Warner Board of Selectmen

Meeting Minutes

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

 

Chairman Hartman opened the public session at 2:10 p.m.

In Attendance:   Selectman David Hartman – Chairman, Selectman David Karrick, Jr., Selectman Clyde Carson, Town Administrator Laura Buono  

Others present: George Naughton, Varick Proper, Jeanne Hand, Fred Arnold, Allan Brown, Matt Waite  

1. Incinerator - Hauling

The Selectmen met with George Naughton to discuss what his intentions are for 2011 hauling.  Chairman Hartman said at the end of November the Town of Warner delivered 1,352 tons to the incinerator; 1,814 tons were promised.   The reduction is due to Mr. Naughton not delivering private/non Transfer Station portion to the incinerator.  The Town is not sure if they will be liable for the difference; Chairman Hartman said that he was told by the Director of the Co-op that there would be no additional charges for the shortage.  Mr. Naughton explained that right now it makes good business sense for him to haul the trash to his transfer station and then from there haul the trash to a landfill in Berlin and he intends to do so next year.  He then asked if the economy changes if there would be a problem if he returns to the Co-op.  Chairman Hartman said that circumstance would require another Board discussion.  Mr. Proper asked Mr. Naughton if he has signed a contract with Mount Carberry , the landfill in Berlin NH .  Mr. Naughton said no, but if he needs one he can obtain one, he did say Mount Carberry is willing to sign a five year contract guaranteeing a price.  Mr. Proper is looking at the coming year, if the rates will be stable.  Mr. Naughton said he was told the rates will be stable.   

Chairman Hartman asked what the cost is for a resident to have a 2-yard dumpster.  Mr. Naughton said $45 per month.  

Chairman Hartman said an agreement between the Town of Warner and Naughton for the coming year will be developed based on the information Mr. Naughton has provided.   

2. 2011 Budget

The Town Administrator provided the Selectmen with employee wage steps and grades as well as a grade scale for 2011.   

The Town Administrator reported that Local Government Center provided health insurance quotes with an average decrease amounting to 1.9%.  The Town Administrator also obtained quotes from Primex, School Care and Noise Insurance, a spread sheet was created which shows all the plans; the current health plan with Local Government Center is the lowest cost.   

3. Mainstreet Bookends – Park

Chairman Hartman reported that Neil Nevins believes that some fill and top soil was stockpiled from the site preparation for the drainage work that was completed by the Town.  Mr. Nevins believes the Town owes him a small amount of topsoil and fill.  The Director of Public Works, Allan Brown recommends speaking with Mr. Nevins first because he is unsure of what he wants.  Chairman Hartman said that Mr. Nevins indicated a truck load of material.  Mr. Brown said the last commitment for the project is completing the paving.  Chairman Hartman confirmed that all driveway permits, State and local are in order.  Mr. Brown said yes.

4. Highway Department – Capital Budget 2011

The three main items are Highway Equipment, Road Construction Fund and Bridge Replacement Fund.   

Road Construction - Mr. Brown said what was originally discussed was rebuilding a section of Pumpkin Hill Road (3,800 ft.); from Pumpkin Blossom Farm to the Buffalo Farm; then another 1,100 beyond the new construction after the Buffalo Farm.  Then there would be the remaining 9/10ths of a mile to the town line plus there is another 2,000 feet from Mason Hill to Pumpkin Blossom Farm.  Selectman Carson asked why Pumpkin Hill Road .  Mr. Brown said the volume of traffic is high; in the winter the frost heaves are tremendous.    

Mr. Brown also said Waldron Hill Road is one of the worst roads in Town, but the traffic volume is low, it’s dead end for traffic.  Mr. Brown said when the Road Committee looked at the roads the factors used were if the road is a major connector route, secondary road or dead end.  The plan was to reconstruct 3,800 feet of Pumpkin Hill Road with the $250K in 2011 and $20K from the paving budget to shim the worst parts of Waldron Hill Road .  Selectman Carson asked what would shimming buy the Town.  Mr. Brown said the shimming would be good for 5-7 years.   

Culvert replacement is needed on North Village Road ; the bridge is on the States red list.  Mr. Brown’s plan was when the Town received money from State Bridge Aid along with the construction money; he would begin where the faulty water main is on North Village Road up to a large culvert, repair the water main and fix the intersection at Waldron Hill as well as fixing the red list culvert.  However, in regard to the State Bridget Aid, Mr. Brown found that he made a mistake; he said the Town applied for the State Bridge Aid in 2007, he phoned the State (Nancy Mayville) to see if the Town was all set for 2010 Bridge Aid, his phone call was not returned, and he did not receive any correspondence from the State.  Mr. Brown called again in the spring of 2010 and learned that the money will be available in 2011 instead of 2010.  He said Nancy Mayville from the State finally contacted him and said the Town of Warner is not in the aid program and he can fill out paperwork for 2018.  Mr. Brown said he wrote a letter to Nancy Mayville explaining that the intent was clear, all applications were submitted minus the cost of the bridge (the State fills that in) and there is no reason why the Town should not be enrolled in the Bridge Aid Program.  But there was no response from the State and it has been 4 months.  There was no letter in the beginning to the Town from the State saying that the Town was not in the program (based on the application submitted).  Mr. Brown recommends the Town Administrator contact the State to verify if the Town is enrolled for 2011 because Mr. Brown’s calls are not being returned from the State.  Mr. Brown said the Town has up to 7 bridges that are on the red list, at this rate the Town will run out of time to fix them; there is not enough money being appropriated on the Town level to keep up with the bridges.  Sooner or later the Town will be looking at a bond issue.  Selectman Carson would like to see the Board and the Public Works Department present to the voters at Town Meeting a plan of projects with costs and estimates.  Selectman Carson asked if there are any bridges in danger of having to be closed.  Mr. Brown said yes, the one near Fish & Game on Bartlett Loop.   

Chairman Hartman asked Mr. Brown how much money is needed for the Pumpkin Hill project as was described.  Mr. Brown said $250K for construction, materials come from the operating budget i.e., gravel, culverts etc.  Chairman Hartman confirmed that the construction would be completed by contracted services.  

Chairman Hartman said for several years the Capital Improvements Program has identified a need for an emergency evacuation route for residents on Kearsarge Mountain ; a road needs to be built connecting Kearsarge Mountain Road and North Road .  Chairman Hartman asked if the Town should begin to address this in the 2011 budget.  Mr. Brown feels this is more of a bond issue.   Another route discussed was Quimby Road .  

Paving – Annis Loop, Farrell Loop, Runnels Loop and West Joppa will be serviced (ditch, cut brush & oil the surface).  The construction portion of Pumpkin Hill will be paved as well as shimming Waldron Hill Road .  Chairman Hartman asked if there is a need to maintain Pleasant Pond Road to the gravel pit.  Mr. Brown said yes there is a need, but the money that would be used on the loops would not take care of Pleasant Pond Road .      

Selectman Carson asked if a long range road plan should be presented at Town Meeting.  The Board said the plan could be an item for the Road Committee.   

Capital Equipment – Mr. Brown said in past years, $110K was added to the Highway Equipment Capital Reserve; this coming year he is recommending only $50K.  Mr. Brown said a dump body and a sander are needed in 2011.  

The next work session is Monday, October 25th at 3:30 p.m.  

5. Adjournment

At 4:18 p.m. Selectman Karrick moved to adjourn.

Board of Selectmen  

David E. Hartman - Chairman
David Karrick, Jr.
Clyde Carson  

 

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Whalen

Recording Secretary