TOWN OF TUFTONBORO

PO BOX 98, 240 MIDDLE ROAD

CENTER TUFTONBORO, NH  03816

Telephone (603) 569-4539

Fax (603) 569-4328

 

Selectmen’s Meeting                                                                                                 April 21, 2008

MINUTES

Approved as written 4.28.2008

 

Present: Chairman Bill Stockman, Selectman Carolyn Sundquist, Town Administrator Bill McChesney, Chief Adam Thompson, Marion Morgan, and members of the public.

 

I.         CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Stockman called the meeting to order at 7:00pm.

 

Ia.        POLICE OFFICER APPOINTMENT:  Karl F. Koch was officially appointed to the Tuftonboro Police Department.  Koch’s family and fellow officers were present for the ceremony.

 

II.        REVIEW / APPROVAL MINUTES:  April 14, 2008

April 14, 2008: The Selectmen reviewed the minutes of the April 14th Selectmen’s Meeting.  Chairman Stockman made a motion to accept the minutes as written; Selectman Sundquist seconded the motion; the vote was (2-0).

 

April 14, 2008: The Selectmen reviewed the minutes of the April 14th Non-Public Meetings #1, #2, #3, and #4.  Chairman Stockman made a motion to accept the minutes as written; Selectman Sundquist seconded the motion; the vote was (2-0).

 

III.       DEPARTMENT UPDATES:                       

Fire Chief Adam Thompson updated the Selectmen as follows:

To date in 2008, the Fire Department has had 55 fire calls, 32 medical calls, 4 service calls, and 3 special details.  To date, the Department has conducted 6 gas furnace inspections, 3 oil furnace inspections, and 1 woodstove inspection.

 

The Chief reported that the 18 new air packs and related equipment have been delivered. The vendor, IPS, will provide training on Thursday, April 24.  The Chief added that the paperwork for the first half of the grant is pending.  The Cascade System is about 3 weeks from delivery, which is the second half of the grant.

 

Thompson reported that the Department has met twice with the Public Safety Facility Committee.  The Chief noted that the Committee is very receptive to the information provided by the Fire Department.

 

Primal Vent began installing the exhaust ventilation system at the Mirror Lake Station; the system will be operational in approximately 2 weeks.

 

The painting is complete at the Melvin Village Station.  Additional work was necessary, but was done at the bid price.

 

The Chief reported that the bathroom facilities at the Mirror Lake and Melvin Village Stations are non-functional due to high groundwater levels and run-off.  Portable toilets are available at both stations ($90 each per month).  The Chief added that the 1,000 gallon holding tank at the Mirror Lake Station was crushed; workers were able to jack it up from the inside.  However, future upgrade will be necessary, either with a new tank or a new septic system.  Bruce Pigott added that the water problem at the Melvin Village Station might be controlled with the proper drainage, to which Chairman Stockman agreed that the issue should be addressed.

 

The Chief reported that the fire boat is in production; the estimated time of arrival is unknown at this point.  The existing fire boat will be utilized until the new boat arrives.  Regarding the electrical service for the new fire boat, the Chief is obtaining prices to extend electricity further towards the end of the dock on the left side.  The new boat, being larger than the old boat, needs more room to turn around, thus the reason for moving it closer to the end of the dock. The Chief added that any changes to the electrical service will meet code requirements and will be totally enclosed and padlocked, posing no danger to the public.  The Selectmen noted a request by the Tuftonboro Islanders to install additional tie-posts on the dock, and asked Thompson to keep them informed of his plans so that both efforts could be coordinated.   Lastly, the Chief noted a few short metal posts sticking up near the dock that cause a concern for public safety.  He will have the posts removed.

 

Chief Thompson reported that conditions are very dry, and all outside burning as of Saturday, April 26 will require permits.  He added the possibility of a burning ban if the dry conditions continue.

 

The Chief has received 3 proposals for the asbestos removal at the Dearborn property.  The bids are $1000, $1500, and $2255.  The budgeted amount for the removal is $2250.  The job entails removing 80 square feet of asbestos shingles, and can be done in one day.  The removal company will do all necessary reporting to the State and handle the disposal of the asbestos.  After the asbestos is removed and conditions improve, the Fire Department will hold a burn training session; the Chief will make arrangements for a dumpster for the non-burnable materials.  Chairman Stockman made a motion to authorize Chief Thompson to accept the low bid and proceed as planned; Selectman Sundquist seconded the motion; the vote was unanimous (2-0). 

