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Warner Board of Selectmen Meeting Minutes Monday,
Meeting opened at In Attendance:
Selectman Richard A. Cook – Chairman Selectman
David E. Hartman Selectman
David Karrick, Jr.
Laura Buono – Town Administrator Absent:
None
Others present: John Warner
Ed Mical Barbara Annis
Paul Violette Jim McLaughlin
Rick Davies 1. Emergency Management Ed Mical, Emergency Management Director
explained that under the 2007 Hazard Mitigation two projects were
submitted; one was for 2. Exit 9 Traffic Control Barbara Annis and Paul Violette asked the
Selectmen to reconsider adding $5K to the Traffic Control reserve fund
for 2009. The Planning Board
voted unanimously in favor of this request.
Ms. Annis explained in order for the Town to apply for grants the
town needs to provide proof of funding.
Ms. Buono explained at the last Budget Committee meeting she was
asked to add $5K to the Traffic Control reserve.
Voting for support will need to take place from both the
Selectmen and the Budget Committee.
Ms. Buono also explained that the funding can remain on the
warrant with or without support from both the Budget Committee and the
Board of Selectmen. Mr.
Violette asked the Selectmen to support the funding.
Ed Mical as a Planning Board member mentioned that the Planning
Board used what money was available in the reserve to complete a study
of the exit 9 area. The
study is in draft form and is now before the State, if any changes are
required by the State there are no funds available to do so. 3. Rick Davies – Transfer Station Planning Committee The following is a to-date recap from the
Transfer Station Planning Committee on topics the Warner Board of
Selectmen requested in their October 2007 charge: Current property: ·
Initial investigations in 2007 showed the existing
transfer station property to be of adequate acreage to meet Town needs
near term and long term. This assumes the use of current facilities or
the use of facilities expanded to the size currently in use for sample
towns having populations the size projected for Warner in 20 years. ·
At the current time the Committee does not foresee the
need for a large modern facility in the next 5 years; however the site
along with adjacent town land should be of adequate size to allow such a
facility built at a future date while the existing maintains operation. Efficiency of
operation: ·
For the current recycling method, there is a conceptual
layout for inside the existing main building to allow separation of
workers and equipment from the users. This reorganizing would be of
minimal cost. ·
Over the coming years when an increase in the amount of
recyclables occurs, a larger building with additional work area and
storage areas will be required. A building addition could cost a
significant amount. ·
For single stream recycling using the existing waste
compactor, the existing building could be converted into a holding area
if code allows. For the loose shipping method, a simple exterior canopy
roof over a recessed dumpster could suffice at small cost. Long term, a
second compactor set up similar to the existing waste compactor would
reduce hauling cost. ·
Concepts are developing to consolidate exterior operations
which require worker supervision. Current layout of fixed buildings will
restrict the extent of this goal. ·
There have been initial discussions on providing a better
demolition material drop-off and cover, as well as a scale system for
fee allocation. Material type separation is also a possibility. There
would be costs involved to implement these. Safety of users and
workers: ·
Physical barriers can separate vehicular traffic and
pedestrians in front of the compactor and the recycle building.
·
Gate off of the drive east of the waste compactor and
north of the main building to restrict the movements of the public from
worker only areas. ·
A drop-off corral for recycling inside the main building
would separate the public from the workers and equipment. Space requirements: ·
There is a continuing reassessment of the needs inside the
main building for recycling holding and storage. Currently installing
existing box trailer boxes flush to ground level is being considered for
storage at minimal cost. ·
Single stream and conventional recycling could use the
main building for initial drop off. Single stream method could require
less space especially if the dropping point is a second compactor or
exterior dumpster. ·
The site provides a large capacity to expand brush,
compost, metals, etc. Traffic flow ·
Traffic flow has been the starting point for planning for
the future. To limit major costs, existing paving should be kept and
extended where appropriate. ·
Expansion of asphalt paving toward the north and west will
provide additional and more efficient parking of vehicles. Costs could
be minimal and could be significant depending on the number of spaces
provided, existing material required to be removed, and method of
pedestrian/vehicle separation. On busy winter dates this is a
significant issue. ·
To separate the public and workers, all the traffic can be
limited to west of the compactor. An added travel lane on the west would
allow pass through traffic and parking adjacent to a pedestrian lane
separated by a barrier. There will be a moderate cost for this work. Technology changes ·
Single stream recycling is one technology which is
feasible to be implemented with low to moderate capital improvement
costs. ·
Other technologies such as biodigesting and grinders for
compostable waste materials appear to have potential on a larger scale.
Separation of hazardous materials is still a challenge. The Committee
felt these were not yet practicable for a small town with limited
resources, like Warner. ·
Large scale computerized mechanical/electrical separators
may also have a future, however there is no obvious near term processes
the committee is suggesting as an alternative. ·
The goal of zero waste will require new technology as part
of the answer. Changes in markets: ·
The change in value of recyclable material since August
illustrates the economy is a factor. Short term there is a plan to
create more storage capacity utilizing box trailers set at grade west of
the main building. Additional storage will be required as population
grows. The words “stay flexible” keep coming to mind. ·
Regulatory changes may influence the market The Next 20 Years: ·
Specific planning beyond a five-year horizon has proven
difficult at best as it is expected the market place, technology, and
regulations will continue to evolve rapidly.
