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Warner Board of Selectmen Meeting Minutes Tuesday, August 4, 2009 Chairman Karrick opened the meeting at
5:40 p.m. In Attendance:
Selectman David Karrick, Jr. – Chairman, Selectman David E.
Hartman, Selectman Clyde Carson &
Town Administrator – Laura Buono Absent:
None Others present: George Allie, Martha Mical, Wayne Face, Brian Hotz,
Jim McLaughlin, and Allan McCausland Chairman
Karrick called the meeting to order at 5:40 p.m. 1.
Non Public Session Chairman
Karrick moved to enter into Nonpublic Session at 5:40 p.m. per RSA
91-A:3 II (d), land negotiations. The motion was seconded by Selectman
Hartman. A roll call vote was taken. Chairman Karrick – yes; Selectman
Hartman – yes; Selectman Carson – yes. Motion passed
unanimously. In
attendance: Chairman David Karrick, Jr., Selectman David E. Hartman,
Selectman Clyde Carson and Town Administrator Laura Buono; Fire Chief
Richard Brown; Ed Mical. Chairman
Karrick moved to come out of Nonpublic Session at 5:58 p.m. The
motion was seconded by Selectman Hartman. A roll call vote was taken.
Chairman Karrick – yes; Selectman Hartman – yes; Selectman Carson
– yes. Motion passed unanimously. Selectman
Hartman moved to seal and restrict the nonpublic meeting minutes per RSA
91A:3 III. Motion was seconded by Chairman Karrick. A vote
was taken. Motion passed unanimously. Chairman
Karrick resumed the public meeting at 6:00 p.m. 2.
Future Fire Station Site Chairman
Karrick reported that the Board of Selectmen has approved a contract
with Moser Engineering to complete a survey for a possible building site
for a Fire Station located at Map 29 Lot 001 on East Main Street. 3.
George Allie – Connors Mill Bridge Mr.
Allie asked the Board of Selectmen for an update on the Connors Mill
Bridge. Chairman Karrick explained the bridge is moving forward
toward completion which is expected in about two weeks depending on
weather. The Town
Administrator said the bridge is on schedule with the contract.
Mr. Allie said he was led to believe that this was a 3 month
process beginning in April. It
was explained to him that Weaver Bros. began in May after the Bailey
bridge was removed. Mr.
Allie felt through this whole process there was a lack of communication;
it was not made clear to the residents that the contract deadline was
August 28th. Mr.
Allie said he received a letter stating that he did not return his
Taxable Inventory Form and would be fined anywhere from $10 - $50.
Mr. Allie does not remember receiving this form in the mail, and
he feels it was because of the spotty mail delivery due to the bridge
being out. Mr. Allie feels
he is validated in saying that the fine should be waived in his
circumstance because of the expense he has had to pay in gas, the extra
mileage, and wear and tear on his vehicles as well as repairs he has
incurred because of being detoured due to the bridge being closed.
The Selectmen advised Mr. Allie to submit his request in writing
for consideration. 4.
Manifest Selectman Hartman moved
to authorize the Selectmen to sign manifests and order the Treasurer to
sign accounts payable check numbers 43337-43383 in the amount of
$664,619.89 (includes a check to Kearsarge Regional School District for
$408,713.82. Selectman
Carson seconded the motion; all were in favor, the motion passed. 5. Wayne Face Mr. Face submitted a petition to the
Selectmen that reads as follows: We, Wayne B. Face and Sharon L. Face do
hereby petition the Board of Selectmen of Warner NH to initiate
proceedings to reclassify Cemetery Lane from West Main Street to Pine
Grove Cemetery from a Class VI public highway to a Class V public as
soon as practical. A public hearing would need to be
scheduled. Selectman
Hartman said it is understood that the Director of Public Works has
maintained the road accept for winter maintenance and the Board of
Selectmen would be accepting the paved portion as a Class V seasonal
because the Town may not want to accept the responsibility of snow
plowing the road. Martha Mical commented that she knew of
citizens that called her earlier today who were interested in knowing if
there would be discussion during the Selectmen’s meeting.
Martha said she was informed by the Selectmen’s office that Mr.
Face was not on the agenda. Mr.
Face did not contact the Selectmen’s office about attending the
Selectmen’s meeting, he showed up on his own volition.
