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Board members present: W. James Griswold, Chairman; Frank W. Reinhold, Jr and John LaCourse Others present: Jim Banks, Jerry Beckman, Sharon Meeker, Candace Pratt, Tricia Jenkens, Phil Sanborn, Recreation Commission Chair.; Bill Humm, Conservation Commission Chair.; Laurel Cox, Conservation Commission; David Olken, Fred Pulitzer, John Halstead, Tom Foxall; Solid Waste Committee members; Randy Stevens, Highway Supervisor; Roger Rice, Transfer Station Manager; Robb Dix, Town Assessor; Diane L. Guimond, Town Administrator and Kathy Hendry, Town Secretary. 1. Chairman Griswold called the meeting to
order at 6:30 p.m. Non-Public Session: Chairman Griswold made a motion to enter into Non-Public Session. Selectman LaCourse seconded. Chairman Griswold polled for a vote: LaCourse-aye; Griswold-aye; Reinhold-aye. Motion passes. The Board entered into Non-Public Session at 6:35 p.m.. The Board exited Non-Public Session at 7:05 p.m. and re-entered the Regular Session. 2. Public Comments: Jerry Beckman asked the Board why the Walgreen’s project keeps getting delayed. Jerry stated that several variances had been approved for other businesses and couldn’t understand why this one was having such difficulties. Chairman Griswold confirmed that the Board was in favor of this, and said that if they (the Board) had the power it would have been done long ago. He went on to explain that he had personally made an appeal to the Board to reconsider. Jim explained the delay is not with the Town, but with the State. He said the D.E.S. has to approve the wetlands permit and nothing can be done until they grant it. Sharon Meeker of the Lamprey River Advisory Committee spoke about the proposed Edgerly Park off of Route 152. This would be a small vest-pocket park good for biking/walking and a few picnic benches could be set up as well. This land is next to the river, bordered on one side by Rt. 152 and the bridge on one side and Campground Road and the Veterinary Clinic on the other. She took the idea to the Recreation Commission, Conservation Commission and Heritage Commission and asked if this was of value or interest to the Town, they all said it was a good idea. Sharon also said she had been in contact with the Edgerly family and was informed by the Naval Commander that they also had a whole basement full of historical items that may be donated. That whole area is important historically, as there was once a small mill on that side of the river. The 7 acre island on the river containins archeological artifacts from people living there as much as 6,000 – 7,000 years ago. She was unsure of the procedures necessary to see that this happens. This piece of land only has a value of $ 1,700. Chairman Griswold said that #1 the land would need to be purchased, and #2 the Rec. Dept. would need to create a park. Laurel Cox commented that this was very similar to the Thibeault property. Chairman Griswold made a motion to have the Town draft a letter. Selectman LaCourse seconded. Chairman Griswold polled for a vote: LaCourse-aye; Griswold-aye; Reinhold-aye. Motion passes. 3.
Commission/Committee Comments: Solid Waste Committee asked the Board to create specific GOALS and also will need a larger advisory committee including a rep. from the Board, the Budget Committee and also Planning. If a pay-per-bag policy is established, they need to know if a number of “free” bags will be issued, with additional needed to be purchased. The Board will draft a letter stating #1 Goals and #2 Representation. Robb Dix, Town Assessor presented 15 Abatement Requests and the Board approved/denied each, based on Robb’s findings. “Growing Places” a non-profit learning center was granted “exempt” status. Selectman Reinhold inquired as to the status of the Agricultural Review and Robb said he has barely started, and needs to do some fact-finding work. Selectman Reinhold will be unable to participate, and Chairman Griswold is not yet sure if he will be able. Robb and the Agriculture Committee will have to go before the Board for Agricultural Review to get abatement. Chairman Griswold noted that if they aren’t voted on by July 1st it will be an automatic denial. 4. New Business: Candace Pratt again requested that she be allowed to take professional photos of Town Employees for the Town’s use. Selectman Reinhold again repeated that accepting gifts was illegal. Candace reiterated that she really wants to do this for the Town, and also pointed out that photos of the Board might be a good thing to display at the Lee Fair, as well as using them on the web site. She agreed not to have a name or logo advertising her business. Frank advised that we would have to see if there is money for this in the budget. He suggested that perhaps if she could come up with an offer to do the photos for a fair price, the Board might be able to come to some sort of agreement with her if the money was available. Jim Banks requested clarification of electrical services he had/will provide. He and Bill Stevens had completed some electrical projects in the past, but he had been informed that he could no longer do these as he was not a licensed electrician and the Town’s insurance would not cover us unless a licensed electrician performs the work. Jim stated the Electrician’s Licensing Statute (RSA 319-C:1) which says “No electrical installation shall be made for compensation, unless