NEWBURY BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MINUTES OF JANUARY 8, 2007 MEETING
Selectmen: Jim Powell, Richard, Wright, Gary Budd
Town Personnel: Dennis Pavlicek, Town Administrator; Shelly Candidus, Admin. Assistant; Cal Prussman, Highway Administrator;
Public: Pat Sherman, Mike Morrison, Wayne Whitford, Jim Pickman, Dave Eckman, Bob Stewart, Robert Scott, Bill Weiler, Doug Whelan, Dan Wolf, Mary Bachelder, Chuck Crickman, Paul Riley, Elizabeth Ashworth (Intertown Record)
Budget Committee: Joy Nowell
The meeting convened at 6:30 p.m.
APPOINTMENTS:
Pat Sherman appeared at the invitation of the Board. Powell explained that the town is considering the purchase of property at 919 Route 103, adjacent to the Bald Sunapee property. He said that prior to bringing this proposal before the town at the March Town Meeting, the Board would like a study done to show why it is beneficial for the town to obtain this property. Would it serve the town best as a future Fire Department? Police Department? Other uses? Sherman said that a charrette would involve input from the community, and asked if public input would be gathered before Town Meeting. Powell said yes. Pavlicek said the first public meeting might be preliminary, followed by another
one next summer. Sherman asked if the town had a CIP that could be referenced. Powell said yes, CIP input was available. Sherman said that since time was short, it might be best to present the proposal at Town Meeting as an analysis of the site, showing its possibilities. The emphasis would be on the importance of acquiring this parcel, and the "vision" for its preferred use would follow after public input next summer. She would stress the available space and tie in this site information with future plans for the Safety Services building. She mentioned that a community center was needed, too. Budd said it was important for the public to be a part of the process. Sherman will write up a proposal for her presentation at Town Meeting and will discuss it with the Board on January 22nd.
Mike Morrison of Municipal Pest Management Services came before the Board with a proposal for mosquito control for 2007. This would involve obtaining a state permit application (no charge) which identifies various town habitats and the specific types of mosquitoes that inhabit them; use of insecticide to control mosquito larvae in stagnant waters ($24,000); spraying to kill adult mosquitoes ($1,000); and collection and testing of specimens for EEE and West Nile virus ($12,800). Morrison said his company works with 28-30 NH towns, including New London, which send samples to Concord for testing. He said he could offer a package price if we decide on a program like New London has. Powell asked what was found in New London
last year. Morrison said sampling showed lots of EEE carriers, but there were no human cases of EEE in 2006. Powell asked if there were any human cases in Vermont or Maine. Morrison said no. Pavlicek suggested that the Board review the proposal and discuss it further at the next meeting. Morrison suggested that the Board talk to neighboring towns to set up a control system that would save everyone money.
BUDGET, COLA, WARRANT ARTICLES:
COLA: Pavlicek reported on the Consumer Price Index report for the Northeast with indexes and the percentage of increase of costs of goods and services. The overall percent change (increase) for the period from March 2006 through Dec. 2006 is 2.3 percent. He recommends an increase of 3 percent, equaling $32, 332, to cover cost of living increases and benefits for town employees. The Board agreed to this increase. Pavlicek will change all revenue/budget lines to reflect the increase. Pavlicek also said the firemen have had no increase for on-call duty in eight years. He recommended that the pay for this duty be raised from $8 per hour to $9 per hour. The Board agreed.
Warrant Articles:
1, 2, 3. - Standard -- No change
4. Budget -- Pavlicek will update with the COLA percentages
5. Cap.Reserve Funds -- Amounts are down from 2006 due to no expenditures for a Police cruiser and no costs for revaluation.
6. Expendable Trust Funds – Up $8,000 from 2006
7. Bridge Replacement/Reconstruction – Funds to be established for bridge replacement and maintenance. The most urgent need is for bridge replacement on Sutton Road over Andrew Brook at a cost of $98,000. The fund would be established with approximately $70,000.
