Chairman Mical opened the meeting at 6:00 p.m.; in attendance were Selectman Edward F. Mical-Chairman, Selectman John C. Brayshaw, and Selectman Allen C. Brown along with members of the public.

Recorder of the minutes is Mary Whalen.

Chairman Mical opened a Public Hearing per RSA 31:95-B, to accept the Federal Funding for the Riverwalk Project. The Public Hearing was noticed in the Town Hall, Warner Post Office, Warner Website and was also posted in the Intertown Record on April 29, 2003.

Public Hearing Open:

Charles Albano spoke on behalf of the approved Federal Funds amounting to $86,000.00 in matching funds. The Warner application was rated number one in the State of New Hampshire. Once the application was accepted by the State it was then forwarded to the National Park Service, which approved the matching funding in January of 2003. The Warner Parks & Recreation Commission is now looking at plans for the Riverwalk Project that is being engineered by Jesseman-Gallant Associates in conjunction with Pellettieri Landscaping. The cash donations are in the process of being collected. The Town has been kept informed of the Riverwalk Project through articles in the Warner New Paper and the Intertown Record; an article will also be coming out in the Concord Monitor.

Pubic Comments:

Howard Kirshner abuts part of the property for the Riverwalk Project. Mr. Kirshner is concerned about the violation to the wilderness area. Mr. Kirshner would like to know what the exact plans are.

Mr. Albano explained that the original plans that were viewed at the Town Meeting were a rendering and has already been altered. Parks and Recreation is very sensitive to the area that is located by the Joppa Bridge, there will be very little disturbance in that area, possibly just some benches along the walk way. Parks & Recreation is also working with the Conservation Commission.

Mr. Kirshner is concerned that the activity in the area down by the Joppa Bridge will drive away the wilderness animals.

Mr. Albano explained that there will be at least two drafts drawn, and a Public Hearing will be held before any final decisions.

Chairman Mical informed the attendees of the Public Hearing that on Monday, May 12, 2003 at 8:00 a.m., there will be a meeting with a liability representative from the New Hampshire Municipal Association, at that meeting a site-walk of Riverside Park will take place.

Darlene Mimnaugh asked if the standards of the Riverwalk Project would be held to the National Park standards.

Mr. Albano explained that the State acts as a liaison to the National Parks Service. There will be a maintenance budget set up within the total grant.

Charles Goodwin asked if there was a chance that the ATV trails may connect with the Riverwalk Project. Mr. Goodwin also asked if the trail could weave in and out from the river to the woods to help alleviate the disturbance to the wildlife.

Mr. Albano suggested that the public attend the Parks & Recreation meetings which are held on the third Wednesday of every month in order to stay informed about the Riverwalk project.

Chairman Mical read into the minutes a letter of concern from Susan Bliss regarding potential ATV use of the Riverwalk.

Selectman Brayshaw paraphrased another letter of concern from Sally Metheany regarding the unspoiled section of the river.

George Saunders commented that this meeting has generated concrete options for the Riverwalk Project. The members of the committee have worked hard to bring comments from contacts in the community to the committee meetings. The rights of abutting property owners to the Riverwalk Project are a concern.

 

Chairman Mical closed public comments.

Selectman Brayshaw made a motion to accept the Federal Funding of $86,859.00 for the creation of the Warner Riverside Riverwalk Project. Selectman Brown seconded the motion. All were in favor. The motion passed.

Mr. and Mrs. Peter Wyman met with the Board for direction regarding the demolition of a bungalow on Pleasant Pond Road, and placing a new mobile home in place of the bungalow. The Board explained to Mr. Wyman that a Demolition Permit needs to be applied for. Selectman Brown asked Mr. Wyman if this update is step number one toward the upgrade of the park. Mr. Wyman stated "that is the initial goal." Chairman Mical asked if the mobile home will meet the set-backs listed in the zoning regulations. The Assessing Clerk clarified to the Board that this replacement is taking place in the old section of the park and therefore it would be grandfathered. Mr. Wyman is planning to place a 14x70 unit in place of the bungalow. After discussion the Board determined that the set-backs are grandfathered and would have to meet the requirements of an R2 zone (40 feet from the road and 25 from an abutter). Mr. Wyman is comfortable with the set-backs that were stated. A Building Permit will be submitted reflecting the placement of the mobile home.

