DUNBARTON BOARD OF SELECTMEN

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2003

TOWN OFFICES – 7:00 PM

 

The regular weekly session of the Dunbarton Board of Selectmen was held at the above time, date and place with Chairman Charles Graybill presiding.  The following members were present:

 

                Charles Graybill, Chairman

                J. R. Swindlehurst

                Steve Kennedy

                Janice VandeBogart, Town Administrator

                Kenneth Swayze, Admin.,  Planning and Zoning

 

K. Swayze stated that he had spoken with Steve Duggan, Town Counsel today, and he had recommended that the Zoning Board and Planning Board hold a Joint Meeting to discuss procedures for both Boards with regard to applications, etc. 

 

Charles Graybill tentatively stated that the two Boards should have a Joint Meeting on Monday, October 20, 2003 at 5:00 pm prior to the Zoning Board of Adjustment Public Hearing at 7:00 p.m.  This will be a Legal Counsel Meeting and not opened to the public.  Members of both Boards should be present.

 

JAMES MARCOU, KEEFE SUBDIVISION ROAD AND CALEB’S WAY:

 

                James Marcou, Chairman, Dunbarton Planning Board, appeared before the Board of Selectmen to report on the site walk of the Keefe Subdivision Road.  He stated that there was a very Minor Modification to the original road plans due to the DOT driveway permit making a change, etc.  He stated that Don Mayo has been working on the Town Payroll with the Town has been paying him, with Keefe reimbursing the Town through monies left with the Town for this purpose.  The road is built properly. The question is “Do we stop construction and hold it up for three weeks so the Planning Board can sign the actual plan because of building “at risk”?  J. Marcou stated he felt it was in the best interest of the Town to allow them to continue construction providing Don Mayo reviews the revised plan which he didn’t get until today.  Don Mayo has never seen the plan until today.  Don Mayo will review the plan and if correct, they can put binder on the road.  To stop construction now will be for no good reason.  Issue is that construction started without all permits in hand. 

 

S. Kennedy asked how do we stop this from happening again?  Concerned about Town Engineer working down there with no authorization, and wants to make sure this never happens again. 

 

J. Marcou – Stated that Don Mayo has done a good job of protecting the Town of Dunbarton.   Stated there has to be a procedural meting from the Selectmen’s Office.  Should not even have a pre-construction meeting until all permits are in hand.  The driveway permit was a long time coming. 

 

MOTION:

 

Steve Kennedy made a motion that the Town of Dunbarton accept the Keefe proposal and that we insist before we even look at the site and before acceptance of the road, we will have a policy in place. 

 

J. Marcou asked the Selectmen to endorse the agreement they made in the field.   Do we make them wait until November 5 for a 1’ road change?  It would be approved in the modification.  The issue is do we take the hard line and make them sit until November 5.  I don’t want to see frost into the ground. 

 

Steve Kennedy stated he would recommend that the Chairman of the Planning Board poll the members as to their approval of the Minor Modification of the road prior to the November 5 meeting.  They are a week away from paving. 

 

(First motion was withdrawn by Steve Kennedy.)

 

MOTION:

 

Steve Kennedy made a motion that the Dunbarton Board of Selectmen recommend the Chairman of the Planning Board conduct a telephone poll of the members of the Planning Board  relative to the Keith Subdivision Road Minor Modification prior to the November 5 Planning Board Workshop Meeting.  Charles Graybill seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

TUCKER HILL:

 

Charles Graybill, Selectman, reported that the Selectmen have to have a Public Meeting to approve the Tucker Hill Road.  The only member of the Board of Selectmen who can act on Stillwater is Charles Graybill.  Because of this, ex-selectmen will be requested to serve.  The names of William Nichols and Mert Mann were suggested to serve for the Tucker Hill Road approval.  It was determined that both were qualified to serve on behalf of the Town.

 

J. R. Swindlehurst stated that the Selectmen had previously discussed putting a movable Stop Sign at Everett Road and Route 13.  Janice will notify the Road Agent about this.  The Stop Sign would have to be very heavy so it could not be moved by individuals, only heavy equipment. 

