Meeting opened at 6:00 p.m.

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

Town Administrator Laura Buono

Recorder of the minutes is Mary Whalen

Others present: Julie Russo & Martha Mical

1. DUST CONTROL PLAN OF ACTION – WARNER AGGREGATE

As requested from the Board of Selectmen a plan of action to reduce the dust that is produced from the activities at Warner Aggregate and the Davisville flea market has been submitted. Chairman Hartman read the letter, but the letter does not commit to a specific plan to alleviate the dust problem as was requested. Chairman Hartman added that the complainant, Mike Russo has signed the submitted plan of action, which indicates the submitted plan is satisfactory for Mr. Russo. The original complaint submitted by Mr. Russo was the dust is a health issue. Laura explained that the property owner, Tobias Nickerson, met with her prior to the submittal of the plan of action. Mr. Nickerson discussed a possible alternative route if a land purchase goes through. Laura noted to Mr. Nickerson that the alternate route does not address the dust generated by the flea market. Mr. Nickerson said that Mr. Russo would sign off on the flea market. Laura explained to Mr. Nickerson that she does believe that Mr. Russo has that option. The complaint to the Board of Selectmen was the dust in general. Selectman Eigabroadt added that he regularly attends the flea market and has never seen a dust issue, simply because the vehicles are traveling slower, but dust is dust and if it is a health issue the dust needs to stop. Selectman Cook recalled the last meeting that the Russos attended, the dust from the flea market was not the issue; it was the dust generated from the big trucks working at Warner Aggregate. The Selectmen have asked for a solution to be implemented by June 1, 2007. Because the letter submitted is not considered a solution but only submitted suggestions to control the dust the Selectmen will request more detail to ensure a solution is in place by June 1. The Selectmen will revisit the situation on June 2, 2007. Mrs. Russo added that since her husband, Mr. Nickerson and the owner of Warner Aggregate met to resolve the dust situation, Mrs. Russo came upon a website that recommended a product called "dust stop". The product has a starch base, and she has brought this information to the attention of Mr. Nickerson and the owner of Warner Aggregate. Mrs. Russo is not in favor of any product with chloride in it. Mrs. Russo added that ideally the favored solution is the purchase of an adjacent property that would divert the entrance/exit away from Russo’s property. Mrs. Russo understands that at one point Mr. Nickerson had purchased a piece of equipment that would distribute water as a dust control, which would work for the flea market, but not long term for the Warner Aggregate solution. Mrs. Russo is hopeful for a resolution. Chairman Hartman explained that it is the Board’s intention to respond to the submitted letter and ensure a resolution to the dust by June 1, 2007. Martha Mical believes the proposed property discussed as part of the resolution is located beside two other residences. Selectman Cook added that it is unclear what property is being considered for purchase.

2. ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

Simonds School – A letter was received from Judith Pellettieri with regard to money from the Bartlett Fund. She is requesting $800 to attend the Vermont Symphony Orchestra’s performance of "Create". Martha Mical asked if New London is going to the same performance and is the school district paying for New London to go. Laura will verify Martha’s question with Judy Pellettieri.

Junkyard Permits – Junkyard permits expire April 1^st and forms have been sent out for the renewals. Laura understands that annual inspections to insure compliance have not been done. Would the Board like to begin doing annual inspections of the two establishments that apply for permits? Selectman Eigabroadt added that one establishment is currently working to become DES compliant. The Selectmen requested a status report from DES and a review of the RSA requirements.

Highway Department – Phil Rogers will be retiring from the Highway Department on Wednesday, February 28^th after 22 years of service. Verbal notification was received on February 12^th with written notification following on February 13^th. Advertisement for a Foreman has been posted in various locations around town as well as on the Local Government Center website and will be appearing in the Concord Monitor this weekend.

Bee Hive – Randy Fleury from Sutton came into the office the other day and would like permission to take the bee hive off the Odd Fellows Building. He stated he is personally insured and if approved, Laura will require him to provide proof of insurance. Chairman Hartman will contact the interested party to obtain more information.

Recycling Committee – A resident, Richard Carter, has volunteered for the Recycling Committee. The Board has received a copy of his Volunteer Form. To date there are two interested members. The Board agreed to wait until after the Town Meeting to reactivate the committee. Forms will be available during voting for volunteer interest.

Montreal-Boston Cycle Tour – August 10-11, 2007 are the dates for the Montreal-Boston cycling tour which will go through Warner. There is a meeting on Friday, February 23^rd from 9-noon which will give information on this tour as well as Special Events Planning which will provide municipalities with information on policies and procedures designed to reduce special event risks. Laura is planning on attending this session along with Chairman Hartman.

Transfer Station – Paul Fouliard met with Laura and presented a letter expressing his concern that he has not received any feedback regarding the petition article the Transfer Station Department Head and employees submitted. The article asks "To see if the Town will vote to change the pay scale for the Manager and Attendants at the Warner Transfer Station. Information, salaries and hourly pay were gathered from surrounding towns with similar operations." Laura asked Paul what specifically he is looking for. Paul thought the Selectmen would like to negotiate. Laura explained to Paul that he and her spoke in October about the wage scale, how he was unhappy with it, and what material he needed to bring forward. Paul never returned with the material. Laura also explained that the petition article presented does not carry a monetary value. In the end even after Town Meeting Paul will still need to sit with the Board or Laura regarding his proposed changes to the wage scale and the material to support that change. Selectman Cook commented that he has not seen any information that would indicate the Transfer Station employees are not inline with the wage study. Most of the Transfer Station employees will be receiving a pay raise plus a cost of living increase this year except for those who are at the top of their wage scale. Laura added that Warner may be just at that point where some of the towns used in the wage study are not good comparisons and there may be a need to look at larger towns. Warner is on the edge in certain services were things may or may not need to be looked at differently. At least the discussion should take place at the Board level instead of on the floor at Town Meeting. Now the Selectmen will need to defend the process that is in place. The Selectmen are trying to be fair to all employees. Selectman Cook hopes that the Transfer Station staff is not spending time lobbying citizens. Chairman Hartman added that based on the information that Paul has presented in the past and up to now, he is unable to conclude anything based on the information that he has been shown. Paul has referenced the Town of Warner is similar to the operation in Henniker. Chairman Hartman has spoken to the operator at the Henniker Transfer Station and did not come to the same conclusion that Henniker is comparable to Warner. Selectman Eigabroadt added that in the past he has heard from both Paul and the Town Clerk that the comparisons are based on titles only and not looking into the supplemental job descriptions. Selectman Eigabroadt agrees that supplemental job descriptions should be researched.

3. JANUARY 16, 2007 WORK SESSION MEETING MINUTES

Chairman Hartman made a motion to amend the meeting minutes to read "Chairman Hartman agrees that ARTICLE XI still maintains a maximum of 40,000 gross square feet.", instead of "Chairman Hartman agrees that ARTICLE XI still maintains a maximum of 40,000 square feet.". Selectman Eigabroadt seconded the motion. All were in favor. The motion passed.

4. GENERAL BUSINESS

Selectman Cook recommends dividing the warrant articles between the Selectmen before the next Selectmen’s meeting scheduled for March 6. Selectman Cook is interested in speaking about the Transfer Station petition and expansion, Chairman Hartman will speak on the sprinklers. Laura will divide the balance and forward the information to the Selectmen.

Meeting adjourned at 6:55 p.m.

Board of Selectmen

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