TOWN OF KENSINGTON
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING MINUTES
June 22, 2009
Approved July 6, 2009
In attendance: Michael Motherway, Richard Powers and Russell Perry. Called to order at 7:31 pm.
DEPARTMENT HEADS:
Fire Department –Chief Charles LeBlanc was not in attendance but relayed information that the transmission on the #1 tank truck has to be replaced. Cost estimate is around $1k.
Building Inspector – Bill Grant presented 3 permits: 1) Brockelbank, 49 Muddy Pond Road for a farmer’s porch; 2) Solomon, 8 Hilliard Road for a dormer; and 3) Fabrizio, 8 Hoosac Road for an in-ground pool (due to setback requirements, they will only cement three sides of the pool, thus complying with the setback requirements). Michael Motherway moved to accept the three permits as presented, seconded by Russell Perry with all in favor.
Road Manager – David Buxton said he’d spoken with the engineering firm, Gillespie, and they will be sending a proposal for dealing with the soils and moisture on Moulton Ridge Road. He will have Chris Batchelder replace the stones.
With regard to road reconstruction, the plans are to crack seal Cottage, Stumpfield and Muddy Pond Roads at a cost of $8,375; pave North Road for $4,998 and Drinkwater Road for $3,381; reconstruct Drinkwater Road (part or all?) for $51,150; 1” overlay on Cottage $61,500 and Muddy Pond $62,500; and gravel shoulders, $10,000. The total would be $201,904 and he requested he be allowed to take the $1904 overage from his maintenance budget. Dave clarified with Steve Smith that he would be doing a proposal with the scope of work and cost estimate for Moulton Ridge Road at the next meeting. Richard Powers moved to accept Mr. Buxton’s road reconstruction proposal, seconded by Russell Perry with all in favor.
Dave also requested a scenic road public hearing be set up for the next meeting on July 6, 2009 for removal of a tree on Trundle Bed Lane by the skate board park.
NEW BUSINESS:
Hampton Falls Selectmen – Frying Pan Lane – Selectman Richard McDermott addressed the Board requesting to do signs instead of gates at both ends. Proposed signs would include no thru way and no dumping, etc.. Chairman Mike Farinola joined the discussion. Their goal is to have the road open for emergency vehicles. Hampton Falls resident, Chester Johnson, explained that the road has always been open and the local residents, including him, pick up the trash. He is seeking donations for gravel. Stan Buxton gave approval for them to pick up the trash. David Buxton stated that something has to be done with the flow of water from Hampton Falls to Drinkwater Road before gravel is put down. Russell Perry said he doesn’t feel the gates, as previously agreed upon, would be a problem. They could easily be opened for emergency vehicles. Richard Powers suggested they try the signs for a given time to see if it’s effective and then reassess. Michael Motherway moved to go with the signs to October 1, 2009; if not effective then go ahead with the gates, seconded by Richard Powers with Motherway and Powers voting in favor and Russell Perry voting opposed.
Town Park – Permit applications (Castrillo 6/28, Baker 8/21&22, Felts 8/8, KIC 7/16)
Michael Motherway addressed some of the frustrations experienced lately and reviewed the following part of the Park agreement:
5. The Town will permit the Foundation to enter into contracts for improvements to the Town Land in accordance with the Plans and the Budget, and provided that:
(a) all changes and improvements to the Park Plans and the Park Budget prior to completion of the Park must be approved in advance by the Town Board of Selectmen or its designee and by the Foundation or its designee;
(b) all payments to contractors for payments for said changes and improvements must be approved in advance by the Town Board of Selectmen or its designee prior to disbursal being made by the Foundation; and
(c) once the facilities and improvements to the Park have been completed, any further capital improvements to the Park including, without limitation, improvements to the design, layout or facilities, shall require the prior approval of not less than Eighty Percent (80%) of the Trustees of the Trust.
8. The Trust will, according to its governing documents, have as a purpose the monitoring of the use and maintenance of the Park and recreational facilities, and will make periodic recommendations to the Town as it sees fit in that regard. The governing documents will be reviewed and approved in advance of their submission by the Town Board of Selectmen.
