DUNBARTON BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MINUTES OF MEETING
THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2005
TOWN OFFICES – 7:00 P.M.
The regularly scheduled bi-weekly summer scheduled 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.
John
Swindlehurst, Chairman, Town Forest Committee:
John Swindlehurst, Chairman of the Town Forest Committee, appeared before the Board of Selectmen to discuss the recent negotiations he had with the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests (SPNHF) with regard to the Winslow Town Forest and the selling of gravel and sand to the Town for Town roadwork.
Charles (Chuck) Graybill stated the Selectmen were
concerned that negotiations and a site walk had gone on with John Swindlehurst
and Ken Stern of SPNHF without the Selectmen being made aware of a possible
problem with the Town purchasing the gravel/sand, etc. Charles (Chuck) Graybill indicated they had noticed a difference in
the “tone” of the letters from Ken Stern, SPNHF, between the time the first
letter was written and after the discussion John Swindlehurst had with Mr.
Stern.
Charles (Chuck) Graybill stated that the Selectmen
felt that if the Winslow Town Forest was in jeopardy, they should have been
made aware of it as soon as possible.
The selling of the gravel to the Town is important to the Highway
Department budget and would affect the Town’s Highway expenditures.
John Swindlehurst stated he felt that there was no immediate action on it so I didn’t feel it
was necessary to notify the Selectmen.
Asked who the Selectmen had conversations with?
The Selectmen stated that both Ron Jarvis and Jeff
Crosby, Road Agent, had met with the Selectmen two weeks ago and at that point,
we felt you as the Chair should have notified us if there was any problems with the gravel pit and the deed to
Winslow Town Forest. Both felt the
Selectmen should be aware of the situation.
Based on the above information, the Selectmen had
assigned Les Hammond to talk with Ken Stern, SPNHF, to discuss the situation
and see if it could be worked out agreeably to both parties.
Les Hammond stated that he and Ron Jarvis did a Site
Walk with Ken Stern of the Society. He
stated it was necessary to have Ron Jarvis along to represent the Town Forest
Committee. Jeff Crosby, Road Agent, was also present. He also met with Ken Sterns regarding the
Winslow deed and conditions. Les Hammond
stated to Mr. Stern that he felt the gravel pit was a “grandfathered use” which
had been there in 1937. In addition, Les
stated that he had told Ken Sterns that J. Willcox Brown had been Chairman of
the Town Forest Committee for thirty or more years, and he worked closely with
the SPNHF and this had never been a problem in the past. Stated that he and Will Brown had arranged to
sell gravel and sand to the School thirty years ago with no problems. The bottom line is we are to do a plan
showing the area and what we are doing with it, etc. along with a reclamation
plan to present to the SPNHF. The plan
will limit the taking of sand back to the tree line. Jeff Crosby, Road Agent, has stated there is
about 15 – 20 years of sand left. Talked
with him about the gravel pile. We can’t
just haul it out of there and put it somewhere else. Jeff Crosby, Road Agent, will come up with
projects which will use the gravel in the future.
J. Swindlehurst stated that one thing the Committee
was discussing was the possibility of swapping land with them (SPNHF). We discussed this at some length and thought
that might work.
The Selectmen indicated this would not be a
possibility. We are talking about the
Winslow Town Forest. It is up to the
Town to get a plan in place. It could be
tied to the CIP Program.
John Swindlehurst stated that a letter was sent back
in 1942 and there was 1/3 of an acre gravel pit and it involves 7.6 acres
now. They never did a thing about it
until Margaret Watkins contacted them regarding the Winslow Town Forest
situation with the $15,000 taking for road improvements on Stark Lane,
etc. At that point, they found out what
the deed stated. When I talked with him,
there was no emergency, etc. He told me
to get in touch with someone in Fish and Game (Federal) to see about
maintaining part of that open area for “kildeer” because they are having less
places to nest, etc. Have talked to a
few people, etc. Stated that Ken Stern
was concerned that we were selling the gravel too cheap to the Town at $1 a
yard.
