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Warner Board of Selectmen Meeting Minutes Tuesday, May 25, 2010 1.
Nonpublic Session Chairman Hartman moved to go into
nonpublic session under RSA 91A:3 II (b) hiring at 6:01 p.m. Motion
was seconded by Selectman Karrick. A roll call vote was taken.
Chairman Hartman – yes; Selectman Karrick – yes; Selectman Carson –
yes. In
attendance: Chairman Hartman, Selectman Karrick,
Selectman Carson, Town Administrator Laura Buono. Laura
Buono reviewed the candidates for the Building Inspector position with the
Selectmen and discussed the results of the interviews. One more
interview will be scheduled for an individual who submitted their
application after the other interviews were held and the Board will visit
this issue again at their next meeting. Chairman
Hartman moved to come out of nonpublic session at 6:20 p.m. Motion
was seconded by Selectman Carson. A roll call vote was taken.
Chairman Hartman – yes; Selectman Karrick – yes; Selectman Carson –
yes. 2.
Public Session Chairman
Hartman opened the public session at 6:25 p.m. In Attendance:
Selectman David Hartman – Chairman, Selectman David Karrick, Jr.,
Selectman Clyde Carson & Town Administrator – Laura Buono Others present: Martha Mical, Rebecca
Courser, Sean Bohman, Rick Deschene 3. Intent-to-Cut – Colby Hill Assessing Clerk, Martha Mical presented to
the Board an intent-to-cut for State property that is being cut by
Hopkinton Forestry. The
property is located on top of Colby Hill which is at the end of Cunningham
Pond Road. Chairman
Hartman noted the State contacts the abutters about the cut; it’s their
policy. Ms. Mical said the
State contacts some not all abutters.
Selectman Carson asked if the Town can contact the State to make
sure all abutters were noticed. Ms.
Mical said she can contact the State Forester in charge of this cut.
The Board proceeded to sign the intent. 4. Abatement Request – Map 18 Lot 28 Assessing Clerk Martha Mical explained when
Mr. Pletcher was taking land out of current-use she had asked Mr. Pletcher
how much land he wanted out. She
said Mr. Pletcher chose not to determine the amount but said to the
Assessing Clerk to take an acre or what is needed out.
The Assessing Clerk took an acre out; she said Mr. Pletcher was not
happy with that decision so the Assessing Clerk contacted the Department
of Revenue Administration, Mary Langer, who visited Mr. Pletcher’s
property with the Assessing Clerk. The final determination ended up to be ¼ acre out of current
use. The cost for the ¼ acre
is $3,000; the original bill totaled $5,000.
The Assessing Clerk also said the piles of dirt and stumps will
require removal by December 31, 2010.
Selectman Carson asked if the Selectmen are
able to establish a minimum amount of acreage that can be taken out of
current use. The Assessing
Clerk said no, for a new home, as a rule of thumb she uses 1 acre with a
short driveway and 2 acres with a long driveway. The Assessing Clerk said the invoice to Mr.
Pletcher is dated with the original date, March 14, 2010.
The Assessing Clerk is asking the Board to abate $2,107.94 which is
the reduction from 1 acre to .25 acre as well as accrued interest in the
amount of $41.60. Selectman Karrick moved
to approve the reduction from 1 acre to .25 acre on Map 18 Lot 28.
Selectman Carson seconded the motion; all were in favor, the motion
passed. Selectman Karrick moved
to abate from Larry & Carol Pletcher’s Land Use Change tax bill
$2,107.94 which is the reduction of 1 acre to ¼ acre being removed from
current use as well as abating the interest in the amount of $41.60. Selectman
Carson seconded the motion; all were in favor, the motion passed. 5. Logging Operation Assessing Clerk, Martha Mical reported that
Mr. Trishman is logging Harriman State Forest.
All reports of wood cut were due by May 15th, as of this
date reports have not been submitted by Mr. Trishman.
