Warner Board of Selectmen

Meeting Minutes

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

 

Selectman Hartman opened the meeting at 6:02 p.m.

In Attendance:   Selectman David Karrick, Jr. - Chairman

Selectman David E. Hartman

Selectman Clyde Carson

                        Town Administrator – Laura Buono

Absent:             None                  

Others present:              Robert O’Connor            George Smith                 Ed Raymond                  Elizabeth Buck

Travis White                  Matt Waite                     Carol McCausland           Allan McCausland           Jan Dyment

Carolyn Cookingham       Fern Lampron                Debra Lampron              Pamela Allie                   Carmen O’Connor

Kathleen O’Connor          Allan N. Brown               Tim Courser                  George Allie                   Bob Bowers

Varick Proper  

1. Connors Mill Bridge

Mr. O’Connor expressed his frustration with the timing of the Connors Mill Bridge project; he feels there should have been an informational meeting with all the area residents and better coordination with the Town of Webster regarding the access road.  

The Director of Public Works spoke to the residents and explained the following:

The project was scheduled for the spring because it is not prime construction time for major companies.  Mr. Brown using a visual aide explained the recent coordinating efforts to remove the temporary bridge, move electric, cable and phone lines as well as the coordinated efforts with the Town of Webster regarding the access road.  Once the construction reaches across the bridge the idea is to blend the road back into the old road bed, about 550’ long.  The State does not normally go that far, but there is a curve and a hill with drainage.  If there is a change in the approach either a slope or a retaining wall would need to be added as well as an easement from Mr. McCausland.   Construction will begin on April 15th on the Schoodac side.  Mr. Brown showed the audience where all the equipment will be staged.  

It was asked if a bank is going to be moved.  Mr. Brown said that will be decided by the Board of Selectmen; Mr. Brown does not recommend using the old road bed.  If the bank is moved it will take the curve out of the road.  Mr. Brown pointed out the actual footprint of the road.  

Someone asked what the thoughts are about paving up to Brookmeadow Lane .  Mr. Brown said input from the audience will be considered by the Selectmen.  Mr. McCausland feels if the road is paved up to Brookmeadow Lane there will be increased speeding violations similar to Newmarket Road and Poverty Plains Road .     

Carol Cookingham is in favor of having the remaining section paved, she also brought a couple of letters of support from residents in the area that could not attend this evening’s meeting.  

Chairman Karrick asked what type of condition the remaining road will be in after the project is completed and what would it take to improve the road without paving.  Mr. Brown said the road would be in the same condition as it is now; to improve the road it would be the cost of construction to raise the road bed for proper drainage as well as realignment; it will cost approximately $35K.  Two other residents voiced their preference for paving up to Brookmeadow Lane .   

Selectman Hartman commented about Newmarket Road, yes there were residents not in favor of the paving but as time went by the condition of the road continued to deteriorate to the point during the series of floods the road became even more of a problem to maintain resulting in the town making the decision to pave the rest of the road.   The same for Connors Mill Road , the maintenance is becoming a problem.    

Another resident said he lived on Newmarket Road and after it was paved it became a race way, he moved to Brookmeadow Lane for its rural character; he would like to see Connors Mill Road remain a gravel road.   

Another resident spoke in favor of paving; it will alleviate the drainage problem from the road to his property.  Currently he maintains a trench around his property to keep his basement from flooding.  Using Poverty Plains and Newmarket Road as comparisons is not completely fair.   

The Town would be responsible for the remaining road that leads to Brookmeadow Lane .  The decision before the Selectmen is to either upgrade with gravel or upgrade with gravel and paving.  Input from the area residents will provide information for the Selectmen.  It would cost $55K - $60K to rebuild, realign and pave the remaining section to Brookmeadow Lane or $35K to rebuild only.  

A resident asked about the lack of cooperation with the Town of Webster .  If deterioration of the road continues the Town Administrator will send a letter to the Town of Webster to plead the case; the Town of Warner is willing to provide the material and labor to keep the access road in passable condition.   

With a show of hands, half the audience members would like the remaining section paved, the remaining members would prefer no upgrades.  

One resident asked for reassurance that he would not wake up to a paved road.  Mr. Brown explained this is a project that is moving forward, if decisions are not made it will cost more in contractors services.  Chairman Karrick said the Board of Selectmen is prepared to make a decision during the April 28th meeting.  During the meeting no further input will be taken but Chairman Karrick encouraged the audience members to either email or send further input to the Selectmen’s office prior to the April 28th meeting.   

One resident spoke about the turtles that cross Connors Mill Road to the field where they lay their eggs.  Some of the turtles are endangered; paving the road could further endanger the turtles.  

Selectman Carson asked Mr. Brown how this upgrade would impact other projects as well as the budgetary impact.  Because the equipment will be on site Mr. Brown brought the paving question before the Selectmen; if it is decided not to pave the remaining section then most likely the road will never get paved.  Selectman Carson asked what the cost would be to hard pack the surface.  Mr. Brown said the material would need to be brought in from Henniker which is an added cost and would need to be renewed on an annual basis.  The Town owns a gravel pit which is a lower cost to the Town.   

2. Warner Area Farmers Market

Bob Bowers, representative of the Warner Area Farmers Market, asked the Selectmen what would be the earliest date the market could begin operation on the Town Hall lawn.  Mr. Bowers would like to extend the season from the beginning of June until after the Fall Foliage Festival.  Chairman Karrick moved to allow the Warner Area Farmers Market to run from as early as Memorial Day to October 31 on an annual basis.  Selectman Hartman seconded the motion; all were in favor, the motion passed.  

