Alexandria Board of Selectmen

June 14, 2007

Members Present:     Cindy Williams and Don Gangemi

The meeting came to order at 6:00 p.m. with two members present. Selectman Reilly is excused for this evening.

There was no work session this evening.

The Pledge of Allegiance was given.

Distribution of Minutes:        None were distributed

Approval of Minutes:             None

Boake Morrison:  Boake and Jeff Cantara, the road agent, agreed to a cost sharing on a culvert replacement on Boake’s land on Karl Gordon Road.  The cost to Mr. Morrison will be $600.00 and will result in the installation of a 24” x 40’ culvert that will eliminate problems on the Tourangeau property.  Boake said that as long as nobody else is involved in it, such a FEMA, he will go along with it.  Boake stated that he still has a pit over on 104 and hasn’t sold any material to the town yet this year.  Jeff said that Boake’s material is what he wants for certain areas of town, but they have not had the time to be in those areas yet.  Boake explained that his material has been used on state projects if there is a concern over quality.  Don Gangemi said the selectmen like to keep business in town as much as possible and he is sure that Jeff will use the material if it is comparable in quality and price. 

Corey Corliss:  Corey recently mowed the grass for the town and said that he would like to have the town as
a regular customer.  It was determined that at this point in time there is no room in the General Government Buildings budget for this service.  The town can include it in next year’s budget.  The project will have to go out to bid rather than automatically giving it to one particular company, which was a concern expressed by Larry Stickney.  Cindy volunteered to use the lawn tractor that the town owns to mow.  There was a great deal of discussion which ended with Don Gangemi saying that he was concerned about Cindy being out in the heat but if she was determined to give her time, she should be allowed to try it out to see if it is too much work.  Corey said that if the project was sent out to bid, the price he submitted would stand.  He suggested that Christie get in touch with the Town of Rumney to request a copy of their specifications. 

Pat Moore:     On behalf of the historical society, Pat explained that they would like to give the town back its mower and the job of mowing the lawns which Mr. Ramsey had done in the past.  The historical society will maintain its own lawn.  Pat asked if the town could reimburse the historical society for the expense
of repairing the mower as they had prepaid the bill to expedite service.  The selectmen will do so.

Dennis Manchester:  The fire department is participating in community day and would like to use the kitchen in the town hall for the preparation of food.  Permission was given by the board. 

Don Gangemi:            Don said that a public thank you is due to Corey Corliss for bailing the town out with the
mowing of the lawns.  His immediate response to the need is very much appreciated.

Jeff Cantara:  Jeff is done with the blue pickup and would like to know if it is going to be given to another department.  It does need some work.  Christie will contact trustees to see if they want it.  Jeff would like to clean up Truck 5 and take it to the auction in the fall.  That truck is the F450.  New trucks should be here next week.  Jeff would like the old cruiser for the highway department.  He would put a chain saw, some road signs, cones, etc. for use when reviewing roads.  It would also be used for the crew to go to training events as there is no vehicle presently large enough to accommodate all the guys.   He said that he would not be asking to put a bunch of money into it; as long as it lasts, it lasts.  Don Gangemi asked if a vote was needed to do what Jeff wants.  Cindy said that transferring a vehicle to another department would not need a vote, but the sale of one would.  Jeff said that an account for gas can be set up at Busky’s in Bristol.  The town would have to hang onto the receipts and apply for a reimbursement of the tax through the state.  The installation of a new fuel tank at the highway garage is waiting for an engineering plan before approval can be given.  The selectmen have a letter of agreement to sign this evening for the engineering portion of the project which should cost approximately $2,000.  Jeff submitted a purchase order for a gate for the highway department.  Once the gate is in place, he will make provision for sand to be placed outside the gate for the general public to use in the winter.  He is concerned about the lack of security at the garage.  Jeff has made an arrangement with the paving company to donate asphalt curbing for the parking area.  It will impede snowplowing some, but Jeff said that he will make allowance for it.  Cindy said she would like to know what the garden club is planning to do.  Christie will call Judy Kraemer to come in and give them some information.  Ed Skroback voiced a concern about water flow in the parking lot area during heavy rains.  Jeff suggested that a cistern could be installed to take care of any water issue that would arise.  Christie will put a note in her budget book and Jeff will assist in coming up with an appropriate request.  Jeff asked to be able to use the town’s backhoe for about an hour, on his own time, in order to prep the driveway in front of the fire station exit door for paving.  The paving company is willing to donate the paving if someone will do the prep work. The selectmen gave permission for the use of the equipment.  Jeff asked about Eastman Painting.  Christie had previously called him and told him to go ahead with the project.  Jeff is working on Washburn Bridge and has submitted some purchase orders to “shore it up” for now. He was told that the work the town does is 80% reimbursable. Christie will try to help get some paperwork for the reimbursement.  A Construx representative came up to look at the highway garage.  They are supposed to be sending someone up to do some sealing work.  The Bog Road pit is cleaned up.  Jeff would like to include money in his budget next year to set up bins at that site for hold materials for future use or disposal such as brush.  Fowler River Road has been started; traffic is going to be difficult to handle.  There are signs up all over the place about the construction and the road being closed at certain times, but people do not seem to want to notice them.  Jeff said they would try to work with locals to get them through the road when necessary.  FEMA paperwork had to be started again as there was a change in personnel and procedure.  Right now the estimated amount of repairs completed is $175,000+-.  There are more expenses to be incurred later.  The state has not decided whether or not they are going to pay the 12.5% on this.  So far the town has spent some $150,000. Waste oil is becoming a problem from Jeff at the highway garage.  They are receiving a large amount of oil that cannot be used because of contamination.  The town needs to dispose of it and Jeff is questioning whose budget that is going to come out of.  Cindy thought there was a fund to assist the towns with the cost of disposal and will ask Christie to look into the matter.  