Chairman Hartman asked how much Mr. Trishman owes the Town of
Warner. Ms. Mical said
because he has not submitted his report, the bond on the intent would
cover what he owes unless he cut more than was indicated on the
intent-to-cut. Ms. Mical
asked the Board if they wish to assess doomage which is twice the amount
that is owed. Ms. Mical said
she would send a letter to Mr. Trishman allowing 30 days to become current
before assessing doomage. The
State of NH has also sent a letter to Mr. Trishman regarding the money
that is owed by him to the State for the cut. The Board supports the doomage assessment if
payment is not received within 30 days. 6. Tax Warrant Selectman Karrick moved
to authorize Marianne Howlett, the collector of taxes for the Town of
Warner in Merrimack County, NH to collect taxes in the amount of
$3,426,967.25 with interest in the amount of 12% after July 1, 2010 on all
sums not paid on or before that day.
And further order the Tax Collector to pay the same collected to
the Treasurer of the said town at least on a weekly basis when receipts
exceed $500 or more often when directed by the Commissioner of the Revenue
Administration. Selectman
Carson seconded the motion; all were in favor, the motion passed. 7. Pine Rock Manor Emergency Plan Pine Rock Manor Administrator, Rick Deschene
submitted a letter asking permission to use the Town Hall as a transport
site in the case of a catastrophe at Pine Rock Manor.
The residents would then be transported to two other facilities.
Mr. Deschene said that he has verified with Red Cross that they
would also assist with support. Selectman
Carson asked if the evacuation plan has been tested. Mr. Deschene said a test is conducted every year but not to
the Town Hall. If there
is an emergency the Fire Department would be called and the Town Hall
would be used as a host site. Mr.
Deschene has letters of commitment from the staff at Pine Rock Manor and
transportation companies from Concord, NH, also other Community Action
Programs have committed to support the evacuation process.
Selectman Carson said the Town Hall has been designated as an
emergency shelter for other purposes.
The Town Administrator said the emergency shelter is for the
residents of the Town which Pine Rock Manor would be included plus there
are other buildings that can be utilized if there is a serious situation. Selectman Karrick moved
to authorize the Chairman to sign the Emergency Preparedness Plan Facility
Evacuation and Relocation Agreement with Pine Rock Manor. Selectman Carson seconded the motion adding an action item
confirming within the next 12 months that an emergency plan is in place in
case there is an emergency that includes Pine Rock Manor and other groups
at the Town Hall at the same time. Selectman
Karrick seconded the amendment; all were in favor, the motion passed. 8. Kearsarge Children
Center – 8th Annual Yard Sale The Director at the Kearsarge Children
Center met with the Selectmen and asked if the lower parking area at the
Old Grade School could be used for a yard sale during their 8th
annual community yard sale. The
area would be blocked from vehicle traffic.
Selectman Carson moved to
authorize the Kearsarge Children Center to utilize the lower parking area
at the Old Grade School for a yard sale on June 26, 2010 making sure
traffic is blocked from entering the area.
Selectman Karrick seconded the motion; all were in favor, the
motion passed. 9. Kearsarge Children Center Playground The Town Administrator asked the Kearsarge
Children’s Center Director what the operational hours are for the
daycare. There was a resident
at the last Selectmen’s meeting who discussed the use of the playground
area. The Director said the
daycare is open from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
The Town Administrator asked if the playground is used up to 6:00
p.m. and the Director said yes. The
question arose as to whether or not the playground could be used during
the day when there is no one on the playground and the Town Administrator
understood that it had to do with licensing.
The Director explained when ever another adult or child is
introduced into the program an unknown is being introduced which is a
risk. The Director said when
the resident entered the playground she decided to remove the children
from the playground because when there are different people around,
whether they are from other programs or not, who do the children listen
to, who bares responsibility in making sure the children are safe. The Director said it is proactive to make sure the daycare
children are restricted. 10. Barn Preservation Easement Scoring The barn is located on Map 14 Lot 40.
Chairman Hartman noted on the statement of nomination submitted by
the property owner that the area being requested amounts to just over one
(1) acre; Chairman Hartman said what is being considered is the barn and
the land underneath the barn with curtilage.
The scoring questions are as follows: 1.
Scenic Quality of structure
(to be completed on a site visit):
(12)
The structure is very scenic/aesthetically pleasing and the view of
it is
unobstructed for a considerable distance along the roadway or
waterway.
(9)
The structure is scenic/aesthetically pleasing and the view of it
is partially
obstructed from the road or waterway.
