Members Present: Bob Bacon, Peg Reilly and Cindy Williams
Others Present: Bonnie O’Brien, Pete, Carleen
Stickney, Larry Stickney, Carol Panaggio, George
Whittaker,
The meeting was called to order at
Pledge of Allegiance:
Led by George Whittaker
Announcement: Peg Reilly explained that a work session had been scheduled but was not held.
Public Hearing on Changes to the Building Permit Application and Ordinance:
Peg explained the changes that have been proposed. The fee structure is changed from $20 to
$100 for 1 and 2 units, $200 for three units, $250 for four units and $300 for
commercial structures.
“If substantial construction is not made within one year” is to be
changed to “if structure is not weatherized within one year”.
Violations will be changed from
$30/day to $100/day.
The new permit application will
require a PUC Energy Compliance Approval Number
Carol Panaggio: Do the selectmen recommend all of these changes?
Peg:
We whittled it down from what was originally recommended. The fees have not been changed
in 20 years. The selectmen are for the changes.
Cindy:
Cindy explained that the existing ordinance has remained pretty much
unchanged since 1979.
The planning board had given
the selectmen a recommended ordinance that was determined to be too
restrictive for the selectmen to adopt. They felt that some issues are better voted on at town meeting rather than just be a public hearing.
Skip Reilly: At the town
meeting in 2005, Article 19, failed.
This was an article to add the words
commercial and industrial to the building permit application. Since this was done, how can the selectmen
change it now? Cindy felt that it was the manner in which it was presented that
caused it to fail. There was not a
proper explanation for including it.
Skip said the people voted against it and that’s it. Cindy explained
that the warrant article asked to add the words to the building permit
application. What the selectmen are
proposing to change is the building permit ordinance.
Larry Stickney: Mr. Stickney
asked if the public hearing is going on now.
Peg said that it is.
Peg Reilly: Peg stated that it bothers her as a resident
that there are eight people present tonight who
are going to approve the ordinance and 250 who usually come to a town meeting
to vote. It shouldn’t be left in the
hands of eight people.
George Whittaker: The permit has to have the floodplain question added to it.
Christie Phelps: Christie gave the comments that Maggie LaBerge had submitted as Maggie was unable to attend the hearing. Maggie suggested taking out the sentence that refers to having to expand municipal services too rapidly. She feels it could be interpreted as discriminatory. She also asked about tents needing a permit. Peg and Cindy felt that a tent is temporary. If someone checks off commercial on the building permit application, Maggie asked that they be required to state what kind of business will be conducted there. Finally she asked that a statement be included to cover any other state permits which might be required. Christie explained that the building guidelines refer to any other permits which may be required by state, local or federal agencies.
Larry Stickney: The Class VI agreement should be passed out with each application. Larry said he did not know what the agreement says, so Peg asked Christie to get him a copy. He said the information that goes to one person should go to every person. Larry said he did not feel that the board is accepting his comments. Peg explained that they are.
Skip Reilly: Skip asked about one of Maggie’s comments and whether it would be voted on. Christie explained that nothing will be voted on this evening; the purpose of the public hearing is to accept comments. Also, the word congregation as used in the ordinance, does that apply to a church group or any gathering of people. It needs to be explained. What the meaning is of weatherized? It was explained that the outside should be closed to snow, rain, etc. by means of walls, doors, windows, or in place of doors and windows, boards that would keep out the weather.
Larry Stickney: If this is a public hearing, then the only thing the selectmen should be doing is accepting comments, not debating them. The selectmen are here to listen to the people and collect their comments.
Cindy Williams: Cindy said there should be a discussion of whether or not to include the words private road on the Class VI agreement.
Unknown Person: Are trailers allowed? Peg explained that they are, but they are being called mobile homes. Cindy said if the unit is self contained, it is considered a camper. If it is hooked up to water and septic, it is a dwelling.
Bonnie: Bonnie asked about the tent issue.
Bob Bacon: A tent is not considered a permanent
structure and does not need a permit.
The same goes for trailers/campers that are registered for on-road use. Cindy added it should have a current
registration, not an expired one. Cindy
also said there are RSA’s referring to these structures.
Cindy made a motion to adjourn the public hearing at
passed by a vote of 3-0.
Distribution of Minutes:
Approval of Minutes:
Tabled until all members have had a chance to review them.
Department Heads:
Barbara Emery, Town Clerk/Tax Collector: The receivables reports were provide to the selectmen’s office and will be available for public review. Barbara said that she is sending out 96 lien notices. If the taxes are not paid, the properties will be liened as of 8/15. The total is about $116,000. Bob asked how many years before the town can start taking deeds. Barbara said it is 2008; then the town has to hold onto the land for another three years, one if the legislature passes a law that is being proposed at this time. Bob asked about the motor vehicle stickers. Barbara is going for training next week and feels that the stickers should be back sometime in August. Peg asked if there is any reason why the selectmen should not take over a property. Bob stated liability if the town knows that there is hazardous waste on the property. Peg asked if the cost of cleanup could be weighed against the potential sale. Cindy asked why it couldn’t just be sold to someone who is interested and willing to clean it up themselves. Bob said there might be federal money available to a property owner to clean up hazardous waste. Peg asked where the town is with dog licenses. Barbara said there are some who have not paid. Bob said the selectmen have not yet signed a dog warrant. Christie will look up the timeline relating to dog licenses.
