TOWN OF KENSINGTON
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING MINUTES
Amended and approved September 8, 2008
In attendance: Richard Powers, Stefanie Johnstone and Michael Motherway.
Meeting called to order at 7:35 pm.
CITIZEN’S FORUM – Lee Wolnick and Jodi Lefebvre from Kensington Place discussed numerous issues relative to the unfinished subdivision. The Selectmen explained that they are actively working with Town Counsel to remedy these issues with the developer, including active participation by the Fire Chief, but until the subdivision is done the roads cannot go for acceptance at Town Meeting. Board members acknowledge their own frustration with the situation. The home owners said they may consider pursuing the matter as well.
DEPARTMENT HEADS:
Building Inspector – Bill Grant presented two building permits; KES, 122 Amesbury Road for reroofing; and Rosencrantz, 181 South Road to replace a mobile home. Michael Motherway moved to accept the two building permits as presented, seconded by Richard Powers with all in favor. Mr. Grant reported that he has not observed any work being done on the Hoosac Road property issued a Cease and Desist.
Road Manager – David Buxton reported that Trundle Bed Lane was closed today as they are working on drainage this week. He added that he will put a note on the Fire Department door if the road is closed again. The plan is to begin grinding next week, depending on the weather. Michael Motherway asked about the possible installation of speed tables/bumps, etc. Mr. Buxton suggested possible alternatives including signs with flashing lights such as children at play, crosswalk ahead. He suggested they run the electric conduit now. In the future they could add more lighting such as a blinking light. He offered to investigate further.
Hudson Heights – He reported that following a satisfactory site walk with Christian Smith, the remaining Cease and Desist was lifted as Rome construction did the repairs needed.
Mr. Buxton also reported that a driveway on Highland Road recently paved was found to have a positive pitch rather than the negative 2% pitch as required. This will need to be corrected as it will force water to flow onto the road which could freeze and become a hazard to motorists. This will be investigated and followed up.
Recreation Department – Mary Jane Solomon explained that camp was over and that all went very well. They were pleased with the director, Shelley Ellis, and plan to have her return next year. Selectmen suggested other items to consider next year include possibly having a counselor clean the bathrooms during camp sessions or charge extra money to have this done, and use signs to let people know that camp is in session adding any particular information such as restricted areas or other pertinent details. With regard to new hires, to avoid any confusion Michael Motherway moved that before an individual is hired, the Recreation Camp personnel will need to check with either the Selectmen, Administrative Assistant, or Payroll person regarding any changes in the law, seconded by Richard Powers with all in favor.
OLD BUSINESS:
Mosquito update – Mike Morrison reviewed findings to date. He explained that the spring was dry which was helpful and although it’s been rainy for the last 7 weeks or so, it seems that the rains are washing away stagnant water which is where mosquitoes breed. He showed a mosquito mapping plan for Sandown and said they’ll be preparing one for Kensington. Michael Motherway asked if it would be worth increasing monitoring for the school and the town park. Mr. Morrison felt that wouldn’t be a problem and will get back regarding what the additional cost will be. Richard Powers asked about using fish and Mr. Morrison suggested he check with Fish and Game regarding that possibility. Michael Motherway moved to authorize Municipal Pest Control to add two more monitoring traps; one at the school and one at the town park, seconded by Richard Powers with all in favor. Mr. Morrison showed a flag arrangement used for ticks. When waved over an area suspected of having ticks, they will cling to the material. He added that ticks are usually most problematic the first 30 feet or so in heavier vegetated areas. Lyme disease is significant and the best way to prevent it is to use clothing and repellents as recommended. In addition everyone should check every day to ensure that one has not latched on. Stefanie Johnstone said they had received a letter via e-mail relative to this from Julie Hall who asked that it be included in the minutes. Stefanie Johnstone moved to include Julie Hall’s letter in the minutes, seconded by Richard Powers with two for and one opposed. Michael Motherway said that he objected because he disagrees that letters should be included in the minutes
July 16, 2008
Dear Selectmen and Recreation Department,
I read with interest the minutes from your recent meeting, noting that the tick and mosquito monitoring has come back negative in Kensington and all of New Hampshire.
I am sorry, but that is laughable.
I have three children who have Lyme disease, and I had it myself two years ago. My first son, Tucker, was diagnosed with Lyme in 2004 and went on to develop chronic symptoms this past fall; so severe that he has numerous surgeries, missed more than five months of school, had to use a wheelchair, and had neurological impact. My second son, Cole, was diagnosed in April. And my third son, Haeden was diagnosed earlier this month.
If monitoring indicates that there are no infected ticks in Kensington, I think they should monitor a lot more closely. Look at the CDC maps for infectious disease and you will see that Rockingham County is black; indicating the prevalence of Lyme Disease in our region.
