MINUTES
Town Hall 6:30
PM
ATTENDEES:
Ed Samson Becky
Alan Savage
John Farnham Lionel Guay Judy Hammond
Kizzie Sullivan Thomas P Ryan Rosanna Ryan
Thomas P Ryan Jr Nellie Collins Douglas Dakin
Carol Smith Dale Cormier Rita Ayers
John Ayers Drusilla Skora Denis Skora
Shawn MacLeod Kevin Hammond
The meeting was called to order at 6:30 PM by Chairman D. Stickney.
1.
Page Hill MHP
Cooperative – re: Water & Sewer Bill
Several residents of the Page Hill MHP were present. The issue is that if they are being taxed the same as regular households then they should have the same amenities such as trash pickup and meters on their trailers. It was explained that a trailer with one person is charged the same fee as a trailer with multiple residents. The residents of the Co-op do not feel that this is fair.
Town Manager Samson explained that prior to the rate change there was one bill for one meter; a one rate per dwelling unit charge for usage. He said that when it came time to change the rates the town also looked at apartments and trailer parks in an effort to assure that everyone would pay a fair rate. Mr. Samson said a committee was formed that included a representative from the trailer park and from rental property. He said the fall bill for the Co-op was $6105 water and $9623 sewer for a total of $15728 and $32779 for an entire year. Mr. Samson said the rate structure became a “hot topic.” He said that the impact per year per household in the MHP is $409.74 (80 households). Mr. Samson said this is below average for a 2-person household. He said trash pickup is not connected to water and sewer. Only water/sewer users pay for the water/sewer department. Mr. Samson advised that extending trash pickup has been discussed before and can be brought up again. He suggested that the Co-op look at each household and create a water/sewer bill structure to meet each household.
Page 2 – Selectmen’s Mtg. 02/19/08
Selectman Stickney agreed. He said the whole rate structure couldn’t be changed again. He urged the MHP residents to identify the places where adjustments are needed.
Mr. Samson stated that to install a meter on each trailer would require installation of a meter pit at a cost of $2000 per pit. He said that if the town installs the meters and pits then the cost goes back to the water/sewer users. He said individual meters are cost prohibitive.
Selectman Stickney noted, as an example, that Mr. Samson (a two-person home) pays $485.60 a year for water/sewer. Considerably more than the residents pay in the mobile home park.
Kevin Hammond, President of the Co-op, stated that it became necessary to raise the lot rent in order to cover the increase in the cost of the water and sewer in the MHP.
Mr. Samson advised the mobile home park residents that if
the trash pickup is the major issue then it should be presented to the select
board that way. John Farnham noted that
Judy Hammond stated that the MHP formed a co-op, received USDA monies to d infrastructure work in an effort to keep it affordable to own your own home. John Ayers stated that the current contracted trash pickup for the park is $3300 a year for an area that pays the town $100,000 yearly in taxes.
Mr. Samson urged the park residents to make the trash pickup a separate issue and to prepare a presentation for the select board. He advised them to include all the information and arguments and to have comparables that would justify trash pickup in that area of town.
The board was asked if the town would help the park out in case of a water break. The boards feelings was that it would open up a “Pandora’s box”. Other residents would feel they should have the same benefit.
2.
Jason Ross, engineer,
provided a breakdown of cost estimates and alternates.
1.
Bearing
estimates were done
2.
The drainage
area study for Bunnell Brook showed a steep narrow watershed, which flows very
quick after a rainstorm. A 10-year flood
frequency shows a peak flow of 250 cu ft per second. There is a 10% chance of a flood each year.
3.
Existing
bridge opening was studied. There is a
lot of erosion. The recommendation is to
widen the opening to 16’. This will slow
down the water flow and prevent erosion.
Page 3 – Selectmen’s
Mtg. 02/19/08
4.
Looked at
foundations.
a)
Concrete –
cast in place.
b)
Precast
concrete footings. This is the cheaper
alternate and the recommended one.
5.
Bridge types.
a)
Precast slab bridge.
b)
3-sided precast concrete box culvert allows for smaller
footings. Cheaper alternative and the
recommended one.
6.
