Minutes of Meeting

                                                      Board of Selectmen

 

Meeting held upstairs in Town Hall                             Monday October 15, 2007

 

Those attending: Town Administrative Services Manager Becky Newton

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

 

Other attending: Henrietta Moineau,  Alan Savage, Murray Vashaw, Joe Bachofer and Rev. Don Williams

 

Public Hearing – Water Street Infrastructure Improvements Summary.

Monday, October 15, 2007                                                                                6:00 P.M.

 

A motion to open the public hearing was made by Leo Enos and seconded by David Stickney. All in favor. Motion carried unanimously.

 

Becky Newton welcomed the public to the hearing.  The only person in attendance was Henrietta Moineau.  Becky explained that she would begin with some general information about the CDBG project.

 

CDBG requires a progress public hearing during a project to inform the publilc of the project’s progress.

 

The project is done except for a wearing course of pavement which will be done in 2008.

 

Water: Approximately 1,865 linear feet of water main has been replaced and approximately 575 linear feet of service lines have been replaced (25 connections).  Three fire hydrants were installed.

 

Sewer:  Approximately 740 linear feet of sewer main have been replaced and approximately 535 feet of sewer service lines have been replaced.

 

Roadway:  New storm drains have been installed along the entire length of Water Street.  Retaining walls, granite curbing and new replacement sidewalk has been installed.  The roadbed has been reconstructed with 24 inches of gravel and the entire road (including driveway aprons) has been repaved.

 

Total project cost:  $633,400 – not including pavement topcoat. (And a couple of driveway apron’s owed to us by the contractor.)

 

CDBG Grant of $307,500, Rural Development Grant $134,000; DES Grant (sewer) $22,200.  Total Grants - $463,700.  Rural Development loan:  $169,700.

 

At the conclusion of the statistics, Henrietta Moineau addressed the Board about the condition of the pavement on Hartco Avenue.  She asked if between now and when the snow flies if the Town was planning to smooth out the tar portion of the road.  It was discussed that this project would be first on the list for paving in 2008.  Probably the only thing that could be done for now would be to fill in the potholes with sand.  The Board mentioned that Dennis Donnelly was planning to meet with the Town Manager about this situation when he returns from vacation.  It was also mentioned that at the top of the hilly area, the road had washed out during the summer.  A shoulder needs to be installed on the left hand side of the road.

 

The Board requested that the roller on Holton Park be moved ASAP.  Becky said she would speak to the project observer in the morning.

 

No further questions to come before the board at the public hearing, a motion was made by Leo Enos and seconded by David Stickney  to close the public hearing. The motion was voted on and carried and the hearing was closed at 6:17 P.M.

 

Alan Savage, Murray Vashaw and Joe Bachofer arrived at 6:20 P.M.

 

 

 

APPOINTMENTS:

 

 

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

 

            Due to the absence of Town Manager, Edward Samson, the meting was run by the Administrative Services Manager, Becky Newton.

 

OLD BUSINESS;

            Review and approve the minutes of the October 1st meeting.

A motion was made by Alan Carr and seconded by Leo Enos to accept the minutes as written. A vote was taken and the motion carried.

 

            Department Head Up-dates:  None

 

            Various paperwork to be signed:

                        Intent to cut – Herzl – Tax Map R15 Lot 1 with 450 acres.  They are cutting 100 acres.  Land is on Stebbins Hill Road and Route 135.

                        Non-Mutual Aid Member Contract for Fire Services.

                                    This is with the Town of Guildhall, Vermont.  This was to accept the pro-rated fee that they have set up for now as they are trying to get all of these items on the same schedule.

                        Delegation of Deposit Authority.  This is a form that the Town Treasurer has given authority to the Tax Collector, Town Clerk and Financial Director to make deposits.  This is in accordance with RSA 41:29 II and RSA 246:29 VI.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

            The new  sewer rate had been set at $2.20 per thousand across the board.  The old rate was $2.85 -$l.00 and .30 cents.   They do not feel that they have overset the rate. It will be quite close as to whether enough revenue can be raised to cover the budget.  They have projected for 20% bad debt.

 

 

 

 

A motion was made by Leo Enos and seconded by Alan Carr to accept the new sewer rate  of $2.20 across the board and to sign the Water and Sewer Warrant that was presented by the Tax Collector.  A vote was called for and the motion carried.

 

            It was asked what the town did if a person did not pay his water and sewer bill.  It was stated that the Town takes a lien against the property, as they do for taxes.  The property owner has 2 years and 1 day to pay off the lien and if not paid by then the Town has the right to take the property by deed.  Reverend Williams stated that we should not be shutting off water.  Becky Newton mentioned that the Town does have that right but does not exercise it.

 

            An invitation was sent to attend the Annual Meeting of the Mt. Washington Regional Airport on November 6th.  They would like responses by October 28th. Leo Enos said that he would not be able to attend, as he will be gone from November 2nd through November 20th.  Other board members will let Becky know.

 

INFORMATION;

In the packet were:

            Minutes of the Safety Committee meeting of October 2nd.

            Minimum Impact Expedited Application – Samuel Kendall, property on 29 Cross Country Road in Lancaster.

            Draft of 2009-2028 Federal Aid Project Listing.

            Building Permits:

                        Edward Samson – Log home on Sand St.

                        Marcel Masse – Reconstruction of porch and stone wall.

                        Coos & Essex Agricultural Society (Lancaster Fair) New barn.

 

            There was discussion on the stone wall that has been constructed on High St. at the Marcel Masse home.  The permit called for a rock wall.  The Planning Board wants the applicant to come to the Tri-Board meeting and explain further what is being done.  It was also suggested that they come to the next Selectmen’s meeting.

 

FYI

            Becky Newton said that she had received a notice that there would be a meeting in Concord on Oct. 24th regarding the State Bike Loop if anyone wanted to attend.

 

            Don Williams questioned why they had not paved the area up at the top of the Transfer Station where the little office was.  David Stickney said that they were only going to pave the traveled area and none of the surrounding sections.  Mr. Williams said he was told that they were going to do that section and Becky said that she would check into it. The Board made it clear that they did not want the back road paved – just public areas at the top of the hill.

 

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

A motion was made by Leo Enos and seconded by Allan Carr to adjourn.  A vote was called for and the meeting adjourned at 7:05 P.M.

 

 

Respectfully Submitted:                                                        Approved:

 

 

Sandra E. Doolan – Clerk                                                     David Stickney

 

 

                                                                                                Leo Enos, Sr.

 

 

                                                                                                Allan Carr

 

 

                                                                                                Board of Selectmen