Chairman Mical read into the minutes a letter from Mr. and Mrs. Philips regarding the Azmy property on Poverty Plains Road (concerned about the amount of vehicles and appliances along with the property appearance). The Selectmen will draft a letter regarding vehicles that are not road worthy. The letter will be sent to Mr. Azmy along with other property owners that have been reported to the Selectmen. The Health Officer will be contacted to do a site visit on Poverty Plains Road. The Selectmen discussed the Azmy property on Route 103. There are concerns that need to be addressed based on the approved site-plan.

The Board discussed computer upgrading for the Finance Director. The Board is still unclear on the installation cost of the software and will speak to the Finance Director for more information.

The Board approved the purchase of flowers from the Beautification Fund for the Harriman Statue. The flowers will be planted by the volunteer efforts of Martha Mical. Selectman Brown discussed forming a volunteer committee in the future for such projects.

The Tax Collector forwarded a request for the abatement of $49.73 for a mobile home that was not properly deeded. The Deed was listed with an incorrect owner’s name. Selectman Brayshaw made a motion to abate the taxes of $49.73 for the property located a 15 Pleasant Lane. Selectman Brown seconded the motion. All were in favor. The motion passed.

The Tax Collector also requested an abatement of $18.50 for a property on 105 Tom’s Pond Lane. The check for the payment to the Tax Collector was mailed before the due date, but was received after the due date. Chairman Mical made a motion to abate $18.50 for a property located on Tom’s Pond. Selectman Brayshaw seconded the motion. All were in favor. The motion carried.

Chairman Mical reviewed pending business such as 2003 Highway Department projects, and Hopkinton Fair Police detail.

Payroll changes for all Town employees reflecting the 2% cost of living increase were documented on a payroll change form. The pay roll changes will be forwarded to the Finance Director for her review, and then returned to the Board for their signatures.

The Board signed a letter to R.A.W. Investments regarding the silt fencing at the Exit 9 development.

The Board signed two purchase orders both exceeding $250.00 for the Highway Department.

Selectman Brayshaw made a motion to approve the meeting minutes of April 24, 2003. Selectman Brown seconded the motion. All were in favor. The motion passed.

The Board approved payment to the Town Forester amounting to $12.50 for a timber site review.

The Board signed a "Junk Yard" permit for Mr. Wade Locke.

The Board approved a Building Permit for Map 12 Lot 27.

Selectman Brayshaw and Selectman Brown met with a representative from Magdalen College. Discussion surrounded the college’s tax amount for 2003.

Selectman Brayshaw briefed the Board about the Planning Board meeting that took place on May 5, 2003. There will be a site-plan review on the fourth lot that was recently purchased by Mr. Will Begin at the Exit 9 sub-division. R.A.W. Investments presented a plan for lot 1 & 2 for the proposed building at the Exit 9 sub-division. The Planning Board approved a minor sub-division on Poverty Plains Road owned by the Sawyer’s. Properties that need to be cleaned were discussed with the Planning Board. The taxation of the lot purchased by Mr. Begin will need to be determined because of the change of use from residential to commercial. Begin Construction purchased the lot on March 26, 2003. The Planning Board has approved the Site-Plan Regulations. Barbara Annis was voted as Chairperson to the Planning Board.

Selectman Brown informed the Board that the property owners who are building on the corner of Schoodac and Poverty Plains Road have worked out their differences with the contractor through negotiating help from the current Building Inspector, Richard Cook.

Martha Mical reminded the Board that the numbers submitted by Earls, Nieder, Perkins need to be accepted by the Board.

Mrs. Mical asked the Board if they would approve non-judgmental changes instead of referring the property owners to the property abatement form. The Board decided to handle non-judgmental changes.

Selectman Brayshaw made a motion to adjourn at 9:00 p.m., Selectman Brown seconded the motion. All were in favor. The motion passed.