Meeting opened at 6:00 p.m.

In attendance: Selectman Wayne Eigabroadt – Chairman, Selectman David E. Hartman and Selectman Richard A. Cook

Town Administrator: Laura Buono

Recorder of the minutes is Mary Whalen

Others present:

Karen Bonewald – KARMA Leigh Morse – KARMA

Jean Grandy Clark Lindley – Warner Rep./School Board

Joanne Hinnendael – KRSD Budget, Warner Rep. Gerry Monigan – Argus Champion

Carolyn Dube – Argus Champion Ed Mical

Allan Brown – Director of Public Works Ken Bartholomew

Tom Cottrill Richard Senor

Melissa St. Pierre Jim McLaughlin – Precinct

Peg McLaughlin – Precinct Lynn Perkins – Precinct

Pete Newman – Precinct Andy Sharpe – Senior Engineer, Provan & Lorber

Terry Lorber – Provan & Lorber Judith Rogers – Town Clerk

The Selectmen discussed hosting a joint Selectmen’s Meeting. Past meetings have been held in New London. Selectman Cook recommended creating an agenda. Karen Bonewald a representative from KARMA (Kearsarge Alliance for a Middle School Alternate) said that there was conversation about holding a joint Board meeting at the High School to serve a number of people that may attend, presentations from both the School Board and KARMA was the topic for the agenda. Clark Lindley believes that it is well known that a meeting is being held this Thursday at the High School which is a coffee. Secondly, Mr. Lindley endorses the concept on having all school district Selectmen meet and to express their opinion as to what direction each of the Selectmen feel is the best site for the Middle School within the district. The Warner Board of Selectmen is in favor of the Sutton site, and has sent a letter of support to the School Board. Joanne Hinnendael favors the joint meeting in Warner. Clark feels it’s important that all officials voice their stand. Warner will host and arrange a joint meeting.

Karen Bonewald representing KARMA presented an alternative solution for the New London site for the new Middle School in the Kearsarge District. The construction concept is to build the new school first over approximately 18 months; the old school would be destroyed replacing it with field space. The proposed building is the same building/floor design as the Sutton site, maintaining clusters (123,000 square feet). The primary difference between the two schools is due to the site. New London is a flat site, and the entire building would be built with two stories. In Sutton, a portion of the building would be built into the hill and part of it is more of a walk out basement. That is where the New London site gains an additional 11,000 square feet. The school is designed for 700 students with a core build out to 900 students. There has been a strong effort in re-routing the traffic at the New London site and adding field space. The Main Street entrance would be an entrance and an exit. The bus loop has been separated from the car loop. Cougar Court would be the main exit for the buses (cars can also use the same route). Parking has been expanded by 50% (141 spaces), and does not include the parking for the elementary school. There is a field hockey/practice field, a soccer field, and a field suitable for lacrosse. There will be less than ¼ of wetlands disturbed with this proposal.

Jean Grandy – There was letter of concern from the Athletic Director at the Middle School published in a local paper about the students walking to the Outing Club.

Karen Bonewald – We believe in using the community to support the athletics within the district. The Outing Club has been a supporter of all the children in the district and would like to see continued use. Currently there is one field on site at the Middle School, but after construction is completed, there would be three fields available and we are considering using the Outing Club in addition to the three fields. It is walkable for the students and safety issues could be addressed. A community center will be adjacent to the property; KARMA has received a letter of commitment from the center for two full size fields that could be utilized for the students. KARMA believes the students will have more fields space within walking distance than they would at the Sutton site (4 fields are planned, but no others within walking distance).

Ms. Bonewald stressed again that the school designed for New London is the same school as designed for Sutton. The New London community is used to supporting the Middle School. Currently there are mentorship programs with the elementary school, within walking distance there is Windy Hill Daycare, Colby Sawyer College, Woodcrest, Tracy Library, Hogan Center and Clough Center. KARMA is concerned by moving the site to Sutton it would eliminate those educational opportunities.

