TOWN OF KENSINGTON
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING MINUTES
April 5, 2010
Approved April 19, 2010
In attendance: Richard Powers, Russell Perry and Stefanie Johnstone. Called to order at 7:30 pm.
Executive Session – RSA 91-A:3, II (e)-litigation – Richard Powers moved to go into Executive Session at 7:30 pm with Town Counsels, Charles Tucker and John McGowan, seconded by Stefanie Johnstone with Powers, Johnstone and Perry voting in favor. Town Counsel provided a review and status of four current legal cases. Richard Powers moved to end Executive Session and return to regular session at 7:44 pm, seconded by Stefanie Johnstone with Powers, Johnstone and Perry voting in favor.
DEPARTMENT HEADS:
Police Department – Chief Wayne Sheehan reported that David Buxton will handle getting detour signs and Officer Scott Sanders graduates from the Academy on Friday. He extended an invitation to attend to the Board.
Officer Scott Cain provided a presentation demonstrating what they’ve done with the 2009 Recovery Grant Funds. The upgrades to the cruiser laptops now allow the officers immediate access to information on motor vehicle history and any outstanding warrants. The laptops connect remotely to Rockingham Dispatch and the State Police allowing them all to see the same information, thus providing an enhanced measure of protection. They can also now communicate with other officers on duty. The Selectmen thanked them for the presentation.
Road Manager – David Buxton reported they’d finished fixing the drainage on Moulton Ridge Road and signs for Kensington Place have been ordered. He walked through the trails at the park and thought they looked good. He has taken pictures of the erosion at the park. With regard to Hudson Heights, he talked with Christian Smith regarding the finish work and feels it should work well, although he questioned whether some of the plantings planned would work. The owner is thinking of terracing or retaining walls. He will set up a meeting with Christian and let the Board know the date and time. Richard Powers suggested he have Christian Smith work with the developer to present an idea of what would work best.
Richard Powers asked about North Road as there are some rough spots. David Buxton explained that there was an overlay two years ago. Rich added that he thought there were lots of issues, but remedies that could save the roads. Dave offered to get an estimate to discuss at the next meeting.
Town Clerk – Jessica Dostie presented the annual dog license report. A total of $2.50 per dog ($2 – animal population control and $.50 dog license fee) by law is sent to the State Department of Agriculture, Markets & Food. The deadline is April 15th, but she doesn’t have an exact figure just yet. She estimates it will be around $1100. The Board agreed to sign approval now with Jessica filling in the final figure.
Tax Collector – Carlene Wiggin explained that she has made the phone calls and will need a decision from the Board by next Monday. Richard Powers moved to go into Executive Session RSA 91-A:3, II(c) at 8:10 pm, seconded by Russell Perry with Powers, Perry and Johnstone voting in favor. Following brief discussion, Stefanie Johnstone moved to have the tax collector, Carlene Wiggin, check with the mortgage company or try to make an agreement with the owner to pay something, seconded by Richard Powers with Powers, Perry and Johnstone voting in favor. Stefanie Johnstone moved to end Executive Session and return to regular session at 8:15 pm, seconded by Russell Perry with Powers, Perry and Johnstone voting in favor.
Assessing Office – Kathleen Felch presented five abatements previously reviewed by Avitar, the town’s assessing company, for consideration:
1) Matshakaylan - Avitar recommended approval since errors were found resulting in reduction. Richard Powers moved to accept the assessor’s recommendation on the abatement, seconded by Stefanie Johnstone with all in favor.
2) Rand - Avitar recommended denial as the property appeared to be fairly and equitably assessed. The owners stated their barn was being assessed on two units, but it is only one unit. Stefanie Johnstone moved for Avitar to reassess the barn, seconded by Russell Perry with all in favor.
3) Perkins – Avitar recommended denial as the property appeared to be fairly and equitably assessed. Kathy explained that the current ratio is about 117% vs. 100% which results in a higher assessment but it is equally assessed throughout town. Mr. Perkins said he felt there were errors in the assessment. Stefanie Johnstone moved to have Avitar go back to the property, seconded by Richard Powers with all in favor.
4) Sawyer - Avitar recommended approval since there were changes to the driveway access and location. Richard Powers moved to accept the recommendation of Avitar, seconded by Russell Perry with all in favor.
5) Bunnell - Avitar recommended denial as the property had already been reduced due to the gravel pit. Russell Perry asked to find out how much Avitar had reduced it in 2008. Kathy will check. No motion made or vote taken.
Kathy presented six veterans exemptions explaining that all fell within the guidelines. Stefanie Johnstone moved to approve the six veterans’ tax exemptions as presented, seconded by Richard Powers with all in favor.
Kathy asked for written approval from the Board regarding the ComStar ambulance billing agreement for the Fire Department before sending out confidential banking account information. The Selectmen agreed.
