TOWN OF KENSINGTON
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING MINUTES
Amended and approved 10/6/08
In attendance: Richard Powers, Stefanie Johnstone and Michael Motherway.
Meeting called to order at 7:35 pm.
CITIZEN’S FORUM –
Paul Kimball commented that he felt a well placed spotlight across the street would make it much safer. The Selectmen replied that they would ask the Police Department to check on this.
Stefanie Johnstone brought up the issue of the budget and said she has people interested in serving on a budget committee. Selectmen agreed to discuss this further at their next meeting and encourage anyone interested to let them know.
David Buxton said he wants to resign from looking into a sign for the town’s offices.
DEPARTMENT HEADS:
Road Manager – David Buxton – Selectmen agreed to a site walk on Saturday, Sept. 27th at 8:00 am to review Frying Pan Lane for proposed closure subject to gates and bars. If agreed, it will go to Warrant Article in March 2009. He reported that the road work is done on Trundle Bed Lane, small adjustments were made to Hilliard Road and Chris Batchelder did some brush cutting.
Town Clerk – Kathleen Felch reported that extra voting booths are needed and she is checking with the state. They currently have 12 plus 3 paper dividers, but need a total of 17 and will continue to look at options. They need an additional scanner for General Election. The cost is $83.00 but she does not have it in her budget for this year and asked if there might be money elsewhere. She explained they will be splitting the checklist and will be notifying residents through the web site and postings of the changes that will be occurring at the Nov. 4th election. This will hopefully reduce the wait time in half.
The new registrations update is going well. The state amended RSA 261:74-d to up the fees of motor vehicle registrations from $2.50 to $3.00, with 50 cents to go the Municipality. She said she doesn’t feel this is necessary as the added expense is to residents per registration.
Recreation Department – Mary Jane Solomon reported that they would be doing trail work and a boardwalk with the money budgeted for this. The plan is to start with the land from the ball fields and go toward Route 150.
NEW BUSINESS:
Kristen Krauss – She reported that it will be one year Oct. 13 since they held their first 5K. Thanks to everyone involved it was a huge success and they raised just under $20,000 for the Pedi-Neuro Fund of Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth and the I WILL Organization. She stated that due to the incredible generosity of the town they were able to keep operating expenses to just under $1,500.00! Details for the Saturday, September 19, 2009 race include: Hosting the event at the new Sawyer Park; face painting, balloon animals, and children’s music; a kid’s fun run with prizes; and she is looking into having the AMTA sports massage team provide post race sports massage to participants.
The run/walk route will be as follows (open for suggestion)
Follow Trundle Bed lane to Rte 150 to Moulton Ridge Rd; turning right onto Hilliard Rd; turning right onto Brewer; turning right onto Rte 150; and turning right onto Trundle Bed Lane back to the park. This will take us over 3.2 miles (standard 5K, so we can market it as a “4 miler” or a “5 miler”). She highlighted benefits to the town which include drawing many more people to the town who will be able to see the incredible town park which will encourage them to utilize its great facility for their future family reunions, softball events, etc. This event will also give a sense of community. For our 2007 event we had the children of the Kensington Elementary School create our START and FINISH banners. We even had many members of the town volunteering their time. We were so incredibly humbled by the generosity of donations from the use of the Kensington Elementary School, Kensington Police Association, the Auxiliary, and the Fire Department that we will not feel right asking for another donation of no charges. This time they will be asking for fees to cover the costs for the use of the park, ambulance and detail officer.
Concerned Citizens Organization – To present a comprehensive policy for a chemical free Town Park, Felicia Motherway and Kristy Blundell. Kristy explained that their intent is to establish an Integrated Pest Management policy to maintain a chemical free town park. They are asking the Board of Health, which is the Selectmen and Dr. Singer, to adopt and implement a policy that prohibits the use of harmful chemicals on any turf in the Town Park. They would also like to develop a chemical free town park advisory committee that acts in an advisory capacity to develop and oversee a written turf management program consistent with this policy. This policy would not include the mosquito surveillance and response plan. Discussion and suggestions included writing a Warrant Article, and establishing a temporary policy.
