TOWN OF DUNBARTON

BOARD OF SELECTMEN

MINUTES OF MEETING

MAY 15, 2003

Present: Chuck Graybill, Chair

J.R. Swindlehurst III

Steve Kennedy

Janice VandeBogart, Town Administrator

7:00 p.m., Ken Swayze, Building Inspector

J.R. motioned, which was seconded by Steve, to appoint Ken Swayze as Building Inspector for a one year term. The motion carried.

A discussion ensued regarding Barry Lussier’s property. J.R. received a call from Mr. Lussier, who indicated that “the requirements have been met,” and he indicated that they were brought into the Town Office. J.R. mentioned that he found some inaccuracies in Barry’s statements with regard to who he spoke with on the Board. He said he spoke with Bill Nichols and Simon Audet, neither of whom were in office at that time.

A discussion regarding Gleason/Meehan and the mobile home took place.

7:30 p.m. Department Head meeting, including Chief Jeff Nelson, Woody Bowne, Jan VandeBogart, Janice VandeBogart and Ken Swayze. Jon Wiggin was absent.

Chuck thanked everyone for coming and introduced Ken Swayze as the new Building Inspector and Health Officer. Chuck noted that he plans on having these meetings quarterly and they are intended as an exchange of ideas. Chuck mentioned that the Town employees need to make an effort to face the fact that personalities come into play in our work. We should step back and address sensitive situations at a later time. He congratulated them on all of their great work.

J.R. mentioned that these meetings will be a way to improve communications between department heads, and cited the new store at Page’s Corner as an example of where communication is essential.

Ken mentioned that with the proposed developments before the Planning Board, that will be more roads than in the last 30 years, and he would like input on areas such as signage, as on Stark Lane, for example.

Jeff indicated that he likes written synopses of proposals.

Steve said he does not like to micro manage the departments, but if a situation falls through the cracks and is taken care of in a certain way, it sets a precedent and can make the Town vulnerable in the future. He reiterated that he would like to see the department heads getting bids for purchases of more than $1,500. Presently, no backup information is provided with the invoice. He commended Chief Nelson’s policies and suggested that other department heads look at the Chief’s policies, which could benefit other departments, noting that consistency is important. Steve cited Woody’s pressure at the Transfer Station and offered to go down on Saturday to chat with the employees, to help them to understand their responsibilities.

Chuck asked about concerns that anyone may have. Woody voiced his concern that certain residents are distracting the Transfer Station employees. He feels it is necessary to keep everyone out except the employees and volunteers. Steve reiterated his feeling that we need to have the process defined. He also noted that decisions made at Board meetings need to be followed up on.

A discussion with Jan VandeBogart regarding the proposed subdivision on Tenney Hill Rd. took place. Minutes need to be taken on site walks so that any agreements made will be documented. The agreement made on this subdivision regarding tree cutting and culverts were not documented.

Steve discussed an idea for commercial dumping, which is to charge the haulers by the hour, at $100/hour. A question came about the amount of time the two commercial haulers have available to them, and Woody acknowledged that it is not equal, but that he is going to rectify that.

A discussion regarding uniforms for Town employees took place. Chuck asked if uniforms have been paid by the Town. Janice indicated that they were budgeted, but not paid for. Chuck said to order the uniforms and it is expected that John, of the Highway Dept., will wear his. Jan indicated that John will resist wearing his uniform. Chuck said that “Effective today, 5/15/03, it is a condition of employment.” Chuck reminded Jan that John was told this and John indicated that he was going to start looking for another job.

Jeff Nelson asked to revisit the Town ordinances at ponds, he would like to start enforcing them. A public hearing is needed. The Conservation Commission is going to meet with him. Jeff also informed the Board that a serious assault took place last weekend. A discussion whether it makes sense to post signs took place.

Janice updated the group that the new office employees are working out well, but that Tomi is leaving on 7/1. Janice will post her job. She reviewed a training that was held on the scanning program, and that it was brief, but informative. Some of the eventual uses will be scanning maps and property cards and putting on the Town’s website (for viewing, not editing, by the general public).

8:20 p.m. John Trottier, various issues

John congratulated Ken on his appointment to the Building Inspector.

John discussed a hearing that was denied by the ZBA, re: an accessory apartment because the intent for this was not as a rental. Chuck said he agreed with the Board.

