NEWBURY BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MINUTES OF MAY 30, 2006 MEETING
Selectmen: James Powell, Richard Wright, Gary Budd
Town Personnel: Dennis Pavlicek, Town Administrator; Shelly Candidus, Admin. Assistant
Public: Pam Gonyer, Wayne Whitford
The meeting convened at 6:30 p.m.
PUBLIC INPUT:
Pam Gonyer came before the Board to discuss erosion problems affecting her property on Spring Street. She said run-off from Route 103A comes down Highland Avenue and onto Spring Street, which provides a further downhill path into the lake. The run-off contains sand and silt which is piling up under docks and washing into the lake. Road damage to Spring Street is extensive. The homeowners on Spring Street are prepared to put in a new road but want the problem solved before doing this work. Gonyer has asked advice from Cal Prussman and also from Andy Chapman from the DES. She has been told: the installation of culverts on Spring Street might divert the flow; corrective grading on Highland Avenue might help the problem; winter plowing should avoid pushing the snow over the side of Highland. She believes
excess snow buildup on the down side of Highland is destroying the trees there, adding to the run-off problem. She also believes that some abutters who were notified by the town several years ago that they needed to install culverts did not respond or comply with this request. She added that residents on Spring Street are willing to replace that road, but not until the problems with run-off originating on Highland Avenue are addressed and fixed.
Powell said the Board would get involved and assess the situation. Perhaps a culvert under Highland Road would help direct the water. He added that the topography of this area, and of much of the town of Newbury, lends itself to problems of this type. After reviewing the situation, the Board will ask Pavlicek to report back to her.
Wayne Whitford appeared to discuss his work on a plan to respond to an emergency pandemic situation. As Health Officer, he has worked on this plan with Paul Groulx, Emergency Management Director. The plan is based on a template provided by the state in an effort to assure state-wide conformity in the event of an emergency. Whitford said his plan addresses the town of Newbury within this broader structure. Among the areas covered by the plan are a Chain of Command, Emergency Communication Systems, an Emergency Operations Center, Quarantines, First Responders and Emergency Personnel Protection, Fatalities, and Continuing Government Operations/Services.
Whitford said he is in contact with neighboring towns regarding their emergency plans, and with New London regarding their health network, which is still in a formative stage. He asked the selectmen to look at the plan he submitted in detail and make suggestions about what will and what
won’t work. He will then incorporate their suggestions, formalize the plan, and have it ready for implementation if needed. The New London plan will be appended to the Newbury plan. He stressed that emergency training for town personnel and volunteers would be essential.
Powell agreed with Whitford that the emphasis for emergency response should be geared to Newbury and surrounding towns. Pavlicek suggested that the Board respond with their comments on the plan by e-mail to him and he will see that they are forwarded to Whitford. Hard copies of the proposed plan can be printed out on request.
REGULAR BUSINESS:
PAYROLL & ACCOUNTS PAYABLE: Week ending May 27, 2006 approved.
MINUTES: Meeting minutes of May 15, 2006 approved to file.
OLD BUSINESS:
As requested, a resident submitted an amended deed containing a clause holding the town harmless if emergency vehicles are unable to respond to his address on Crest Drive, a private road.
The amended deed will be recorded and the driveway application will be re-activated.
Regarding the sinkhole reported at Blodgett Landing, Prussman has inspected the site. It appears to come from a broken pipe on private property, and the flow seems to originate from the town road. Prussman suggested fixing the pipe and filling in the hole. Wright voiced an objection, saying the town should not perform work on private property. Budd disagreed and said the work should be done. Powell said the situation should be studied further. He and Wright will inspect the site. Pavlicek will wait for their further input.
Pavlicek reported that the pad is in place at the Transfer Station for the electronics container. Blocks will be ordered in the next few days so the container for tin cans and plastic can be put in place.
