Alexandria Board of Selectmen
March 31, 2009
Members Present: Tom McGowan, Larry Stickney and Donald Sharp
The meeting came to order at 5:45 p.m. with all members present. Tom McGowan made a motion to seal the minutes of the non-public session with no expiration date. The motion was seconded and passed by a vote of 3-0.
Sue Cheney of the Cemetery Trustees spoke about the town’s request to have cemetery equipment stored on town property. The sexton indicated that there is an access problem at the highway building on Mt. Cardigan Road. Backing in a trailer with mowers, etc. with most of the vehicle in the road on a hill does not appear to be a safe thing. Christie suggested that the road agent be asked if the building at 153 Washburn has any room in it for the cemetery equipment. Jeff will be attending the meeting later and will be asked if this is possible.
Pledge of Allegiance
Distribution of Minutes:
A draft of March 24 was distributed
Approval of Minutes:
The minutes of March 17 were previously approved.
Department Heads:
Jeff Cantara: Jeff said that he could make a place in the highway garage for the cemetery equipment.
He stated that he would like to begin the Gove Road Bridge Project. The quotes he has gotten put the total price at $13,900 +-. The budgeted amount is $16,000. The bridge in question is the second one on Gove Road. It is currently 16’ wide and will be 20’ wide when the project is completed. There will be notification to the landowners about the project and the need to close the bridge from early morning until late afternoon. Jeff will coordinate with the fire department to see whether or not they wish to have a vehicle on the other side of the bridge in the event it is needed while access is blocked. Guardrail may be put on the bridge if the budget allows. The bridge will be non-rated when done, meaning there is no weight limit. Local contractors will be doing the work. Larry asked if the highway department will do any of the work. Jeff said they will not as their schedule requires them to be in other places. The selectmen gave their approval for the project after Jeff showed them that he had obtained competitive pricing from suppliers and contractors. Bill Hall asked why a culvert bridge was not being put in place. Jeff and Christie both stated that the state will only allow a culvert bridge if you are replacing one. Jeff said that the highway crew has been working for several days on the transfer station backhoe. It is getting tired and will need replacing in the next couple of years. What Jeff is suggesting is that the highway department purchase a new machine and give their used machine to the transfer station. Jeff asked the selectmen for approval to purchase a water truck from Skip Overlock. The offer was made last year, but the budget did not support the purchase. Mr. Overlock is still willing to sell the vehicle to the town for $2,500. After Jeff explained how much the truck has been used by the town, the purchase was approved.
Christie Phelps: Christie gave each selectman a copy of Municipal Matters, a binder created by the NH Dept. of Revenue to assist local officials with their work. She asked that the binder be returned when each selectman completes his term. Tires were sent out of the transfer station last week. Barbara Emery has presented the receivables report to Christie for the end of March. At this point in time, 94% of the 2008 taxes have been paid. The total outstanding taxes for all years is $471,838.00. Barbara and Christie both received a call from an individual who has a deed from Security National Trust to land on Eastman Hill Road. The problem is that the town took a tax deed to the property and recorded it before this man recorded his deed. He is asking what would be needed in order to get the land. Christie explained to him that the town could only convey title back to the previous owner and that all taxes, interest, penalties and fees would need to be paid as well as a 15% surcharge that is allowed by law. Christie spoke with Town Counsel and was told that the town should not waive the 15% surcharge as it would set a dangerous precedent. Adam Clark from NRRA is no longer our representative for recycling, it is now Bonnie Bethune. She should be contacting Helen and Christie soon. All of the information has been turned over to the assessors so they can perform abatement review, pickups, building permits, etc.
Items Signed:
Intent to Excavate for Newport Sand & Gravel
Intent to Excavate for William Hall
Veteran’s Credit for Janice Swenson
Wage, Salary & Benefit Survey
New Business:
Previously Discussed under Jeff Cantara section.
Public Input:
Bill Hall asked what was being done about assessments in this downward economy. Christie explained that the state has determined the town is assessing at 104.9% of fair market value. The town is allowed to be between 90 and 110%. Christie stated that she reviews the sales on a monthly basis and will alert the selectmen if an adjustment needs to be done to the database of values prior to September 1.
Bonnie O’Brien asked if Mr. DeRoma had applied for a driveway permit for Town Pound Road. Christie explained that it had been determined that DES does not require permit because he is not working in the riverbed and the town has not passed any rule that says if an existing access has not been used in the past so many years, it must be reapplied for and adhere to the present rules. Tom McGowan said the selectmen are not going to address this issue any further.
Helen LoPresti said that some of the items on her wish list have been supplied. A builder is coming in to fix the roof on the free shack, and several gallons of paint have been donated. Helen also asked for an update on a visitor to the transfer station that she has a concern about. Christie explained that the person has a right to drive by the transfer station and into the transfer station to dispose of trash generated in Alexandria. The chief has visited the Alexandria property owned by the person in question and there are signs that someone has been there. There is nothing that can be done to keep him out of the transfer station unless he actually does something illegal. Helen said that he threatened her once. Christie suggested that a log be kept of when he comes in, what he does and what he says. This could be used later if necessary.
Mr. MacDonald owns property at 31 Bailey Hill Road. This property was broken into and some of the items stolen were recovered at Gilpatric’s Recycling in Bridgewater. The Bristol Police Department arrested the person who had brought the items to the Mr. Gilpatric. Mr. MacDonald wants to know why the Alexandria Police Department is not doing anything about the issue, why they haven’t taken finger prints, etc. Mr. MacDonald gave Christie a copy of the estimate to replace what was taken. Christie will talk with the chief tomorrow and get back to Mr. MacDonald with an update.
Adjournment:
The meeting was adjourned at 6:47 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Christie Phelps,
Town Administrator