TOWN OF TUFTONBORO

MEETING OF THE SELECTMEN

Monday, November 3, 2003

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*Accepted* 11-10-03

Selectmen present: Rick Chellman, Susan Weeks and Bill Stockman.

Selectmen reviewed mail, which included: Building Permits for Robert Mcgall, Rosemarie Lacefield; Property transfers from Laurel H. Brower to Richard D. & Patricia A. Hopgood, Deborah Renzoni to Cheryl A. Carleton Trust; Indemnification Agreement from Tim Sullivan; Notice from Carroll County Treasurer re: tax due; Letter from Dufresne-Henry re: landfill closure completed; Approval for Operation for Bald Peak Land Company, Ann/Emile Poisson; Approval for Construction for Martha Vandermay, Rhonda Carpenter, Patricia Lee; Primex PrimeTimes; Tuftonboro Police Dept. Press Releases; Wetlands and Non-Site Specific Permit for Chet Juszczak; Acknowledgement of Certificate of Revival for Tuftonboro Colony Homeowner’s Association; Coalition Communities; Inspector newsletter; The NH Civil Engineer; HealthTrust Coordinator Connection; Lakeside; Business Review.

Items for signature: Letter to Lynn Downie; Parks and Recreation grant letter for pavilion.

Minutes: The minutes of the 10/27/03 meeting were approved.

At approximately 6:30, Selectmen met with Ann Hackl. Ms. Hackl had several items she wished to discuss, the first being the Cheney farm easement. The application has been completed and submitted to Steve Hundley, Program Manager for the Farm & Ranch Protection Program, Natural Resource Conservation Services. Work on the wording of the easement will be started soon as Mr. Cheney has agreed to the appraisal. Ms. Hackl was looking for approval from the Selectmen to proceed. Chairman Chellman stated that he supports the project but would like to see what the budget looks like first before making the commitment. Selectmen Weeks and Stockman agreed. This coming years budget will be difficult because of the unexpected need to purchase a new fire truck. Ms. Hackl said she would like to see some money put in capital reserve if it has to be postponed until 2005. The whole application process would then have to be started from the beginning.

Ms. Hackl said that many questions have been raised since the article in the Tuftonboro Times regarding the proposed Cow Island easement. Ms. Hackl spoke to the editor of the Islanders newsletter who appeared satisfied with the answers. It was suggested that this issue be put off until next summer to give residents an opportunity to participate in a public hearing. Ms. Hackl stated that this is an underutilized resource and the Town should at least promote its use.

The Great Meadow easement was discussed next. Chairman Chellman felt that there should be a broader conversation with the townspeople to find out what they want to do. A public hearing was also suggested for this issue. The consensus of opinion was one easement should be done at a time with the Cheney one being the most important. It

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was agreed that the Trust would be more pro-active in the stewardship of the land in all cases.

Ms. Hackl would like the Town to digitize the town maps and have them compatible with the Granite System. She is looking for a quote from Cartographic Associates. Some of the benefits would be one large map of the town, it would be searchable and overlays could be done. Selectman Weeks said that our maps are 26 years old and that maybe they should be redone instead of being copied. Ms. Hackl reported that Cartographic told her that our maps are in great shape. The Selectmen requested a quote before scheduling a presentation.

Ms. Hackl would like to have a Natural Resource Inventory done. UNH students could do the mapping. They would only be paid for mileage. Ms. Hackl has tentatively scheduled Rick Van de Poll to speak to the Conservation Commission on 11/17. It was decided to ask him to do the presentation at the Selectmen’s meeting and the Commission could have their regularly scheduled meeting. The Selectmen thanked Ms. Hackl for her time.

