Alexandria Board of Selectmen

May 25, 2006

 

Work Session:

Work Session came to order at 5:00 p.m. with all members present.
Town Car: Bob asked that a memo be sent to all employees as a reminder that if they do not use the town car for any other reason than the car is not available, a reimbursement for mileage will not be allowed.

Interviews:  Peg asked Christie if the interviews for a clerical position were done.  Christie said there is one more to do tonight.  Christie had checked with town counsel on whether or not there are any requirements to interview each applicant.  There are not.  It is up to the hiring authority who to interview.

PUC Compliance:  Christie explained that any person applying to build a new home needs to obtain PUC Compliance.  The selectmen’s office has the applications that need to be filled out.

            Building Permit Application:

            Cindy did not feel there was any need to adopt the state building code as it is already law.

Cindy asked to change the building ordinance just to add the word “commercial”.  Bob does not want to change a lot of things either without going to the town, even though it can be done with just a public hearing. Bob doesn’t mind making minor changes with a public hearing.  Cindy likes the information sheet that is given with the Bristol application.  Peg and Bob agreed and a packet of information will be developed to be handed out with the application.  A brochure outlining the laws regarding outdoor burning will be a part of this packet. The packet should be signed for by the applicant, or his agent, in order that they cannot come back later and say that they were unaware of a particular rule.  The application needs a blurb regarding building on a Class VI road.  Christie explained that according to the information she received from LGC, the selectmen need to vote whether or not they will allow building on each individual Class VI or private road within the town.  The selectmen will review the information prior to next week.  If a private road is being created as an access to a subdivision, then the planning board has jurisdiction over the road.  If it is an existing private road or right of way, the selectmen have jurisdiction.    Change word trailer to mobile home. Christie will take all the notes the selectmen have made during this work session and come up with a revised application and packet to be approved.  Fees were suggested as follows:  1 & 2 family-$100.00; 3 & 4 family-$100 plus $50 per each additional unit.

It was suggested that changes be highlighted and underlined on the handouts for the public hearing.  Attendees will then know exactly what items are being revised. Substantial completion shall mean building is closed in; i.e. framed, sheathed, roof on, weatherized.  A public hearing will be held in mid-July.   Penalty should be a maximum of $100 per day. A Commercial Permit will be $300.

The AMC contract will be discussed at next week’s meeting.

 

Alexandria Board of Selectmen

May 25, 2006

Deliberative Session

 

Members Present:  Bob Bacon, Peg Reilly and Cindy Williams

 

Others Present:          Skip Reilly, Bonnie O’Brien, Carol Panaggio, Jeff Cantara, Ed Skroback,
                                    Carleen and Larry Stickney, George Whittaker and Christie Phelps

 

The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. with all members present.

 

Pledge of Allegiance:

            Led by Skip Reilly

Distribution of Minutes:

            The minutes of April 27, May 11 and May 16 were distributed.

 

Approval of Minutes:

            The minutes of April 27, May 4, May 11 and May 16 were approved, with corrections, by a vote of 3-0.

Department Heads and Committees:

Jeff Cantara, Road Agent: The work is continuing on Verrill and Gove Roads to repair flood damage.  Verrill Road will be closed in order to replace two stone culverts. All property owners will be notified of the date of the road closure. All roads need attention once again due to the flood. Jeff has hired some trucks to work with the grader so highway crew members can be working on other projects. There are problems at the end of Matthews Road. The catch basins are too low and do not work property. The drain needs to be flushed out. Christie was asked to contact Jim Karmozyn at H.E. Bergeron regarding the problem. Peg voiced a concern about the hired trucks as the town does not yet know if FEMA is going to cover the flood costs. Jeff explained that he is not doing anything that is not necessary.

Ed Skroback:  George is working with FEMA to get funding for the town. There are some problems as Grafton County itself did not have enough damage to qualify. George is attempting to be “attached” to another county in order to get the flood costs covered. George is supposed to call Bruce Cheney next Thursday for further information. This information was verified by George Whittaker when he came into the meeting.

Jeff Cantara, Road Agent: The hired trucks are also hauling some materials for Bailey Road to the shop in order to shorten the amount of trucking time needed later on. Bob suggested that Jeff be cautious with road repairs until FEMA funded has been verified; but at the same time explained that the repairs should be done property. Jeff said the roads are being completely graded because skip grading takes more time. He said that there are water issues on the lower end of Washburn Road, but budget constraints make it a next year’s project. Two landowners should be contacted with regard to setting up water easements in order to repair the problem on Washburn. Jeff was asked if he got three bids for the Verrill Road work. He explained that he had contacted three contractors, two of whom were very busy right now. The one that will do the work is already on that road in order to put in a driveway, foundation, etc. Jeff suggested that an account be set up for the highway department in order to have stockpiles on hand so the situation of no supplies, no money, does not become an issue in the future. With regard to the crew working Fridays in order to get caught up, Jeff was told to do what he wanted within the confines of his budget.

George Whittaker, EMD/Health Officer: George has cleaning kits available free of charge for people who experienced water in their houses during the recent flood. 

Fraser on Berry Road: George is going to check the septic “as built” and well location on this lot. There is also a slope issue to be addressed with the property owners. George will be checking another septic system on that road that may be leaching into the road and causing the banking at the road edge to be unstable.

Fire Department:  Mike Corliss spoke with Christie earlier today and explained that he would like to meet with Bob, Ernie, Jeff and any others who might be involved in emergency situations in order to review radio protocol. The meeting date will depend on Bob’s work schedule, which at the present time is Tuesday and Wednesday for June and July.

 

Announcements:

            Transfer station will be closed Monday, May 29 for Memorial Day. There will be no additional hours.

