Warner Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes
January 4, 2005

Meeting opened at 6:00 p.m.

In attendance: Selectman Wayne Eigabroadt – Chairman, Selectman Peter St. James

Recorder of the minutes is Mary Whalen.

Debra & Matus Betko met with the Selectmen regarding the Town Policy for Class VI roads that prohibits any structures without first upgrading the road.  Mr. & Mrs. Betko are interested in a piece of property on Kelly Hill Road (Map 10 Lot 62).  They are requesting a variance on the section of the policy that states “no segmented portion within a Class VI road may be upgraded to meet these criteria.”  Currently there is a section of the Class VI road that is privately maintained ( Joppa Road West side of Kelly Hill); the Betko’s would like to improve a ˝ mile section that is just beyond the privately maintained section.  The Betko’s would like to establish a homestead on the property that they are interested in. Chairman Eigabroadt explained that surrounding property owners would need to be notified of the proposed change to the road and be heard at a Public Hearing as part of the process if a variance is considered. Chairman Eigabroadt also noted that the Policy states “This policy will be strictly up-held without exception.”  The Selectmen will take the Betko’s request under advisement and will further research, a site visit will be conducted with the Director of Public Works, and an answer to the Betko’s request will be finalized on January 18, 2005 .  Selectman St. James noted that the Selectmen have the right to deny any petition without notice or hearing (RSA 23.9).

Selectman St. James made the motion to approve meeting minutes dated December 28, 2004 as corrected.  Chairman Eigabroadt seconded the motion.  The motion passed.

Selectman St. James made the motion to encumber $14,000.00 in the Fire Departments Grant line for the Cascade system and encumber $1,900.00 in the Old Grade School Repair/Maintenance line that will be used toward the window replacement for Headstart. Chairman Eigabroadt seconded the motion.  The motion passed.

Selectman St. James made the motion to accept as submitted the request for the dedication of the 2004 Town Report.  Chairman Eigabroadt seconded the motion.  The motion passed. Martha Mical has volunteered to complete the dedication for the 2004 Town Report. 

Map 15 Lot 48-2 has been sold with an active building permit. The Selectmen are requiring that the new landowner amend the current building permit to reflect proper ownership and disburse any fees that may apply. 

Tom Payne met with the Selectmen and the Director of Public Works to discuss the vacant Mechanic position.  Mr. Payne submitted a job application along with references and experience.  Selectman St. James contacted the references that were listed with favorable results.  Chairman Eigabroadt asked Mr. Payne why he is interested in the mechanic position.  Mr. Payne explained the position is closer to home; Mr. Payne resides in Warner and currently works in Londonderry .  Mr. Payne maintains a CDL-A license.  Chairman Eigabroadt asked for a brief background in mechanics.  Mr. Payne worked at International Harvester for ten years, Gold Marsh Truck Lease for four years, Sole Truck Service and the current company for fourteen years.  Mr. Payne has experience with Mack, International, Kenworth, Detroit , Freightliner, Cummings and Caterpillar.  Mr. Payne completed a Caterpillar engine school that entailed the overhaul of a small V-8 engines.  Mr. Brown explained that the highway shop does not have the equipment to do major overhauls, the shop deals with brake jobs, king pins, tie rods, drive links, hydraulic pumps on snow plows etc.  Mr. Payne does have hydraulic experience.  Mr. Brown further explained that the Highway Department deals with hydraulic pumps on snow plows, hydraulic pistons are not rebuilt but they need to come off, hoses need to be hooked up correctly.  Belts are changed, cutting edges, and exhaust systems, all the trucks are being converted from the underbelly exhausts over to stack exhausts.  Mr. Brown explained that flexibility is part of the job and the ability to be sent out of the shop and work on a truck in the middle of a snow storm.  Mr. Payne explained that he has worked under similar conditions.  Mr. Payne has experience plowing with a small truck and is willing to learn the big trucks.  Mr. Brown asked Mr. Payne if he has inspection experience.  Mr. Payne has experience with fleet inspections.  Mr. Payne has not used the diagnostics yet.  Mr. Brown explained that the Town does not have many vehicles that fall within the guidelines (96 or newer).  Mr. Payne has experience with fire trucks also.  Mr. Brown commented that he is not sure that it would be economically feasible to do inspections because of the computer systems (Onboard Diagnostics will be leasing the equipment).   Mr. Brown explained that the garage was set up for a mechanic to work in.  Mr. Payne has experience with parts inventory.  Mr. Brown is in need of the inventory being cleaned up and organized.  Mr. Brown explained that the position will be a busy one, inspections take place every March.  Mr. Brown asked Mr. Payne to come and look at the shop some time early next week. 

