Warner Board of Selectmen

Meeting Minutes

August 7, 2007

 

Meeting opened at 6:00 p.m.

In Attendance:   Selectman David E. Hartman – Chairman

 Selectman Richard A. Cook  

Absent:             Selectman Wayne Eigabroadt

Recorder of the minutes is Mary Whalen  

Others present:

Laura Buono – Town Administrator,  Marianne Howlett,  Martha Mical,  Tori Herr  

1. 911 MAPS  

Martha Mical met with the Board of Selectmen and presented updated 911 listing and maps.  Martha explained that there are 33 corrections that need to be made; the Selectmen need to decide if they are going to sign the signature page as accepting the corrections or not. The Selectmen have previously agreed that road names will not be changed per the recommendation from 911.  Because 911 is a living document, even though the Selectmen may accept the maps and listing as being correct if there are any mistakes there is an opportunity to correct.   

Selectman Cook made the motion to approve the acknowledgement of non-standard addressing for the New Hampshire 911 program.  Chairman Hartman seconded the motion.  The motion passed.   

Selectman Cook made the motion to accept the data release agreement from the State of New Hampshire Bureau of Emergency Communications (maintaining confidentiality of the data provided).  Chairman Hartman seconded the motion.  The motion passed.  

Selectman Cook made the motion to accept the data capture acceptance letter from the State of New Hampshire Bureau of Emergency Communication.  The maps associated data accurately reflects all addressing as it existed on May 11, 2007 with 33 changes attached.  Chairman Hartman seconded the motion.  The motion passed.  

2. ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR CONNORS MILL  

Laura presented a copy of the Scope of Services provided by Provan & Lorber Engineering Services from Contoocook , NH to the Selectmen at the last Selectmen’s meeting.  Laura asked the members if they had any questions.   

Chairman Hartman confirmed that the terms “client” and “Town” does not mean two different individuals; the Town is the client.  Also both Selectman Cook and Chairman Hartman determined that the resident observer is the same as the contract administrator.  Laura explained that once the Selectmen approves and signs the contract it then goes to the State of New Hampshire for further approval.   

Selectman Cook asked if there is a known cost for the soil borings that need to be completed.  Laura said the borings cost is estimated at $3,700 which is figured in the Highway Department budget.  Selectman Cook asked Laura to find out when the borings would be completed.   

Selectman Cook made the motion to approve the scope of services provided by Provan & Lorber for the Connors Mill Bridge Project.  Chairman Hartman seconded the motion.  All were in favor.  The motion passed.  

3. VOLUNTEER AWARD  

The Selectmen have submitted their choices, leaving the names anonymous; they are indicated as 1, 2 or 3.  Selectman Cook defers to the Chairman.  Selectman Cook made the motion to nominate #2.  Chairman Hartman seconded the motion.  The motion passed.  

4. PLANNING BOARD RESIGNATION  

Selectman Cook made the motion to accept the resignation of Mark Lennon from the Warner Planning Board.  Chairman Hartman seconded the motion.  The motion passed.  Planning Board Chair Barbara Annis submitted the Planning Board’s recommendation; to move alternate Henry Duhamel to a full member.  The Board wishes to consider the submitted request when a full Board is in attendance.    

5. MANIFEST  

Selectman Cook made the motion to authorize the Treasurer to sign the following checks; payroll checks numbered 39580 – 39622 dated July 31, 2007 in the amount of $37,780.20 and accounts payable checks numbered 39623 – 39679 dated August 7, 2007 in the amount of $551,680.49.  Chairman Hartman seconded the motion.  The motion passed.  

6. TAX COLLECTOR – MARIANNE HOWLETT  

Marianne came before the Selectmen because there is one remaining 2004 lien that is not resolved.  Marianne prepared a payment history and explained that the property that is owned by Ann Howe should be deeded because there is an unpaid balance in the amount of $141.25 for 2004.  If the Selectmen were to deed the property the owner would be reimbursed for payments already received.  The owner has paid the majority of 2004, none of 2005 and the majority of 2006; the total reimbursement amounts to $15,928.80.  Marianne explained that the Selectmen can choose a deed waiver or deed the property.  The owner has been repeatedly contacted with no response.  It was noted that all notifications have been sent to the property owner that is required along with follow-up from the Town Administrator.  The Tax Collector, Town Administrator and the Selectmen discussed different options.   

Selectman Cook made the motion to abate $141.25 of the 2004 tax lien for Map 7 Lot 67.  Chairman Hartman seconded the motion.  All were in favor.  The motion passed.  

7. TORI HERR – RECYCLE COMMITTEE  

The Selectmen discussed with Tori her interest in being a member of the Recycle Committee.  Tori takes recycling very seriously and by becoming involved in the Committee she will work toward ideas for increased participation.  Selectman Cook made the motion to appoint Tori Herr as a member of the Recycle Committee.  Chairman Hartman seconded the motion.  The motion passed.  

8. ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT  

Poverty Plains Road – Permission to remove the sheds and swimming pool has been received from the bank involved in the Poverty Plains Road property.  Laura has requested the same permission from the Estate and has copied the real estate agent on the request.   

Census – Martha Mical attended the census meeting at Local Government Center at the end of July with regard to the Town’s responsibilities under the three options for the census. Martha has provided the Board with the three options and recommends Option 1.  

Map 10 Lot 45 (Joppa) – After Laura reviewed notes on this property, from the last meeting with Town Counsel, it was noted that the encroachment issue is a civil matter.  The animal pens in question have been there for many years, perhaps prior to zoning, and it is over the last couple of years that the owners have discovered they encroach on their land.  Obviously if there were new structures being built which violate zoning, the Town could take action.  As far as animal control issues, those would be handled by the police department when called in.  Chief Chandler said he will be contacting the State Veterinarian as soon as Selectman Eigabroadt gives him the green light after meeting with the neighbors.  

Capital Improvements Plan – The Planning Board is presenting the CIP to the Board of Selectmen and the Budget Committee on Monday, August 20th at 7:00 p.m.  

10 Year Highway Plan – Rep. John Shea will be holding a public meeting on September 18th @ 11:00 a.m. at the Town Hall to report on the State’s 10 year highway plan.  

Human Resources – Laura has been taking part in a collaborative effort by Primex and Local Government Center to form a new association called The Association of New Hampshire Public Employer Human Resource Administrators. This Association is set up to strengthen the quality of public personnel administration and labor relations of municipal entities in New Hampshire through continuing education, communications such as list serves, and other works of interest in the field of public personnel and labor relations.  Last week, we finalized our Articles of Incorporation for a NH Nonprofit Corporation as well as our By-Laws.  Officers were “elected” and Laura is currently the Chairman of the Association.  This association will be operated in the same manner as the Municipal Managers Association but again, geared toward human resources.

Sexual Harassment Policy – Laura has emailed each of the Selectmen a recommended updated sexual harassment policy from Local Government Center once they had reviewed our current policy.  Are there any questions on the policy that is recommended?  Laura will also forward a copy to the employees for feedback.  

9. MEETING MINUTES  

Selectman Cook made a motion to approve the June 26 meeting minutes, July 3 site visit, July 9 site walk, July 10 & 24 meeting minutes.  Chairman Hartman seconded the motion.  Chairman Hartman commented that during one of the meetings it was discussed that the meeting minutes should be more understandable to the general public which resulted in the next set of minutes being very lengthy (July 24).  Selectman Cook would like the minutes described in such a way that somebody who wasn’t at the meeting who read the minutes would understand what happened.  The Board will edit the July 24 minutes for reference purposes.  Selectman Cook forwarded his current changes for the July 24 meeting minutes.  All were in favor of the motion.  The motion passed.  

10.  ROAD PROJECTS  

Selectman Cook as a member of the Road Committee in his report to the Capital Improvement Plan Committee explained that the Selectmen would be making a decision on how they wish to approach the cost for road projects with the Budget Committee and then trying to move forward with the agreed approach.  Selectman Cook asked if there is still funding available for engineering.  Laura explained out of $200,000(encumbered FEMA funds from 2006) there is $134,000 indicated for road projects but is unsure where the figure came from; Laura is confident that no money has been spent from the $200,000 because there are wetland permits still waiting for approval from the Department of Environmental Services.  Also the Town should be receiving more FEMA funding in September or October which will be used for some of the expenses incurred throughout this year.  Selectman Cook will verify how much funding was estimated for engineering, he believes it could be as much as $30,000.   Chairman Hartman believes it is late in the year to address road projects for this year.  Laura will arrange a meeting with the Director of Public Works regarding road projects.  

11. JULY 9 SITE WALK  

Selectman Cook followed up on the site walk and asked about the building construction history for Map 10 Lot 30-1 and Map 10 Lot 29.  Laura will ask the secretary to draft a report on the research that was completed.  

12.  TRANSFER STATION FACILITY COMMITTEE & ENERGY COMMITTEE  

The Selectmen’s office will again solicit for volunteers for both committees.  To date there has been no responses accept for one interested party for the Energy Committee.  Chairman Hartman recommended if there is no public response maybe the Selectmen can establish who should be on the committees by using members from the employee staff and current committee members.  Martha Mical recommended using the Recycle Committee members for the Transfer Station.  Chairman Hartman does not feel it is a Recycle Committee function.   Chairman Hartman recommended addressing membership for the committees with a full Board.  

13. GENERAL BUSINESS  

There is a Recycle Committee meeting on August 16th at 7:00 p.m.   There is also a NRRA meeting on August 8th, one of the Recycle Committee members said they would attend and there is a Capital Improvement Plan meeting scheduled for August 20th.  

Martha Mical if wages will be discussed early in the budget process this year.  Laura explained that there will be a discussion at the next Selectmen’s meeting.   

Motion to adjourn 7:38 p.m.

 

Board of Selectmen  

David E. Hartman – Chairman

Wayne Eigabroadt                            

Richard A. Cook