Barbara answered several more questions regarding property tax liens. Cindy pointed out that the interest rate on unpaid taxes goes from 12% to 18% once the property has been liened. A subsequent sale of tax deeded property can be done by whatever method the selectmen deem appropriate.
Jeff Cantara: Christie read
the following notes from Jeff Cantara as he was unable to attend the meeting.
Jeff is meeting with FEMA today regarding paperwork on the flood. Jeff’s total is somewhere around
$153,000, but he does not know yet what total FEMA is going to approve. Gordon
Hill and McMurphy Roads experienced some washouts during last night’s
rain. They will be placing ledge-pak on
Gordon Hill and will be working on both roads soon. Jeff asked if the selectmen are willing to
bill a property owner whose driveway keeps coming down into
Announcements:
Selectmen’s Meeting:
Planning Board: July 19 at
Conservation Commission: July 26 at
Zoning Committee: July 19 at
Police Chief Search Committee: Meeting tomorrow, Monday and Tuesday
Land Use, Building
Permits, Purchase Orders, Other Items Requiring Signature:
None
Old Business:
Police Chief Search: Bob explained that there were 15
applicants; 7 of which were
scheduled to be interviewed.
The committee will then make there recommendation of
finalists to the selectmen
prior to the end of the month.
Bog Road: Meeting with Nicholson & Gagne on 7/27 during the work
session. Cindy
said that she and Jeff will do
some additional measuring prior to that time. Jeff told Christie
that the rocks are back. The selectmen will delay having the rocks
moved until Cindy and
Jeff can do their research.
Town Hall Painting: The correctional inmates should be here somewhere around August 2.
Peg will pick up the paint. Cindy explained that Craig Williams of R.P.
Williams said an
oil based primer should be put on any raw wood, with a latex primer coat and
then a latex finish coat.
Paper Recycling Project: Christie said it is up and going. There was a question last week as to how
the town is going to make money on this project.
project: 44.56 tons of paper were sent
out from the
hauling, and they received income of $1462.13.
The net profit was $102.13.
However, you also have to
consider the savings of not putting the paper into the compactor. At the
present rate being paid by the
town to Waste Management, the 44.56 tons would have cost a little over
$3,000. Carol Panaggio asked
what can go in the paper container. It
was explained that most anything that rips with the exception of
dirty tissues, paper towels, pizza boxes, etc.
Junk mail, magazines, books, office paper, phone books,
newspapers, flattened cardboard. Bob
said he saw a sign in front of the dumpster, but asked for something to be put
up at town hall. Christie explained that
flyers had been printed and were being left outside the town clerk’s office and
at the transfer station. It will also be
put in the newsletter.
New Business:
Abatement for Larry Monroe: Tabled until it can be determined why it was
denied last year and now
is being recommended by the
assessor because it is headed to BTLA.
Public Input:
Bob Bacon said that some contractors
have been approved for the building
project out back. The
low bidders are as follows: Ken Braley-site work ($40,000); (the figure
for site work is based on
the contractor removing loam
from the site and replacing it with gravel, etc. That amount may
change as the road agent has
stated that he would like a couple loads of loam for the Bailey Road
project); Englewood
Construction-framing ($39811); Superior Insulation-insulation ($5215);
Asphalt Roofing-no contractor
as yet; Eagle Windows($7532.93); Misc. Glass and Glazing-Granite
State Glass-$3400; Gypsum
Board Assembly-Drywall, Inc. ($13744); Acoustical Ceilings-John
Pratt ($5978); Flooring-Paul
White Tile Co.-($7040); no painting contractor as yet; Mechanical
and Plumbing-Precision
Mechanical-($70,000)(that includes the heating and air conditioning system);
Electrical-Frase
Electric-(44,000)
Cindy:
The groundbreaking will be at
Bob: There are interviews
scheduled for Monday that should be over by 1.
Bob explained that he
had a thought that perhaps he
should not be involved in the interview process. He would like to let
the rest of the committee do
the preliminary interviews, that way he will not be biased when it comes
time for the selectmen to
interview the candidates. Cindy and Peg
thought that made sense. Bob
said he has read the resumes
and helped in picking the seven to be interviewed. He doesn’t feel he
should be involved any further
without the other two selectmen present.
George Whittaker: George met with FEMA
representatives yesterday to go over three projects for
the 404 grant program. More
information will be forthcoming along with an application. This grant is
for the correction of
recurring problems on Sargent, Washburn and Gove Roads.
Carol Panaggio: What
happened with the
pumping was the first step in making sure that the system is working correctly. The town needs to give the owner a certain amount of time to correct any problems. If it is not done, then the town can have it done and bill the owner.
Skip Reilly: What is the
status of the
George Whittaker: There will be a Hazardous Mitigation
Committee meeting at
Cindy Williams: Cindy asked
Christie what she has found out about the surcharges that are being given
to people having their septic systems pumped.
Christie explained that
Adjournment:
Peg made a motion to adjourn; which
was seconded by Cindy Williams and passed by a vote of
3-0. The time was
Respectfully submitted,
Christie Phelps,
Admin. Assistant