DUNBARTON BOARD OF SELECTMEN
TOWN OFFICES –
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 were present:
Charles Graybill, Chairman
J. R. Swindlehurst
Steve Kennedy
Janice VandeBogart, Town
Administrator
Kenneth Swayze, Admin., Planning
and Zoning Department
Charles Graybill called the meeting to order at
Janice
VandeBogart, Town Administrator:
1.
Reported that the Board of Assessors had met on
A.
additional
meetings, and hearings with Board of Tax and Land Appeals ($50/hour)
B. AVITAR - $20,000 with extra
charge of $550 a day over 20 days of general assessing.
C. Cole-Layer-Trumble Company –
Based their bid on a rate per day depending on work load. Rates as follows: Gravel pit, $700 per day; Annual pickups $500
per day; Special meetings $900 per day; BTLA assistance $900 per day.
The Board of Assessors recommended that the Board of
Selectmen utilize the services of
MOTION:
Charles Graybill made a motion that the Dunbarton
Board of Selectmen accept the Board of Assessors recommendation to hire Compton
French for $18,500/year for assessing for the year 2004. Steve Kennedy seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
2.
Checks will be ready for signing next Wednesday instead of Thursday
because of Thanksgiving.
3.
Police Chief has advised us that DOT has jurisdiction re parking on
Route 13. We should call Division #5, DOT.
Patrick
Bowne, Transfer Station:
Reported
estimates for paving at
Robert
Perry Request for Return of a portion of Fees paid for Zoning Request:
MOTION:
Steve Kennedy made a motion that the Dunbarton Board of Selectmen credit the Zoning Board Account and debit the Planning Board Account for the Robert Perry Application fees. J. R. Swindlehurst seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Janice
VandeBogart, Town Administrator:
Stated
that in July 2003, Police Chief Nelson had
presented three ordinances to the Selectmen for review: Emergency Alarms Systems, Noise Prevention
and Parks,
Selectmen advised Janice VandeBogart to make copies for all Selectmen to review.
At this point in the meeting Selectmen Steve Kennedy and J. R. Swindlehurst recused themselves from the meeting because of conflict of interest on the Tucker Hill Road Acceptance Public Hearing.
7:30
P.M. PUBLIC HEARING ON ACCEPTANCE OF
Merton Mann and William Nichols, Ex-Selectmen sat in for the above.
Ron Slocum asked if the two ex-selectmen should be sworn in before conducting any business on behalf of the Town.
Linda Peters, Town Clerk, swore both Merton Mann and William Nichols in as Selectmen Pro Tem.
Charles Graybill, Selectman, stated that they wished to express the Board of Selectmen’s appreciation and thanks for serving as Selectmen Pro Tem for this issue.
Member of the Public Comments: NONE
Speaking
in Favor of the Town Acceptance of the Road:
NONE
Speaking Against the Town Acceptance of the Road: NONE
MOTION:
Charles
Graybill made a motion that the Dunbarton Board of Selectmen accept the
recommendation of Don Mayo and the Planning Board in regards to the outstanding
issues for the road and accept the Tucker Hill Road which was completed by
Stillwater as a Town Road and that we
hold the letter of credit in the amount of $25,000 for road completion. William Nichols seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Janice VandeBogart noted that we will need a value for Tucker Hill Road for accounting purposes. The length of the road is approximately 3,000 feet with a cost estimate of $150/foot.
Jan
VandeBogart, Road Agent:
Both Steve Kennedy and J. R. Swindlehurst returned to the Board of Selectmen.
Merton Mann and William Nichols, Selectmen Pro Tem were excused and thanked for their time.
Reported that he will be putting in the culvert on Rangeway Road on Saturday, November 22 and the road will be closed to traffic all day. Has contacted the Fire Chief. The road is only one lane wide therefore needs to be closed. Possibility of exiting the other way in an emergency.
Stop Sign on Everett Road blew over – Will fill with concrete.
Patrick
Bowne, Transfer Station:
1. Reported that estimates for a railing pipe system were around $4,000. Reported there were no funds remaining for expenditures for this year.
J. R. Swindlehurst offered to donate 1 ½” concrete pipe if they can use it for the railing.
2. Vacation – Asked about policy re carrying time over into the next year. Town Administrator checked on regulation. Selectmen can approve of time being carried over or can pay time, etc. P. Bowne also has seven days Holiday pay for the year 2003.
P. Bowne was advised to put his request in writing to the Board of Selectmen and they will act on it.
3. Asked the Board of Selectmen if they wanted him to block off the old road that goes out to the swamp. People can come in the other way. Now is the time to do this because of equipment available.
8:00
PM – BRETT ST. CLAIRE REGARDING WHIPPLE ROAD:
Brett St. Claire and Larry Cook, Conservation Commission, appeared before the Board of Selectmen and stated that the status of Whipple Road was in question. They have blazed and painted the road. Mr. LaBranch feels the road is his. There is a conflict between Mr. Amarosa and Mr. LaBranch re the ownership of the road and who can use it. Irene Thalheimer has researched the status of Whipple Road and according to her, it is a Class VI road subject to gates and bars and has never been closed.
