Warner Board of Selectmen

Meeting Minutes

September 2, 2008

 

Meeting opened at 6:00 p.m.

In Attendance:   Selectman Richard A. Cook - Chairman

Selectman David E. Hartman

Selectman David Karrick Jr.

Laura Buono – Town Administrator  

Others present:

Allan N. Brown – Director of Public Works             Jim Hand

Dale Trombley – Trustee of the Trust Funds                     Gerry Marsh

Barbara Annis – Planning Board                                       Martha Mical

Jeanne Hand                                                                  Sean Bohman

Marc Violette

 

1. Non Public Session – RSA 91-A:3 II (b) Hiring

Opened at 6:00 p.m.

Selectman Karrick moved to go into Non Public Session per RSA 91-A; 3 II (b) Hiring.  Selectman Hartman seconded the motion.  Roll call vote: Selectman Hartman, Aye; Selectman Karrick, Aye, Chairman Cook, Aye.  All were in favor, the motion passed.  

Selectman Hartman moved to close the non public session and open the public session.  Selectman Karrick seconded the motion.  Roll call vote:  Selectman Hartman, Aye; Selectman Karrick, Aye, Chairman Cook, Aye.  All were in favor, the motion passed.  

Selectman Hartman moved to seal the non public session meeting minutes.  Selectman Karrick seconded the motion; all were in favor, the motion passed.  

2.  Sean Bohman – Fall Foliage Festival

Mr. Bohman asked the Board if they have any concerns regarding the upcoming Fall Foliage Festival.  Selectman Hartman asked if there are significant changes in the presentation of the festival this year compared to previous years.  Mr. Bohman said there are no significant changes.  There may be a change regarding parking at the Nichols property, ownership has recently changed.  The Director of Public Works told Mr. Bohman his crew will be at training classes on Tuesday and Friday the week of the festival.  The majority of the set-up will need to take place on Wednesday and Thursday.  

Jean Hand feels that the Police should be paid from their operating budget for detail during the FFF instead of the FFF funding for special detail.  The Selectman and Mr. Bohman explained that the FFF is not an official town function, regular patrolling is still maintained during the event.     

3. Dale Trombley – Trustee of the Trust Funds

Ms. Trombley met with the Selectmen regarding a letter from the Department of Revenue dated August 15, 2008 about the 2007 MS-9.  In the letter DRA noted some corrections that needed to be made; Ms. Trombley explained and has made the necessary corrections and will respond back to DRA.  

4. Drainage Committee

Chairman Cook explained to DPW, Allan Brown that the Odd Fellows Building Committee has asked the Selectmen to form a Drainage Committee to interface with the School District study on drainage and water related issues.  Mr. Brown said the drainage from the school property runs into the Town’s system, others that should be involved is the area businesses and the State.  Marc Violette asked if Mr. Brown should attend the next Business Association meeting to begin speaking about the drainage.  Mr. Hand asked how urgent the drainage problem is.  Chairman Cook explained the Town Hall has experienced flooding but as far as the businesses are concerned there is no room for growth because the current drainage system could not handle any more water.  The School District has hired a consultant to complete a drainage study for the entire district, and it is believed that someone from the Town should participate in the District’s study for the school.   

Marc Violette asked if the School District could be persuaded into moving their study along because most likely the state of the Odd Fellows Building will be brought up at the Town Meeting, which is also related to the drainage issues.  Chairman Cook updated Mr. Violette about the status of the Odd Fellows Building ; at this time Christopher Closs has pulled his interest because the cost of the renovations will exceed what could be made back from the project.  The Odd Fellows Building Committee is now suggesting freezing the building from any further deterioration.  Grants are being researched to help off-set the cost of stabilizing the building and the Committee is also obtaining the cost for demolition.  Chairman Cook brought the question back to the Board; does the Board wish to establish a Drainage Committee at this time?  Martha Mical suggested asking Allan Brown and one Selectman to work with the school and the businesses regarding the drainage.  The Selectmen felt Martha’s suggestion is a good idea, Selectman Karrick volunteered and Mr. Brown will contact the School District .  