Bill Hall:         Bill said that he would like to thank Jeff, as a taxpayer, for using good quality materials to make the road repairs.  When he started to say something about Boake Morrison’s materials, Cindy explained that those comments should have been made when Boake was here, not now. Don Gangemi asked Jeff to review Boake’s materials every once in a while to determine whether or not they can be used for a highway project.  Jeff said he will use them where he can.

Bonnie Tourangeau:   Bonnie was in to get her appointment to the conservation commission signed and to take her oath of office.  Cindy thanked her for being willing to service on the commission.  Don Gangemi made a motion to approve the appointment; Don Gangemi seconded it, and it was passed by a vote of 2-0.  Bonnie was also told that Boake Morrison has agreed to a 50/50 cost share with the town on replacing a culvert that is causing water damage to the Tourangeau property.  The new pipe will be 24” in diameter and should cure the problem.  Jeff did let Bonnie know that it may be later this summer before the highway crew can get this done.

Announcements:        Listed on agenda.

Land Use, Building Permits, Purchase Orders, Other Items Requiring Signature”

            A denial of abatement was signed for Albert & Mary Parker.

            Abatement approvals were signed for Norman & Tara Talamini-230.04; Vernon & Lois Waters-493.48; Donald & Michelle Sanborn-370.10; Estate of Harry Waters-180.82; June Hatfield-181.64; Randy & Chris Rhude for 697.47 and Randy & Chris Rhude for 692.20.  (Cindy said that she talked with the assessor about the neighborhood code problem that Chris mentioned and it was corrected.  The assessor also said that the neighborhood codes for all properties would be reviewed during the update.  Cindy also talked to the assessor about the Rhude’s LUCT.  The sales price was reversed with another lot in the same subdivision and Cindy wondered if that had an affect on the LUCT.  That will be reviewed as well.  With regard to the 10% reduction for being on a private road, Lynn Avenue, Cindy has asked the assessor to clearly mark on the property card whether or not any reduction in value has been made for the fact that a property is located on a Class VI or private road). 

            A supplemental warrant was signed for Everett Babcock in the amount of $913.89 as his house was not
value for the first issue.  This supplemental warrant will correct that.

            A veteran’s credit was approved for Everett Babcock.  As the application was received after the deadline of April 15, the credit will be reflected beginning in 2008.

            Timber tax warrants were signed for Andrew Maves-625.66; Chris Douglas-352.29 and Georgiana Salsman-195.16.

            An intent to cut was signed for George & Athena Nickole on Lynn Avenue

            A building permit was approved for Brian Ethier on Fowler River Road.

            A purchase order was approved for Wild Horse Welding for fabricating a cradle to be used to strengthen the Washburn Road Bridge. 

            A purchase order was approved for Cohen Steel to provide the steel to be used by Wild Horse Welding.

