Warner Board of Selectmen

Meeting Minutes

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

 

Chairman Karrick opened the public session at 5:35 p.m.  

In Attendance:   Selectman David Karrick, Jr. – Chairman, Selectman David E. Hartman, Selectman Clyde Carson &

Town Administrator – Laura Buono  

Others present at the public session: Rebecca Courser, Alan Lord, Ray Martin, Martha Mical, and Jeanne Hand  

1. Nonpublic Session

Chairman Karrick moved to go into nonpublic session under RSA 91-A: 3 II (d) sale or lease of real property at 5:35 p.m.   The motion was seconded by Selectman Hartman.  A roll call vote was taken.  Chairman Karrick – yes; Selectman Hartman – yes; Selectman Carson – yes.  Motion passed unanimously.  

In attendance:  David Karrick, Chairman; David Hartman, Selectman; Clyde Carson, Selectman; Laura Buono, Town Administrator, Ed Mical, Chief Richard Brown.  

Selectman Carson moved to come out of nonpublic session at 6:22 p.m.   Motion was seconded by Chairman Karrick.  A roll call vote was taken.  Chairman Karrick – yes; Selectman Hartman – yes; Selectman Carson – yes.  Motion passed unanimously.

Selectman Hartman moved to seal the minutes of the nonpublic session. Motion was seconded by Chairman Karrick.  A vote was taken.  Motion passed unanimously.  

2. Rebecca Courser – Tory Hill Reader’s Series

Ms. Courser explained that the Warner Historical Society is organizing a Tory Hill Reader’s Series.  It will take place two Saturday evenings in July and August.  Eight New England writers will be featured; three of the writers live in Warner plus five others.  Each writer will read from their works followed by a question and answer period adjourning to a tent on the Town Hall lawn for a desert reception.  The Warner Historical Society will be working with the Warner retailers; Mainstreet Bookends will be selling the books prior to and during the event, Foothills will be open for dinner and local musicians will also be playing at the event.   

The Historical Society is seeking permission to be able to keep a tent up on the side lawn of the Town Hall from July 4 until August 21.  The Fall Foliage Festival has given permission to utilize the tent; permission will also be needed from Kearsarge Insurance.   

The concerns of the Selectmen are lawn maintenance and inclement weather.  Selectman Hartman asked if the Historical Society would be willing to help with the trimming around the tent.  Ms. Courser said yes, as well as obtaining volunteers to secure the tent in inclement weather.  

Martha Mical expressed her concern for liability issues.  The Town Administrator said she would contact the Town’s insurance, the area can also be posted when not in use.  Selectman Hartman also believes that the tent will be situated mainly on land own by Kearsarge Insurance.   The Board as a whole feels the Series is a good idea.  Ms. Courser said she will speak to Jere Henley (Kearsarge Insurance) and the Town will check with its insurance.  

3. Jeanne Hand – Conservation Commission

Ms. Hand has a concern about handicap accessibility to land that is in conservation easement.  Ms. Hand said the Town of New London has overlooks on Town land that is in conservation.  Ms. Hand would like to see a portion of the Conservation Fund set aside to support a nature program beginning with one of the smaller properties that are in conservation easement.  Chairman Karrick feels this is a good idea but he does not believe there is a requirement for conservation easements to provide handicap access.  The Town Administrator said the Town only owns an interest in an easement.  The lands in easement are privately owned allowing public access.  Ms. Hand believes if the conservation land has been established by pubic money, the land is considered public.  She feels this should be further investigated as far as town liability with handicap accessibility laws.  Selectman Hartman suggested bringing this concern forward to the Conservation Commission.  Ms. Hand said she was meeting with the Commission at their next meeting.    

Jim Hand said he understands that 1/3rd of the town are conserved; Chairman Karrick clarified by saying 25% is conserved.  Mr. Hand asked if there is a point where the Town will stop conserving.  Conservation Commission member Jim McLaughlin explained the Conservation Plan that was recently prepared by the Conservation Commission as part of the Master Plan update does indicated targets in certain areas in town.  Mr. Hand asked Mr. McLaughlin if the plan has been achieved to its half way point.  Mr. McLaughlin said yes.   

4. Martha Mical – Assessing

Ms. Mical presented 7 Summary of Forest Stewardship Plans which requires the Selectmen’s signature; 4 are for George Chase III, the remaining two are for Kalvin Tucker, Jr. and Catherine Tucker McWilliams.  The State requires a review of all land in current-use every 5 years; this review is currently underway in Warner which has resulted in a number of Summary of Forest Stewardship Plans.   

The Board signed 2 Current-Use applications, one for Mr. Stone and the other for Mr. Cudney as well as a Timber Tax Warrant.  

5. Ray Martin - Moderator

Mr. Martin and the Board of Selectmen prepared for Town Meeting.  It was confirmed that politicking on voting day is all under the Moderator’s control.  

6. Administrator’s Report

Town Report – The Town Reports have been mailed and are available to the public as of this date.  The report is also available on the website.  

Class V Roads – The Director of Public Works would like the Board to move to post Class V roads immediately restricted to a maximum of 6 tons total weight of vehicle and load with a note that special permits can be obtained from the Director of Public Works.  Selectman Hartman moved to give the Director of Public Works the authority to post Class V roads restricted to a maximum of 6 tons total weight of vehicle and load.  Chairman Karrick seconded the motion; all were in favor, the motion passed.  

Transfer Station – The Selectmen’s office has received a letter from the Department of Environmental Services stating that the Transfer Station has met the requirements for the Letter of Deficiency received on the Transfer Station in 2008.  DES thanked the Town for cooperation in resolving the matter and stated that no further action is required by the Town in relation to the Letter of Deficiency.  The Board of Selectmen thanked both the Highway and Transfer Station crew for their efforts in resolving the deficiencies.  

