DUNBARTON BOARD OF SELECTMEN

MINUTES OF MEETING

THURSDAY, MAY 12,  2005

TOWN OFFICES – 7:00 P.M.

 

The regularly scheduled weekly meeting of the Dunbarton Board of Selectmen was held at the above time, date and place with Chairman Charles Graybill  presiding.  It was noted that the meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m.  The following were present:

               

                Charles (Chuck) Graybill, Chairman

                Mert Mann

                Les Hammond

                Janice VandeBogart, Town Administrator

 

The Selectmen reviewed correspondence and signed checks prior to the Public Meeting was called to order.

 

Personnel

 

MOTION:

 

Les Hammond made a motion that based on the recommendation of the Building Inspector and Town Administrator, that the Dunbarton Board of Selectmen approve the recommendation for a salary increase for Line Comeau, Building Department,  from $11.00 per hour to $12.00 per hour because of an increase of extra duties with regard to the Building Department effective June 1, 2005.   Mert Mann seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

GEORGE HOLT:  CONSERVATION COMMISSION:

 

                George Holt, Conservation Commission, reported the following:

 

1.       With regard to the Gile Hill Public Hearing which was held on Wednesday, May 11, 2005, the Conservation Commission voted 5 – 4 to grant permission for tree and stonewall removal to allow for a 22 foot road width.

 

2.        Regarding the gating of Legache Hill Road, public input showed that illegal dumping is an issue and needs to be addressed.  Some residents use Legache Hill Road, the jeep trail to Long Pond, and the power line for ATV and snowmobile recreation.  The snowmobile corridor trail is permitted by a written agreement.  ATV users must get written landowner permission.  For a Class VI road permission needs to be obtained from the Selectmen.  The Kimball Pond Management Plan does not allow motorized wheeled vehicles on the conservation property. 

 

In summary, the ATV using residents agreed that the south end of Legache Hill Road should be gated, but that the northern end should not.  Other residents strongly stated they felt both ends should be gated.  The Conservation Commission voted to gate both ends of Legache Hill Road, with exact gate locations to be determined, and providing ATV and snowmobile access around the gates would be taken into consideration. 

 

George Holt indicated the Conservation Commission will deal with the ATV use problem when it happens.

 

Stanley Soule, member of the Conservation Commission, has obtained heavy duty metal gates from PSNH at no cost.  

 

Will possibly need heavy equipment help to install the gates.  Will talk with the Road Agent.  Hope to get help to  install the gates within 60 days. 

 

3.        Larry Cook/Margaret Watkins are working on a letter to send to the State Representatives regarding asking for more State Funds for LCIP.  Would request the Selectmen’s signatures on the letter once it is drafted. 

 

The Selectmen agreed to sign the letter once it is ready, etc.

 

Les Hammond stated that there is no money in the budget to do the culvert work on Legache Hill Road and Rangeway Road.  It will have to be done next year. 

 

George Holt indicated the project has already received a Wetlands Permit which is good for several more years. 

 

4.        Charles (Chuck) Graybill indicated to George Holt that the Milfoil Treatment at Gorham Pond was scheduled to start on June 27, 2005.  George indicated the neighbors will help post signs. 

 

OTHER BUSINESS:  Janice VandeBogart, Town Administrator:

 

                Janice VandeBogart brought up the following items for action:

 

                Milfoil Agreement:

 

1.        Charles (Chuck) Graybill as Chairman of the Dunbarton Board of Selectmen signed the Milfoil Agreement. 

 

Motor Vehicle Computer Program Update:

 

2.        Motor Vehicle computer program updates:  Bruce Perlo is concerned that at the end of the year if we don’t update to windows there will be no technical support for the present DOS Program.  We would like to see the Town Clerk get the update.  They have indicated we would not have to pay until next year if we don’t have the money at this time.  Linda Peters, Town Clerk, has said it would be okay with her to update.  This is to update from DOS to a Windows Program.  Cost is $1,750 for the program and $750 for a day of training for a total of $2,545. 

