Alexandria Selectmen’s Meeting

February 22, 2007

WORK SESSION:

Members Present:         Peg Reilly, Cindy Williams and Dennis Manchester

The work session came to order at 5:00 with all members present.  Adam Clark from NRRA and Doug Paterson, transfer station manager, were here to discuss possible additions to the recycling program.  Adam provided paperwork on recycling glass, plastics and scrap metal.  The scrap metal program was of the greatest interest as the town is presently not receiving any income from this area.  Doug stated that these programs would require the addition of another person to work at the site.  Adam gave Doug an application for signs from NH The Beautiful. Peg said that the town is not ready to make any decisions at the moment, but would keep the information on file for reference.  Adam encouraged the members of the board to contact him with any questions and said he would be sending a summary report of his meeting.

Highway Garage:       The septic system at the highway garage is frozen.  Jeff is working with a local contractor and will get the system pumped if necessary.  They will also “feed” the system some Rid-X to encourage bacterial growth in the tank, which will generate heat. Also, a motion needs to be made from the floor of town meeting to increase the amount of money budgeted for heating the highway garage.  Christie feels that another $3,000 may be necessary.  The road agent is looking into automatic door openers to minimize the time the overheads are open, subjecting the building to losing heat.  Cindy asked if the building is divided into zones; Christie does not know, but will try to find out.  Peg said there is $4300 in the town shed to fund the drains that are needed in the garage to take away excess water from where the trucks are parked.  Cindy asked if the selectmen have authority to expend; Peg said it was granted to the selectmen when the use of the fund was changed.

DELIBERATIVE SESSION:

The deliberative session came to order at 6:00 p.m.

Pledge of Allegiance:             Led by Pete

Distribution of Minutes:        The minutes of February 15 were distributed.

Approval of Minutes: Dennis Manchester made a motion to approve the minutes of February 8; Peg seconded the motion; it was approved by a vote of 2-0.  Cindy Williams was not at the February 8 meeting.

Department Heads:  Maggie LaBerge said that the planning board discussed a parking ordinance with the police chief.  Board Morrison has been permitted by the State.  Letters will be going out to owners of gravel pits, with copies to the state, regarding reclamation.  The Fraser issue has been resolved.  Joe Morrison still needs to submit paperwork in order for his pit to be permitted.    

Items Requiring Signature:

Purchase order for body armor for Police Department:  Riley’s Sport Shop-$2,322.  Cindy asked if a public hearing needs to be held on the grant money that goes along with this purchase. Peg said not unless it exceeds $5,000. Christie will check with legal to confirm.  Bonnie asked what happens to the vest if the officer leaves the town.  She was told the vest stays with the town.  Dennis asked Frank if he is aware of a new material being used by the military.  He said that he is, but is ordering the lightest model of the vest.  Riley’s carries 5-6 different models of vests.  Officers either wear a vest or sign a waiver not to wear one.  Peg said the firearms instructor will not receive a vest.   Cindy asked if the line item could be reduced on the budget as it was stated
as $5,000; now it is only going to be $2,322.  Christie said it could be reduced at the town meeting. 

Plow Policy:  The selectmen signed the policy this evening.  Christie was directed to send the policy to the attorney to determine if the police department has the ability to enforce it.  Cindy asked if ordinances require public hearings.  Christie found an RSA, 31:39 that states the town has the authority to regulate the removal of snow. 

Request for Abatement:  An inventory penalty will be removed from the property of Marion Weber next week once Christie fills out the proper form.  She did not own the property on April 1.

Follow ups:

Generator:  Paul Rizzo from PowrPoint is getting a quote from another electrician and should have a proposal for the town within a week to ten days.

Old Business: Ongoing

New Business:

            Slide Show:  Judy Goguen offered to run the slide show at town meeting that was done at the
            Bob Ramsey memorial service yesterday.  Peg thought it would be appropriate.  Cindy & Dennis
            agreed.  Christie will contact Judy.

Highway Septic System:        Discussed earlier (see above) George stated that the area now needs to be sanitized. He can provide Jeff with the materials to do this.  Bill Hall asked if this is the second year this has happened.  He was told it was the first. 

Highway Garage:  George provided a sketch to the selectmen that showed that a gasket was supposed to be installed between the metal and the foundation.  He did not see any gasket in place when he looked at the building.  George suggested that the manufacturer be contacted to determine whether or not the building was correctly installed.  Christie will look at the building project folder to see who the manufacturer of the building was. 

Tax Collector’s Office: George said the door needs to be replaced in the tax collector’s office if the contractor removed the metal plate on the bottom.  Christie said the contractor is aware there is a problem with the door and will not be paid their final payment until it is repaired. 

Junkyards:  George went to a seminar today covering junkyards and informed the selectmen that the town is not enforcing the rules.  Peg stated she is going to the same seminar soon.  George said it should have been enforced since 1965 and the town is in violation.  Cindy said a local ordinance doesn’t have to be passed because it is state law.  Christie stated it is RSA 236:111-122. 

Media Rack:  George asked the selectmen to purchase a new rack so he can put up public
information brochures in the municipal building.  Christie has searched the town hall and cannot find it anywhere.  Peg said there should be one and will research the cost of a new one.

Fluorescent Lights:  George said that True Value will recycle fluorescent bulbs and has a list of the store locations.  George only has one copy, but will make others for posting at the town hall and the transfer station.

Recycling Committee:  George asked if Christie had found any information on the recycling committee recommendations. Christie said she has not had the opportunity to go through archived files that are in the vault in the old building.

Public Input:

Maggie LaBerge:  Village School:  Maggie asked what is going to be done with the building if it is closed; she hopes it will go to the conservation commission.  The turnaround on Knowles Hill Road is being used for parking by cars from Massachusetts.  Peg asked if the cars are on Maggie’s property; Maggie said no.  Maggie suggested that a sign should be put up. Peg said it is private property and up to the property owners to post it. Frank said that Jeff is working on an amendment to the easement agreement to give the town authority to post signs and enforce them.
Wolf Rescue:  A gentleman who runs a wolf hybrid rescue operation is interested in a piece of land in Alexandria and asked the selectmen if there are any problems with locating such a facility in the town.  He is looking to purchase property off Walton Falls Road, about 2+ miles from the road.  Peg said the only issue would be the upgrading of the road, which could be addressed at a later time.  There are no ordinances against such an operation.  Peg asked if the animals would be penned; they will.  They will house about fifty for the present time, but could take in upward of one hundred.  Bill Hall was concerned about what happens if one of the animals gets out.  He was assured that they would stick around the area because they are by nature shy and get hand fed. 

Sue Cheney:  A study group meeting was held last night on the Alexandria Village School.  There seems to be a predisposition to close it.  There’s going to be a forum on March 7 at 6:30 at the middle school.  Sue encouraged attendance at this meeting.  They are asking for people to write their comments down.  One of the issues that keeps coming up is the lack of Alexandria people that send their children there. Another was the fact that Alexandria keeps voting down the school budget, which Sue pointed out Danbury and Bridgewater do on just as frequent a basis.  Christie said until the people of Danbury feel they are getting a fair return on their investment, she feels they will continue to vote down the budget.  Bill Hall feels that Alexandria should build its own school with state and federal grant monies as part of the cost.  Alexandria could go in with another town such as Danbury.  He also suggested that such a building include a vocational area and adult education opportunities so it is used day and night.  Peg said that Bill should be part of a study group.  He said he would be happy to serve on such a committee.

Adjournment:

            Cindy made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:55 p.m.; it was seconded by Peg and approved
            by a vote of 3-0.

Respectfully submitted,

Christie Phelps, Admin. Assistant