DUNBARTON BOARD OF SELECTMEN

MINUTES OF MEETING

THURSDAY, MAY 5,  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.

 

Janice VandeBogart, Town Administrator:

 

1.        Reported the Selectmen had received an Invitation to the Stage Dreams Dinner Dance to be held on Friday, May 13, 2005 at the Community Center.  Cost is $25.00 per person.

 

2.        Charles (Chuck) Graybill reported that the Countryside Golf Course had donated round tables to the Community Center for functions for now and in the future.  (Not to be returned to the Golf Course)

 

3.        Reported that the Town Offices had received an Invitation to attend a  Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and  Tour of the New Facility of  the Merrimack County Corrections New Building,  314 Daniel Webster Highway, Boscawen, NH  to be held on Thursday, June 9, 2005 at 1:00 p.m.   Tentatively, Les Hammond and Mert Mann will attend representing the Dunbarton Selectmen.   Janice will send in the confirmation. 

 

4.        Reported that Arline Little had given the Town Offices a copy of the letter which she received via certified mail regarding the installation of the culvert by her house. 

 

5.        Reported that the Dunbarton Volunteer Fire Department had changed their name to become the Dunbarton Fire Fighters Association Inc.  This is necessary because they are two separate entities, the Fire Department and the Association.  The Association is able to accept monies for Chicken Barbecue and other fund raisers. 

 

6.        At this point in the meeting, Sylvia Grenier asked about a possible job at the Transfer Station.  The Selectmen requested that she make out an application and leave it at the Town Office. 

 

Sylvia Grenier questioned the fact that there was no poster up in the Town Office last year notifying Senior Citizens of the Tax Relief for property taxes.  Janice VandeBogart, Town Administrator, stated that the State had not provided them to the Town last year.  There is one for this year which has already been posted.   It was noted that the Board of Assessors would be the entity to handle this. 

 

7.        Charles (Chuck) Graybill noted that the tentative date for the treatment of Milfoil at Gorham Pond is June 22, 2005. 

 

8.        Reported that Patrick (Woody) Bowne had interviewed an applicant for a position at the Transfer Station (Roland Jahnke).  It was noted that he is able to operate a fork lift.

 

MOTION:

 

Charles Graybill made a motion that the Town of Dunbarton hire Roland Jahnke as a Transfer Station Assistant with a starting salary of $9.00/hr. subject to a physical examination.  Les Hammond seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

9.        Alison Vallieres reported that there is a large hazard tree within the Town Right of Way on Devil Steps Road which is badly rotten and hollow in the middle.  Needs to be taken down before it falls on house.   Will check with Jeff Crosby. 

 

7:30 p.m. – POLICE DEPARTMENT/FIRE DEPARTMENT

 

                Police Chief Jeff Nelson appeared before the Board of Selectmen. 

 

1.        Chief Nelson presented Officer Shane Durant with a commendation for handling a very serious accident on Clinton Street which involved bodily injury during a snowstorm.  Chief Nelson stated that Officer Durant is to be commended on a job well done. 

 

2.        Chief Nelson reported they had received a Grant for an Audio Visual System for $5,000 which did not cost the Town anything.  We already have received the equipment and didn’t have to spend a “dime”. 

 

Janice VandeBogart noted that the equipment needs to be listed on the list of assets, etc. 

 

Charles (Chuck) Graybill reported that an individual on Holiday Shore Drive called the Police Department last night regarding ATV running on the Kuncannowet Town Forest Trails.  Stated that a young lady had taken the call and stated that an officer would be showing up.  No officer ever showed up.  The ATV’s were on the trails for at least 45 minutes. 

 

Police Chief Nelson will check into the above request. 

 

3.        Police Chief Nelson reported that he and the Fire Chief, Jon Wiggin had contacted Dennis Mires, Architect, regarding a possible building addition.  They noted the cost for the drawings, etc. would be $7,400.   Police Chief stated that the building addition had been included within the five year plan for the Police Department. 

 

The Selectmen asked how this fit in with the Master Plan.  Police Chief Nelson stated they had been included in the Master Plan meetings, and this was already a part of the Master Plan Study within the Community Facilities Section. 

