Warner Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes
April 19, 2005

Meeting opened at 6:00 p.m.

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

Recorder of the minutes is Mary Whalen.

Others present:

Pam McDonald - Odd Fellows Block Partnership                     Barbara Annis – Planning Board

Christopher Closs - Odd Fellows Block Partnership                  David Karrick -resident

Anthony Mento – Odd Fellows Committee                               Martha Mical - Assessing Clerk

Steve Brown – Odd Fellows Committee                                   Toni Fantasia – applicant for custodial position

Rebecca Courser – Odd Fellows Committee                            Phil Lord – Precinct Commissioner

Jim McLaughlin – Odd Fellows Committee                               Lynn Perkins – Precinct Commissioner

Richard Cutting – Chandler Reservation                                    Pete Newman – Precinct Commissioner

Alison Mock – Chandler Reservation                                        Argus Champion

Judith Rogers – Town Clerk

Alison Mock and Richard Cutting as Chandler Reservation members met with the Selectmen to verify that a site on North Road and Bean Road is on the Highway Departments schedule for clean up.  The areas are scheduled to be cleaned during the summer of 2005.  The North Road site will be cleaned and permanently closed along with making the road at the site usable.  The Bean Road site will also be cleaned.

Mr. Mock and Mr. Cutting asked the Selectmen what the plan is for a snowmobile trail that runs by the Town gravel pit.  The Snowmobile Club needs information pertaining to the property before work commences on moving the trail.  It is understood that once the pit is used for all the material the parcel would then be sold in order to re-coop the purchase.  Mr. Cutting asked if the reclamation plan is in line with how the gravel is being dug out.  Mr. Cutting is concerned about a big hole that is close to the water line and asked who is monitoring the digging.  Mr. Mock explained that during a cut on a land locked parcel next to the gravel pit someone cut off some trees on a bank, Mr. Mock asked if the Town was paid for any of the wood or chips that came off of that piece.  Mr. Cutting supplied a map that shows were the trees were cut.  Selectman Hartman explained that the Highway Department is conscience of wetland regulations.  The re-routing of the snowmobile trail can be worked out with the Highway Department.  Selectman Cook explained that the Conservation Commission met with the Director of Public Works to review the wet lands in the gravel pit.  It was discussed putting a committee together to look at the future use of the property, and maybe now is the time to form the Committee. 

Mr. Mock explained that a wedding will be taking place on April 30 on Old Pumpkin Hill Road along with an anniversary on May 7th, Mr. Mock asked if the grader could groom the road by these dates.  This information will be forwarded to the Highway Department. 

David Karrick commented that he too is a taxpayer and also lives on Old Pumpkin Hill Road and that before he could build, a culvert needed to be installed in his driveway.  Mr. Karrick does not understand why a culvert has not been installed before the recent construction at Mr. Stanley’s property.  During heavy rains there is tremendous run off from Old Pumpkin Hill Road .

The Odd Fellows Committee met with the Selectmen to sign the Option Agreement with Christopher Closs and Pam McDonald from the Odd Fellows Block Partnership.  Selectman Cook made the motion to approve the Option Agreement between the Town of Warner and the Odd Fellows Block Partnership.  Selectman Hartman seconded the motion.  All were in favor.  The motion passed.  A notary witnessed the signing.  A fax was received giving Mr. Closs power of attorney to sign for Mr. Looney who is also a partner in the Odd Fellows Block; an original copy will be needed in order to register the deed.  A committee will now be created to address the parking within the business area; Mr. Mento expressed an interest to participate in the committee.  Chairman Eigabroadt recommended that the committee should consist of a representative from the Planning Board, Business Association and an audience member recommended a representative from Simonds School .  The Selectmen recommended the Odd Fellows Committee continue on to see the project through this next phase. 

Toni Fantasia met with the Selectmen to discuss the vacant custodial position.  Ms. Fantasia had applied when the position was vacant seven months ago.  A job description along with other duties was forwarded to the applicant for review.  The Selectmen will check the references listed.

Phil Lord, Precinct Commissioner met with the Selectmen to explain that the Precinct applied to Rural Development for a grant loan in the amount of $863,000.00, $600,000.00 is a loan and $263,000.00 is a grant.  The money will fund a new well and storage tank.  Originally the Precinct applied for new water meters, based on the amount granted the meters had to be removed from the program.   The #1 well was recently re-developed.  The new well will be at least 200 feet away from the current two wells.  A 200,000-gallon storage tank will also be installed.  The location of the project is between Kearsarge Mountain Road and North Road .  Project bids will be received in August.

¨      Barbara Annis commented that the Planning Board and the Director of Public Works have recommended for the last fifteen years having a road that runs from Kearsarge Mountain Road to North Road .  There are at least 600 residents above Mesa International, if there was a road blockage, there would be no way to evacuate.  Mrs. Annis said that the Planning Board will be pushing for money in the budget next year to address the construction of a road from Kearsarge to North Road . 

Selectman Cook made the motion to approve meeting minutes dated April 5, 2005 and non-public meeting minutes dated April 5, 2005 and two dated March 29, 2005 .  Selectman Hartman seconded the motion.  All were in favor. The motion passed.