(6)
The structure is scenic/aesthetically pleasing but the view of it
is very limited
from the road or waterway.
(0)
The structure is neither scenic/ aesthetically pleasing nor visible
from the road or
waterway. The Selectmen chose (12). 2.
Public access/participation
in enjoyment:
(12)
View is from a designated scenic by-way.
(9)
View is from an arterial road (>400 average vehicles/day)
(6)
View is from a major collector road (249-400 average vehicles/day)
(3)
View is from a minor collector road (97-248 average vehicles/day)
or other great pond.
(0)
View is from a less traveled public road or waterway. The Selectmen chose (9). 3.
Historical importance on a
local, regional or national level, individually or as part of a historic
area:
(9)
Structure is listed or eligible for listing, in the National
Register of Historic Places. (6)
Structure’s physical or aesthetic features contribute to the
historic or cultural integrity of
a property listed or eligible for listing in the National Register
of Historic Places.
(4)
Structure is a “contributing” structure in a National Register
of Historic District.
(0)
Structure bears no relationship to a designated historic district. The Selectman chose (0). 4.
Age of the proposed
structure:
(14)
Over 175 years
(10)
125-175 years
(6)
75-125 years The Selectmen chose (6). 5.
Present purpose of the
structure:
(18)
Structure is part of a productive farm or used for an agricultural
purpose.
(8)
Structure is now used for another allowable purpose.
(1)
Structure has been altered in a way that significantly changed
it’s appearance. The Selectmen chose (8). 6.
Physical condition of the
structure:
(10)
Structure completely restored, or restoration is part of the
proposed easement.
(9)
Barn has been repaired and maintained in good condition.
(8)
Owner expresses plans to improve condition of structure using tax
savings.
(1)
No verifiable maintenance program. The Selectmen chose (1) because there was no
maintenance program submitted, but decided to contact the property owner
to verify if there is a maintenance program.
Assessing Clerk, Martha Mical verified that the values used are
from the current revaluation. 11. Fall Foliage Festival Sean Bohman met with the Selectmen to
discuss some changes to the festival.
Future parking options were discussed; there is town land next to
Simonds School that was discussed but the terrain is fairly steep.
Martha Mical recommended speaking with Weaver Bros. to see if a
parking area is feasible. There
will be a dog agility course, a road race up to Kearsarge Mountain and
entertainment at the Jim Mitchell Park.
Selectman Carson recommended closing off Main St. to traffic.
Mr. Bohman said the Festival would love to do that but the Police
Chief does not feel large trucks could make the turn radius onto Mill
Street with two way traffic . 12. Tory Hill Readers Series Rebecca Courser asked the Board if a banner
could be hung on the front of the Town Hall.
The banner would go up after July 4 and remain until the week of
August 22. 13. Town Hall – 100 Year Anniversary The Selectmen along with Rebecca Courser
discussed ideas for acknowledging the 100 year anniversary for the Town
Hall and the Old Grade School. 14. Junk Yard License Chairman Hartman explained the Board visited
Harry Heselton’s property on Couchtown Road.
The junk yard at Mr. Heselton’s property consists of
approximately 20 acres; the area the Selectmen viewed amounted to about 2
acres. Mr. Heselton explained
to the Board that he no longer takes in or process vehicles and on
occasion he is removing 2 or 3 vehicles at a time to a processing facility
in Grafton, NH. The junk yard
at this time is more of a storage facility for end of life vehicles. Chairman Hartman recommends that Mr. Heselton
should be encouraged to continue removing vehicles from his property in a
measurable way, for example 20 per year.
The Town Administrator recommends a letter stating Chairman
Hartman’s recommendation. The
Board of Selectmen signed the Junk Yard License for Mr. Heselton. Selectman Carson would like to visit the
other junk yard that is operational on 95 Chemical Lane.
