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Warner Board of Selectmen Meeting Minutes Tuesday, July 15 2010 Chairman
Hartman opened the public session at 7:02 p.m. In Attendance:
Selectman David Hartman Chairman, Selectman David Karrick,
Jr., Selectman Clyde Carson & Town Administrator Laura Buono Others present at the public session: Fire Chief Richard Brown, Deb
Hayward property owner of Map 29 Lot 1, Ed Mical, Rich Stanley, Jean
Hand, Jim Hand, Paul Violette, Martha Bodnarik, Andrew Bodnarik, Alan
Piroso, Martha Mical, Jim McLaughlin, Marianne Howlett, Peter Newman,
Peter Ladd, Kimberley Edelmann 1. Public Input
Proposed Fire Department Site @ Map 29 Lot 1 Chairman Hartman described the property as
2.8 acres with 715 road frontage and 600 frontage on the Warner
River. There is currently a
residence on the property as well as a former railroad bed that runs
adjacent to the easterly property line.
The northern portion of the property is above the 100 year flood
elevation while the southerly portion is below the 100 year flood
elevation. Chairman Hartman
using a preliminary site plan of the property explained specific details
about the property. He said
the Fire Department proposed the need for fill in order to raise the
building above the flood elevation and on the plan there is room for 30
40 parking spaces. There
has also been discussion with the State to acquire a piece of land that
would gain more developable area. What
still needs to be determined from the State regarding the Shoreland
Protection Act is the amount of land on the property that is actually
developable. Chairman Hartman opened the meeting for
public input: Jim Hand asked if it is possible to gain
some relief by request concerning the construction of a building inside
the 500 year flood line. And
he asked if the Town would have to purchase the State property.
Chairman Hartman said if the State was generous they may donate
the piece to the Town. The
Fire Chief said the State may do so because of the proposed use of the
property. Mr. Hand asked for more information
pertaining to the railroad bed. Chairman
Hartman said the railroad bed was abandoned and is now part of the
property. Deb Hayward,
owner of the property, said it was purchased and belongs to the
property. Martha Bodnarik asked how far the proposed
building will be from the river. Chairman
Hartman said about 100. Ms.
Bodnarik said there are all kinds of restrictions not allowing anything
permanent that close to the river.
Chairman Hartman said it is 50 per the State regulations and
75 according to Warners regulations on how close a building can be
to the river. Ms. Bodnarik
asked about the floodplain. Chairman
Hartman explained how the property has flooded in the past; the proposed
building is not within the flooding area. Ms. Bodnarik asked what makes this piece of land so
attractive. Chairman
Hartman said the property is available, and the Fire Department has
indicated this site through years of study as a desirable site because
it is located to the east of Town were most of the calls come from and
the site does not impact a neighborhood.
However, Chairman Hartman did say that the Board is looking at
other sites which are in residential neighborhoods.
Fire Chief Richard Brown added that 75% of the activity is east
of the village, the site is fairly close to the center of Town, and it
has good visibility access in two directions with water supply from the
river, the location is also able to hook into the water system so the
building can have a sprinkler system. He
said the mounds of dirt can be used to fill in the lot to make it more
useable. Chairman Hartman
said one item that has not been explored yet is what the Shoreland
Protection Act would allow, he feels one hill would be excluded which is
located on the river side. The
Fire Chief also said that response time is also a factor because the
activity is mostly to the east of Town. Jim Hand confirmed that this site would be
able to hook into the current water and sewer system. Jeanne Hand asked how much money is
available in the Capital Reserve. Chairman
Hartman said the amount is $197K for land purchase and engineering; the
building itself would probably be a bond issue. Jim McLaughlin asked what the assessed
value and asking price is for the property.
Chairman Hartman said the assessed value is $95K and it is listed
on the market for $110K. Someone asked if the distance is known
from the site to the existing sewer/water system.
Chairman Hartman said approximately 1,000 to sewer connection
and about 500 to a water connection. Marianne Howlett asked if the Water
District has been spoken to about adding on that much water line because
the new home that was built on Pine Grove Cemetery Road did not tie into
the water/sewer system which was much closer than the proposed site.
