TOWN OF KENSINGTON
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING MINUTES
March 9, 2009
Approved March 23, 2009
In attendance: Stefanie Johnstone, Michael Motherway and Richard Powers. Called to order at 7:30 pm.
CITIZEN’S FORUM
Janet Buxton, 195 Amesbury Road, spoke about the warrant article for Frying Pan Lane. She provided the history explaining that it was never a road but a deeded right of way to the Healy property before the Buxton’s acquired it. She emphasized that David had not brought the issue forward to benefit the Buxton’s in any way, but to address the issue of it having become a dumping ground. The Selectmen agreed that they don’t appreciate the negative comments they’ve been hearing as it’s on the warrant and voters can choose. Janet said they are only interested in stopping motorized vehicles from dumping any more trash and it would remain open for foot traffic. They only ask that people respect the land. David added that in the pink flyer circulating, the RSA is only partly correct. Bars must be installed and maintained or liability can result.
DEPARTMENT HEADS:
Fire Department – Rich Powers moved to accept the application for Steven Arthur to be sworn as fire warden for 2009 with a three year term, seconded by Michael Motherway with all in favor.
Road Manager – Dave Buxton said he’d purchased a digital camera with the necessary accessories for a total of $156. He addressed the difficulties the trash trucks are having on certain roads. On Hickory Lane they can only go forward and back and it’s difficult to plow. Recycling is brought to the intersection but not the rubbish. He asked the Selectmen to establish that if the trucks can’t turn around, both rubbish and recycling need to be taken to the intersection. New Boston Road is also a problem. The Selectmen agreed to send a letter to the resident(s) on Hickory Lane and request they attend their next meeting for discussion.
Dave emphasized that anything outside of regular work will be brought before the Selectmen for review of proposals for scope and cost of work, discussion and approval. This will be discussed again at the next meeting. Dave asked that if the Board makes changes, such as eliminating the fuel surcharges, that they do so while he is at the table. The Selectmen agreed. Michael Motherway explained that the intent is not to micro-manage but to watch budgets closely. David Buxton suggested they put the middle $20/hr of Police Detail into the budget shortfall.
Recreation Department – Mary Jane Solomon said she is working with a woman, Kerry Mucher, from Concord relative to camp. She makes recommendations on creating and organizing written documents outlining job descriptions, protocol, procedures and the like.
Mary Jane also presented a paper for signing from NH the Beautiful/Litter-Free-NH – the options are 2 trees or 800 bulbs. David Buxton provided a name of someone that he thought might be interested in serving on the Rec. Mary Jane explained that Philips Exeter is having an Earth Day and Carl Rezendes asked about doing service for the town. The proposal would be to devote a few hours spreading compost with Felicia Motherway and someone would provide historical, informational lectures. The school would transport and the teachers would supervisor. The Selectmen agreed that this sounded like a good idea and she will have Carl Rezendes contact them with more information.
New Business:
Reappointments – Reappoint Planning Board members – Bob Solomon and Theresa Wojcukiewicz – Stefanie Johnstone moved to reappoint Bob Solomon to the Planning Board with and expiration date of 4/12 and Theresa Wojcukiewicz to the Planning Board with an expiration date of 4/12, seconded by Michael Motherway with all in favor.
Kensington Place – Lot 29, Donna Carter said that she had received a fax that the town was not interested in the proposal and if it didn’t close tomorrow that would be the end of it. Stefanie Johnstone said they had met with Town Counsel and he will fax something tomorrow.
OLD BUSINESS:
Town Park – Application request – Michael Motherway moved to approve the Legends Baseball, LLC application, seconded by Stefanie Johnstone with all in favor.
Kensington Grocery – Stefanie Johnstone moved to send another letter from the town requesting payment of $500 for trash stickers, seconded by Richard Powers with all in favor.
Recycling – Michael Motherway said he’d received various suggestions regarding the current issue including placing 2 stickers on a bag. The Selectmen emphasized to Chris Batchelder that it’s very important to only pick up bags with stickers that comply with the 32 gallon rule (each 32 gal container (bag, barrel, box, etc.) needs one sticker, thus a full 64 gal container would need 2 stickers) or requested he leave them, as tonnage has increased but sticker revenue has decreased, thus the rules need to be enforced. Chris said another new factor adding to the tonnage is the 6 yard school dumpster which is very heavy due to cafeteria use. The Selectmen agreed to look at ways to deal with this. Michael Motherway said he’d called the state and the original information was incorrect as Kensington has averaged about 20% for recycling. This needs to increase however as much as possible, but at least another 4% to 5% would be helpful. They estimate a $10k shortfall as a result of the newly imposed recycling charges. Suggestions for now included using 2 stickers per 32 gal. bag or raising the sticker cost to $2.00. Consensus was that raising the cost would most likely be easier for residents since finding time to get more stickers is often more difficult. Michael Motherway moved to change the sticker cost to $2.00 effective March 9, 2009, seconded by Richard Powers with all in favor. A town wide mailing was suggested, but the Board agreed this expense would negate the small gain, but recommended a posting on the website. Michael Motherway explained the estimated revenue by eliminating the 52 free stickers would be approximately $41,000 per year. The Board hopes the residents will support a Warrant Article for this next year as the original intent was to have the program self sustaining.
Kensington Place – Residents in attendance asked if the Selectmen had any updates. Stefanie Johnstone replied that they had no concrete information but were in negotiations with the Attorneys, however, the court date for the motion for contempt is scheduled for March 20th, and a law suit has been filed against the bond company. A resident commented that there was concrete on the town lot.
Fuel bids – Three bids were reviewed and Michael Motherway moved to accept the bid by Victory Fuel, seconded by Richard Powers. In order to utilize the lower bid, however, the bill needs to be paid within 15 days, thus Michael Motherway moved to allow the payment for this vendor as needed, seconded by Richard Powers with all in favor.
Richard Welsh addressed the Board questioning why two more officers were being hired. The Selectmen explained that they were replacements for two officers that left. The Advisory Budget Committee members had met with the Chief, reviewed his proposed budget for 2009 and approved it. The Executive minutes should have clarified that the new officers were hired to fill vacant positions.
OTHER BUSINESS:
Next Meeting Date – March 23, 2009
TRM – Stefanie Johnstone reported she hasn’t received anything yet. This item will be added back to the agenda when the information arrives.
Any other business brought before the Board
Michael Motherway explained that a bake sale was scheduled to be held at the Grange Hall as a fund raiser and it’s been requested that they waive the fee as the group holding the sale will do the clean up work. The Board unanimously agreed.
Bills for detail work done for Seacoast Tree were presented. Denise will ask if these were included in the original proposal.
Stefanie Johnstone said she asked Town Counsel about employment contracts and was told that if it's employment at will there is no contract. Andy White supported this information. Selectmen will look into it further.
Tax Collector, Carlene Wiggin, presented a tax deeding and requested authorization to attend an upcoming conference at a cost of $50.00. Selectmen granted approval.
Bills were approved.
Approval of Feb. 2, and 23, 2009 meeting minutes – Michael Motherway moved to accept the minutes of February 2 and the minutes of February 23 as amended, seconded by Richard Powers with all in favor.
As this was Stefanie Johnstone’s last meeting, she was thanked by all for her dedication, guidance, and hard work on behalf of the town for the last six years!
Michael Motherway moved to adjourn at 9:40 pm, seconded by Richard Powers with all in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
Denise Gregson
Administrative Assistant