I have tried to attend a few selectmen's meetings to make my strong feelings about tick and mosquito abatement known. However, my kids have been quite ill, which took up much of my time, and the few times I was able to come, I had to leave because the meeting went on so long.
Attending the fabulous Sawyer Park Celebration the other night, however, reinvigorated my concerns. What a great evening. Prior to arriving at the event, I sprayed myself and my son thoroughly, a ritual now before we leave the house. Mid-way through the celebration, I sprayed again, as the bugs were so bad. By the end of the night, we left the park swatting away mosquitoes. I still found a tick on my son that night.
The park is new construction. The land there has been disrupted; pushed back into the woods. The habitat for ticks and mosquitoes has been disrupted and they are more prevalent. Kids are roaming through the paths, and woods, as kids should. But they are roaming right into tick and mosquito country. With serious EEE complications right here in our town last year, and in nearby Newfields, I would urge our town to be proactive in keeping this community space safer for those who use it. Please consider taking proactive steps to keep our community spaces safe.
Lyme Disease is the fastest growing vector-borne infectious disease in our country. New Hampshire is a hub for this epidemic. Many, many cases go undiagnosed and the people carrying the disease go on to become quite sick. I know. My son could barely put together sentences this winter; that from a straight A student. Baseball? Forget it. He could barely crawl up the stairs. We spent $5,000 a month on the medication that was necessary to make his symptoms abate. I would not wish this on anyone.
We have had a horse die right down the road from us of EEE. We know of numerous other cases of Lyme Disease reported in residents of this community. I would like to urge you to consider doing everything you can to keep the people who enjoy the park -- particularly the little kids playing on the grassy fields, and the older kids roaming through the beautiful trails -- safe.
I would like to see the town spray the perimeter of the park, where the forest and grasslands meet. I use a company called BioSpray, from Greenland. This needs to be done a few times during spring and summer, in conjunction with feeding habits of ticks. According to studies, this will create a barrier that ticks will not crossover. It will not, however, take care of the ticks in the woods. SO, I would also like to request that the town spray back PAST the perimeter and into the woods, and that the trails be properly maintained so people can walk in the middle of the trail without brushing up against the greenery where ticks typically lurk.
I would also encourage building/buying bat houses to put around the perimeter of the park to encourage bats to come and feed. decreasing the mosquito population. I encourage much of the same protocol be used at our elementary school prior to the beginning of school. After all, these are our most precious citizens.
Lyme Disease and EEE often have lifetime effects. Without a vaccine or agreement on diagnosis and treatment, the most important thing we can do is focus on prevention.
Trust me; I do not take this request lightly. I am a mother who never sprayed her yard or used pesticides on the lawn, and always used organic bug sprays. Look where it got me. I will spray my yard. I will spray my kids. And I will do whatever I can do to protect anyone else from the devastating effects of Lyme we have witnessed in our own family this year.
Thank you, and I look forward to your response.
Julie Hall
Road Reconstruction – Trundle Bed Lane- discussed under Road Manager.
Hudson Heights – discussion and update – discussed under Road Manager
NEW BUSINESS:
Executive Session-Comcast franchise renewal negotiations – Discussion with Town Counsel – postponed.
Town Park – The Recreation Committee form for park use was reviewed. It still needs information regarding the costs of the lights, a better placement for the seal to improve readability, and a list of the rules attached or incorporated. Numerous applications for scheduled use of the park were reviewed and approved. Michael Motherway moved to authorize Stefanie Johnstone to sign on behalf of the Board, seconded by Richard Powers with all in favor. Michael Motherway discussed the possibility of creating a calendar for the web site so that various departments and personnel could add requests and approvals and review availability.
OTHER BUSINESS:
September 9, 2008 State Primary Voting – Warrant signed.
Audit responses - MD&A – Selectmen reviewed and approved the final response which will be e-mailed to the auditors.
Investment Policy – review in accordance with RSA 41:29 – Following review, Michael Motherway moved to approve and adopt the 2005 investment policy as written for fiscal year 2008, seconded by Richard Powers with all in favor.
Updating Employee Handbooks – Discussion regarding recommendations – a draft will be prepared for the next meeting.
Boiler replacement – Discussion regarding recommendations – Richard Powers will contact a resident for a second opinion.
MS-1 Extension Request – Signed at the request of Avitar Associates.
Any other business brought before the Board
Granite State Minerals - Michael Motherway moved to accept the quote of $59.23 per ton, seconded by Richard Powers with all in favor.
Sign complaint – Selectmen received a complaint regarding unpermitted signs remaining on a residential property. The complaint will be followed up with a letter.
Approval of July 8 and 21, 2008 meeting minutes – Richard Powers moved to accept the minutes of July 8 and 21, 2008 as read, seconded by Michael Motherway with all in favor.
Bills were approved.
Michael Motherway moved to adjourn at 10:10 pm, seconded by Richard Powers with all in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
Denise Gregson
Administrative Assistant