Minutes of Selectmen's Meeting
November 13, 2002
The meeting was called to order by at 7:00 p.m. by Chairman Buker. Selectmen Lamothe and Knapton were present along with Business Administrator James Coffey.
SCHEDULE:
7:00 p.m. Bill Lambert from the NHDOT met to discuss signs on the By-Pass with the Selectmen and interested citizens and business owners. Also present was Senator Odell. Mr. Lambert explained that he was from the Traffic Bureau Administration and opened with a brief overview of the project. He described how signs were selected and explained federal regulations that govern them. There followed a discussion for about 50 minutes which reached the following conclusion: (a) Most everyone, including Mr. Lambert felt that there were problems with the “To Route 149" sign at the first exit coming from Concord; (b) Mr. Lambert will get back to the Selectmen with some proposed changes and response to concerns raised. This includes
the signs for Peterborough and Antrim at the 202/9 exit which everyone felt should let people know that they are in Hillsborough. Also to be considered for that exit are additional signs to assist the motorist to more easily locate the existing business district. Mr. Lambert indicated that he should have a response in the form of “stick diagrams” ready in 3-6 months.
There followed a discussion about the safety of the intersection of the 2nd NH Turnpike (Route 31 North) and Route 9. Mr. Lambert informed everyone that safety improvements for that intersection were being looked into and also briefly explained some of the criteria for a flashing light and how it may, or may not, improve safety at an intersection.
7:30 p.m. Bill Goss, Highway Foreman met to discuss the Highway Department budgets. Mr. Goss explained that the Department has only 5 employees, including himself, and in the past they actually had one additional person. He explained that the 2003 proposed budget contains funding for one additional man beginning on July 1. This is also based on about the time we will be acquiring Henniker Street and West Main Street from Antrim Road to the By-Pass from the State. Also included is an additional dump truck with plow and sander. During the discussion it was agreed to purchase loader tires from this years’ tire budget and reduce the 2003 appropriation. Selectman Lamothe brought up the subject of health insurance and the possibility
of employee co-payments. The 2003 rates for July 1 to December 31 are not yet know at this time. The proposed budget was tentatively approved.
Mr. Lamothe also mentioned a complaint from the owners of 4 Prospect Street that part of their lawn had been “peeled back” during a recent early storm by a Town truck. It was also mentioned that the owner of 4 Prospect Street had called the Highway Garage and had left a voice message that contained a considerable amount of foul language. During the discussion Mr. Goss explained that property owners sometimes “extend” their lawns into the right-of-way making it difficult to avoid catching a piece of it at times, especially before the ground becomes frozen.
8:00 p.m. Lee Mogavero representing the Senior Trips Program met with the Board to review the 2003 budget request. Ms. Mogavero explained to the Board how the program works and provided them with copies of flyers from various trips. She explained that some of the trips are subsidized by about 50% and some. such as Foxwoods, actually make a small profit that is returned into the fund to help other trips. At the conclusion of the discussion the Board agreed to accept the budget proposal for $7,000 of support.
8:30 p.m. Mr. Richard Booth met with the Board to discuss his serving on the Conservation Commission. The Board agreed to appoint Mr. Booth and the Business Administrator will have the appointment document ready for the next meeting.
8:50 p.m. Chairman Buker requested that the Board enter non-public session to discuss a personnel matter. Motion to do so was made by Selectman Knapton and seconded by Selectman Lamothe and the vote was 3-0.
9:05 p.m. The Board returned to public session and confirmed that any hourly paid employee on an unpaid meal break may leave their work location as long as they return on time and in a condition fit for work.
APPROVED AND/OR SIGNED
Deed to Richard F. Newhall for property taken by Tax Collector’s deed, being purchased back.
Abatement 11C-2002
Veteran’s Tax Credit Application
Minutes of November 6, 2002
Building Permits:
Permit # Name Location Description Est. value Recommendation
02143BP Robert Drummond 200 Stowe Mtn. Rd... additione $125,000 Approval subject to condition that no new bedrooms will be added without a septic upgrade.
02144BP Keith Murdough 124 Stowe Mtn. Rd. residence $120,000 Approval.
02145BP McAllister Constr. 14 Madison Cir. residence $110,000 Approval subject to sewer and driveway approval.
02146BP James Buchanan 18 Jefferson Dr. residence $160,000 Approval subject to sewer and driveway approval.
02147BP James Buchanan 14 Jefferson Dr. residence $160,000 Approval subject to sewer and driveway approval.
02148BP James Buchanan 21 Jefferson Dr. residence $160,000 Approval subject to sewer and driveway approval.
02149BP James Buchanan 94 Jefferson Dr. residence $160,000 Approval subject to sewer and driveway approval.
NEW BUSINESS:
A letter from the Solid Waste Advisory Board requesting a new direction and goals for the committee be established was received. After a discussion the Board expressed its support for the committee to continue represent the interests of all three towns and to assist in the preparation of budgets, setting of fees, compiling an annual report and to keep all three Boards of Selectmen informed on current and future operations. The Business Administrator will prepare a written response to the committee members, Facility Manager and to the Deering & Windsor Selectmen confirming the Hillsborough Selectmen’s support for the committee and its being an integral part of the contract between Hillsborough and Deering and Windsor.
A letter from the NHMA explaining the legal services offered to its member municipalities was read.
Jim Coffey reported that the low bidder for the closure of the landfill is Littleton Environmental from Littleton, Massachusetts. He stated that they had considerable experience and that they had recently completed the closure of the Keene landfill. Their bid is $1,476,030.25 with the Town furnishing the necessary sand and topsoil. Jim Coffey stated that the topsoil could be manufactured on site by using paper fiber, sludge from our sewer lagoons, sand and wood chips. This would save the Sewer Department some costs associated with the cleanup of the lagoons which is needed. The Board will receive a written recommendation from Weston & Sampson Engineering after they review the bids.
A solicitation from the City of Keene for participation in the Monadnock United Way was received and the Board agreed to allow employees to participate if they so desired.
A Zoning Amendment petition dealing with the raising and keeping of livestock in the compact parts of the Town was received. A copy has been given to the Supervisors of the Checklist and the petition has been forwarded to the Planning Board for them to hold the necessary hearing(s).
OLD BUSINESS: A request to extend the Superior Court deadline for the removal of an illegally installed mobile home by Gerard Christian to February 1, 2003 was denied. The Board agreed to allow Mr. Christian until December 31, 2002. It was felt by the Board that Mr. Christian has had more than sufficient time to correct the problem and that the February 1 date might well lead to an excuse that the weather has left the mobile home in such a manner that he cannot remove it.
REPORTS:
Items in the agenda were reviewed
MEETING & SELECTMEN’S OFFICE SCHEDULE:
The Board agreed that the next four meetings will be on Monday, November 25, Wednesdays December 4, 11and 18. The Business Administrator also asked the Board to consider having the Selectmen’s Office closed one business day each week. He explained that it was difficult to complete work in a timely manner because of the constant interruptions, and that at times work was done on Saturdays, during which the equivalent of several days work could be accomplished. He suggested that it be tried in December for Wednesdays, which would involve three closings since Christmas falls on a Wednesday. At the conclusion of the discussion Chairman Buker and Selectman Knapton agreed to closing on Wednesdays and Selectman Lamothe stated that he preferred closing a ½ day on Wednesdays. [This closing does not affect the Town
Clerk/Tax Collector’s operation which will continue its present hours.]
Meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
James Coffey
Business Administrator
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