5. Barbara Annis – Exit 9

Barbara Annis, Paul Violette and Ed Mical met with Hoyle Tanner Engineering in regards to the intersection at Route 103 and the Market Basket entrance.  They sat in McDonald’s and watched the intersection; basically Hoyle Tanner was told that the Planning Board does not know the best way to proceed in regards to the traffic, the flow and safety.  Hoyle Tanner was told that a conduit is already in place for a traffic light, there was also discussion about a roundabout.  The Charrette talked about one-way traffic entering in front of McDonalds and one-way traffic exiting out behind McDonalds.  Hoyle Tanner was asked to look at other alternatives beyond a traffic light and a roundabout as well as estimated costs.  Hoyle Tanner has submitted an estimated cost for engineering, approximately $14K the cost exceeds the $10K that is currently in a capital reserve, Ms. Annis feels the current Planning/Zoning Board budget can support the $4K.   Chairman Cook asked if the Planning Board is looking to present a 2009 warrant based on the findings.  Barbara said yes, the proposal also includes a public meeting to receive input on the conceptual improvements.  

Jeanne Hand asked how many accidents or near misses have been reported at the McDonald’s intersection, what is the urgency to spend the money.  Chairman Cook explained that the State has indentified this intersection as needing a traffic light.  There is an obvious increase in the volume of traffic.  Ms. Buono also explained that this discussion has been on-going for at least four years; this study would enable the town to say whether or not the problem is sufficient enough to move forward with the engineer’s proposal.  As properties get developed in the exit 9 area they will be required to pay an impact fee.  

Gerry Marsh feels the State should be involved.  Ms. Annis said the State has instructed the Town to first present a plan.  

Selectman Karrick moved to allow the Planning Board to expend from the Traffic Control Signal Capital Reserve as well as using money from the Planning/Zoning budget to proceed with the traffic study.  Selectman Hartman seconded the motion.  Gerry Marsh asked Barbara Annis if she has a good feeling about the engineering firm.  Barbara said that Hoyle Tanner was highly recommended.  Jeanne Hand recommended tabling the request for funding to obtain other price quotes.  Barbara explained that she obtained information from the Town of New London , their study cost $30K, Meredith also paid several thousand dollars, and Goffstown studied two intersections costing $70K.   Martha Mical also added that the Planning Board did go out to bid, but Hoyle Tanner was the only responder.  

Vote was taken on the motion; all were in favor, the motion passed.  The Board of Selectmen proceeded to sign a contract with Hoyle Tanner.  

6. Recycle Committee Letter to Area Businesses

The Selectmen agree the letter is a good idea to reach out to the area businesses encouraging improvement toward recycling.  Ms. Buono recommends streamlining the letter with bulleted points to make for easier reading.  The Selectmen asked Ms. Buono to undertake the changes in the letter.   

Gerry Marsh recommended more public hours at the Transfer Station.  Ms. Buono said she has received suggestions from residents to have the facility open on Sundays.  The Selectmen will discuss this recommendation at a later date.   

7. Resignation

Selectman Hartman moved to accept the resignation submitted by Pillsbury Free Library Trustee Aaron Olszewski.  Selectman Karrick seconded the motion; all were in favor, the motion passed.  

Selectman Hartman moved to appoint Stephanie Griggs as a Pillsbury Free Library Trustee until next election.  Selectman Karrick seconded the motion.   

8. Welcome to Warner Sign

Selectman Hartman looked at the sign located at the west end of Town, the sign appears to be in disrepair but also looks like it could be repaired.  Selectman Hartman is in favor of the current style.  Selectman Karrick also agrees with the current sign and agrees it needs repair.  Selectman Hartman moved to approve the repair the existing Welcome to Warner signs as well as continued maintenance for the plantings.  Selectman Karrick seconded the motion.  Mr. Marsh heard that the sign located at the west end may have to be relocated.  It was determined that the rumor was not valid.  Chairman Cook called for a vote; all were in favor, the motion passed.   