            Town hall will be closed Monday, May 29 for Memorial Day.

            Selectmen’s Meeting-June 1 at 6:00 p.m. preceeded by a Work Session at 5:00 p.m.

            Planning Board Work Session: June 7 at 6:00 p.m.

 

 

            Zoning Subcommittee:  June 7 at 10:00 a.m.

            Capital Improvement Committee:  June 9 at 8:30 a.m.

            Highway Committee Meeting: June 14 at 2:00 p.m.

            Planning Board Meeting:  June 21 at 7:00 p.m.

 

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

Peg made a motion to approve a purchase order for six winter deep recaps at $1,020; Cindy seconded the motion; and it was approved by a vote of 3-0.

Peg made a motion to approve a P.O. for JAF Industries for culverts-$6,781.20; Cindy seconded the motion, and it was approved by a vote o0f 3-0.

Cindy made a motion to approve a P.O. for the rental of a roller to repair roads-#3,500; Peg seconded the motion, and it was approved by a vote of 3-0.

Peg made a motion to approve a P.O. for Bill Hall for 566 yards of bank run gravel-$3,396; Cindy seconded the motion, and it was approved by a vote of 3-0.

Peg made a motion to approve a P.O. for Ken Braley to do work on the Verrill Road-$4,942; Cindy seconded the motion, and it was approved by a vote of 3-0.

Letters to David Nicholson and David Gagne were signed with regard to the width of Bog Road. They will be sent certified mail, return receipt requested. Cindy explained how she and the road agent made their measurements. She also talked with Cartographic Associates on the issue.

An abatement denial was signed for Charles Greenwood.

A denial of a veteran’s credit and elderly exemption was signed for 2006; however, the applicants do qualify for 2007. The reason for the denial is that the application was not received by April 15.

 

Old Business:

Regional Health Officer:  Surrounding towns are not particularly interested in a regional health officer. The issue will be dropped.

Bog & Sye Ali Roads:  Selectmen still need to do layout. The width of Berry Road also needs to be determined.

Special Town Meeting:  Christie will be following up on this issue with Bob Anderson at the NH Dept.
of Revenue Administration next week when he returns to the office.

 

New Business:

Rights of Way:  Information was received from the Local Government Center and given to the selectmen for their review.

Ambulance Contract-Backup Protocol:  Christie was asked to check with Lakes Region Mutual Fire Aid to find out what the dispatch protocol is for Alexandria.

Paper Container:  Christie explained the use of the paper container would cost the town approximately $600/year, but would save some $4,000 on the cost of materials that would normally be placed in the compactor. She was advised to work with Doug on the project.

Fortney Fire Bill:  Mr. Fortney asked if he could work off his fire bill; perhaps by replacing some of the clapboards on town hall, which needs to be done before it can be painted. Cindy asked Christie to check with LGC to see if he would be covered by the town’s worker’s comp.

Emery Current Use:  This property was granted current use status in 1993, but it was never applied to the tax bill. The former owner apparently did not notice this. The Emery’s bought the property in 2004 and notified the town in 2005 that there was no current use credit. This was corrected in 2005. The 2004 abatement application from the Emery’s did not mention the lack of a current use credit. The Emery’s have requested that the selectmen grant them a current use credit for 2004. The selectmen have denied the request.

            Cindy Carter:  It was decided that the town would do nothing with this property at the present time other
            than to notify the Grafton County Probate Court that there are both back property taxes and welfare
            liens on the property in the event that someone applies to the court for fiduciary status.

 

Merit Pay-Lump or Weekly: The selectmen have no problem with the highway crew receiving their merit pay in a lump sum during the week before Christmas. If an employee leaves prior to that, the merit pay will be amortized accordingly.

            Mailbox Reimbursement-Wally Dawson: Mr. Dawson submitted a bill for his mailbox; the selectmen
            denied the request for reimbursement due to a policy that the town has on this issue. They would only

            Honor the request if the former road agent had put it in writing that he made an agreement with Mr.
            Dawson.

Globe Ad:  John Bomster sent an e-mail stating that he had contacted the Globe to find out why the
price quoted to Christie was so high. Be revising the ad and using some abbreviations, he was able to
reduce the price of the ad from $2700 to $1368.  He asked the selectmen to approve the expenditure. Peg
said she felt the Globe Ad should be left off for now. Bob agreed and said it could be considered as an
alternative if the others ads do not produce enough response.

Energy Code Enforcement: Christie explained that energy audits are not voluntary, they are state law and applications will be given out with building permit applications.

Dorothy Gordon: Christie received a call from Mrs. Gordon explaining that the road built as part of the
town’s easement for the construction of the Berry Road Bridge was washed out. She wanted to know if the town would repair it. Bob instructed Christie to contact H.E. Bergeron to get an answer on who is responsible in this instance.

Berry Road Bridge: Bob asked about the fire hydrant issue. Christie explained that it is on hold until all
monies are received from the bridge aid program. The accountant will then determine if there is enough
to complete the project. Jeff Cantara asked about a crack on the far side of Berry Road Bridge in the pavement. Christie will contact H.E. Bergeron about this as well.

 

Public Input:

Skip Reilly noted that a change needs to be made in the night of Barbara’s meeting as listed on the agenda. It still says Tuesday. Christie was asked to remind Barbara of her meeting night.

Cindy asked if Bob still needed the meetings to be on Thursday. He replied that he is working Tuesday and Wednesday for June and July at least.

            Bonnie O’Brien asked if the flood insurance program has been applied for.  She was told it has.  Bonnie
            also complimented the road crew on the condition of the roads. 

 

Adjournment

Peg made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:23; Cindy seconded the motion, and it was passed by a vote of 3-00.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Christie Phelps,

Admin. Assistant