TOWN OF TUFTONBORO

MEETING OF THE SELECTMEN

Monday January 23, 2006

*Accepted* 1-30-06

Selectmen present: Bill Stockman, Chip Albee and Susan Weeks.

Selectmen reviewed mail, which included: Approval for Construction for Gerald Holmberg, David/Sheila Adams (2); Approval for Operation for Fenton Varney Jr.; Wetlands and Non-site Specific Permit for Owen Gwyn; Property Transfers from Stockman et al to Donald & Martha Stockman, Stockman et al to Jonathan & Nancy Downing, CKN Family Trust to Francis Tranchita III; Resignation from John Cook re: Planning Board; Avitar response re: Poirier; Avitar response re: Wolfgang Kaiser; Notification of price increase from Pike Industries; Legislative Bulletin #4; NH Highway Safety Agency re: Financial assistance for Towns.

Minutes: The Selectmen’s meeting minutes of 1/17/06 were approved.

Items for Signature: Abatement for Gauvreau; Veterans Credit Application for Parmenter; Amended Application for Veterans Credit due to address change for Champagne; Permission to use town property – Wolfeboro Snowmobile Club.

At approximately 9:00 Selectmen met with Barbara Wood. Ms. Wood was inquiring about the status of the petition submitted to increase the board to 5 selectmen. Ms. Wood was informed that it would be included on the town ballot. Ms. Wood also expressed concern regarding the 5-mile insurance issue. She found that the ISO standard is 5 miles over the road and the Selectmen indicated that a 5-mile radius was okay. What if the insurance company doesn’t cover the loss because it is actually more than 5 road miles? Chairman Stockman advised that there are many factors in addition to miles from a fire station that are considered; amount of equipment, size of equipment and manned stations for example. Ms. Wood stated that she was just looking to bring this to the Selectmen’s attention.

At approximately 9:10 Selectmen met with Ann Hackl who was presenting the Conservation Commission budget. There are no plans to continue any further monitoring of Melvin River, Copps Brook and 19 and 20 Mile Bay Brooks since no concerns have been found. Two projects not completed last year have been included again for 2006 – composite tax maps and locating/marking boundaries on Cow Island. New projects include UNH mapping of town trails and a GPS unit and software. Dawn Evans who is on the commission is knowledgeable on GPS and is willing to do training. Also included is a salary request for an Administrative Assistant for about 6 hours at $100 per month. Ms. Hackl discussed the amount of hours put in by each commission member. Ms. Hackl was informed that the budget has been broken down by categories for a better idea on what the money is being spent on. Ms. Hackl was questioned about the relationship of the organizations shown for water monitoring, she explained that the Lake Winnipesaukee Assoc. is the organizer of the monitoring and UNH is paid for the lab and materials. Chairman Stockman asked for an organization of the monitoring so that the whole picture can be reviewed. There is monitoring being done by many different groups and it would be great to have a report showing all of the water bodies. There was a discussion regarding the mapping of town trails. The Selectmen advised against mapping trails on private land without landowner permission, without that permission it can’t be published. You cannot create a public way over private land. The commission however should move forward on mapping the town property on Cow Island.

Chairman Stockman reported that he has spoken to George Lamprey and that the appraisal will be done this week. Mr. Lamprey had a concern because the new wording does not include the buildings as they did in the previous document. Attorney Ryan has suggested that the buildings be put in a separate document. Selectman Albee will contact Attorney Ryan to set up a meeting with the Selectmen as time is running short. Wayne Cheney has expressed concern to Ms. Hackl that the new wording does not mention keeping the fields mowed. Ms. Hackl feels that the mowing should be included to avoid what is happening with the Shane property.

Selectman Weeks stated that she wanted to address the Tuftonboro Times article from last summer. She wanted the record to show that Ms. Hackl did not extend the courtesy of checking with Selectman Weeks before publishing false information. No one from the commission has spoken to her about it and there have been no apologies. Ms. Hackl stated that she based her report on Brenda Cheney’s statements and in retrospect could have worded it differently. Selectman Weeks said she was extremely offended by the lack of respect as she has always been in favor of the Cheney easement. Ms. Hackl said she could only say that she should have chosen her words differently and if it is not too late wanted to apologize.

The Conservation Commission budget of $9,100 was approved and will be presented to the Budget Committee on Tuesday.

Selectman Weeks said that Sandy Dow had passed away and reported on the arrangements.

Selectman Weeks said the pre-bid meeting was held on Friday at the Transfer Station with 3 potential bidders in attendance. The bids are due to Bergeron on Friday. Jay Poulin will attend next Monday’s meeting.

The Selectmen approved and signed:

• Right-of-Way Trail Permission for the Wolfeboro Snowmobile Club with a term of 5 years.
• Abatement for Paul Gauvreau Trust
• Application (address change) for Veterans Credit for James Champagne
• Application for Veterans Credit for Robert Parmenter

The Selectmen approved the abatement recommendation for Poirier.

Joe Kowalski requested the Selectmen ask the Police Chief to put a weekly report in the paper. After some discussion it was thought once a month would be a good compromise. The problem is the department is understaffed and the report is not a priority.

Selectman Weeks suggested having the Tuftonboro Association promote the Budget Committee’s formal hearing on the budget. The hearings have been very poorly attended and it is at this hearing that issues should be addressed not at town meeting. Chairman Stockman will pass on the suggestion to Ken Cookson and Niel Hansen.

The meeting was adjourned at 10:00 am.

Respectfully Submitted,

Carolyn Sundquist

Administrative Assistant