At approximately 7:15, Selectmen met with Gary Chehames to discuss some issues that have come up with the new personnel plan. Mr. Chehames reported that the appendices and job descriptions are targeted to be completed in two weeks. Mr. Chehames submitted the Performance Appraisal Form for review. Mr. Chehames went over the dental plan inconsistencies. It was agreed to leave it as it is and to have the Budget Committee look at the impact of making changes. After much discussion it was agreed to readdress the holiday pay issue. The Selectmen thanked Mr. Chehames.

At approximately 7:45, Selectmen met with police Chief Shagoury. Chief Shagoury reported that press releases have been submitted to the GSN. Twenty people have applied for the Police Officer position. About 90 children came to the office for trick or treat on Halloween. The new cruiser will be delivered in 4-6 weeks. Officer Lafavre will be working solo around mid-January. The Attorney Generals office is pursuing a class action suit regarding the defective police vests. They are looking for replacement at no cost. The Homeland Security grant money is good until 2005. The Selectmen thanked Chief Shagoury for his time.

It was reported that Adelphia said they would have Sodom Road hooked-up by Christmas.

Six telephone poles have been delivered to 19 Mile Beach for the utility replacement.

At approximately 8:00, Selectmen met with Code Officer Ted Wright. Mr. Wright has discovered a problem wherein septic systems have been installed but did not get the approval for use from the state. Mr. Wright will check back about three years and try to determine which septic systems were never approved. The new Building Permit software, which has been ordered, will be very helpful in preventing this in the future. Mr. Wright had a problem getting the library water sample to the state for testing. On the

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third try he drove it down to Concord. The library had to be posted until the results from the latest test were received. Mr. Wright will get some help with inspection when it comes time for the Merrowvista and the new day-care, as they are very large jobs. The Selectmen thanked Mr. Wright for his time.

Selectmen Weeks reported that she has met with Wes Flierl regarding the Town House. There are many areas that need improvement to become handicap accessible and to be in compliance with new voting rules. The following areas need improvement – voting booths, the handicap entrance, the bathrooms and the parking lot. Mr. Flierl will submit a quote for the architectural work.

Chairman Chellman spoke with the state and Ed Bergeron regarding High Street Bridge and County Road Bridge. High Street Bridge has been red-listed because the bottom of the culvert has eroded. It needs repair in 4-5 years. It was suggested to put in an asphalt lined piece of concrete. The state will be asked for an estimate.

In Mr. Bergeron’s opinion it would be a waste of money to replace the County Road Bridge. The rehab would last a long time because of the amount of use it gets. The state advised to put in a request to hold our place for fiscal year 2007 for the bridge aid.

Selectmen evaluated the 3 bids submitted for the County Road Bridge. After some discussion Selectman Weeks made a motion to accept the bid from H. E. Bergeron to rehab the County Road Bridge. Seconded by Selectman Stockman with all in favor. Letters will be sent to Provan and Lorber and Hoyt, Tanner Assoc.

Selectman Weeks did some checking on the tax rate after questions were raised last week. There are several factors that go in to the rate – how much we have to pay the state, school district and county. The equalized value formula is also a factor plus the budget that was approved at town meeting. In looking at the total rate and comparing last years rate of $14.24 to this years $15.30, the Town’s portion was 14.7% for 2002 versus 16.3% in 2003. It is not as simple as comparing just the town rate.

Selectman Stockman reported he had met with the state regarding the fence at 19 Mile Bay. The state thinks the fence should be totally removed and then they would have the state landscaper come up with a plan. Any plantings would have to be done on Town property. The state questioned what the Town would like to see done. After some discussion it was agreed that the entire fence should be removed and that any plantings should be low growing so it does not block the view of the lake.

Resident Fran Laase again brought up the subject of getting a Public Safety building before we buy a fire truck that has to be customized to fit into our existing building. It was felt that we would not be able to get a new building before getting the truck as it is needed now.

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Selectmen discussed the proposed holiday schedule for the upcoming holidays. It was decided to wait a week before making a decision.

The sale of Town property will be on next week’s agenda.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:05 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,

Carolyn Sundquist

Administrative Assistant