APPROVED

TOWN OF PELHAM

BOARD OF SELECTMEN

MINUTES

June 5, 2001 

APPROVED – June 12, 2001

CALL TO ORDER

PLEDGE OF ALLEGAINCE

Chairperson Casey opened the meeting at approximately 6:30 pm.

MINUTES REVIEW

May 29, 2001

OPEN FORUM

None.

APPOINTMENTS

Interview for Police Dispatcher position

REQUEST FOR NON-PUBLIC SESSION

The Selectmen entered into non-public session at approximately 6:33pm.  Mr. Lynde arrived at approximately 6:45pm.  The Selectmen returned to public session at approximately 6:47pm.

Ms. Casey had Mr. Farris take the gavel for the following motion.

Ms. Casey resumed her position as Chairperson.

Mary Usovich - Blasting work by Tennessee Gas

Ms. Mary Usovich, Tennessee Gas met with the Selectmen to discuss the blasting work to be done by Tennessee Gas.  She said that during a pre-construction meeting with the Town they reviewed the contractor’s schedule.  She informed that because the contractor would now be starting in Londonderry and working south, the project was now expected to end August 25, 2001.  Ms. Usovich said they wanted to meet the request of the Town to not interfere with football games, but would possibly need to do blasting work on Saturdays.  She said the possible Saturday blasting would be moderate and between the hours of 10:00am and 3:00pm.  She said they may not need to blast on Saturdays, but would like the flexibility.  She ended by requesting that the Town Administrator be allowed to grant the Saturday blasting because of the Selectmen’s summer schedule. 

Ms. Casey asked how many Saturdays they would need to blast.  Mr. Eric Dussel, the blaster with Tennessee Gas, said it was hard to determine based on the ground.  Ms. Usovich said their schedule from border to border was approximately six weeks.  She reiterated that they might not need to do any blasting on Saturdays.  Ms. Casey asked what the weekday hours were for blasting.  Fire Chief Fisher informed blasting could be done Monday - Friday between 7:00am and 4:00pm. 

Mr. Farris wanted to know how many miles of pipe would go through the Town.  Ms. Usovich said 6.9 miles.  Mr. Farris asked how much would be going through Raymond Park.  Mr. Dussel said the blasting would start at approximately Mt. Vernon and then head north. 

Mr. Lynde wanted to know how many blasts would be done per day.  Mr. Jerry Smith, the blasting supervisor said they would be approximately four or five blasts per day.  Mr. Dussel said the blasts would begin at approximately 9:00/10:00am and then be spaced two to three hours apart. 

Mr. Farris asked them to explain the matting process to help eliminate noise.  Mr. Dussel explained that the dynamite would be buried with soil and overlaid with a blasting mat to muffle the noise and cut down on fly-rock.  He said they would also be using shock tubes.  Mr. Farris asked if they had done any boar testing.  Mr. Dussel answered no.  Mr. Farris then discussed concerns with residents regarding their wells.  Ms. Usovich said that the right-of-way agent had been meeting with the landowners and conducting a pre-blast survey and would be conducting a survey after the blasting too.  She said they have already identified the private wells and would meet with the homeowners prior to the blast.  Mr. Dussel discussed crack propagation and didn’t believe that any layers of rock would be displaced due to the dynamite.  He believed the blast would only cause noise and vibration.  Mr. Farris informed that there would be a member of the Fire Department on site during any blasting and if a member were not present, they would not be able to blast. 

Ms. Casey asked if they were requesting Saturday blasting from any other towns.  Ms. Usovich said that the only town they were going through which restricted Saturday blasting was Windham, but Windham didn’t have a deadline issue.

Mr. McDevitt felt the faster the project was completed, the less disruption would occur.  He didn’t mind if Saturday blasting was needed. 

Fire Chief Fisher didn’t have a problem with the request as long as the Selectmen gave a ruling. 

Mr. Farris requested that Tennessee Gas provide a potential schedule so that residents could be notified of the blastings.  Ms. Usovich said they had already faxed a progress report to PTV and the local newspaper.  She said they also had the contact name for the Town website and would provide the information for web posting.  She said they would provide a report once a month.  Mr. Farris then requested that they flag the area to be effected at Muldoon.  Ms. Usovich said they would be meeting with Mr. Bob Tryon at Park and Recreation on Friday to flag the electric and sprinkler system.  She said she would contact the Town to inform the type of flag used to tag the areas to be effected. 

NEW BUSINESS

Telephone system for the Town Clerk/Tax Collector’s Office and Planning Department

Mr. Pitts informed that the phone system at the Town Hall was failing.  He provided the Selectmen with two quotes.  One was to repair the system and the other quote was to replace the system, which is what the vendor suggested.  He said that a phone system had been donated, but the wiring was not compatible with the wiring at Town Hall.  He checked with CTC about going Centrex, but because all new instruments would need to be purchased, the vendor didn’t recommend. 

Ms. Casey asked if the new system had voice mail.  Mr. Pitts said it was an option and suggested incorporating in the budget and adding on next year.  Ms. Casey asked if there was money in the budget.  Mr. Pitts said he would have to find it.  Mr. McDevitt asked for clarification of the quote letters.  Mr. Pitts said that a new system would cost $4000 and to repair the system would cost $3,135.  He said he had received two quotes and an additional quote for Centrex had not been received. 

There was a brief discussion regarding the compatibility of the phone system between the Annex and Town Clerk’s office.  Mr. Farris asked if the system was expandable.  Mr. Pitts didn’t believe so.