Charles (Chuck) Graybill stated the first letter did
not seem to be very concerned about the situation. The second letter you received after your
meeting with him seemed to portray a “stone wall”. He is saying there could be no violation of
the deed, and we could lose the whole piece of property and the Town would lose
the opportunity to use the gravel and sand.
John Swindlehurst stated he (Ken Stern) wanted to close the gravel pit.
Both Charles Graybill and Mert Mann stated that
after the first letter, he (Ken Sterns) seemed to be more concerned.
John Swindlehust stated that the letter from Ken
Stern indicated they wanted us to make sure we made them aware of what actions
were taken at the next meeting of the Town Forest Committee. He was aware that
the Town Forest Committee meets quarterly.
Charles (Chuck) Graybill stated the letter indicated
they wanted something done immediately.
I thought you were going to “stone wall” this like the Stark
Lane/Winslow Town Forest issue. Charles
Graybill stated the Town certainly appreciate the reimbursement of legal costs
from the Town Forest Committee.
Obviously, there must have been some thoughts from the Town Forest
Committee because of the reimbursement.
After the two letters you received, we felt we should have been notified
of the situation.
Charles
Graybill stated the Selectmen wanted to express their concern that they were
not notified of the situation. The
Selectmen indicated they would like Les Hammond to attend the Town Forest
Committee Meetings in the future regarding this issue.
Mr. Swindlehurst stated the meetings are all open to
the public.
Les Hammond stated they had a meeting and we found
out about it afterwards.
John Swindlehurst stated that Weare had a Town
Forest with a gravel pit in the middle along with a Transfer Station.
OTHER
BUSINESS:
Jacques
Belanger, Surveyor, Jacqueline Drive:
Jacques Belanger, Surveyor, appeared before the Board of Selectmen with a plan showing the “as built road profile” for Jacqueline Drive. It showed the driveways and the right of way. He stated he has just given a draft of the deed to the Town to Ken Swayze for review.
1.
Jacques Belanger will complete the road profile plan and put the
vertical profile on the plan.
Selectmen stated they would like to see this project
finalized. The road has been accepted by
the Town as a Town road and the Town needs to get the title to the road. Auditors are asking if we own the road and
at this point, we don’t have a deed.
Need the deed as soon as possible.
2. Abutters should be put on the plan.
3.
Jacques Belanger, Surveyor,
stated he would have this completed by the next Selectmen’s meeting in two
weeks.
4.
With regard to Jacqueline Drive, the shoulders still need to be done
and the large stone needs to be removed.
Request
from Alison Vallieres, Dunbarton Planning Board Secretary for Extension for
Gelinas:
A request was received from the Dunbarton Planning Board for a 90 day extension for the Gelinas/Perkins Proposed Two Lot Subdivision and Lot Line Adjustment to allow time to receive additional information.
Ken Swayze, Building Department, reported that
Gelinas has been removing vehicles and the number has gone from about 150
vehicles to 22. He also reported the
Jacques Belanger and Carl Woodbury of Environmental Services had walked the
property and Mr. Woodbury wants to do water tests and soil samples. There is not enough time for the results of
these tests to get back to the Planning Board, therefore the request for the
extension.
The Selectmen discussed the possibility of granting
an extension with a condition that this would be the last extension granted for
the project.
MOTION:
Les Hammond made a motion that the Dunbarton Board of Selectmen grant a 90 day extension for the Gelinas/Perkins Proposed Two Lot Subdivision and Lot Line Adjustment with the condition that this will be the last extension granted by the Selectmen for this project. The applicants will have to reapply to the Dunbarton Planning Board if it is not completed within the next 90 days.
Mert Mann seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Ken Swayze noted that all conditions must be
fulfilled on the plan prior to a Planning Board vote.
Possible
Boston (Dunbarton) Cane Program:
Charles (Chuck) Graybill brought up the possibility of having a Dunbarton Cane Program for the oldest resident of Dunbarton. The possibility of having the Dunbarton Historical Society administer it was discussed. Chuck Graybill noted that Dunbarton could purchase a replica cane through “City and Town” for $105.00.
Janice VandeBogart will check with other towns in
the area that have similar programs and see what their guidelines are.
