TOWN OF TUFTONBORO

MEETING OF THE SELECTMEN

Tuesday January 2, 2007

 

*Accepted* 1-8-07 CORRECTIONS IN BOLD

 

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

 

Selectmen reviewed mail, which included: Building Permits for John Goggin: Demolition Permit for Melvin Village Marina; NHDOT Notification of Highway Block Grant; NHDES Wetlands & Non-Site Specific Permit for White Revocable Trust; Coalition Communities re: request for contribution; Notice of Voluntary Merger for Robinette; ZBA Notice of Decision for Melvin Village Marina, Hadley Trust; Avitar Newsletter; Boundary Line Adjustment for Zarinsky & Perry; Time Warner Cable re: new pricing plans effective 2/1/07; Property Transfer from MacKenzie to Mackenzie, Theodore & Carol Steinman to Theodore Steinman, Theodore & Carol Steinman to Steinman Trust, Palm Trust to Hillary Palm Twigg-Smith; NH Public Works Standards & Training Council re: membership and training; NRRA 2006 Annual Report; LGC Annual Audit Reports; NHDES Wetlands & Non-Site Specific Permit for Davis; Approval for Operation for Colleen/John Perez, Theodore Bense; Approval for Construction for John Goggin, Ronald & Deborah Harrison, Fenton Varney Jr., Angela/Peter Foley, J. Willard Marriott Jr.; LGC letter re: membership; PretiFlaherty re: Bond Counsel; Business Review; Copy of NH Municipal Bond Bank Application; Memo from Chief Shagoury and Chief Thompson re: public safety building comments and concerns.

 

Correspondence:

 

Items for Signature:  Intent to Cut for Carley (2); Municipal Resources Professional Services Agreement re: assessing; Right of Burial for O’Connell; Lakes Region Humane Society 2007 Contract; Devine Millimet Engagement Letter re: bond issue; H. E. Bergeron Additional Work Authorization #1 for Public Safety Building; White Mountain Oil & Propane Verification of Tax Exempt Status.

 

At 9:00 Chairman Albee called the meeting to order, with the first order of business a review of the 12/18/06 minutes. Selectman Weeks and Town Administrator Jeanie Forrester suggested several changes. Selectman Weeks made a motion to accept the minutes as amended. Seconded by Selectman Stockman with all in favor.

 

Selectman Weeks addressed her concerns regarding the proposed pet waste container at Lake Road suggested by Michael Hlushuk as part of his Eagle Scout Project. She felt more information was needed - who would pick up the waste and where would it go? The Transfer Station personnel will be contacted for advice since it does not accept pet waste. Chairman Albee suggested having Michael address it in his plan.

 

At approximately 9:10 Selectmen met with Road Agent Steve Hunter. Mr. Hunter reported that he had received his hazardous liquids container and was all set with any safety issues that had been brought to his attention during the safety inspections performed last year by the Safety Committee. Kyle Joseph will help again this year with snow plowing. After some discussion regarding an additional breakdown of the Highway budget Mr. Hunter stated that the selectmen should just let him know what they want and he will do it. There was also some discussion about the town truck and the aging and replacement thereof.

 

The Town Administrator gave the following report:

  • Sheila St. Germain will be contacted regarding the CPA audit requirement as part of the bond process and whether or not any additional audit information would be required.
  • The educational workshop with Attorney Upton is to be scheduled - what were the selectmen looking for as far as content. It was decided that the following would be helpful – proper procedures, Right to Know law, the importance of minutes, general updates in laws, etc. It should be scheduled for late February either early afternoon or evening and should be no more than a couple of hours. There may have to be more than one session.
  • The Carbon Coalition is scheduled for 1/16 at 3:45 pm – should the Conservation Commission be invited. Selectmen advised to invite all department heads.
  • The bid from Cassela’s came in higher than Waste Management. A meeting will be set up hopefully sometime next week with Waste Management to discuss the contract.