 

Mert Mann asked how this fits into the CIP time frame. 

 

Charles (Chuck) Graybill noted that the CIP will probably be adopted either in the fall of this year or spring of next year. 

 

Selectmen noted that the $7,400 for architectural design for the building addition should be included in a Warrant Article for the March 2006 Town Meeting. 

 

Jon Wiggin, Fire Chief, stated that the Fire Department’s biggest problem was vehicle storage.  They had previously been using the space underneath the building but the Police Department had expanded into the basement area.   Jon Wiggin, Fire Chief,  stated they need space for the Fire Department vehicles.  Presently, the doors in the existing Fire Department are not tall enough for some of the other Mutual Aid Trucks (when covering) to fit into the Station.  It is not a problem in the summer but the winter months are a problem because of cold weather, etc.  The Fire Department is going to need one additional bay for vehicles.  The only place we can go is one side of the building or the other.  Cannot go closer to the school or the street. 

 

Jon Wiggin stated we can raise the present garage door height by getting a higher door in there.  We will also have some ADA issues regarding access to the bathroom.  We really haven’t done much to the Station over a period of time.  We have more of a vehicle space needs.  He indicated we could make this space available for meeting space.  This part of the building could be designed so it is secure from the Police Department.  This would be a good thing for the Community.   He indicated we could increase the height of the existing garage doors now.  At least we have this option.  Would not be a big structural thing to do. 

 

The Selectmen asked if the $7,400 architectural fee was for an addition for both the Fire Department and the Police Department.  It was indicated that it was for both departments.

 

The Police Chief stated that the connecting door is broken and can’t be opened and shut without a crowbar.  There are electrical problems downstairs.  We need two electrical boxes.  Presently, they are split with the Fire Department.  We did have some work done and at least it is safe.  If we include an addition, we need to upgrade the electricity.  This would make the building safer and much more viable.   Indicated they were not sure about the drainage situation. 

 

The Selectmen indicated they (Fire Chief and Police Chief)  need to put together an RFP to put it out to bid.  The Fire Chief and Police Chief need to draft a Warrant Article for funds for architectural plans and then it would be channeled into the CIP process. 

 

At this point, Janice VandeBogart asked if the Police Department will be selling the old cruiser at the State Auction next week. 

 

Police Chief indicated it was to be sold at the State Auction. 

 

In addition, the Fire Department is selling the old Fire Truck.  Have been approached by a resident of Town to buy it. 

 

Charles (Chuck) Graybill asked what the purpose of the Fire Department becoming incorporated was. 

 

Jon Wiggin, Fire Chief, stated we are officially licensed by the State.  There is a State Law that allows us to have a Fire Association to handle fund raising, etc.  All money is dedicated to the Town for purchase of trucks, etc.  RSA 154 spells this out as to what an Association can do versus a Fire Department.  The Town is separate from the Association.  We have an Association Meeting.  This is clear within the law.  It is spelled out thoroughly in the law.  Donations are made to the Dunbarton Fire Department Association. 

 

Jon Wiggin noted the Fire Department Chicken Barbecue will be held on June 26, 2005. 

 

Jon Wiggin noted that he has the authority to allow the Association to meet in the Fire Department. 

 

DUNBARTON FIRE DEPARTMENT SURVEY

 

Police Chief Jeff Nelson reported that the student from St. Anselm College who did the Police Department Survey was unable to be present.  He presented the following information from the Survey.

 

1.        Presented the Board of Selectmen with copies of the completed survey.  (attached)

 

2.        Stated that because of Caller Identification and cell phones, it was more difficult to conduct the survey than in the past.  Were only able to connect with 227 households in Dunbarton.  They had wanted to connect with 300 but were unable to.  Calls were made for twelve nights between the hours of 6:00  - 9:00 p.m. 

 

3.        Noted that the percentage results were very similar to the 2002 survey. 

 

4.        Noted that in the category of most serious crime in Town, speeding had gone down by 12%.

 

5.        Noted that in the category of most serious crime in Town, crime had gone up by 13% .  Stated they were receiving more serious calls than in the past. 

