NEWBURY BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 5, 2006 MEETING
Selectmen: Jim Powell, Richard Wright, Gary Budd
Town Personnel: Dennis Pavlicek, Town Admin.; Shelly Candidus, Admin. Assistant; Cal Prussman, Highway Admin.
Public: Wayne Whitford, Bob Bell
The meeting convened at 6:30 p.m.
PUBLIC INPUT:
Wayne Whitford appeared at the invitation of the board to discuss their signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the NH Departments of Health & Human Services & Emergency Management in support of the state emergency pandemic response plan. Whitford has prepared a plan for Newbury, but the state wants the town to be part of a regional mega-plan by joining the Sullivan County “pod” which would include New London Hospital and Claremont Valley Hospital. Whitford noted that New London, Newport, and Sunapee among others have signed the MOU. Powell asked Whitford his opinion about agreeing to the state plan. Whitford said we should do what is best for the town. He noted that Sullivan County had no regional plan at this time and he believes they
will hire a consultant to gather individual plans from the smaller communities and incorporate them into a large plan. He feels this may take one or more years to accomplish.
Wright said the Board could adopt Whitford’s plan and so advise other local communities. Pavlicek said the Board could sign the MOU and have a clause to withdraw if things do not seem to be progressing properly. Pavlicek noted that St. Laurent from the state advised him she would like a representative from Newbury to work on the larger plan. He asked if Whitford would do this. Whitford said there should be representatives from all the communities involved. The state needs this consensus in order to obtain federal funds. Powell said he could not see a problem with signing the MOU and noted that in an emergency the town would be prepared to do what had to be done. The Board agreed to sign the MOU. Whitford will work with the state on a larger plan as time permits.
Bob Bell appeared before the Board to present the engineering design for the box culvert on Cheney Road. He is now waiting for an overdue final plan from RCS Design. The Board approved the plan as presented and it was agreed that Bell would start preparing the area not involved in the Wetlands permit.
Cal Prussman appeared to present the Board with a report from L.C. Engineering on the
condition of several gravel roads in town. The roads included Southgate, Richards Road,
Mouintainside, and Winding Brook. A specific analysis was given of each road, with the summary
that “overall, the gravel roads we measured have adequate width, the surfaces are in good condition
(except for the steep section of Winding Brook Road), the drainage appears to be working well and
there are no sign of stormwater runoff erosion. It is my opinion that the quality and schedule of your
gravel road maintenance is matched well with the roadway needs.”
The Board reviewed the report and discussed it in detail. Wright felt that some of the ditches on Southgate were stone-lined, and no reference was made to this. He felt that grass berms should be removed and the ditches needed to be cut deeper to avoid having water on the road. He felt the report was based on inadequate information provided to the engineers. Prussman said the removal of berms and deeper ditches would result in widening the road beyond recommended limits. Budd noted that the town paid for expert advice from a valued source and their recommendations should be followed for correcting any problems. Can this work be scheduled? Powell noted that the Highway Department was on a tight schedule now to get work done before winter weather. Wright suggested
bringing in an outside road expert to work on the ditches. Prussman disagreed. Wright suggested that the Board should do a site inspection, and he and Powell agreed to meet tomorrow for this purpose. Meantime, Powell noted that overall the Highway Department does a great job, as do all the town departments. He asked Prussman for a work schedule for the next month to see how the engineer’s recommendations might be included in the work load.
Wright also questioned Prussman about a delay in cutting back brush from roadsides. He said it was important that this be done before school opening, for safety reasons. Prussman said his crew had been busy doing other tasks, but the work was now done. Powell suggested that brush cutting be scheduled for August in the future.
The Board voted to accept the roads in High Meadow as town roads, per Prussman’s final report.
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 a personnel issue. The Board also approved an employee merit increase as recommended by Chief Lee. The Board came out of non-public session at 8:45 p.m.
REGULAR BUSINESS:
PAYROLL & ACCOUNTS PAYABLE: Week ending September 2, 2006 approved.
MINUTES: Meeting minutes of August 21, 2006 approved to file.
SIGN PERMIT:
Carruth, Karen. Map/lot # 007-447-061. 1806 Inn. Approved.
OLD BUSINESS:
Pavlicek reported that the site-specific plans for Fishersfield are at the state. The DES has until September 13th to hear any review and comment. Pavlicek expects the permit by the end of the month. Meantime, he will try to line up contractors for fill, etc.
Pavlicek reported that he and Powell attended a meeting last week of the consortium of towns interested in obtaining Broadband services. Powell said he agreed it would be beneficial; it would allow each town to have its own fiber-optic network for phones, cable, etc. Cost per town would be based on
population and hook-ups would be voluntary. It would take two to three years for service to be available. Meantime, the Board agreed to expend $3,000 for further research by the consortium.
Pavlicek reported that Provan & Lorber has quoted a price of $11,500 for a complete study of the Andrew Brook bridge on Sutton Road, including data review, site evaluation, report of recommendations, etc. The Board took this under advisement. Wright asked for a time line. Pavlicek also reported that he will investigate a grant from the DOT that would cover up to 80 percent of the cost of work on the bridge on Andrew Brook at Village Road.
The Board reviewed a second letter from the Sunapee Hills Association regarding their request for a Cease & Desist order on new building on Crest Road. They asked that this order be issued on a temporary basis until their engineering report, due in late August, was in hand. The Board noted that as of this date, the report had not been received by the town. They deferred action on this request.
The Board noted that a part-time temporary Transfer Station worker would be available from now until November, when Mulder will fill this need. The Board agreed that this extra help was needed now, and perhaps for an extended period, depending on activity at the facility.
NEW BUSINESS:
The Board signed a warrant to collect a Timber Tax levy representing double doomage, as the payment is overdue. Wright abstained.
The Board signed a warrant for Land Use Change Tax for $7,900, representing 1.9 acres removed from Current Use.
The Board authorized Pavlicek to dispose of four CPUs recently replaced in the Town Office. Powell emphasized that the hard drives must be removed.
Pavlicek informed the Board about the upcoming NHMA Legislative conference. The Board asked him to represent them. They asked that he prepare a warrant article against adopting a Real ID State System for next year’s town meeting.
Pavlicek informed the Board that by agreement with town officials, applicants whose building permit applications are denied will be so notified by certified mail, with the reason for denial.
Pavlicek reported that NRRA has available several signs for the Transfer Station. He will select those that are appropriate.
The Board reviewed a flyer announcing Fall Clean-Up day on September 23rd. They agreed that the start time should be 8 a.m. Powell asked if the Transfer Station could be included in this effort.
The Board noted that during CIP review, the Cemetery Trustees requested $45,000 for a stone wall at Lakeside Cemetery. They will address this request at budget review.
MEETING ADJOURNED at 9:25 p.m.
NEXT REGULAR MEETING: Monday, September 18, 2006 at 6:30 p.m. at the Town Office.
________________________ ______________________ ________________________
James M. Powell Richard Wright Gary Budd
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