SEL20110329.mht

APPROVED

TOWN OF PELHAM

BOARD OF SE= LECTMEN MEETING

MINUTES

March 29, 2011

APPROVED &#= 8211; April 12, 2011

CALL TO ORDER – approximately 6:30pm

PRESENT:

Mr. Edmund Gleason, Mr.= William McDevitt, Mr. Robert Haverty, Mr. Hal Lynde, Town Administrator Tom Gaydo= s

ABSENT:

Mr. Douglas Viger

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

OPEN FORUM

Mr. Mike Sherman, Old Bridge Street came forward and discussed the flooding situation that had been occurring in Town, specifically at his property. He sent photos to the Selectmen showing the layers of asphalt that existed on Old Bridge Street and asked that the Town take the road down to = its original height prior to making any additional changes to the water way. Mr. Sherman stated that the Town h= ad surveyors review the flood plain and was then sent a letter from the Planning Departm= ent stating that thirty-four feet of his property was being designated at the 100-year flood plain. He want= ed to know why only his area lost property and the area further down (between Abbott Bridge/Willow Street and further down from Will= ow Street) didn’t lose any property. He commented that he spoke with Br= ian Desfosses of the Department of Environmental Services (‘DES’) w= ho assured him that in the new maps there were no elevation changes; the only thing that was changed was topographic information was added and they had b= een digitized. Mr. Sherman sugges= ted that someone should review the area if the elevations hadn’t changed = but the water flooded higher than it did before, so the maps were correct. He wanted proactive measures so he didn’t flood and loose his property.=

Mr. Gleason stated that t= he Selectmen had appointed Mr. McDevitt to address the situation and they were well aware of the concerns. M= r. McDevitt said he would provide an update when Open Forum was completed and = the Selectmen moved to their agenda items under ‘DOT Meeting Update’.

Gerald Suprenant, 83 Old Bridge Street also stepped forward to discuss the flooding. He said when he built his house th= e Town put out specific things for him to do such as put a footing in, fourteen courses of blocks, put in $8000 worth of fill (in 1976); this was done so h= is house would be above the 100-year flood plain. He said he was fine for 10-12 year= s if there was any flooding it went over the road and didn’t come close to= his house. In 1988 the third culv= ert was put in at the Main Street Bridge and ever since the water came up higher and faster; raising Old Bridge Street exacerbated the problem. Mr. Suprenant spoke = with the Highway Road Agent (Don Foss) who indicated he was waiting for the Walg= reen’s project to be complete prior to resurfacing the road; they would take some = of the pavement down and then add some more on it. He said he wanted someone to stop = Mr. Foss from repaving the road until they found out what was going on. He suggested that a core of the ro= ad be reviewed to see the multiple layers. He discussed the history of the area and the problems that had been created over the years. He sa= id he now had to question how long his septic would last if the situation wasn’t alleviated, and the flooding continued. Mr. Suprenant stated he resided at= the property for sixty-one years and while growing up his home was a working da= iry farm utilizing the fields behind it. He reiterated that a core of the road should be done prior to any wo= rk being done on the road. He sa= id if no relief was provided, it was like saying that all the houses would be was= hed away.

Mr. Gleason stated that it wasn’t an easy problem to address; it was a multi-faceted problem that they were trying to grasp its significance. He moved the meeting to the schedu= led agenda items, which included an update regarding the Department of Transportation meeting (see below).