8. Improvements to harbor area – to include sidewalk, lighting, etc. Funds will come from a state grant with a percent match from the town.
9. Disposition of town-owned property – three parcels in Park 10 and the old Highway Garage.
10. Purchase of property at 919 Route 103 -- Article to be presented with site plan information. Cost will be largely offset by sale of Highway Garage.
11. Message (posted speed) sign -- partially funded by $6,000 grant with $8,700 to be raised via taxation.
12. Appointment of Fire Chief and Firemen – to be appointed by Board of Selectmen.
13. Fishersfield Forest – Establish a town forest at Fishersfield Park to promote timber management for the town. After discussion, the Board decided that a committee should be formed to administer care of the forest, oversee cutting, etc. Powell suggested that the Board be caretakers and appoint five people from the community to serve on a committee.
Funds raised by the efforts of the Forest Committee could not be spent without approval at Town Meeting.
14. Disposition of Revenues from Land Use Change Tax – 50 percent of these revenues would continue to go to the Conservation Commission but would be limited to $25,000 annually. Nowell asked if this would be
an irreversible limitation. Powell said it could be reversed if need be at a future Town Meeting. Powell asked if the town received additional funds from this tax, how could they be spent? Pavlicek said per the RSAs, the use of the funds would be defined and a public hearing would be held to seek approval to expend.
15. Expressing an opinion on “Real ID” – Nowell asked what “Real ID” was. Powell said it was a proposal by the federal government to gather personal information. Wright added that it would require a license which would contain a person’s police record (if any), health information, and other personal records. He said the government is trying to do the same sort of thing for all domestic animals. He said it is a measure of control that is supposed to protect the individual. The Board proposes to make a statement against such legislation to the Governor and state officials.
16. Carbon Coalition – The Board proposes to support an initiative asking the President and Congress to address the issue of climate change (global warming).
17. Cemetery Maintenance Trust Fund – to transfer $1,000 from the undesignated fund balance and place it in the Maintenance Trust fund.
The above warrant articles were discussed and recommended by the Board and the Budget Committee member. Additional warrant articles were then brought forward for consideration, as follows:
Lakeside Cemetery fencing. This article was presented by Mary Bachelder, Chuck Crickman and Paul Riley. Bachelder said that in 2007 the cemetery trustees would like to install one section of fence along Route 103A up to Stoodley Road which would consist of granite posts linked by chain, and a gate. This would replace the chain link fence currently installed. The cost would be $14,000. She provided the Board with pictures of the type of fence. Powell said he believed the CIP had recommended establishing a capital reserve fund for money to do this at a future time. Bachelder said the CIP recommended that or this plan as an option, and if it is put off, the cost will be higher. Powell asked if the trustees had investigated other options in terms of materials and style, and compared costs. Bachelder said they had
looked at many options and all the others were too costly. Powell asked why a fence was needed at all. Bachelder said it was required by law that a cemetery must be “defined” by boundaries. Wright said the town is seeing a huge rise in costs due to school and county tax increases and he is reluctant to make any unnecessary increases, since we are approaching people’s limits on ability to pay these taxes. Crickman said the fence is a vital part of the town center and would enhance the improvements the town plans for the harbor area. Riley said it would cost twice as much to replace the chain link fence with the same material. Powell asked if they had considered the type of fence used in front of the library and town office. Bachelder said it wasn’t sturdy enough. She asked if the Board was rejecting this proposal. Powell said he shared Wright’s concerns so he is asking them to reconsider the project in terms of cost. Wright commented that
expensive warrant articles can negate the most prudent budget preparations. Powell said he favored the CIP because it kept funds managed the best way possible. He said the Board is reluctant to accept this article and he asked the trustees to look
into other options such as the town office fence, installed by FVB, and return to the Board at 7 p.m. on January 22nd for further discussion.
