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Warner Board of Selectmen Meeting Minutes June 26, 2007 Meeting opened at 6:00 p.m. In Attendance:
Selectman David E. Hartman – Chairman Selectman
Richard A. Cook Selectman
Wayne Eigabroadt Absent:
No Members Absent Recorder of the minutes is Mary Whalen Others Present: Laura Buono – Town Administrator
Rick Deschene – Pine Rock Martha Mical
Judith Rogers Terry Lorber 1. PINE ROCK MANOR DRAINAGE Rick Deschene met with the Selectmen to
follow up on the June 5 site visit regarding the drainage problem on
Denny Hill Road which is affecting the driveway at Pine Rock Manor.
The Town agrees that there is a problem, but due to FEMA repair
obligations and the lack of funding, the issue cannot be addressed this
year. Rick explained that
he intends to replace the culvert that runs under the driveway; it has
become a liability issue. Rick
has even offered to repair the damage across the road for the Town.
Chairman Hartman would like to follow up with Allan Brown about
having Rick install the connecting culvert and the catch basins; the
Town would only need to dig a trench across the road and install what is
needed; all this being in line with the reconstruction plan for Denny
Hill. It is believed that the installation of the basins can be
determined from the engineered plans that were previously completed.
Selectman Cook recommended a cost from a private contractor.
Rick will contact the contractor that he has lined up;
negotiations can then take place with Pine Rock, Allan Brown.
2. BUILDING PERMIT FEES - INTERIORS Selectman Cook made the motion to establish the internal building permit fee at $5.00
administrative fee plus the cost for each required inspection.
Selectman Eigabroadt seconded the motion.
All were in favor. The
motion passed. 3. PROVAN & LORBER Terry Lorber met with the Selectmen and
presented the Mylar for Old Davisville Road.
Mr. Lorber also spoke about the on-going work at the water
storage tank site located off of Kearsarge Mountain Road. It has been
learned that the individual that holds the easement does not want the
gravel road going in that would extend all the way to North Road.
Mr. Lorber will also forward the as-built drawings for Mill
Street. Mr. Lorber will be
submitting a proposal for the Connors Mill Bridge. 4. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PROGRAM – MORE THAN $10,000 Selectman Eigabroadt spoke about central
air-conditioning in the Town Hall.
He feels it would not be cost efficient to install
air-conditioning in the main hall but does feel it would be cost
efficient to install a central air-conditioning unit in the attic for
the offices rather than using the window units. Martha Mical feels that central air-conditioning should also
be installed for the main floor. Chairman Hartman feels reevaluation
funding should be a budget item presently it is funded through a capital
reserve fund. Martha Mical
recommended keeping funding for the revaluation as a continued item
because it is required every 5 years. The resurfacing of the lower meeting room
floor and hallway was discussed and determined that it should be a
budgetary item; there is money received from flood damages in the
general fund, the amount is approximately $7,000 that could be
re-appropriated. The total
cost to level and resurface the indicated areas is estimated at $15,000.
Chairman Hartman noted that if the flooring is not replaced with
carpet the room will be substantially noisy.
Selectman Eigabroadt recommended an acoustic absorption material
that could be sprayed on the ceiling. The Selectmen agreed that the Old
Graded School roof is more of a priority than the Town Hall roof
(section over the Selectmen’s office). The estimate for the Old Graded School roof is $26,000, the
assessment of the roof is poor. Electrical update on the stage and the
projection room is being partially funded by Fall Foliage Festival. (Selectman Eigabroadt asked if the equipment stored in the
projection room has been picked-up by Parks & Recreation.
To date the equipment is still there).
Laura asked why the Hopkinton Landfill is
in the Capital Improvements when it is a budget item funded every year. Payment
is scheduled up to 2017. The
Selectmen agreed Hopkinton Landfill should remain a budget item and
should be removed from the Capital Improvement Plan.
Chairman Hartman feels the same about the revaluation.
Selectman Eigabroadt will present the Selectmen’s
recommendation regarding the Hopkinton Landfill to the Planning Board. Funding for road construction needs to be
determined. The Road
Committee is creating a top 10 list of roads that need to be addressed;
funding still needs to be determined.
The addition to the Town Hall is proposed
for vaulted record keeping with climate control.
Selectman Eigabroadt recommended keeping records in protective
storage off-site. Martha
added that a ramp going to the main floor should be considered with the
addition. Martha also
explained the there is funding available through the State that could be
combined. Laura also added the Mirra system should be backed up using an
alternate site. Selectman Eigabroadt added that Mirra provides that service;
Chairman Hartman recommends obtaining a cost.