The Selectmen’s office was not aware that other citizens were
interested in hearing any discussion.
The Town Administrator explained to Martha that discussion can
take place during the public hearing. 6. 2009 Budget The Town Administrator spoke with the
Department Heads asking them to review their budgets for areas that
would help offset a $30K deficit. The
deficit is because the State, mid way through the year cut Revenue
Sharing. So far with $25K from the paving line and extra money from
health benefits because one position changed to 30 hours per week, there
is just enough to cover the revenue deficit.
Selectman Carson asked if any FEMA projects would be jeopardized;
the Town Administrator said no. The
Town Administrator clarified any concerns that the Selectmen had about
the cash flow. The Board
confirmed that the Town will not need a TAN (Tax Anticipated Note).
The Board asked what paving projects if any will be affected. The
Town Administrator said none because the remaining $25K is not enough to
fund any paving project. 7. Conservation Commission Conservation Commission members, Brian
Hotz and Jim McLaughlin met with the Selectmen and presented copies of a
near final draft of a conservation easement on what has been called for
a number of years the Boundtree property.
This property was identified as one of the top properties in the
Mink Hills conservation plan. The whole Mink Hills area was identified as a key area from
the Wildlife Action Plan from the State.
The property abuts other properties that have been conserved.
There was a heavy timber harvest on the property; despite that,
it does include significant conservation values.
The project is a joint project with the Warner Conservation
Commission, Town of Warner and the Forest Society to purchase a
conservation easement on approximately 374 acres for $100K; the
landowners did reduce the original purchase price. The costs involved are divided; the Town of Warner will
provide the $100K for the purchase, the Forest Society would raise the
money for the expenses in the project which are expected to be from $45K
- $50K (survey, legal expenses, title insurance, staff etc.).
The easement leaves 26 acres for the property owners.
The remaining land would be placed in a conservation easement
available for forestry, agriculture and non commercial recreation.
The easement from the Town’s perspective would guarantee open
space and provides public access to the snowmobile trail as well as
fishing, hiking and hunting. There
is some ability to limit or prohibit public access when nuisance issues
come up for a period of time, the grantor would have that control.
There is a reserved right in the easement; it allows the ability
to permit a 300 square foot camp. The
owners were advised that current zoning does not allow for a camp, the
right allows for the opportunity, the owners would need to come to the
town if they ever decide to construct a camp.
There are two issues that need to be resolved; one is a boundary
line agreement through one of the wetlands and the other is the
Contoocook Precinct built a gate on the property. The
structure of the easement is the Forest Society will hold and enforce
the easement, monitoring the easement on a yearly basis and will do most
interactions with the property owners.
The Town would be asked to hold executory interest, which is
called the back-up interest. Mr. Hotz would like the Selectmen to review the draft
easement and forward any questions or concerns.
A public hearing will be held on September 3rd after
which the Conservation Commission will be back before the Selectmen for
signing the document. Selectman
Carson asked if there are currently any structures on the property and
does the property abut any other conservation land.
Mr. Hotz explained that there are no structures on the property
and the property does link up to two parcels that are conserved. Mr. Hotz said because of this particular
project there is an abutter who is interested in land conservation as
well as abutters in Henniker. The Conservation Commission is working
with the Bowers property on Kearsarge Mnt. Road.
This project may involve the Forest Society and also the Town of
Sutton. Jim McLaughlin added that this Boundtree
easement property is in current-use and contributes taxes to the Town,
the easement will not demand services from the Town; there are no roads
to maintain and there could also be future Timber Tax.
Selectman Hartman feels this project is an outstanding use of the
Warner Conservation Fund. Mr. Hotz said there is an easement on the
Mimi Wiggins property that requires a correction to the map and lot
number. This will be
brought before the Selectmen in the near future for their signatures.
Selectman Hartman asked Mr. Hotz how the
public can know that these easements are for perpetuity.
Mr. Hotz explained that perpetuity is written within the easement
(perpetual restriction). Mr.
Hotz said there are three lines of enforcement; the Forest Society which
is the primary holder of the easement, secondly the Town and finally the
State. Jim McLaughlin reported on the
Conservation Fund. In the
beginning of the year the fund balance was approximately $125K, and then
another $30K was approved at Town Meeting. After the Boundtree project the fund balance will be
approximately $40K - $50K. 8. Kearsarge School District Superintendant – Jerry Frew Mr.
