Board of Selectmen Meeting
October 1, 2018
Pledge of Allegiance
Meeting called to order at 5:30 pm
Roll Call- Jim Bibbo, Chairman; John Pfeifle, Selectman; Michael James, Selectmen; Karen Hambleton, Town Administrator and Marilyn Gordon, Treasurer were in attendance
Appearances:
- Walter Royal appeared to discuss what rate should be used in performing an inspection to identify whether a structure meets building code requirements. The rate will be $30.00 an hour and include travel time. A proceeding Building Permit fee will be credited appropriately for activity identified as result of the inspection process.
- Michael James spoke with the other Board members as a representative of the Budget Committee. He relayed a request to have Departments Heads appear at Select Board meetings on a regularly scheduled basis going forward. The Fire Department, Police Department, Transfer Station and Highway Department Heads will attend Select Board meetings on a quarterly basis. They are welcome to attend any meeting and may be asked to attend a meeting for a specific agenda item.
- Melissa Cloutier, Town Clerk/Tax Collector, appeared to request two items:
Melissa provided the Appointment Letter for the new Deputy Town Clerk/Tax Collector, Michael Kelly which the Board signed.
Melissa asked the Selectmen to support accelerating a plan to put the Tax bills online which will allow taxpayers to view, pay and elect paperless bill delivery options online. A change in credit card processing has necessitated this change.
Motion: John Pfeifle motioned to approve.
Second: Jim Bibbo
Decision: vote 3-0 in favor
- Bob Bean appeared and stated he feels there is misuse of Agricultural License Plates in town. Melissa will provide a report of the plates that have been issued and Karen will speak with Chief Valiquet about enforcement.
- Steve Hall, Road Agent for the Highway Department, spoke with the Selectmen regarding some actions he would like to take.
He proposed extending the scope of plowing on Johnson Hill Road, a Class V seasonal road, by 1,432 feet to establish a turnaround location that will be safer for Town employees and equipment.
Motion: Michael James motioned follow the Road Agents recommendation.
Second: Jim Bibbo
Decision: vote 3-0 in favor
A culvert at 2 Water Street no longer allows water flow and will require exploratory digging in the parking lot to remedy the situation. Steve will be contacting the property owner to let them know about the work.
Steve requested support from the Selectmen to eliminate the island at the intersection of Hogg Hill and Cressy Road to reconfigure the intersection. This will provide a safer, more easily maintained junction. Claire and Michael James own the small island plot of land and Michael will speak with Claire about granting the Town permission to eliminate the island.
Steve also asked about how the 911 process to add new house addresses works as driveways have been installed that don’t meet requirements to integrate with the road network. Karen will have the Planning Board and Building Inspector engage with Steve on the Driveway Permit process. There was also discussion concerning the lack of address numbers on residences. Karen will follow up on who should enforce this as well as having an article placed on the Town website concerning the importance of having address numbers visible for 911 response.
Steve asked the Board whether there was a Road Bond Policy for logging and construction activity. There had been a process and policy in place previously but enforcement has lapsed over the last few years. Karen will pull together a policy draft for review.
Steve let the Board know he had discussions with the Town of Newbury’s Highway Department and had a good agreement in place concerning maintenance of shared roads. He will work with Karen to provide details on this activity.
Steve also raised concerns related to the condition of a pickup truck the Department uses for plowing. It is currently not available for use and is in the Capital Improvement Plan for replacement in 2019, however it may be needed before then. Steve and Karen will work on identifying options and make recommendations to the CIP Committee.
The Board thanked Steve for coming and asked that he speak about sidewalk maintenance at his next visit. Bob Bean asked why there was a concern about sidewalks. Michael stated the Town was pursuing additional sidewalk grants and that one condition of receiving additional grants could be confirmation that existing sidewalk maintenance was ongoing.
Regular Business:
- Karen spoke with the Selectmen about a request from a heating solutions provider to appear at a non-public session to discuss questions they had to develop a heating system proposal for the Town Hall. All communications regarding the heating system for the Town Hall will be public and made in a standard manner and communicated consistently to all bidders. Karen will take the lead on this communication.
- The Board reviewed the Expense Report. Areas anticipated to exceed the budget plan are Legal Expenses and Code Enforcement. Overall the budget is in line with where the Board would expect to see it at this time of year.
- The Selectmen signed a Junkyard Renewal Permit for Max Enterprises on Breezy Hill Road.
- Intent to Cut Permits for Map 2/Lot 80, Map 2/Lot 82 and Map 2/Lot 97 on Marshall Hill were signed. Steve Hall will review whether there are any concerns that would warrant a Road Bond.
- The Board granted Karen authority to seek and negotiate electric rates for the Town from multiple providers that are available.
Motion: John Pfeifle motioned that Karen Hambleton have authority to pursue and accept an electricity provider for the Town facilities.
Second: Jim Bibbo
Decision: vote 3-0 in favor
- Karen presented an amendment to the September 17th Meeting Minutes.
Motion: Michael James motioned to accept the amended minutes.
Second: Jim Bibbo
Decision: vote 3-0 in favor
- Accounts Payable and Payroll Manifest were reviewed and signed.
- Minutes from September 24th meeting were reviewed.
Motion: John Pfeifle motion to accept.
Second: Michael James
Decision: vote 3-0 in favor
After a 5 minute recess, the Board adjourned to Non-Public Session per RSA 91-A3II d at 6:48pm.
Motion: John Pfeifle motion to move to Non-Public session
Second: Michael James
Decision: vote 3-0 in favor
The Board adjourned to Public Session per RSA 91 – A3II d at 6:58pm
The Board adjourned the meeting at 6:59pm
Motion: John Pfeifle motioned to adjourn
Second: Jim Bibbo
Decision: vote 3-0 in favor
The next Selectmen’s meeting will be held on Monday October 15th, 2018 at the Bradford Area Community Center.
Minutes submitted by Laurie Colburn, Recording Secretary