·
The Committee has not found a new technology for bulk
waste treatment which is practicable for implementation at this time. ·
If important but minimal changes are implemented on an
as-needed basis, the Town can retain flexibility as the future unfolds
without current substantial capital expenditures which may become
obsolete. Selectman Hartman added that some items that
were addressed by the Committee in the beginning have already been
implemented at the Transfer Station such as moving the demo debris and
renovating a glass crusher which will be ready for operation in the near
future. Another item which
was not mentioned in the update is to move the swap shop out of the
processing area and into a separate building.
Chairman Cook recommended using a temporary plastic car port for
a swap area. John Warner who
is also a member of the Transfer Station Planning Committee said another
possibility would be to use a donated building for the swap area. Selectman Hartman commented on the changes in
the market and how Northeast Resource Recovery Association has recently
developed a program with host communities to bring in cooperative loads.
Also, regulations will be changing in 2010; brush burning will
not be allowed. Paul Violette observed that the Attendants
help residents from the parking lot into the main building and he was
wondering if the Attendants are segregated how that would facilitate
things in that regard. Rick
Davies explained the Attendants if needed will still be able to assist
residents. John Warner added
the Committee tried to keep in mind to provide the same services to the
town over the long term. The Transfer Station Planning Committee will
meet again on January 15th and discuss if there is a need to
continue meeting monthly or only when applicable. 4.
Town Administrator’s Report Hopkinton Ambulance Billing – The Town received the annual bill from Hopkinton Ambulance. This year, there was an attachment which reflected numbers used to calculate the charges. Since there was no explanation associated with the numbers. Ms. Buono contacted Hopkinton and asked for an explanation of the charge. She has been told by both the Fire Chief and past Finance Director that the ambulance billing was associated with uncollected funds from residents who use the ambulance however; the numbers did not appear to be ones which would reflect uncollected fees. The information that was forwarded by Hopkinton shows that not only are we paying for a portion of the uncollected fees, they are now attempting to make up more of their operating budget and capital expenses by charging other Towns a portion of those items. After receiving the information which was supplied to the Selectmen, Ms. Buono spoke with the Fire Chief and asked if he was aware that Hopkinton was now charging for these items. Chief Brown said he had not been notified that anything had changed and said that he would contact the Hopkinton Fire Chief. Ms. Buono also asked the Hopkinton Town Administrator to advise us as to when the Hopkinton Selectmen changed the billing formula. Once this information is received, Ms. Buono recommends that the Selectmen meet with Hopkinton to discuss this further. Electioneering Policies & Procedures – Town Counsel had
previously drawn up a policy per RSA 47:17 with regard to solicitation,
demonstration and electioneering within Town-owned property for the
Board to review and adopt. The
document is short and easy to understand. Along with the policy &
procedures, the Board will need to designate areas & times
associated with allowing these activities.
Ms. Buono met with Varick Proper, Transfer Station Foreman with
regard to the Transfer Station, and came to a conclusion as to the
safest spot to allow these activities being by the flag pole at the
facility entrance. The grass
area in front of the Town Hall would serve as a sufficient area for this
building although it is hard to access in the winter but individuals
could always stand at the base of the outside front stairs if snow is on
the ground. This will enable
residents to walk up either side of the stairs without being blocked by
anyone exercising their rights under the policy.
Ms. Buono suggests that the Fire Department buildings, the
Highway Garage and the The Selectmen feel the flagpole location
would cause a traffic problem and is too restrictive.
The Selectmen recommend adopting the policy first and then
figure out the location at the Transfer Station that is less
restrictive; it was suggested to utilize the space in front of the steps
where the compactor is located. Selectman
Karrick moved to adopt the Town
of Cartographic Map Updates – Jim McLaughlin has organized to
have the digital tax map layer for the Town of Community Development Block Grant Paperwork – The CDBG
feasibility grant paperwork was received and needs to be signed by the
Chairman. The final step
prior to receiving the funds is for the money to be approved by G&C
which will hopefully be done within the next couple of months.
Selectman Karrick moved to
authorize the Board of Selectmen Chairman to execute any documents which
may be necessary to effectuate the contract with the Community Develop
Finance Authority. Selectman
Hartman seconded the motion; all were in favor, the motion passed. Economic Stimulus Package – Senator-elect Shaheen, through
the 5. Thursday, December 11 Ice Storm Ms. Buono, Emergency Management, Fire
Chief, Police Chief, Director of Public Works, Pastor of the More communication with the senior housing
needs to be established as well as being able to retrieve town records
especially if there is a prolonged outage. 6. Manifest Selectman Hartman moved
to authorize the Selectmen to sign manifests and order the Treasurer to
sign accounts payable numbers 42592-42605 in the amount of $450,988.62
(includes a check to 7. Meeting Minutes Selectman Hartman moved
to approve the Selectman Hartman moved
to approve 8. Selectmen’s Other Business Selectman Hartman reported on the property
previously known as the Nichols property on West Main; the new owners
met with the Planning Board with a proposed sub-division plans for a
conceptual review. They
presented 3 different plans. Selectman Hartman will attend a Northeast
Resource Recovery Association meeting on January 14th. Budget Committee meets on January 15th. The Town has received State approval for 9. Adjournment Selectman Karrick moved to adjourn at
Board of Selectmen Richard A. Cook – Chairman Respectfully submitted, Mary Whalen Recording Secretary
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