Warner Board of Selectmen

Meeting Minutes

February 22, 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.

Department Heads

Ed Mical, Maintenance Technician informed the Selectmen that he located a leak in one of the heaters at the Children Center .  Mr. Mical repaired a garage door at the Transfer Station last month; the staff commended Mr. Mical for his prompt response.  As Emergency Management Director, Mr. Mical thanked all that participated in the last exercise.  Mr. Mical will also begin to work on the annual review of the Emergency Management Plan for the Town of Warner .  All Departments will be involved in the review.  Mr. Mical explained that the National Response Plan was signed by Homeland Security with changes.  One specification is the adoption of the National Incident Management System (NIMS), in 2006 any Town applying for Federal money will need to adopt the NIM system.  The NIMS is terminology for managing an incident.  The Fire Department uses NIMS, the idea is to incorporate the Highway Department, Transfer Station etc into the system. 

Police Chief, William Chandler informed the Selectmen that the two Grants for laptops received final approval.  Selectman St. James asked Mr. Mical if there is any more Grant money available.  Mr. Mical explained that $1,600.00 was available through Homeland II.  With that money the Fire Department will receive two air cylinders and a chemical detection kit.  Mr. Mical commented that the Fire Department will also receive radios through Homeland Security.  Mr. Mical will contact the fire alarm company, the alarm at the P.D has been triggering on its own.  Mr. Mical has left messages with the monitoring company.

Assessing Clerk Martha Mical reminded the Selectmen that there is a meeting on March 14, 2005 with the Department of Revenue regarding data accuracy. 

Tax Collector Marianne Howlett requested a dutch door with a glass top to be installed at the Tax Collector/Assessing Office.  Mrs. Howlett asked to be consulted if any taxpayers contact the Selectmen’s Office in regards to delinquency notices.

Planning Board Chair Barbara Annis explained that hand outs are being developed regarding the Zoning Ordinance changes.  A yearly agenda was discussed regarding work sessions; based on what passes at Town Meeting there may be changes in the Sub-division Regulations and Site-Plan Regulations, gravel pit ordinance, extending commercial districts within the town (up to Waterloo and East Sutton Road, both sides & Exit 7 area), and driveway ordinances.

Conservation Commission Chair Richard Cook informed the Selectmen that a Public Hearing will be held on March 7, 2005 to expend money from the Conservation Fund in order to purchase an easement from George Chase III on 270 acres located on East Joppa Road . 

Selectman St. James made the motion to approve the February 15, 2005 meeting minutes as written.  Chairman Eigabroadt seconded the motion.  The motion passed.

The Selectmen discussed the proposed signage for Curves which will be oval shaped plywood with an aluminum covering and white background with corporate purple lettering.  The Planning Board recommended a flat white instead of a glossy white.  The Sign Permit will reflect the above criteria.

The Selectmen proceeded with a final review of a Home Occupation Use Permit submitted by Tammy Podgis for Massage Therapy along with a Sign Permit for the same.  It was noted that due to the location of the residence State set backs will need to be maintained.  Chairman Eigabroadt made a motion to accept as amended (State set backs) the Sign Permit for Massage Therapy located at the residence owned by Tammy Podgis.  Selectman St. James seconded the motion.  The motion passed.  Selectman St. James made the motion to grant the Home Occupation Use Permit for Massage Therapy located at the residence owned by Tammy Podgis.  Chairman Eigabroadt seconded the motion.  The motion passed.

The Selectmen approved: Building Permit          New Home     Map 14 Lot 18-1.

The Odd Fellows Committee, Tony Mento and Rebecca Courser met with the Selectmen to discuss advisement received from Town Counsel.  Town Counsel advised that details in reference to the “Option Agreement” pertaining to the Odd Fellows building be presented to the voters before it is signed.  The Committee initially understood that it was their task to enter into an agreement without the voter’s approval.   What will be presented to the voters this March is an agreement to move forward with the studies with an option to buy if the studies prove to be favorable.  Negotiations up to this point have been time consuming.  The wording of the Option Agreement has been reviewed and approved by Town Counsel. The Committee met with Mr. Closs, (interested party), the idea of entering an application to Land and Community Heritage Commission (LCHIP) for money if LCHIP is funded was discussed, a possible small grant for exterior work to the clock tower was a suggestion.  To meet the deadline an eligibility application was submitted to LCHIP for future consideration.  Since all applications considered are for non-profit organizations, a design easement to the clock tower would need to be obtained.  Rebecca Courser explained the historic significance behind the clock tower.  Townspeople used the clock years ago as their only source of time. 

The Selectmen signed a Timber Tax Levy.

Barbara Annis asked the Selectmen if the Planning Board should follow up on a site plan violation owned by Gamil Azmy.   A prior Board of Selectmen recommended that Mr. Azmy amend the current site-plan, Mr. Azmy appeared before the Planning Board in January/February of 2004 explaining that he was in a court process for a lot line adjustment with a neighbor.  If the courts rule in Mr. Azmy’s favor he would be able to install a half circle driveway.  The State driveway permit states that there will be an island located between the parking and Route 103, the driveway permit expired April 2, 2004 .  Prior to the expiration there was an island in place for a short time, the island is no longer there.  Chairman Eigabroadt recommended that Mr. Azmy attend the next Planning Board meeting to continue negotiations before proceeding with enforcement. 

Town Clerk Judith Rogers recommended listing the Department phone extensions first on the new phone system, people calling in have also forwarded the same recommendation, also the motion light at the back of the Town Hall needs adjustment.  Chairman Eigabroadt recommended waiting until some of the snow thaws before the light is adjusted.

Motion to adjourn at 7:45 p.m.

Board of Selectmen

Wayne Eigabroadt – Chairman

Peter St. James