TOWN OF KENSINGTON
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING MINUTES
March 23, 2009
Amended and approved April 6, 2009
In attendance: Michael Motherway, Richard Powers and Russell Perry. Called to order at 7:30 pm.
The Board agreed that Michael Motherway will be Chairman, Rich Powers the Planning Board liaison and Russell Perry will oversee the budget.
CITIZEN’S FORUM
Questions were asked about trees being cut and it was clarified that the town park will be closed until April 4th. Donna Carter requested a sign be put up that states it is closed.
DEPARTMENT HEADS:
Fire Department – Chief LeBlanc reported he’d received a letter from Christian Smith and is hopeful that the fire pond for Kensington Place can be remedied. The department has purchased a new 2009 Ford F350 through fund raising efforts with no cost to taxpayers. The Selectmen will need to sign for and register it. They would like to sell the current forestry truck and use the funds to furbish the new truck. Rich Powers moved to approve the purchase of the new truck and sale of the old truck, seconded by Russell Perry with all in favor. The department is also planning to replace a generator. Chief LeBlanc explained that per RSA 153:14, the school and commercial properties will need to be inspected twice a year. The Selectmen requested he write up a fee schedule for discussion at the next meeting.
Building Inspector – Bill Grant presented a letter he received requesting he check the stairs for code compliance at Revorno’s restaurant and said he would let the Selectmen know the results. With regard to a Rte. 107 property, Rich Powers moved to have an inspection done regarding compliance with commercial codes, seconded by Russell Perry with all in favor. Rich Powers moved to reappoint Bill Grant as Building Inspector with an expiration date of 4/10, seconded by Russell Perry with all in favor. Bill was also asked to check a trailer at Kensington Place to see if people were living there.
Road Manager – Dave Buxton reported he’d spoken with the resident on Hickory Lane regarding trash pickup. Mr. Dingman owns the gate and Dave will speak with the property manager to see if the gate can possibly be moved. An alternative is to have the trash brought out to the intersection, but he will look at all the possibilities first. A driveway at 4 Rose Petal Lane has risen due to the frost and is not compliant with the negative 2% pitch. He will re-inspect once the frost is gone. Road patching will be starting and he requested the Selectmen plan to discuss road reconstruction at the next meeting as the cost is cheapest if they can start in April. He will also look at the drainage on Moulton Ridge Road. Road Manager procedures will be reviewed and adopted.
Police Department – Chief Wayne Sheehan presented another training reimbursement check. With regard to budget items, he explained that he would be attending a meeting tomorrow regarding the stimulus package, he’s spoken with the Attorney General’s office regarding the current officer’s grant and they may be able to increase it $5,000 this year and $10,000 next year, he’s received a letter from the state and could save up to $3500 on fuel, a savings of $1500 was realized by waiting to hire the full time officer, and he can wait six months for the academy training and possibly ask for an extension that would delay it until next year. He assured the Board that he was keeping a tight handle on the department’s budget. Recently he participated in a fund raising hockey game with the Manchester Monarchs. He is on the steering committee and they were successful in raising $105k with another $5k expected; the second highest fund raiser. The funds go to the Dartmouth Hitchcock Children’s Hospital.
Recreation Department – Mary Jane Solomon presented a booklet put together by Kathy Cook containing protocols and guidelines for summer camp. This will be reviewed by town counsel. She explained that a woman from the Local Government Center will be doing inspections. Rich Powers moved to reappoint Kathy Cook to the rec committee for a three year term, seconded by Michael Motherway with all in favor.
New Business:
Frying Pan Lane – Stan Buxton presented a complete set of the RSAs and explained that per 231:43 II, the abutters were to have been notified 14 days in advance and recommended the Selectmen go through the registry and notify the abutters if this goes to warrant again. As a class VI road, per 229:5 VIII, permission needs to be obtained to trim trees or excavate and he reported trees have been cut, pot holes have been filled and work done within the past year or so; thus people are doing work without town approval. Regarding the trash, most of it is cleared up but per David Buxton items still remain. 41:11 reads Selectmen request gates and bars be established. 231-A:1 reads Selectmen can approve as a class A trail. Janet Buxton stated they just want it closed to vehicular traffic due to the trash and emphasized that they did no want it abandoned. Paul Lipp on 19 Frying Pan Lane, Hampton Falls, explained that people have been stuck in the winter and he would assist them as well as pick up trash. He has observed landscapers dumping brush and agreed with keeping it as a trail but closed to vehicles. Skip Heal of Osgood Road suggested doing a traffic study since the warrant article was defeated by a vote of 3 to 1. Michael Motherway requested time for the Board to look more at the issue. He asked that people who want to drive through it to let the Selectmen know.
