TOWN OF TUFTONBORO

MEETING OF THE SELECTMEN

Monday February 26, 2007

 

*Accepted* 3/5/07

 

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

 

Selectmen reviewed mail, which included:  Building Permit for Shane; NHDRA re: 2006 Ratio; Memo from Town Clerk re: Brian Talbot; Memo re: Wolfeboro waste Water; Legislative Bulletin #9; Standard Dredge & Fill Application for Starble; BTLA Notice of Hearing re: Laase; NHDOT re: Safe Route to School Program info; Ossipee ZBA Notice of Public Hearing on 3/13/07; NRRA Full Circle; LGC Matter of Trust Newsletter; NHDRA Technical Information Release re: View Factor Adjustments; Letter from Sarah Barnes Whelchel re: cell tower; Letter from Stephanie Barnes re: Transfer Station and recycling; Property Transfer from Hiltner Trust to Jeffrey & David Hiltner; Carroll County News; Business Review; HEB Project Status Report.

 

Items for Signature:  2007 Warrant; Timber Tax Levy for Ray; Right of Burial for Anderson; Right of Burial for Davidson.

 

At approximately 9:00 am Chairman Albee called the meeting to order. The first order of business was review of the 2/20/07 meeting minutes. Selectman Weeks offered a couple of corrections and made a motion to accept as corrected. Chairman Albee seconded the motion with all in favor. Selectman Weeks made a motion to accept the 2/20/07 non-public minutes as written. Chairman Albee seconded the motion with all in favor. Selectman Weeks suggested several changes to the 2/20/07 Bond hearing minutes; Chairman Albee also suggested a change. Selectman Weeks made a motion to accept the bond hearing minutes as corrected. Chairman Albee seconded the motion with all in favor.

 

Town Administrator Jeanie Forrester advised that she has several items to follow up on, which include the Sargent deed, NH Coop energy audit, the survey work to be done by Ted Wright for the GMZ expansion at the landfill and an alarm system for the town house heat.

 

Chairman Albee said he had spoken to Mr. Wright over the weekend. Mr. Wright said he is working on it.

 

Chairman Albee reported that the selectmen have been advised by the town clerk that Brian Talbot was removed from the ballot as he is not a registered voter.

 

Chairman Albee briefly mentioned the memo regarding the plan by the Town of Wolfeboro to pump waste water to land bordering the Town of Tuftonboro. He was hopeful that a dialog could be opened with the Wolfeboro Selectmen if their warrant article is passed.

The letter from Sarah Whelchel regarding her concern about the proposed cell tower in Melvin Village is to be forwarded to the Planning Board. The applicant for the cell tower is doing a 3-day balloon test the week of 3/5/07.

The selectmen will review the recommendation by Scott Marsh of MRI on the Laase BTLA Appeal on their 2004 taxes and make a decision next week. The cost for MRI to defend the town is $150 per hour and it is estimated to be 10-12 hours.

 

The Town Administrator was asked to contact NHDOT and H. E. Bergeron regarding the letter received on the Safe Route to School Program.

 

The Tuftonboro Association is holding a candidates night on 3/7/07.

 

At approximately 9:20 Selectmen met with Road Agent Steve Hunter. A lengthy discussion ensued regarding the best way to break down the road agent budget to provide more information for the selectmen and more transparency for the public. During the discussion Mr. Hunter noted that he has had the same budget for the past 5 years because he has become more efficient and he has never had anyone ask for more detailed information other than the road committee five or so years ago. The selectmen asked for just basic information on the fixed cost items – sand, gravel, etc. The administrative assistant said this could be provided now by identifying the suppliers and printing a history report and unless the road agent’s time sheet is changed there is no need for manual tracking. The selectmen said they would like to have a better of idea of the cost of various items in the event a new road agent is elected. Selectman Weeks wanted it on record that the school is not billed for the plowing done by the road agent.

 

The Selectmen approved and signed the following:

  • 2007 Warrant
  • Timber Tax Levy for David Ray
  • Right of Burial for Brian Davidson
  • Right of Burial for Jeri Anderson

 

Chairman Albee asked for a clarification on the elimination of revenue under Amounts Voted from Fund Balance on the MS-7 revenue. The administrative assistant said she had been advised by Michelle Clark from DRA to remove the money because it was previously appropriated in 2006. The money is encumbered because both the Public Safety and Library warrant articles were non-lapsing. The appropriation is in unreserved fund balance and will stay there until spent or the project is completed or the projects are abandoned with a town vote.

 

Selectman Weeks advised that the open house on Saturday went well. There are several design questions that she would be contacting the architect about – different facades for the building, questions about the cupola, getting a clearer roof layout. Also, people wanted to know why the town couldn’t use the code officer as project manager. The selectmen also need to provide a map of the Gould property as people are confused as to where it actually is.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 10:02 am.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

Carolyn Sundquist

Administrative Assistant