TOWN OF
Selectmen present: Bill Stockman, Chip Albee and Susan Weeks.
Selectmen reviewed mail, which included: Building Permits for Robert & Priscilla Almquist, Raymond Hart; Electric Permit for Carolyn Sundquist; Application for Certificate of Occupancy for James Antonucci; Temporary Certificate of Occupancy for David Wakstein; Approval for Construction for William McGraw; Property Transfers from Louis Taylor to Trust, Page Family Trust to Milton Page, William Stockman et al to James Dunn; Letter of Resignation from Ted Wright; BTLA response to Evan Boris; Wetlands & Non-Site Specific Permit for Edward & Barbara Tierney; NHDES Request for more information from Richard Dickey, Michael Poirier; Social Security Administration Notice of Request to use Business Services Online; Letter from Barbara Wood re: public hearing for petition; E-mail from Jay Poulin re: Transfer Station project; Copy of response by Avitar to Frederick Williams; GWRSD response to Review of Student Residency Listing 2005-2006; NRRA Full Circle; Coalition Communities; BTLA Appeal for Kathleen & Carl Eldridge for Year 2005; Employment Security Quarterly; E-mail Re: GWRSD Article II; NH Division of Emergency Services re: Second Notice Hazard Mitigation Grant Program; Legislative Bulletin #7.
Minutes: The Selectmen’s meeting minutes of 1/30/06 were approved.
Items for Signature: Veterans Credit Application for Baerenklau; Application for Veterans Credit for Sluski; Draft Financial Statements and Management Representations for Year 2004.
At approximately 9:05 Selectmen met with Library Trustee Carolyn Sundquist and Librarian Christie Sarles regarding the plans for a proposed expansion of the library. Additions to the front and rear of the building would add about 4000 square feet, which would double the size of the current facility. A warrant article asking for $250,000 to be put in a Capital reserve Fund was requested. Plans as drawn by Tom Wallace, the architect for the first expansion, were presented to the Selectmen. The request will be reviewed at the work session later this morning.
At approximately 9:20 Selectmen met with James Dunn who would like to start a trash pickup business in Tuftonboro and was looking for permission to bring the trash to the Tuftonboro facility, as he is not a resident. He planned to also pick up recycle materials and but would bring them to another site. The Selectmen approved the request and advised Mr. Dunn to work out a schedule with the personnel at the Transfer Station and also speak to them about the recycling. The Selectmen will have an agreement drawn up and will contact Mr. Dunn at that time.
At approximately 9:25 Selectmen met with Bob Wood. Mr. Wood was concerned about the misinformation he read regarding insurance ratings and the public safety building. Several residents have contacted him regarding this issue so he felt that he should clear up the confusion. Mr. Wood said that he has taught ISO (Insurance Service Office) seminars, so is very familiar with the subject. He advised that a good source of information is the ISO website. Mr. Wood stated that it is not true that if you live over 5 miles from a station you will not be covered by your insurance company. The ISO rating is comprised of many different criteria and the 5-mile issue is a miniscule portion of it. Mr. Wood was a member of the public safety committee and reminded the Selectmen that the committee recommended retaining the current stations. The public safety building as an additional location is an added benefit to residents and gives the town a better rating.
A resident questioned the Selectmen about the status of the Cheney easement. Chairman Stockman reported that the new appraisal on the property came in at $430,000. The original appraisal was for $147,000. Chairman Stockman said that at this point he wanted to propose raising enough to cover the cost of the easement, the appraisal and legal fees and then re-apply for additional federal funds. The Selectmen will discuss this later at their work session.
Bill Kaiser requested permission to post a notice regarding his forum website on the town bulletin board and to have a link on the town’s website. The Selectmen were not in favor. If the site was linked to the town’s site it could be construed as an endorsement by the town. Since this subject had not been brought up before it is something that the Selectmen will need to establish a policy for.
The Selectmen scheduled a public hearing for the petition warrant article to increase the board to 5 members on Monday February 27th at 10 am at the Town House.
Selectman Albee requested permission to contact the camps that have not made any payments in lieu of taxes to ask for additional information. They are: Sentinel, Northwoods and Pleasant Valley Camps. This is an effort to make them more aware that it is something to be considered. Selectman Albee said that the state is currently looking into non-profits and tax considerations.
Chairman Stockman announced that the Tuftonboro Association is hosting a meeting on Tuesday February 7th at 7 pm at the Tuftonboro School. School administrators will make a presentation on the GWRSD warrant article to raise and appropriate $20 million dollars to build 2 new intermediate schools.
The Selectmen discussed the ambulance contract. There are several questions that still need to be answered so it was decided to budget the larger amount and work from there. Chairman Stockman spoke to Brian Lord who will have someone attend the budget committee meeting tomorrow. Selectman Albee will contact Stewarts. The contracts for both companies will have to be looked at in more detail.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:10 am at which time the Selectmen went into a budget work session.
Respectfully Submitted,
Carolyn Sundquist
Administrative Assistant