NEWBURY BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MINUTES OF JANUARY 22, 2007 MEETING
Selectmen: Richard, Wright, Gary Budd
Town Personnel: Dennis Pavlicek, Town Administrator; Shelly Candidus, Admin. Assistant
Public: Pat Sherman, Wayne Whitford, Betsy Soper, Jay Tucker, Mary Bachelder, Chuck Crickman, Paul Riley, June & Peter Fichter, Dave & Faye Barden, Deb Benjamin, Matthew Reid, (Argus Champion)
Budget Committee: Alex Azodi
The meeting convened at 6:30 p.m.
PUBLIC INPUT:
Wayne Whitford appeared before the Board to provide additional information about a town plan for mosquito control, as proposed by Municipal Pest Management Services at the last meeting. He checked with New London to ask about the testing program they contracted for in 2006. He was told they were prompted to do the testing because of a problem with mosquitoes in Andover, but they will probably not recommend this testing for 2007. They believe, as does Whitford, that if there is a problem, the state would support the cost of testing as needed. Whitford said that if the roadsides were sprayed, the woods would still be full of mosquitoes. He would recommend that the town acquire a permit from the state for testing, but take no further costly steps. Wright said it is
important to educate the public by sending out information through all possible channels: flyers, posters and the town website and newsletter.
Pat Sherman came before the Board with a proposal for preparing a charrette in support of the town’s proposal to purchase the property adjacent to Bald Sunapee. Sherman said she would implement her plan in two parts: Part 1 would consist of factual date including a site analysis of the property under consideration. This would be presented on two base maps. She would also prepare a larger map of town-owned properties in the town center area showing the potential of each individual property for specific town use. Part 2 would consist of at least three “visionary” meetings to take place in the summer, after July 4th, to collect input from all town departments and residents to determine how people would like to see town-owned
properties in the town center used. Each meeting would work toward getting a consensus and would result in a Master Plan for this project. To prepare the maps, Sherman asked that the town provide for her access to materials from Bristol/Sweet, Terra Map, etc. She will then be able to determine the cost of developing base maps. Pavlicek said he would alert the town mappers and assure the cost of the project is in the budget. The Board agreed to this plan and authorized Pavlicek to sign an agreement with Sherman. Betsy Soper, representing the Town Facilities Use committee, submitted a list of positive and negative proposals for town-owned property.
REGULAR BUSINESS:
PAYROLL & ACCOUNTS PAYABLE: Week ending January 20, 2007 approved.
MINUTES: Minutes f January 8, 2007 approved to file.
ABATEMENTS/REFUDS/EXEMPTIONS: Assistant assessor Dan Fitzgerald
prepared several revised property assessments for the Board’s approval. Pavlicek
will circulate them among the Board for review and discussion at the next meeting.
INTENT TO CUT:
Mock, Kimberly. ap/lot # 048-299-133. Approved.
OLD BUSINESS:
The Boardreviewed a policy for use of the Town Office meeting rooms which
Pavlicek prepared. Budd and Wright thought this was a good policy but would like to
discuss it further at the next meeting when all selectmen are present.
The Board signed a revised agreement with circuit rider Ken McWilliams for work with the Planning Board.
Selectman Wright was appointed point person to organize and initiate work at Fishersfield Park.
Pavlicek reported that counsel for one-time use to advise the selectmen and Planning Board on plans for a Sutton subdivision at the end of Haynes Road had been selected. The Board authorized Pavlicek to sign the contract.
NEW BUSINESS:
Pavlicek reported that a County Apportionment Legislative meeting will be held Monday February 12th at 9 a.m. in New London. Powell and Pavlicek plan on attending..
Pavlicek reported that the Boards of Selectmen of the regional towns are trying to determine a date for a joint meeting. The Newbury selectmen will review their schedules and name a date that is good for them.
The Board agreed that names listed on election ballots for future Newbury elections will be dependent on the order by date and time in which the candidates file for each relative office, i.e., first come, first served, as advised by Town Moderator Nancy Morashio and Town Clerk Linda Plunkett.
Pavlicek reported that the KRSD has requested information on any/all future subdivisions that might come before the Newbury Planning Board for approval. This information will help them project future school needs. Pavlicek will ask Barbara Freeman, Planning Board Chair, for her input.
The Board discussed a proposal from Richard Monahon, initiated by Bill Weiler, to conduct a study of the historic town buildings in South Newbury and get recommendations for their future use. The cost of the study would be $9,500. Budd said that since we are looking at town-owned buildings in Newbury Center, we should look at those in South Newbury, too. Wright said the cost for this study should be put on the warrant as an article.