            A purchase order was approved for Wild Horse Welding to fabricate a gate for Mundy Road to prevent access to the highway garage outside of regular operating hours.

Follow-ups:    

            Mike Beauregard/Eastman Hill:       On the 28^th, Mike Beauregard will be in to talk with the selectmen regarding his conversation with Jeff Cantara.  Planning board members will be invited to attend the meeting.  It was suggested that the selectmen, planning board members and road agent all have a meeting prior to that date to review the site and discuss what Jeff and Mike have been talking about.  It was decided that at 3:30 Wednesday, June 20 would be a good time for all to meet.  Christie will send out a notice to all parties.  Jeff did explain to Mike that once he leaves a Class VI road, the road agent and selectmen no longer have jurisdiction; it becomes the planning board’s issue.  Cindy asked if Jeff is comfortable with the condition of the Class VI portion of Eastman Hill Road.  Jeff said he is to base level.  Finish gravel and ditch work will need to be done before it will be considered usable.  There is also some work that would need to be done on the Class V road. 

            Building Issues:  There is supposed to be someone out here next week to look at Frank’s door and give a price on that.  1-2-3 Lock & Key should be here next week to give a price on the replacement of the smoke detectors as well as making some new keys and fixing the alarm system on the police department. 

            Hazard Mitigation Plan:  George is working on it.  He gave the selectmen and the admin. assistant some paperwork to fill out describing their responsibilities during an emergency situation.  Don Gangemi asked about the road that was missing off the 911 maps. Jeff has submitted paperwork to 911 to show them where the road is.

            Flood Insurance Program:     It is on its way to Washington, DC.

            School Facilities Committee Member:  Peg was going to talk with Todd Westfall; we will have to wait until she returns to determine if this has been done.  Cindy said she would try to go to the next meeting.

            Generator:      No update

Old Business:

            Classification of Roads for Building Permits:   No update

            Gale Road:  No proposal from property owners as yet.

            Eastman Road:  Already discussed earlier in the meeting.

New Business:

            Boake Morrison:  Already discussed earlier in meeting

            Pat Moore:  Mower already discussed earlier in meeting

            Flag Pole Offer:  Erma Lord has made an offer to purchase a flag pole and flag in memory of Sherman Wadhams.  The flag that Peg offered to purchase has not yet been ordered.  Erma Lord would like pricing submitted for her approval.  There is someone who works at Ashland Lumber that sells and installs flag poles.  It will need a light if the flag is to be left out overnight.  Don Gangemi will do some research.  Jeff thinks Don Palmer is the guy at Ashland Lumber. 

            Municipal Records Committee Statement:  A statement was present for the selectmen to sign indicating that records will be retained based on the state statute requirements.

            Landscaping Project:  Judy Kraemer asked for approval to purchase landscaping cloth for the berm out front.  Approval was given.

            Skroback Settlement Approval:  Ed is willing to settle for the assessment that Avitar has come up with.  Christie will inform Chris Murdough so she can prepare settlement papers. The sketch needs to be corrected; the deck is angled, not straight as the sketch suggests at this time. Ed asked that the town refund the fee he paid to BTLA in order to apply for his appeal.  Cindy asked Christie if this could be done.  Christie said she has a concern about refunding a fee that the town did not receive in the first place. Cindy asked if the fee could be refunded against overlay.  Christie will check with Greg, the auditor. Cindy made a motion to refund the $65 BTLA fee to both Emery and Skroback.

            Galen Marsh Site:  The assessor wrote a letter on the property card saying that they do not consider that a commercial site, but if the selectmen have additional information, it can be changed.  The assessor felt that it is just a storage site for unwanted stuff.  Don Gangemi was asked to go and take a look at the site.  The property owner has received a letter from the state explaining that items are being stored in the state’s right of way and need to be moved. 

            Engineering Contract:  The selectmen signed a letter of agreement with H.E. Bergeron for engineering work to be done in regard to a fuel storage tank at the highway garage.  Jeff asked that others refrain from calling EPA or DES while he is working on this project.  He would like only one person to be the contact with these agencies, and that person will be him.

