NEWBURY BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MINUTES OF AUGUST 11, 2008 MEETING
Selectmen: James Powell, Richard Wright, Gary Budd
Town Personnel: Dennis Pavlicek, Town Administrator; Deb Bacon, Cal Prussman and Hank Thomas
Public: Ivor Freeman
The meeting convened at 6:30 p.m.
PUBLIC INPUT: None
APPOINTMENTS:
Jessie Levine made a presentation to the Board of Selectmen regarding the Kearsarge Community Center Project. She reported on the overall function and need for the projected project. The main objective is to keep residents of the nine involved communities local by providing a gathering place, where a wide variety of enriching programs will benefit people of all ages. Powell inquired as to the financial feasibility of investing such a large sum into a building which may only provide the most benefit and usage to a few of the towns within the closest proximity. Levine responded by expressing that although this is a possibility, the overall benefits of the proposed center would be a positive draw, and that all towns would utilize the Center for their
individual needs. She stressed that this presentation is not to ask for financing, but to inform the town of the Projects benefits and hope for the towns overall future support. Powell thanked Levine for her presentation.
Cal Prussman presented to the board the departments overall 5 year road plan. He provided the board with figures showing the effects of the increasing costs of fuel and asphalt. Prussman gave projected costs for reclaiming or repaving a number of roads including, Baker Hill (divided into two sections), Newell Road, Fishersfield, the beginning of 103A, Stoodley Hill and Shore Drive. Powell asked about the possibility of the option of shimming, and Prussman explained that although the initial cost is lower, that because of the roads conditions, shimming would not last, and would be more expensive overall. There was a discussion on drainage issues and severe effects from the increased rainfall to specific areas. It was discussed about how to determine which roads should be
taken care of immediately, and which roads could be put onto next years schedule. Dick Wright expressed that he would like to see a traffic count on the most travelled roads before determining priorities. Ivor Freeman asked for the total of amounts spent and amounts allocated up to this point. He also asked where the CIP fund stood. Pavlicek responded. It was decided by the Board that a traffic count on Baker Hill and Newell Road should be completed by the next meeting to determine which roads would take priority for this year, and which roads would be put on the schedule for 2009. They asked Prussman to also present to them next meeting a prioritized list of the other roads to determine action to be taken. It was concurred that fairness should be used by considering a number of aspects such as environment as well as traffic. Prussman is to consider the amount necessary for the 2009 budget to discuss at the next meeting. Prussman commented on the need next year for new grader
tires and the moving of a guard rail. He presented the board with purchase orders for winter sand and salt which were approved and signed. Pavlicek discussed the $18,000 overage and assured the board that he could delineate by cuts in specific areas to make up the difference.
NEW BUSINESS:
Thomas brought before the Board a request from the Edgemont Road Association to change the name of Edgemont Road to Edgemont Landing. This is due to the fact that the Town of Sunapee calls Route 103-B Edgemont Road. Wright recommended that “Private Road” be added to the sign. Powell proposed that a different color be used for signs to distinguish between private roads and town roads. The color blue was chosen, and the name change was approved and signed. The Highway will install the two new street signs.
Thomas expressed concern of the Sutton Road bridge project. If the Bridge is closed and a detour is utilized, he feels that will be a great detriment if an emergency situation arises needing the Fire Department. He is also concerned that the project is a temporary fix, and the problem will arise again in a few years. Wright stated that he felt the water problem originates on the land above the bridge. Pavlicek reported that the project is still being engineered and will have to get state approval.
REGULAR BUSINESS:
PAYROLL & ACCOUNTS PAYABLE: Week ending August 9, 2008 were approved and signed.
MINUTES: Minutes of July 28, 2008 were approved to file.
ABATEMENTS/REFUNDS/EXEMPTIONS: None
SIGN PERMITS: A temporary sign permit application was approved for The Fells,
Map/Lot # 018-232-347. Two temporary sign permit applications were presented for Bob
Skinner’s Ski & Sport, Map/Lot# 007-401-105. One application was approved and one was
denied, as only a single is allowed. A temporary sign permit was put on hold until the
business owner can be contacted, because it does not meet the size requirements.
BUFFER ZONE APPLICATION: An application to cut within the Buffer Zone was put
on hold until the resident can be contacted and asked to supply more complete information as
the map provided is unclear.
DEEDS: A Deed granting Thomas G. Andrews a building located off South Road identified
as Tax Map/Lot# 043-584-211 was signed by the Board .
A Deed granting Courtney and Melinda Galluzzo a parcel of land identified as Tax Map/Lot#
028-369-268 was signed after notification that all taxes, interest and penalties had been paid.
NHDRA application for reimbursement for Federal and State Forest Land was signed.
The 2008 Merrimack County tax apportionment was reviewed.
A purchase order for Roadside Mower Rental was presented and after a brief discussion of
it’s necessity, the Board concluded that overall costs are lower to maintain vegetation in an
early growth state. The purchase order was approved and signed.
The Board of Selectmen noted a letter from the Board of Directors and staff of LSPA
expressing their appreciation to the Town of Newbury for continued support in an effort to
control and prevent milfoil and other invasives.
Pavlicek was appointed in by the Board to be the representative at the NHMA on
September 12, 2008.
OLD BUSINESS:
There was discussion on doing a meter study for Blodgetts Landing which had been
suggested and discussed by residents at the 2008 Summer Town Meeting. Pavlicek
recommended that a study be done to be presented to the public so that the board could decide
whether a meter system was cost effective. The Selectmen agreed.
Pavlicek stated that Gobin would be supplying a container for the Hazardous Waste Day on
Saturday, August 16, 2008. Budd, Powell and Wright volunteered to help along with Pavlicek.
A date was set for the 2009 Summer Town Meeting of August 1, 2009 at 8:00 am.
It was agreed that a single person, Wayne Whitford, should be responsible for maintaining
the Town WebSite Calendar, as Wayne was already doing an exceptional job. It was also agreed
by the Board, that the Beautification Committee and the Historical Society could be listed on the
Calendar since they worked closely with and in conjunction with the town. Private
Organizations should not be considered to have listings on the Calendar.
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 personnel issues. Agreement was reached. The Board came out of non-public session at 8:44 p.m.
MEETING ADJOURNED at 8:45 p.m.
NEXT REGULAR MEETING: Monday, August 25, 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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