Selectman Cook asked if information is available on the number of students that use those programs. Ms. Bonewald explained that a poll has not been completed but does know that there is a waiting list for the Tracy Library program. There are a significant number of students accessing all of the after school reading programs. Several students come up during the day and do some work within the community, the students come up on a free period and do mentoring at the elementary school and Windy Hill. Student Interns from Colby Sawyer walk to the elementary school. KARMA feels some of those programs would be in jeopardy if the Middle School moves to Sutton.

Gerry Monigan – Do students in the outlying towns have a choice as to when they can take buses home.

Ms. Bonewald – Yes, there are regular after school buses and late buses.

Ms. Bonewald further explained that another big taxpayer comment is that the New London site is currently owned by the District and if the school is built in Sutton, the taxpayers in the district will still be responsible for what happens on the New London site. Currently there are no plans from the School Board as to what will happen with the New London site. The question has been asked of the School Board for the last three years. Ms. Bonewald explained that it will cost $2,000,000.00 less to build the school in New London. The reason is that the septic & well will cost $850,000.00 in Sutton and excavation and site work would be less in New London. There was a study completed on renovating the current Middle School. The cost is approximately $12.4 million to bring it up to public use code and demolition of the building would cost $500,000.00.

Chairman Eigabroadt commented that it will cost 12.4 million to bring the current building up to public use code yet it is OK for our children to be there everyday and has been for how many years?

Leigh Morse – The School Board is saying that we can’t have the children in the Middle School because it is unsafe but 3 years from now after 12.4 million is spent it would be alright for a voc tech. All we are doing is building infrastructure.

Ken Bartholomew – The plan proposed for the New London site includes demolishing the existing building and the plan does not show any other option. Ms. Bonewald explained that the cost of demolition is built into the cost. Ken asked when the construction would begin on the New London site if it’s approved; there are test borings that still need to be completed, they are already completed at the Sutton site. Ms. Bonewald feels they would be completed simultaneously, and the work would commence as soon as possible. Ken’s concern is if the school is built in Sutton construction can begin as soon as the weather lapses, if it is built in New London it can’t be started as weather allows, prep work, tests and approvals need to be completed. Ms. Bonewald explained that H L Turner was asked on both sites numerous times what the construction time would be and answered 15 -18 months.

Selectman Hartman asked if the district has heard the status regarding the waiver for the sub-standard site in New London. Ms. Bonewald said the answer to the waiver was due to come in this week. Selectman Hartman feels that the proposed New London site is bottled up, there seems to be limited expansion for the elementary school. Ms. Bonewald explained that there is room for expansion at the elementary school, and hopes within 25 years the site cannot be expanded; she would like to see a second school within this district. She does not want to see a school in Sutton that ends up with 1,400 students simply because they have more land.

Tom Contrill – Tom asked the School Board what is the highest number of students the Middle School can hold and was told 900.

Chairman Eigabroadt commented that if the school in Sutton is built you would still be looking at another school probably in twenty years.

Ms. Bonewald challenges the notion that since there are six acres in Sutton, it’s a lot cheaper to put a wing on a school. She hasn’t seen it happen when the taxpayers choose a new school over an added wing.

Ms. Bonewald explained that there are two areas of expansion for the New London Elementary school. She noted that in the last ten years the elementary population has declined. Middle School has stayed flat, and the High School enrollment has increased. Emergency services are a concern; New London has Police, Fire, Hospital and ambulance to support an emergency situation along with a clearly defined evacuation plan all within walking distance. For the Sutton site there is no plan other than evacuating children to a field and then transporting the children out by bus. Sutton does not have rescue service; an ambulance would need to be called from another town. Sutton is facing significant infrastructure issues in order to offset the necessary services they would need to provide for another school.

Leigh Morse – The High School evacuation plan is not adequate.

Ed Mical – The high school does have an emergency evacuation plan. There was a practice and the students were bussed to Warner as part of the plan.

Richard Senor – Warner also does not have ambulance service, we rely on Hopkinton.

Tom Contrill – The main point is that emergency services border the property in New London.

Leigh Morse – One year ago the Sutton Selectmen debated the fact that the New London hospital would be charging $11,000 more for ambulance services this coming year. The cost would be even more if there are 900 kids at exit 10.

Tom Contrill– When the School Board was asked about that, it was stated that Sutton would have to build up their infrastructure and somehow share that cost across seven towns.

