NEWBURY BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MINUTES OF JULY 24, 2006 MEETING
Selectmen: Jim Powell, Richard Wright, Gary Budd
Town Personnel: Dennis Pavlicek, Town Administrator; Shelly Candidus, Admin. Assistant; Police Chief Bob Lee
Public:
The meeting convened at 6:35 p.m. There was no public input.
OLD BUSINESS:
The Board again reviewed a letter from Pamela Gonyer regarding erosion and runoff from Highland Avenue impacting properties on Spring Street. Before responding to her concerns and recommendations, Powell requested that Highway Administrator Prussman review the situation and report to the Board at their next meeting (August 7th). Meantime, Budd and Wright will make an on-site assessment of the area.
Pavlicek reported that the town of Sutton responded to our request for availability of a perambulator by submitting a list of men who would walk the town line with a counterpart from Newbury. A GPS unit is available. Wright said he will perambulate this line and will contact a Sutton representative to accompany him. The walk will be done in the fall, after foliage has thinned out.
Pavlicek also presented a response from Sunapee. Fred Gallup will be their perambulator. Powell said he would represent Newbury. Great Island will be included in the perambulation.
The Board noted receipt of e-mail from Steve Winter, who met recently with representatives from the Attorney General’s office regarding the town’s jurisdiction of the access road into the Wild Goose property off Route 103. The question discussed was the state’s authority to override local ordinances. Powell advised no action at this time.
Wright noted that the town dock needs some repairs. The front fingers are pulling away from the dock and some posts are weak, with loose bolts. Pavlicek said Rick Green will be here this week to work on the fingers. Powell suggested that Pavlicek contact LaPorte if additional repairs are necessary. Wright said there are stones at the foot of the ladder which might present a hazard to swimmers. Pavlicek said Will Willis will be checking the condition of the dock on a weekly basis during the summer.
The Board noted that a recent traffic count at the Transfer Station documented 1,764 cars in one week of operation. Wright said more help is needed; sometimes there is only one person working there on a weekend day. He said the person who is picking up trash in the harbor on weekends should change his hours. Two people are needed from 9 a.m. til 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Budd suggested the facility open at 8 a.m. on weekends. Pavlicek will talk to the operators and try to rearrange their schedules. Powell added that it would be helpful for the operators to have an orientation session with a written list of duties. Budd said to prioritize these duties. Wright said he would speak to the operators and get their input. Powell said signs are needed for recycling areas to
help people dispose of trash properly. Pavlicek will discuss this with Suzanne Levine. Powell said a pull-out insert in the next newsletter discussing use of the Transfer Station would be helpful. Wright said the 2007 budget should include a third person at the facility to greet and direct people. Meantime, the Board suggested adding another person immediately to work through Labor Day. Pavlicek will investigate this and arrange for an orientation meeting at the Transfer Station the first week in August.
Pavlicek reported that Joe Digilio has been invited by the Cemetery Trustees to attend their next meeting on August 3rd to discuss the issues he brought to the Board at the last meeting.
Pavlicek reported that there is money in the Highway budget to have work done on Southgate road. The Board unanimously agreed to this expenditure. Pavlicek will so notify Prussman.
Pavlicek reported there is also money available to cover the $11,000 engineering fee for improvements to the Sutton Road bridge area. The Board agreed to this expenditure and asked that abutter Ellie Plunkett be so advised.
REGULAR BUSINESS:
PAYROLL & ACCOUNTS PAYABLE: Week ending July 22, 2006 approved.
MINUTES: Meeting minutes of June 10, 2006 approved to file.
NEW BUSINESS:
The Board noted a report that a trailer on South Road was being torn down. Pavlicek will contact the owner of the property regarding a permit for demolition.
The Board approved a letter to all property owners at Crofts Beach advising them of work to begin on the wastewater treatment plant and asking them to sign an easement to cross their property. Work is scheduled to begin after Labor Day.