                       

IV.       TOWN ADMINISTRATOR & ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE REPORTS:

Town Administrator Bill McChesney and the Selectmen reviewed the Selectmen’s Pending Items list as follows:

 

Town Warrant Error: Per the DRA, the amount to be voted on is $563,690 which is the difference between $2,800,768.00 and $2,237,078.00.  The amendments accepted at Town Meeting are OK; new amendments can be considered at the Special Town Meeting.

 

Town Doors and Foyer Project: Bill McChesney recommended that the brick work in the foyer be rejected due to poor workmanship.  The Selectmen agreed with McChesney and directed him to contact the contractor.

 

Lang Pond:  At the request of the Road Agent, McChesney contacted the DES to determine if the wetlands permit covers extending one culvert and building a headwall.  The DES confirmed that the permit allows this work to be done.  The Selectmen authorized McChesney to tell the Road Agent that he can proceed with the work. 

 

Landfill Closure:  The State agreed to the Town’s request to report biennially on the landfill.  However, the Town will be required to monitor methane twice a year due to elevated levels of methane detected at the probe nearest to the building.

 

Safe Route to School Grant: McChesney is working on this and will submit before it is due.

 

Personnel Plan:  McChesney is working on this.

 

High Street Culvert:  The formal ROW easements have been sent to the Swain’s.

 

2007 Audit: The mailing aspect of the audit has been mailed to the accountants.

 

Boiler at the Town Office:  Wolfeboro Oil’s cost to replace a controller on the boiler is $382.00.  The Selectmen directed McChesney to authorize the work.

 

Administrative Assistant Cathy Pounder, not present at the meeting, provided the Selectmen with the following report:

 

Melissa Garlough would like to use the Town Office parking lot for car overflow; she is having a function on Saturday, July 12th. She is located at 369 Middle Road and will shuttle people from the parking lot to her house.  The Selectmen approved Garlough’s request with the condition that a proper access lane through the parking lot and to the rear of the building be kept open.

 

Scott Marsh came in on Tuesday; he added the current use changes to the tax cards and reviewed BTLAs from 2006 and 2007 abatements. He will be back next Tuesday to complete anything he has not completed.

 

Marion will do the payroll while Cathy is on vacation this week, but the payables will be held until she comes back from vacation.

 

The contact list has been revised and labeled “For Internal Office Use Only”.

 

Primex has received the information on the Police Radar Trailer, and we are covered.

 

Administrative Secretary Marion Morgan reported as follows:

Per Fred Sargent, the Transfer Station personnel will receive training for the Recycled Oil Center on April 22 or 23.  Following confirmation that the training has been completed and the facility is operational, Marion will post the information on the website.  Heather made the signs that Fred requested, and he has them.

 

Eric Roseen brought in a $100 donation check from the Wolfeboro Lions Club to the Tuftonboro P&R for Jacob Evans’s bird watching platform project.  The question is what account the donation gets credited to.  The Selectmen recommended the P&R Income or Donation account.  If such an account does not exist, Cathy can create a new one.  The plan is to use this donated money to reimburse Evans as he incurs expenses for this project.

 

The Selectmen, Bill McChesney, and Marion updated the weekly Action Items list.

 

V.        APPOINTMENTS:

Guy Pike, Chairman of the Public Safety Facilities Committee, provided the Selectmen with an update of the Committee’s activities to date.  The Committee initially met weekly, but has decided to meet on a bi-monthly basis.  To date, they have met with the Fire and Police Chiefs, have toured all the public facilities in the Town, and have gathered a great amount of information.  Pike noted that both Chiefs have been very informative.  At the next Committee meeting, they plan to boil down the needs and wants of the Fire and Police Departments for future presentation to the public.  Pike noted that the Committee is extremely aware of the sentiment that many people would like both of our current facilities to remain open in any event, and that the Committee will not forget that. The Committee intends to tour facilities in communities similar to Tuftonboro and learn how they have dealt with issues comparable to ours.  The Committee plans to hold one or more public forums to present the facts and options, as well as gather ideas from the public.  By doing this, the Committee will be fully prepared with their findings and the public’s sentiment when addressing the Selectmen with options and proposals.  Pike complimented the previous Board of Selectmen on their appointments of members to this Committee. He added that the members are very diverse with varying skills and backgrounds, and everyone is of the mindset that we are one Town without districts.  They understand that they have to meet everyone’s needs as a town and to facilitate our departments in doing their jobs.  