Next, John discussed having certain requirements for individuals before coming to the Board, citing examples of people coming in with plans written on napkins.

A discussion took place regarding whether to record meetings.

Lastly, John criticized the shoulder work on Robert Rogers Rd. done by Jan VandeBogart. He feels that their isn’t consistency to the crown of the road. Steve pointed out that Jan has a budget, and that this did not afford him the luxury of hiring someone to do the work, that he has to work with what he has. Steve said that he will get together with Jan and get back to John. He also pointed out that Jan is an elected official and does not report to the Board.

8:45 p.m. Harvey Provencher, re: Rick Martin, Tom Gleason

Harvey discussed a letter from Tom Gleason’s attorney regarding the mobile home and asked for confirmation that there was “no problem, right?” and Chuck responded with “right.” Harvey wanted to know if he should issue a permit and Janice said she is almost certain that he has one, but will check with Tomi.

Next, he asked whether to issue Karen Toledo a C.O., to which Steve said he should issue a C.O.- a permanent one.

Harvey asked about whether Rick Martin has met the conditions. Rick Martin came up and Chuck asked him what he remembers the requirements to be, based on their site walk. Rick indicated that he would clear trees and provide the culverts for Jan to install.

Chuck indicated the tree cutting included the 20 trees on the corner, including 3 jack pines. Rick indicated that he cut every tree the Board asked him to cut. Jan said the agreement was for 15” culverts and Rick said that is what he provided, including a 15” culvert at the end of the driveway, even though they agreed that 12” would be acceptable.

Jan said that providing gravel was not stipulated and Rick said he would donate fill to the Town, if they want it.

Chuck feels that Jan should do a sitewalk to see if the required number of trees were cut. Jan will meet Rick the following morning at 8 a.m., following Rick’s meeting with Jon Wiggin at 7:30 a.m. Jan asked if there was any place to bury the stumps. Rick offered to include the Town’s stumps with his stumps in an area by the power lines. He will just make the hole bigger and has no problem with that. Chuck indicated that Jan will mention if there are any other trees that need to be cut. Rick said they will be cut “in 30 seconds”. Then a C.O. can be issued. Harvey will check with Jan tomorrow.

Last on Harvey’s agenda was a call from Steve Cohen, regarding Barry Lussier’s property. Steve indicated that he is logging and he wants an engineer to look at the driveway. J.R. wrote a letter to Barry indicating that he needs to bring proof that the requirements have been met, before a C.O. will be issued. Steve also mentioned that water is running down. Ken will take a look at it and Steve Kennedy asked that Ken do that when Steve Cohen is home.

9:05 p.m. Other Business:

Janice reviewed the problem with BSMI’s payroll program. She e-mailed BSMI and told them that training was not in the budget and that she couldn’t squeeze the money out. She received three options: 1. Train this year, get program installed and pay next year or 2. pay $520* or 3. Receive the update with no training and “stumble through it”. *This amount is up from a previous figure of $350.

J.R. wants to negotiate - take the training and pay one year from the training. Steve will look into payroll services.

Janice mentioned that she had the “decorations” on the statue removed today, after having received a complaint. J.R. said it was a waste of Town money having to undecorated it.

A discussion regarding whether to increase the alternate Planning Board members took place. Chuck feels that if it is expanded by 3 people, they will need a bigger table, and since every person has the right to speak at each meeting, they may end of increasing the number of meetings to two each month. Over 20 people have expressed an interest in working on the Master Plan. Chuck feels that two alternates is enough.

A discussion on the best candidate for the job took place.

Chuck motioned to appoint David Breault as an alternate to the Planning Board until 2006. Steve seconded it for discussion purposes only.

Chuck withdrew the motion.

Chuck motioned to appoint David Breault as an alternate to the Planning Board for a one year term. Steve seconded the motion. J.R. opposed the motion. The motion carried.

9:45 p.m., Steve motioned to adjourn the meeting. Chuck seconded the motion. The motion carried.

________________________________________________________________

Chuck Graybill, Chairman

________________________________________________________________

J.R. Swindlehurst, III, Selectman

________________________________________________________________

Steve Kennedy, Selectman

Respectfully Submitted,

Joanne Johnson