TOWN OF DUNBARTON
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MINUTES OF MEETING
April 29, 2004
Present: Chuck Graybill
J.R. Swindlehurst,
III
Mert Mann
Janice Van de Bogart, Town
Administrator
7:03
p.m. J.R. called the meeting to order
and motioned to go into non-public session, pursuant to RSA 91:A, to discuss a
welfare and legal issue. Mert seconded
the motion. All said “aye” and the
motion passed.
7:35
p.m. J.R. motioned to end non-public
session. Mert seconded the motion. All said “aye” and the motion carried.
7:38
p.m. J.R. called the public meeting to
order.
The
purpose of the public meeting was to discuss the following:
Jan
Van deBogart discussed the upcoming road projects for this year, including:
The
public was invited to ask questions. The
questions pertained to the locations of culverts being replaced. Jan responded that he needs to wait until the
water level recedes to replace them. The locations that were brought up at the
Budget Hearing include Long Pond Rd.,
Tenney Hill Rd. and Rangeway Rd.
Police
Chief Jeff Nelson discussed the N.H. Dept. of Transportation Enhancement
Program involving Robert Rogers Rd. and the Town Common. He indicated that one of two hurdles has been
passed and it is now at the Governor’s desk.
The funds could take two years to be received. Jeff indicated that the number one concern is
safety in the Common area. The funds
would be used to install sidewalks from the School to around the Common, nine
antique lighting fixtures and a realigning of Robert Rogers Rd. to provide
perpendicular access from Rt. 13. The
“Y” intersection raises concerns, he said.
Jeff went on to explain that speeders don’t identify the center of Town
as such and he feels that sidewalks and lighting will help to identify it as
the center and as a school zone. The
grant is for $338,000. The federal funds
would comprise $270,000 of that amount, with the Town coming up with the
remaining $68,000.
A
lengthy discussion took place with the residents in attendance concerning the
necessity of these changes and a debate about whether there actually are safety
issues. Some residents expressed concern
about parking at the Fire Station and a concern for emergency vehicles being
able to get through the new intersection quickly. A suggestion to have two lanes exiting Robert
Rogers Rd. was made, to reduce the backup of cars. The Dunbarton Telephone Co. is very concerned
about the placement of the telephone poles
and the fate of the existing maple trees. A suggestion for additional signage and/or
flashing lights coming into Town from the north was made, to alert drivers that
they are coming into the center. Concern
about the maintenance of the sidewalks was expressed, particularly regarding
snow removal. A question regarding
whether we could implement some of the changes, but not all of them, was
raised. Jeff said it was a package. Road Agent Jan VandeBogart suggested gravel
or painted sidewalk that would be easy to plow, rather than a curbed sidewalk. Some residents agreed that there is a safety
issue, particularly at the beginning of the school day.
J.R.
suggested that after the Board discusses the public’s concerns and comments,
that they would update the information on the website and encourage residents
to e-mail their feedback to the Board.
Next,
Jeff Nelson discussed three proposed ordinances (see attached): a) alarms, b) noise, and c) parks, recreation
and conservation land.
a) Alarms:
Jeff reviewed the history of alarms, noting that this ordinance could be
amended to include fire alarms. He
indicated that he is proposing that residents have 60 days to get a
permit. The penalties would begin with
the 4th alarm in a calendar year.
The proposed penalty structure would be as follows:
1-3
alarms no charge
4-6
times $50
7+ $100
The
police would have the ability to revoke an alarm when alarms are deemed
excessive.
Questions
from the residents involved mainly what the procedure is when an alarm is
received. Comments expressed ranged from
resistance to government interference to support of the ordinance.
b) Noise:
Jeff indicated that someone needs to be held accountable for
disturbances such as loud parties and that the noise would need to be
prolonged, unusual and unreasonable. He
noted that the staff will use discretion.
Some
residents thought the wording was too vague and that the hours covered by the
ordinance of 10 p.m. – 7 p.m. were either too long or not long enough. Jeff noted that this ordinance would not
affect the average resident, and usually involves drinking. Currently, Jeff can
only give a summons to a person making noise and with this ordinance, he can
summons everyone present.
Chuck
mentioned that the Board had received these ordinances at least a year ago from
Jeff.
c) Parks, Recreation and Conservation Land: Jeff indicated that this involves the
following: 1. no mini or motor bikes,
OHRV or other motor vehicles on Town property and 2. prohibit drinking in public places.
There
was little discussion about this ordinance.
The few who did speak spoke in favor of it.
9:55
p.m. J.R. closed the public meeting.
10:00
p.m. James Williamson asked who would
decide about the ordinances and asked if the Town could vote on them, rather
than the Board deciding.
10:02
p.m. Mert motioned 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