BOARD MEETING MINUTES
October 29, 2003
Selectmen Present: Mrs. Silverman, Mrs. Knight and Mr. Clukey
Mrs. Knight opened the meeting at 6:50 PM.
The selectmen discussed the format for the public hearing that will be at 7:00pm tonight. Mrs. Knight said that the selectmen have personally viewed the roads and they agree that they qualify as highways to summer cottages. Mrs. Silverman said that these sections of roads are primarily one-lane roads and are not in very good shape. Mrs. Knight reviewed the procedure the board will follow at the hearing.
7:00 PUBLIC HEARING – HIGHWAYS TO SUMMER COTTAGES:
At 7:00pm Mrs. Knight opened the public hearing. She stated that the board had received a petition for the road agent to make these 4 sections of the various Class V roads “highways to summer cottages”. This action is being proposed to clarify the legal status of these roads – we have not maintained these sections in the winter for well over 5 years. In accordance with the state statute, the board had an attorney conduct a 20-year search and they notified all the property owners as required by certified mail at least 30 days prior to this hearing. The notice was published in the Keene Sentinel October 11th and posted at the town hall and post office. Each selectmen has personally inspected these sections of roads and agree they
qualify as highways to summer cottages.
Mrs. Knight opened the hearing for public comment. Gene Cuomo and Terry Silverman were present. Gene commented that he would have signs made up that will be posted at each end of these sections of road.
Mrs. Knight closed the hearing at 7:07pm.
Mrs. Silverman made a motion to make the sections of Templeton Road, Templeton Turnpike, Rockwood Pond Road and Howeville Road highways to summer cottages. Mr. Clukey seconded and the motion passed 3-0.
Mrs. Silverman commented that there is one section of Rockwood Pond Road that used to be in very bad shape that is now very good. Mr. Cuomo said that about 4 years ago the selectmen authorized this work with Mr. Holman donating the gravel for the project.
Mr. Silverman said that he had spoken to Attorney Bassett who recommended that the planning board have an attorney present when there are cases they feel they may need one for. He has talked to Gary Kinyon and Attorney Kinyon has agreed to work with the Planning Board when they feel they need him to.
Mrs. Silverman questioned if we should define where the roads become Class VI or discontinued. Mr. Cuomo suggested that next year we should document and accept at Town Meeting exactly, which map and lot these roads change status. Mrs. Silverman stated she feels there should be a vote with regard to Brigham Hill Road. This road became Class VI due to a lack of maintenance. Mrs. Silverman would like Mr. Cuomo and Mrs. Thompson to work on this project.
Mrs. Silverman also feels that we should look at impact fees. Terry Silverman stated that there are strict regulations at to the adopting of these. The Planning Board is looking into this. Mr. Silverman suggested that we should look into increasing the minimum amount of acreage for lots.
8:15 MEET WITH BRUCE NEWTON, POLICE CHIEF
Chief Newton stated that they have been trying to focus on all town roads with the emphasis on Richmond Road, East Lake Road and Lower Troy Road.
Chief Newton stated that he received a call of complaint from Ed Mattson regarding the parking in front of the Town Hall this Wednesday. There was a function at the Town Hall and story hour at the Library. Chief Newton came up and there was a problem. The event at the Town Hall was almost over. He did put some cones up across from the Town Hall and he will be patrolling this area.
Chief Newton stated that Cory Tommila is interested in researching and trying to develop having a police dog. The dog would be trained for general patrol tactics, search capability and drugs. Chief Newton has spoken with NHMA and there is no real liability. The cost would be the purchase and the upkeep of the dog. There may be some grant money. Mrs. Silverman questioned how this would apply to Fitzwilliam. Chief Newton stated that we do not have a significant call for search in Fitzwilliam, but we could use this regionally. They would like to try to fund this through private support. The cost can be as little as finding one at the humane society to spending $5000. Chief Newton stated that usually the handler and the officer work together. Mrs. Silverman stated that Cory Tommila does not take calls, he would have to if this were the case. Mrs. Silverman would like a better sense of the cost of this and the continuing costs. Mrs. Thompson
questioned if the training time would be incorporated into Cory’s schedule or would it be additional time. Chief Newton stated that he would try to incorporate this into his normal workweek. The board would like Chief Newton to look into this further.
