TOWN OF TUFTONBORO

PO Box 98, 240 Middle Road

Center Tuftonboro, NH 03816

Telephone (603) 569-4539

Fax (603) 569-4328

 

Selectmen’s Meeting October 1, 2007

 

MINUTES

 

Approved w/corrections: 10.9.07

 

Present:  Selectmen: Chairman Susan Weeks, William Stockman, Daniel Duffy, Administrative Assistant Cathy Pounder, Town Administrator Jeanie Forrester

 

I.  CALL TO ORDER:  Chairman Weeks called the meeting to order at 9 a.m.

 

II.  REVIEW/APPROVE MINUTES:  The Selectmen reviewed the minutes of the September 24 Selectmen’s Meeting.  Selectman Stockman made a motion to approve the minutes as corrected.  Selectman Duffy seconded.  The motion carried unanimously. 

 

The Selectmen reviewed the non-public minutes of September 24.  Selectman Stockman made a motion to approve the minutes as written.  Selectman Duffy seconded the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

III.  VOTING FOR TAX-SALE PROPERTIES:  There was a brief discussion on the sale of Lot #5 – Deer Hill Colony and Lot #66 – Ethan Allen Road.  Chairman Weeks noted that there is pending litigation on Lot #66 with the Town having received a Temporary Restraining Order.  Chairman Weeks asked if we had received a copy of the notice to dismiss from our attorney.  Cathy Pounder will confirm. 

 

Selectman Stockman made a motion to approve the sale of both properties, but not move forward with the transfer of Lot #66 until the litigation is resolved.  Selectman Duffy seconded the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.  Chairman Weeks made a motion to confirm the Town’s intent to convey the Lot #5 to the high bidder, Mr. Gladu.  Selectman Stockman seconded the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

IV.  DEPARTMENT UPDATES:

 

Police Department:  Since Chief Shagoury was unable to attend the meeting to present an update, he submitted a written report, which was read to the public by Chairman Weeks.  The report included information about: 1) a meeting with the PTCO; 2) status of hiring new officer; 3) calls for service; 4) information on the budget; 5) convening of the Highway Safety Committee; 6) Homeland Security Grant; 7) fireworks activity; 8) detailed memo regarding the missing radar unit; 9) October schedule; and 10) memo re: NH 911 Database Transition.

 

V.  TOWN ADMINISTRATOR/ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT REPORT:

 

Cathy Pounder provided an update which included:

1) an inquiry to the Selectmen as to who is responsible for trash and litter pick up at the town beach and town areas – Selectman Stockman advised that Richard Piper has the contract to pick up containers at those locations.  If it is beach raking, leaves, and debris…sometimes the Road Agent takes care of it.  Once a year we clean up 19 Mile Bay and 20 Mile Bay.  Steve Hunter is the contact for this.

 

2) The Parks & Recreation Commission has scheduled a work party for Sunday, October 14, 2007 at the Gould property.  The time of the party was not specified so Cathy will check and let the Selectmen know.

 

3)  The Town received a BTLA Appeal on Cow Island for Jon and Jill Barton.  Cathy has processed the paperwork and mailed to the BTLA.  Chairman Weeks asked that MRI review the information first and then send the results to the Selectmen for review.  Cathy will also give the Selectmen the abatement so they can look at that too.

 

Jeanie Forrester gave the following report to the Selectmen:

1)  An updated calendar was provided, there were no changes to the pending list this week.

 

2)  Deane Clark and Jeanie will be attending the Solid Waste certification training this week.

 

3)  Chairman Weeks asked Forrester to speak with Lloyd Wood, Chair of the Budget Committee about rescheduling the tentative meeting with the Budget Committee.

 

4) A draft article for the Tuftonboro Times was submitted to the Selectmen for review.

 

5) Jeanie advised that Cathy Pounder, Dan Duffy, and she attended the Budget & Finance Workshop last week and briefly reviewed the topics covered.

 

6) Jeanie advised the Selectmen she would be preparing a draft of the calendar for the upcoming budget reviews with the various boards, commissions, and departments.

 

7) Forrester will be sending out a memo to the boards, commissions, and departments asking them to prepare and submit their budget requests by the end of the month.

 

8) A reminder to the Selectmen that Michael Hlushuk will be attending the October 15 Selectmen’s meeting and looking for feedback on his Eagle Scout project.

 

9) A memo went out to the various departments asking for employee reviews/recommendations to be completed by October 26.

 

10) Jeanie asked if the Selectmen wanted to go out to bid again this year on the ambulance contract.  Chairman Weeks suggested that we ask Lakeside Ambulance for a proposal.  Selectmen Stockman and Duffy agreed.

 

11) Jeanie advised that the landfill monitoring contract for 2008 is estimated at $13k.  Selectman Stockman asked how long the closed landfill needed to be monitored?  She also wondered what the results of the monitoring show and whether we could reduce the amount of monitoring. Jeanie will find out. 

 

Chairman Weeks also asked if we had heard from the NHDES about the groundwater management zone documentation we had submitted. Jeanie advised that she left a message with Peter Beblowski to confirm they had received the paperwork and see if there were any questions.  She has not received a call back.  She will follow-up again.