made by an electrician or other person licensed by the electricians’ board”. Jim said that “compensation” was the key word, this work was not compensated and done as a volunteer. He also quoted RSA 319-C:2 III-c. ““Incidental electrical work” means a job of minor consequence which occurs by chance, not needing calculations.” RSA 319-C:3 VIII. “Regular employees of owners or a lessee of real property doing incidental electrical work, or persons whose occupation is the doing of miscellaneous jobs of manual labor in the course of which some incidental electrical work is done.” A copy of RSA 319-C:1, RSA 319-C:2, RSA 319-C:3 becomes a permanent part of these minutes. Chairman Griswold asked if his interpretation that if “no compensation is given, no license is needed” was correct. Jim Banks agreed. Chairman Griswold said we need to have a legal opinion as well. Town Administrator, Diane Guimond reported that she had checked into the legal issues of this and was informed by our rep. Winette at LGC that if the work required a permit then it must be done only by a licensed electrician. She further stated that if work was incidental (basically remove and replace) that it should be done by maintenance personnel responsible for that. Selectman Reinhold noted that this may have been over-cautious, but based on the information they had at the time it was a good decision. He further stated that it is the Selectmen’s responsibility to be overly cautious, and that based on this new information, parameters for incidental electrical work will be changed. Tricia Jenkins, Bill Humm and Phil Sanborn advised the Board of the situation with the cellar hole. Phil had asked Allan Dennis about laws regarding a buffer zone. Allan said there is no law, state-wise or Federal. The historic society would like to maintain at least a 50’ buffer. Phil said we could maintain a 50’ on one side, and a 46’ on the other. The State was called, but didn’t respond to the Rec. Department. The Selectmen will draft a letter to the Director of NH Resource & Economic Development, Parks & Recreation Division explaining our plan for developing this recreational facility. while also informing them that we do respect the historic value of the site and it has always been our intention to maintain and protect it. We will protect the site by clearing the trees that could threaten its structural integrity, and filling in the cellar hole with sand to protect it. A plaque containing historical information will be placed nearby. The letter will be mailed, we will wait 1 to 2 weeks to see if we get a response, and follow-up with a phone call. Then we will proceed. Selectman LaCourse motioned to draft letter, Chairman Griswold seconded. Selectman Reinhold polled for a vote. LaCourse-aye; Griswold-aye; Reinhold-aye. Motion passes. 5. Department Head Reports: Randy Stevens, Highway Supervisor: Noted that 13 firms had submitted proposals for the High Road Bridge engineering services. We will make up packets for Randy, Frank Reinhold, Jr., Alice MacKinnon, Dave Cedarholm and Dick Wellington. Randy also noted that the State had done bridge inspections on all 5 bridges on December 26 and 27 of 2007, despite all of the snow that was present, and had given a good rating to Old Mill Bridge. Randy doesn’t believe the bridge is that strong and has asked permission to close the road in the event of an emergency. Permission was granted. Randy advised the Board that Continental Paving will do the final coat on High Road on May 23rd. Quotes to paint and sandblast T5 (F450) truck for $2,295 were submitted. Randy feels it is necessary to maintain the integrity of the truck. The Board approved getting the truck painted and sandblasted for $ 2,295. Randy also mentioned that the 91 Dump Truck needed some paint, but admitted it was mostly cosmetic, so he will wait to do that. Public Works Mutual Aid will be discussed at a later date. Laurel Cox, Land Protection Administrator: Updated the Board. She is working on getting costs, and some items are waiting for State approval. Will keep the Board advised. 6. Correspondence: Correspondence will be discussed in the Selectmen’s Work Session, Friday, May 16, 2008 at 2:00 PM. 7. Manifests presented were reviewed and authorized for payment. #41 for $ 97,627.11 #42 for $ 802,360.15 8.
Approval of
Minutes: Selectman Reinhold
made a motion to accept minutes from the April 14, 2008 Regular Session. Chairman Griswold seconded. Chairman Griswold
called for a discussion. There being none, Chairman Griswold called for a
vote. Motion passes. Selectman Reinhold made a motion to accept minutes from the April
28, 2008 Regular and Non-Public Sessions.
Chairman Griswold seconded. Chairman Griswold called for a discussion.
There being none, Chairman Griswold called for a vote. Motion passes. Selectman Reinhold made a motion to
accept minutes from the May 1, 2008 Work Session (Public and Non-Public). Chairman
Griswold seconded. Chairman Griswold called for a discussion. There being none,
Chairman Griswold called for a vote.
Motion passes. 10. There being no further business, meeting was
adjourned at 9:30 PM Minutes
recorded by: ______________________________ Kathy
Hendry, Town Secretary Minutes
accepted by: __________________________________ W. James
Griswold., Chairman _________________________________ Frank W.
Reinhold, Jr. ________________________________ John
LaCourse Lee Board of Selectmen |