Selectman Eigabroadt said that the current systems could be
backed at alternate sites (i.e. Town Hall to the PD and visa versa). From the Selectmen:
Year Projection Central air conditioning in the Town Hall
Future
Revaluation funding
Yearly Hopkinton Land Fill
Budget Item
Leveling the Town Hall front steps
2008 Lower meeting room and hallway flooring
Budget Item Town Hall roof – addition section
2009 Old Graded School roof
2008 Electrical update on the stage and
projection room
Budget Item Addition to the Town Hall
2012 5. NAUGHTON – RECENT ACTIVITIES The Selectmen agreed to move forward and
petition the court to begin fining now that there is a photo history.
Selectman Eigabroadt asked if there were dates on the photos.
Selectman Eigabroadt recommended a sworn affidavit from the
individuals that took the photos regarding the date of the pictures. The
Selectmen agreed to fine the maximum per day for violating the court
order. 6. ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT DSL – TDS is in the process of upgrading the DSL service we
currently have. Based on
Laura’s conversation with Jean Delano at TDS, our speed will increase
from 384 kb/sec to 768 kb/sec at a cost of $39.00/month.
We currently pay $44.95/month on our current contract.
TDS will provide the router for the conversion.
The only catch is that the contracts will be for a two year
period and there is a penalty for early cancellation.
TDS contacted Laura about the Town Office, Fire Department and
there are paper contracts to sign.
If the Board wishes to upgrade, Laura will contact Chief Chandler
and have him handle the Police Department which would need to be done
online since their system is newer than ours.
The Selectmen agreed to contract for 768/$39.00 per month for 48
months. Poverty Plains Road – The asbestos inspector will be
meeting Allan Brown and his crew at the mobile home on Poverty Plains
Road tomorrow to handle the inspection required by DES.
Laura has left a message with DES to find out the Town will be
able to remove the remainder of the mobile home once the inspector comes
and goes to alleviate the hazard of having only a portion standing.
Martha Mical asked if the remaining structures will also be
removed. Laura explained
that the bank initially approved the removal of the mobile home only.
Selectman Cook asked if the bank cares about the other
structures. Laura explained
that the estate cares. Selectman
Cook said the estate does not own the property; the Town now owns the
property and why does the Town need permission. Laura explained because
the bank and the estate still have a vested interest, it must be agreed
by all before the structures are removed.
Selectman Eigabroadt added that the Town can show the property is
more valuable as a building lot. Selectman Eigabroadt recommended asking
Town Counsel if permission is needed; if it is found the permission is
not needed the Town can remove the buildings as well as the pool.
The Selectmen agreed to sell the lot as a clean lot.
Brian Chagnon and Samantha Green have
asked for permission from the Selectmen to speak before the Zoning Board
with regard to the property on Poverty Plains Road.
A letter was emailed to the Board for review and needs signatures
in order to be sent to the Zoning Board.
After a discussion the Selectmen agreed to maintain this lot as
conforming. Martha Mical recommended adding to the deed a statement not
allowing mobile homes on the property.
Selectman Eigabroadt made the motion
not to sign the permission slip.
Selectman Cook seconded the motion.
All were in favor. The
motion passed. Highway Salt – Allan Brown reported that by purchasing salt
from the 2006 stock at last year’s price, we saved $3.24/ton.
When the salt was delivered, the truck driver damaged the front
of the salt shed. Acadia Insurance has already sent a letter and is awaiting a
quote for repair so they can take care of the expense. FEMA – Ed Mical and Allan Brown met with FEMA this morning
and submitted the paperwork on all the 2007 projects.
We now have to wait for approval of the funds requested. Kearsarge Preschool Program – Each of you received a copy
of the letter from Sue Gleason from Kearsarge Regional School District
with regard to using the Warner Cooperative Preschool classroom for a
variety of days for the James House Preschool.
The Selectmen have no objection to the request; the dates will be
checked with the Maintenance Technician.
This request is not necessary to come before the Board, unless
there is a special circumstance; it has been requested for a number of
years. 7. GENERAL BUSINESS Selectman Eigabroadt conducted a health
inspection at the Kearsarge Children Center. The Highway Department grading work has
been completed for the compost area at the Transfer Station.
A gate still needs to be installed. The Selectmen signed 2 current-use land
use changes and an intent-to-cut. The Selectmen signed a building permit for
map 4 lot 3 contingent upon having the set backs indicated. 8. MEETING MINUTES Selectman Cook made a motion
to approve the June 5 work session, June 12 meeting minutes and June 12
nonpublic sealed minutes as corrected.