 

The Selectmen reached a consensus to go ahead and purchase the UPDATE for $2,545 including training and pay for it from this year’s funds. 

 

3.        Fogg Property Maintenance:

 

Janice VandeBogart reported that once a year in the fall according to the easement/deed, the fields are to be mowed after nesting birds, etc.  Janice reported that last year Vera Fogg hired someone and paid them herself. 

 

The Selectmen reached an agreement that Vera Fogg make the arrangements with the same contractor as she did last year because she was happy with him, and the Town would pay the cost for the mowing, etc. 

 

Mert Mann suggested that we find out how much it will cost. 

 

4.       New Telephone System – Town Offices:

 

MOTION:

 

Mert Mann made a motion that the Dunbarton Board of Selectmen accept the proposal for a new telephone system for the Town Offices as submitted by Vision Systems for a total of $3,617 and a  computer consultant to spend a day while the system is being installed to provide any assistance or guidelines.  Charles (Chuck) Graybill seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously. 

 

The Town will be investigating the possibility of an extended warranty for the new system.

 

5.       Town Hall Roof:

 

Janice VandeBogart, Town Administrator, reported that the North Point Roof Company, Goffstown, NH has indicated they will be out to look at the Town Hall Roof next week.  They will give us an estimate for repairs.

 

6.       Rescind decision to hire Jahnke, Transfer Station:

 

Janice VandeBogart, Town Administrator, reported that when Jahnke was contacted regarding working at the Transfer Station, he had decided he did not want the job. 

 

7.       Monica Gordon, Vision Appraisals:

 

Janice VandeBogart, Town Administrator, reported that Monica Gordon, Vision Appraisals, would be meeting with the Board of Assessors on Tuesday, June 21, 2005 to go over everything to save time and repetition.  The Selectmen are invited to attend.  The meeting is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 21, 2005. 

 

BUD NOYES AND BILL ROLKE; HISTORICAL AWARENESS COMMITTEE:

 

Sale of Books – Historic Awareness Committee: 

 

1.        Charles (Chuck) Graybill, Chairman, Board of Selectmen, indicated that the Town needs to discuss the reimbursement for the sale of books.   The Town advanced monies to the Historic Awareness Committee for the printing of the books with the intention of getting the money back into the Town Budget.   The Town advanced $15,000. 

 

Asked how many books had been sold to date.  Bud Noyes stated that they have distributed 260 copies of which three were donations.  Books were sold for $25.00 each. 

 

Chuck Graybill indicated that the Town lent the money to the Historical Awareness Committee with the assumption that we would get reimbursed as soon as possible.  With that in mind, the quicker the Town is reimbursed, the better for the Town.  The Selectmen stated the money was set up to be strictly a loan from the Town.  The total amount loaned was $15,000.   Asked about what amount was presently in the book account.  Bud Noyes stated there was $6,600 more or less at this time from the sale of books.  

 

The cost of printing of the book was a total of $17,000 of which the Town lent $15,000 and the Committee provided $2,000.  The Town’s cost for the book is $15.00 per copy. 

 

It was established that the Town will seek reimbursement of $15 per copy sold.  The total check which should given to the Town at this point is $3,900. 

 

The Board of Selectmen stated they would do a review of sales and reimbursement twice a year with the next date for review being December 31, 2005 at the same cost of $15/per book sold. 

 

Les Hammond stated that the Congregational Church is considering some sort of Welcome Wagon Program for newcomers to Town and would like to give a copy of the book to all newcomers. 

 

Bud Noyes stated that the book has been distributed to many surrounding towns and also out of the country.  He expects more requests since the Manchester Union Leader news article.  In addition, our local library has contacted other local libraries informing them of the book.  Expect sales from this. 