Planning Board Chair Barbara Annis along with members Derek Pershouse and Phil Reeder met with the Selectmen and discussed the relationship between the Planning Board and the Department of Transportation.  The Planning Board and representatives from Division V, Department of Transportation met on two occasions resulting in a memorandum of understanding. The memorandum is an agreement between the Town of Warner and Division V D.O.T that will inform the Town about pending decisions (i.e. driveway cuts).  The communication allows time for the Planning Board to respond to D.O.T, as well as D.O.T responding to any Planning Board decisions that would affect a State road.  The communications with D.O.T also informs the Planning Board about any parties that are interested in developing in Warner.  The Planning Board has learned that they have an influence on the location of driveway cuts off of State roads.  The Planning Board has used the engineering resources provided by D.O.T.  The Town of Warner is the first in District V to establish a memorandum of understanding with D.O.T.   Planning Board member Russ St. Pierre has found information from the State of Vermont dedicated to interstate interchange development.

          The Planning Board inquired about a Type III Modification that was signed by the Board of Selectmen.  The modification was for a change at the Transfer Station regarding the building of a bunker for glass storage.  The Planning Board asked if the Selectmen received written permission from D.O.T. for the construction of a bunker.  The Selectmen explained that permission is not needed because the bunker is not a permanent structure.  Mrs. Annis noted to the Selectmen that it is stated within the lease agreement between the Town of Warner and the State of New Hampshire that written approval is needed from the landlord for any alterations to buildings, construction of buildings, or any improvements on the devised premises.  Chairman Eigabroadt explained that he would look into the Planning Boards concerns.  The bunker is a temporary structure made of earth and concrete blocks.  Glass has been previously stored on site.  An onsite inspection from D.O.T was conducted approximately six months ago.

David Hartman met with the Selectmen regarding the upcoming co-op meeting that is scheduled for January 11, 2005 .  The Co-op members will be discussing the use of Wheelabrator (incinerator) past 2009.   Currently the tipping fees per ton to the Co-op are $38.15.  The Director of the Co-op would like an agreement with Wheelabrator for the next ten years to keep the fees in the low $40.00 dollar range.  Wheelabrator will not commit to this agreement.  The alternative solution to extending the contract with Wheelabrator is to not negotiate with Wheelabrator any further and to look at a site acquired in Canterbury .  The Canterbury site can be used as an ash landfill or a solid waste landfill.  There is still room to negotiate with Wheelabrator.  Mr. Hartman is the Town’s representative to the Co-op; the Selectmen recommended trying to stay with Wheelabrator, and to follow the co-ops lead.  Mr. Hartman will meet with the Selectmen on January 18, 2005 .

The Selectmen approved a vacation request for Martha Mical. 

An Intent-to-Cut for Map 1 Lot 2 was also approved. 

A refund amounting to $100.00 for a Veterans Exemption was approved.

The lease agreement for the Kearsarge Children Center was signed by the Selectmen and previously by the Coordinator of the children’s center.

A town hall rental was approved for a wedding. 

The Selectmen noted that all memos and requests should be submitted on letterhead.

Chairman Eigabroadt presented an application for an account update at Aubuchon Hardware.  The application will be completed and returned.  With this new system discounts are now applicable.

Chairman Eigabroadt made a motion to reverse the May 4, 2004 motion that directed $412.00 to be moved from the Contingency Line back to the Transfer Station budget to remain in the Contingency Line due to accounting traceability.  Selectman St. James seconded the motion.  The motion passed.  (Cost of heat tape repair at the Transfer Station).

The representative from the Argus Champion asked for the Boards opinion in regards the Planning Board meeting on January 3, 2005 .

Motion to adjourn at 8:15 p.m.

Board of Selectmen

Wayne Eigabroadt – Chairman                  Peter St. James