TOWN OF DUNBARTON
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MINUTES OF MEETING
May 6, 2004

Present: Chuck Graybill
J.R. Swindlehurst, III
Mert Mann
Janice Van de Bogart, Town Administrator

7:05 p.m. J.R. opened the meeting. Other Business:
Janice mentioned that Roger Nault requested that the tax liens be released on the Beliveau property. Martha Rae indicated that she checked with the Dept. of Revenue and they are not to be released until the taxes are paid.

Janice mentioned that the Recreation Commission has drawn up a draft. Mert requested the following:
• Have the draft given to Janice for the website, prior to the public hearing
• Hold the public hearing at the Town Offices
• Have notices of the meetings include the location
• Be sure the notices are posted in two locations, besides the website
• Work sessions and meetings should NOT be held on Sunday mornings

J.R. suggested that guidelines regarding meeting requirements be given to all committees.

A written request was received from Lori Davis asking to view the time sheets for Chuck Williamson (1995, 95 & 97), and John Colter (2001, 02, & 03).
Mert suggested that Lori Davis be put on the 6/10 agenda at 7 p.m. to discuss her concerns. She should bring a written outline, in bullet format, to the meeting. J.R. requested that she tell the Board who she will be talking about so they can be present

Janice brought a quitclaim deed from the Town to Ms. Robison for the Board’s signatures. The Board signed it.

Mert mentioned that Brian Little was agreeable to being the deputy overseer of welfare.

Chuck motioned to accept Brian Little as Deputy Welfare Officer for a one year term, ending in 3/05. Mert seconded the motion. The motion carried.

Janice updated the status of the GASB fixed asset valuation. A memo was sent to all department heads. The school has requested to use $5,000 as a basis.

Chuck mentioned that he received a phone message from a concerned citizen regarding Woody Bowne using the Town truck to get his lunch. Chuck indicated that it is within his rights and he has Chuck’s authorization to do this.

7:30 p.m. Jon Wiggin, re: various Fire Dept. matters
The following bids were received to purchase a new fire engine:
• Emergency 1 $251,352
• KME 252,521
• Valley 163,850*

Jon noted that the KME engine is a heavier truck, meets current standards and is the want he/committee recommends. Other area fire depts. use KME trucks.

*This bid does not include a chassis, which runs between $90,000-$110,000

Fifty four thousand dollars was appropriated at Town Meeting. The lease package is at a 3.46% interest rate, which is the lowest found. This would equate to a cost of $54,000 annually for five years. The warranty, for just about everything, is for 10 years and also includes a manufacturers warranty.

Mert motioned to accept the KME bid for fire apparatus, including one pumping engine and 2004 custom pumper, costing $54,000/year for a total cost of $270,000. Chuck seconded the motion. J.R. abstained. The motion carried.

Jon asked if someone was being hired to paint the trim on the Fire Station. J.R. mentioned that Janice is going to call State Welfare to see if there are people available for odd jobs such as this one, and to find out what the Town’s liability would be.

Other Business:
Janice noted that the small cemetery flags are in.

7:45 p.m. Ken Swayze, re: Gile Hill Rd. proposed two lot subdivision
Ken reviewed the history of Jacques Belanger’s proposed subdivision, which was originally proposed as a 10 lot subdivision. The original proposal was rejected as too intense for the road. J.R. indicated that we already have a class 6 road policy, and it is all spelled out there. The Board feels that this proposal should go to the Planning Board first. Ken feels the opposite is true, that the road issue should go to the Board of Selectmen first, since a class 6 road can’t be subdivided.

8:00 p.m. Jacques Belanger, Gile Hill Rd. proposed two lot subdivision and removing gravel form his lot off Old Hopkinton Rd.

Jacques wants to break out two lots and bring the road up to Town specs. He feels this will have much less impact than the original proposed 10 lots. He asked what improvements need to be made, if allowed.

Chuck feels that allowing this subdivision will set a precedent and will force homeowners to exit via the Bow route. Jacques said that Chan will upgrade the road. Chuck feels it is not feasible to develop. J.R. said to upgrade, according to our class 6 policy, which includes installing a hammerhead.

Chuck said that if they approve this and send to the Planning Board, they will need to spell out their concerns. He recommends doing nothing.

J.R. feels the Town could be taken to court and our zoning could be eliminated.

Chuck wants to get Brennan’s part resolved. J.R. said the road could be cleaned up and widened without even touching a tree. He suggested the Jacques indicate that he is in negotiations with the Board of Selectmen, but that there should be a stipulation against further subdividing. Chuck feels they are just opening up a “can of worms”.

Jacques then moved on to hauling gravel on his lot off of Old Hopkinton Rd. He said he will get a bond. Chuck said the Road Agent would make the recommendation as to how much of a bond. Jacques said he is talking about 17,000 cubic yards of gravel.

8:20 p.m. Woody Bowne, re: personnel
Woody indicated that there are now three Transfer Station Attendant openings He had two interviews today and wants to offer them the job. He has had a temp working and wants to hire him permanently. Chuck said he needs to fill out an application. Woody is concerned that he only has two people for Sat. and wanted to know if he could have both candidates start right away (without a physical) at $9.50/hour. Chuck said not without a physical, but Janice will try to schedule a physical on Friday. The Board advised Woody to have Jeff Nelson do a background check on one of the applicants. Woody would like to get these two candidates in place, then set up a rotating schedule and will bring Geoff Johnson (another applicant) in to talk with him then. Woody asked if he could close early on Memorial Day weekend so that he can go away for the weekend. He mentioned that he has never asked this before and would like to close at noon, but that 2 p.m. would be okay. Mert told him he could close at 2 p.m., but he needs to publicize the change on the website and in the Bow Times. Woody mentioned that he has revamped the recycling system and that recycling is up. He forewarned the Board that bills for baler repairs will be forthcoming. A bill for $1,000 was incurred today and that upcoming forklift repairs will be necessary.

8:40 p.m. Terry Jelley, re: cemetery repairs
Terry indicated that a branch broke a rung on one of the fences and that no compatible lumber was found. John Swindlehurst Sr. found someone to mill the boards at no cost to the Town and John will repair the fence. Terry also mentioned that the cemetery lawns are starting to be cared for. J.R. asked about whether the cemetery roads need to be marked first and Terry indicated that the road needs to be built first.

Chuck invited Terry to attend the Facilities chapter of the Master Plan on 5/18 at 7 p.m. at the School.

Terry noted that the cost for cornerstones has been adjusted higher by $25.

Woody noted that he would like to adjust the Transfer Station fee schedule soon.

8:50 p.m. J.R. invited comments from the public
Lori Davis asked why they were instituting a commercial hauler fee since it was waived at the public hearing. J.R. responded that the price per ton is the same for haulers as for individuals and that there is a one time fee of $500.

8:55 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