Highway: (1) Replacement of 2001 pick-up truck. Cal Prussman addressed this article with the Board, saying he would like to get a replacement Chevy 3500 pick-up truck at a cost of $48,926 with trade-in value of the old truck to be determined. Sander, plow, lights, etc. would be included. This is in line with the CIP recommendation that the vehicles be replaced every five years. Powell asked what would happen if the trade were not made this year. Prussman said the truck had 110,000 miles on it and was overdue (6 years old) for replacement, per the CIP. Pavlicek said he should check with several vendors to get the best trade-in price.
(2) Purchase of new one-ton Chevy truck. Prussman proposed buying this vehicle with a dump body, plow, sander, etc. at a cost of $78,000 with accessories and he would also like to keep the old one-ton as a back-up. Powell asked if this could be deferred for a year. Prussman said yes. The Board agreed to enter proposal (1), above, as an additional warrant article.
Center Meeting House Restoration. Dan Wolf and Doug Whelan appeared to update the Board on plans for restoring the Center Meeting House and to ask for town support in this effort. Whelan presented a slide show showing the history, architecture, and restoration work planned for this building. Wolf explained that the CMH is now owned by the directors and nine trustees. Anyone can now become a member. The organization has non-profit status, and if it ever dissolves, the building will be turned over to the town. The deteriorating foundation had to be fixed before any restoration work could go forward. Now that is done, and repairs are needed badly. Wolf said a total of $750,000 needs to be raised for restoration. He said the trustees are asking the town to appropriate $150,000 over two years: $75,000 in
2007 and $75,000 in 2008.
Powell said he cannot ask Newbury taxpayers to support a private enterprise at this cost. Wolf said if the fundraising fails, it’s a failure for the whole town, a tremendous loss. Wright said he, too, was reluctant to ask taxpayers for this money since they are over-burdened already. This would have a negative impact on the budget. Wolf noted that the CMH has a direct impact on the town, unlike many other organizations the town already supports. Budd said he needed to consider this further. Wolf asked how to pursue this request. If he submits it as a petitioned warrant article, when is it due? Pavlicek said early in February. Wolf noted that if it is a non-petitioned article or a petitioned article involving expenditures, it would need a yes or no recommendation by the
Board. Wright repeated that the Board was against funding private enterprise with public funds and suggested that the money should be raised by donations. Wolf said he was very surprised at the Board’s stand on this and he feels the request should go before the public to let them decide. He will pursue this further.
APPOINTMENTS (con’t):
Robert Scott appeared before the Board to hear their decision on accepting the roads in Southview as town roads. Pavlicek read a memo from Prussman stating that all required work had been completed, including the box culvert on Cheney Road. The roads include all of East Ridge Road, all of Hearthstone Road, and part of Meadow Road. The Board declared these to be accepted town roads as of January 10, 2007.
Jim Pickman and Dave Eckman appeared to discuss obtaining permits for culverts needed on Gillingham Drive for a subdivision project. Powell said he believed this was not a town responsibility and according to the Planning Board conditions of approval, the developer should seek necessary permits. Pickman said the town only needs to sign the Wetlands application, as noted on the plans the Board approved. He and Eckman showed the Board the plans which the Board had signed off on. In view of this, Powell said they would honor the request to sign the application and they would be more vigilant in the future. He repeated that the town should not be seeking permits on behalf of a developer. Bob Stewart remarked that this process allows the selectmen to be more aware of the process
and more involved in projects. Powell responded that the Board preferred to leave such projects in the hands of the Planning Board. Eckman said the Board will sign the application, the developer will pay, and the town will get a greatly improved road.
REGULAR BUSINESS:
PAYROLL & ACCOUNTS PAYABLE: Week ending January 6, 2006 approved.
MINUTES: Minutes of December 28, 2006 approved to file.
ABATEMENTS/REFUNDS/EXEMPTIONS:
An abatement of property taxes was approved by the selectmen on the
recommendation of assistant assessor Dan Fitzgerald.
The Board denied a request for a refund of a motor vehicle registration fee.