The Selectmen discussed a site visit that was conducted today on Old Lull Trace on Map 15 Lot 39.  The determining question is the replacement of an existing structure.  After viewing the structure on the property the Selectmen determined that the existing structure (12x15) could be replaced in-kind without a building permit.  The other area next to the existing structure has collapsed except for a single wall; there is no sign of a roof, floor or other walls. The structure has been gone long enough for an eight to ten year old tree to be growing in it.  That area can not be built as an in-kind structure.  The definition of in-kind is the same size, shape and use of the structure.  There is also a zoning ordinance that states “fire or other ruins must be removed within one year”.  Selectman Cook made the motion that the Board informs Mr. Gregg Champney that the Board would allow him to repair in-kind the existing standing structure for the same use.  Also, under Article IV, General Provisions, item (a), that Mr. Champney would remove the remaining wall and debris of the former structure.  Selectman Hartman seconded the motion.  Selectman Cook amended the motion to say that Mr. Champney will be allowed to do normal repairs/restoration, interior or exterior, which do not alter the principal use of the 12 x 15 storage shed that currently stands on the property as of April 19, 2005 . Also Mr. Champney must meet the Article IV, Section a, of the Warner Zoning Ordinance, and remove the remaining wall and debris of the former structure.  Selectman Hartman seconded the amended motion.  All were in favor of the motion.  The motion passed.  A letter will be sent to Mr. Champney explaining the Boards decision.

The Selectmen also visited a site on Runnels Loop, Map 10 Lot 77.  It is the Selectmen’s determination regarding the area that is considered damaged to be in the Town’s right-of-way.   The Director of Public Works is trying to avoid plowing excess snow in driveways on the opposite side of the road.  The site that was visited has a driveway on Route 103 not on Runnels Loop.  A letter will be sent explaining the Boards findings. 

The Selectmen discussed the hiring of Scott Lewis as the new full time Police Officer.  Selectman Cook reviewed the offer of employment that was signed in January of 2005 by Selectman St. James and Chairman Eigabroadt.  There is concern that the new officer is being hired on probationary pay positioned at level 6 out of 7 on the wage scale.  After the probationary period the officer would be within a few cents from the top of the pay scale.  Selectman Hartman reminded the Board that the Budget Committee stated at the Public Hearing a concern that the replacement officer would not be placed at the top of the pay scale. Selectman Cook is concerned because the Town has a pay scale that is a year old and the Police Department is topping out on the pay scale.  Selectman Hartman commented that the Town should not be hiring at the top of the pay scale unless there is an outstanding reason.  Chairman Eigabroadt explained that when the offer of employment was signed, the pay rate was justified, not only was experience considered, but the time in law enforcement in general, and the training that will come into the department. Selectman Cook recommended that at the next Department Head meeting Chief Chandler should be prepared to answer some of the Boards concerns.  Selectman Cook made the motion to appoint Scott Lewis as a full time Police Officer for the Town of Warner .  Selectman Hartman seconded the motion.  All in were in favor.  Selectman Hartman abstained on the final vote.  The motion passed.

Selectman Hartman has been contacting neighboring Town Administrators and has had discussion with New Hampshire Municipal Association if his efforts to gather information regarding the position of Town Administrator.  Selectman Cook asked if NHMA offered any guidance towards the needs assessment.  Selectman Hartman is researching what the position entails not if it is needed.  Selectman Cook understood the warrant article as requesting the Selectmen to do a needs assessment. If it was found the Town needed a Town Administrator, a job description would then be created, a Public Hearing would be held and then the position filled.  Selectman Hartman will begin to research if a Town Administrator is needed. 

Selectman Hartman explained that the Regional Co-op is experiencing some changes.  Contract renewal with Wheelabrator for 2009 has begun, for either a ten-year extension or a five-year extension package.  Either contract to extend will be more expensive than it would be to open up a municipal solid waste landfill at the Canterbury site.  The most economical route would be to use the Canterbury landfill, which has a life until 2042.  The Regional Co-op has $11,000,000.00 to deal with a new site acquisition, develop the site in Canterbury and close the site in Franklin .  The Regional Co-op is also thinking of using the $11,000,000.00 to subsidize the existing operation with Wheelabrator.  The cost to dispose with Wheelabrator is going from the low $40’s to about $55.00 per ton that includes using the $11,000,000.00 to keep the cost down to $55.00 per ton.  Selectman Hartman will take advice from the Board to the Regional Co-op special meeting on April 21, 2005 .  Selectman Hartman will also attend the official voting meeting that will be deciding the fate for trash disposal on April 26, 2005 . The Board will meet on Tuesday morning April 26th to here the results of the April 21st meeting and then advise Selectman Hartman in his vote for the Tuesday April 26th final vote.

Selectman Hartman made the motion to sign Intents to cut for Map 19 Lot 39, Map 11 Lot 63, Map 16 Lot 85.  Chairman Eigabroadt seconded the motion.  Selectman Cook abstained from the vote.  The motion passed.

Mr. Nickerson submitted a permit for a storage container to be stored at the Flea Market area.  Selectman Hartman made the motion to approve the permit for a storage container.  Selectman Cook seconded the motion.  Selectman Hartman amended the motion by adding a date of up to November 30, 2005 .  Selectman Cook seconded the amendment.   All were in favor of the motion.  The motion passed.

General correspondence was signed by the Board.

Martha Mical informed the Board that the Fire Chief would like to order the lock boxes for the municipal buildings at a cost of $2,000.00 - $3,000.00.  The Selectmen will review what was budgeted for before ordering the boxes.

Selectman Hartman made the motion to approve Building Permits for:

Map 15 Lot 43 Pole Barn

Map 12 Lot 25 Garage

Map 16 Lot 13 Shed

Map 16 Lot 6-1 New Home

Map 14 Lot 49 Porch

Map 10 Lot 52-1 Barn

Selectman Cook seconded the motion. All were in favor.  The motion passed.

Barbara Annis informed the Selectmen that R.A.W. Development withdrew their case from the Supreme Court.  R.A.W will be approaching the Planning Board within 60 days.

Martha Mical will meet with the Selectmen to review abatements on Tuesday April 26, 2005 at 8:30 a.m.

Motion to adjourn at 9:15 p.m. .

Board of Selectmen

 

Wayne Eigabroadt – Chairman

David E. Hartman

Richard A. Cook