Michael Del Sesto explained that they are trying organic management on the Sawyer field side. He added that the current products are all approved for use. A sub-committee could look at organic materials and costs. They are trying to compare traditional methods and costs with organic materials and costs. It was agreed to let people know when traditional materials are being used through signs and the town park’s website. Michael Del Sesto replied that no pesticides are being used and there is only one more traditional fertilizer scheduled for this season. Julie Hall shared that she didn’t use pesticides but her children became quite ill as a result. Other residents who had participated in the discussion acknowledged that their responses were based on thinking they were discussing the mosquito issue. Felicia Motherway reiterated that the wanted to work on developing an interim broad policy aimed at using the least toxic chemicals. It was agreed to continue discussion at the next meeting.
Diane Chigas – John and Diane Chigas, of Stumpfield Road, explained that they believe a neighbor is dumping commercial waste material, such as grass, from a dump truck onto wetlands, appears to be running a business without approval and is draining runoff on to their property. They presented photographs and plans showing wetland areas. A letter will be sent asking the resident to meet with the Selectmen to discuss.
OLD BUSINESS:
Road Reconstruction – Trundle Bed Lane and Hilliard Road changes open discussion – residents encouraged to participate. A new pole was erected at the intersection of Trundle Bed Lane and Rte. 150. The Road Manager and Selectmen tried to stop the installation, but were unsuccessful, thus Verizon will be willing to remove it if need be at no cost to the town. Lynne Monroe provided responses to her e-mails regarding the issues. For Trundle Bed Lane there was no consensus with suggestions to work on a design incorporating both aesthetics and safety. For Hilliard Road the consensus was to put it back the way it was. With regard to traffic issues the consensus was to have an expert review.
Michael Motherway suggested that for any future changes the design should be laid out ahead of time for both communication and process. David Buxton suggested that if the road reconstruction warrant article passes in March, they go to the Planning Board with the scope of work. He will find out how long the permit process will take. Following discussion regarding Trundle Bed Lane, Michael Motherway moved to pull out the new pole, put the intersection back the way it was and go to the right of the pole pending approval of the state engineer, seconded by Richard Powers with all in favor.
The Hilliard Road berms are an issue. Chris Batchelder will remove the brush by the stop sign, the berms will be seeded and warning signs will be erected. Michael Motherway commented that he sees two issues; 1) a change in the design of the road and 2) aesthetics. Possibly ask the Planning Board to review the issues.
Town Park – The
Trustees of the Park seek approval to install a skate park near the trail
entrance at Sawyer Park. Location of the skate park has been a problem, but
the best spot appears to be near the trail entrance across from the entrance to
Sawyer field. This location allows access for installation and convenience.
If approved, they will pave now but install the equipment in the spring.
Michael Motherway moved to approve the installation of the skate board park,
seconded by Richard Powers with all in favor. Michael Motherway moved to put
down the paint for the crosswalks, seconded by Richard Powers with all in
favor. By October 1, Bruce Cilley said he will have a completed copy spreadsheet
of the town park records for the town. A website is being set up, but in the
interim he Michael Motherway will e-mail the minutes to me. A Trustee
is needed as the current trustee whose term will be expiring does not wish to
renew. It was discussed whether or not a KYAA member could be a trustee
without it being a conflict of interest. They will try to have someone
appointed at the October 6th meeting.
Mosquito update – Numerous melanura mosquitoes were found in a trap by the town hall, which is the species that carried the WNV detected before. Municipal pest management recommended re-spraying of the same areas due to the increase and the fact that the heavy rains would have reduced the effectiveness of the previous spraying. There was a lengthy discussion with residents in attendance regarding the pros and cons of roadside spraying. Besides the cost, it’s been found to be more effective to determine the specific breeding areas and treat that area.
OTHER BUSINESS:
Paul Kimball – Permission to remove tree, brush, and roots along Kimball Road- granted
Library – Request to have Town Counsel review draft personnel policy- granted
Appointments – Clarification about status before being sworn in- per Town Counsel current appointment form is adequate.
Credit Card Use Policy – Stefanie Johnstone reported she had investigated and no personal items will be charged.
Assessing Office Position – Selectmen will set up interviews for viable candidates as soon as possible.
Boiler replacement – Discussion regarding recommendations - tabled
Fuel bids – Continue with current vendor, Flynn Oil. Rate lock-ins not currently feasible.
Availability – Any evening this week and Monday or Tuesday of next week.
Any other business brought before the Board
Chief Sheehan’s grant paperwork was signed.
Fairpoint certificates of exemption were signed – from paying communications service tax and federal excise tax.
Approval of Sept. 8 & 14, 2008 meeting minutes – tabled.
Bills were approved.
Michael Motherway moved to adjourn at 11:45 pm, seconded by Richard Powers with all in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
Denise Gregson
Administrative Assistant