Warner Board of Selectmen

Meeting Minutes

Monday, November 10, 2008

 

Meeting opened at 6:00 p.m.

In Attendance:   Selectman Richard A. Cook – Chairman

Selectman David E. Hartman

Selectman David Karrick Jr.

Absent:             Laura Buono – Town Administrator                       

Others present:

Martha Mical                              Ed Mical                        Jeanne Hand                              Jim Hand

Brian Hotz                                  Rebecca Courser            Clark Davis                                Evelyn Davis  

1. Revaluation Bids

Municipal Resources – Declined, Brett Purvis & Associates – Declined, Avitar – Declined, Commerford, Nieder & Perkins - $149K, Cross Country Appraisal - $109K.  

The Selectmen will review the submitted bids after which they will contact Martha Mical in the week beginning with November 17th to confirm if they wish to meet with the two bidders on November 25th.  There is currently $154K in Capital Reserve.   Martha Mical explained that there are other expenses involved in the revaluation that could cost up to $25K such as data entry and tax maps being printed.   

2. Jim Hand – School Budget

Mr. Hand explained that the school budget is increasing by $2.5 million per year.  The main reasons are benefits, retirement and wages costing .68¢ of every dollar in the budget.  Another large cost is for 283 special needs students; this cost is approximately $5.6 million.  Mr. Hand feels other possible avenues of funding need to be explored for special needs; one avenue he will bring forward to the Municipal Budget Committee is Supplemental Security Income (SSI).  Currently the MBC has been presented with the fourth version of the budget by the School Board.  The schools were told to cut their budgets by 3% which overall has been accomplished. The goal of the MBC is to reduce the budget to the same as last year. Selectman Hartman commented on various areas such as language, arts, music, sports etc. that he does not want to see affected by budget cuts.   

3. Allan N. Brown - Director of Public Works

Sidewalk Maintenance - Mr. Brown is recommending replacing the current sidewalk blower with a new one because the current blower is in need of repairs that will cost in excess of $2,500; the machine’s ten-year cycle is up in March 2009. The new blower will cost approximately $21K after trade ($6K) and can be paid from the existing Capital Reserve.   Mr. Brown said another option would be for the Selectmen to pass an ordinance requiring the public to maintain the sidewalks.   

Martha Mical commented that if the Town is going to purchase the same type of machine that it should do a better job than it did last year.  The machine was plowing instead of blowing; Mr. Brown said this was because the snow was saturated with salt.  

Jean Hand said with the down turn of the economy, what would happen if the Town chose not to plow the sidewalks.  Chairman Cook said he is not ready to abandon the sidewalks, he feels if the Town does not plow the sidewalks the Town is still responsible thus liable.  The only way a Town can avoid plowing sidewalks is by developing a policy, which is being challenged because of ADA ; currently there is a case in the courts. Jeanne Hand feels that somewhere in the budget it needs to be said, “No, we don’t have the money”.  Chairman Cook also added that the Selectmen have maintained a 1.8% budget increase in the face of rising fuel and heating costs.  Ms. Hand still feels strongly that the spending needs to stop.  Rebecca Courser added that keeping the sidewalks clear is also a safety issue for the elderly and children that walk to businesses and school.  

Mr. Brown is looking to purchase a Mahindra, 2015 series, 4wd, with cab, heater, lights, 5’ snow blower and a 3 point hydraulic sander.  The total price is $27,178K, trade amounts to $6K.  Selectman Hartman moved to authorize Mr. Brown to purchase the Mahindra 2015 series out of the Highway Equipment Capital Reserve Fund.  Selectman Karrick seconded the motion; all were in favor, the motion passed.  

Retreat Road/Davis Property – Clark Davis and Mr. Brown reviewed a survey of Mr. Davis’ property.  Mr. Davis contends that over time the new road has been moved over resulting in no road frontage on Mr. Davis’ 16 acre parcel.  Originally the road ran along Mr. Davis’s fence line; the footprint of the old road can still be seen.  Mr. Brown said the Town would have to negotiate a right-a-way with Counsel because the road is down 10’ – 12’ deeper than it used to be.  Mr. Davis feels the change has devalued his land by losing over 200’ of road frontage.  Mr. Brown is confident a cure can be negotiated.   

Martha Mical has the impression the Selectmen wish for Mr. Brown to move forward with negotiations and feels the Selectmen should state their intentions in the minutes.  

Mr. Davis and Mr. Brown years ago spoke about access to his property, at that time there was discussion about the Town using some of the gravel on Mr. Davis’ property in exchange of survey work.  Selectman Hartman volunteered to work with Allan Brown working through negotiations and reporting back to the Board.  Mr. Brown and Selectman Hartman will meet with Mr. Davis on November 17th at 10:00 a.m.  

West Joppa – Mr. Brown reported the hole covered by a steel plate (stone culvert) has grown to twice its original size.  Mr. Brown and Mr. Mical contacted Mr. Verville (Hazard Mitigation) asking him to expedite the funding (2007 flooding event).   The plan is to replace the stone culvert with a cement box culvert.   Mr. Mical said the funding request is being reviewed by the State and FEMA.  The Town had engineering firm Provan & Lorber visit the site which reinforced the issue of replacing the historic stone culvert; during the visit it was learned there was considerable more damage than was first realized.  Mr. Brown said the other West Joppa Project is ready for construction; there is 60’ of 8 x 8 box culvert going in.  Mr. Brown thought he could install 30’ this year and use the other 30’ on the stone culvert.  By doing this there is a risk the Town may end up paying for the replacement of the stone culvert but there is also a liability risk if the steel plate caves in; Mr. Brown said that a box culvert cannot be obtained overnight.  A letter was drafted by the Selectmen to Mr. Verville asking for immediate consideration for the funding because of life safety issues, Mr. Mical will hand deliver the letter.  Selectman Karrick asked if the road should be kept open.  Mr. Brown said there is no choice because there are residents that live beyond the culvert.  

