DUNBARTON BOARD OF SELECTMEN

MINUTES OF MEETING

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2004

TOWN OFFICES – 7:00 P.M.

 

 

 

The regular scheduled weekly meeting of the Dunbarton Board of Selectmen was held at the above time, date and place with Chairman J. R. Swindlehurst presiding.  It was noted that the meeting was called to order at 7:02 p.m.  The following were present:

 

                J. R. Swindlehurst, Chairman

                Charles (Chuck) Graybill

                Mert Mann

                Janice VandeBogart, Town Administrator

Devon Cormier, Bow Times Reporter

 

Items for Attention:

 

1.        Veteran’s Day – Town Office will be closed on Veteran’s Day and there will be no Selectmen’s Meeting.

 

2.        Correspondence – Selectmen received a letter from Janet Zeller expressing concerns about deficiencies on Everett Road and additional signs.

 

The Selectmen agreed to have an Everett Road sign put on both ends of the road.  In addition, there will be a speed limit sign as you go down the hill.  There will not be a  permanent stop sign at this time.   The problem with the Stop sign falling over has been corrected. 

 

3.        Town Report – Janice VandeBogart, Town Administrator, suggested putting the Town Report on the Dunbarton Web Page and printing less copies than previously.  She stated that it had been put out to bid for 900 copies but we had half left over. The Selectmen agreed to put the Town Report out to bid again and print only 450 copies instead of the 900 previously printed.   Copies of the Town Report will be made available at the Town Offices, School and both stores. 

 

4.        Tax Rate – The Selectmen noted the 2004 Tax Rate had been set Tuesday, October 5, 2004 as follows:

 

$4.14       Town

14.68           School

4.50            State Education

3.21           County

$26.53

 

Selectmen noted the Town portion had gone down from the previous year. 

 

7:30 p.m. – Wayne and Sue Bracey and Biron’s:  Regarding sub-division proposed on Black Brook Road

 

Wayne Bracey stated they had received a letter from the Planning Board as abutters to a proposed subdivision of the previous Ken Alton Property.  Wanted to reinforce the fact that the Selectmen had viewed the situation at a previous meeting and considered the road at its present state.  The Selectmen confirmed the fact that the “Old Stage Coach Road” had been discontinued and returned to the abutters in 1878.  In addition, Paul Morin had tried to get a subdivision and was refused because the road was discontinued and returned to the abutters.  This is not a road now. 

 

Mert Mann, Selectman, stated the matter had not been accepted by the Planning Board yet.  It is on the Planning Board Agenda as a new application for a two lot subdivision consisting of 92 acres broken into two lots of 43 acres and 49 acres. 

 

Phyllis Biron asked if the Town has any restrictions on grades of roads.  The Selectmen stated the Planning Board has an 8% maximum grade on new roads which would be built for subdivisions, etc. 

 

Wayne Bracey stated there was much discussion by the judge at court about blocking the road.  They should never park a vehicle or block the road.  Ken Alton blocked the road and prevented anyone from using Powell Lane.   Also put heavy equipment and dropped trees, etc.  No one interjected.  We feel it is the responsibility of the landowner now not to block the road, and they should clear the dead trees out of there.

 

Wayne Bracey stated the abutters would like to know what the future plans are for the property.  We are playing a “cat and mouse” game and we are the “mice”. 

 

The Selectmen indicated that new lots need 300 feet of frontage on a Town Road.  Existing roads are the Selectmen’s responsibility and any new roads are under the Planning Board’s jurisdiction. 

 

Phyllis Biron asked that the minutes reflect the fact that the Selectmen agree with the Bracey/Biron’s interpretation of the road issue.   The Selectmen agreed. 

 

Other Business:

 

1.       Permit to Trap – Bill Miles

 

Selectmen signed the Application for a Trapping Permit from Bill Miles.  This allows him to trap beaver throughout the Town. 

 

C. Graybill noted that when the Town authorizes permission to trap, it also gives the trapper the right to operate an ATV over lands in order to check his traps. 

               

There was discussion as to whether people needed permission to hunt at Kimball Pond.  It was noted  that  hunters need verbal permission to hunt on private land.

 

2.        Michelle Blanchette, Recreation Commission, has requested permission to have a yard sale on the Town Common on either the first or second Saturday in November.  They would like to use the money earned for a display case at the school for trophies, etc.   Will let the Town know the date when it is decided.   They will pick up the area when done. 

 

The Board of Selectman agreed to give them their approval to have their yard sale on the Town Common at a date to be decided. 

 

3.       Phone System, Town Offices –

 

Janice VandeBogart, Town Administrator, reported on the possibilities of the Town getting a new phone system.  It would be a computer system and would require software.  The approximate cost would be $3,800. 

 

It was noted that in an emergency when there was no power, there would still be two working phones within the building.  (FAX machine phone and one other) 

 

The Selectmen requested that the $3,800 be put into the 2005 Town Budget.

 

J. VandeBogart suggested having  Robert McHenry, Consultant, come to the Selectmen’s Meeting and explain all the features, etc. 

 

 

 

 

4.       GATSBY Program –  Inventory of Town Property

 

Janice VandeBogart explained that Nick of Mason and Rich had checked all Town equipment and came up with a couple of things that did need to be included and several that didn’t need to be included in the inventory of Town Property.   Guidelines are any equipment with a value of over $5,000 needs to be listed.    She noted that the Land Inventory will be the most time consuming.  They have already set values on several of the new roads within the Town. 

 

It is mandatory that all Towns do this and be certified, etc. 

 

5.        Mr. Moyle

 

Kenneth Swayze and J. R. Swindlehurst will go down to visit with Moyle on Friday, October 15, 2004.

 

6.       Gorham Pond Residents

 

Kenneth Swayze stated that he had spoken with Keri Diers of Central New Hampshire Regional Planning, and they have agreed to work with Dunbarton to get some sort of zoning change with regard to setbacks, etc.

 

The Selectmen appointed Kenneth Swayze and Alison Vallieres to work with Keri Diers along with Peter Pacik, Gorham Pond resident. 

 

7.       Jeff Trexler

 

The Selectmen stated there have been problems with the toilet in the girl’s room at the Town Offices.  It is leaking into the basement and needs to have a new floor, etc. put in.  It needs all new plumbing.

 

The Selectmen stated they still want the Town Common group to accept the challenge of trying to work something out regarding fixing up the existing Town Offices, etc.  

 

Jeff Trexler stated he didn’t know if he agreed with fixing this building.  If you are thinking about making a change, you should form another Planning Committee.  Need to know where you are going in the long run.  Are you going to address handicapped parking, septic system, meetings rooms, etc.?

 

The Selectmen asked about the possibility of adding a small addition on the rear of the Town Hall just for access to the upstairs.  Jeff Trexler stated it would be in the range of $500,000.  Selectmen asked if it could be phased over several or three years. 

 

                8.    Lion’s Club Project

 

Chuck Graybill reported that the Lion’s Club was not interested in doing the scraping and painting of  the Town Offices as a project.   He noted he had spoken with Norm Roberge and Lori Davis. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

 

                                                                                                                                Respectfully submitted,

 

                                                                                                                                Alison R. Vallieres, Recording Secretary

 

________________________________________

John R. Swindlehurst, III, Chairman

 

 

________________________________________

Charles Graybill

 

 

________________________________________

Merton Mann

Dunbarton Board of Selectmen