The Town Administrator will arrange a date and time. 15. Road Committee The Selectmen arranged a meeting date for
June 15th at 7:00 p.m. Selectman
Carson recommends an agenda that entails the Town’s approach for paving
roads. 16. Consent Agenda Selectman Carson moved
to approve the consent agenda of May 25th including 2
intents-to-cut. Selectman
Karrick seconded the motion; all were in favor, the motion passed. 17. Manifest Selectman Karrick made a motion
to authorize the Selectmen to sign manifests and order the Treasurer to
sign Payroll Check numbers 506 – 530 (includes 10 direct deposit stubs)
in the amount of $ 30,405.75 and Accounts Payable check numbers 44461 –
44500 in the amount of $79,685.31. Selectman
Carson seconded the motion; all were in favor, the motion passed. 18. Warner Power The Board of Selectmen signed a letter of
support directed to Mr. Jack Ruderman, Director of the Sustainable Energy
Division of the State of NH Public Utilities Commission in support of an
application that Warner Power is filing in response to a RFQ for a Grant
from the GHGER Fund. 19. Meeting Minutes Selectman Carson moved
to approve work session meeting minutes dated April 22 & May 12 and
Selectmen’s meeting minutes dated May 11.
Selectman Karrick seconded the motion; all were in favor, the
motion passed. 20. Other Business Selectman Carson said he was approached by a
resident who is interested and has had discussions with Parks &
Recreation in setting up an ice skating rink at Riverside Park this coming
winter. One of the concerns
was liability. The Town
Administrator said the skating rink could be added to the insurance at a
minimum cost or possibly no cost. Selectman Carson reported that the Town at
this time does not qualify for the current round of Energy Grants.
It is restricted for multiple entities not municipalities. Selectman Carson also reported that two more
bike racks were installed, one at the Post Office and the other at the
Library. Chairman Hartman attended an Operating
Committee meeting at the Concord Regional Co-op.
The Committee is in the process of convincing the City of Concord
that the Co-op has all the answers to the Cities questions.
One of the concerns is getting money back into the Capital Reserve
Fund. Chairman Hartman feels decisions by Concord will be made
within the next week to approve or disapprove the Co-ops efforts in
creating a single stream recycling facility.
If Concord disapproves it is likely that a single stream recycling
facility will not be built. Chairman
Hartman at this time would still vote against the facility. Assessing Clerk, Martha Mical said allowing
accessory buildings such as sheds, playhouses and structures with similar
uses that have a square footage of not more than 120’ to be built
without a building permit poses a problem in regards to her function as an
Assessing Clerk; she has no way of keeping track of these structures so
they can be added to the property values.
Chairman Hartman explained the Planning Board eliminated the
requirement for building permits for accessory structures that are 120
square feet in size or less as per the State Building Code that references
the International Building Code and which was voted upon and approved last
March. To correct this, the
Building Code would need to be amended.
The Town Administrator recommends looking into what the Town is
responsible for as far as assessing, she believes if the Town is aware of
a structure that has been built without a building permit then the Town is
responsible for assessing the structure.
But if the Town is not aware, then there is no fault, she said
there are many instances were the Town is not aware of structures that
have been built until there is a revaluation.
Martha Mical was in favor of doing away with the Taxable Inventory
Forms for next year, but she has changed her opinion based on the change
in the Building Code. The
Town Administrator asked Ms. Mical if she feels the Inventory Forms will
provide enough sheds to keep the forms.
Ms. Mical feels if the Town is not requiring building permits for
sheds (120 square feet and less) there could be a problem on the State
level. Selectman Carson
recommends checking with the State. Selectman Carson asked about the status on
letters of violation that have been sent out.
The Town Administrator said that the 45 day time limit is still in
effect. If the
violations are not rectified another formal notice is sent and the final
step would be court action. 21. Selectmen’s Objectives The Board will be reviewing the Director of
Public Works job description and will send the Town Administrator
suggestions. The Board will hold a work session on June
14th at 1:30 p.m., at that time they will continue reviewing
the Personnel Policy as well as the job description for the Director of
Public Works. The Board of Selectmen will conduct a site
visit at 95 Chemical Lane on June 23rd at 3:00 p.m.
The purpose of the visit is to review best management practices at
the junk yard. 22.
Adjournment Selectman
Carson moved to adjourn at 8:48 p.m. Seconded by Selectman Karrick.
A vote was taken. Motion passed unanimously. Board of Selectmen David E. Hartman - Chairman Respectfully submitted, Mary Whalen Recording Secretary
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