3. Committee Appointment

Selectman Hartman moved to appoint George Smith and David Thurlow to Parks & Recreation Commission until 2012.  Selectman Carson seconded the motion; all were in favor, the motion passed.  

Selectman Hartman moved to appoint Tori Herr, Richard Carter and Jeni Eldridge to the Selectmen’s Recycle Committee.  Selectman Carson seconded the motion; all were in favor, the motion passed.  The Selectmen decided to review Selectmen’s Committee memberships on an annual basis.  Varick Proper asked the Board if there will be a Selectmen’s representative to the Recycle Committee.  Chairman Karrick offered to be the representative.   Varick Proper who is the Transfer Station Foreman will also participate in the Recycle Committee.  

4. Sign Permits

Warner Connects applied for a temporary sign permit for an illuminated bill board for a Barn Dance that will be held on April 17 and May 16.  Zoning does not allow for this type of illuminated sign.  Usage of the sign is increasing; the sign was helpful during the ice storm.  This is an opportunity to discuss whether or not the Selectmen wish to continue the use of this particular sign.  The Selectmen’s office has encouraged the Planning Board for the last 3 years to review the current temporary sign permit regulations, to date this has not been completed.  Temporary signage is becoming an enforcement issue.  Martha Mical recommended establishing a time limit.  Selectman Hartman moved to approve the temporary sign permit submitted by Warner Connects for April 17 and May 16.  Selectman Carson seconded the motion.  Chairman Karrick said the request is for up to 3 days prior to the each event.  Selectman Hartman amended his motion to a maximum display of 4 days for each event.   Chairman Karrick seconded the amendment; all were in favor, the motion passed.  The Town Administrator recommends the Planning Board remove the temporary sign permit ordinance from the Zoning Ordinance so the Selectmen can create a policy; a policy allows flexibility where an ordinance does not.  

Selectman Hartman moved to approve the sign permit request submitted by Irving Oil Company #0414-1-2009 for replacement signs (Circle K) at the Route 103 facility.  Selectman Carson seconded the motion; all were in favor, the motion passed.    

5. Manifest

Chairman Karrick moved to authorize the Selectmen to sign manifests and order the Treasurer to sign payroll check numbers 1707 -1738 (includes 9 direct deposit stubs) in the amount of $30,836.78 and accounts payable check numbers 42901-42979 in the amount of $491,782.27 (includes payment to Kearsarge Regional School District and payroll transfer in the amount of $100K).  Selectman Carson seconded the motion; all were in favor, the motion carries.  

6. Selectmen’s Other Business

Allan N. Brown reported to the Selectmen that he was contacted by Judy Pellettieri (Simonds School Principal) who asked him if he could attend a meeting in Concord NH regarding Safe Routes to School.  Mr. Brown will participate in a 10-minute presentation about the grant that was applied for.  The Selectmen will also be invited to the presentation.  The grant submitted includes a safe route to Riverside Park which includes a footpath over the North Village Road Bridge and the removal of the steel bridge which has been determined to be unsafe.     

Chairman Karrick reported on the meeting they had with the Town of Hopkinton regarding ambulance service.  The Warner Board of Selectmen are in agreement that since the Town pays for its own dispatch service the Town should not pay a portion of Hopkinton’s dispatch service.  Dispatch service costs are based on the population of each town.  The Town Administrator will communicate to the Town of Hopkinton that the Town of Warner does not feel they should be charged for dispatch, other billing figures will also be reviewed between both administrators who will work toward an agreeable billing figure.  Selectman Carson asked if it would be more cost effective for Warner to have its own ambulance.  The Town Administrator said this could be discussed with the Fire Chief.   

The Selectmen signed Intents-to-Cut and Veterans Exemptions.  Selectman Carson moved to approve 6 Veteran Exemptions.  Selectman Hartman seconded the motion; all were in favor, the motion passed.  

7. Meeting Minutes

Selectman Hartman moved to approve meeting minutes dated March 17 & 31, 2009.  Chairman Karrick seconded the motion; all were in favor, the motion passed.  

Nonpublic Session

Selectman Hartman moved to enter into Nonpublic Session at 8:59 p.m. per RSA 91-A:3 II (e), legal. The motion was seconded by Chairman Karrick. A roll call vote was taken. Chairman Karrick – yes; Selectman Hartman – yes; Selectman Carson – yes.  A vote was taken.  Motion passed unanimously.   

In Attendance:  Chairman Karrick; Selectman Hartman; Selectman Carson; Laura Buono, Town Administrator.  

Selectman Hartman moved to come out of Nonpublic Session at 9:10 p.m.   The motion was seconded by Chairman Karrick. A roll call vote was taken. Chairman Karrick – yes; Selectman Hartman – yes; Selectman Carson – yes.  A vote was taken.  Motion passed unanimously.   

Selectman Hartman moved to seal and restrict the nonpublic meeting minutes per RSA 91A:3 III.  Motion was seconded by Selectman Karrick.  A vote was taken.  Motion passed unanimously.  

Adjournment

Chairman Karrick moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:11 p.m.   Motion was seconded by Selectman Hartman.  A vote was taken.  Motion passed unanimously.  

Board of Selectmen  

David Karrick, Jr. – Chairman
David E. Hartman
Clyde Carson

 

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Whalen

Recording secretary