APPOINTMENTS

Department of Transportation Meeting Update: Bridge Review =

Mr. McDevitt informed tha= t there was a meeting with the Department of Transportation (‘DOT’) at which he, Mr. Gleason, Mr. Gaydos, Planning Director Jeff Gowan and Fire Ch= ief James Midgley attended. The p= urpose for the meeting was to obtain updates regarding the bridge and the roundabout. He commented that= he didn’t feel an obligation to notify the public when the Selectmen or = Town Officials are meeting with people in Concord. He said his obligation was to atte= nd such meetings and come back to the Selectmen to provide an update. Mr. McDevitt said the state gave an update about the Main Street Bridge. He said the interesting thing was = that the culvert was originally intended for the Town of = Landaff, NH and the state didn’t = have a final plan showing the installation of the culvert. The state considered the Main Street Bridge to be two br= idges and scheduled replacement in 2015. <= /span>The state wanted to know if there was any historic value to the existing bridge. Mr. McDevitt felt whe= n the state redid the bridge in 1988 they ruined it from a historic view point, b= ut was unsure if the Selectmen could make that determination. He suggested requesting input from= the Historical Society. Mr. McDev= itt stated that the bridge replacement was a Federal Highway Administration Project. There was a lot of d= iscussion about flooding and if changing the design of the bridge would result in flooding either upstream and/or downstream. The stream crossing rules were out= lined at the DOT meeting. Mr. McDev= itt said they only provided an update. The DOT representatives at the meeting were keenly aware of the floo= ding issues; since the bridge was to be done in four years the Town had time to = keep in touch and make sure they did the right thing.

Mr. McDevitt discussed a = recent meeting that was held, at the request of residents, regarding flooding issues. He said one of the th= ings that came from the meeting was the consensus that the entire issue had to be reviewed by requesting that the Army Corps of Engineers become involved. He said time needed to be spent to better understand the problems and the nature of Beaver Brook.

Mr. Gleason asked if the Town’s engineer had reviewed Old Bridge Street. Mr. Gaydos felt it was a separate = issue, but a good idea to review what was there.&= nbsp; He felt it was encouraging that the Army Corps of Engineers was reviewing the Merrimack River and perhaps would be more inclined to start working up Beaver Brook.

Mr. Haverty suggested as = a Board, the Selectmen may need to take a position that nothing change operationally that would be a contributing factor to flooding issues. He felt everything needed to stop = (i.e. paving Old Bridge Street) until they understood the problem. Mr. Gleason said having the Town’s engineer review the area it would be the first step in the process.&nb= sp; He said the area should be evaluated and the Selectmen provided with= an update.

Mr. Lynde said the engine= ers could be asked to do a quick calculation comparing the capacity of the old double arched bridge versus the current capacity. He believed this would provide information as to whether a greater problem would be created. Mr. Lynde suggested asking the Pla= nning Board to review and update their regulations. He also felt the road height of Old Bridge Street should be reviewed. These items may = not help solve the problems, but would help the Selectmen better understand them.

Mr. Gleason thanked the S= electmen for their input and hoped the residents felt their problems had begun to be addressed.

PUBLIC HEARING: Amendment to all existing and future pole licens= es in the Town of Pelham, NH

Mr. Gleason read aloud the resolution as it was being put forth. He explained in the past utilities had to pay fees, with the excepti= on of the communications industry. He said the law had recently changed so communications were no longer excluded from any fees.

Mr. Gleason asked if anyo= ne wanted to come forward to speak. There was no public input.

Mr. Lynde asked if there = was an assessed value that would be applied. Mr. Gaydos said once the resolution was adopted, and prior to April = 1^st, the Town had the ability to ask the utilities for an inventory. Once and inventory was received to= show what was affected the Assessors could determine a value that would be asses= sed. Mr. Lynde wanted to know by approv= ing, would the Town reserve its right to tax during the upcoming tax year. Mr. Gaydos answered yes.

MOTION:

(Lynde/McDevit= t) To approve the petition (to amend all existing and future pole licenses in t= he Town of Pelham).

VOTE:

(4-0-0) The motion carried.

APPOINTMENTS CON’T…

Department of Transportation Meeting Update: Roundabout Review

Mr. Gaydos provided an up= date of the outcome from the meeting with the Department of Transportation. He said the State of New Hampshire didn’t intend to p= ut the roundabout construction out to bid until March, 2012. A meeting was held to make efforts= to coordinate the activities; the utilities will not schedule the work at the various intersections until the bid was awarded. Mr. Gaydos said one of the greatest concerns of the Fire Department was knowing when the project would happen because they still had to have a working and fully efficient fire and ambul= ance service. Meetings will contin= ue so the Town can monitor the progress and have information as soon as the state received it. Mr. Gaydos noted they discussed several different types of construction and materials that could be used for the roundabout.