 

The Selectmen asked Bud Noyes what the Committee’s expected expenditures would be in the future.  Bud Noyes stated the most important thing they would be working on would be to measure and list old cellar holes in Town before they are obliterated by developers.  Stated that Bill Rolke and his wife put together the text for the book and used reams and reams of paper at their own cost.   

 

Bud stated that he has a complete set of 1740 recorded deeds for Dunbarton, all of which were paid for out of his own pocket.  Would like to use some of the money for this sort of thing. 

 

The Selectmen asked if the Historic Awareness Committee had a Treasurer.  Bud Noyes stated he was the Treasurer of the Committee. 

 

Mert Mann asked if there had been any discussions with the Selectmen at any time about monies.  Bud Noyes indicated there had never been any discussion with the Selectmen about monies or a budget. 

 

 Mert Mann suggested the Historic Awareness Committee submit a budget for expenditures.

 

2.        New Appointments:

 

Bud Noyes stated they needed members who are willing to work.  We have some current members who still do nothing.  We are suggesting that we release them and replace them with others. 

 

The Selectmen noted that the following member’s appointments are not up until 2006 therefore the Historic Awareness Committee needs to receive a letter of resignation from these members:

 

        Kenneth Swayze – Term ending 2006

        Tom Mathcoat – Term ending 2006

 

Bud Noyes stated that Betty Noyes has asked for a letter of resignation from these two members and as yet, it has not been received. 

 

The Selectmen stated if the two members resigned from the Committee, they would consider appointing new members.

 

Old Putney Site: 

 

3.        Harlan Noyes also noted that the Robert Rogers Homestead is very well marked but no one knows where the Putney Site is.  Possibility of it being on the west side of the Great Meadows but not sure.  Stated he has copies of deeds when the Town was laid out in 174l and Putney and Rogers got lots laid out.  Stated he also has copies of old Blister Rust maps which are very detailed.  Possibility of Putney Site being the old Whipple Place which is at the end of Whipple Road.  Stated that in 1752 James Rogers and Putney divided up their land holdings and each deed refers to the site of Joseph’s house.  Now is Nassikas land. 

 

Les Hammond noted that he had spoken with his son who works for Bartlett Surveying Company of which Dana Mullen also is a part-owner.  Will approach the company to see if they can do any “pro-bono” work for the Town of Dunbarton in determining the location of the old Putney Site. 

 

Mert Mann asked when the Historic Awareness Committee holds its meetings.  Bud Noyes stated they usually hold them on the 4th Wednesday of each month. 

 

OTHER BUSINESS:

 

                Gile Hill Road Improvements: 

 

Mert Mann asked about the Selectmen making a recommendation regarding the Gile Hill Road pursuant to the Anna Chan proposed subdivision.  He stated the Planning Board will be looking for the Selectmen’s recommendations as to what road improvements the Chan’s would be responsible for. 

 

The Selectmen will seek advice from the Road Agent as to proposed improvements and estimated costs.  In addition, the Planning Board will have to determine a cost per foot and use the same formula in the future for other road improvements.  Jeff Crosby, Road Agent, indicated at a previous meeting of estimated cost of $25,000 on the Town portion but the Selectmen do not know what the suggested improvements are. 

 

Charles (Chuck) Graybill suggested that Janice VandeBogart or Ken Swayze contact the New Hampshire Municipal Association  or Central New Hampshire Regional Planning Commission to get information about exaction fees and what basis is used to determine costs.  The Selectmen indicated the costs should be standard for the way cost is calculated. 

 

Comments from the Public:

 

                NONE

 

MOTION:

 

Mert Mann made a motion that the Dunbarton Board of Selectmen adourn their meeting at 8:50 p.m.  Charles Graybill seconded the motion.  The motion passed by a majority vote with Les Hammond voting in the negative. 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

                                                                                                                                Alison R. Vallieres

Recording Secretary

 

 

_______________________________________

Charles (Chuck) Graybill, Chairman

 

_______________________________________

Mert Mann, Selectman

 

_______________________________________

Les Hammond, Selectman