TOWN OF KENSINGTON
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING MINUTES
Amended and approved June 2, 2008
In attendance: Richard Powers and Stefanie Johnstone. Michael Motherway joined the Board at 7:44 pm. Meeting called to order at 7:30 pm.
DEPARTMENT HEADS:
Fire Department –Chief Charles LeBlanc requested a list of businesses in town. He reported he was called to an Osgood Road property for an alarm activation and found business activity of which he was not aware. It was determined that the property had received the proper approvals from both the Zoning Board of Adjustment and the Planning Board. Chief LeBlanc will talk with both Boards regarding the need for Fire Department involvement.
Building Inspector – Bill Grant presented 3 building permits: Blaney, 93 Amesbury Road for an above ground pool; Fortescue, 98 Stumpfield Road for an above ground pool and deck; and Marchand, 72 Stumpfield Road to change their three season to living quarters. Stefanie Johnstone moved to approve the three building permits as presented, seconded by Richard Powers with both in favor.
Police Department – Chief Wayne Sheehan, appointments & Parking Ordinance - Chief Sheehan presented a rebate check. He reported that Detective Ford and a resident had attended women’s self-defense training, with the goal of teaching classes in town. Captain O’Sullivan will be attending a two day training class by the Attorney General’s Office and a three day street training class. SALT will be having a cookout June 1 at the Town Park. Two officers were nominated for reappointment. Stefanie Johnstone moved to re-appoint Robert Carbone as a part-time employee at will, and Ryan Ford as a full time officer with an expiration of May 5, 2009, seconded by Richard Powers with all in favor. Following a brief discussion it was agreed that the parking limit time would be 10:00 pm. Richard Powers moved to accept 10:00 pm as the parking limit time, seconded by Stefanie Johnstone with all in favor.
Assessing Office – Betty Willoughby – Denise presented one abatement on Betty’s behalf. A motion was made and seconded to accept Avitars recommendation, but then withdrawn following Mr. Murphy’s request that Avitar visit his home. He emphasized that he still doesn’t know why his home went from A1 to A4. Richard Powers asked that Avitar be instructed to visit the home.
Recreation Department – Mary Jane Solomon reported they are working on by-laws with the focus on overseeing the facilities and programs. A schedule calendar has been made available by KYAA and will be placed on the Recreation Committee’s web page. Mary Jane asked about getting a break down of maintenance costs. Mike Del Sesto said he would check to see what can be set up, perhaps a basic log. Electricity bills will also be looked at and the Town Park Trustees will work on setting up a clear process for determining costs.
Town Park – Michael Del Sesto provided
an update, highlighting that all is on schedule; 98% of the landscaping is
done, playground equipment has been set up with wood chips to be spread next
week, water test is done but waiting for approval, and paving of the walkways
is scheduled for the first week of June. Stefanie Johnstone moved to authorize
Michael Motherway to complete the application process as with the health
inspector, seconded by Richard Powers with all in favor. Mr. Del Sesto
explained that they are working on connecting to the Kensington trail system.
They have verbal approval from one private land owner and are discussing the
Hodges property with the Conservation Commission. He said he felt a
reservation for a June 20th retirement party should be ok. The Selectmen will
process the application for now. The Trustees will schedule a meeting to
discuss the July 12th opening celebration. Details will be e-mailed to Denise
to be posted to the website.
Road Manager – David Buxton reported that more dead trees have been removed. The budget he had allocated has been expended but he found there is a tree leaning across Trundle Bed Lane by Sawyer field that should be cut. He will hold for now as it may tie in to reconstruction of Trundle Bed Lane. He received what he feels is a good quote for a gate at 211 South Rd. He will obtain a few more quotes however, and reported that 96% of the road signs have been upgraded with only four more needed.
NEW BUSINESS:
Christian Smith – Mr. Smith agreed to work with David Buxton and the Selectmen regarding subdivision site work prior to town approval of any roads. He also agreed to participate in site preparation / review / inspections relative to road reconstruction and report to the Board.
Road Reconstruction – John Bell explained that costs will be increasing; materials alone will realize a 5% increase. However, he again offered to renew the same terms and conditions. He said he welcomes Christian Smith as engineering, knowledge, and observations in the aggregate are a good thing. He suggested a pre-construction meeting. Michael Motherway moved to extend the road reconstruction contract with Bell & Flynn, seconded by Richard Powers with all in favor.
Paul Murphy – Rose Petal Lane, permission to erect a sign similar to Hudson Heights and Kensington Place. Resident, Mike Schwotzer, presented a handout which highlighted the current zoning requirements, which appear to indicate that 12 sq. ft. is for a commercial sign. In order to consider it for residential, approval would be needed by the Zoning Board of Adjustment. The handout included; “Since the proposed sign does not ‘direct attention to a business, profession, etc.’, I submit that the proposal is actually for a Billboard which is prohibited in Kensington.”; and, “The two existing signs referred to in the application were done without knowledge or approval of any Town Board and should not be used as a precedent.” The Selectmen agreed to consult with Town Counsel and postpone making a decision until their next meeting.
Executive Session – RSA 91-A:3, II (e) – Lawsuits – Richard Powers moved to go into Executive Session at 9:15 pm for lawsuits, seconded by Michael Motherway with Johnstone, Powers and Motherway voting in favor. Attorney Doug Mansfield of Donahue, Tucker and Ciandella met with the Selectmen to discuss a suit recently filed. Michael Motherway moved to seal the minutes for a period of one year, seconded by Stefanie Johnstone with Johnstone, Powers and Motherway voting in favor. They reviewed the status of two current lawsuits. Richard Powers moved to end Executive Session and return to regular session at 10:05 pm, seconded by Michael Motherway with Johnstone, Powers and Motherway voting in favor.
Gleason property – 6 Lamprey Road – Donna Carter presented documents showing that the septic was upgraded in April of 1996 for four bedrooms, two for the home and two for the mobile, as well as other Board minutes. The Selectmen agreed that the documentation did not indicate a temporary situation, thus it was determined to be grandfathered and no action would be taken by the Board.
Hudson Heights – Easement deed – to be reviewed by Town Counsel.
OTHER BUSINESS:
Bond Documents – Stefanie Johnstone moved to authorize Richard Powers to continue to sign for the Board throughout the loan process, seconded by Michael Motherway with all in favor. Stefanie Johnstone moved to authorize the Issuer to enter into the Loan Agreement with and to sell its bond to the Bond Bank in accordance with the resolutions contained in the Certificate of Vote regarding Authorization of Bonds and Approval of Loan Agreement with the New Hampshire Municipal Bond Bank, seconded by Michael Motherway with all in favor.
Comcast franchise renewal negotiations – A conference call will be scheduled.
Fireworks Ordinance – Board agreed existing ordinance is fine as it requires a copy of the liability insurance and Class B license.
Local Government Center – renewal signing – postponed to next meeting.
Approval of April 21 and May 5, 2008 meeting minutes – Stefanie Johnstone explained that she wanted the letters added to the meeting of April 21. Following discussion, Richard Powers moved to accept the minutes of April 21, 2008 as written, seconded by Michael Motherway with Motherway and Powers voting in favor and Johnstone voting opposed. Richard Powers moved to accept the minutes of May 5, 2008 as written, seconded by Michael Motherway with all in favor.
Bills were approved and the Rockingham Planning Commission Circuit Rider contract was signed.
Stefanie Johnstone moved to adjourn at 10:55 pm, seconded by Michael Motherway with all in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
Denise Gregson
Administrative Assistant