TOWN OF TUFTONBORO

PO BOX 98, 240 MIDDLE ROAD

CENTER TUFTONBORO, NH  03816

Telephone (603) 569-4539

Fax (603) 569-4328

 

Selectmen’s Meeting                                                                                                 March 10, 2008

MINUTES

 

Approved 3.17.2008

 

Present: Chairman Susan Weeks, Selectman William Stockman, Selectman Dan Duffy, Cathy Pounder, Fred Sargent, Marion Morgan, and members of the public.

 

I.         CALL TO ORDER: At 3:32 pm, Chairman Weeks called the Selectmen’s Meeting to order.

 

II.                REVIEW / APPROVAL MINUTES:  March 3, 2008

March 3, 2008 Selectmen’s Meeting: The Selectmen reviewed the minutes of the March 3, 3008 Selectmen’s Meeting.  Selectman Stockman made a motion to approve the minutes as corrected; Selectman Duffy seconded the motion; the vote was unanimous.

 

March 3, 2008 Selectmen’s Non-Public Meeting #1: The Selectmen reviewed the minutes of the March 3, 3008 Non-Public Meeting #1.  Selectman Stockman made a motion to approve the minutes; Selectman Duffy seconded the motion; the vote was unanimous.

 

March 3, 2008 Selectmen’s Non-Public Meeting #2: The Selectmen reviewed the minutes of the March 3, 3008 Non-Public Meeting #2.  Selectman Stockman made a motion to approve the minutes; Selectman Duffy seconded the motion; the vote was unanimous.

 

III.       DEPARTMENT UPDATES:

Code Officer Jack Parsons, absent from this meeting, submitted the following report: To date in 2008, 12 building permits, 12 electrical permits, 7 plumbing permits, and 3 new home permits have been issued.  Parsons reported that he has conducted 68 inspections to date.  In his report to the Selectmen, Parson also noted that he will be developing a new building permit application to comply with the Shoreline Protection Act.

 

Transfer Station Supervisor Fred Sargent addressed the Selectmen on several issues.

1.      Four MSW containers were shipped this month.

2.      The Steel container was moved out on 3/4/08. Fred noted that the Road Bans will be posted on 3/12/08, therefore requiring permission from the DOT to haul the metal container over posted roads.  Garbage is exempt from the road bans, but hauling metal and demolition containers require permission. Cathy Pounder or Bill McChesney will call the DOT for permission.

3.      Snow was shoveled from the Quonset hut.

4.      The estimate for repairing the Bobcat snowplow blade is $2860 plus transportation versus $2500 for a new blade.  A new blade could be delivered to the Transfer Station and installed by Town personnel.  The Selectmen agreed that a new blade is the best option.

5.      Fred reported that the Terex loader has a faulty switch.

             

Police Department Memo: Chief Andrew Shagoury sent a memo to the Selectmen concerning the Town’s Residency Policy for Police Officers.  The policy states that officers must live 25 minutes from the station.  The current Police Officer applicant lives about 29 minutes away.  Following a discussion, Selectman Stockman made a motion to waive the distance requirement for this instance to allow the applicant to have a couple of years to relocate; Selectman Duffy seconded the motion; the vote was unanimous. 

 

IV.       TOWN ADMINISTRATOR/ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE REPORT:

Administrative Assistant Cathy Pounder addressed the Selectmen as follows:

1. Scott Marsh came in on Tuesday, March 4.  He updated the Current Use cards, Subdivisions, BTLA settlement changes, and reviewed all the 2007 abatements.  He reviewed the ratio study from the DRA, and the Ledge Hill Road properties that the Selectmen requested he review.  Scott will return to Ledge Hill Road when the snow banks are lower and he can get a better look.

 

2.  Cathy asked for the Selectmen’s guidance in responding to an e-mail from Bert Poirier regarding his BTLA hearing date. After providing the Selectmen with a brief summary of her correspondence with Mr. Poirier, Chairman Weeks told Cathy that she has properly addressed his questions.

