Warner Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes
January 11, 2005

Meeting opened at 6:00 p.m.

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

Recorder of the minutes is Mary Whalen.

Richard Cook, Brian Hotz and Jim McLaughlin, Conservation Commission members met with the Selectmen to discuss the Henderson land protection deal.  A variance was granted by the Zoning Board, and a lot line adjustment was approved by the Planning Board.  A mylar will be made showing the adjustments to the property. The Selectmen had previously forwarded concerns about recreation restrictions.  The restrictions cannot be carried forward towards any other property. 

Mr. Cook explained that the Conservation Commission voted to proceed with the purchase of a conservation easement on the Chase parcel.  The parcel has been identified as the highest priority; there is a productive beaver swamp with approximately twenty-eight herring nests, and also a community of otters. 

Mr. Cook explained that the Nature Conservatory and the Ausbon Sargent Land Trust attended the last Conservation Commission meeting and informed the Commission that the Courser Family will be donating easements on land out along the Schoodac Brook drainage.  The Commission has been asked to help defray transaction costs.  The Commission did vote to approve $30,000.00 towards this transaction.

The Board of Selectmen will support a $50,000.00 Warrant Article for the Conservation Commission Fund.

Mr. Cook asked the Selectmen to consider appointing a Conservation Commission member as an alternate member to the Planning Board.  The Commission will forward a recommendation.

Marianne Howlett presented a petition article for Town Meeting.  Chairman Eigabroadt read the article into the minutes: “We the following registered voters of the Town of Warner petition the Board of Selectmen to place the following article on the 2005 Town Warrant.  To see if the Town will vote to amend the Solid Waste Ordinance by deleting the last paragraph in Article II Section 1 which states, “upon special arrangements with the WTRS supervisor recycables from other towns will be accepted at the discretion of the Board of Selectmen” and insert the following text in its place “recycables from other towns may be accepted only after an affirmative vote to do so as voted at an annual Town Meeting.”  The petition had 32 signatures.   

Finance Director Wendy Pinkham met with the Board to finalize some budget numbers.  Three thousand dollars was added to the maintenance line for the Old Graded School .  On the Town Officers Expense budget the telephone line was changed to $3,400.00 because a new telephone system was purchased under Town Hall equipment line.  The Town Report line was dropped to $5,300.00, computer & software was also dropped to $5,000.00.  The Finance Director is waiting for a final payroll number.  Chairman Eigabroadt confirmed that the mechanic position is in the budget, the hourly rate needs to be adjusted. 

Selectman St. James made the motion to approve the January 4, 2005 as written.  Chairman Eigabroadt seconded the motion.  The motion passed.

The Selectmen discussed the vacant mechanic position.  The secretary explained that the Director of Public Works did not forward a recommendation for the position; Mr. Brown feels that all applicants should be interviewed; at this point Mr. Brown will follow the Boards lead.  The Selectmen along with the Director of Public Works has interviewed one candidate.  Chairman Eigabroadt made the motion that the Board of Selectmen makes an offer of employment to Mr. Thomas Payne for the position of mechanic at a pay rate that will be discussed with the Selectmen and the individual involved.  Selectman St. James would like to have the Department Head input.  Chairman Eigabroadt withdrew his motion until further discussion with the Department Head.  Further discussion is slated for January 18, 2005 .

The secretary discussed fees for building permits.  It is not stated on the building permit application that the basement is included in the fee process, although fees are collected that include the basement.  The secretary asked for clarification, does the Board wish to continue including the basement within the square footage or do they wish to delete the basement.   The Selectmen have agreed to continue including the basement within the square footage due to the fact that it has been an on going policy.  The secretary will correct the building permit application to reflect the added cost of basement square footage.  The secretary also asked if the closed building permit files could be incorporated into the property cards.  The Selectmen agreed that the closed permit data should be filed within the property cards.

The Selectmen reviewed an abatement request for Map 7 Lot 70-4.  After reviewing the application, Selectman St. James made the motion to abate interest only for 2002.  Chairman Eigabroadt seconded the motion.  The motion passed. The property owner and the Tax Collector will be notified about the Boards decision. 

The Selectmen signed a Timber Yield Tax.

The Selectmen signed Intents-to-Cut for the following properties, Map 16 Lot 22 & 23, Map 16 Lot 12, Map 13 Lot 7.

The Selectmen approved a new home building permit for Map 18 Lot 18-11-5 .

Motion to adjourn at 8:00 p.m.

Wayne Eigabroadt – Chairman

Peter St. James