NEWBURY BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MINUTES OF JULY 10, 2006 MEETING
Selectmen: Richard Wright, Gary Budd
Town Personnel: Dennis Pavlicek, Town Administrator; Shelly Candidus, Admin. Assistant; Cal Prussman, Highway Admin.
Public: Joe Digilio, Dave & Jim Pickman
The meeting convened at 6:30 p.m.
PUBLIC INPUT:
Joe Digilio came before the Board to discuss several conditions at Bean Cemetery/Baker Hill Road. He asked about the “Private Property” posting on the access road from Stoney Brook into the cemetery and asked if this had been done by the Cemetery trustees with approval of the town. Wright said this is not a town road but is a public right-of-way and public access must be allowed. Digilio showed the Board pictures of the “Posted” sign and several pictures of brush build-up and unchecked growth in the cemetery, some of which is obliterating the markers. He has heard that the Cemetery trustees have asked that the town maintenance workers refrain from cutting back this brush. Wright said in general a growth of scrub will provide a good basis for trees to grow. However, he said
he will go inspect the site. Digilio said several markers are in damaged condition and some are lying on the ground, both in Bean and Baker Hill cemeteries. He added that he has tried to contact the Cemetery trustees but they have not responded to his concerns. Pavlicek said he will contact the trustees and ask them to meet with Digilio or to come before the Board to discuss these issues.
Digilio asked when Baker Hill Road was going to be resurfaced. Pavlicek said he believed it was scheduled for 2007. Digilio asked why a traffic counter had been installed on the road. Wright said the town does this periodically to assess traffic on various roads. Pavlicek added that in this case the counter was also used to measure speeds on the road, in response to a resident’s report of speeding. The average speed was found to be 26 mph, well below the posted limit.
Dave and Jim Pickman came before the Board to request review and approval of their plans for upgrading Gillingham Drive in their development, prior to submission of the plans to the Planning Board for site plan approval. The plans include upgrading 380 feet of road and the installation of a larger culvert. Wright said the intersection in that area is presently under water from Lake Todd during heavy rains. He would like to see this area constructed above flood level by raising it up 1 ½ feet. Wright and Budd reviewed other aspects of the plan and identified three retention ponds. It was noted that 2 tenths of a mile of Old Sutton Road will be raised up over 2 ½ feet and the culvert at a swampy area will be redone. Prussman has reviewed the plans and feels the proposed changes will be an
improvement, both on Gillingham and Old Sutton Roads. Wright and Budd concurred that the plans met with their approval, but wanted Powell, who was absent, to have an opportunity to review them and sign off, which he will do on July 11th.
APPOINTMENT:
Cal Prussman appeared before the Board to discuss the status of town roads accepted at the 2006 Town Meeting. In terms of meeting town requirements, Allwood is fine. Whitney Way has some severe drop-off areas and no shoulder in some places. The developer has promised to fix these problems at an early date, at which time the road will be acceptable. Both roads in Allwood off Morse Hill Road need grading to include crowning. When this is done, the roads will meet town requirements. The roads in High Meadow (High Meadow Road, High Point Road and Cloudland Road) have met the specifications for town acceptance. The roads in Southview still need some work. Guardrails need to be installed on Eastridge and Hearthstone Roads, and a culvert on Hearthstone needs to be extended and the shoulder widened.
Prussman also pointed out that the culvert on Cheney Road has yet to be replaced, as was required by a condition of Planning Board approval in November, 2001. The developer agreed to these conditions on December 3, 2001. Wright and Powell agreed that the town will not offer maintenance to any roads in the Southview development until the culvert in question has been replaced.
On another matter, Prussman reported that he has spoken with Judge Iacopino, who provided information that the sinkhole in Blodgett Landing is the result of a problem with a town drainage system. Iacopino and abutting property owners feel strongly that this area is a hazard and needs to be repaired. Prussman said because of the limited working area, repairs would have to be done by hand. Wright said the town could undertake repairs only after permission for access is granted from the immediate abutters. The two abutters in question were identified and Pavlicek will obtain the necessary permission. The Board agreed to this action.
Prussman further reported that all streets in Ramblewood had been paved and Miller Construction will begin work on the box culvert on South Road next week. South Road residents will be so informed via notice in the local papers. Work on Old Post Road will begin next Monday.
Wright asked whether funds were available for work on Southgate Road. Work on this road in 2006 is not covered by the five-year plan, but Pavlicek said he will check the budget to see if any funds might be available. Wright also said a decision must be made regarding the engineers’ recommendations for work on Sutton Road at Andrew Brook. He would like to see at least the engineering work done this year. Prussman said planting vegetation might help direct the flow of the brook. Wright asked if debris could be pulled out of the water. Prussman said he had no time for additional work right now, since he is trying to catch up on scheduled work. Wright said something had to be done to protect the bridge. Perhaps planting vegetation to create a ground blanket might buy time until repairs could be made.
Pavlicek will report on available funds at the next meeting.
REGULAR BUSINESS:
PAYROLL & ACCOUNTS PAYABLE: Week ending July 8, 2006 approved.
MINUTES: Meeting minutes of June 26, 2006 approved to file.
INTENT TO CUT:
Hardy, Roger. Map/lot # 044-3438-562. Approved.
CUT IN BUFFER ZONE:
Cruikshank, Kirk. Map/lot# 019-279-486. Removal of nine dead trees approved.
OLD BUSINESS:
The Board noted with pleasure the success of Old Home Day. They have had positive feedback from residents, with special notation of the outstanding fireworks display. A letter to the editor of local papers will be prepared to thank all the groups and individuals involved. Pavlicek reported that donations more than covered the cost of the barbecue. Individual groups and town organizations also raised considerable funds. Wright commented that he would like to see an ongoing farmers’ market at Bald Sunapee. He also noted that the state helicopter was a popular item and he would like to call on the state for a different attraction each year – perhaps moose locked in combat from Fish & Game.
Pavlicek reported that Lee Perry, Exec. Dir. of Fish & Game, had called him to clarify the town’s concerns with using Wild Goose as a public boat launch. Pavlicek reitererated that the major issue is safe access to and from the site via Route 103. The Board expressed displeasure with an article in a local paper which gave the impression that according to Fish & Game, delays in opening the Wild Goose access were due to obstacles raised by town officials.
NEW BUSINESS:
The Board received a note of thanks for use of the Town Meeting Room for a local celebration.
The Board noted two letters written to the Wetlands Bureau objecting to a resident’s request for an application for a lakefront platform.
The Board received a report from Jacques Whitford on water sampling at the landfill. Samples were within specifications for all elements except nitrates. Testing will be repeated in November.
The Board approved a request from the Fire Department to conduct Bingo games in July and August and to hold a raffle on August 27th.
MEETING ADJOURNED at 8:00
p.m.
NEXT REGULAR MEETING: Monday, July 24, 2006 at 6:30 p.m. at the Town Office.
________________________ ______________________ ________________________
James M. Powell Richard Wright Gary Budd
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