TOWN OF TUFTONBORO

PO BOX 98, 240 MIDDLE ROAD

CENTER TUFTONBORO, NH  03816

Telephone (603) 569-4539

Fax (603) 569-4328

Selectmen’s Meeting         September 10, 2007

MINUTES

Approved w/corrections: 9.24.07

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

I. CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Weeks called the meeting to order at 9:03 a.m.

II. REVIEW/APPROVE MINUTES:  The Selectmen reviewed the minutes of the August 27 Selectmen’s Meeting.  Chairman Weeks made a motion to approve the minutes of August 27, 2007 as corrected.  Selectman Stockman seconded.  Motion carried unanimously.  The Selectmen will review the non-public minutes during the non-public session.

 

III.  PUBLIC HEARING:  Chairman Weeks opened the public hearing on the sale of town property at approximately 9:20 a.m.  Chairman Weeks explained the purpose of the public hearing was to take comments from the public regarding town-owned property acquired by Tax Collector’s Deeds on two properties: Lot #5 – Deer Hill Colony and Lot #66 – Ethan Allen Road.  The Selectmen have received and accepted bids. 

 

The formal process requires getting recommendations from the Planning Board and Conservation Commission and holding two public hearings.  Chairman Weeks asked for public comment and received none.  Chairman Weeks noted that the Town has been served a Temporary Restraining Order from a resident who delivered their bid late and to the wrong office on the day of the bid opening.  The Temporary Restraining Order prevents the transfer of the Hidden Valley property. 

 

Chairman Weeks advised that the Planning Board voted unanimously to recommend the sale of the two lots and will send a formal letter.  The Conservation Commission has not responded, but the Selectmen expect to hear from them shortly.  Mike Phelps, Chair of the Conservation Commission confirmed that a letter will be sent to the Selectmen in response to their request for a recommendation for the sale of the two properties.  Chairman Weeks made a motion to close the public hearing.  The motion was seconded by Selectman Duffy.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

IV.  DEPARTMENT UPDATES:  Fred Sargent reported that the Transfer Station had seven trailers of C&D (Construction & Debris) and eight trailers of MSW disposed.  The driveway has been hot-topped.  Twenty-eight bales of cardboard have been disposed.  Dean Clarke has registered for the certification training through the NHDES scheduled for Wednesday, October 3 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Fred Sargent advised that Mr. Clarke had up to a year to take the training and he might not be able to attend the October training because of transportation issues. 

 

Administrator Forrester commented that she had spoken to Mr. Degler from NHDES who advised that Mr. Clarke should take the course now.  She also advised that Mr. Degler suggested the Town Administrator attend the course, which would be free of charge, to learn more about operations.  Forrester advised the Selectmen that if they would like her to attend, she could drive herself and Mr. Clarke to the training.  The Selectmen asked Forrester to attend along with Mr. Clarke. 

 

Chairman Weeks noted the next NRRA meeting is September 12 and that Fred Sargent should make sure that he or Scott Greenwood attend the meeting. 

 

Chairman Weeks asked Mr. Sargent if he had received the memo regarding the personnel policies which asked for feedback on the handbook.  She also asked Mr. Sargent to review and update any job descriptions as appropriate.

 

Jack Parsons gave an update of building activity in Tuftonboro.  There have been seven building permits for new homes issued…a total 81 permits have been issued since the beginning of the year.  Parsons advised that there was a request to hold a car show in Town, which would last about two or three days.  The Selectmen asked Parsons to make sure that issues relative to sewage disposal and traffic control be reviewed.  Parsons advised the Selectmen that there is no smoking allowed in public buildings and this is being violated at the Transfer Station.  Parsons will speak to Fred Sargent about correcting the problem.

 

Police Chief Shagoury reported that the calls for service are approximately the same number as last year at this time.  Vehicle stops are down some.  School is open and the Police are in the area as much as possible for coverage.  Chairman Weeks asked the Town Administrator to be sure when scheduling the Selectmen’s meeting in the fall at the school, that the Police Department and Fire Department give their department head updates at that time so that the school children could learn more about safety services in Tuftonboro. 

 

Chief Shagoury confirmed his receipt of the memo regarding personnel policies and will provide feedback to the Selectmen.  Chairman Weeks asked him to be sure to look at the job descriptions and provide any updates as necessary.

 

Shagoury noted that he had submitted an arrest log to the newspaper for release, but that it had not been printed.  Selectman Duffy commented that residents have noticed an increase in police presence in Melvin Village and that they appreciate it and would like even more presence. 