Pavlicek asked the Board about their availability to attend a joint meeting of selectmen from the eight area towns involved in a consortium to provide broadband for high-speed internet access. A tentative date has been set for August 30th in the town of Enfield.
On the recommendation of the assessor, the Board approved abatement requests for John Bohl, Cosmic Realty Trust and Lawrence Crook. The request from Briott LLC wad denied.
Pavlicek asked if one of the selectmen would represent the Board on the upcoming CIP meetings. Powell said he would attend.
The Board noted a recommendation from a resident that the Veterans’ Hall be maintained and used, since it is an historic structure honoring town veterans. The Board noted, as they have in the past, that this would be a major undertaking and might not be practical. However, it prompted Wright to ask about the recommendations on the use of town buildings that the Town Facilities Study Committee was preparing. Pavlicek will follow up with Deane Geddes. Wright remarked that he would like to see a civic group take over the building for a youth or senior center, but it would need extensive renovations.
The Board agreed that the Park 10 lots recently deeded to the town would be disposed of, along with the old Highway Garage, after approval at Town Meeting.
The Board received a letter from a resident asking for the sale by bid or auction of a parcel of land in Park 10 in the process of being tax-deed to the town. She abuts the property and would like to own it for building purposes. The Board noted that the current owner has been given 30 days to
respond to a final notice. No action on the lot will be taken at this time.
The Board received a copy of an e-mail addressed to the Police Chief thanking some Newbury officers for assistance they provided to a visiting family on July 9th. The officers were Joshua Costa and B.J. Hardy. Copies of the letter will be placed in their files.
The Board received a letter of thanks from a resident thanking them and all involved for a great time at Old Home Day.
The Board was informed by Linda Champy about a series of 3 workshops to be held in conjunction with the American Red Cross to address preparedness for man-made or natural disasters. The workshops will run on August 17, 24, and 31 at the town office and will be run by Dan Brennan of the Red Cross. Health Officer Wayne Whitford and Emergency Management Director Paul Groulx will be speakers. The Board approved this program.
Pavlicek reported that the town will receive funds from FEMA in the amount of $38,927. The majority of this money will be in hand within a month.
Chief Lee reported that he is reviewing all the town ordinances to evaluate and reorganize them. Powell said many needed updating. When they are organized, they should be checked for validity. They can then be placed in a book with an index for easy reference.
Powell volunteered to represent the board on a Joint Loss Management Committee.
The Board reviewed a letter to be sent to the State Police thanking them for providing a helicopter for Old Home Day. Powell advised that Scott Wheeler be mentioned as part of the volunteer crew.
The Board approved an application for a fireworks display for Kara Obey for Sept. 2nd.
The Board signed a Purchase Order for a new AC unit in the old portion of the town offices. A new unit from Kenyon HVAC will cost $6,650.
The Board signed a Purchase Order to replace five 5-year old workstations at a cost of $6,695 from Competitive Computer.
Powell signed an application for recertification of the town as a Tree City USA.
Powell signed a certification of approval for the bond to cover work by Stantec on the Blodgett Wastewater Treatment Facility. The 20-year bond will carry a rate of 3.8 percent.
Pavlicek reported that workers from the Adult Diversion program have started to clear brush from the area behind the town office/ library. He would like to continue to clear off this area. The Board approved. Powell mentioned that the Diversion workers might also work at cleaning up the Transfer Station area.
NON-PUBLIC SESSION:
The Board voted to go into non-public session under RSA 91-A:3, II, a-e at 7:15 p.m. with Chief Lee to discuss a Police Department personnel issue. No decisions were reached.. The Board came out of non-public session at 7:35 p.m.
MEETING ADJOURNED at 8:30 p.m.
NEXT REGULAR MEETING: Monday, August 7, 2006 at 6:30 p.m. at the Town Office.
________________________ ______________________ ________________________
James M. Powell Richard Wright Gary Budd
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