Minutes of Meeting

                                                     Board of Selectmen

 

Meeting held upstairs in Town Hall                       Monday June 18, 2007

 

Attending: Town Manager Edward Samson

                   Administrative Services Manager Becky Newton

                  Selectmen David Stickney, Leo Enos, Sr., and Allan Carr

 

Others attending:Alan Savage, Murray Vashaw, Joe Bachofer, Edward Woods, Heather Bailey, Andy Cliché, Mike Beattie, Rev. Don Williams and Melissa Grimma Reporter.

 

            Chairman David Stickney followed by the Pledge to the Flag called the meeting to order at 6:30 P.M.

 

APPOINTMENTS:

            At this time Town Manager Edward Samson read an e-mail that he had received in regards to the condition of the Col. Town Community Camp.  The e-mail was from a Bob Normandeau who had lived in Lancaster in the past and had come up for a visit and went to the camp.  He was very upset with the condition of the grills, grounds and the list went on and on.  He had spoken to Edward Samson and wanted to go to the newspaper with the issues but Mr. Samson asked that he take it up with the Selectboard and the Col. Town Committee.  Present from the Col. Town Committee were Director Ed Woods and Committee members Heather Bailey and Andy Cliché.

            Discussion was brought up as to why it was in such shape.  Mr. Woods said that he had contacted groups who had used the camp and they did not have any issues.  Leo Enos said that he had gone out and there was a dog that was chained and he broke loose, this is a life safety issue and if the dog is not controllable it should not be there, Mr. Woods said that the dog had been taken care of.  Allan Carr said that he had seen the pictures that David Stickney had taken on his visit and the whole area is just a lack of maintenance and thought that the person who is staying there rent free should be more accountable. Mr. Woods said that they have been very busy at Col. Town and some of the things at the camp had not been done.  It was suggested that the Town take over the camps. Edward Samson said that he had spoken to Town Council regarding that and it isn’t something that they really want to do.  It would be better not to as Col. Town is non-profit and has more access to grants and funds for their programs where the Town wouldn’t.   Edward Samson said that he has complaints every week regarding this.  Heather Bailey said that she had been out and looked it over and that they will be taking care of it, they have a meeting on July 11th and will get back to the Board.  Edward Samson asked if there was something in writing regarding the duties of the caretaker at the camps, it would be checked.  It was brought up also about the fields at Col. Town.  The fence is broken and the trimming is rarely done.  Mr. Woods said that the Lou Leaver Fund has $3,500.00 for fixing of the fence.  They had a water problem and the Town has fixed their end of it and Col. Town will have to come up with some money to repair their part.  Edward Samson said that things have to happen and everyone needs to get together and talk and see what can be done, if we all work together hopefully we can make it work for everyone.  The camps have been part of the Town for a long time and it is to bad to have them go to such disarray.

            Mike Beattie from the Lancaster Alumni Monument Committee was present to address the Board with further up-dates of the monument that the Alumni would like to place in Centennial Park.  He passed out sheets that had a draft of the monument and where they would like to put it in the park.  They are planning to have it as sort of a podium effect with a sidewalk going up to it. The sidewalk to the monument will be on the same level as the one that is there now. He said that it probably would not be done for the summer but they hope to have it by June of 2008.  At this time they do not have an estimate of the cost.  They just wanted to keep the Board informed of what they are doing.  Alan Savage said that he would help with the concrete and Leo Enos said that he would help with the landscaping when the time came.  Mike suggested that prior to one of the Board meetings that they could do a site visit to see where they have planned to put the monument.

 

OLD BUSINESS;

 

            To review and approve the minutes of the June 4th meeting.

A motion was made by Allan Carr and seconded by David Stickney to approve the minutes as written.  A vote was taken and the motion carried.

 

            Department Head Up-dates:  None

 

            Signing of various paperwork:

                        l. Timber Tax levi – Forbes Farm Partnership   $537.40

                        2. Intent to Cut – Bob Lottero  Lost Nation   385 acres

                        3. Fireworks Permits – Richard Brisson 36 Kilkenny St. July 4th

                                                             Mt Lake Campground  July 4th

 

NEW BUSINESS:

            Vote needed for Authorization – Pre-Disaster Mitigation Competitive Grant.

            A motion was made by Selectmen Leon Enos, Sr., “we the undersigned Selectmen of the Town of Lancaster, do hereby state that on June 18, 2007 at the regular meeting of the Select boards we have voted to approve, accept and receive a Hazard Mitigation Grant from the State of New Hampshire Department of Safety, Homeland Security and Emergency Management to fund enlargement of culverts on and adjacent to Mt. Prospect Road in the Town of Lancaster as stated in Exhibit A. Scope of Work of the Grant Agreement dated June 18, 2007.  Also, the undersigned Selectmen hereby authorize Edward Samson, Jr., to execute the grant on the Town’s behalf.” Selectmen Allan Carr second the motion.  A vote was called for and the motion was unanimous.