 

V.  TOWN ADMINISTRATOR/ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT REPORT

 

Cathy Pounder reported that:  1. Rob Ciandella called regarding the FCC Petition by Time Warner Cable.  The FCC publishes the exemption requests in the register and it hasn’t been published yet.  He will follow-up with the Selectmen once it is published.

 

2.  The router died on Friday, 8.31.07 causing problems with internet service.  Mindfire fixed the problem on Wednesday.

 

3.  If the abatements for Bald Peak and Hayes are granted, a revised MS-1 will be issued to the state.

 

4.  The Town received another fine for a late injury report.

 

5.  Locks in the Town Office are being changed on 9.10.07.

 

Jeanie Forrester updated the Selectmen on various items including:

 

1. A review of the updated pending list and calendar.  She noted that there is a meeting scheduled with HEB on September 24th at 9:30 a.m.  There was a brief discussion about the September 24 Selectmen’s meeting, which might include a meeting with Jeff Taylor to review the report from the Public Safety Facilities Public Forum, a meeting with HEB Engineering to discuss options for the Lang Pond project, and possibly a meeting with Michael Hlushuk to discuss his Scout project.

 

2.  Forrester confirmed that the Selectmen agreed with MRI’s confirmation of Avitar’s assessments of lots 1 – 21 at Winter Harbor and there is no further action required at this time.

 

3.  Forrester asked if Selectman Stockman had spoken with the Parks & Recreation Commission about scheduling a meeting to tour the Gould property and building.  Chairman Weeks advised that they had scheduled a meeting but it was cancelled due to the weather.  There has been some trail cutting for cross country ski trails this winter; the use of the building right now is not a priority.  A primary trail has been flagged, but elevations may be required.  Eric Roseen, who is a land surveyor and knows the boundaries, is working on this project.

 

4.  Forrester asked about the status of the Sargent deed.  Fred Sargent advised that the deed should be back from his attorney next week.

 

5.  Forrester followed up with Chief Thompson about the status of burning the shed on the Dearborn property.  Thompson will get two more bids and present the information to the Selectmen as a next step.  Selectman Stockman advised that a resident had asked about renting the garage to store a vehicle over the winter.  Carolyn Sunquist noted that they expected to use a part of the garage to store books from the Library.  Forrester will check with the insurance company about coverage.

 

6.  The letter and information to NH DES on the Tuftonboro Landfill groundwater management zone has been sent and Jeanie will follow-up.

 

7.  Memos have gone out on various issues including a request for updates on the personnel policies and notification to the boards and commissions about a Right to Know Forum in Moultonborough.

 

8.  Paul Dean Clarke has been registered to attend certification training in solid waste with the NH DES.

 

9.  Forrester reported to the Selectmen about the content of an upcoming DRA-Minicourse.  The course covers all exemptions and credits.

 

10.  Chairman Weeks noted that the lights for the Town House have arrived and expects them to be installed this week.

 

VI.  APPOINTMENTS

 

Jane Jarvis and Dusty Davies met with the Selectmen to talk about the incidence of cyanobacteria found at Mirror Lake.  The two ladies were there representing the Mirror Lake Protective Association.  Others in attendance included Beth Urda, Patsy Moore, Link Mosher, and Doris Briggs.  Ms. Davies reviewed with the Selectmen the letter she had delivered on Friday.  She advised that more cyanobacteria has been discovered in the lake in several locations including Hersey Cove, the beach at Lang Pond Road, and the west side of Mirror Lake.  Ms. Davies stated that the problem is serious and it is not going away.  She attributed the problem to Wolfeboro’s wastewater draining into the lake.  Ms. Davies reviewed information from the DES dated back to 2005 which notified Wolfeboro of a problem and noted that Wolfeboro did not tell anyone about it.  Patsy Moore advised that the day before the closing on a cottage she owns on Mirror Lake, the buyers cancelled the sale because of the lake conditions.  She also advised that her son went swimming in the lake and became extremely ill.

 

There was a lengthy discussion about causes for the algal bloom, a review of a 2006 report from Mirror Lake Water Quality Monitoring, discussion about flow, and contamination from Wolfeboro’s spray field (Field #5).

 

Ms. Davies and others would like the Selectmen to demand that the flow of wastewater into Mirror Lake be stopped immediately.  There was a discussion about the repair work on the culvert on Lang Pond Road and what might be done to slow or stop the flow of water through the culvert.

