Alexandria Board of Selectmen

September 21, 2006

Members Present: Bob Bacon, Peg Reilly and Cindy Williams

Others Present: Skip Kahler, Jeff Cantara, Maggie LaBerge, Carol Panaggio, Bonnie O’Brien,
Pete, Harold and Margie Maybeck, Skip Reilly, Bill Hall, Merry Ruggirello,
Christie Phelps

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

Pledge of Allegiance given

Distribution of Minutes: September 14, 2006

Approval of Minutes: Cindy made a motion, seconded by Peg to approval the minutes of August 31
and September 7.

Department Heads:

George Whittaker: George and Peg are attending a public health conference each Thursday for a few more weeks. He checked on the Emery septic system; it is o.k. George needs a name from Bob in order to check on another matter. DeCarter’s property was checked again; since the tank has been pumped, the ditch has remained dry. Checked Fraser septic setup, needs more information—cannot figure out what some pipe stacks are for. The HMPG Grant has been submitted for two projects in town.

Jeff Cantara: Bailey Road is paved; the highway crew will be working to slope the edges. The road pitches 3% to one side. This will provide for the bulk of ditch maintenance to be done on one side of the road. There were also some driveways that the town equipment worked on because the road was raised up to 18” in some places. Jeff asked the selectmen to look into lowering the load limit on Washburn Road due to a large timber operation that will be going on. Much discussion was held and it was decided to ask the owners to come in and meet with the selectmen. Christie will call the state to find out how to calculate how much of the load would be on the bridge deck at any one time. She will also check to see if there is a possibility of renting a Bailey Bridge to put over Washburn. Bob said to make sure the bridge is posted for 15 ton. Skip Kahler came in to discuss some drainage issues on Fletcher Farm Road. The selectmen have drawings, but have not had the opportunity to review them. It was felt that the abutting owner (other side of Fletcher Farm Road and across Bog Road) needs to be contacted in order for the town to receive permission to relocate the flow of water. The selectmen would prefer to schedule a time with Mr. Kahler; 6:15 next week. The attorney needs to add some wording to the driveway permit application in reference to 236:19.

Merry Ruggirello: Asked if the selectmen read the proposed easement paperwork that the planning board had provided. Bob said it has been looked at, but requires further attention.

Announcements:

Selectmen’s Meeting: Work Session 4:30; Selectmen’s Meeting 6 pm

September 22: Hazard Mitigation Committee at 2:00 p.m.

September 25: NLRA; 7-9 @ Bristol Town Hall

September 28: Budget meetings begin with selectmen during work session

September 29: Selectmen’s Office closed.

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

Building permit signed for Mark Castner on Cass Mill Road

Building permit for Sabbio Bros. on McMurphy Road-Tabled

P.O. Bomor Construction-$7000-Flood Repair: Approved

P.O. Bill Hall-$1105-Flood Repair: Approved

GMI-$2600-Flood Repair-Approved

Ambrose Bros-Ledge-Pak-$2230-Flood Repair-Approved

Ambrose Bros-Ledge-Pak-$4750-Flood Repair-Approved

Hiltz Hydroseeding-Bailey Road-$2100

Signature Papers signed for Northway Bank Sweep Account

Old Business:

AAA: Need three cars for a corporate membership; this option is out

Authority for attorney to reply to planning board-Given

Windshield on Town Car: town’s policy has $1000 deductible

Fire Warden: Only Director of Forests and Lands can remove. Ask fire department to keep running list of complaints they receive; selectmen’s office will do the same.

Remaining items are ongoing

New Business:

An application for a bridge aid program estimate on Washburn Bridge over Patten Brook was signed

Two change orders were approved for the new town hall: well buildup-$1,474 extra; Mechanical
upgrade on HVAC system-$5685

GMI paving provided a price for Mundy Road to the bridge and the new building parking lot. Bob said it is too early to spend more money out of the contingency. He wants to wait until further along in the project.

It is unnecessary for Cat to attend the selectmen’s meeting next week.

Conservation Commission: It was determined that they are not under the supervision of the planning board. Christie was asked to contact them about minutes from the latest meetings as well as checking on a wetlands complaint that was received within a week. The results of their review are holding up a building permit. If they do not comply with the selectmen’s request, their status may be reconsidered.

Road Committee: Jeff asked when it should be held. Cindy said to hold the meeting before the highway department is scheduled to meet with the budget committee.

Planning Board: Peg asked Maggie why the conservation commission is requested to give a report at the planning board meetings. Maggie said it is done as a courtesy because the commission is invited to all planning board meetings.

Public Input:

Margie and Harold Maybeck stated that they were here to make sure that people know they are running for the legislature. Christie said Margie comes in from time to time to check with her on town issues. Margie is running for her third time; Harold for his first.

Maggie LaBerge: When is the siding going to go on the building? Cindy said they contractor is trying
to have the building ready for an open house on December 9 to coincide with the historical society’s function. Any decisions made on who is responsible for driveways must be in writing so all parties are aware of their responsibilities. Christie explained that the attorney is going to have a conference with Chris Northrup, the gentleman from OES that told Maggie the selectmen have no jurisdiction over driveways, in order to convey to him the information about a town meeting vote that gave subdivision approval to the planning board, but retained driveway approval to the selectmen. Mr. Northrup was not given that information. Maggie said that several weeks ago Peg stated that superintendents are tenured. Peg said what she meant is that the people who applied for a superintendent’s job, who may be teachers..
Maggie said teachers are not tenured in NH. Maggie said she does not believe that hiring should be done behind closed doors; she thinks the people have a right to know who is applying for the job. Bob said it was done for the protection of the people and the jobs they presently hold. Maggie said she wanted to be on the record as not agreeing with that. Cindy pointed out that the hiring and/or firing of an employee is a nonpublic issue per the statutes. Maggie stated that she agrees with Jeff about getting a bond on a road or bridge. Maggie asked for authority to talk with the town attorney regarding bonds on gravel pits. The selectmen gave it and directed Christie to inform the attorney of their approval in the morning. Bob asked how many gravel pits were visited this week and were the owners notified. Maggie said they were. There were approximately ten that were visited by planning board members as well as two state officials. The purpose of the visit was to check on reclamation progress. Bill Robie, Weslou Trust, Eastman Hill and DeRoma Development all have gravel pits that are totally abandoned. In order to reopen them, the owners would have to start the application process as required by the planning board.

Skip Reilly: Asked what control the town has over departments going to the attorney without going through the selectmen’s office. Bob explained that the policy is the attorney does not reply to any department without first obtaining approval from the selectmen’s office.

Bonnie: Bailey Road looks good. Carol Panaggio agreed, it is wonderful.

Merry Ruggirello: Announced that Andy Bourbeau has passed away.

Adjournment:

Peg made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:40 p.m.; seconded by Cindy Williams and
approved by a vote of 3-0.

Respectfully submitted,

Christie Phelps, AA