Public Input:

            Cindy asked if there should be a policy regarding a 50/50 share on culvert projects.  Don Gangemi gave
Cindy a copy of paperwork he would like to see be a part of the building permit package.  Christie said that Mr. Fredericks is scheduled to come in next week, not tonight.  Mr. Fredericks is looking for justification for the amount of money he was billed.  Cindy asked Frank what would happen if a person was given a bill for damage to a road but did not pay it.  Frank said the person would be guilty of a misdemeanor and would be issued a summons.  There is a civil process to be followed.  Frank said is someone is prosecuted under the misdemeanor, the town does not get their money; the person just goes to jail if found guilty.  Frank said Mr. Frederick will probably state that he was fully prepared to fix the road and that Jeff “jumped the gun” by having the town fix it.  Frank further stated that the town will have to prove that it was necessary to repair it as quickly as they did.

            Carol Panaggio asked who is taking care of the cemeteries; who is responsible for mowing them.  She was told the sexton is.  Carol said that on Memorial Day the cemeteries were terrible.  Christie let Carol know that a number of complaints have been received and forwarded to the trustees, who are the sexton’s supervisors. 

            Maggie LaBerge gave the selectmen a draft of the flyer to be distributed for community day.  The members of the community day committee are concerned that there has been no input from the selectmen at any of their meeting.  It implies that the selectmen do not care what is done.  Don Gangemi said that he missed the last meeting because he was giving a commencement address.  Cindy has stated some time ago she would not be attending meetings as she would not be present on the actual community day.  Maggie asked if the dumpster will be empty that day so trash can be placed in it.  Christie will check on the schedule.  The next meeting is June 27 at 6:00 p.m. in the old town hall. 

            The church is going to offer breakfast for sale on community day; beginning at 8:00 a.m. Frank asked if there is any parking or traffic problem anticipated.  Maggie asked if the hay field would be mowed by then; it was suggested that she contact John Day, the man who mows it.  The municipal building will be open on community day. 

            Ed Skroback:  The town is saving money.  Cindy asked him how.  He said that the material the town is using has kept his road from being “washboardy”.  Cindy stated that her road is holding up well, too.  Ed said when you fix things right, you save in the long run, both on road maintenance and car repairs.

            Don Gangemi:  At the regional selectmen’s meeting, Don asked about a meeting with the county representatives, but that has not happened.  The budget is being voted on in two weeks.  The selectmen should put a letter out to the representatives stating the town’s concern about the budget.  Don asked about containment at the highway garage for the used oil.  Jeff said he needs to construct berms around the waste oil and this will take up needed space around the garage site.  There needs to be testing done before the oil is placed in the drums. Christie explained that in Danbury people wishing to dispose of oil have to bring it to the transfer station in small containers.  The transfer station workers then test the contents to make sure no contaminants are present.  If there are, the container is placed off to the side for disposal.  Good waste oil is placed in drums to be used at the highway garage. 

            William Hall:  Bill Hall said that he has yet to hear from the assessing people and wants to be put on the agenda for next week. Cindy said she had talked to the assessor and town counsel. The law does not allow the town to go back to prior years to abate.  The process is that you go to BTLA if you are not satisfied with the town’s decision.  Bill said he would have to go to an attorney to get the matter settled.  Cindy stated the town received a letter from Avitar stating that the prior year’s assessments were correct.  Bill said it was a mistake all the way.  Gravel pits are being assessed differently this year and this formula will be used on all pits.  Avitar’s letter also said that abatements for 2004, 2005 and 2006 were received and handled appropriately and none of them resulted in a submission to BTLA.  Don suggested a meeting with the Halls and the Avitar associate.  Ann Hall said one of her problems is that Avitar separated her residence from the gravel pit.  They didn’t do that with any of the other pits.  She asked why and never received an answer.  When Cindy talked with Avitar the other day, they did say that the Hall’s pit is unlike others in that it is more of a seasonal one due to water issues.  In prior years each permitted acre was assessed at the same amount.  Now there is a different way to assess based somewhat on the residential procedure in that the first acre is the premium one, with additional acres being valued at less.  Ann stated that she understands what they are doing this year, her concern is past years.  Cindy explained that the Halls should have followed the abatement procedure.  Ann said they did not because of answers that Cindy gave them.  Bill also asked why his pit bond had to be higher than Boake’s.  Cindy explained that the bond was determined as a result of the engineering report, not the town.

Adjournment:

            Don Gangemi made a motion to adjourn at 8:45 p.m.; Cindy seconded the motion and it was approved by a vote of 2-0.

Respectfully submitted,

Christie Phelps,

Admin. Assistant