Selectmen's Minutes
August 18, 2008
Present: Jim Trudell (arrived at 7:30), Elaine Sherry, Steve Moscicki, Donna Clark, Celine Presby
Other Attendees: Linda Stephens, MarcTsagaris, William & Lorraine Hanaway, Attorneys Ashley Walker and Jody Hodgdon
6:05 pm Acting Chairman Moscicki called the meeting to order.
Manifests & Invoices:
The manifest for Aug 18th 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 $49,176.63 in the WGSB checking account, $48,713.57 in the NHDIP fund, $6,276.12 in the Laconia Bank savings account and $85,000 in the TAN.
Audience Participation:
Linda Stephens, Marc Tsagaris, William and Lorraine Hanaway, and their attorney, Jody Hodgdon, addressed the Board regarding recent events involving the owner of a land-locked parcel situated between Pettyboro Road and Brook Road which resulted in State Police involvement. Although this ongoing access situation is considered to be a civil matter, the Board will research what authority, if any, the Town has to enforce approved driveway access permits.
Ashley Walker and Jody Hodgdon, attorneys for John Marshall, addressed the Board regarding his property merger request and building permit application. They were advised to attend the Aug 20th Planning Board work session for answers to questions about the property merger. Once that is approved, giving Mr. Marshall's lot frontage on the Brook Road, the Selectmen will move forward with granting the building permit. They indicated he will also be requesting driveway access to the building site via the discontinued Bowles Road.
Committee Reports & Needs:
Clark updated the Board on highway issues on Tom Smith's behalf. They agreed to Smith's request that the highway crew be allowed to start work at 6:00 am rather than 6:30 am, and to Scott Stuart's request to take this Friday off. The State Police advised Smith that several road signs in Town were spray painted over the weekend. Roadside mowing is complete and the machine was picked up today. The road crew will continue grading, ditching and replacing necessary culverts until gravel is crushed for Dodge Pond Rd.
Meeting Minutes:
Minutes for August 11th were reviewed. Sherry motioned to approve the minutes as written, 2nd by Moscicki, so voted all.
Correspondence:
- Cartographic Associates Inc sent a letter outlining items needed to continue the mapping process.
- NH Dept of Environmental Services sent a revised press release on Outdoor Wood Boilers which is posted on the Town's website.
- North Country Council and the Whitefield Conservation Commission are hosting a Comprehensive Shoreland Protection Act Presentation Sept 10th at 6:30 pm. Clark and at least one Selectman will try to attend.
- Town Clerk Carol Messner and Moderator Phil Clark will attend an Election Law Training workshop Aug 26th.
Old Business:
- Stan Borkowski will inspect the Grange Hall for life safety issues before the end of month, if possible.
- The Board reviewed and commented on the Municipal Administration & Finance Management policy recommendations included in the recent LGC Action Bulletin.
- Clark reported on her meeting with FEMA representatives regarding damage from recent rain events.
- The total cost to purchase and install an automatic propane generator at the Town Hall, including the propane tank and 500 gallons of fuel, is approximately $9,000.
- Sherry received a call from a Clough Hill Road resident reporting another incident with smoke from a neighbor's outdoor wood boiler filling his house. A copy of the recent DES press release on these units will be sent to Mr. Poore and the owners of the furnace.
New Business:
- The Board approved requests to add "Private" to existing street name signs for private roads.
- Clark is preparing the drafts of the MS-1 and MS-4 reports due to the State Sept 1st.
- The Selectmen will not meet Monday, Sept 1st, due to the Labor Day holiday. Moscicki will not be in attendance Sept 8th.
- The State minimum wage increased to $7.25 per hour effective Sept 1st. Therefore, the Board voted to increase the hourly rate for ballot clerks to $7.75 and the supervisors of the checklist to $8.75.
- Sherry suggested she resign as Emergency Management Director as she is too busy at this time to write the detailed emergency plans required by the State. Trudell and Moscicki asked her to remain in the position and the Board will request funds at Town Meeting to help with the cost of hiring a professional to prepare the necessary plans if grant funds are not available.
Trudell motioned to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 pm, 2nd by Moscicki, so voted all.
The next regular meeting is scheduled for Monday, August 25th, at 6:00 pm.
