TOWN OF DUNBARTON

BOARD OF SELECTMEN

MINUTES OF MEETING

August 19, 2004

 

Present:          J.R. Swindlehurst, III 

                        Chuck Graybill

Mert Mann                                                     

                        Janice Van de Bogart, Town Administrator

 

 

­7:00 p.m.  J.R. opened the meeting and read a note from Terry Jelley, Cemetery Trustee Chairman, who updated the Board on the status of the fence at the Page’s Corner Cemetery.  Geoff Johnson has scraped the entire fence and has painted about 35% of the fence.  He said Geoff is doing a great job, and is using a latex paint/stain combo and is saving the Town a ton of money.

 

J.R. indicated that Jean Hodgeman has requested a copy of a family photo from the Tucker scrapbook.  Donna Dunn said she needs the Board’s permission.  The Board granted her permission.

 

 A discussion about the noise at the McDevitt pit took place.  A neighbor called the police and Jeff Nelson indicated that the noise needs to take place for a half hour or longer to fall under the noise ordinance.  J.R. wants a letter written to the owners, reminding them that no equipment can be run before 7 a.m.

 

Mert updated the Board on the Planning Board meeting, including the approval of a two lot subdivision on Robert Rogers Rd.

 

7:10 p.m.  Woody Bowne, re:  Transfer Station questions

Woody mentioned that the Town Forest Committee has approved his doing what he sees fit with the piles (compost and peat).  A contractor is interested in taking the compost pile in exchange for some work.  He also asked the Board for permission to put some nails and other odds and ends in the swap shop.  He received permission.

 

7:20 p.m.  Tyler Clites, re:  Eagle Scout project

Tyler requested that he be given permission to paint the Center Cemetery fence as the community service component of his Eagle Scout project.  The Board thought this was a great idea and asked Janice to have Terry Jelley contact him.  Tyler expected to get the approval for this project on 9/12 and could start after that. 

 

7:25 p.m.  Wayne and Sue Bracy, Phyllis and Alain Biron, Re:  Olde Mill Brook Rd.

Wayne reviewed the history of his property on Olde Mill Brook Rd., which the Bracy’s purchased in 1982.  He indicated that the 1982 Board of Selectmen proclaimed the road ended at the first driveway.  The road is no more than 30 feet wide.  A discussion about the classification of the road, including snow removal, took place.  The Town records indicate that the road is a class 5 road, but Wayne claimed that the road was never classified as such, but rather as a discontinued road.  Wayne further explained that none of the homes currently on the road were there when they moved in.  His major concern is the narrowness of the road and that the Biron’s cut trees on the Bracy’s side of the road to make access easier. 

 

J.R. read part of a letter from 1980 from the Town’s attorney stating that the road is not a class six road, as a result of the discontinuance. 

 

Wayne is concerned about multiple homes being built on this size road.  He brought in photos of the road and mentioned that the power lines are buried.  He said that when he talked to the Selectmen prior to buying his home, they were told that Powell Lane is closed and has been discontinued and returned to the abutters.  The speed limit is 5 M.P.H. up to the Bracy’s house and then 10 M.P.H. for the rest of Powell Lane.  He reiterated that the road is not a class six road, but it is a discontinued right of way.

 

The Board will look into it and get up to speed.  Janice gave the Bracy’s a copy of the subdivision regulations.  A new edition will be coming out next month.

 

8 p.m.     Guy Doucet and Ken Swayze, re:  Guy’s home occupation on Jacqueline Dr.

J.R. indicated that there have been complaints from neighbors concerning his home business and suggested that he go over the home occupation regulations with Ken and applies for a permit, as well as meets with his neighbors and works something out.  Chuck indicated that there is a limit to the number of vehicles that he can have at his home.  J.R. indicated that there is a $40 fee to apply for a home occupation permit.  Guy asked whether trailers are considered vehicles.  J.R. suggested it is considered a commercial vehicle.  Guy explained that he leaves early in the day and comes back at the end of the day.  He estimated that about five loads to go Canada weekly.  Chuck indicated that he is concerned about his vehicles being in the circle area, now that it is a Town road.  J.R. mentioned that Don Lane and Les Hammond own the adjacent land and Guy should check with them regarding parking on their property.  Chuck would like to see him work it out with his neighbors and Mert asked him to notify the Board when that happens.  Ken suggested that Guy give his neighbors the “heads up” on his schedule so they know what to expect.  He explained that the neighbors felt that they moved into a protected subdivision.  He is willing to help facilitate working this out with the neighbors, when Guy expressed his uncertainty on how to proceed. 

 

8:15 p.m.  Jacques Belanger, with Mr. and Mrs. Chan, re:  Gile Hill Rd.

Jacques asked what improvements need to be made to this road to allow for the development of house lots (possibly three).  He indicated that the Chans were interested in donating 44 acres to the Town for conservation.  He feels that upgrading 1200 feet of the class 6 road would be sufficient, and that they would still use the Bow access road.  Jacques indicated that they would accommodate Jan VandeBogart’s turnaround request.  J.R. said to go back to the class six road policy.  He then read the policy, and stated that the policy includes doing all the gravel up to class 5 specifications and maintaining the road afterwards.  The Chans could petition the Board of Selectmen to change the road to a class 5 road.   Then a public hearing would need to take place.  Chuck advised Jacques to be sure that the Conservation Commission is aware of the plan.  J.R. indicated that his preference would be for the 44 acres to be donated to the Town Forest Committee. 

 

8:30 p.m.  Other Business:

J.R. indicated that they need to go along with the original deal for special exceptions concerning the McDevitt pit.

 

Mert mentioned that he met with a selectman from the Town of Stewartson, re:  Tom Gleason’s trailer and that the Town is interested in buying the trailer for a welfare family. 

 

Janice said that the road striping is done and it went into Bow.  Janice gave an update on a welfare issue.

 

8:45 p.m.  J.R. invited public comment.  There was none.  Mert moved to adjourn the meeting.  Chuck seconded the motion.  The motion carried.

 

 

 

_______________________________________________________________

J.R. Swindlehurst, III, Chairman

 

________________________________________________________________

Chuck Graybill, Selectman

 

 

Mert Mann, Selectman

 

 

 

 

Respectfully Submitted by:

 

Joanne Johnson