Frew spoke to the Selectmen about what is currently going on in the
school district and what is envisioned over the next year; he intends on
returning in December to talk about the budget.
Mr. Frew did say that the School Board delivered their message
regarding the budget to not exceed a 3% increase including warrant
articles. Selectman Carson
asked what the strategy would be from the school if they received
additional funding from the State. Mr. Frew explained that he has not been notified of any
additional funding, figures from the State are released in November.
Mr. Frew said the school was impacted by the retirement increase,
the increase figure is unknown and was not budgeted, he does know it
will be less than $85K. Mr.
Frew said last year 8.5 positions were cut from the budget.
There are some challenges that need to be addressed.
One is health education in the elementary schools; the district
is not in compliance with the State.
The district is working on how health education can be delivered
equitably through all the Towns. Mr.
Frew wants to see all the elementary schools certified by the State, and
one of the lacking items is health education. Mr.
Frew provided paperwork to the Selectmen which includes a balance score
card which is an attempt to report to the communities in five strategic
goal areas which are curriculum assessment, professional development,
financial strategies, facilities and technologies.
Mr. Frew feels the report will provide a transparent measure for
residents to look at what the school is doing; the publication is
scheduled for June 2010 the intent to publish it annually.
Mr. Frew asked the Selectmen to forward their suggestions.
Mr.
Frew said the school’s website has been updated.
There are direct links to district town websites as well as staff
email. There is also a
community link were area events can be posted. Mr.
Frew is working towards getting the area students involved in Rollins,
Wadleigh and Winslow State Parks. Mr.
Frew said today the school tested a rapid alert notification system that
will contact every home in the district within 10 minutes with an
emergency phone message that will be utilized for delay openings, school
cancelations early releases and emergency health closings. Mr.
Frew reported that Jim Daley is the new Principal at the High School.
The School Board voted to rename the New London Central School the
Kearsarge Learning Campus. Money
was appropriated to install a sprinkler system in the section that would
be inhabited by SAU. It is
hoped to move the adult education program and culinary arts to the
Learning Campus. There is also hope of generating revenue from some of the
campus programs. Selectman
Hartman asked when the warrant article was passed in selling the
existing SAU office and setting up a Capital Reserve Fund with the
intent of moving into the Campus, is it correct the Capital Reserve Fund
is not being accessed. Mr.
Frew said correct. Mr. Frew
said the Capital Reserve Fund will exist for when the building is sold. The
school district received permission from the State Department of
Education to pilot a three day program where the students could learn on
line during an extended school closing.
Those students that do not have access to a computer will have a
“blizzard bag”. The
hope is this will eliminate asking for a waiver at the end of the year.
This is a first time program.
Chairman
Karrick said he attended a meeting at the SAU office in June 2008 along
with the Director of Public Works and the school’s Facility Manager to
talk about drainage problems at the Simonds School.
It was indicated that there would be a plan forth coming within a
couple of months. The Town
has not received any information from the school and the Town has some
drainage issues that need to be addressed.
Mr. Frew said a company has completed a study and he said he will
follow up on when the study will be presented.
9.
Allan McCausland – Connors Mill Bridge Construction Mr.
McCausland asked how far the road will be paved beyond the Connors Mill
Bridge. Chairman Karrick
said according to the plan the paving ends just past Mr. McCauslands
driveway. Mr. McCausland said his understanding based on conversations
with the Engineer and the Director of Public Works is the road does not
need to be paved that far. Mr. McCausland said he understood the reason
the paving is going just past his driveway is because the State will pay
for the maximum distance. Mr.
McCausland was under the impression that only a minimum amount had to be
paved after the bridge; he said the Engineer said there is no
requirement for any paving relative to the bridge.
Selectman Hartman said the benefit for paving and the reason for
paving past Mr. McCauslands driveway whether the State was going to pay
for it or not is it is better to have a paved surface as far up to the
crest of the hill. Mr.
McCausland said he has drainage that comes out of his driveway, if the
Town paves in front of his driveway the pavement will get undercut and
he said he will not allow an apron to be paved on his driveway.