 

The Selectmen approved and signed the following:

  • Intent to Cut for Carley (2)
  • Verification of Tax Exempt Status for White Mountain Oil and Propane
  • Right of Burial for O’Connell
  • Devine Millimet Engagement Letter
  • H. E. Bergeron Additional Work Authorization #1 for the Public Safety Building project

 

At approximately 9:35 Selectmen met with Mo Gagnon and Peter Stewart to review updated plans for the public safety building which incorporated changes requested by Chief Thompson and Chief Shagoury. The building has been reduced by 1000 square feet and now totals 16,816 square feet. H. E. Bergeron had been contacted about the wetlands crossing and Bergeron felt that it is doable. Some of the common areas were reduced and the flat roof was eliminated over the apparatus bays. After some discussion the selectmen felt there were other areas that could be reduced or rearranged. Selectman Stockman questioned whether operating costs could be determined. Mr. Stewart said that the operating costs would be determined at the next stage of the project. Chairman Albee asked for a model of the building for presentation at a public hearing. Mr. Stewart said that a 3-D fly-around of the building could be provided which would be more helpful than a model. A discussion ensued about the scheduling of the hearings needed before town meeting. The public hearing on the budget has been tentatively scheduled for February 6th so a public hearing for the public safety building would need to be scheduled in January. The selectmen asked the town administrator to firm up a date for the bond hearing. Mo Gagnon and Peter Stewart will return next week and were scheduled for 9:45.

 

The selectmen asked Chief Shagoury to follow up on his comments regarding the Lakes Region Humane Society 2007 contract. Chief Shagoury said that he did not have any real concerns about the contract but just wanted to advise the selectmen that it may cost more this year. Chairman Albee asked the Chief to address his issues to LRHS.

 

At approximately 10:30 Selectmen met with Joe Lessard from MRI to discuss the 3-year assessing contract. Mr. Lessard said that it is set up to bill hourly and that the selectmen can decide how many hours they want to budget. Selectman Weeks questioned the $.20 per minute charge for phone calls. Mr. Lessard said that there has been very few instances of charges for phone calls but it is in the contract just in case and that the contract is no different from past contracts. The selectmen approved and signed the MRI contract for assessing services. Mr. Lessard took a copy with him.

 

At approximately 10:35 Selectmen met with Roger Drowne. Mr. Drowne said he wanted to complement the town on its website – it looks great and is well put together. He then distributed the missive for the week. He stated he was speaking for the abutters – Hart, Bodeur, Rooney and Cope. Mr. Drowne submitted a schedule written by Mrs. Bodeur of the “ins and outs” of Mr. Williams and his trucks. Mr. Drowne went over the same issues he has presented to the selectmen at several other meetings. He is looking to bring understanding and closure to the problem. He did say that it had been quieter this past week. Chairman Albee said he wanted to take a vote of the board to see if any action will be taken. Chairman Albee again advised of Mr. Williams’ rights to have his equipment on his property and that Mr. Williams has building permits for the current construction. Selectman Weeks said that it appears that the primary issue is the noise. She does not want to vote at this time but is interested in seeing more documentation if it is available and possibly reducing Mr. Drowne’s attendance at the selectmen’s meeting to once a month. Chairman Albee said he is not interested in revisiting the issue unless something can be changed. He advised Mr. Drowne that he has an option to go to the ZBA and file an administrative appeal or bring action against the selectmen in Superior Court. No vote was taken.

 

At approximately 10:55 Selectmen met with Eric Roseen from the Parks and Rec Commission. Mr. Roseen said that the current long term goals of the commission are to build a tennis and basketball court on the property next to the town office. Selectman Weeks informed Mr. Roseen that the selectmen are looking to purchase the Gould property to possibly use as a recreation property or for the school. Mr. Roseen asked if a capital reserve account could be set up for the courts. The selectmen asked for more information as far as cost and space requirements. They also said that he should put an effort into getting the Gould property. Mr. Roseen was very interested and would do what he could. Mr. Roseen also advised that the commission was supporting a scout project that would put a bird watching station on the town land on Copps Pond. The selectmen were in favor the idea and said it was ok to proceed.

 

The selectmen did not approve the request for payment by Joe Kowalski for taping a budget meeting. Chairman Albee reduced the bill by $80.00.

 

The selectmen will do an article for the Tuftonboro Times, which is due 1/8/07. Selectman Weeks will start the article.

 

Chairman Albee requested information from the library trustees prior to the selectmen’s meeting on 1/22/07. A meeting will be set up sometime between 1/16 – 1/19/07.

 

The selectmen discussed the purchase of the Gould property. Selectman Stockman was asked to get a purchase price from the owner and then a Purchase & Sales agreement could be drawn up subject to town meeting.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 11:20 am.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

Carolyn Sundquist

Administrative Assistant