Work Session
Members Present: Bob Bacon, Peg Reilly, Cindy Williams
Others Present: Ernie Parmenter, Andrew Williamson, George Whittaker and Christie Phelps
Peg made a motion to go into nonpublic session for the purpose of discussing personnel issues. Cindy Williams seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Reilly-aye; Williams-aye; Bacon-aye
Ernie Parmenter
introduced Andrew Williamson to the selectmen. Andrew wants to become a police officer, and
is going to college in the fall as well as attending the part-time
academy. Ernie would like to pay him a
stipend of $75.00 per week to help with gas and food. There is an academy
beginning in September that Ernie would like to schedule Andrew for. Andrew has signed a waiver and liability and
has done some “ride-alongs” with
Cindy asked Bob and Peg to consider awarding Jeff some administrative money from the flood reimbursement as he has spent
many hours above and beyond working on the flood issues. The amount, as figured
on an overtime rate, is somewhere around $2800. Bob said he is concerned that
Jeff has at 38% of his budget left at this point. Cindy asked what he should
have; Peg said somewhere around 42%. Bob
then said he is not far off and should be o.k. as long the town does not get
hit with early storms. It was also noted that upcoming labor costs will be
charged off, in part, to the
George Whittaker came in to see what the selectmen had decided with regard to the health officer position. It was explained that the selectmen will act as the health officer and George will be deputy health officer. This means that George is required to contact the selectmen in the event he receives a call for service so at least one of the board members can go with him. It was pointed out that George does not always communicate well and having others working with him will enable a better understanding of the process of the health officer. George asked why he could not be health officer. Cindy said there was a concern that calls coming in while George is working with FEMA are not taken care of. George now has his certification in environmental health. Cindy asked that George brings bills to the town to pay rather than paying them out of his pocket and then applying for reimbursement.
Police Chief
Interviews: Bob wants to do the
interviews next week. There is one
person that will not be returning to the area until the 15th and one
coming from
Unlicensed Dogs: Peg asked what the issue is with unlicensed dogs. Cindy explained that the date for issuing the civil forfeiture notice has passed. Christie said that Barbara told her the town only receives about $2.00 per dog in this licensing process. A reminder about the warrant date can be put on the appointment book and the computer. Dogs are supposed to be licensed by April 30. By June 20 the town clerk is supposed to supply the selectmen with a list of unlicensed dogs. Within 20 days of June 20, the selectmen are supposed to issue the warrant.
Peg also asked about the election booth issue. Christie said that the election booth is downstairs. The state is going to pick up the cost of wiring the necessary line in for handicapped usage and will also pay the monthly maintenance fee. The area downstairs will have to be reviewed to see how all the booths are going to fit.
Cindy told Bob and Peg that the material for the town office was put out to bid. R. P. Williams was awarded some, but not all, of the materials.
The work session was adjourned at
Regular Meeting
Members Present: Bob Bacon, Peg Reilly, Cindy Williams
Others Present: Don Sharp, Jr., Andrew Williamson, Carol Panaggio, Ernie Parmenter, Jeff Cantara, Ed Skroback, Skip Reilly, Lori Ingham, Ann Hall, George Whittaker,
The meeting came to order at
The Pledge of Allegiance was given.
Distribution of Minutes:
None
Approval of Minutes
Tabled
until
Department Heads and Committees:
Jeff Cantara:
Bob
explained to the audience that the selectmen have appointed Andrew Williamson as a part-time
officer for the town. Andrew was introduced to the audience and
given a round of applause.
Announcements:
Selectmen’s
meeting on August 10 at
Planning
Board meeting on August 16 at
Land Use, Building
Permits, Purchase Orders, Other Items Requiring Signature
Purchase orders were signed for Bomor Construction, Hall Construction, Sharp’s
Logging, Kuplin
Land Services and E.J. Prescott for materials and truck rental for
flood issues and the
project.
Building permits were signed for John & Barbara Emery and Kevin Bilodeau. Cindy asked Christie to remind the Emerys that they need an amended septic plan unless the new house is going on the same location and elevation as the old one.
An abatement was signed for Peter Rella. The issue was that he had merged two lots
last year, but one
was not deleted from the
master list.
Old Business:
Bog Road: Christie was told
that
before that. The old record books will
have to be reviewed to see if the layout can be found. It was
originally called
road layout. Cindy is also going to
contact Paul Sanderson at NHMA to see if he can help.
Health Officer Appointment:
Bob let the audience know that the board itself if the health officer
for the town and George Whittaker has graciously agreed to be the deputy health
officer. Nothing changes in the functioning of the health department except
that one of the selectmen will accompany George on health officer visits.
George has done a fine job over the years, and the decision has nothing to do
with his performance. The selectmen feel
that it will improve communications and reporting.
New Business:
Police Chief Search: Interviews with the five finalists are planned to begin next Thursday and conclude the following Thursday.