Chairman Hartman said that property did not tie in for a
different reason. The Fire Chief said he thinks the Water District would not
complete the construction of the line, which would be part of the
building process. Chairman
Hartman said Ms. Howlett is asking if the current line is adequate to
supply water to the Fire Station. Water
District Commissioner, Peter Newman, said as far as he knows the system
can handle the addition. The
Fire Chief said if the system could not handle the sprinkler system then
a small holding tank would be installed with a booster pump.
Jeanne Hand said she has spoken to a
number of people in the last few days including the State.
She said the State said there are a lot of State and Federal
regulations on the horizon that might affect this property i.e.,
shoreland, wetlands, turtles, fish and floodplain.
She feels the State should be involved to inform the Town what
can be done on this property. Rich
Stanley said the property has been investigated to the level that is
available today, what will happen 10 years from now, no one knows.
He said the State provided the information needed to complete a
preliminary plan. Chairman
Hartman added that he, Chief Brown and Ed Mical met with the coordinator
of the Shoreland Protection law who provided explicit instructions on
how to address the Shoreland Protection Law.
Chairman Hartman said the Town does not want to acquire a piece
of property that will be turned down by the State.
Rich Stanley said other sites have been
looked at but they all would require tearing down an existing building
in order to build with other homes nearby.
This property offers less of an impact.
Mr. Stanley said the impact on response time was researched; the
staff has four minutes from the time the pager goes off to roll the
trucks. This property will
not impact that response time; a Fire Station located farther west would
affect the response time. Marianne Howlett asked if the property
next to this one has been explored, that too is vacant.
Chief Brown said no, because that property is on a corner which
would obstruct visibility. He
also said there have been two 500 year floods in the last 4 years and
the water on Map 29 Lot 001 has not reached the 500 year flood line.
Someone asked if the new flood maps were
referenced. Chairman
Hartman said yes, the 1987 maps were referenced as well as the
preliminary maps which at that time were not in effect but are now.
Ed Mical added that the new flood maps are based on the previous
studies that were done; the only change is the maps were digitized. Jeanne Hand asked what the next step is.
Chairman Hartman explained the Selectmen are in charge of making
a decision using the information and input provided. Kimberley Edelmann added that she attended a committee
meeting that was formed for this purpose and many other sites were
mentioned; each one had a good argument as to why it would not work for
the Fire Department. One
property that was discussed is located on Kearsarge Mtn. Road where Mesa
is, that location would be downhill past a school.
In the end, Map 29 Lot 001 proved to meet all of the Fire
Departments needs. Peter Ladd understands for example the
Shoreland Protection if the Town is invested in a project before a rule
is enacted the project would essentially be grandfathered.
Someone said the answer is no, he said he has seen Federal laws
that have not moved to the final stage, he said its the proposal date
that triggers the requirements unless construction has commenced which
means a capital investment has been made and is binding.
He is also concerned about the unseen costs.
The Fire Chief said that properties have
been looked at for the last five years; he feels this one is the most
affordable and its the best location.
Twenty-five years ago the same site was looked at for a possible
Fire Station. He is
confident a building can be designed to accommodate Warner for many
years. Rick Davies asked
the Chief if there are any restrictions on this property. The Chief feels there should be no problems with the site, he
said there has been thought about designing the building for future
sleeping quarters when it becomes a full time Fire Station, and also the
apparatus could be driven right through the building.
Paul Violette confirmed that there is room to put additions on. Martha Bodnarik asked how difficult it
would be to obtain an extra driveway.
Chief Brown said he has obtained a verbal OK from the State
because of the sight distance in both directions.
Kimberley Edelmann asked when the Board
would make their decision. The
Town Administrator explained that negotiations will take place in
nonpublic and if an agreement is reached it will be announced in a
public session. Selectman Karrick at 8:02 p.m. moved to
adjourn the meeting. Chairman Hartman seconded the motion; all were in favor, the
motion passed. Board of Selectmen David E. Hartman - Chairman Respectfully submitted, Mary Whalen Recording Secretary
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