TOWN OF KENSINGTON
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING MINUTES
August 3, 2009
Approved August 17, 2009
In attendance: Michael Motherway and Richard Powers. Called to order at 7:35 pm.
CITIZEN’S FORUM – Richard Welsh reported that he’s had to clean out the culvert on Osgood Road every morning due to beavers. Written permission will be obtained and the Police Department will take care of the matter.
Andy White asked if a policy were in place regarding media spokespeople on behalf of the town. Michael Motherway replied that they are working on a personnel policy and hope to finalize it soon.
Michael RigordaEva, 34 Wild Pasture Road, reiterated that his neighbor paved into the swale thus dirt is being dumped on his lawn. The Selectmen agreed to look at the issue and discuss at the next meeting.
DEPARTMENT HEADS:
Building Inspector – Bill Grant presented one permit for McDonough, 27 Highland Road for a 12x12 shed. Michael Motherway moved to approve the permit as presented, seconded by Rich Powers with both in favor.
Road Manager – David Buxton reported Mike Rislove of Rome Construction met with Dave Storey at Hudson Heights and will be going in and doing one final tweaking and they are in agreement with what needs to be done. Mike also worked out a proposal for the drainage work along the side of the town hall. The estimate is $3950.00. He will try to find the outlet drainage pipes at the town hall and try to determine if they are blocked
Work has begun on Drinkwater Road, excavation and re-gravel of shoulders. There is about 12 inches of gravel under Drinkwater, when it is ground and turn it into gravel it will enhance it to 13 or 14 inches. Once the shoulders are done, he said he anticipates that Bell & Flynn will shim Drinkwater Road, the end of North Road, overlay the other two roads, and prep for Hilliard and Moulton Ridge.
At 72 Wild Pasture Rd lightning hit a tree, traveled through the ground, up a telephone pole to the house and blew several things in the house. He’s heard that Unitil went over there, an outrigger went down and hit a rock pushing it through the culvert. Dave believes it is approximately 8 feet from the culvert to where the damage spot is; thus they don’t need to go under the road. He’s talked with Chris Batchelder about getting a 10 foot piece of culvert and excavating it back and putting a new piece on.
There will be a disruption for traffic on Trundle Bed on Wednesday while they take the tree down.
NEW BUSINESS:
Unitil – Requesting permission to remove 2 Stumpfield Road hazardous trees. Patrick Aquilina explained that the trees are in front of the St. Jean’s property with one of them dead and the other seriously jeopardizing the high tension wires. The St. Jean’s have given consent to have them removed. The Selectmen discussed the best way to determine whether or not they represent a sufficient hazard and Rich Powers moved to approve the request pending Michael Motherway’s assessment, seconded by Michael Motherway with both in favor.
OLD BUSINESS:
Frying Pan Lane – request to extend deadline to January 1, due to delay in obtaining signs. Following discussion with the Road Manager and others and the fact that the ground may be frozen by then, Rich Powers moved to grant them a 30 day extension to November 1, 2009, seconded by Michael Motherway with both in favor.
Tick and mosquito control – tick and mosquito control policies – Russell Perry was not able to attend tonight. Michael Motherway explained that Mr. Perry has been working on editing a draft. Andy White discussed forming a committee to work on it and volunteered to participate. Rich Powers moved to make Andy White the facilitator for the committee, seconded by Michael Motherway with both in favor.
Town Hall – Michael Motherway outlined the problems and referenced the report from RFP, a state approved vendor. Rich Powers moved to put the RFP report on the website so residents can read it through and review the recommendations, seconded by Michael Motherway with both in favor. Remediation efforts will begin soon and Mike has met with an architect for possible uses of available space. They are hoping the remediation will be done by mid August.
Town Park – Mike outlined the upcoming requests for field use which includes Legends on Saturdays Sept. thru Oct., and fund raisers for KYAA and East Kingston in Aug. He’s also mapping out a usage schedule for next year.
He explained he’s looking into an “Adopt a Field” program for organic turf care in exchange for advertising. He said he’s talked about getting a proposal for soil testing and working with providers. On the 25th and 26th of August, he’s hoping to have volunteers help with spreading compost. The cost of the compost is estimated to be $1500 to $2000 and if they are able to sell some banners, the funds will go toward this. The goal is to correct the compaction so roots can grow deeper and drainage can be improved. Rich Powers moved to support the field efforts and financing maintenance through volunteers, possible grants from the USDA or other sources, proceeding with the compost spreading pending finances, seconded by Michael Motherway both in favor.
Mike reported the concessions stand is doing okay; use will determine the hours of operation. David Buxton suggested making up a sign for Sawyer Park to place at the 150/Trundle Bed intersection. Rich Powers moved to have David Buxton make and place a sign for Sawyer Park, seconded by Michael Motherway with both in favor.
Mike also has a request to use the park multipurpose field for soccer. They did the painting of lines for soccer in exchange for a reduced rate, but Rich Powers suggested they increase it 10% due to the costs of maintaining the park.
Kensington Place – The current plan is to have dirt removed and a swale installed for additional runoff to the pond.
OTHER BUSINESS:
Next Meeting Date – August 17, 2009
Approval of July 20, 2009 meeting minutes- Rich Powers moved to approve the minutes seconded by Michael Motherway with both in favor.
Bills signed and the Rockingham Planning Commission Circuit Rider renewal was approved.
Rich Powers moved to adjourn at 10:00 pm, seconded by Michael Motherway with both in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
Denise Gregson
Administrative Assistant