Cost
estimates.
a)
$349,920 –
concrete cast in place foundation with precast slab bridge.
b)
$331,920 –
precast concrete footings with precast concrete box culvert. Recommended.
The original estimate was $415,000.
Town Manger Samson asked if the State would accept this design so that the Town will still be eligible for State Bridge Aid. The answer was yes. A bridge of this type was recently installed in Gilford and the State accepted a letter from DOT accepting the plan.
Mr. Ross stated that the width of the bridge will be 22’ curb to curb. The existing bridge is 18’ or 19’ curb to curb (single lane). He said NHDOT would not fund a single lane bridge. 22’ is the narrowest 2-lane bridge and 2’ narrower than the NHDOT standard. The State will ask for a letter from the town requesting a waiver of the standard and the town will have to accept the liability. It was suggested that the select board discuss the issue with the town attorney. The impact on cost of a 22’ vs 24’ width is $10,000. 50,000 lbs is the maximum axle load (25HS).
There was some discussion regarding the bridge width. A. Carr wanted to check with the town attorney regarding the liability before making a decision. D. Stickney suggested that there might be precedence with sticking with the same width as the other bridges in the area. He said he did not want to see this bridge “out of range” with the others.
Moved by L. Enos and seconded by A. Carr to proceed
with a 24’ bridge.
Motion
carried 2 yes, 1 no.
B. Elwell asked how long the road would be inoperable at the bridge site during construction. It was stated that the Gilford bridge was closed for 6 weeks and that it all depends on the contractors lead-time. It was explained that a time limit could be imposed on the bridge construction.
1.
Review and
Approval of February 5, 2008 Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes
Moved by A. Carr and seconded by L. Enos to approve the
minutes of the February 5, 2008 Selectmen’s meeting.
Motion
carried.
2.
Veteran’s
Credit Application – Robert Crisman,
3.
Intent to Cut
– Georgia Kadlec, Route 2, Tax Map R24, Lots 11 & 12, 11.5 acres with 6
acres to be cut. Signed by the select
board
CDFA – monitoring visit –
7:35 PM – Tim Lucier arrived at the meeting.
APPOINTMENTS (continued)
3.
Timothy Lucier
– re:
Mr. Lucier presented a letter dated today to Town Manager Samson (attached to minutes) from the Lancaster National Bank advising that he is in the process of making application for a mortgage loan. The letter states that a decision will be made within 2 weeks. Mr. Lucier said processing of the loan application takes time and he does not at this time have the money owed to the town. Mr. Lucier said he also has to secure insurance as part of the loan requirement. He requested more time from the select board.
Selectman Enos asked why Mr. Lucier had not begun the loan process a month ago when the select board had given him an extension to try to come up with the $7500 needed. Mr. Enos was not in favor of granting any more time.
Mr. Lucier said he tried to work with the town in order to keep his property.
Town Manager Samson said that he worked with Mr. Lucier all summer and that he failed to honor the agreement. Mr. Lucier said that he has been in his home for 14 years and in that time has paid the town approx. $11,000. He said he has paid $8000 since his agreement with Town Manager Kelly. Mr. Samson pointed out that the amount Mr. Lucier paid for the last 14 years is very little and that the issue tonight is the obligation that was committed to 30 days ago.
Moved by L. Enos and seconded by A. Carr to have Town
Manager Samson to go through the process to have Mr. Lucier evicted.
Selectman Stickney reminded Mr. Lucier that the agreement was that he was to bring $7500 to the town manager by February 19, 2008. The agreement was not honored.
Motion
carried.
Mr. Lucier was displeased with the decision of the board.
Mr. Lucier was advised that he could purchase the property through the bid process when the town sells the property.
Alan Savage informed the board of issues that
subcontractors are having with Englewood Construction (contractors at the
Town Manager Samson sympathized with Mr. Savage’s dilemma but advised that the town could not act as bill collector for others. He said it is not a town issue.
Becky Newton advised that it is federal money and that a pay request came in on Friday and it was denied.
Motion was made,
seconded and carried to adjourn the meeting at 7:45 PM.
Respectfully
submitted.
Jean E. Oleson
Approved March 3, 2008
____________________________
David Stickney
____________________________
Leo Enos
____________________________
Allan Carr