Mr. McDevitt commented th= at the DOT said the bid may possibly be awarded in May, 2012, which means the fire department’s (front) doors need to shut at that time. Mr. Haverty believed the Town and = state discussed starting with the other roundabout first, which would provide mor= e ‘breathing room’ in resolving the fire station problem. Mr. Gaydos said the state agreed w= ith regard to the construction; however the utility work would need to begin ri= ght away. He noted that construct= ion couldn’t begin until the utility work was done; that date would be kn= own well in advance of the work. =

Mr. Gleason said what the= Town could draw from the meeting was that the roundabout would be coming; the federal money was allocated and the planning was progressing. There was further discussion regar= ding the importance of keeping in contact with the state. Mr. Lynde questioned if a special meeting could be requested. M= r. Gleason stated he preferred to table the question for further discussion si= nce the Selectmen had not discussed the fire station. He believed it would require a thoughtful and complete process before making any decisions.

Mr. Gaydos discussed the = timeline that would be needed for a special Town Meeting. Mr. Gleason said the Selectmen wouldn’t have a discussion without having a full board present.

OTHER BUSINESS

Review of 2011 BOS Committee Assignments

Mr. Gleason reviewed the Selectmen appointments as follows:

Planning Board – Mr. McDevitt

Budget Committee – = Mr. Gleason with Mr. Viger as the alternate

Council on Aging – = Mr. Gleason

Merrimack Valley Regional= Water District – Mr. Gaydos with Judge Lynch as the alternate

NRPC Commissioner –= Mr. Gleason

Pelham Citizen’s Co= uncil – Mr. Haverty

Hazmat – Mr. Havert= y

Pelham Context Sensitive = Solution – Mr. Lynde

Sherburne Hall – Mr. McDevitt

Greater Salem Chamber of Commerce – Mr. V= iger

High School Building Committee – Mr. Haverty with Mr. Viger as the alternate

Trustee of the Trust Funds – Mr. Gleason

Forestry Committee –= ; Mr. Lynde

Energy Study Committee &#= 8211; Mr. Lynde

Library – Mr. McDev= itt would be available when they had questions.

2011 Warrant Article Review

A copy of the sample ball= ot was provided to the Selectmen for review. They conducted a review of the warrant and noted action items to be completed as a result of the vote. <= /span>

Review February 2011 Revenue & Expenses

Mr. Gaydos provided the S= electmen with a spreadsheet showing an overview of the revenues and expenses as of February, 2011.

Reminder of Congressman Bass’ Constituent Services to be h= eld on Wednesday, March 30^th, from 10 to2 at the Municipal Building<= /st1:PlaceType>

Mr. Gleason reminded resi= dents of the walk-in office hours for the Office of Congressman Charlie Bass. Constituent services would be held= at Sherburne Hall on March 30, 2011 between the hours of 10am and 2pm to assist= residents of Pelham and surrounding towns of any issues they may have with Federal Go= vernment programs. A private conferenc= e room will be available for those who would like to have a private discussion.

TOWN ADMINISTRATOR / SELECTMEN’S REPORTS

Mr. Gleason stated that t= he Selectmen were provided with a spreadsheet which had been created to show a schedule of events that occurred annually.= This was done so items weren’t overlooked. The Selectmen reviewed the items currently listed. There was no objection to using the new format and conducting a monthly review of items. Mr. Haverty suggested = that the Selectmen disposition the items on the Selectmen’s Priority List = that had been the format utilized in previous years. One item felt to be important was providing education to residents regarding roundabouts. Mr. Gaydos said there were several changes that happened to the roundabout which came after the Context Sensit= ive Solution process. One of item= was the sidewalk that was to go down Windham Road and turn onto Nashua Road proceeding to the Senior Center was found to not be possible. The designers moved the sidewalk down Windham Road, across the roundabout then up Nashua Road= on the opposite side of the street (from the Senior Center). In looking at costs, the Selectmen should discuss whether they still wanted a sidewalk.

