TOWN OF KENSINGTON
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING MINUTES
November 2, 2009
Approved November 16, 2009
Executive Session to be held at 6:30 pm – RSA 91-A:3, II(e) – Board met for consultation with town counsel. No votes made.
In attendance: Michael Motherway, Richard Powers and Russell Perry. Called to order at 7:45 pm.
DEPARTMENT HEADS:
Road Manager – Dave reported that shoulders are complete. If it doesn’t rain, sand and salt will be procured this week. Patching is done. The Selectmen explained that the town will be plowing Kensington Place as was done last year, with separate invoices.
Police Department – Chief Wayne Sheehan – increase detail rate. Chief Sheehan highlighted that the percentage has increased due to the state passing on their portion. He suggested increasing the admin portion by $2 to cover the increase. He will present the numbers at the next meeting. With regard to special details he suggested they discuss what roads should be covered and stressed that communication is important to resolve any issues due to the relevance of safety. David Buxton will check with Hampton, Kingston and Seabrook to determine their protocol. David Buxton said the UNH uses a police officer. Russell Perry added that they need to determine when and where a detail is needed.
Chief Sheehan presented a diagram of what might work for office space upstairs in the town hall. He has submitted his budget proposal and is available to discuss any questions they might have.
Recreation Department – Kay Cardoni reminded all that the Candlelight Stroll will be Sunday, December 6th. They will need to gather a group to help with the delivery of the skateboard equipment.
NEW BUSINESS:
Planning Board appointment – Michael Motherway read a letter from the Planning Board Chairman, Mike Schwotzer, recommending Kate Mignone, a professional engineer, be appointed as an alternate. Michael Motherway moved to appoint Kate Mignone as a Planning Board alternate with an expiration date of 4/12, seconded by Rich Powers with all in favor.
OLD BUSINESS:
Frying Pan Lane – Skip Heal of Osgood Road said he feels the signs have decreased traffic and he hasn’t noticed any trash, so he recommended continuing. David Buxton explained that the signs weren’t posted in Kensington since the town ordinance’s fines are considerably lower. He has noted that there is still trash and said work on the lane is being done illegally. Skip Heal replied that the Selectmen had given permission to fill the pot holes. Stan Buxton read from RSA 289:3 regarding cemeteries and explained that there are two and no work is to be done within 25 feet. He requested two driveway permits to these burial grounds, which will be handled by the Planning Board. Following discussion, Russell Perry moved to erect gates and bars on Frying Pan Lane, seconded by Rich Powers. Michael Motherway abstained from voting and Russell Perry and Rich Powers voted no. Michael Motherway asked that if anyone is doing any work on a class 6 road that they read the rules and get permission. Skip Heal said he would come back in the spring and get permission from the Road Manager and will not do any further work without permission.
Employee Handbook – Postponed
Town Park – Kay Cardoni, a Recreation Committee member, introduced her daughter to the Board. Anna Cardoni, a junior at Exeter High School, presented a power point presentation of volunteering. She has been organizing her friends to do some volunteering for community service and would like to get more Kensington residents involved which would reduce costs for the town. She highlighted projects already done such as spreading compost, helping at the craft festival and the library book sale, etc. Projects they would like to do include creating a reading group for KES, planting more bulbs, and going green by having KES students decorate recycling bins. All presented applauded her and her friends for their efforts on behalf of the town.
Michael Motherway reported soccer is finished and they are winding down the season. He spoke of the adopt a field program and highlighted the efforts to date, which include vendors donating products for a field, application for a grant, soil testing and compost with enough landscape providers to spread it. He spoke of Chip Osborne of the NE Organic Farm Assoc. who is willing to donate expertise and Javier who has worked tirelessly to get the project going. Some of the problems include heavy clay soils, poor drainage and compaction. Last year $13k spent for product; this year it is projected not to cost anything. Russell Perry said he was concerned with multiple vendors and how to manage them as well as the rest of the park. Mike DelSesto said that at the last Trustee meeting they had discussed establishing structure, procedures, protocol and understanding for what had worked last year and what didn’t. It was agreed to meet again with the Trustees before making any decisions.
Donna Carter requested reappointment as Trustee. Two other residents had expressed an interest as well. Following discussion regarding possible conflicts of interest, Rich Powers moved to reappoint Donna Carter as a Trustee, seconded by Russell Perry with Power and Perry voting in favor and Motherway abstaining.
Town Hall – Mike explained that WH Demmons will begin work this week. The Selectmen have solicited bids for reconstruction of down stairs, but have received none. Since time is of the essence, they will ask two residents if they would consider being general contractors for this. A letter to the DRA Commissioner will be prepared.
OTHER BUSINESS:
Next Meeting Date – November 16, 2009
Approval of October 19, 2009 meeting minutes – Michael Motherway moved to approve the minutes of October 5, 2009, seconded by Russell Perry with all in favor.
Executive Session – RSA 91-A:3, II(c) Michael Motherway moved to go in to Executive Session as Welfare Officers at 11:00 pm, seconded by Rich Powers with Motherway, Powers and Perry voting in favor. Two applications for assistance were reviewed with no decisions made as more information is needed. Michael Motherway moved to close Executive Session and return to regular session at 11:33 pm, seconded by Richard Powers with Motherway, Powers and Perry voting in favor.
Bills were approved.
Russell Perry moved to adjourn at 11:35 pm, seconded by Rich Powers with all in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
Denise Gregson
Administrative Assistant