Warner Board of Selectmen

Meeting Minutes

Monday, November 9, 2009

 

Chairman Karrick opened the meeting at 10:00 a.m.

In Attendance:   Selectman David Karrick, Jr. – Chairman, Selectman David E. Hartman, Selectman Clyde Carson &

                        Town Administrator – Laura Buono

Absent:             None  

Others present: Allan N. Brown – Director of Public Works, Ed Mical.  

1. Highway Department Projects - 2009

Mr. Brown said he is finishing up on Horne St. ; he will then begin working on some dry fire hydrants with Ed Mical.  

Mr. Brown explained to the Board that they received some conflicting information regarding the cost of the work that encompasses the drainage on Main Street through the proposed Jim Mitchell Park.  He said originally the cost of the project was for $60K, the Board approved $25K, after the engineering study the cost increased to $88K.  Another key to this project is closing out the current FEMA projects and receiving the expected reimbursements.  Mr. Brown said if the drainage surrounding the Jim Mitchell Park is not completed this year the Selectmen will need to appropriate the funding for next year.  

Selectman Carson asked Mr. Brown about the hydrant located at the Post Office that needs repair, he asked if it is necessary to dig up Main Street .  Mr. Brown said as far as he knew digging into the road was not the case.  Mr. Brown does not agree that the Town should pay for the cost of digging up the hydrant again.  Selectman Hartman said the Town has proposed to the precinct to pay only half of the cost for digging the hydrant up again.  Selectman Hartman has also asked the Precinct if there is any insurance coverage on the hydrant.  

There are guardrails that are needed on Joppa Road West , the cost is $10K but Mr. Brown does not have money in the budget to support this project in 2009.  The Selectmen would prefer to move this project to 2010.   

Conversation returned to the drainage.  The Selectmen would like to see this project completed in 2009.  Selectman Carson moved to project out each line item within the Highway Department budget through December, if there is $88K left over then move forward with the drainage project and if there is $98K left over install the guardrails on Joppa.  Selectman Hartman seconded the motion; all were in favor, the motion passed.  The Town Administrator asked if the $30K to cover loss in revenue will still come from the Highway budget.  The Selectmen feel that has been covered from applying $30K from surplus.  

Projects – 2010

Mr. Brown is asking for $250K for the construction fund.  When the Road Committee was formed Pumpkin Hill Road was tagged as one of the priority roads.   

Mr. Brown explained the Pumpkin Hill Road project beginning a few feet before the intersection of Mason Hill Road .  Mr. Brown has broken the project down into three portions because of the cost. 

  •         From Pumpkin Blossom Farm to the new section is 2,700 feet long at $120 per lineal foot to build this section, plus guardrails, drainage and gravel.

  •          From Pumpkin Blossom Farm to the first catch basin above the Bridgewater property is 1,100 feet.  There is a huge drainage issue and right-of-way dispute in this section.  Engineering survey will also be needed.

  •          Intersection of Mason Hill including 400’ of Mason Hill Road up to Bridgewater property.  

Another project would be to overlay roads at Highlawn and repair culverts.  

Selectman Carson asked if a certain portion of the paving budget should be kept aside for situations that just come up.  Selectman Carson feels the funding of road projects needs to be relooked at and presenting to the voters what can be achieved at different funding levels i.e. $200K, $250K etc.   

There was discussion about renaming the E. Roby Construction Fund so it could be used for road construction.  Bean Road was discussed about finishing the road and the importance of the road as an access to the Newmarket Road section of Town.  The concern is E. Roby has a potential of falling into the river, if it were decided to close E. Roby then the burden would fall on Bean Road .  Selectman Carson feels there should be a plan in place, Mr. Brown recommended also consulting with the Fire Chief about Bean Road .  Ed Mical said Provan & Lorber has completed an engineering study regarding the intersections of Bean Road to Newmarket Road and also Melvin Road if the E. Roby is closed.  Selectman Hartman would like to hear what Weaver Bros. has to say about reconstructing E. Roby.  Mr. Brown will contact Weaver Bros. and confirm the work that can be completed for $250K.  

Mr. Brown reported that the Waterloo Bridge was struck by a vehicle removing some knee braces.  This is an on-going problem with the bridge.  Mr. Brown is proposing installing a beam across the roof structure so trucks exceeding the height limit will not be able to cross the bridge.  Selectman Carson recommended involving the Historical Society.  

Mr. Brown confirmed that he can begin the permitting process for the drainage work on Main Street .  The Selectmen will also present $250K for the Construction Fund.  

2. Azmy Property – Route 103

Currently Mr. Azmy has until November 20th to come into compliance in regards to a number of unregistered vehicles on his property that is located off of Route 103. Legal action was discussed if Mr. Azmy does not comply.  Selectman Carson spoke with Mr. Richards who is a neighbor of Mr. Azmy, he provided information about vehicles and material stored on the Class VI road that is located in Warner.  The Selectmen agreed that the property is in violation of the Warner Zoning Ordinance as far as stockpiling material and may also be in violation of the State regulation regarding a junk yard.  The State has completed a inspection and has indicated that the property does not qualify as a junk yard because the material is personal not commercial material and the property does not meet the required setback requirements for a junkyard.  The State has not sent their final report on their inspection.   

The Selectmen discussed the current building permit violation; Mr. Azmy to date has not completed a building permit for an enclosed porch.  Another large cost to the Town is the children attending school at Kearsarge when they actually live in Webster.  This needs to be verified first by Mr. Azmy where the children reside.  The Selectmen will try to arrange a meeting with Mr. Azmy.  The Town Administrator said the letter about the vehicle violation was sent by certified mail but the office has not received a receipt of delivery yet.   

The Selectmen are waiting confirmation from the Webster Board of Selectmen regarding their attendance on November 17th to discuss the Azmy property.  Mr. Azmy will be asked to also meet with the Selectmen in a nonpublic session on November 17th.  Area residents will be notified about the November 17 meeting.  

3. Adjournment

Motion was made and seconded to adjourn at 12:50 p.m.

 

Board of Selectmen  

 

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

 

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Whalen

Recording Secretary