Stan Buxton asked who would maintain the gates and bars. Skip Heal suggested a local resident might have boulders that could be used. David Buxton suggested granite posts with a chain. Michael Motherway requested that a proposal be presented at the next meeting as to what it would look like with gates and bars. Janet Buxton said she would pay to have boulders placed as a temporary measure. With regard to fire trucks, Mr. Lipp stated that it actually takes longer for fire trucks to go that route due to the roughness of the road. Rich Powers moved to temporarily put boulders up until they find a better design to prevent vehicular traffic, seconded by Russell Perry. Both voted in favor, with Michael Motherway voting opposed. A public notice will be placed notifying residents of hearing the matter at the next Selectmen’s meeting. If anyone wishes for future notifications by e-mail, please contact the Selectmen’s office.
Town Park – Bid results – Michael Motherway explained that a joint meeting was held with the Park Trustees last Wednesday and Down To Earth Landscaping was awarded a three year contract for maintenance and Nature’s Way a one year contract for turf care as the scope of work will change. Harold Bragg expressed concerns that tree cutting is not subject to the bid process and questioned the quality of work. He stated that there appears to be two sets of standards and requested due diligence. Rich Powers explained that there was a measure of urgency due to FEMA and at the time it was hard to get anyone. Michael Motherway added that the contractor who did the work was hired through the bid process and has been doing work for the town. Mike Del Sesto suggested changes in the process with more notification as part of the overall perception. The Selectmen agreed to consider all the recommendations and suggestions.
Michael Motherway read the park rules and asked to change multipurpose to skateboard. Russell Perry moved to change the word multipurpose to skateboard, seconded by Rich Powers with all in favor. He also asked the rec committee to speak with KYAA, explaining he has already discussed time frames.
David Buxton offered a chipper and suggested volunteers get together and chip the brush at the town park saving $4k. April 14th was suggested as a possible date.
Budget Discussion – Michael Motherway explained that they will scrutinize the budget this year to look for cost savings. Currently there are some problem areas such as recycling, retirement and health insurance. Therefore, Michael Motherway moved to reallocate $10k from 4550 to 4155, seconded by Rich Powers with all in favor.
OLD BUSINESS:
Recycling – Michael Motherway moved to set up the Hooksett account for recycling, seconded by Rich Powers with all in favor. With regard to KES recycling, they agreed to discuss with them ways to cut costs since the kitchen waste is expensive. Michael Motherway will follow up with this. Single stream recycling has been in the fore front recently.
Kensington Place – The Selectmen explained that they couldn’t comment regarding the case, but that there seems to be potentially positive motion forward. Michael Motherway said there may be more information within the next few weeks, but he assured all there was no lack of energy.
OTHER BUSINESS:
Grocery Store – There was no response from a certified letter sent recently. Rich Powers explained they are trying to avoid going to small claims court and asked that another letter be sent requesting the store owner come to the next meeting.
Executive Session – RSA 91-A:3, II(a) – Personnel – Michael Motherway moved to go into Executive Session at 9:20 pm, seconded by Rich Powers with Motherway, Powers and Perry voting in favor. The Selectmen approved a request from an employee for reduction in salary. Michael Motherway moved to end Executive Session at 9:30 pm, seconded by Rich Powers with Motherway, Powers and Perry voting in favor.
Intent to Excavate – Both Kuegel’s, M11, L7 and Wiggin’s M3, L17-2 were signed.
Next Meeting Date – April 6, 2009 was confirmed.
Any other business brought before the Board
Turf care – As part of the grant, they are requesting that three signs be put up as part of the educational process. The Selectmen agreed these would be temporary agricultural.
Michael Motherway moved to go in to Executive Session at 10:15 pm, RSA 91-A:3. II(e), Lawsuits, seconded by Rich Powers with Motherway, Powers and Perry voting in favor. A proposal relative to a legal suit was reviewed. Michael Motherway moved to sign the proposal, seconded by Rich Powers with Motherway, Powers and Perry voting in favor. Michael Motherway moved to end Executive Session at 10:30 pm, seconded by Rich Powers with Motherway, Powers and Perry voting in favor.
Approval of March 9 and amendment to Feb. 23, 2009 meeting minutes – Michael Motherway moved to approve the March 9 minutes as presented and the amendment to Feb. 23 minutes to include the Selectmen’s vote, seconded by Rich Powers with all in favor.
Michael Motherway moved to adjourn at 10:35 pm, seconded by Rich Powers with all in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
Denise Gregson
Administrative Assistant