Connors Mill Bridge – The project is out to bid; bids that are received will be reviewed by Provan & Lorber and then sent to the Selectmen.  

Transfer Station - Chairman Cook received input from some residents asking if more demo recycling material (doors, windows etc.) could be left out.  Mr. Brown said the material is being stored by the gray book trailer.  New shelves are being constructed for the swap area.  

4. Conservation Commission – Brian Hotz

Chairman Cook dismissed himself from the meeting during the Courser discussion (conflict of interest).

Courser Easement Project – A memo was sent to the Selectmen on October 29th concerning a technical amendment to the Courser II Project.  The amendment corrected a mistake that was done in 2006 on the abutting front remaining farm portion.  The correction was made in the deed restriction; it was always intended for a reserved right for a home site.  The amendment will need to be signed in front of a Notary.  

Courser Phase III Conservation Projects - Draft deeds and maps were presented.  The project involves two parcels, 146 acres off of Connors Mill and 185 acres off of Poverty Plains.  Conservation Commission has dedicated $75K towards the purchase of these easements, closing is scheduled for December 10th. Ausbon Sargent will be monitoring and enforcing the easement as well as Fish & Game that has a third party enforcement right with the Town having the executory interest.  The Conservation Commission will hold a public hearing to expend the funds on December 3.   

Boundtree Property – The owners acquired it with the understanding that the Town and the Society for the Protection of NH Forests will together acquire a conservation easement on 426 acres leaving 20 acres on East Joppa Road for a future home site.  The easement is worth approximately $119,500 which will take up the bulk of the conservation fund.  One reserved right within the easement is for a remote cabin with no electricity somewhere in the interior of the property subject to the Town’s approval.  Martha Mical asked if the owners are aware that the Town has an ordinance that only allows one dwelling on a lot, Mr. Hotz said the owners are aware.  Jeanne Hand asked how much money is available in the Conservation Fund; Mr. Hotz said $198K.  Jeanne Hand spoke with Mr. Hotz and had several questions about this easement and other projects.  This Boundtree project will drain the Conservation Fund.  

Capital Funding – Mr. Hotz said the Conservation Commission will be requesting $30K reduced from the usual $50K.  The Commission has not received much funding from the Land Use Tax due to the lack of development.  

5. Hazard Mitigation Plan

Ed Mical informed the Selectmen that as of November 5, 2008 the plan meets all the mandatory requirements accept adoption by the local governing body.  Mr. Mical is requesting a public hearing to accept the plan at the November 25th Selectmen’s meeting.  Mr. Mical said that this plan is one of the first to be revised and approved.  

6. Sign Permit

Selectman Hartman moved to approve a sign permit submitted by Michael McChesney for Kearsarge Market.  Selectman Karrick seconded the motion.  The sign would replace Woodsum Gallery.  All were in favor, the motion passed.  

7. Meeting Policy Amendment

The suggested amendment recommends the option to record work sessions.  The Selectmen chose to discuss this at a later time.  

8. Deputy Warden Appointment

Selectman Hartman moved to appoint Kalvin Rogers as a Deputy Warden for the Fire Protection Bureau.  Selectman Karrick seconded the motion; all were in favor, the motion passed.  

9. Changes to the Capital Budget

Conservation Commission – reduced to $30K  

Traffic Signal at Exit 9 – The Selectmen chose not to fund the item; the proposed cost for the project is in the million dollar range which would require bonding.  Martha Mical asked the Selectmen to consider funding at least $5K.  Jeanne Hand recommended to the Selectmen not funding the project.   

Transfer Station Acquisition and Improvement Fund - $50K is being recommended, the bulk of the money would be used to purchase the land, the remainder would be used for facility upgrades.  The Transfer Station Facility Committee will be presenting their recommendations to the Selectmen before Town Meeting. Selectman Karrick recommends adding an additional $15K to cover some facility upgrades (total $65K).   

For a side note Selectman Hartman informed the Board that notice was given from the Regional Co-op about tipping fees increasing an additional $6.00 per ton.  The Selectmen reduced the Capital Budget by $55K.  

10. Meeting Minutes

Selectman Hartman moved to approve meeting minutes dated October 14, 2008 .  Selectman Karrick seconded the motion; all were in favor, the motion passed.  

11. Selectmen’s Other Business

Selectman Hartman will be attending a Northeast Resource Recovery meeting on November 12th as well as the Local Government Center Conference on November 13th.   A Single Stream presentation is scheduled for November 18th.  Varick Proper and Selectman Hartman will attend the Concord Regional Co-op meeting on November 20th.   

Budget Committee meets on November 13 & 20th beginning at 6:00 p.m.  

12. Adjournment

Selectman Hartman moved to adjourn at 9:10 p.m.   Selectman Karrick seconded the motion; all were in favor the motion passed.

 

Board of Selectmen    

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

 

Respectfully submitted, Mary Whalen, Recording Secretary