Selectman Carson asked if there was information from DES in regards to the glass crusher.  The Town Administrator explained that a resident wrote to DES and asked if a glass crusher is allowed.  DES contacted the Town Administrator and said as long as no dust is affecting surrounding properties or health issues for employees or residents.  The Town Administrator said there is minimal dust that is created and DES suggested wetting the glass first before it is crushed.  Staff is also required to wear protection.  The Town Administrator asked the Board if they wish to have her check with other towns and have DES come out and watch the operation for further suggestions.   The Selectmen do not feel that it is necessary but they will all make an effort to view the operation themselves.  

Town Hall Roof – The patching work was completed on the Town Hall roof located over the Selectmen’s office on February 19th.  

East Roby Road – The Director of Public Works has reported that he has received verbal permission for an easement from the landowners on East Roby Road and Provan & Lorber has sent the proposal for that project which the Director of Public Works would like the Board to sign tonight if there are no further questions.  Once the proposal is signed, the Director of Public Works can move forward and do the work on the wetlands permit.  Chairman Karrick moved to sign the proposal for East Roby Road contingent upon review of the proposal by each Board member.  Selectman Carson seconded the motion; Selectman Carson asked if the cost to complete the project exceeds the capital reserve fund does the project still move forward.  Chairman Karrick said there are other funds for road projects that can be used.  Chairman Karrick called for a vote; all were in favor, the motion passed.  

Kearsarge Elderly Housing – The annual agreement for payment in lieu of taxes has been received from Kearsarge Elderly Housing for the Chairman’s signature.  They will be required to file a statement of financial condition which is due to the Town by June 1st for the preceding year.  The payment in lieu of taxes for 2010 will be the amount of $16,252.95 payable in quarterly installments of $4,063.23.  Selectman Carson moved to have the Chairman of the Board sign the annual agreement for payment in lieu of taxes from Kearsarge Elderly Housing in the amount of $16,252.95 for 2010.  Selectman Hartman seconded the motion; all were in favor, the motion passed.  

Morse Loop – As is required by law, the Town of Sutton has notified abutters that they have a warrant article this year to discontinue their portion of Morse Loop.  Selectman Hartman said there is a State law that says one town cannot disown a road unless the other town the road goes to is in agreement.  The Town Administrator will look into this information and report back.  

Hartshorn Lane – On February 18th, a Cease & Desist Order was issued on a building project on Hartshorn Lane due to the fact the owner was building something completely different than was approved under his building permit.  Although he submitted an updated application, there are problems with that application due to the wetlands and increasing the number of bedrooms.  A letter was mailed and faxed to the property today with regard to conditions that need to be met prior to approval of his application, a copy of which was emailed to each of the Selectmen.  

Volunteers – There are a few volunteer forms in the Selectmen’s office for the Board’s review and consideration.  Appointments for new volunteers will be placed on the March 16 agenda.   

Azmy Property – The attorney the town is working with reviewed a letter that will be sent to Mr. Azmy and recommended some changes before the letter is mailed.  

7. Manifest

Selectman Hartman moved to authorize the Selectmen to sign manifests and order the Treasurer to sign payroll check numbers 345-371 (includes 10 direct deposit stubs) in the amount of $30,465.97 and accounts payable check numbers 44136-44216 in the amount of $73,531.04.  Accounts payable checks include voided check numbers 44144-44180 due to specialized fonts that were not on the new computer in the finance office.  Selectman Carson seconded the motion; all were in favor, the motion passed.  

8. Selectmen’s Other Business

Selectman Carson on behalf of the Energy Committee will be working on promoting Earth Day by promoting the sale of compost barrels, kitchen scrap barrels and rain barrels.  Selectman Carson asked if the Town of Warner will sponsor this project.   Selectman Carson moved to propose the Town of Warner support the composting barrel project.  Selectman Hartman seconded the motion; all were in favor, the motion passed.  

The Town Administrator said a request was received through Selectman Carson’s office hours to display a breakdown of the cost for Connor’s Mill Bridge .  The Town Administrator asked the Board if they wish the cost to be compared to the warrant in 2008 which was solely for anticipated construction costs or the entire cost breakdown.  The Board would like an entire cost breakdown.  

9. Meeting Minutes

Selectman Hartman moved to approve meeting minutes dated February 2 & 9, 2010.  Selectman Carson seconded the motion; all were in favor, the motion passed.  

10. Nonpublic Session

Chairman Karrick moved to go into nonpublic session under RSA 91-A: 3 II (c) reputation, at 8:05 p.m.   The motion was seconded by Selectman Hartman.  A roll call vote was taken.  Chairman Karrick – yes; Selectman Hartman – yes; Selectman Carson – yes.  Motion passed unanimously.  

In attendance:  David Karrick, Chairman; David Hartman, Selectman; Clyde Carson, Selectman; Laura Buono, Town Administrator.  

Selectman Hartman moved to come out of nonpublic session at 8:35 p.m.   Motion was seconded by Chairman Karrick.  A roll call vote was taken.  Chairman Karrick – yes; Selectman Hartman – yes; Selectman Carson – yes.  Motion passed unanimously.

Selectman Hartman moved to seal the minutes of the nonpublic session. Motion was seconded by Chairman Karrick.  A vote was taken.  Motion passed unanimously.

11. Adjournment

At 8:36 p.m. a motion was made to adjourn.  

Board of Selectmen

David Karrick, Jr.

 David E. Hartman

Clyde Carson

 

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Whalen

Recording Secretary