OLD BUSINESS:
The board reviewed a letter from a property owner on Gillingham Drive who
reported that recent work done on Poor Farm House Road by the Highway Department
has caused increased run-off onto his property. The Board asked Prussman to investigate
and contact the property owner regarding any further work to be done on the road.
Pavlicek reported that an application for funding bridge work on Sutton Road at
Andrew Brook is in hand. He will complete the application after Town Meeting.
Engineering services for installing a relief culvert at the site would cost about $20,000.
Wright said that money would be lost if the town then has to put in a new bridge.
However, funding might come too late to prevent an emergency situation.
NEW BUSINESS:
Pavlicek reported that the town assessor will appear before Superior Court next week to defend an assessment. He will attend and asked if any Board member would like to attend. The Board will take this under consideration.
The Board discussed a request from a resident to use the Town Office Meeting
Room for a local group to pursue a hobby. Powell noted that the room has been used by
a variety of civic and municipal groups and if private organizations such as hobbiests
want to use it, the town should initiate a policy and consider charging for use of the
space. Pavlicek will present a draft policy for the use of both meeting rooms at the next
Board meeting.
Pavlicek reported that BMSI has submitted a proposal to provide the office with
a Document Imaging System which would help staff locate electronic documents quickly
and efficiently. This will be taken under advisement.
The Board reviewed a memo from the Police Chief regarding pay for holiday hours which would result in all employees receiving equal benefit (up to eight hours of pay based on an employee’s normal working schedule). Wright asked how this would effect the Highway Department. The Board asked that Prussman attend the next Board meeting and provide input for their further consideration.
The Board signed an agreement with circuit rider Ken McWilliams for work with the Planning Board.
The Board signed the 2006 state Forest Fire bill in the amount of $849.40 for services rendered by Newbury firefighters. This amount will be rebated by the state. The Board also signed a re-appointment letter for John Croteau as deputy warden and an appointment letter for Kenneth Burnell as deputy warden (replacing Kevin Walker).
The Board signed an application to DOT for a preliminary estimate for bridge aid.
Pavlicek mentioned that CLD engineering was working on preparing a Watershed Overlay Ordinance for the Planning Board to be presented at Town Meeting in 2008. The ordinance would help protect the Chalk Pond area with its steep slopes and inherent erosion problems.
Powell said the Board should look at town financial support of all area organizations during the summer of 2007 and review these budget allocations for 2008.
The Board reviewed an offer from a property owner to sell the town three lots. The Board declined this offer.
The Board approved the job description for a Transfer Station Supervisor as submitted by Pavlicek.
The Board will review a Wetlands application for work on Gillingham Drive during the coming week.
Pavlicek reported that Atlas fireworks will be able to provide a display at 2007 Old Home Day for the same cost as last year: $10,000. The Board put this decision on hold.
Pavlicek reported that assessor Norm Bernaiche is investigating changing the numbering system for town map and lot designations. Map numbers would remain the same but the lot numbering system would be more logical. The Board asked for more details and justification for making such a change, as it would effect many town systems.
The Board decided to postpone discussion of a work schedule at Fishersfield Park
until the next meeting.
Powell mentioned that a subdivision has been planned by Sutton at the end of
Haynes Road. The Newbury Planning Board and Prussman say the road needs
improvement to support this plan. The Sutton Planning Board has indicated they will
approve the plan as submitted. Powell said the town needs a legal opinion on this and
will have to seek special legal counsel, as there is a conflict of interest with our legal firm
of record.
Pavlicek requested vacation time starting February 13th through the 23rd. He
suggested scheduling Board meetings for February 12th (also the public hearing on the
budget), February 26th, and adjusting the schedule for every two weeks through the rest of
the year. The Board agreed to this request.
MEETING ADJOURNED at 10:20 p.m.
NEXT REGULAR MEETING: Monday, January 22, 2007 at 6:30 p.m. at the Town Office.
_______________________ _____________________ _______________________
James M. Powell Richard Wright Gary Budd
sc/Jan08//07 NEWBURY BOARD OF SELECTMEN
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