 

CALEB’S WAY:

 

James Marcou reported  they have substantially completed the road.  The only outstanding issue is the backup of the asphalt   Have received a quote from Pike Industries for $2,400.  Ready to provide the Town with a check for $2,400 to cover backup.   Paving and top coat is done.  Left it up to Pike Industries to work with Road Agent.  Pavement of both roads  is done.  Town paid for the portion of Mansion Road.  Road has been through a winter season.  The Town has accepted the road.  This is consistent with everything that has been done in the past.  He also has a Warranty Deed for the Road ready to give the town.  (K. Swayze has reviewed the deed and made several recommendations.) 

 

MOTION:

 

Charles Graybill made a motion that the Board of Selectmen accept the firm proposal for $2,400 to provide the gravel to the side of the road for Caleb’s Way to be done in spring with Mr. Marcou giving a check for $2,400 to be reimbursed to him upon completion in the spring.  In addition, the Selectmen would like to see Jersey Barriers used in closing off the road because the Town has no interest in maintaining the road until such time as homes are built, etc.  J. R. Swindlehurst seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

8:00 p.m. – SCHOOL BOARD

 

Members of the School Board appeared before the Board of Selectmen with an updated policy regarding use of School Facilities, etc. (attached)   Members of the School Board present were Betty Ann Noyes, Rene Ouelette, Carl Metzger, and Jeff Trexler (later in meeting). 

 

In addition, members of the Recreation Commission were also present as follows:  Susan Nichols, Jacque Belanger, and Terry Francoeur. 

 

DISCUSSION:

 

Steve Kennedy stated he would like to see the Recreation Commission do more for Senior Citizens by promoting activities to get them together.  People in Dunbarton need to get to know their neighbors and this is one way to do it. 

 

C. Graybill asked why the smoking policy listed on Page 3 was not consistent with the alcohol policy etc.   Smoking and alcohol should not be allowed period.

 

Rene Ouelette stated he had a concern about how are we going to pay for the overhead costs. 

 

Betty Ann Noyes stated she was not collecting fees to cover the overhead of the building.  Fees would be used to cover things that happen during use. 

 

Steve Kennedy stated he would like to see an amount put aside in the Town Budget for the Recreation to use the facilities for activities.  Could be $15,000 or whatever amount the School Board determines is necessary to cover damages for say 100 days of use by the Recreation Commission.  Recreation Commission should be guaranteed a certain amount of days for activities.

 

Charles Graybill stated he felt we should leave it the way it is.  The problem has been going on for years. 

 

J. R. Swindlehurst stated we should all take part in the facilities.  They are for the Town.

Stated that the title of the policy should include Community Facilities because it is not just the School Facilities we are talking about.  It is for the entire Community.  

 

Terry Francoeur asked where the fees go. 

 

It was noted that the School Board cannot put fees into an account and expend them.  The unexpended amount goes back to the Town at the end of the year.

 

Terry Francoeur stated the Recreation Commission has been bumped many times.  The PTO has a Fund Raiser and the Recreation Commission was bumped.  Who determines who uses the facility? 

 

The Selectmen noted the schedule should be on the Town Web Site and at the School also.  Should be done on a quarterly basis.  (3 months) 

 

At this point, Betty Ann Noyes wanted to invite the Selectmen and any other interested parties to attend the following:

 

PUBLIC FORUM ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2003 at 7:00 PM WITH SENATOR GATSUS TO PRESENT THE STATE BUDGET AS IT APPLIES TO THE EDUCATION FIELD. 

 

9:15 p.m. – PATRICK BOWNE, TRANSFER STATION ITEMS

 

Patrick Bowne, Transfer Station Manager, appeared before the Selectmen with the following items:

 

1.        Received Inspection Report from the Department of Environmental Services.  (Attached) 

 

a.        Ashes are being taken care of.

 

b.       Town Employee will be certified for Level I by next week.

 

c.        With regard to item about signs, signs are up.  In addition, we either have to fence the entire area of 42 acres or have adequate signing around the perimeter of the property. 