The Board approved a proposal from Parks and Recreation to initiate a program in 2007 for Newbury children to participate in a day camp run by the Fells.
Candidus reported that she had three bids for printing the 2007 Town Report. The low bid was R.C.Brayshaw in Warner, who has done the report previously. The Board agreed to have Brayshaw print this year’s report.
NON-PUBLIC SESSION:
The Board voted to go into non-public session under RSA 91-A:3, II, a-e at 7:15 to discuss a proposed subdivision in Sutton which would be accessed via Haynes Road in Newbury. Advice from counsel was considered. No decisions were made. The Board also discussed a personnel matter. The Board requested that the non-public session minutes be sealed for 90 days. They came out of non-public session at 7:25 p.m.
APPOINTMENTS:
Mary Bachelder, Chuck Crickman, and Paul Riley came before the Board to present additional information about fencing for Lakeside Cemetery. The trustees examined options other than the granite post and chain fence they had proposed previously for a warrant article. After looking at other fencing, including the vinyl fencing used in front of the town offices and library, the trustees feel strongly that the granite posts and chain are the best for the location. It is the most economical and maintenance free and in keeping with the rural character of the area. Bachelder presented comparison charts for various fencing, including pricing. By omitting a gate and reducing the cost of the chain, they have been able to reduce the price to $8,885. This fence, installed, is less
expensive than even the best-quality vinyl product. The Board agreed to place this proposal on the warrant as an article at this reduced cost. Pavlicek mentioned that if the article passes, he will see if the town might help to take out the existing fence.
Jay Tucker, president of the Bradford-Newbury-Sutton Youth Sports (BNSYS), came before the Board to ask for an increase in the appropriation the town provides the organization from $3,500 to $6,000. He said the organization needs additional help from the towns for infrastructure projects. The first of these is a maintenance and storage facility that is needed to store equipment. Bradford is also being asked for an additional $2,500. Sutton is not committed at this time since they have their own town baseball program and only participate in soccer. Parks and Recreation supports this request for 2007 only. Budd agreed, saying that Fishersfield will be available for sports in future years. He is in favor of the request. Wright said it was a good cause but he could not
support asking for public funds for a group that should be supported by the private sector. Alex Azodi commented that BNSYS has received generous community support in the past and the number of children participating is increasing. He felt this was not an unreasonable one-time request. Pavlicek said the request could be brought before the town as a budget line item, a separate warrant article, or a petitioned warrant article. There was no agreement between the selectmen on supporting this request.
June Fichter appeared to ask if the town could act to suppress the use of engine compression braking, or “jake brakes,” on trucks traveling on town roads. She finds the noise objectionable and feels part of the problem is due to inadequate or missing mufflers. She presented the Board with a letter and a copy of Montana House Bill No. 237, which addresses this issue. She said Portsmouth has adopted an ordinance and Lebanon is considering one. Pavlicek said he provided Chief Lee with a copy of her remarks and he has drafted an ordinance. Wright said it would be very difficult to enforce, and costly. There would be a need to measure decibels, use the police force extensively, possible court time, etc. He said the town cannot enforce or modify state laws for
vehicles traveling on state roads. Fichter said the trucks are often overloaded, and could be checked at weigh stations. Wright said that weigh stations were the province of the state. Fichter asked how Portsmouth and Lebanon could take action and Pavlicek said they had come to an agreement with the state about the classification of some roads subject to truck travel. An attendee asked if the braking problem could be controlled by changing the speed limit. Wright said the speed on state roads was set by the state. Another attendee asked if the town could ask for cooperation in not using jake brakes on a voluntary basis. Wright said a yellow sign saying “no jake brakes” means that action is recommended only, and not enforceable. Fichter asked if anything could be done. Budd and Wright said they would check with Chief Lee to review his ideas. Pavlicek said the areas of concern should be clearly defined. Wright said the first step was to establish jurisdiction.
Pavlicek suggested that this issue be addressed again on February 26th, after meeting with Chief Lee.
MEETING ADJOURNED at 8:30 p.m.
NEXT REGULAR MEETING: Monday, February 5, 2007 at 6:30 p.m. at the Town Office.
_______________________ _____________________ _______________________
James M. Powell Richard Wright Gary Budd
sc/Jan22//07 NEWBURY BOARD OF SELECTMEN
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