TOWN OF KENSINGTON

BOARD OF SELECTMEN

MEETING MINUTES

July 26, 2010

Amended and approved August 9, 2010

In attendance:  Russell Perry and Stefanie Johnstone.  Called to order at 7:30 pm.  Russell Perry chaired the meeting.

Virtual Town Hall – Web site demonstration - Bill Letsky, vice president, presented the information.  He explained that they design websites and work with the towns to set them up, provide training and overall support as well as hosting the website.  The company was established in 1998 and focuses on municipalities only.  Currently the company has over 300 municipal clients.  Some area towns include Hampstead, Lee, North Hampton, Seabrook and Stratham. 

      They are service centric with user friendly, feature rich content management systems.  There are four main areas of focus:  1) content development; 2) content management; 3) quality assurance; and 4) technology partner network.  Each area was detailed in the power point presentation.  The site will work with most web browsers and takes approximately twelve weeks to build.  There is a one time charge of $3,995 and an annual hosting support fee of $2,750.  The town can also choose to pay the one time charge over three years which would be a payment of $4,082 for the three years.  The Board thanked Mr. Letsky for the presentation.  No action was taken as this was only an informational session.

CITIZEN’S FORUM – Urgent matters only –

Stefanie Johnstone highlighted the success of the Kensington Festival and that the Recreation Committee had a good time and did a great job!  She sincerely thanked them for all their efforts.  Stefanie also plans to send a letter randomly to twenty or so residents soliciting comments, either good or bad, and bringing the comments to the meeting for further discussion/review.  Russell agreed with the idea. 

DEPARTMENT HEADS:

Building Inspector – Bill Grant presented two permits:  Gaw, 201 Drinkwater Road for a shed; and Thurlow, 27 North Road for repair and extension of a farmer’s porch.  Stefanie Johnstone moved to approve the two building permits as presented, seconded by Russell Perry with both in favor. 

Road Manager – David Buxton brought up the issue of flaggers, which can be hired for $22/hr, vs. PD special detail at $45/hr.  He stressed that the costs add up and then the amount of road work that can be done has to be shortened.  Russell Perry suggested the Selectmen meet with him and Chief Sheehan and discuss.  Dave reported that Seacoast Tree will start cutting trees shortly and the road will be closed.  David Buxton said he thought that if the road is closed, a flagger at $22/hr could be adequate.  Stefanie Johnstone said she’d discuss with Chief Sheehan.

      Dave presented quotes for drainage work on the east side of town hall:  Bell & Flynn equipment too large thus no bid; B&S Disposal no bid; and Sand Box Excavating $1,695.  No decisions made at this time.

      Dave also presented quotes for the Kensington Place fire pond swale and berm work:  Bell & Flynn, $15,637.50 and Sand Box Excavating $14,750.00.  For the option of installing an overflow drain across French’s Lane; Bell & Flynn, $4,784.00 and Sand Box Excavating $4,600.00.  Norman Giroux stated he didn’t know the money for the fire pond was coming out of the Warrant Article funds for Kensington Place.  Russell could not confirm. Follow is up needed. The Selectmen explained that the fire pond is an integral part of the subdivision’s completion even though town owned.  Norman asked for a report of what’s been spent from the WA and will stop by the office tomorrow morning.  No decisions made at this time.

      Dave explained that they are trying to patch the top part of Moulton Ridge Road, but the ground is rough – they’ll do the best they can.  He said he would check on the culvert.

Assessing Office – Kathleen Felch – resident in commercial zone – 279 South Road, signed.  Kathy presented abatements:  Steeves – Stefanie Johnstone moved to go with Avitar’s recommendation, seconded by Russell Perry with both in favor; Moyer – Stefanie Johnstone moved to go with Avitar’s recommendation, seconded by Russell Perry with both in favor; Tonry – Russell Perry moved to accept Avitar’s recommendation and start the process of waiving the interest, seconded by Stefanie Johnstone with both in favor.  Kathy explained that there are three more still in process.

NEW BUSINESS:

Adopt a Garden Program Visibility Site– Stefanie Johnstone presented a pamphlet which consisted of the forms and information that Exeter uses.  The volunteers would fill out the forms and areas throughout town could be planted.  Russell Perry reported that Harold Bragg had suggested numerous plants that would be suitable as size and care would be considerations.  Stefanie Johnstone said she will check further with Exeter.

Intent to Excavate – Welsh, North Road, supplemental – signed.

OLD BUSINESS:      

W.H. Demmons – Service contract – Selectmen agreed to go with it for one year and to pay the final bill.

Town Park – Russell Perry reported that the Trust met and they are going through the process of comparing costs this year with costs from last year. Assuming estimated costs for the rest of the year, the program costs are about the same, even with some donated product and labor. An outline and value of donated materials and labor has still not been provided despite numerous requests which makes it difficult to budget for current year costs and into future seasons. Russell discussed that money from the Trust spent to pay for turf care program shortages of the current program is money that cannot be used on other needed items at the park and ultimately costs the residents. Of the fields, field A is good, so they will look further into the differences.  Other fields are doing poorly. For next year, they plan to finalize a program earlier and do better budgeting with a more comprehensive maintenance schedule. A bill for the fence repair due to a tree falling on the fence during the windstorm will be submitted to be paid.  Unfortunately the bill is arriving too late to be included in the FEMA reimbursement program.

Approval of July 12, 2010 Board minutes – Russell Perry moved to accept the minutes of July 12, 2010, seconded by Stefanie Johnstone with both in favor.

Next Meeting Date – August 9, 2010

Bills were reviewed and approved. 

Russell Perry moved to adjourn at 9:40 pm, seconded by Stefanie Johnstone with all in favor.

Respectfully submitted,

Denise Gregson

Administrative Assistant