APPROVED

 

TOWN OF PELHAM

BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING

MINUTES

October 7, 2003

APPROVED – October 28, 2003

 

CALL TO ORDER

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

 

PRESENT:

Mr. Harold Lynde (arrived shortly after the meeting commenced), Mr. William McDevitt, Mr. Jean-Guy Bergeron, Mr. Richard Derby, Mr. Victor Danevich

 

Also present:

 

ABSENT:

Members of the press and general public.

 

Mr. Tom Gaydos, Town Administrator

              

The Vice Chairman, William McDevitt, opened the meeting at approximately 6:30 pm. 

 

OPEN FORUM

 

Mr. Steven Nowe, 54 Hayden Road, wanted to know why PTV didn’t show the most recent Selectmen’s meetings; they appear to run two weeks behind.  He then wanted to know, for traffic calming,  if Hayden Road could be a one-way street during peak traffic hours.  Mr. McDevitt said the Selectmen would refer the question to the Safety Committee for recommendation.  Mr. Nowe asked who policed the no-cut zones throughout the Town.  He said that there were many violations that he had seen.  Mr. Danevich explained that the official body for policing was through the Code Enforcement and the planning process, depending upon what phase the construction was in. 

 

Mr. Lynde arrived.

 

Mr. Nowe ended by asking who was clearing the lot on the old road on top of Jeremy Hill.  He said that the current road was left with ruts, rocks and branches across the road.  Mr. Lynde said he was clearing the lot.  He said that a well rig had been on the lot, had trouble and needed towing.  He said he hadn’t been to the site, but would review and fix the problems. 

 

MINUTES REVIEW

 

September 30, 2003

 

MOTION:

(McDevitt/Bergeron) To approve the September 30, 2003 meeting minutes as amended.

 

VOTE:

 

(5 - 0 - 0) The motion carried.

 

The amendments to the minutes were as follows: The ending motion shall note that McDevitt/Bergeron sealed the minutes at 9:00pm; McDevitt/Bergeron adjourned the meeting at 9:00pm.

 

APPOINTMENTS

 

Pelham Memorial Post 10722 - Veterans of Foreign Wars - Eugene Carter

 

Mr. Eugene Carter, Commander Pelham Memorial Post 10722 asked the Selectmen to consider allowing the Pelham Memorial Post 10722 to use the Town Hall Building.  He read aloud a letter dated October 2, 2003 that outlined the request. 

 

Mr. Derby asked if the Post needed such a large building.  Mr. Carter said with the current membership a building of this size was not needed at the present time.  Mr. Derby asked if the Post would have outside activities as well as a bar.  Mr. Carter said he preferred to find other ways to raise money.  Mr. Derby said the parking facilities may not be adequate. 

 

Mr. Bergeron asked how many members there presently were.  Mr. Carter said there were approximately seventy-nine members.  Mr. Charlie Mooskian said that there were approximately four hundred people in town that may qualify for membership.  Mr. Bergeron wanted to know how often the building would be used and what types of functions would occur.  Mr. Carter said the Post held monthly meetings and they may possibly have bean suppers. 

 

There was a brief discussion regarding the costs for maintaining the building.  Mr. Mooskian was hopeful that a permanent facility would generate a larger membership number and would therefore enable the Post to become even more active in the community.  Mr. Carter said he would like the opportunity to create a Ladies Auxiliary.  Mr. McDevitt discussed the process taken by the Historical Society when they requested use of the Library. 

 

Mr. Lynde asked if the Post would be willing to share the building.  He said that the Selectmen had only recently begun to explore possible uses of the building.  Mr. Mooskian was unsure if the by-laws of the Post would allow them to share a facility.  Mr. Lynde said the Selectmen would consider the request and suggested that they follow up in approximately one month.  The ownership of the building was discussed and it was desired by the Post that ownership be granted to the Post.  Mr. Carter said the transfer didn’t have to be immediately, but could be extended for a year or two, if the townspeople desired.  Mr. Lynde noted that any warrant articles would need to be reviewed in December. 

 

Sherburne Hall Drawing

 

It was noted that those who had donated a minimum of $25 to the Sherburne Hall Fund had their names submitted in a drawing for a one-week stay at a resort in Lincoln, NH.  Mr. Tom Collins, member of the Sherburne Hall Committee drew the name of the winner: Mr. & Mrs. Richard Comtois, Jericho Road.  Mr. Lynde said he would contact the winner. 

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

Conservation Commission Budget

 

Mr. Lynde noted that there was confusion by the Budget Committee regarding the Conservation Commission budget.  He said that Mr. Yarmo had been asked to meet with the Selectmen and provide information of how the approved $10,400 would be allocated. 

 

Mr. Bob Yarmo, Chairman Conservation Commission, met with the Selectmen to discuss the Conservation Commission budget.  He believed the confusion at the Budget Committee meeting was the line item breakdown being reviewed from the budget didn’t match what he had.  The requested budget had been $12,959 and the Selectmen approved $10,400, but there was no breakdown presented to the Budget Committee.  Mr. Yarmo provided the Selectmen with a line item breakdown of the approved $10,400 for review.  The Selectmen reviewed the budget.  There was a discussion regarding the line item for the purchase of conservation easement signs and where/how they would be posted.  The Selectmen continued their review of the budget, and after a few adjustments made the following motion:

 

MOTION:

(McDevitt/Danevich) To reconsider the Conservation Commission budget.

