NEWBURY BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MINUTES OF AUGUST 7, 2006 MEETING
Selectmen: Jim Powell, Richard Wright, Gary Budd
Town Personnel: Dennis Pavlicek, Town Administrator; Shelly Candidus, Admin. Assistant; Cal Prussman, Highway Admin.
Public: Deane Geddes
The meeting convened at 6:35 p.m. There was no public input.
APPOINTMENTS:
Deane Geddes appeared to present an update on the status of town facilities. He recently met with department heads on this subject and completed a survey as requested by Barbara Freeman for use in updating the Master Plan. He interviewed Pavlicek regarding Town Office space and was told the recent expansion/renovation will take care of staff and work area needs for at least the next 10 years. Highway Administrator Prussman reported that the size of the new highway garage pretty much filled up the site and there was limited space for outdoor storage. He is still using the old highway garage and the area behind Hearse House for storage. He advises keeping the public salt access at the old site because traffic flow/safety could be a concern at the new facility.
Fire Chief Thomas reported to Geddes that he needs more space for work and for storage. There is insufficient office space to file reports. He presently stores some equipment and gear at Blodgett Landing, Bald Sunapee, the old highway garage, and the Vet’s Hall. Police Chief Lee reported that he needs office space and a larger evidence room. At present he has no privacy, desks are shared and there is no separate area for conferences, meetings or training.
Geddes left a summary of his report for the Board, and they thanked him for his time.
Cal Prussman appeared to provide the Board with his recommendations for alleviating the run-off problem in the Highland Avenue-Spring Street area. After heavy rains, water pours down Highland Avenue, despite ditch work done there last year. There are two residences on Highland across the street from one another that do not have driveway culverts. These property owners will be asked to install culverts this fall. This will help divert the flow of water toward the Pinecliff area and from there into the lake. Powell asked about plowing and grading. Prussman said he grades once or twice a year and he plows Highland himself. He will try to control the areas of pushed back snow, but he pointed out that wherever the piles end up, they will result in snow melt going
down toward Spring Street.
On other highway business, Prussman aid he will grind Old Post Road and South Road and
Pike will pave them the first two weeks in September. He will clean out the ditches on these roads and
take the material to Fishersfield for fill. He as also installed erosion control blankets of vegetation in ion in the Sutton Road bridge area. The grass is growing. Provan & Lorber will inspect the site this fall. Powell said there are collections of water in areas on Village Road. The driveways are not in good shape and ditches need to be re-established.
Regarding the work site for replacing the culvert on South Road at Mountainside, all the traffic barrels, detour signs, and flashers have been removed by unauthorized taking. This loss has been reported to the Police Department. Also, work on the culvert on Province Road has been hindered by drivers ignoring the signs, the workmen, and driving over cones. A license plate number has been referred to the Police.
Pavlicek said he will apply for a hazard mitigation grant to cover 75 percent of the work on various metal culverts on Cheney Road. Prussman is still getting quotes for replacing the guardrails on Mountain Road which were recently damaged in a traffic accident. Meanwhile, warning cones are in place. Wright asked about the status of guardrails on the road in the area of the Bensley’s. Prussman said they were replaced last May. Wright said the double ditching should be fixed on Southgate. Prussman said he will contact Paul Charbaneau for assistance. Prussman reported that he has given Pavlicek updates for the culvert inventory map. He also noted there is a sinkhole on High Point Road with a warning flag. Prussman will call Bob Bell to alert him.
OLD BUSINESS:
Based on input from site inspections by the Board and recommendations by the Highway Administrator, Pavlicek will respond to the comments in Pamela Gonyer’s letter regarding run-off from Highland Avenue impacting Spring Street and the lake.
The Board signed three approvals and one denial for abatement of property taxes, as previously discussed and reviewed.
The Board signed a Proclamation for the Tree City USA application for re-certification, as previously approved.
The Board received a letter of thanks from CAP for the town’s 2006 contribution of $2,768.
REGULAR BUSINESS:
PAYROLL & ACCOUNTS PAYABLE: Week ending August 5, 2006 approved.
MINUTES: Meeting minutes of July 24, 2006 approved to file.
INTENT TO CUT:
Larson, Carl. Map/lot #s 42-504-150, 42-350-453, 42-373-379. Approved.
NEW BUSINESS:
Pavlicek reported that he had in hand a contract from Eckman Engineering which needed approval for the completion of the engineering plans for Fishersfield. Work should be complete within ten days from the time of signing the contract. The Board authorized Pavlicek to sign the contract and follow up to make sure the work is done on schedule.
The Board noted an invitation to an informational forum given by the Community Transportation Services of Claremont. The forum is for candidates seeking public office in area counties and will address rural public transportation and its impact on local constituents. The Board noted the date of August 24th from 3 to 4:30 p.m.
The Board signed a request to the DRA for an extension to file the MS-1 to October 1, 2006.
The Board approved three Veterans’ Exemptions for property taxes, and denied one.
The Board denied a request from the First Student Driver recruiting committee to park a school bus and conduct recruitment at the weekly concerts at Newbury Harbor.
The Board approved a request from Bob Bell that would allow him to reimburse the town for the cost of an engineer working on the Cheney Road culvert.
The Board approved a type of trash receptacle which Pavlicek showed them. The barrels are steel, with slatted sides to complement the street lights that will be installed in the coming years. These heavy barrels have a side opening door to facilitate the removal of trash bags. Pavlicek will budget for 3 to 4 per year for the next few years (reaching a total of 12).
NON-PUBLIC SESSION:
The Board voted to go into non-public session under RSA 91-A:3, II, a-e at 7:50 p.m. to discuss personnel issues and procedures at the Transfer Station. No decisions were reached. The Board also approved an employee increase as recommended by Pavlicek. The Board came out of non-public session at 8 p.m.
MEETING ADJOURNED at 8:30 p.m.
NEXT REGULAR MEETING: Monday, August 21, 2006 at 6:30 p.m. at the Town Office.
________________________ ______________________ ________________________
James M. Powell Richard Wright Gary Budd
sc/Aug07//06 NEWBURY BOARD OF SELECTMEN
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