NEWBURY BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MINUTES OF MARCH 24, 2008 MEETING
Selectmen: Jim Powell, Richard Wright, Gary Budd
Town Personnel: Dennis Pavlicek, Town Administrator; Donna Long, Admin.; Hank Thomas, Fire Chief; Cal Prussman, Highway Administrator
Public: Beverly Barker, Dan Wolf, Mike Vignale
The meeting convened at 6:30 p.m.
Dennis Pavlicek opened the meeting and asked for a motion for an appointment for the Select Board chair. Wright made a motion to nominate Jim Powell for Chair. Budd seconded the motion. All were in favor.
PUBLIC INPUT:
Beverly Barker addressed the Board of Selectmen and requested that she be allowed to place containers at the Town Office and Transfer Station to collect non-winning scratch tickets. She plans on collecting these tickets, notifying people if they have thrown away a winning ticket by accident, and using all losing tickets for the replay points. All prizes won for the replay points will be donated to the South Newbury Union Church fair this summer. The Select Board agreed to let her put out containers at these two locations.
Dan Wolf came in as a courtesy to inform the Select Board that he plans on running for Fire Chief and Kenny Homes plans on running for Deputy Fire Chief. He said, “The role is not to be a fire fighter. Eventually we will need a full time fire officer. The important thing is to have a chief that is not on the scene, the more important thing is to have a chief that can bring in new ideas.” He mentioned that he thinks parts of the job can be delegated. Powell asked Wolf if he thought he was qualified for the job, to which he replied, “yes”.
APPOINTMENTS:
Henry Thomas gave a report on his inspection of the old highway garage. He reported that everything looked fine and all other beams under the paneling looked good. Henry will continue to do the repair work to the damaged beams at the garage.
Mike Vignale of KV Partners presented an updated version of the Harbor Pedestrian Improvement Plan. He showed the proposed details of the concrete sidewalks, grass, pavement overlay, new curb line, catch basin, wheelchair ramps at the cross walk, tree placement, and footbridge. Wright said that he does not want to see red maple trees planted along Route 103 due to the fact that it does not tolerate salt well. He suggested taking a look at the book “Following Nature’s Land”. He said that he would rather see shrubs than big trees because they
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can be managed better. Wright also suggested perennials be planted rather than small bushes in the island in the parking lot. Wright also mentioned that the front retaining wall by the water needs to be fixed. Vignale stated that the retaining wall was not part of the original proposal. Powell asked what is the construction of the bridge. Vignale reviewed the plans for the bridge and said that it looks like a railroad bridge. Pavlicek asked about the projected life expectancy of the bridge Vignale reported at least 50 years. The bridge will have steel railings and will be sloped up rather than be level with the parking lot. Wright asked since we are eliminating about half of the original parking, where do we plan to put everybody? Vignale said there will be
parking by the caboose, town hall, and possibly in the future by the Vets Hall. There was discussion of the use of washed concrete by the caboose, or to rather continue with bricks down the sidewalk. Wright would like to see only bricks used. Vignale said that it will be impossible to match the color of the existing stamped concrete bricks. Budd said that he thought the proposed concrete should be used so there would not be three different changes in the sidewalk. Powell voted to go with brick. Vote was 2-1 in favor of the brick. Wright asked what the timeline of the project was. Vignale stated that the project can be put out to bid in June or July and choosing the contractor by the fall. The entire project must be complete by the beginning of next summer. Vignale said he predicted the project would take approximately 4 months. Pavlicek recapped the meeting by saying that Vignale will look into additional types of
plantings and adding a brick extension on the sidewalk by the caboose area. He will also look into additional lighting options. Powell asked Pavlicek to come up with some numbers on what he thinks it will cost to maintain the area.
Cal Prussman discussed the five bids he received for a one ton dump truck. It was decided to purchase the truck from Dartmouth Motors due to the already established relationship. The vote was 2-1 in favor of going to Dartmouth Motors. Wright wanted to go to the lowest bidder which was $300 less than Dartmouth. Prussman also discussed the dump body and plow. It was unanimous to go with Sleeper as it was the lowest bid.
Pavlicek distributed notebooks on the WCNH proposals and maps. He also mentioned there would be a full binder with all information regarding WNCH at the work station for the Board’s review.
Pavlicek reported that the cost of the hauling of the recyclables went up by $25 a load.
Pavlicek stated that the Norris Cotton Bike tour would like to stop in Newbury for a check point. The date for the stop would be July 11th. Due to the fact that it is the night before Newbury’s Old Home Day, it was decided to deny this request with all the preparation that will be in motion for the next day’s big event. The vote was 2-1 in favor of denying this request.
It was decided that a maple tree will be planted by the Selectmen on Old Home Day at Fishersfield in memory of Del Harris.
Pavlicek reviewed the letter from Atlas Fireworks breaking down the costs for the fireworks display scheduled for Old Home Day. The Board authorized Pavlicek to sign the contract.
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REGULAR BUSINESS:
PAYROLL & ACCOUNTS PAYABLE: Week ending March 22, 2008 approved.
MINUTES: Minutes of March 10, 2008 were approved to file.
INTENT TO CUT: None
MS-2: The Board of Selectmen signed the 2008 budget.
INTENT TO CUT: An intent to cut for Scott Hill, Map/Lot #026-274-333 was signed.
ABATEMENTS/REFUNDS/EXEMPTIONS: None
NEW BUSINESS:
Pavlicek asked the Select Board if they wished to choose a realtor to represent the sale of the Old Highway Garage. The Board unanimously chose a realtor. Pavlicek will contact and set up an appointment for the next Selectmen’s meeting.
The Board discussed the possibility of accepting bids for several old furnaces located at various Town properties. Powell said that he would like to see an inventory of all furnaces and then discuss the bidding process after receiving all the information.
The Board discussed the two stall storage building at Fishersfield. Pavlicek reported that he had discussed the needs of the storage building with Hank Thomas, Bob Lee and Cal Prussman. It was decided that there was a need to store the antique fire truck and the fire boat. Powell said that he would like to see the storage building be built larger than we currently have a need for. Wright said he envisions the building to be 28 x 40 with the possibility of expansion later. Pavlicek will give specs to LaValley.
The Board discussed the open positions of the Conservation Commission. Bill Weiler is stepping down from the position. Wiler has recommended Deanne Geddes be made a full member. Pavlicek will check with all current members before the board makes appointments.
The Board decided to keep the garage up at Bald Sunapee. The other buildings will be demolished in the fall. It was decided that no fire training will be done during this project. Pavlicek will talk to Pat Sherman to see what part she would like to play in this process.
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 a personnel issue. Agreement was reached. It was voted unanimously to seal the non-public minutes of this meeting for three years. The Board came out of non-public session at 9:22 p.m.
MEETING ADJOURNED at 9:25 p.m.
NEXT REGULAR MEETING: Monday, April 7, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. at the Town Office.
_______________________ _____________________ _______________________
James M. Powell Richard Wright Gary Budd
NEWBURY BOARD OF SELECTMEN
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