Mr. Lynde asked whom the Town normally relied on.  Mr. Pitts said they normally relied on the one vendor with the quote provided in the Selectmen’s packages. 

Mr. McDevitt wanted to know what action was needed by the Selectmen.  Mr. Pitts recommended purchase of the lower quote system from Statewide. 

Ms. Casey asked what the time frame was for implementing a system.  Mr. Pitts said they would use the existing wiring and believed that they could install a system quickly.  He noted that he could try and arrange a low interest bank loan and then pay it off if the money was found in the budget.  Mr. McDevitt asked if it could be leased.  Mr. Pitts said the process would be a lease/purchase arrangement. 

Mr. Lynde made a motion to authorize Mr. Pitts to enter into an agreement.  Mr. McDevitt seconded for discussion.  He felt that the bid should be awarded to a specific person.  Mr. Farris said he could provide Mr. Pitts with additional information of phone system companies.  Mr. Lynde withdrew his motion.  Mr. McDevitt withdrew his second. 

Possible revision of well regulation

Ms. Casey said a request had been made by Mr. Bernie Lucey (in Concord) to change the way the well ordinance was written.  She said Mr. Lucey provided three options for what the Town could require 1) screen alpha test - cost $50.00; 2) screen alpha/uranium/gross alpha test - cost $200; and 3) total screen alpha - cost $350.  Ms. Casey  preferred to change the ordinance to only require the screen alpha test and not the total screen alpha.

The Selectmen convened as the Board of Health at approximately 7:40pm.

There was a brief discussion regarding the intent of the well ordinance, which was to provide information to homeowners.

The Selectmen reconvened at approximately 7:46pm.

Parks & Recreation Summer Staff hiring

Ms. Casey informed that Mr. Bob Tryon, Park & Recreation Director provided a list of summer staff he would like to hire.  Mr. McDevitt read a segment of Mr. Tryon’s letter. 

TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT/SELECTMEN’S REPORT

Mr. Pitts informed that two Pelham Police Officers would be honored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars as Police Officers of the Year to take place at the 81st Annual State Convention. 

Mr. Bergeron read from a report submitted by Mr. Bruce Mason, Solid Waste Department.  He said the block hut had been leveled and removed.  He said there had been some difficulty with handlers showing up when they should, which Mr. Mason had contacted Waste Management to iron out difficulties.  Mr. Bergeron also informed that the conveyor belt had been altered to not drag trash underneath it.  He ended by saying the office trailer was scheduled to be moved on June 11, 2001. 

Mr. Farris said he had spoken with the Fire Chief regarding the future blasting and the residents would be informed.  He said the Municipal Building Committee would meet tomorrow to discuss future needs of Municipal Space.  He ended by warning parents to slow down to no more than 5 miles per hour in the parking lot at Muldoon Park. 

Mr. Lynde discussed the agenda reviewed by the Planning Board on June 4, 2001.  He said there was a 7-Lot subdivision, which called for 18-20 acres to be deeded to the Town, and the Planning Board wanted to know what the process was for accepting the land.  Ms. Casey believed the Selectmen should be responsible for accepting land.  He said there was another plan before the Planning Board off Campbell Road in which the question was raised if the Town owned the road.  Mr. Farris informed that the Town owned the first 1000’.  Mr. Lynde then informed that the Fire Chief asked that the left portion of Woodlawn Circle be given it’s own name.  He then asked if there should be a site plan review for businesses such as the hot dog trailer set up at Pelham Plaza.  Ms. Casey said they had applied for, and received a hawkers and peddlers license.  Mr. Pitts said the business had been reviewed and was still in the progress of operating under a hawkers and peddlers license issued out of the Selectmen’s office.  Mr. Lynde ended by providing data on the impact of home businesses on tax rates. 

Mr. McDevitt informed that the refrigerator at the Senior Center was breaking down and proposals were being obtained to replace it.  He informed that the League of Women’s Voters Community Profile meeting would take place January 25, & 26, 2001. 

Ms. Casey said she had met with the Chair of the Budget Committee who was supportive of the proposed changes discussed and agreed to by the Selectmen.  She congratulated Pat Moulton and Dan Sawicki for winning the state championships and informed they would now be going on to the New England Competition.  She ended by reviewing items for the upcoming agenda.

Mr. McDevitt said there was a need for a non-public session to discuss the legal issues for the purchase of land from Ms. Wolven. 

Ms. Casey informed that the Selectmen would be meeting June 13, 2001 to meet with the lieutenant candidates beginning at 6:00pm, the place is to be determined.

REQUEST FOR NON-PUBLIC SESSION

MOTION:           (Lynde/McDevitt) Request for a non-public session per RSA 91-A:3,II,e (legal).

ROLL CALL:     Ms. Casey-Yes; Mr. Farris-Yes; Mr. McDevitt-Yes; Mr. Bergeron-Yes; Mr. Lynde-Yes

Ms. Casey noted that when the Board returned, after the non-public session, the Board would not take any other action publicly, except to seal the minutes of the non-public session and to adjourn the meeting.  The Board entered into a non-public session at approximately 8:10 pm.  Also present was Mr. Pitts.

The Board returned to public session.

MOTION:           (McDevitt/Farris) To seal the minutes of the non-public session indefinitely.

VOTE:                 (5 - 0 - 0) The motion carries.

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION:           (McDevitt/Farris) To adjourn the meeting.

VOTE:                 (5 - 0 - 0) The motion carries.

The meeting was adjourned at approximately 8:53pm.

                                                                                          Respectfully submitted,

                                                                                          Charity A. L. Willis

                                                                                          Recording Secretary