MOTION:
Charles (Chuck) Graybill made a motion that the Dunbarton Board of
Selectmen go ahead and purchase the $105.00 Replica Cane. Les Hammond seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Stark
Cemetery:
Mert Mann reported that someone had been in touch with Nancy Frost, Stark Cemetery Maintenance, regarding having a relative buried there. She has checked and the family has two plots in the Stark Cemetery.
It was noted that the Dunbarton Cemetery Trustees have nothing to do with the Stark Cemetery. It is now under the auspices of the State Historical Society. Nancy Frost and Mert Mann are in charge of maintenance of the Stark Cemetery.
Mert Mann will tell Nancy Frost to contact T. J. Jelly and also talk with the State Historical Society.
Janice
VandeBogart, Town Administrator:
Cemeteries:
1. Spoke with T. J. Jelley, Cemetery Trustee, regarding the bill from Ron Boynton for the cleanup of leaves in the Dunbarton Center Cemetery. T.Jelley felt the bill should be approved by the Selectmen. Felt that the charges were reasonable. The area was a mess and Ron did work hard cleaning it up.
2.
Reported that two residents had complimented Ron Boynton on the
fantastic job he was doing on the cemeteries.
Felt they were the best they had ever looked.
3.
Cemetery Trustees are not going to be able to get the road in for the
Center Cemetery this year.
Trapping
Permits:
1. Bill Miles has requested a trapping permit again this year for trapping beavers. It covers all Town areas where beavers cause problems
Selectmen agreed to sign Trapping Permit for Bill
Miles.
Revenue
Estimates:
1. Selectmen reviewed Revenue Estimates.
Mert Mann stated he didn’t feel we should do
anything until at least October when the
new Tax Rate will be set. There is
plenty of time to readjust estimated revenues.
Selectmen agreed not to change revenue estimates at
this time.
Possibility
of having Bi-Weekly Selectmen’s Meetings:
1. Charles (Chuck) Graybill brought up the possibility of having bi-weekly Selectmen’s Meetings year round. He stated he just wanted to put this on the “table” at this point to keep in mind for the future. Stated it worked well in the summer.
Janice VandeBogart noted that this could be possible
for at least the months of June, July, August, and September. She noted that starting in January,
preparations for the budget and Town Meeting might require a weekly
meeting.
Selectmen will take suggestion under
advisement.
Fire
Department Donations to Newfoundland:
1. Mert Mann reported that he had noticed that the Dunbarton Fire Department had donated equipment to Newfoundland.
CIP:
(Capital Improvements Program)
1. Janice VandeBogart reported that she had completed the CIP application regarding the Town Offices. Stated that this building is not suitable for a Town Office. It is cramped and we have no space or storage.
2. There is a CIP Meeting next Tuesday,
August 30, 2005 at 6:00 p.m. at the Police Station.
Unisex
Bathroom Renovations:
1. Janice VandeBogart reported that Michael Poirier has volunteered to work with the Bid contractor to make sure the renovations are done in the Town’s best interests.
MOTION:
Charles (Chuck) Graybill made a motion to accept the
bid from DC&S Builders (Douglas Corbridge), 8 Park Street, Fryeburg, Maine
to do the renovation for the Unisex Bathroom in the Town Offices for a bid
price of $9,990.00. Mert Mann seconded
the motion. The motion passed
unanimously.
Old
Home Day Activities:
1. Mert Mann stated that the Historical Society will be having a supper for Old Home Day on September 17, 2005 at the Community Center at 5:30 p.m.
2.
Mert Mann asked about a schedule of activities for Old Home Day. No schedule was available.
3.
It was noted the Police Chief had requested permission for a 6’ x 20’
banner to be put in the Center of Town.
Mert
Mann made a motion to adjourn the Dunbarton Selectmen’s Meeting at 8:35 p.m.
The motion was seconded by Charles (Chuck) Graybill. The motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Recording Secretary
______________________________________
Charles
(Chuck) Graybill, Chairman
_______________________________________
Mert
Mann, Selectman
_______________________________________
Les
Hammond, Selectman