Both Brett St. Claire and Larry Cook stated they would like to submit a Warrant Article at Town Meeting to change the status of Whipple Road to a Class A Municipal Trail. (attached) This would allow us to put up a gate for foot traffic, etc.
Steve Kennedy suggested they need to have open discussions with both Mr. LaBranch and Mr. Amarosa and hear their grievances before making any decisions as to the status of what the road should be. Would recommend they contact both parties and make arrangements for the discussion along with the Selectmen being present.
Milfoil
at Gorham Pond
Larry Cook stated he had a meeting with the residents (not Gorham Pond Association) of Gorham Pond re Milfoil. They feel the Town of Dunbarton has got to help pay for the cleanup of milfoil at Gorham Pond.
Public
Meeting on Gile Hill Road –
Larry Cook stated the Dunbarton Conservation Commission will hold an informational meeting with Town Officials (Zoning Board, Planning Board, Board of Selectmen, Road Agent and Building Department) on Thursday, December 11, 2003 regarding concerns. Probably no decisions will be made at this meeting regarding what improvements can be done to Gile Hill Road.
Legache
Hill Road
Larry Cook stated he met with Jeff Nelson, Police Chief, regarding Legache Hill Road which is at the end of Rangeway Road regarding dumping problem and partying. The Fire Chief has recommended that it be gated off. The residents did not want it gated off. The only way we can control it is to put a parking lot and gate it off. The person who spoke against the gate was pro hunting.
Scott Warriner said less problems this year then ever before. Police Chief said there hasn’t been any major problems down there this year.
Vicki
Kelly re Basketball
Both Vicki Kelly and Jean Leo appeared before the Board of Selectmen to discuss the Basketball issue.
Vicki Kelly presented a letter from Mark and Beth Therriault supporting her as a Coach for the Basketball program. (attached)
Vicki Kelly asked why the meeting was held on Monday evening, November 3, 2003 with the Recreation Committee and the Board of Selectmen without her being notified to attend because it was about her, etc. At this meeting, it was decided that she would not be allowed to coach basketball. Felt it was very unfair. She was coaching their children at the school while this meeting was being held. The Dunbarton Code of Ethics states that when officials are talking about other individuals, those individuals should be present.
Steve Kennedy explained the situation which had occurred at the Selectmen’s meeting and stated that the Selectmen basically listened to the kids. The kids stated they would not play basketball if they were on Vicki’s team, etc. The Selectmen felt that it was important for the kids to be able to play basketball so therefore called an emergency meeting with the Recreation Commission to alleviate the problems so the kids could play basketball. He stated there were about 11 kids present at the meeting with the Selectmen on Thursday, October 30. He stated the Recreation Committee tried hard to wrestle with a difficult situation. It was resolved by requesting that Vicki Kelly step down from her position of coaching.
Vicki Kelly stated she had no idea this was going on. She stated she had coached and refereed for a long time. Coaches are chosen by seniority therefore she was chosen. There are other coaches that have served for a long time also, David Montgomery, Mark Powell and others. She stated this is a volunteer program for the kids.
Vicki Kelly asked the Board of Selectmen if the minutes of the Selectmen’s Meeting were correct in stating that Mr. Beaugeard said racial slurs were made, etc. The Selectmen reviewed the minutes and stated this was correct. V. Kelly stated that she never made racial slurs and that she liked Larry Beaugeard so did not know why he was saying these things. In addition she had never coached Mr. Beaugeard’s son.
MOTION:
Steve
Kennedy made a motion that the Dunbarton Board of Selectmen write a letter to
Mr. Beaugeard with reference to his accusations at the Selectmen’s meeting of
October 30, 2003. J. R. Swindlehurst
seconded the motion. The motion passed
unanimously.
Bill Frost stated that Vicki has coached his son for 5-6 years and always done a good job. This is teaching our children not to volunteer. I am trying to teach my children to volunteer.
Vicki Kelly stated that meeting should be held with everyone present and not just the accusers. It should be fair.
J. R. Swindlehurst stated he hoped that she would stay with the program.
Appointment
for Recreation Committee
MOTION:
Charles Graybill made a motion that the Dunbarton Board of Selectmen
appoint Kim Vaillancourt to the Dunbarton Recreation Committee. Steve Kennedy seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Comments from the Public:
1. Ron Slocum stated that the previously scheduled meeting to discuss Transfer Station items had been postponed. What meeting will this be scheduled for?
Selectmen decided the Transfer Station discussion will be held on Thursday, December 4, 2003.
2. Ron Slocum asked for a “Point of Clarification” on the October 23, 2003 Selectmen’s Minutes as follows: “What does “where to “head in” mean with reference to Mr. Kennedy’s motion re Ron Slocum’s remarks?
Steve Kennedy stated this meant “like a cowboy bringing the cows back into the herd, herding the cows in, etc.”
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:42 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Alison R. Vallieres
Recording Secretary
______________________________
Charles Graybill, Chairman
______________________________
John R. Swindlehurst, III
_____________________________
Stephen Kennedy
Board of Selectmen