Selectman Eigabroadt seconded the motion. All were in favor. The
motion passed. 9. GENERAL BUSINESS Chairman Hartman asked if it is known if
the Town is getting their share of service with the traffic counter. Laura will check into the status of the
sprinkler installation at the Fire Station.
Chairman Hartman reported a smoldering
trash can at the Transfer Station which was reported to him by one of
the attendants. Chairman
Hartman explained the situation the way it was explained to him.
“Ed Mical was at the Transfer Station and asked the attendant
if he was going to do something about the smoke.
The attendant thinking it was the smoke from the burn pile, said
yes, he would go out and spray it.
Ed clarified to the attendant that there was smoke from the trash
can located at the steps in front of the control building.
Both inspected the situation and the attendant believed the
smoldering was started by a cigarette.
The smoldering can was extinguished; there was some suspicion as
to where the cigarette came from in as much as it was during non-public
hours it would be more than likely one of the employees, and there are
not many of the employees that smoke. Chairman
Hartman thinks the Selectmen need to know if it was the manager, and if
it was the manager it must be seen to that it absolutely ceases to
happen”. Selectman
Eigabroadt agrees if that is the case, however, even though it was
during non-public hours there are people in and out dumping all the time
plus the volunteer smokes heavily, mostly in a designated area. Chairman
Hartman added that smoking is not supposed to be taking place there in
the first place, to actually end up potentially causing a fire is not in
his opinion “good practice”. The status of the junk yard licensing was
discussed. The Selectmen
have reviewed one Certificate of Compliance from one of the two junk
yards; there were some issues indicated that are not in conformance; a
letter will be sent asking for conformance measures.
There is still a remaining junk yard that has not yet sent in
their C.O.C. Chairman Hartman reported on the co-op.
This years hauling to the co-op is up by 1.9% over last year at
this point. The loads being
hauled from the Transfer Station are running heavy.
The Town Clerk notified the Selectmen that
a list of 231 unlicensed dogs was due on June 20.
Judith requested permission from the Selectmen to begin
contacting the owners. The
Selectmen granted permission to begin contacting the owners. Judith with curiosity asked, if something
happens in a department and is brought to the Selectmen’s attention,
it’s not always brought to a public meeting, like what was just
explained about the Transfer Station. Judith continued and was still
curious as to why, since Chairman Hartman was not actually there and was
just notified. Was the
manager spoken to about what happened? Chairman Hartman said “not yet, he wasn’t there”.
Judy continued by saying whether he did it or not doesn’t
really matter, in Chairman Hartman explanation it was implied “it
could have been, it most likely was the supervisor”.
Judy is sure that there are other things that people in other
departments do that don’t come before the Board at these public
meetings. Selectman
Eigabroadt stated something unclearly over the tape but Judith agreed
with him. Judith is
wondering if something like this need to be in a pubic meeting.
Selectman Eigabroadt said the fact that there was a fire
“yes”. Judith added,
“its like saying every time somebody calls in about the trucks
speeding down 103, that doesn’t come before the meeting, and the
drivers name isn’t mentioned or what happened at the consequence of
that or anything like that. That’s just a complaint that comes in and
it’s taken cared of.” Chairman
Hartman said that speeding has been discussed.
Selectman Eigabroadt asked Judith for her suggestion.
Judith hopes that the Selectmen deal with it with the department
head of the department. Laura added that if she came upon the incident
it would be reported in her weekly report during a public meeting.
Chairman Hartman remembers reporting to the Board about the vertical
baler being run without the gate down, which escalated into something
that he did not understand. Judith
said, well maybe where this is coming before the public before it is
going before the manager. Chairman
Hartman said that if the manager was at the Transfer Station this
afternoon, he would have spoken with him but Chairman Hartman continued
by saying that he has been accused of going overboard on speaking out of
line in that area as well. Selectman
Eigabroadt asked Judith if she is saying in a public meeting discuss the
incident not the person/employee. Judith
said no, she’s not really saying anything, she’s just curious as to
way “this” and perhaps other things don’t come to a public
meeting. Judith continued
by saying she thinks there are a lot of nonpublic meetings that are due
to reputation, sometime she wonders if there is one really bad person
working here or there are a lot, because is seems there are a lot of
nonpublic sessions for reputation.
Selectman Eigabroadt added that perhaps in the future when the
Board discusses such circumstances it will be the incident and not the
individual’s name, point taken. Laura
was asked to look into the smoldering situation. Motion to adjourn 8:15 p.m. Board of Selectmen David E. Hartman – Chairman
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