9. Administrator’s Report

Society for the Protection of NH Forest – With regard to the request from the Society for the Protection of NH Forest for information on a parcel of land known as Map 2 Lot 12 on East Joppa Road , Jim McLaughlin has stated that the Conservation Commission knows of no problems with the parcel.  

American Red Cross – The American Red Cross has forwarded a request that the Town of Warner include $1,320 as part of our 2009 Budget as a donation to the Red Cross.  Their request is based on the services the Red Cross is set up to provide the community when necessary (disaster action team, emergency assistance after disasters, health & safety classes that are provided for a fee and blood drives).  As you are aware, the Town Hall is utilized four times a year for blood drives which are staffed by volunteers from the Warner Business Association.  The Town currently has expenses charged to the budget for the electricity, water, bathroom supplies and heat for those events.  The Selectmen wish to reconsider this request for the 2010 budget.   

Transfer Station Land – Ms. Buono has been notified by Phil Miles at NHDOT that the August 26th Long Range Planning Meeting was canceled so the proposal agreed upon for the Transfer Station land will be submitted to the Committee at their September 16th meeting.  

Recreation – Faith Minton spoke with Ms. Buono in regard to a proposal to create awareness of recreational activities and the arts in Warner.  The thought is to create a pamphlet or newsletter which highlights recreational/art activities within the Town without advertising businesses.  Ms. Buono explained that if town funds are used for the project, we must be careful to include all activities which may be hard to monitor since ultimately there is someone who is unintentionally left out.  A sample has been provided for the Board’s comments.  

Jim Mitchell Community Park – The ground breaking ceremony for the Jim Mitchell Community Park will be held on Saturday, October 11th @ 11:00 am between MainStreet BookEnds and the Pillsbury Free Library.  As part of the thank you letter for the Town’s donation to the project, Katharine Mitchell Nevins included a personal note expressing that she hopes the Selectmen are able to attend the ceremony.  A copy has been given to each Board member.  

Legislative Policy Conference – Information has been provided to the Selectmen.  Ms. Buono will be attending the conference.  

10. Other Selectmen’s Business

Martha Mical explained that there is a lot of land in Davisville with several acres that includes an island in a river as well as a small piece across the river that connects to a Webster NH lot.  The owners are asking the Town to allow them to sell the piece that is attached to the Webster NH lot.  In order for the owners to do this transaction the Town must create a separate lot number, Martha also recommends that the lot cannot be sold separately from the Webster NH lot.  Selectman Hartman moved to apply another lot number to Map 3 Lot 78 that is attached to the Webster NH property in order for the owners to sell with the Webster NH property.  The newly created lot cannot be sold separately from the Webster NH portion of the lot. Selectman Karrick seconded the motion.  All were in favor, the motion passed.  

Selectman Hartman visited a land locked property located off of Kearsarge Mountain Road (Map 22 Lot 002).  Selectman Hartman confirmed that the dwelling size has been reduced.  

Selectman Hartman informed the Board that he is available for the September 9 election, he is also attending the September 8 Planning Board meeting regarding the Wagner Sub-division.  On September 10th Selectman Hartman will attend the Northeast Resource Recovery Association monthly meeting.   

Selectman Karrick will be available most of the day during the September 9 election.  On September 4 Selectman Karrick will attend the Hazard Mitigation Plan public hearing, Chairman Cook will also attend.   

Gerry Marsh noted to the Selectmen that Police Officer David Ackerman came down to Riverside Park football field and pleasantly interacted with the adults while watching a practice.   Someone else noted that Mr. Ackerman is very visible.  

11. Manifest

Selectman Hartman moved to authorize the Selectmen to sign manifests and order the treasurer to sign payroll check numbers 1143-1170 in the amount of $29,040.73 (includes 9 direct deposit pay stubs) and accounts payable check numbers 42040-42140 in the amount of $488,286.81.  Accounts payable includes a check to Kearsarge Regional School District in the amount of $340K.  Selectman Karrick seconded the motion; all were in favor, the motion passed.  

Motion to adjourn 8:34 p.m.

 

Board of Selectmen  

Richard A. Cook – Chairman
David E. Hartman
David Karrick Jr.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Whalen

Recording Secretary