Mr. McCausland said the more paved area you have, more material
will drain into the brook. The other impression Mr. McCausland had was
the remaining road bed would be improved, when Mr. McCausland spoke with
the Engineer he said the paving would blend into the existing road bed.
Selectman Hartman said that is how he understood the project.
Selectman Carson’s recollection is the remaining road would be
brought up to spec. The
Town Administrator said if they were to pave the remaining section it
would need to be brought up to spec. Selectman
Hartman said the decision before the Board is if the paving will go just
past Mr. McCauslands driveway or not.
Selectman Hartman feels the paving should go as far up the hill
as possible and he will not vote for having the pavement stop at the
bridge. Mr. McCausland said that is not what he is asking; he said the
engineer said there is no requirement to pave from the State.
Selectman Hartman said that is correct. Mr. McCausland said he
does not know what is best but feels there will be problems if the
pavement goes to the top of the hill.
Selectman Hartman asked Mr. McCausland if he and the Director of
Public Works could determine a point that would be agreeable to where
the pavement could stop at where Mr. McCausland would not feel imposed
upon and the Town would feel like it would have a road and bridge that
would be maintainable for a long period of time. Mr. McCausland said he has no objections if the road is paved
up to the end of the guardrail.
Mr. McCausland feels that there was no engineer
rational as to how far the pavement should go.
Chairman Karrick recommends first speaking with both the Engineer
and the Director of Public Works to see if an adjustment can be made
without having to go through the change order process.
Mr. McCausland feels he has gone out of his way in cooperating
with easements with no requirements and allowing trucks to park in his
field beginning at 6:00 a.m. He
also said he feels that the construction crew has done a wonderful job. 10.
Meeting Minutes Selectman
Hartman moved to approve the July
21, 2009 meeting minutes. Selectman
Carson seconded the motion; all were in favor, the motion passed. Selectman
Hartman moved to approve the non
public meeting minutes dated July 21, 2009.
Selectman Carson seconded the motion; all were in favor, the
motion passed. 11.
Capital Improvement Projects The
Selectmen’s Capital Improvement Projects will remain the same as last
year. Selectman Carson said
there may be a project submitted by the Energy Committee.
The Town Administrator said a one time project can be submitted
as a warrant article. 12.
Selectmen’s Other Business Selectman
Carson said the Google Town Hall calendar is now active on the Pillsbury
Free Library Website. Selectman
Carson is pursuing as to why TDS does not allow access to the Google
calendar from TDS email accounts. The
Town Administrator said when she attended the Emergency Management
Conference; one of the topics of discussion was how to reach the public
when there is no power. One
of the things that Public Service recommended was twitter, so the Town
Administrator set up a twitter account as another avenue.
13.
Non Public Session Chairman
Karrick moved to enter into Nonpublic Session at 7:58 p.m. per RSA
91-A:3 II (c), reputation. The motion was seconded by Selectman Hartman.
A roll call vote was taken. Chairman Karrick – yes; Selectman Hartman
– yes; Selectman Carson – yes. Motion passed unanimously.
In
attendance: Chairman David Karrick, Jr., Selectman David E. Hartman,
Selectman Clyde Carson and Town Administrator Laura Buono Chairman
Karrick brought up a personal situation presented to him by an employee
resulting in a “what if” request for additional hours and benefits
if the situation progressed. The
Selectmen briefly discussed this and there was no consensus to take
action on the request to approve the change.
Ms. Buono advised the Selectmen of a past employees situation
with HealthTrust revolving around their dental insurance in conjunction
with their divorce. Since
this individual’s decision to participate in COBRA for dental
insurance was an option they chose and which they now want to change, it
will need to be rectified by them with HealthTrust without involving the
Town. Selectman
Hartman moved to come out of Nonpublic Session at 8:09 p.m. The
motion was seconded by Chairman Karrick. A roll call vote was taken.
Chairman Karrick – yes; Selectman Hartman – yes; Selectman Carson
– yes. Motion passed unanimously. 14.
Adjournment A
motion was made and seconded to adjourn at 8:10 p.m. Board of Selectmen David Karrick, Jr. – Chairman Respectfully submitted, Mary Whalen Recording secretary
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