Town Hall Update: Cindy
stated that the architect, construction manager and any subcontractors will
meet every other week at
Town Hall Painting: Christie
said that the
Letter From Harold Reilly: Mr. Reilly submitted a letter to the selectmen, a copy of which is attached to these minutes, regarding difficulties he has been having with the planning board. Mr. Reilly is requesting help from the selectmen as he is also trying to obtain a driveway access permit, which has also been denied. Bob said this is not the first letter received regarding the planning board. Last night there was a planning board workshop. Cindy said that there were requirements placed on Mr. Reilly’s subdivision Mylar. The concern of the access committee was that the road needs to be improved before issuing an access permit. Cindy was concerned that having to improve the road first before putting the driveway could cause Mr. Reilly additional expense from heavy equipment going over a newly improved road to put in a driveway. She felt the initial permit should be given and hold the final approval until the road is in such a condition as required by the planning board. The road agent agreed with her reasoning. Mr. Reilly has been told that his application is incomplete at this time, that there is no drawing. Christie Phelps said that attached to his application was a copy of the tax map. On that copy of the tax map, he showed on his lot where the driveway was going to be located and a line showing approximately how far it would be going into the land. When Maggie came in this week, Christie asked her what the problem was that she had with the drawing. She, Maggie, said look at it as compared to this other drawing. This other drawing shows telephone poles and culverts and things like that. Christie said there are no telephone poles up there right now, there are no culverts, and there will be no culverts until the driveway access committee determines what type of culvert will be needed. So, that is information that cannot be given at this time. Bonnie O’Brien said she did not see a map. Christie replied that it was on the application that Maggie took the other day. Mr. Reilly then read the letter he sent in its entirety. Cindy said she took offense of Mr. Reilly’s attitude toward the planning board as she had spent a great deal of time researching his subdivision, finding the original subdivision plan and the 50’ right of way. She said she had approached Mr. Reilly one night to explain her findings and he shunned her. The original subdivision plan had never been supplied to the planning board by Mr. Reilly, showing the 50’ right of way. Cindy said she spoke with someone who has been involved with subdivisions in other towns and restrictions are sometimes put on the Mylar. Once the requirements have been met, Cindy said something could be recorded at the registry stating that. Mr. Reilly said his surveyor told him that the plan measures out a 50’ right of way, but there is nothing recorded within the town that declares that. Cindy said Colin Brown agreed that the 50’ is on the plan by scale. Mr. Reilly stated that he would not like to sue the town as he would be suing himself, but all bets are off. Bonnie O’Brien said that Mr. Reilly’s access is a “test case” and the planning board is trying to make sure that they are not setting bad precedents; but it is not anything personal. Bob Bacon said that driveway access permits for the past year or better have been a problem in the town. The town has constantly received complaints about why people can’t get them; there have been problems with 911 numbers. Bob made a motion that, effective tonight, the selectmen will handle all driveway access permits with the highway department and the planning board will no longer have a say in driveway access. Cindy said the selectmen have no authority over driveways; it is the planning boards. Bob asked for a second on his motion. Cindy said town counsel should be contacted. Peg seconded the motion in order to allow discussion. Bob said that town counsel stated that the selectmen have authority over the roads in town. Cindy pointed out that there are other people willing to serve on the access committee; Bonnie O’Brien, for one. Bonnie said that Bob asked her to check on three driveways last week, and they were all taken care of last night. Bob stated it shouldn’t have gotten to that point. Bob said there is no requirement for what a driveway has to be in any ordinance, so the access committee shouldn’t be telling someone they can’t have a permit. Peg said there was some discussion last night against giving Mr. Baldasaro a permit because the chairman did not like the looks of the site. The selectmen that were there, Peg and Cindy, said that the selectmen had talked about this location and said go ahead because it is a lifestyle choice. Cindy pointed out that Mr. Baldasaro has a state permit, so the town cannot deny him a permit. Cindy and Bonnie both said that they do not believe planning board members are intimidated by the chairman. Cindy questioned whether or not the selectmen had tried to take over driveways in the past. Bob said since he has been on the board, everybody has called the attorney and been given a different answer depending on how the question was asked. That’s why the attorney was brought up to meet with the selectmen and the planning board. The attorney made it pretty clear that we’re the final authority in this town. Cindy said on roads. Bob said with the exception of subdivisions, we’re the final authority. Cindy disagreed. Bob said he made a motion. Cindy said she wants to make sure he can legally do that before a vote is taken. Bill Hall said this is a private road and he does not understand why such a big deal is being made over this. Cindy pointed out the selectmen have not gone through the process of 674:41 yet. This is where the selectmen determine which roads in town will be granted building permits. Bob said that by letting people build on Class VI and private roads, they have. Cindy said they need to come up with a list. Mr. Reilly expressed his thanks to Cindy for her work on his behalf. Mr. Reilly pointed out that the only subdivision regulations that have been recorded at the registry were those passed in 1989. The others are all illegal and without merit because they are not recorded. Jeff Cantara said that the road agent should know how a driveway needs to be constructed. He felt a representative from all parties should have a part in the approval of driveways. Cindy asked why the driveways had been put in the planning board hands if the selectmen had already taken them over before. Bob said because of the way one former member of the board of selectmen posed a question to the attorney. Cindy again said that the attorney needs to be contacted before decisions are made. Christie asked if other towns could be contacted to see what they do with driveways. If enough other towns have someone other than the planning board that authorizes driveways, there must be some rule that allows it. Bob said the motion is tabled until next week and asked Christie to contact other towns to see what they are doing. Sue Cheney reminded the board that in 1989 the planning board was given the authority to regulate subdivisions, but in a separate warrant article, the authority over driveways was left with the selectmen.
Public Input:
Ed Skroback said that he appreciates people who are willing to run for public office.
Adjournment:
Peg made a
motion to adjourn the meeting at
passed by a vote of 3-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Christie Phelps
Admin. Assistant