NEWBURY BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MINUTES OF JULY 2, 2007 MEETING
Selectmen: Jim Powell, Richard Wright, Gary Budd
Town Personnel: Dennis Pavlicek, Town Administrator; Donna Long, Admin. Assistant; Cal Prussman, Highway Administrator
Public: Joe Digilio, Beverly Digilio, Frank Perrotta, Tom Lombardi, Judy Hess, Jill Wilson, Bob Bouvier, Anthony Lo Presti, Terry Lorber.
The meeting convened at 6:30 p.m.
PUBLIC INPUT:
A Public Hearing was held to discuss the issue of whether town money designated for Baker Hill for the fiscal year 2007 should be used to fix multiple gravel roads from the April 2007 storms. Powell said there was severe damage to Bartlett Road, Province Road, Winding Brook Road and Rollins Road in the spring. He said that these roads need to be fixed and would like to table the Baker Hill paving this year and use the appropriated $175,000 for these repairs. Joe Digilio asked how far the paving would have gone on Baker Hill. Powell said that Baker Hill would still be fixed, just held back until next year. Half of Baker Hill would be fixed next year and the other half would be repaired in the future. Powell explained
that the Board is trying to keep the tax rate stable and in doing so, must do a little at a time. Prussman said he would like to know the extent of how Haynes Road will be affected in connection with the subdivision in Sutton before he takes on too much work on Baker Hill Road. Tom Lombardi said that he feels Rollins Road should probably be paved instead of trying to keep repairing the road with gravel every year. Judy Hess asked if calcium chloride could be sprayed on Winding Brook Road. Powell agreed. Frank Perrotta asked if anything could be done regarding the Japanese Knot Weed that is growing on Stoneybrook Road. He said that he believes Stoneybrook needs to be widened and trees need to be cut down. Jill Wilson asked when Rollins Road will be repaired. Powell said it will be planned to be done by winter. She asked if calcium chloride could be applied to Rollins Road too. Bob Bouvier said that Winding Brook
road is eroding. Prussman said that he noticed this today especially where a vehicle went off the side of the road. He said they will get some big stones to put up there. Powell thanked everyone for attending the meeting and said they will take everything into account when making the decision.
APPOINTMENTS:
Anthony Lo Presti came before the board to discuss an ongoing drainage issue. He said there is a pipe that goes across the road and into his front yard. He said he thinks that a pipe broke because all the water ends up in his yard. He would like the pipe to be fixed. Prussman
has looked at this and has no idea who put the pipe there and whether or not it is broken. Lo Presti said he would like the town to dig up the front yard and replace the pipe so that the water will be drained to the proper places. Wright questioned whether this was a town pipe and if the town was responsible to fix it. Wright will go to the site to check it out. Powell asked Prussman to use his judgment to determine whether this is an old town pipe and to bring a sketch and his suggestions on what needs to be done.
Terry Lorber of Provan & Lorber Engineers presented the Board with his final report on the road conditions of Winding Brook Road, Rollins Road and Bartlett Road. He reported that Winding Brook Road was an upaved 20’ class 5 road with 48 culverts and 24 homes. The ditches were found in fair to poor condition. He said there is a need for cross pipes. The shoulders were deep enough. He found steep sections with a 7-11% grade which is difficult to maintain on a gravel road. He said that slopes higher than 7% would be difficult to maintain any materials other than pavement. He said that a 4% crown needs to be created as there is no current crown, sloped from the center to the sides of the road and then
packed down with a vibrator. He said that Rollins Road was an unpaved 22’ road with 53 homes. He said the ditches were in fair condition. Again, a 4% crown was recommended. He reinforced the crown must be compacted as it is put in. If there is clay, it must be stabilized. Bartlett Road is an unpaved road with 7 homes. The ditches were found to be in poor condition. Wright recommended using fabric and hard pack to use for short term to buy some time to include paving in the budget. Prussman has been getting 1 ½ crushed gravel. Powell asked Prussman to come back to next meeting with a report on what should be done on Winding Brook Road and Rollins Road, since these are the most traveled. He would like an estimate as to how much Prussman thinks this project will cost. Prussman presented Pavlicek with information from Merrimack Valley Occupational Health. Pavlicek said he will review the
information.
REGULAR BUSINESS:
PAYROLL & ACCOUNTS PAYABLE: Week ending June 30, 2007 approved.
MINUTES: Minutes of June 18, 2007 approved to file.
ABATEMENTS/REFUNDS/EXEMPTIONS: The Board approved 13 tax abatements.
TIMBER TAX LEVY – The Selectmen signed one timber tax levy.
BUFFER ZONE CUT – The Select Board approved one buffer zone cut.
CURRENT USE APPLICATION - The Board approved one current use application.
INTENT TO CUT – The Selectmen signed one intent to cut.
SIGN PERMIT - The Board approved one sign permit.
OLD BUSINESS:
Wright gave an update on the Fishersfield project. He reported that he wants water up
there with a well and irrigation system for the fields. An artesian well and reservoir tank
would be needed. He will look for someone that has an old big tank that might be able to hold
6-10 thousand gallons of water for the irrigation system. Wright will also talk to Digger Day
Wells.
NEW BUSINESS:
Pavlicek read a letter from William Weiler regarding the original vendor’s study of buildings in South Newbury. Weiler’s letter said that he has lost confidence in the current company and would like to hire another company that will match the price. The Board approved his request.
Pavlicek read a letter from the Upper Valley Humane Society. The organization is only able to accept animals from private citizens. There is a charge for the town. It was agreed to table this topic for now.
Pavlicek reported he would like the transfer station to start accepting clean used oil again. He suggested having Churchill be the only one to examine and take in the clean oil. A lock would be put on the oil tank. Oil will only be accepted when Churchill is there. Pavlicek will check with Churchill to go over procedures.
Pavlicek updated the Board on the Velie Playground Project. A location has been selected. The Selectboard discussed the need for approval by the Planning Board for a conditional use permit. It was the consensus of the board because of the minimum impact that the board did not need approval for this project. Pat Sherman has said that she thinks the playground will be done by the end of the year. Pavlicek said that the barn and greenhouse needs to be taken out. Wright mentioned that they could be used at Fishersfield. He asked to get a cost to move the barn and greenhouse.
The Board agreed to have the Summer Information Meeting on July 28 at 8:00, just prior to the second Visioning Session.
Powell asked what kind of parameters are in place for commercial companies that want to set up tables during Old Home Day. It was decided that next year commercial groups can set up tables for a pre-determined fee. Wright said that next year he would like to see most activities take place in Fishersfield with a dedication planned.
Pavlicek asked the Board if the second clean up day could be scheduled for Friday, July 13. The Board agreed.
Pavlicek said that sealed bids will be taken in August for Park 10 lots.
Pavlicek said that all Planet Aid boxes will be removed.
Pavlicek reported that a path of stone dust will be put in between the town offices and the Bald Sunapee property. Adult Diversion will be putting this in and removing stumps and cleaning up brush at the transfer station.
NON-PUBLIC SESSION:
The Board voted to go into non-public session under RSA 91-A:3, II, a-e at 9:15 p.m. to discuss several personnel issues. Agreement was reached. The Board came out of non-public session at 9:25 p.m.
MEETING ADJOURNED at 9:30 p.m.
NEXT REGULAR MEETING: Monday, July 16, 2007 at 6:30 p.m. at the Town Office.
_______________________ _____________________ _______________________
James M. Powell Richard Wright Gary Budd
NEWBURY BOARD OF SELECTMEN
dl/July2/07
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