Jean Grandy – How often does the current New London school require ambulance service?

Ed Mical – Sutton has a rescue squad with EMT’s and New London transports from the hospital.

Ms. Bonewald finished her presentation; the new building in NL would also be able to house James House. Busing, moving to Sutton will not solve the busing problem, rider ship will increase to the Sutton site, there will be no children walking to the Sutton site.

Jean Grandy – Some children will ride less. How many kids walk to school? I can’t believe that many kids walk to school in New London.

Leigh Morse – I create truck routes throughout New England and I am very surprised the Town of Warner and Bradford do not demand two more buses to lesson the amount of time on the bus.

Joanne Hinnendael – As a member of the Budget Committee in the school district, people will not vote for an increase year after year. It takes tax money to pay for more buses.

Richard Senor – Busing is a financial situation the kids are not complaining.

Allan Brown, Director of Public Works; Precinct Commissioners Lynn Perkins and Pete Newman along with Precinct Clerk Jim McLaughlin;, and representatives from Provan & Lorber Andy Sharpe Senior Engineer and Terry Lorber met with the Board regarding the Mill Street project. Allan asked Terry if Provan & Lorber started the engineering tomorrow would it be completed to negotiate with a contractor before Town Meeting in order to establish a total cost. Terry explained that Provan & Lorber is prepared to start the project immediately and it could be completed within 30 days. The engineering needs to be completed before negotiating with a contractor since there is not enough time to go out to bid. Selectman Cook asked if the $62,000.00 indicated in the preliminary report dated October 20, 2005 is the scope of work anticipated to be completed at this time. Mr. Sharpe explained that the $62,000.00 is the whole scope of services. The design portion is about $35,000.00. Selectman Hartman asked if by going this route will the cost be increased because there is no competitive bid? Mr. Sharpe explained that most Public Work Director’s feel that they can negotiate a much better contract for the Town rather than going out to bid since relationships have been developed and there is a comfort level. By involving the contractor in the design process, they bring certain knowledge to the table. Selectman Cook asked what happens if the Board decides to wait until after Town Meeting. Allan recommends establishing a contract with Weaver Bros. contingent upon approval at Town Meeting for both the Town and the Precinct. Selectman Hartman feels it is appropriate to move forward and develop the engineered design for accurate costs to be presented at Town Meeting. Chairman Eigabroadt asked who would be presenting this additional information to the Budget Committee now that the final budget has been established; it was originally felt that this project would not be completed this year. Selectman Hartman added the engineering needs to be completed in order to obtain the actual cost. The Budget Committee could be informed. Selectman Cook asked where the $34,000.00 would be drawn from? If it is the Construction Fund there is concern that the voters believe that the Construction Fund is for the School Street/Denny Hill project. Allan said the Fund holds $250,000.00 and there is enough money to do both the engineering on Mill Street and School Street/ Denny Hill. Lynn Perkins feels Mill Street has become more dangerous within the last two years (storm drains are caving in) than School Street/Denny Hill. Pete Newman added that the engineering of Mill Street still needs to be completed no matter what. Both Chairman Eigabroadt and Selectman Cook both agree that the engineering should be completed, but are apprehensive about the unknown cost and further discussion needs to take place with the Budget Committee.

Ed Mical – Mill Street sounds more serious than Denny Hill as far the safety aspect. Ed would support the Mill Street project at Town Meeting.

Pete Newman – Understands that the Mill Street project will be engineered in order to obtain a fixed cost within 30 days and Allan recommends using Weaver Bros.

Selectman Hartman made the motion to approve $35,885.00 from the Road Construction Fund and obtain the services of Provan & Lorber to perform design and negotiate cost for the Mill Street project. Selectman Cook seconded the motion. Pete asked if Allan would be involved, and is Allan’s time included. There was no clear answer. All in favor. The motion passed.

Lynn Perkins asked the Selectmen if the Town would consider giving up a triangle shaped piece of land on the corner of Ladding Lane and Kearsarge Mountain Road to accommodate the location of the 200,000-gallon water storage tank. Mr. Perkins owns the property that the tank will be located on. The adjacent town property would allow Mr. Perkins the ability to move the tank if possible in order to maintain a minimum of 2 acres for his property. The Board will consider the request.