Mike Motherway explained that the Trustees have a function and do a lot of work and how the town deals with the Park could be better defined. The cost a few years ago when the agreements were signed was estimated to be about $16k. This was split so the Lewis Foundation’s contribution was $8k. However the first full year is now estimated to be $61k. The Recreation Revolver account was set up to accept and expend funds only for rec purposes. Any revenue received can only be spent for Rec and Park activities. It does not go into the general fund. Mike added that he has spoken with the Department of Revenue Administration, the Local Government Center, Town Counsel and the Deputy Treasurer and the town as well as the Trust can do fund raisers for the Park with proceeds deposited to the Rec account. His understanding is that at the beginning of the year, the Trust’s account was $100k, but now is down to $46k. The concern is that there will be insufficient funds by the end of the year. He proposed that all streams of funding coming into the Park go into the Rec. Revolver account, which as Richard Powers explained allows for a clearer record of the costs and expenses. Mike said he has been asked how much the town can contribute toward maintenance costs and having both the revenue and expenses in this account will help to answer that question and assist the town in taking a greater role in financially managing the Park. This year the mowing, fertilizing and turf care is $61k and the initial $16k is not enough for the final scope of the park. Mowing alone is 2 1/2 times the original estimate and there isn’t enough revenue through fees to pay it. They need to look at ways to increase revenue. Julie Hall commented that Mr. Lewis expected the town to take over the maintenance, but the role of the Trustees, Recreation Committee, etc. is confusing. David Buxton added that there is more detailed maintenance involved versus other parks. Michael Motherway suggested looking to Recreation Committee people or sports people to host tournaments as a way to raise funds or holding a 50/50 raffle.
Russell Perry asked what needs to be changed and Michael Motherway explained that the revenue from the sale of banners, $5k to $10k annually, or any other revenue from park activities should go into the Rec. Revolving account.
Michael Del Sesto explained that the role of the Trust is to help the town together to raise funds. The large maintenance fee of $61k is in part due to going organic which is more expensive. The original estimate was based on traditional mowing. Michael Motherway added that they are trying to make people more aware and encourage more community participation through volunteering, fund raising activities, etc. Julie Hall asked what the cost analysis was and Michael Motherway explained that it was an additional $8k to $9k to go organic. She said she was disappointed that the budget wasn’t established and followed. Michael Motherway replied that some approvals were not received from the Selectmen. Expenses currently are greater than the revenue from the park can maintain. Michael Motherway requested keys and receipts of all activities of the park to date under the right-to-know law.
OLD BUSINESS:
Kensington Place – Michael Motherway explained they had held a non-public session with Town Counsel. The residents said they’d heard there was a letter regarding the dirt on lot #20 and expressed frustration regarding the lack of information. The Board replied that there is little information they can share at this time, but that a little progress is being made. The Board suggested the Kensington Place residents consult with their attorney for more information. Michael Motherway said he would check with counsel regarding what if anything they can share with them.
Remo – Rose Petal Lane culvert issue – culverts are generally considered to be the responsibility of the property owner. David Buxton has requested a quote for the cost, and due to the unusual situation, Selectmen agreed to have the Road Manager repair it.
Tick and mosquito control – tick policy, Julie Hall – speakers for the July 15th education forum were reviewed and will include:
· Dr. Alan Eaton, UNH UNH Cooperative Extension Entomologist, will speak about the incidence of Lyme Disease in New Hampshire and Rockingham County, effectiveness of Integrated Pest Management and effectiveness of synthetic pest control options.
· Chuck Lubelczyk: Maine Medical Center Vector Borne Disease Laboratory, Lyme Disease Research, field biologist, who will speak about the role of deer density and the habitats in which ticks live.
· Ted St. Amand: Owner of Atlantic Pest Control, who will speak about synthetic and organic pest management options
· Mike Morrison: Owner of Municipal Pest Control, who will speak about the Integrated Pest Management plan he provides Kensington and the communities for which he provides preventative spraying (among them Kittery, Rye, Portsmouth, Hampton).
· Dick Wendall: Facilities for SAU 16 who will speak about protection plans at KES and area schools.
· George Gavutis, Wildlife Biologist and resident.
· A toxicologist or CDC knowledgeable person.
Juli Noyes read a petition, signed by 97 people, (many signatures were not legible and neither printed names nor addresses were included – 37 did list addresses but names for many were not legible) “…We would like the Kensington Board of Selectmen to spray for ticks and mosquitoes at our town park, school and town hall IMMEDIATELY, and to adopt a policy in the future that includes preventative spaying for ticks and mosquitoes.” There was a lot of heated discussion, both for and against this with no definitive answers or resolves. The Board agreed to take it under advisement.
A draft tick policy was proposed for possible adoption of an interim plan. A threshold needs to be determined as well as the number of drags, such as one or more than one. Michael Motherway will check on the number recommended by Mike Morrison. Russell Perry said he felt the draft policy needs more specific language and detail and requested more time for review. All agreed that if there are high counts in the next few weeks, a policy in place would be helpful.
Permits for Castrillo 6/28, Felts 8/8, and KIC 7/16 were approved. Michael Motherway will contact Mr. Baker 8/21&22 for discussion and clarification. Richard Powers moved to authorize Michael Motherway to discuss and resolve fees with him, seconded by Russell Perry with all in favor.
OTHER BUSINESS:
Grange Hall permit – revision discussion and one approval - signed
Gravel Tax Warrant - signed
Next Meeting Date – July 6, 2009
June 8, 2009 meeting minutes & July 9, 2009 Executive minutes – postponed.
Bills signed.
Michael Motherway moved to adjourn at 12:05 am, seconded by Rich Powers with all in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
Denise Gregson
Administrative Assistant