Pavlicek gave a recap of plans to date for Old Home Day. He noted that the first meeting of planners for the event drew 25 people. The cost of food and music is within budget. Wright noted that the event is being promoted throughout the area and asked if the town is ready to handle a huge crowd. Will there be enough food? Pavlicek said that we will serve the barbecue until the food runs out. Additional food will be for sale at several sites throughout the day. Donations baskets will be placed around the barbecue area.
NEW BUSINESS:
Pavlicek reported that the cost of the streetlight conversion in town has come in at $26,410, much less than estimated.
Pavlicek read a letter from the Town of Sunapee selectboard stating their support for Newbury’s concern with traffic safety related to the placement of a public boat launch at Wild Goose. A copy of their letter was sent to the Governor. The Board expressed thanks for their support.
The Board noted with appreciation an invitation to the Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum’s 7th Annual Intertribal Pow-Wow in Warner on July 15-16.
The Board received a report of ATVs being ridden on the trails in Fishersfield. Budd noted that this could be detrimental to the development of hiking trails and could lead to harmful erosion. The Board will take this issue under advisement.
Wright reported that he was in the harbor area on Memorial Day weekend and noted the grass around the caboose was not mowed and the beach area was full of debris. He said several people complained about this. Pavlicek explained that the debris was a result of all the recent high water washing trash down into the harbor. He said adult diversion workers will have the area cleaned up this weekend and the grass has been mowed. Budd said it was important to have the area attractive for the public on Memorial Day weekend. It should be clean and the docks should be in place. Wright concurred. He said that mowing the grass at Bell Cove and the esplanade should take precedence over other town areas. Pavlicek suggested that a major spring clean-up of this type was beyond the present resources of the town and
would require seasonal or contracted help for one to two weeks at a cost of $500 to $1000. After discussion, the Board suggested that a third person was needed at the Transfer Station (see discussion following), and utilizing that person for the spring to summer clean-up, the Transfer Station work, and for seasonal help with the Highway department might make sense for 2007.
Wright said organization and direction for users of the Transfer Station was badly needed. He suggested that traffic flow be controlled, admittance tags be checked, and directions for disposing of trash be provided. Problems involve verification of property ownership and issuance of tags on site at the station, as well as provisions for issuing vouchers or taking checks for disposing of materials. Pavlicek agreed that another person was needed, especially on summer weekends. Budd suggested that the hours should be from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on one of the weekend days.
Wright asked about the status of a timberpeg frame to be donated by a local company for a new Information Booth. Pavlicek said he had not had time to explore this proposition, as it involves possible changes to the electric service and the underground irrigation system. The Board discussed the dimensions needed for the building. Wright and Powell will visit the site to determine the proper size.
Wright noted that the town backhoe was traveling on state and town roads to reach work sites and asked that the trailer owned by the Highway department be used whenever the work site is a mile or more away to save wear and tear on the machine. Pavlicek will relay this request to Prussman.
Pavlicek reported that Walter Greenwood will be working at the caboose this summer as a volunteer. He is gathering information on old trains for a written piece, and has asked that the town provide him with a letter of introduction to people and organizations he may visit. The Board agreed.
The Board signed a Resolution of Organization for the Police Department Benevolent Fund.
NON-PUBLIC SESSION:
The Board voted to go into non-public session under RSA 91-A:3, II, a-e at 8:40 p.m. to discuss the proposed forest management program at Fishersfield. No decisions were made. The Board also discussed a potential new hire for the Police Department. Powell asked for a candidate profile before preparing an appointment letter.
Performance evaluations for some Police Department, Highway, and Town Office employees were discussed by the Board. Recommended pay adjustments were agreed upon. The Board came out of non-public session at 9:00 p.m.
MEETING ADJOURNED at 9:00 p.m.
NEXT REGULAR MEETING: Monday, June 12, 2006 at 6:30 p.m. at the Town Office.
________________________ ______________________ ________________________
James M. Powell Richard Wright Gary Budd
sc/May30/06 NEWBURY BOARD OF SELECTMEN
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