 

3. Cathy provided the Selectmen with a report of the year-to-date Highway Expenses and Government Buildings Expenses.  The report indicates the likelihood of budget overruns for those accounts, due mostly to the difficult winter and the high cost of heating fuels.  The Selectmen asked Cathy for a more detailed expense report that they could study while at the polls on March 11, and possibly make recommendations for increases at Town Meeting on March 12.

 

 4. Beverly Bruce would like to book the Town House on Friday, March 28, 2008 to hold the Winnipesauke Republican’s Meeting from 6pm to 9pm.  Cathy asked for the Selectmen’s guidance in allowing a politically-affiliated group to use Town property.  Following a discussion, including an objection by a citizen, Selectmen Stockman and Duffy felt that a meeting of this nature is acceptable. Chairman Weeks suggested that Cathy ask Ms. Bruce for a donation to defray any costs to the public.

 

5. Cathy gave the Selectmen a copy of an e-mail concerning the gross appropriation of funds for the Library budget.

 

Town Administrator Bill McChesney was not present at this meeting; Cathy Pounder was present on his behalf.  Anticipating his absence, Bill compiled a packet with the following topics for review and discussion:

ó     An updated Selectmen’s Pending Items list, which the Selectmen reviewed.

ó     Interoffice Memo concerning the Transfer Station:

1.      The need for 3 proposals for winter snow removal at the Transfer Station and the related Snow Removal Maintenance Contract was discussed by the Selectmen and Fred Sargent. Fred noted that it is hard for anyone to bid due to varying conditions (drifting, ice).  Chairman Weeks directed Fred to proceed with soliciting bids based on the maintenance requirements in the Contract.

2.      The need for 2 more bids for repairs to the gate into the Transfer Station and installation of Safety Rails near the C&D containers.  The Selectmen and Fred discussed problems and options concerning Primex’s requirements for the gate. Fred noted his concerns with a gate acting as a snow fence and being difficult to open and close. Selectman Duffy suggested that he talk with Primex to discuss options.  Fred also noted that he has not seen the document with Primex’s gate and safety rail requirements, to which the Selectmen asked Cathy Pounder to provide Fred with a copy. 

3.      Usage Chart: Bill McChesney had provided Fred with a chart to document the number of users at the          Transfer Station each day as a means to develop statistics for evaluating optimum hours of operation and staffing for the facility.   Fred noted that it is sometimes difficult to keep track of the users while working.

4.      Uniforms-The price to rent and launder uniforms is down to $18.95 per week for 4 people.  The decision was made to stay with the rentals rather than purchase uniforms. Cathy Pounder will call the vendor to confirm the price.

5.      Consider removing one C&D container.  Fred spoke against the removal, stating that the additional container is needed for times when the other container is full and cannot be removed due to circumstances such as road bans.  The Selectmen concurred with Fred and concluded to leave the C&D container status as is.

ó     Clarification on the use of the loader and Bobcat by Transfer Station personnel.  Fred asked the Selectmen for clarification concerning his use of the Bobcat for snow removal, as was outlined in a letter dated February 26, 2008 from Bill McChesney to Fred.  The Selectmen agreed that a particular sentence in the letter should read “You are directed to have you and your staff use the loader and Bobcat (when it is repaired) in the areas close to the building where it is inappropriate or difficult to remove snow from using a traditional truck with a snow plow.”  Chairman Weeks assured Fred that it was never intended to not allow him to use the bobcat.  Cathy Pounder or Bill McChesney will handle the amendment to the sentence.

 

V.        APPOINTMENTS:    None

                       

VI.       SIGNATURE:

1. Settlement Agreement for Barton 25-2-22 and 25-2-172:  Selectman Stockman moved to sign the Settlement Agreement; Selectman Duffy seconded the motion; the vote was unanimous.

 

2. Settlement Agreement for Eldridge 35-1-34:  Selectman Stockman moved to sign the Settlement Agreement; Selectman Duffy seconded the motion; the vote was unanimous.