 

Chairman Weeks recommended that Ms. Davies and others contact the NH DES, state and local representatives, and Wolfeboro officials to make them aware of the problem.  Chairman Weeks thought that Tuftonboro should hire a professional to look at the situation.  Selectman Stockman disagreed and didn’t feel we needed to hire anyone to look at the problem.  Selectman Duffy agreed there is a problem and we need to address it.

 

Jack Parsons will get bottles from the state so that he can take water samples and send them for testing.  He will also get a letter from the state about cyanobacteria and how to handle it.  (Ms. Davies stated that the direction from the state to boil the water would make it safe was in error.  Boiling actually makes the water more toxic.)  Ms. Davies noted they had tentatively scheduled a meeting with Wolfeboro Selectmen for September 19 and were waiting for confirmation about being on the agenda.  Mirror Lake Association will send a letter to the NH DES.  Jack Parsons and Jane Jarvis will communicate about the cyanobacteria.  The Selectmen will send a letter to Wolfeboro noting their concerns.

 

Town Clerk Heather Cubeddu met with the Selectmen about purchasing software through Munismart for dog licensing.  Munismart is having a sale on this software, normally $2500, now $500.  Cubeddu noted that she has funds in her budget.  Chairman Weeks made a motion to approve the purchase.  The motion was seconded by Selectman Stockman.  Vote on the motion was unanimous.

 

VII.  SIGNATURE:  1.  Abatement for Bald Peak Land Company was granted: Selectman Duffy made a motion to grant the abatement, seconded by Selectman Stockman.  Vote was unanimous. 

 

2.  Abatement for Matthew C. & Lucas P. Hayes was granted:  Selectman Stockman made a motion to grant the abatement, seconded by Selectman Duffy.  Vote was unanimous. 

 

3.  DR 1643 Audit Requirements for May 2006 Flood signed.

 

4.  Letter of Credit for Zadeda Farms signed.

 

5.  Letter to Moultonborough Selectmen re: Carroll County Registry of Deeds going on-line signed.

 

6.  Building permits: Allen Blazick and Darren Naseck.

 

VIII. NEW BUSINESS:  Huggins Hospital Request for Letter of Support.  Brief discussion among Selectmen.  Selectmen agreed that the issue is between Huggins Hospital and the town of Wolfeboro.  The Selectmen will not write a letter of support.

 

IX.  OLD BUSINESS:  None

 

X.  CORRESPONDENCE:  1.  Zoning Board – Public Notice 9/5/07 & 9/12/07, Notice of Decision.

2.  Trustee of Trust Funds – Copy of Letter to NHDRA.

3.  Munismart List of Available Modules

4.  Tuftonboro Times Schedule & Request for Input.

5.  Coalition Communities – Meeting Guests.

6.  Tuftonboro Conservation Commission – Copy of Letter to DES Clerk of the Water Council -  Selectman Stockman commented that he appreciates all that the Conservation Commission is doing.  He suggested that the Mirror Lake Protective Association and the Conservation Commission communicate with each other, since the MLPA has concerns about the wastewater drainage into Mirror Lake.

7.  Phil Martin – Comments on Forum.

8.  CIP Draft Minutes of 8/29/07 & 9/5/07

9.  NRRA Marketing Committee Meeting Notes & Agenda.

10.  Notice of Watershed Grants Pre-proposals.

11.  Parks & Recreation Minutes of 8/13/07 & Agenda for 9/10/07.

12.  Resignation from Bill Gibson form Parks & Recreation – Selectmen accepted Mr. Gibson’s resignation, noting that there was no further action required.

13.  Thank you from CASA

14.  Septic Approvals from Diane Adams & Donald Cope

15.  Permit by Notification for James Culleton

16. Dredge & Fill Application from John Twomey

17.  Police Department Schedule Update

18. Chief Shagoury & Office Thomas LaFavre Class Certification.

19. Dog Warrant Return

20. Police Press Release

21. Department of Labor – Fine for Late Injury Report

 

XI.  PUBLIC MEETING: None

 

XII.  NON-PUBLIC: Per RSA 91-A: 3, II(c)  Chairman Weeks made a motion to go into non-public per RSA 91-A: 3, II (c) at 11:16 a.m.  The motion was seconded by Selectman Stockman.  Chairman Weeks – voted yes, Selectman Stockman - voted yes, Selectman Duffy - voted yes.

 

Chairman Weeks made a motion to move out of non-public at 12:50 p.m.  The motion was seconded by Selectman Duffy.  Vote was unanimous.

 

Chairman Weeks adjourned the Selectmen’s meeting at 12:50 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Jeanie Forrester

Town Administrator