TOWN OF DUNBARTON

BOARD OF SELECTMEN

MINUTES OF MEETING

March25, 2004

Present:          Chuck Graybill

                        J.R. Swindlehurst, III

                        Mert Mann                                                     

                                    Janice Van de Bogart, Town Administrator

 

7:00 p.m.  J.R. called the meeting to order.  Brett St. Clair, Ron Jarvis, George Holt, re:  Conservation Commission, re: 1.  bids on timber cutting, 2.  dumping at Kimball Pond and 3.  milfoil at Gorham Pond.

 

  1. J.R. asked who is going to pay for the timber cutting.  Ron Jarvis stated

that Chuck told him some time ago that the Town would pay.  Chuck asked why the Commission didn’t make a presentation to the Board with their recommendation.  Ron indicated that he had told J.R. that the Commission had voted on it and was recommending the cheapest bid.

 

  1. J.R. said it was time to put up a gate at Kimball Pond.  George Holt

indicated that they had held a public hearing and that most spoke in favor of the gate and that they were planning on placing the gate far enough in to allow for a small parking area.  J.R. recommended safety gates at both ends, so no one can go underneath it on an OHRV.

 

A discussion took place as to who should pay for the gate, with the Commission being willing to pay for it if it receives both house rental and gravel income as revenue for the Commission.  Janice mentioned that the law states that renting of tax exempted property makes the property taxable and that the Town should be taxing the Commission.  Chuck stated that the Board is supportive of the Commission, but the Commission’s money is earmarked for land acquisition, and they do not allow for maintenance costs.  He would like to see a long range plan and is concerned about future needs.  He is agreeable to paying for these gates but would like to see the Commission pick up costs going forward and he is against the continued rental of the house.  J.R. stated that residents are concerned about their taxes and since the Commission has the resources to pay for the gates, why should the Town pay for the upkeep?

 

Mert summarized the Board’s position.  The Town will pay the timber costs of $1,000 and the costs of two gates on Legache Hill Rd. and the Commission will bring a resolution to the house situation and a plan for what to do with the revenue to next year’s Town Meeting.

 

  1. George said that nothing has changed with the milfoil problem.  The State’s plan is to plant volunteers.  The State requires a 50% match and the next time they would address the problem would be in October, to be on the books for next year.  George is encouraging residents to contact their legislators to urge funding.  Gorham Pond Association should be brought back in and he would like to see the State attend the next meeting.  Chuck asked George to keep the Association in the loop.  George will e-mail the Association. 

 

J.R. motioned to accept the recommendation of the Conservation Commission to accept the bid of Lee Logging/C&C Chipping for $1,000.  Mert seconded the motion.  The motion carried. 

 

7:50  Linda Morse, Scott Ives, Brian Pike and Beth Beaugard, re:  citizens concerned about the Recreation Commission

 

Linda Morse stated that she has asked the Recreation Commission to develop written procedures regarding a code of conduct and operations/procedures.  The parents met with the Rec. Comm. and gave ideas.  The parents wrote evaluation procedures and the Rec. Comm. Agreed to complete the process by this fall.   The concerned parents came in to request three things of the Board:

 

1�  That the Board stay in touch with the Rec. Comm. during this process

2�  At controversial sections, i.e.:  coach selection, that a Board member attend the meetings

3�  Deliberate carefully who the Board appoints  Since the members are ambassadors to the Town, the Board should have an open mind when choosing members

 

A discussion of the situations which necessitated the need for the above took place, including unprofessional conduct by a Comm. member and friction at their meetings.

 

Chuck thanked the group for coming in and offered a Board member to attend their meetings.  They should call Janice.

 

Brian volunteered to be a member and Linda will obtain more names.

 

8:10 p.m.  Ken Swayze, re:  Planning Board issues

Ken indicated that Howard Dunn is coming to the Planning Board meeting on 4/21 and the P. Board wants to know whether to proceed via a bond or “at risk”.  If going “at risk”,  the Board confirms the road will be accepted, contingent upon certain criteria being met. 

 

Chuck would like to see it after the P. Board signs off on it. 


J.R. said he is concerned about things like the turnaround and agrees with Chuck that the P. Board should see it first. Ken agreed to do it this way.

 

Chuck wants to see a P. Board member make a recommendation.  J.R. would like to see postponing the top coat until the project is done. 

 

8:25 p.m.  Other Business:

Mert moved to expand the Recreation Commission to seven members.  Chuck seconded the motion.  The motion carried.

 

Chuck wants a recommendation from the chair.  Janice mentioned that Jacques wants Karen Lesard and Jean Leo on the Commission.

 

Mert motioned to appoint the following individuals.  J.R. seconded the motions.  The motions carried.:

 

 

                        Nominee                    Committee/Position                          Term ending

 

 

Chuck reviewed the Police Dept. report, regarding Town Ordinances to address problem behavior, noting that Police Chief Nelson would like the Town to act upon them.

 

Janice reviewed the need for valuing fixed assets, pursuant to GASB regulations.  She will send a memo to Dept. Heads  and have them research the values.

 

Mert motioned to set aside $2,500 as a minimum value to value the fixed assets.  Chuck seconded the motion.  The motion carried. 

 

Janice reviewed welfare files and found a paid loan, on which a lien needs to be released.  She will create a discharge for the Board to sign.    Janice also reviewed other forms that she found. 

 

8:50 p.m.  Jon Wiggin, re:  $11,000 Grant

Jon came in to discuss the procedure for obtaining equipment for reimbursement under the grant.  He would like to order directly to avoid a problem of equipment not being on the approved list of the middleman.  Reimbursement will go to the General Fund.  Jon will pick an account and let Janice know which one and Janice will check with the Town’s accountant.

 

The Board reviewed bid requirements for Jacqueline Dr.

 

Janice reviewed the Beliveau lien.  She talked with the Town’s attorney, Charlie, and he confirmed that outstanding liens have to be paid before releasing the lien.  Charlie is going to do the calculation and call Roger back, calculating the interest at an 18% rate. 

 

The Cemetery Trustees accepted D&R Waste, Ron Boynton, to mow the cemetery and were recommending this to the Board.

 

Mert moved to accept the recommendation of the Cemetery Trustees, in accepting the bid of D&R Waste.  Chuck seconded the motion.  The motion carried.

 

9:10 p.m.  Mert moved to adjourn the meeting.  Chuck seconded the motion.  The motion carried.

 

 

_______________________________________________________________

J.R. Swindle Hurst, III, Chairman

 

________________________________________________________________

Chuck Graybill, Selectman

 

 

Mert Mann, Selectman

 

 

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

Joanne Johnson