 

S. Kennedy stated he felt the area was lacking in signs.  In addition, would like to see the Transfer Station open container area be much safer and has to be supervised.  He realizes the Transfer Station is short handed at the moment.  He stated he also felt that the free area was dangerous for children.  He saw a young child looking at toys, etc. with glass paned windows nearby.  He stated the child could fall into the window etc. 

 

2.        Received three applications for employment. 

 

a.        After interview, decided to hire Beth Ziakas, 29 Old Hillsboro Road, Henniker, NH 03242 as a Transfer Station Attendant @ $10.00/hour.  She has a Class B License with a certified CDL.  Plowed snow for the State of New Hampshire for eleven years.  She is presently working at the Henniker Transfer Station two days a week (Thursday and Sunday).   She will continue working for Henniker along with Dunbarton on days needed.  Checked her present employer and she has very good references. 

 

3.        Power went out Wednesday night.  Operated facility until dark and then closed for safety reasons. 

 

Charles Graybill stated he remember talking about this at a Selectmen’s Meeting and talked about have a generator.  S. Kennedy stated he did not want the place running with a generator for safety reasons.  It was noted the generator was a large one, not just 6,000 watts.

 

P. Bowne stated he has spoken with an electrician about hooking up the generator (20KW) and he has promised to be there next week. 

 

4.        Kenneth Swayze, Road Agent, and he went over the Transfer Station Area and there is not enough drainage at the facilities presently.  The present drainage system is not sufficient to handle the water coming into the Transfer Station.  Culvert work had got to get done.  K. Swayze is working on getting the pipe.  Plan to pave the first week in November.  Road Agent has stated gravel should settle.  Would like to wait until next spring to put final coat.  Work is all scheduled.  Waiting for culvert pipe.  There is a little more site work to be done. 

 

C. Graybill asked if there were any more items on the list to be carried over to next year?  Asked P. Bowne to go through the items and report back as to what will not be completed during this year.

 

P. Bowne stated he hoped to have all things done this year and was trying his best.   

 

Lori Davis stated that the complete list was supposed to have been done.  Why isn’t it done?

 

Peggy Slocum presented the check  list to the Board.

 

P. Bowne stated he was one person and was doing the best he could with the help he has. 

 

5.        P. Bowne stated there was theft at the Transfer Station which occurred while it was closed.  He stated he had completed a Police Report.  Happened between Wednesday after closing and Saturday.  Pumpkins were stolen from the compost pile.  This is trespassing.  This was done after hours. 

 

C. Graybill stated he would encourage prosecuting the trespassers if solved. 

 

6.        Have been working on a revised schedule for residents and commercial haulers to provide more open hours at the Transfer Station.

 

7.        Tonnage for the year will probably be 80 tons below last year. 

 

8.        Hazardous Waste Day is this Saturday. 

 

Lori Davis stated that the Lions had distributed flyers exactly as they were supposed to do.  290 flyers. 

 

P. Bowne stated he had also distributed many flyers about Hazardous Waste Day. 

 

Peggy Slocum asked what the purpose of the compost pile is and what is it there for. 

 

P. Bowne stated the compost pile is a place for people to drop off their leaves.  We will haul material to Stark Pond and spread it, etc. 

 

Peggy Slocum stated they had taken wood from the Wood Pile.  Was there a sign stating to the public that this was a compost pile, etc.  What about the burn pile?  We have taken wood from that in the past. 

 

P. Bowne stated that the pumpkins were taken after the gates were closed.  They were gone Saturday morning.  I can find out from the Police Department the exact time and day I called the Police Department. 

 

Peggy Slocum suggested a small sign stating the purpose of the compost pile should be put up so people are aware.  

 

P. Bowne stated that with regard to the compost pile, if anyone wanted to take compost, they would have to go see him.

 

Ron Slocum asked if Woody could do work for any other department within the Town and how is he paid if he works for another Department such as the Highway Department?

 

Janice VandeBogart stated that he is paid through his time sheet and billed to the appropriate department for which he is working.

 

P. Bowne stated that on a Monday which was his day off, he had been working for the Fire Department on hydrants on his own time when Ron Slocum saw him. 

               

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 10:00 p.m.

 

                                                                                                                Respectfully submitted,

 

 

                                                                                                                Alison Vallieres

                                                                                                                Recording Secretary