 

12)  Jeanie reported that the Town had received two of the three bids for a phone system.  The prices range from approximately $4,500 to $6,700.00.  Chairman Weeks noted that the Selectmen had submitted this as a CIP item, but since it was under $10k, the item would go into the regular budget.

 

13) Jeanie has reviewed the asbestos contract from RPF Associates and noted that it looked acceptable.  The contract, at $1,500, is less than the first bid Chief Thompson had received and it included more sampling.  Chairman Weeks made a motion to sign the contract.  The motion was seconded by Selectman Stockman.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

14) The letter to Commissioner Burack (asking for an emergency permit in order to get the High Street culvert repaired quickly) has been forwarded to Ed Bergeron who will forward the letter, with the application, to the Commissioner.

 

15) The Sargent deeds have been signed and attorney Sullivan is having them recorded.

 

Public Service of NH sent information on grants available for grassroots environmental projects. Chairman Weeks asked that the email notification be forwarded to the Conservation Commission for review.

 

There was a brief discussion about the Time Warner FCC Petition for relief from rate regulation due to effective competition.  Chairman Weeks noted that volunteers were need to help do research.  Suggestions were Joe Kowalski, Betsy Frago, and Barbara Wood.  Weeks advised the next stop would be to meet with the attorney and get direction on how to proceed with the research.  The Town has till October 20 to decide if they want to pursue opposition to the Time Warner petition. 

 

Chairman Weeks asked that a meeting be scheduled for October 15th before the Selectmen’s regularly scheduled 3:30 p.m. meeting.  Chairman Weeks asked the other Selectmen if they thought this should be pursued.  Both Selectmen agreed, with Selectman Stockman commenting that it should only be pursued “to a degree.” 

 

There was a question if Moultonborough should be invited to attend the meeting, since the law firm was also representing them.  An invitation will be extended for Moultonborough to attend the meeting.

 

VI.  APPOINTMENTS:

 

David Ladd met with the Selectmen to give them an update on the dredging project for River Reach (damage done due to the April ’07 Nor’easter).  Mr. Ladd advised that several residents have investigated funding sources to pay for the repair, but have not had success. 

 

Mr. Ladd would like the Town to contribute $10k to the repair.  Mr. Ladd advised that dredging of the channel would most likely be scheduled in December or April.  Chairman Weeks advised that they are reviewing current expenditures and noted that there have been significant unanticipated legal expenses.  

 

Chairman Weeks commented that she didn’t see a problem with helping, but didn’t believe there were any surplus funds this year.  Chairman Weeks suggested that Mr. Ladd submit a petitioned warrant article for the project to be voted on at Town Meeting, thinking he might have better success.   Selectman Stockman agreed that a warrant article would be the best course of action. 

 

Mr. Ladd noted that, for the record, the request was for $10k from a total expense of $28,500.00.  Chairman Weeks advised Mr. Ladd to make sure the warrant article is worded correctly or it could be thrown out by the Department of Revenue Administration.

VII. SIGNATURE:  Letter and certificate to Bill Gibson for his service on the Parks & Recreation Commission; building permit for Glen & Christine Cordelli;

 

VIII.  NEW BUSINESS:  None

 

IX: CONTINUED BUSINESS:  None

 

X.  CORRESPONDENCE:

1.  Information package from Mirror Lake Protective Association.

2.  Planning Board minutes of 9.6.07.

3.  CIP Minutes of 9.19.07.

4.  GWRSB Meeting Agenda.

5.  Coalition Communities – Report, Agenda 9.11.07 & Fund Report.

6.  ZBA – Notices of Decision for Banyas and Murley

7.  Standard Dredge & Fill applications for Edge of the Lake Association and River Reach Association.

8.  Letter to Selectman Duffy from Commissioner Burack, NHDES regarding the algal bloom on Mirror Lake. – Chairman Weeks commented that she thought it was good that Selectman Duffy spoke with Councilor Burton about the issue. She advised, however, that the Selectmen need to discuss issues first and agree before taking action.

 

Chairman Weeks advised that the Selectmen met with the Capital Improvements Program Committee to review their project list.  Weeks noted that the Selectmen need to provide some more information about Transfer Station costs to the committee.  Weeks will be meeting with Transfer Station personnel and Joe Kowalski on Tuesday morning at 8:30 a.m. to discuss expenses and revenues associated with recycling.

 

XI:  PUBLIC MEETING:  None

 

XII:  NON-PUBLIC:  RSA 91-A:3, II (a) & (c): Chairman Weeks made a motion to go into non-public per RSA 91-A:3, II (a) & (c).  The motion was seconded by Selectman Stockman.  Vote on the motion:  Chairman Weeks – yes, Selectman Stockman – yes, Selectman Duffy – yes.

 

Chairman Weeks made a motion to move out of non-public at 12:15 p.m.  The motion was seconded by Selectman Duffy.  Vote on the motion was unanimous.

 

Employee reviews were done.  No other action was taken.

 

XIII.  ADJOURNMENT: Chairman Weeks adjourned the meeting at 12:15 p.m. 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Jeanie Forrester

Town Administrator