 

Erin Donnelly, representing the Capital Improvement Program, provided the Selectmen with a spreadsheet listing the Capital Project Expenses for the period 2008 – 2017.  The CIP Committee is seeking guidance from the Selectmen on several of the spreadsheet items. In light of Selectman Dan Duffy’s absence from this meeting, Chairman Stockman recommended that this discussion be held with a full BOS.   Erin will contact the Administrative Office to schedule a work session.   

                                   

VI.       SIGNATURE:

1. Gravel Tax Levy: Mary Jane Sargent, 32-2-12; Fred Sargent, 32-2-6; Melvin Bean, 16-2-19.  Chairman Stockman made a motion to sign the Levy; Selectman Sundquist seconded the motion; the vote was unanimous (2-0).

 

2. Pottie Patrol, Inc (formerly DJ’s) – Contract for portable toilet at 19 Mile Bay: Chairman Stockman made a motion to sign the contract; Selectman Sundquist seconded the motion; the vote was unanimous (2-0).

 

3. Intent to Cut: American Youth Foundation Camp Merrowvista, 34-1-2.  Chairman Stockman made a motion to sign the Intent; Selectman Sundquist seconded the motion; the vote was unanimous (2-0).

 

4. Veteran’s Tax Credit Application: David Carle, 43-2-31. Chairman Stockman made a motion to sign the Application; Selectman Sundquist seconded the motion; the vote was unanimous (2-0).

 

VII.       NEW BUSINESS:

1. NHDOT – Annual request for updated information.  Section II of the request involves updating a map of streets and highways in Tuftonboro with changes that occurred over the past year.  Chairman Stockman had an opportunity to review the provided map prior to tonight’s meeting, and noted that the Town’s updates from previous years have not been added to the map.  This lack of updated information could affect State funds for highway projects.  Stockman recommended that the Board hold off on the current update request until the State can explain why the map does not reflect changes from previous years.  Stockman asked Bill McChesney to contact the DOT regarding the lack of updates.  The update request remains unsigned and on hold pending explanation from the State.   

                                   

VIII.    CONTINUED BUSINESS:

 

IX.       SELECTMEN’S UPDATE:

Selectman Sundquist had no report as she did not hold office hours on Friday, April 18. 

 

Chairman Stockman reported on activity as the Cemetery Sexton.  He also reported that the Selectmen agreed to let the Boy Scouts use the Gould Property this weekend for a camp-over.

                       

X.       CORRESPONDENCE:

1. Certificate to return to work – Paul Clark.      

2. DES-Standard Dredge and Fill Application: Northline Development LLC, 68-2-1&2.

3. DES-Permit by Notification: Kurt & Carmen Bittner, 51-2-32.

4. Coalition Communities: Emails regarding SB539.

5. Public Safety Facility Committee minutes from March 24, March 31, April 7.

6. Lakes Region Household Hazardous Product Facility Joint Board Minutes from March 20, 2008 and Agenda

   for April 17, 2008 meeting.     

7. CIP Minutes from 3/25/2008.

8. NRRA 27th Annual Recycling Conference.   

9. Septic Approvals: Darren Naseck; John Catrambone Trust; Christopher Tomasini.

10. NH Dept of Labor: Labor Law Training schedule.

11. Telephone message from Roger Drowne.   

12. Code Officer’s letter to landowner regarding junk vehicles.

13. ZBA Notice of Decision: Barry & Jane Gehran, 70-2-82.

14. Planning Board minutes from April 3, 2008.           

15. E-mail from Jack Brown on 4 Durgin Road regarding speed limits on Durgin Road.

 

Code Officer Folder:    Building Permits: Thomas Wood, 52-1-15, rebuild front porch; Michael McCarthy,       4-1-15, chimney; Rick & Kim Thompson, 30-2-10, dormer on garage; Leah Berry,       41-1-33.  Sign Permit: Golden Post Antiques, 176 Middle Road.

 

XI.       PUBLIC MEETING: Joe Kowalski pointed out that the Town Office does not have a push-button door opener for the handicapped. 

                       

XII.     ADJOURNMENT:  At 8:10pm, Chairman Stockman made a motion to adjourn; Selectman Sundquist seconded the motion; the vote was unanimous (2-0). 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Marion Morgan

Administrative Secretary