Mr. Gleason reviewed the = Action Items list.

Mr. McDevitt reported abo= ut the New Greely Singers Cabaret that had been held in Sherburne Hall. He said the event was a great even= ing and was the type of function the hall was designed to be used for.

Mr. Lynde stated he would= be attending a regional Energy Committee meeting with the Planning Director at= the NRPC offices. He noted the pa= ssing of long-time Pelham resident Bob Edwards who had been the Town’s Buil= ding Inspector and expressed that he would be missed by many.

Mr. Haverty had no report= .

Mr. Gaydos commented that= they were able to get last year’s price for the mosquito tracking. He would sign the contract, the am= ount for which was included in the Operating Budget. He believed there should be a disc= ussion when doing the 2012 budget of possibly discontinuing the program. It was his understanding that Windham would not be doing the program for 2011.&n= bsp; Mr. Gleason suggested an item be included on the schedule prior to t= he Health Budget being reviewed.

Mr. Gleason had no report= .

REQUEST FOR NON-PUBLIC SESSION

MOTION:

(Lynde/McDevit= t) Request for a non-public session per RSA 91-A:3,II, a (Personnel)

ROLL CALL:

Mr. Gleason-Ye= s; Mr. McDevitt-Yes; Mr. Haverty-Yes; Mr. Lynde-Yes

It was noted tha= t when the Board returned, after the non-public session, the Board would not take = any other action publicly, except to possibly seal the minutes of the non-public session and to adjourn the meeting. The Board entered into a non-public session at approximately 8:20 pm.

The Board returned to public session at approximately 8:50 pm.

MOTION:

(Haverty/McDevitt) To seal the mi= nutes of the non-public session indefinitely.

VOTE:

(4-0-0) The mo= tion carried.

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION:

(Haverty/McDev= itt) To adjourn the meeting.

VOTE:

(4-0-0) The motion carried.

The meeting was adjourned at approximately 8:50 pm.

= &nb= sp; = &nb= sp; = &nb= sp; = Respectfully submitted,

= &nb= sp; = &nb= sp; = &nb= sp; = Charity A. Landry Willis

= &nb= sp; = &nb= sp; = &nb= sp; = Recording Secretary

BOARD OF SELECTMEN ACTION ITEMS

March 22, 2011=

· Review signs on Willow Street (Don Foss) – re= quest from Open Forum (Mr. Gaydos to follow up with Don Foss);

· ~~Selectmen to inform Mr. Gleason of intere= st to be representative to Forestry Committee~~ (resolved 3/29/11);

· Mr. McDevitt will contact Planning Director Gowan re: Planning Board’s intentions for (reforming) CIP;

· Speak with Garden Club re: decorating round-about and possible lighting in future (Mr. McDevitt);

· ~~Mr. Gaydos will follow up with state re: funding for round-about~~ (resolved 3/29);

· Mr. Gaydos will track post-Town Meeting costs and also state revenue and pension costs (all information not received/Selectmen will be kept informed).

March 29, 2011=

· Add agenda item to discuss/analyze fire stat= ion;

· Copy of updated Operating Budget to be provi= ded to Budget Committee showing how each department was effected (Finance Director); <= /p>

· Mr. Gaydos to ask Police Chief to provide information/’game plan’ regarding School Resource Officer;

· Mr. Gaydos to provide schedule for 2^{nd<=
/sup>
egress at Muldoon; presentation of plan;}

· Mr. Gaydos to speak with Police Chief regard= ing schedule for enacting Pawn Broker Ordinance;

· Planning Board to make recommendation to Selectmen regarding Article #14 (portion of Mulberry Lane, portion of Shephard Road and all of Lannan Drive);

· Mr. Gaydos to put timeline together for Castle Hill Road;

· Communicate/educate public regarding roundabouts;

· Future discussion regarding sidewalk from Senior Center to roundabout. <= /b>