 

            This work is to be completed by March 5, 2008 and the Towns share of the cost is $20,310.00 which is 25%.

 

            Discussion on Israel River Dam.   Deb Loiselle from DES said that the report had gone to the Attorney General for opinion.  The Attorney General has reviewed the report and the Attorney General says that the dam belongs to the Corp of Engineers.  So Ed feels that once the Corp of Engineers gets the report we will hear from them.

 

            Letter from NHDOT re:  Stephen Druke property.  Edward Samson read the letter that was sent to Mr. Druke from DOT.  Mr. Druke feels that the run off from the town is contaminating his water supply.  There were several pages of test results with the letter.  Edward Samson said that he would like to investigate the issue further before any final decision is made.

 

            A letter was read from the Honeywell  Company regarding our not continuing with their contract.  They said they would give us their final report when we send them out last payment.

 

            A letter from UNH stating that Dennis Patnoe has achieved the status of Master Roads Scholar.  This is a program through the Technology Transfer Center at UNH and is sponsored by the Federal Highway Administration and Department of Transportation.

 

            Edward Samson had some deeds from the Tax Collector that needed signing and he wanted to continue with the forbearance agreements that he has with those people as they are keeping up with the conditions that have been given to them.  The Board was in agreement with that.

 

INFORMATION;

            There were 3 notices of decision from the Zoning Board of Adjustment.  One for Richard and Diantha Rochefort to put addition signage on their building. One for Mark and Debra Coulter to have a repair shop and one for Jason Aldrich and Derwood Phillips to construct a garage.  These were all approved.

            The minutes of the Zoning Board of May 30, 2007.

            Invitation to the CEDC Annual meeting on June 26, 2007.

            Becky Newton said that she had sent out the information for the Qualifications for the Arthur White Bridge.  Those who respond will come in for an interview and no price will be discussed until you hear their proposals.  There are certain things that have to be done  to get 80% State aid.   She has sent information to 10 companies, who have done bridges or are on the State Bridge list.  The first interview will be on Aug. 8th with 3 firms to come in.  We are on the 2007 Bridge list and we need to know  figures for the budget process

            Becky also brought up that there is a request by Priscilla Stewart to provide a permanent easement in exchange for ownership of a 40’ strip across her Garland Road property. This property had been taken by the Town for unpaid taxes in the ‘70s.  Needs to go on 2008 Town Warrant.

A motion was made by Leo Enos and seconded by Allan Carr to have Vote of Confidence put on 2008 Town Warrant. A vote was called for and the motion carried.

            Becky also brought up that they had an ad for the CDBG on the Play and Learning Center.  2 proposals came in.  Donna Lane for $8,300.00 and one from Joya Hughes for $9,000.00.  Ms. Hughes doesn’t have as much experience but she helped to write the grant and Becky felt that she should be given the job.  There is no expense to the Town on this.

A motion was made by Allan Carr and seconded by Leo Enos to accept Joya Hughes as the Administrative Services Manager for the Play and Learning Center Project.  A vote was called for and the motion carried.

            Becky also stated that we had received a check in the amount of $15,000.00 from the Tillotson Fund.  This was for the town hall study and we would have to submit a final report after the money has been spent, and any unspent money would have to be returned.  She wanted to put it in the Town Hall Capital Reserve Fund.

A motion was made by Leo Enos and seconded by Allan Carr to deposit the check of $15,000.00 into the Town Hall Capital Reserve Fund for Town Hall Improvements.  A vote was taken and the motion carried.

 

            There was further discussion on Col. Town.  Some felt that it was the Directors responsibility to make sure that all of the things were done and done properly.  He is more interested in sports than some of the things that go on around there.  Ed felt that we need to keep the lines open between all of the committees and try to help.  Mike Beattie said that when he was on the Board several years ago they had the same problem with them.

 

            It was made mention that the next Selectmen’s meeting will be held on Monday July 9th, 2007.

 

            Noting that there was no further business to come before the meeting a vote was called for to adjourn.

Amotion was made by David Stickney and seconded by Allan Carr to adjourn the meeting. A vote was called for and the meeting adjourned at 7:45 P.M.

 

 

Respectfully submitted:                                             Approved:

 

 

Sandra E. Doolan – Clerk                                         David Stickney

 

 

                                                                                    Leo Enos, Sr.

 

 

                                                                                    Allan Carr

 

 

 

                                                                                    Board of Selectmen