NEW BUSINESS:
Bruce Cilley – Revise park application & follow up re: flags – David Buxton asked about trash cans as he said there was a significant amount of trash all over the park. Bruce agreed to provide the cans and Dave offered to empty them at no charge.
1) Flags – Richard Powers provided him with the forms required by Unitil. The Board authorized him to fill them out on behalf of the town. When completed, the Board will review.
2) Park Application – Bruce explained that they would like to amend their previously approved Special Event application for Thursday, June 10, 2010 to incorporate the entire day as well as facilities and close the park to the public. He would be willing to provide the signs or whatever would be needed and pay the additional fees. He also requested to put up a tent for shade or rain on the multipurpose field. Following discussion, the Board approved the additional changes which will now include all the facilities, except the adult softball field across the street, with hours from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm. Bruce will check with the Police Department and Fire Department to ensure that the changes will not affect their prior approvals.
Chigas – John Chigas presented a copy of the Board of Selectmen minutes of August 28, 2000 regarding his neighbor’s driveway: “Mr. Coelho related that he had spoken with the owner of the Stumpfield Road property with four driveways. The stone wall on the farthest driveway will be restored and the shrub will be removed to combine two of the other driveway into one.” Stefanie Johnstone moved to send a letter to Mr. Fournier to close the driveway in accordance with the August 28, 2000 minutes, seconded by Richard Powers with all in favor.
Dan Mello – Seacoast Tree – Mr. Mello explained that as he’s done for surrounding towns, he would like to donate some smaller trees to the town and a larger tree to the park. He had originally thought about Arbor Day, but with the activities scheduled for Earth Day, April 22nd, at the park he thought that might work better. He would like to do a public announcement if possible. The Board thanked him for his generous donation and agreed to support his efforts. Dan will contact some of the residents to see what might work best.
Emergency Protocol – Policy review – The Selectmen agreed that this would be good to have for the future. Denise will send a letter requesting Road Manager, Dave Buxton, Fire Chief Charles LeBlanc, and Police Chief Wayne Sheehan develop an emergency protocol plan and bring to the Board.
Re-adopt Mosquito and Tick Policies – Stefanie Johnstone reported she had spoken with Mike Morrison of Municipal Pest Mgmt and he agreed to attend the next Selectmen’s meeting to discuss both with them. All agreed to postpone the matter to the next meeting on April 19th.
Reappointments - Dick Parker and Elliot Fixler to ZBA – Stefanie Johnstone moved to reappoint Dick Parker as a member of the Zoning Board of Adjustment with an expiration date of April 2013 and to reappoint Elliot Fixler as an alternate member of the Zoning Board of Adjustment with an expiration date of April 2013, seconded by Russell Perry with all in favor.
Appointment – Deputy Town Clerk – Dawn Frost – Stefanie Johnstone moved to appoint Dawn Frost as Deputy Town Clerk for a one year probationary period, seconded by Russell Perry with all in favor.
Permit – American Lung Assoc. road race, May 2, 2010 – Approved and signed.
OLD BUSINESS:
Town Park – JGB request & grant funded workshop 8/11/10 – The letter from Jim Boyd, the town’s electrical inspector, was reviewed relative to monitoring electric usage at the park. The Board agreed to hold off at this time. When they get the data back they might need his assistance then.
As part of the IPM Grant, Adopt an Organic Field Program, a workshop request was submitted by Michael Motherway for the educational part of the grant. The Board unanimously approved the permit.
Town Hall – Richard Powers reported the remodeling is nearly complete and still under budget. A bill for payment to date has been submitted with $6,246 remaining for the generator work. It was agreed to review remaining work needed and request it to be finished before approving payment.
Denise added that the air exchange unit does not appear to be working. Set points are at 78 degrees and no air is moving. A call will be made. Richard Powers requested a letter be sent and they be asked to attend the next meeting.
OTHER BUSINESS:
Kingston Emergency Shelter – A letter has been received regarding a cost sharing request. Mark Pride, Chief Sheehan, and Chief Charles LeBlanc will be contacted to find out if there are any contractual arrangements.
2010 Irrigation Contract – Hillside Landscaping, Inc. – Russell Perry reported the town will pay the bill from park revenue. If there is a short fall at the end of the year, the Trustees will assist with payment.
Library appropriation – Signed.
Next Meeting Date – April 19, 2010
March 22, 2010 Board minutes – Following input from Andy White, the Board agreed to amend the second item under Citizens’ Forum by eliminating the sentence relative to endorsing candidates and adding, “The Board will consider adopting a set communication policy;” Richard Powers moved to approve the minutes of March 22, 2010 as amended, seconded by Russell Perry with all in favor.
Bills were reviewed and approved.
Richard Powers moved to adjourn at 10:53 pm, seconded by Stefanie Johnstone with all in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
Denise Gregson
Administrative Assistant