 

6.        Felt the most important part of the survey was that 89% of residents felt their neighborhood was Safe to very Safe. 

 

7.        Officers Attitudes to Citizens, 85% felt it was Good to Excellent.

 

8.        Overall Competence of Officers, 85% felt was Good to Excellent.

 

9.        Overall Performance of DPD, 85% felt was Good to Excellent.

 

10.     Noted that survey did not reflect a change in categories.  Noted that the people who responded have come from places where they expect certain services.  Tried to target the younger people 

 

11.  Chief Nelson stated that he was extremely pleased with Chris Connelly.

 

Mert Mann stated that this mirrors the survey done three years ago.

 

Les Hammond stated that this is a great statement for the Police Department.

 

TIM TERRAGNI, BOARD OF ASSESSORS:  Bid for Current Use Updates

 

TimTerragni, Board of Assessors, presented a Status Report for the Month ending April 2005 as follows:

 

1.        Call backs were 100% complete.

2.        Building Permits were 100% complete.

3.        April 13 – Meeting with Board of Assessors to discuss land analysis and valuation methodology.  Reviewed land sales in town and discussed current use valuation methodologies.  Town will provide Vision with grading for current use.

4.        Provided all sales cards and sampling of other cards to Jim Gibney, DRS Representative.

5.        Received March 2005 sales from Town and those have been reviewed by Vision in April.

6.        April 26  - Mailed 11 Income and Expense questionnaires to commercial properties with a June 1st due date to be return to Vision. 

 

Noted that in May, they planned the following:

 

1.        Clean up prior to field review process, which will include taking additional photos and gathering information from old assessment cards for those properties that did not respond to the request for an interior inspection letter.  Vision will need to review these cards for the interior information and to make sure the correct year built is on the card. 

 

2.        Also in May, Vision will finalize the keying of current use parcels and will be using the grading the Town has provided to apply to each property. 

 

3.        In late May or early June, the field review process will begin and should take approximately two to three weeks. 

 

Bids for Current Use Parcels:

 

Tim Terragni reported the Board of Accessors had received two bids for the updating of the 146 Current Use Parcels which have houses on them.  The bids were as follows:

 

                Cross Country Appraisal Group, Concord, NH                              $23/parcel

(Jeff Earles)

 

Harlan Noyes, Dunbarton, NH                                                          $48/parcel

 

Tim Terragni stated that he had called Cross Country Appraisal Group and discussed the bid to make sure they understood what they had to do.  They are required to measure and produce a map of the property with the current use area broken out.  He stated they understand the project.

 

T. Terragni stated that the Board of Assessors had agreed that they would recommend the awarding of the bid to Harlan Noyes because they felt  more comfortable with him doing the project and they have worked with him in the past. 

 

The Board of Selectmen asked Tim Terragni if he had contacted any references for the Cross Country Appraisal Group prior to making the final recommendation.   Did they ask for references in the RFP?   Asked if they have done work in other towns which could be referenced.  Tim stated no he had only spoken with him on the phone.  Didn’t know about work in other towns. 

 

T. Terragni noted that Harlan Noyes has already done some of the current use parcels and will not charge for these. 

 

The Selectmen noted the total cost of the Current Use Appraisal Work would be $6,400 for Harlan Noyes and $3,300 for the other bidder, Cross Country Appraisal Group.

 

After discussion, the Board of Selectmen made the following motion:

 

MOTION: 

 

Les Hammond made a motion that the Dunbarton Board of Selectmen accept the recommendation of the Dunbarton Board of Assessors and award the bid for the Current Use assessments and pickups to Harlan Noyes.  Mert Mann seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

Comments from the General Public:

 

                NONE

 

MOTION:

 

Mert Mann made a motion that the Dunbarton Board of Selectmen adjourn at 9:15 p.m.   Charles Graybill seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously. 

 

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

                                                                                                                                Alison R. Vallieres

Recording Secretary

 

 

_______________________________________

Charles (Chuck) Graybill, Chairman

 

_______________________________________

Mert Mann, Selectman

 

_______________________________________

Les Hammond, Selectman