Select Board Meeting called to order at 6:00 pm
Pledge of Allegiance
Roll Call – Beth Downs, Marlene Freyler, Mel Pfeifle and Karen Hambleton, Town Administrator, were in attendance.
Site Visit:
Marlene stated that prior to this meeting, a site visit with the Select Board, Town Administrator and Road Agent had taken place on East Shore Drive to look at drainage issues.
Appearances:
Bryan Nowell – Fire Department Update – The Chief spoke about a pressurized hydrant on Old Warner Road. He said the property is for sale and there is no mention of a hydrant in the deed. He is concerned that the Town’s access to this hydrant could be cut off unintentionally by new owners. He asked if the Town could look into getting an easement. Mel will ask Sonny Harris to review the deeds. By consensus, the Board members gave Karen the authority to move forward with legal counsel if Sonny’s research didn’t reveal anything.
Sandra Bravo – Energy Committee – Sandra distributed a list of terms regarding renewable energy and asked the Board if they had given any thought to renewing our supplier contract and specifying the use of green energy. Karen noted that this will not be decided for a couple of months. Karen has been in contact with the energy supplier broker discussing the contract which ends November 30. The next rate change with Eversource will take place on February 1. The broker’s recommendation is to hold off renewing our contract. She thinks the rates may go down in February and suggests we avoid locking into prices available now. Sandra wanted to know what is happening with the Town Hall. Mel said she wasn’t happy with what DMI and Eversource had identified as incentives. She has contacted the Co-Op and is still waiting to hear. Discussion ensued. Sandra said she spoke with Mary Fuller about the Newbury Solar project (100 kw/hour) and noted it is being built by an investor. Mary offered to give a tour of the project. Sandra will forward the quote from Granite State Solar for the installation of solar panels on the Town Hall.
Steve Hall – Highway – Steve Hall thanked the Board members for coming out to the site earlier. He reported that two of his crew are out with COVID right now. Steve said he has about 40% of his budget remaining. The oiling and chip sealing is done. The chassis for the new truck has been built and will be getting the body, plow and wings installed soon. Steve submitted his CIP requests to Karen today.
Public Input:
None
Regular and Old Business
- The Board reviewed the minutes of the July 25, 2022, meeting.
Motion: Beth Downs motioned to accept the minutes for the July 25, 2022, meeting.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0
- The Accounts Payable and Payroll Manifest were reviewed and signed.
- Vacant Position – Karen hopes to wrap this up soon.
- Town Hall Update – Karen said the Town had spoken to Fidelity about options for investing the Town Hall bond money until it is needed for construction. Mel thinks we should get a group of people together to see if we can invest Town funds in a manner that gains the Town a greater return. She thinks one option might be money market funds. She thinks we are in a rising interest rate market, and that we might want to look at alternatives beyond CDs for the Town Hall funds. Mel thinks we should also put something together for a long-term plan. Discussion ensued. Beth will talk to Bar Harbor Bank to see if they can match the rates given by Fidelity. Karen echoed Mel’s comments about creating a committee to discuss and formalize the Town’s financial policy and trust fund investments. In the end, it was agreed to put the Town Hall funding into a 4-week CD while we continue to investigate options.
- Transfer Station Policy – Beth distributed the new policy regarding the stickers. The proposed policy had been modified slightly to include the Police Department being able to issue stickers if needed.
Motion: Beth Downs motioned to adopt the revised Transfer Station and Recycling Center Town Stickers/Placard Policy as presented.
Second: Marlene Freyler
Decision: 3-0
New Business:
- Bacon Road Concerns – Karen said an email was received requesting the repair of Bacon Road. Storm water runoff has continued to be a problem since drainage work was done two years ago. The runoff needs to be redirected to stop damage to the road and private property. Karen will forward the email to Steve.
- Daffodils by Rail Trail – Beth said 200 bulbs are being donated by a resident. NH DOT will review and approve the site.
- Sign Call to Vote – Signed.
- Sign Primex CAP Agreement – Marlene read the resolution. Signed.
- Driveway Permit Map 2 Lot 92– Signed.
- The Police Department is leaving door hangers when they perform building checks. This lets property owners know that they have been there.
- Karen shared that Devin has received lots of positive feedback about, Johnny Garcia, the French’s Park Attendant. He is doing a great job.
- The Board received a request to write a letter of support for the Bradford Bog Headwaters Project application for a moose plate grant.
- Karen said Newbury is putting on a 5K Road Race for Morgan Patten. They have asked for a cash donation. Karen suggested donating police, volunteers or other services.
- Sign DMI Contract – Not signed. We are waiting on an updated contract.
- Drivers School lease was discussed and renewed. The current rent is $300/month. There will be no change at this time. The class time is changing beginning in September.
Upcoming Meetings:
- August 22, 2022
Motion: Marlene Freyler motioned to adjourn to non-public session per RSA 91-A:3II (c) at 7:14 p.m.
Second: Beth Downs
Decision: 3-0
Motion: Beth Downs motioned to return to public session at 7:28 p.m.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0 in favor
While in non-public session, the Select Board took the deed for Map 14 Lot 15 for non-payment of taxes. One other property was discussed and a lien waiver signed.
Motion: Mel Pfeifle motioned to adjourn the meeting at 7:38 p.m.
Second: Beth Downs
Vote: 3-0 in favor
Minutes submitted by Donna Long, Recording Secretary.