The board met Mitchel Lachapelle, a candidate for the part time police position. Mrs. Knight questioned why he is interested in being a police officer in Fitzwilliam. Mr. Lachapelle stated that he has put his application in at area departments. He stated that he has always been interested in being a police officer.
Mrs. Silverman questioned what strengths he would be bringing to a small town. Mr. Lachapelle stated he would love to get involved in kids. He feels that if you can stop them from drugs and alcohol abuse when they are young it is a good start. He would also like to work with the K-9 unit.
Mr. Clukey questioned if he had any problem with taking the training course. He stated that he would look forward to it.
Mrs. Knight questioned what skills he feels he has. He feels that his military training will help him in this job. He was a cub-scout leader. Mrs. Silverman questioned how he relates to teenagers. He stated that he has two teenage daughters.
Mrs. Silverman questioned how he would connect with the community. He feels that how he speaks with the community will represent him. He would approach people in a friendly manner.
Non-Public Personnel
At 8:40pm, Mr. Clukey made a motion to go into Non-Public Session
Under 91 A:3 II (a). Mrs. Knight seconded the motion. The motion passed
3-0. Roll Call Vote; Mrs. Silverman – yes, Mr. Clukey – yes, Mrs.
Knight – yes.
At 8:45pm. Mr. Clukey made a motion to go out of Non-Public Session
under RSA 91 A:3 II (a). Mrs. Knight seconded the motion. The motion
passed 3-0.
At 9:05pm, Mr. Clukey made a motion to go into Non-Public Session
Under 91 A:3 II (a). Mrs. Knight seconded the motion. The motion passed
4-0. Roll Call Vote; Mrs. Silverman – yes, Mr. Clukey – yes, Mrs.
Knight – yes.
At 9:10pm. Mr. Clukey made a motion to go out of Non-Public Session
under RSA 91 A:3 II (a). Mrs. Knight seconded the motion. The motion
passed 3-0.
*** REVIEW AND SIGN DEED FOR TAX DEEDED PROPERTY:
Mrs. Silverman moved to sign this deed, Mrs. Knight seconded, the
motion passed 3-0.
*** DISCUSS PROPOSALS FOR CLEANING TOWN BUILDINGS, SNOW SHOVELING AND HANDYMAN WORK: We have received a proposal from Lisa Pelkey for $100-$125 a week for the cleaning of the Library, Town Hall and Police Department. F-N-M has submitted a quote in the amount of $556.00 a month for the three buildings. F-N-M has provided a quote in the amount of $35 to shovel and $50 for the library, and handyman of $35.00 an hour. Mrs. Silverman feels that we should award the cleaning contract to Lisa Pelkey for a period of six months and review this at this time period. Mrs. Silverman moved to hire Lisa Pelkey for the cleaning with a review for 90 days this will be a flat salary on the payroll, Mrs. Knight seconded the motion
passed 3-0. Mrs. Silverman moved to award the contract to F-N-M for the shoveling and the handyman contract, Mr. Clukey seconded, the motion passed 3-0.
*** REVIEW FEMA GRANT PROCEEDS: We received $6072.12
*** DISCUSS PROPOSALS FOR PUMP AT THE PUBLIC SAFETY BUILDING: Frank Amaroso called Mrs. Thompson and he does not have time to do this job. When she initially spoke with him he felt that Green Mountain was proposing what should be done. We are going to overspend what we appropriated for this project. Mrs. Silverman moved to contract with Green Mountain for the installation of the pump, Mr. Clukey seconded. The motion passed 3-0.
*** DISCUSS ZBA’S RECOMMENDATION OF APPOINTMENT OF MEMBER: The ZBA has requested that Connie Porter be appointed as a full time member to replace Cary Gagne. The ZBA has moved their meetings to the second Tuesday of the month. Mr. Clukey moved to appoint Connie Porter as a member, Mrs. Silverman seconded. The motion passed 3-0.