 

3. Settlement Agreement for Ridge 52-3-51:  Selectman Stockman moved to sign the Settlement Agreement; Selectman Duffy seconded the motion; the vote was unanimous.

 

4. Current Use Application for Jane & Kenneth Podsen, 70-1-8 & 71-2-2:  The Selectmen did not sign this application. They requested a more thorough map showing monuments and areas not in CU.  Selectman Stockman will talk with the landowner regarding these requests.

 

5. Current Use Application for Alison Lovett, 16-2-24 & 31-1-9: The Selectmen did not sign this application. They requested clarification of the category of land and the types of vegetation.  Selectman Stockman will talk with the landowner regarding these requests.   

 

6. HEB Additional Work Authorization- Lang Pond Road regarding the archeological analysis report: The Selectmen agreed to hold off on signing the authorization until after the Lang Pond Warrant Article is voted on at Town Meeting.

 

7. Wetlands and Non-Site Specific Permit 2007-02856 – DES Survey: Selectman Stockman moved to sign the permit; Selectman Duffy seconded the motion; the vote was unanimous.

 

8. Wolfeboro Area Children’s Center – Application for Permit to Conduct Raffle (RSA 287-A:7) at the Todaro Center, May 31, 2008: Selectman Stockman made a motion to sign the Application; Selectman Duffy seconded the motion; the vote was unanimous.

 

9. Building Permit Applications: Sheila & Dave Adams, 14-2-38; YMCA of Greater Boston, 39-2-15; Madelyn Todesco, 44-1-24. The Selectmen initialed all 3 applications.

                                               

VII.       NEW BUSINESS:

1. Ledge Hill Road Review – Scott Marsh, MRI. Scott would like to continue his review in the spring when the snow depths are lower.  Selectman Stockman made a motion to authorize Scott to wait until spring; Chairman Weeks seconded the motion; the vote was unanimous.

 

2. DRA Equalization Survey Review – Scott Marsh, MRI.

 

3. HEB Drainage Analysis of Ridgeway Estates (Bellemeur). Chairman Weeks noted that this correspondence should be forwarded to the Planning Board.

                                   

VIII.    CONTINUED BUSINESS:

Public Safety Facilities Committee - Eight people have agreed to serve on the Committee: Dave Eaton, Betsy Frago, Richard Knapp, Guy Pike, John Lapolla, Lew Lawton, Fenton Varney, and Tom Young.  The Selectmen are attempting to get a commitment to serve from a ninth person, Nat Crane. 

 

The Selectmen decided to move forward by sending the eight people a letter inviting them to attend a “kick-off” meeting on March 17th, 6 pm at the Town Office. A draft letter will be developed by the Administrator’s Office on 3/11/08, with the intent of mailing it to the Committee members immediately following Selectmen approval and signature.

 

IX.       CORRESPONDENCE:

1. Wetlands Bureau File #2006-00635 - John Goggin – 5 Valley Road

 

2. Primex – Meet the New CEO

 

3. Septic Approval – Kristine/Thomas Buffa, Daniel/Sheila Burpee, James Ham, and James O’Reilly

 

4. Skip Hurt/ JWM Generations Trust – DES Wetlands Bureau # 2007-01880 - Denied

 

5. Parks and Recreation – Tailgate Snow Shoe Party, Gould Property aka Tuftonboro Central Park, March 29,

1-3pm. Chairman Weeks noted that she advised Eric Roseen to talk with the Road Agent if he wants to have it

plowed, and that plowing would be at the expense of the Parks and Recreation Commission.

 

6. NRRA – Marking Committee Notes and Agenda 3/12/2008

                                                                         

X.        PUBLIC MEETING:

Joe Kowalski, citizen and videographer, acknowledged that this is the last Selectmen’s Meeting that Chairman Susan Weeks will attend as a Selectman.  He thanked for her years of dedication and service as a Selectman. 

                       

XI.       ADJOURNMENT:  Selectman Stockman made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 5:15pm; Chairman Weeks seconded the motion; the vote was unanimous.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Marion Morgan

Administrative Secretary