 

VOTE:

 

(5 - 0 - 0) The motion carries. 

 

 

MOTION:

(McDevitt/Danevich) To approve $9,659 as the Conservation Commission budget.

 

VOTE:

 

(5 - 0 - 0) The motion carries. 

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

Cost for snowplowing of private and unaccepted roads for the 2003/2004 season

 

Highway Agent Don Foss submitted the recommendation that snowplowing and ice control of private and unaccepted roads cost $3600 per mile for the 2003/2004 season.  Mr. Lynde noted that the Town was forbidden by state statute to spend public money on private roads, but at the same time there was concern for those residents living on private and unaccepted roads.  He said developers and residents had the opportunity to pay the Town for plowing and ice control, the cost of which was recommended by the Highway Road Agent after review of the expenses for the previous year.  Mr. Danevich was unsure how the cost had been calculated.  He confirmed that the fee would cover the snowplowing and ice control whether the roads were cleared once during the season, or many times (variable, or flat fee).  Mr. Lynde said the fee charged was a flat fee, not variable. 

 

MOTION:

(Derby/McDevitt) To approve the cost of $3600 per mile for snowplowing and ice control of private and unaccepted roads.

 

VOTE:

 

(5 - 0 - 0) The motion carries. 

 

Application for inclusion in the 10-year State Highway Transportation Improvement Program (‘TIP’) for the Pelham center traffic solution

 

Mr. Lynde informed that State Highway Commissioner Carol Murray reviewed the Town center on Friday, October 6, 2003 along with certain members of the community, Selectmen and NRPC.  After review of the Town center, Ms. Murray recommended that the Town be included in the state’s 10-year TIP program.  Mr. Lynde said that Mr. Andrew Singelakis, NRPC prepared a memo requesting that the Town be included in TIP.  It was believed that the Town would be a good candidate for funding since Pelham had not received any prior funding. 

 

MOTION:

(Danevich/Bergeron) To prepare the draft and submit to the state’s TIP committee.

 

VOTE:

 

(5 - 0 - 0) The motion carries. 

 

The request would be signed by the Selectmen before submittal.

 

Mr. Derby noted that the majority of people present October 6, 2003 were in favor of signalizing the Town center.

 

Mr. Bergeron thanked the following people for attending the October 6, 2003 meeting at the Town center: Commissioner Carol Murray, Mr. Andrew Singelakis of NRPC, Fire Chief David Fisher, Police Chief Evan Haglund, Selectmen Richard Derby, Selectmen Harold Lynde, Mr. Leo Thibeault, Mr. Bill Scanzani, Ms. Robin Bousa, Highway Agent Don Foss, Budget Committee member Edmund Gleason, resident Steve Nowe and Jeff Brilhardt.    

 

Mammoth Road

 

There was a brief discussion regarding a section of Mammoth Road that was having problems with silt runoff.  It was noted that the situation was being reviewed by TFMoran (Town Engineer), Highway Road Agent Don Foss and Building Inspector Roland Soucy.  Planning Director Will D’Andrea will be informed of the situation and asked to follow up.

 

SELECTMEN’S REPORTS

 

Mr. Derby said the Budget Committee was continuing their review of budgets.  He informed that the Highway Department continued work on Plower Road.  He asked when an agenda item would be added for the road naming hearing.  Mr. Lynde said that the Safety Review Committee will be contacted to finalize the street name list so a public hearing could be scheduled. 

 

Mr. McDevitt noted that a letter had received from the United States Department of the Interior dated September 29, 2003 regarding the high naturally occurring arsenic content in private wells.  He urged private well owners to have their water tested.  He discussed Senate Bill 95 (affordable housing)(as previously discussed by Mr. Bill Scanzani at a prior meeting) and suggested that the Selectmen take a position and contact Senator Morse.  Mr. McDevitt noted that members were still needed for the Naming Policy Committee.  He said that Mr. Bruce Mason of the Transfer Station would probably come back to the Selectmen for reconsideration of his budget based upon an increase of trash tonnage. 

 

Mr. Danevich extended a welcome to the new Planning Director, Will D’Andrea.  He then update the Selectmen with the progress of the Skateboard Park committee.  He said various people had come forward and provided support and valuable information.  He said a warrant article may be requested for partial funding. 

 

Mr. Bergeron said he would like to invite Executive Councilor Ray Wieczorek to view the Town Center since the Town would need his support.  He went on to say that a memo had been circulated which provided the potential expense for Pennichuck acquisition.  He said the next meeting of the Regional Water District would be held Thursday, October 9, 2003. 

 

Mr. Lynde said the Planning Board had met on October 6, 2003.  He discussed what items the Planning Board had reviewed.  He ended by congratulating the three seventh grade students from St. Patrick’s that had been chosen for the Youth Leadership and had spent time in Washington DC. 

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

MOTION:

(Bergeron/McDevitt) To adjourn the meeting.

 

VOTE:

 

(5 - 0 - 0) The motion carries. 

 

The meeting was adjourned at approximately 8:30 pm.

                                                                                          Respectfully submitted,

 

                                                                                          Charity A. L. Willis

                                                                                          Recording Secretary