Ed Mical met with the Board to discuss Hazard Mitigation grants associated with the recent floods. As part of any Federal Disaster Declaration there is a pool of money available for hazard mitigation. The State has sent a memo to Selectmen and Emergency Management Directors. The funds are 75/25 for cost effective measures that reduce or eliminate damage and risks from the effects caused by natural hazards. The money does not need to be budgeted this year, however, letters of intent need to be submitted for September/October review. Four locations have been identified. Quotes will be obtained.

Allan presented quotes for a new truck. Allan has contacted surrounding Town’s about the length of time they run their trucks. The truck is in the schedule for 15 years. A snow plow is not included in the cost, although there is a spare in stock. The Selectmen will review the preferred Mack quote package before approving the purchase. Discussion will resume on February 7, 2006.

Selectman Cook made a motion to go into non-public session as allowed by RSA 91-A:3 II (c). Selectman Hartman seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Chairman Eigabroadt, Aye, Selectman Hartman, Aye, Selectman Cook, Aye. The motion passed.

In attendance:

Ed & Jeri Ordway, Chris & Melanie Beverage, Diane Swett, Steve Labonte

Selectman Cook made a motion to close the non-public session. Selectman Hartman seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Chairman Eigabroadt, Aye, Selectman Hartman, Aye, Selectman Cook, Aye. The motion passed.

Warrant – Selectman Hartman pointed out a couple of changes in the warrant. One was to add a three-year non-lapsing date to Article 6 (Fire Department Tanker). Ms. Buono has added that wordage. The other is to change Article 16 (Budget) to include the full amount of the operating budget and capital outlay projects together (as has been done in the past). Ms. Buono included the operating budget in this article but has changed it. It was learned from the Secretary of State that the Veterans Exemption petition must be on the warrant, paper ballot is optional.

Carpet Cleaning – Estimates are being obtained for the cleaning of the carpets in the Town Hall and Old Graded School. Although the past pricing seems very reasonable, Ms. Buono would like to get a couple of prices to review.

Computers – Dan Watts came in on Saturday, January 28^th to work on the computers. He installed anti-virus software on various computers on a temporary basis in order to give us time to receive a quote on a permanent multi-user license. The multi-user licenses are normally less expensive than holding separate licenses for each computer. Dan also created a computer inventory list that shows all necessary information on each computer within the town. There is still information needed with regard to some of the units, Ms. Buono will work on obtaining this information so that it can be added to the spreadsheet. Ms. Buono’s computer has been designated as the antivirus server for the Town Hall and will now be left on at all times for this purpose. Dan also noted that there was no UPS for the Mirra Server which is necessary. One has been ordered through him and will be delivered this week.

Capital Assets – Ms. Buono has developed a spreadsheet for the capital assets in order to get started on this project for the purpose of the 2006 audit. Mary Whalen will be working on the research of information that will be needed once Town Report is done. We will be touching base with all departments that have capital asset items in order to get information as well as with Wendy Pinkham to review invoices that would have covered any improvements along the way.

Town Report – Mary Whalen has been working diligently on the Town Report and information is beginning to come in. All Department Heads have been requested to have their information in as soon as possible. The Selectmen have approved the layout for the cover.

Continued Education – Ms. Buono will be attending a class on Friday, February 3^rd as part of the Foundations of Local Government Leadership Level 2. These classes are held on a bi-monthly basis throughout the year (either the first or second Friday). Ms. Buono recently forwarded a notice to the Fire Department on a workshop to be held at LGC which covers the Fire-Act Grant and which will be held in Concord at the Fire Academy on February 16^th.

Selectman Hartman made the motion to approve meeting minutes with corrections dated January 3 work session, January 10 meeting minutes, work session and non-public and January 17^th meeting minutes. Selectman Cook seconded the motion. All were in favor. The motion passed.

Selectman Hartman discussed with the Board the inaccurate way the glass tonnage is figured at the Transfer Station. The TA will speak with Paul. The Board will also like to review the submitted reports for the Town Report.

Motion to adjourn 9:31 p.m.

Board of Selectmen

Wayne Eigabroadt – Chairman
David E. Hartman
Richard A. Cook