted;
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Sight distances for motorists are sufficient; warning devices could be used.
McCrory offered several comments about the conclusions and recommendations in the study. At the same time, he explained that Pathways was presenting an analysis of the study in this report, and not their own recommendations. However, he said, it is clear that the intersection areas of Birch Grove Road and Route 103 would need specific improvements and permits from local, state and federal agencies in order to handle traffic of vehicles with trailers.
McCrory said multiple sources have shown that changing the speed limit will have little impact on traffic. To be effective, enforcement or geometric changes in the road would be needed. Enforcement becomes a town issue. The “open house” concept involves minor changes such as moving guard rails, etc. at the northern intersection. Exiting traffic would be prohibited from turning south there, but would have to go to the traffic circle to turn around. Implementation would be a problem, since signs are often disregarded. Pathways thought that the conclusion that “no turn lanes or by-pass lanes needed” was based on outdated information and should be re-evaluated. They also found the traffic design speed was closer to 55-60 mph in the area rather than the 50 mph cited in the study.
This makes the stopping distances for vehicles inaccurate.
Powell asked if the speed of 50 mph was based on 1995 data. McCrory said yes. Pavlicek asked about the number of trips cited in the study. McCrory said this was based on a growth rate of 2.3 percent, per a state study. Pavlicek noted that the growth rate in Newbury has been 4.1 percent annually.
Margie Weiler noted that the study cites 620 feet needed for stopping, for non-trailered vehicles. McCrory agreed that more distance would be needed for vehicles with trailers. Another question addressed the situation of backed-up traffic, and the number of stopping feet needed in such a situation. McCrory said this was not addressed in the report, and that a number of possible scenarios have yet to be analyzed. Bill Weiler added that the length of a trailered vehicle should be considered. This could be up to 30 feet long and the time it would take to make a turn into or out of Birch Grove Road must be factored in.
Walt Goddard asked how traffic congestion was simulated and/or analyzed. McCrory said the delay time caused by traffic congestion was addressed by counting each trailered vehicle as two regular vehicles. Wayne Whitford asked if any studies had addressed the southern access onto Birch Grove Road. McCrory replied that the right hand turn by north-bound traffic was the least problematic issue. Whitford said southbound traffic attempting to turn left would present a problem. McCrory agreed and said the plan would be to restrict the south entrance to north-bound traffic only. June Fichter raised questions about the state’s assumptions regarding travel speeds and the fact that the study only considered off-peak traffic. Spots where drivers would have to make a decision about turns at Birch Grove
have not been addressed.
Chief Lee voiced concerns that the data gathered for the study is based on assumptions and is not valid. He said growth has resulted in increased heavy truck traffic and it is not possible to enforce a reduced speed 24 hours per day. Wright remarked that if a private developer were proposing to do such a project, the state would hold him to much higher standards. A remark from the floor pointed out that the problems will be much worse in the winter, since the proposal is to have the site open 24 hours per day year-round, with access lights. Shawn Kendrigan, who ran the state beach operation and lived
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on Lakewood Manor Road said he is familiar with all the problems attendant on public access. Bill Weiler said the exiting angle is dangerous and the state should realize their liability. Fichter agreed, and said the general public will assume the conditions are ideal. The public should be made aware of the problems.
Powell thanked McCrory and invited a representative from Pathways to attend the April 17th meeting with Fish & Game Director Lee Perry.
Chief Lee reported to the Board that the lighting system is being prepared for the new 4-wheel drive vehicle. He is working on obtaining a design for striping. He would like to ask school children to get involved with ideas for a new design. However, this will be more costly and will entail a longer time before the work can be done. The Board suggested that he move ahead with the established design to get the vehicle on the road as soon as possible. Meantime, he can get a community program in place to consider a new design for any vehicles in the future.
NON-PUBLIC SESSION:
The Board voted to go into non-public session under RSA 91-A:3, II, a-e at 8:30 p.m. to discuss several personnel matters. (1) Merit increases for two Police Department members were approved by the Board, as recommended by the Chief; (2) On the recommendation of Cal Prussman, Highway Administrator, the Board agreed to the appointment of Peter Titus as Highway Foreman. Upon acceptance of the position, Titus will enter a three-month probationary period as Foreman; (3) The Board had an in-depth discussion with Fire Chief Thomas on the findings of the MRI department study. Chief Thomas offered several comments to be included with the final report. The Board came out of non-public session at 10:07 p.m.
REGULAR BUSINESS:
PAYROLL & ACCOUNTS PAYABLE: Week ending April 1, 2006 approved.
MINUTES: Meeting minutes of March 20, 2006 approved to file.
OLD BUSINESS:
Pavlicek reported he has been in contact with Eckman Engineering regarding the site specific permit needed in order to proceed with work at Fishersfield. Once that permit has been submitted to DES, they have 90 days to respond. Pavlicek will try to expedite this process.
Pavlicek reported that he is in the process of getting an additional container at the Transfer Station for tin cans and plastic. A second container will handle electronics, such as TVs, computers, etc. Pavlicek asked whether the town should charge for the disposal of electronics. The Board said a fee should be determined based on the cost of disposal to the town. Pavlicek said he hopes to have the new containers operational in May.
Pavlicek reported that he has not had a response from property owners on Old Post Road
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regarding the removal of a tree in their right-of-way. He has sent a certified letter and will continue to follow up on this matter.
NEW BUSINESS:
The Board signed a warrant to collect Excavation Taxes in the amount of $781.58.
The Board signed an Intent to Excavate for Willow Pond, Map/lot # 044-316-433.
The Board signed an Intent to Cut for Beverly Wolf, Map/lot # 017-044-532.
The Board signed a letter appointing Deborah O’Byrne to the Recreation Committee.
The Board signed an abatement request in the amount of $7,221.85 for an adjustment on property taxes for 2003, 2004, and 2005, as previously approved by the Board and Assessor.
Powell asked Prussman to check the spread of winter sand on town gravel roads, since it appears to go beyond right-of-ways in some areas.
Prussman reported that bid requests for all road and equipment for the remainder of 2006 have gone out.
At the request of the Code Enforcement Officer, the Board reviewed and approved an erosion control plan for reconstructing a stone wall on Bay Point Road and a septic plan for property on Chalk Pond Road, with the provision that the property owner be notified that any building on that lot would have to meet zoning requirements regarding setbacks.
The Board noted an invitation from the town of Sunapee to attend a presentation by Pat Remick, consultant, to discuss a coalition to address the inequality of the county tax.
On behalf of the Board, Powell signed a letter of engagement with the town auditor.
Pavlicek reported that the newly-formed Recreation Committee will meet on April 11th. Wright said he would attend.
MEETING ADJOURNED at 9:50 p.m.
NEXT REGULAR MEETING: Monday, April 17, 2005 at 6:30 p.m. at the Town Office.
________________________ ______________________ ________________________
James M. Powell Richard Wright Gary Budd
sc/Apr03/06 NEWBURY BOARD OF SELECTMEN
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