*** DISCUSS FIRE DEPARTMENT REQUISITIONS:
· 8 Minitors: They budget for ten
· Boat and trailer: This was budgeted for this is $2990
· Boxlight power point projector: This belongs to Nancy Carney she is selling this for $800
· Various training videos: This is reimbursement to Nancy Carney in the amount of $437.90
Mrs. Silverman moved to approve the above requisitions, Mrs. Knight seconded. The motion passed 3-0.
*** DISCUSS OFFER FROM ATTORNEY MARDER TO PROVIDE LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT WORKSHOP: Attorney Marder is with the law firm that Bernie Waugh is with. He is offering free workshops for their clients. Mrs. Thompson would like to get an outline of what topics he would cover.
*** REVIEW LETTER FROM HAMPSHIRE FIRE: This is an update on the sprinkler system.
*** REVIEW NOTICE OF INSPECTION OF TRANSFER STATION BURN PIT FROM DES: We were in compliance.
*** REVIEW COPY OF LETTER FROM DES REGARDING SAND SPILL ON EAST LAKE ROAD: Reviewed . They have approved the proposal for removing this sand. They want photos documenting repair within 20 days of this completion.
*** REVIEW THANK YOU LETTERS TO POLICE DEPARTMENT FROM EMERSON SCHOOL: This is a letter from Emerson School thanking the police department for the Eddie Eagle gun safety program.
Mr. Clukey stated that the police department does a lot of community work that Chief Newton does not make the board aware of.
*** DISCUSS LETTER FROM ATTORNEY PRIGGE REGARDING WOODBROOK PROPERTY: Gary Sheldon wrote to Attorney Prigge to determine if there is something Woodbrook Association can do with the town with regard to properties that have delinquent taxes in Woodbrook . The board will review this.
*** DISCUSS LETTER FROM ATTORNEY PRIGGE REGARDING PROCEEDS FROM TAX DEEDED PROPERTY : Part of the statute states that proceeds from the sale over an above the cost need to go to the previous owners. If we do not know the previous owners then it must go to the court. We know two of the previous owners. When doing the research of this property Attorney Prigge found out the Department of Health and Human Services has a lien. Attorney Prigge researched and this was written off. Our next step would be to go to the courts.
*** SPRINKLER PROJECT: Mr. Cuomo stated that they would be constructing the pump house out of wood. Mark Brockelman, Chris Rocheleau and Gene will construct this.
The board discussed the various signs around town advertising businesses that are placed on town property, the sign for Webb Hill Farm, the Santa placed on the end of Templeton Tunpike and the Sign for Folkart Primitives. The board would like to write letters to these business owners giving them a deadline to remove and if not, then we will remove. Mrs. Silverman would like to give them two days to remove these signs.
*** Llama Business: We need to send a letter to this landowners stating that the Llama’s must be removed as soon as her time period for appeal is over. Mr. Clukey stated that there was no sign of livestock on the Heitala property other than chickens.
*** TAX RATE: Mrs. Knight questioned if the board wants to try to keep the town tax rate level. Mrs. Silverman stated that she would like to use surplus. Mrs. Thompson stated that looking at this years budget, she does not feel that a lot will be added to surplus this year. Mrs. Silverman feels that we should use surplus up to $250,000 to reduce the rate. The board will speak with Dick Therrieau and get his recommendations.
SECONDARY:
· Various committee/board minutes
· Newsletters
· Review Police logs/reports
SIGN:
· Minutes
· Correspondence
· Payroll and Accounts Payable Manifests
There being no further business, at 9:35 PM, Mrs. Silverman made a motion to adjourn. Mr. Clukey seconded and the motion passed 3-0.
Submitted by:
Debbie Favreau
Administrative Assistant
Susan S. Silverman, Chairman
Joan Knight
Andrew D. Clukey
Board of Selectmen
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