Members Present: Peg Reilly, Cindy Williams and Don Gangemi

The meeting came to order at 6:00 p.m.

Pledge of Allegiance: Led by Bill Hall

Marie Ross and Bill Gabler from the Newfound School District were in to inform the selectmen that the district is beginning focused conversations about what to do about facilities over the next 20 years. The district is aware of the tug of war for the available funds. Decisions for expansion, etc. cannot be made solely by the district. There are four principals, four reading specialists, four nurses, and four guidance counselors for the elementary school. Each of the elementary schools has their own specialists. Fewer buildings would mean fewer personnel requirements.

Bill Gabler said he is looking forward to setting a 25-year vision and creating a ten year plan. As we look at what we’ve got, we need to decide whether to fix or get something new. It may take a year or more to make these determinations. Each town is being asked to have someone on the committee to be a conduit for the town. Monday at 6:30 is the first meeting at the Newfound Middle School. Anyone who is interested is welcome to attend. A CIP for the school district needs to be developed and coordinated with the CIPs in the seven towns within the district in order to avoid the spikes that could occur by having too many capital expenditures in the same year. Don Gangemi said that distance learning and other advancements are going to be important considerations during the discussion. It is going to be a real challenge. Don hopes that minimal items will be done over the next few years until a plan has been developed. Marie said Bristol is reducing a 5^th grade position due to a decline in pupils. A consolidation of some schools would result in savings. The configuration of a school needs to be considered; how many grades, what type of technology, etc. Having someone from every town will bring a perspective from each point of view. A meeting schedule will be developed and meetings will be held in each town.

Bill Hall said Alexandria needs to keep things locally. Don said there is a discussion going on to make things more regional. This discussion is taking place between the selectmen from each of the district’s towns. Marie said that Danbury has only 70 students at this time. There has been a suggestion that there be a Bristol, Alexandria, Danbury school somewhere along Rout 104. The ideas will all be put on the agenda and then it will be determined what is best for everyone. Marie offered to help Alexandria with their research into a privatized school. Cindy said you have to consider special needs students as well. Marie said that one of the drawbacks with the Alexandria Village School is that it cannot offer all the services that the other schools can.

Peg said that she would get in touch with Todd Westfall to see if he is interested in being the town’s representative to the facilities committee.

Peg has received some phone calls asking if there has been a change in leadership among the board. She said there has not; Don Gangemi wishes to sit in the middle so he can hear both Peg and Cindy.

Approval of Minutes:

Department Heads:

Frank will be reducing patrols and thereby reducing payroll expenditures.

Land Use, Other Items Requiring Signatures:

Yield Warrant for Dennis Fitton in the amount of $123.54 was signed.

An intent to cut form for Dennis Fitton was signed for the 2007-2008 year

Letter signed to Citizen’s Bank certifying members of Trustees of Trust Funds

Letter to Lee Eastman requesting ½ of deposit paid for painting of Akerman Bridge.

Signature on grant application for department to receive bicycle helmets.

Follow-ups:

Generator: No update; Christie has yet to get in touch with the Vermont supplier. She did hear
from the person at PowrPoint with regard to whether the town is going to accept his proposal. She
told him no decision has been made.

Old Business:

Gale Road: An e-mail was received from Attorney Somers regarding Gale Road. She explained that the town should not give permission for a property owner to divert water onto land of another without that person’s permission. Dennis Ford was present to talk with the selectmen about the affect of the snowmobile club’s use of the road. Dennis said he did not believe that any of the damage to the road was caused by the snowmobile traffic. They do not run the machines unless there is significant snow cover. The club runs 6 or 7 other roads in the town as well, and there doesn’t appear to be any damage on those either. Don asked if there were any water bars on the road. Dennis said that there have been water bars over the years; the snowmobile club has not removed any. Carl Hall stated that in 1981 or 1982 he and William Hall were logging up on that road. There were some severe water bars that all ran West. Carl said 18-24" of material has been washed off the hill. West would be Terry Willette’s land. Carl said there has always been a dip in the road, but nothing like the condition it is in now. Terry said when they bought the land, there was no water running onto it and there will be no water running onto it. He bought his land approximately five years ago. Bill has said that Merry can go up further on her property and put in another water bar. It does not all have to run down into the lower culvert. Merry said that when the subdivision was created, her access had to be moved from its original position due to the inability to get a mobile home onto her lot. Bill Hall said the board should not be dealing with this issue. Bill Hall said the original water bar was pulled out by Chet Caron when he was putting in a driveway for Merry. Peg said as she sees it and as recommended by town counsel, the parties involved need to settle this privately. Any work to be done needs the permission of any abutting landowners. Dennis said the snowmobile club would be willing to help with the construction once it is decided what it going to be done. Peg said that the parties need to get together and formulate a proposal that can be brought to the town for approval.

Eastman Hill: Information was received from the president of the subdivision association giving authority to Mike Beauregard to work with the town on behalf of the association to determine what improvements will need to be made to the road before the town will issue building permits. Further discussion will have to wait until the road agent is available. George Whittaker was asked to look at the road years ago by the selectmen. The hill going up Eastman Hill Road provides for a dangerous turn on the way back down the road. Drainage is a major issue.

Lynn Avenue: Christie received a phone call from Cecile Bedard asking if the town was going to do anything to work with Bristol on taking over Lynn Avenue. She had told her she did not believe the selectmen were going to do anything about the issue. The selectmen confirmed this.

Karl Gordon Road: Dennis Ford said Karl Gordon Road used to be a state road between Danbury and New Chester. He provided the selectmen with a layout plan that will help them decide what is and is not in the right of way.

Dialogue Meeting: Peg went to the meeting. The district found money to finance AVS for this next school year. The only other item they spent a lot of time on was how they arrived at a default budget. There will be more meetings. Peg asked if there is anyone who wants to make the commitment to attend the facilities meeting. Cindy said she will go Monday night, but cannot commit to being the selectmen’s rep. Todd Westfall and Frank Sawyer were suggested as possibilities. Peg will call Todd.

RFQs: Postponed until next week when the road agent will be present.

George Whittaker: Posters have been put up for individual assistance with the flood. Ed Sullivan from FEMA will be coming to Alexandria within the next few days. People do not realize that well contamination may be eligible for IA, Individual Assistance. Cleaning up flooded cellars may be eligible for funds. Septic systems that were flooded may be eligible to be pumped out through IA. If a leach field is washed out, FEMA can pay for it to be replaced. George is also trying to get funds to clean debris out of streams. On May 9 there will be a meeting with FEMA reps at the Newfound High School. The towns will be able to sign in for the public assistance portion of the flood program. NACA Incident Management Training will be held on May 16; 2 four-hour sessions. Training will be held at the Bridgewater Fire Hall. George will work on agricultural funds for damage to hay fields, etc. The deadline for apply for IA is usually about 90 days.

Public Input: None

Motion to adjourn by Cindy Williams at 8:12 p.m.; Don seconded the motion and it was approved by a vote of 3-0.

Respectfully submitted,

Christie Phelps, AA