Selectmen's Minutes
July 9, 2007
Present: Steve Moscicki, Jim Trudell, Elaine Sherry, Donna Clark, Celine Presby
Other Attendees: State Rep Rusty Bulis, Greg Placy of NH DOT, County Commissioner Raymond Burton, Karen & Kim Brooks
6:00 pm Chairman Moscicki called the meeting to order.
Manifests & Invoices:
The manifest was authorized and new invoices for future payment were reviewed and initialed.
Treasurer's Report:
The Treasurer's Report was read showing a balance of $84,432.94 in the checking account, $48,510.28 in the NHDIP fund, $24,059.24 in the Laconia Bank savings account and $150,000 in the TAN.
Guests/Public Input:
State Representative Rusty Bulis and NH Dept of Transportation's Greg Placy addressed the Board about issues pertaining to the portions of State road winter-maintained by the Town. Mr. Placy said that he would make sure Parker Hill Road is shimmed (material was recently put down to smooth out Lyman and Tinkerville Roads, but not Parker Hill). He also advised the Selectmen that a 400 ft section of road near 259 Clough Hill will be dug up and repaired this summer as the drains under the road are clogged, creating an ice build-up every winter. In answer to a question by Trudell, Mr. Placy explained that the State's summer maintenance includes ditching, replacing culverts, mowing and maintaining the road surface. General matters about highway funding and road classifications were also discussed.
County Commissioner Raymond Burton reviewed the current status of Grafton County government with the Board. The 2008 budget, which shows an 11% increase, includes funds for new roofs on the courthouse and a barn, and $1M towards the site location and design work for the new jail. He said the County will require a $45M - $49M bond to complete the project. The potential for a gas tax increase was also discussed, which the Board supports if the money stays local. Mr. Burton left materials for the Board members and some handouts for the public.
Kim & Karen Brooks of Skinny Ridge Road inquired if the Town has a fireworks ordinance. Clark reported that some documentation on file shows that the Selectmen adopted an ordinance in 1988 forbidding the storing, selling, possessing or discharging Class B or Class C fireworks without prior written permission of the Selectmen. Another version, signed by the Board on that same date and recorded by the Town Clerk, did not include the wording "without prior written permission of the Selectmen", meaning that fireworks are not allowed at all. In the June 9, 1998 Selectmen's minutes, it states that "Fireworks are NOT legal in Lyman" and that the fireworks ordinance was being sent to the newspaper. Forms to the State of NH Dept of Safety signed by the Selectmen on that same date also indicate "Fireworks use and possession is NOT allowed". Clark will contact LGC legal and inquire about the Town's liability if the current ordinance is either amended or repealed.
Committee Reports & Needs:
- The Board signed a deed for a plot in Center Cemetery for Richard & Alice Moulton.
- The Board reviewed the work accomplished by the highway crew last week according to their time sheets. The road crew has work planned for this week.
- Brian Barden of Dublin contacted Moscicki about grader training at $30/hour. The Board agreed to wait until a new road agent is hired before proceeding.
- Trudell spoke with M&B Tractor & Equipment. They should have a tractor available early next week for Mike O'Brien to start doing roadside mowing.
- The highway budget to date was reviewed.
- A purchase order to Byron & Roberta Aldrich for 2,500 yards of sand @ $3.00/yd was approved and signed.
- Clark will prepare a purchase order for 10,000 yards of gravel @ $3.00/yd for next week.
- The Board approved Scott Stuart's request for vacation next week.
- The Board approved payment of Scott Stuart's $1000 retirement contribution for last year. Starting with 2007, retirement contributions are made on a $20 per week basis and require an employee match to participate.
- Clark will make sure that Mike O'Brien has all necessary keys and alarm codes to use in Scott's absence next week.
- Sherry received a call that the beaver pond at the bottom of Davis Drive was about to go over the road. The message was passed along to the highway garage.
Permits and Applications:
The following was approved:
- Intent to Excavate for Byron & Roberta Aldrich for Map 170-176.
Meeting Minutes:
Minutes for July 2nd were reviewed. Trudell motioned to approve the minutes as written, 2nd by Sherry, so voted all.
Correspondence:
- Legislative Bulletin #26 and the Spring 2007 SPACE current use update were distributed to the Board.
- North Country Council is looking for support for a gas tax increase to fund transportation projects. As discussed earlier in the evening with Ray Burton, the Board is in favor but hopes the money can be used locally.
Old Business:
- The Board asked Clark to prepare a third zoning violation letter to a Lyman Road resident stating that fines of up to $100 per day may be assessed if the situation is not resolved immediately.
- Moscicki spoke to a representative from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms regarding Tinkerville Store's application to sell firearms.
- The Board agreed to Evelyn Kent's written request for 15 mph signs to be posted through Ogontz Camp.
Non-Public:
Moscicki made a motion to enter non-public session per RSA 91-A:3, II(b) to discuss the hiring of a new road agent taking Clark with them, 2nd by Trudell, all in favor by roll call vote. Resumed public session. Trudell made a motion to seal the minutes of the non-public session, 2nd by Moscicki, so voted all.
A non-public meeting will be held Thursday, July 12th, at 8:00 am to interview a candidate for the road agent position. Clark will post the required notices.
Sherry motioned to adjourn the meeting at 8:50 pm, 2nd by Moscicki, so voted all.
The next regular meeting is scheduled for Monday, July 16th, at 6:00 pm.
