TOWN OF KENSINGTON
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING MINUTES
August 9, 2010
Approved August 30, 2010 -edited by Russell Perry
In attendance: Richard Powers, Russell Perry and Stefanie Johnstone. Called to order at 7:28 pm.
CITIZEN’S FORUM – Urgent matters only –
Paul Steeves spoke of the recent death of Army Ranger, Sargent Andrew Nicol, in Afghanistan and requested permission to add his name to the town’s memorial under the operation known as Enduring Freedom. Richard Powers moved to approve the request, seconded by Russell Perry with all in favor. Richard Powers led a moment of silence in Sargent Nicol’s honor.
DEPARTMENT HEADS:
Building Inspector – Bill Grant presented three permits: 1) Flanagan, 2 French’s Lane for an in-ground pool; 2) Neunaber, 118 South Road for plumbing work for the bakery; and 3) Merrill, 275 N. Haverhill Road for solar collection panels. Russell Perry moved to approve all permits as presented, seconded by Stefanie Johnstone with all in favor.
Road Manager – David Buxton reported more patching has been done particularly on Moulton Ridge Road. The trees on Highland Road have been cut and removed. With regard to Kensington Place, Richard Powers moved to accept Sandbox Excavating’s bid and start as soon as possible pending Attorney approval regarding paying for it from warrant article money, seconded by Stefanie Johnstone with all in favor. All agreed to hold off on the cross over.
Russell Perry explained that he received correspondence from a resident on Oak Ridge regarding the condition of the road. Dave agreed that it needs reconstructing, but said Moulton Ridge is worse. Due to low traffic volume, these are lower on the list; Drinkwater Road, however, is high on the list. Michael Del Sesto asked about the sinkhole on Wild Pasture. Dave said they will be taking care of it soon. He added that they will be able to store hot top in the highway shed for the patch machine.
Police Department – Chief Wayne Sheehan presented the $30k grant reimbursement, which was signed by the Board. The list of roads established November 16, 2009 was reviewed. The hierarchy of detail is the Police Department first, and then the Fire Department if an officer isn’t available. If the road is outside the list a flagger can be used. Closed roads will follow the same protocol, but with a change in the rate of pay per hour; $25.50 for a police officer and $25 for Fire Department personnel. Chief Sheehan explained that when a cruiser is out on town business, he doesn’t charge for the cruiser or the admin fee. Detail invoices will go to David Buxton for approval and submission. The Board will discuss again next month.
Assessing Office – Kathleen Felch presented three abatements:
· Perreault – approved – Russell Perry moved to accept the assessment change as recommended by Avitar, seconded by Richard Powers with all in favor.
· Schofield – denied – Russell Perry moved to accept Avitar’s recommendation, seconded by Stefanie Johnstone with all in favor.
· Losapio – denied - Russell Perry moved to accept Avitar’s recommendation, seconded by Stefanie Johnstone with all in favor.
Recreation Department – Stefanie Johnstone reported that the meetings are going well. At their next scheduled meeting they will vote on officers and by September the organizational structure should be all set.
NEW BUSINESS:
Mosquito Control – Stefanie Johnstone explained that she has been in touch with Mike Morrison of Municipal Pest Management. This is their busy season. Triple E has been in the news south of Boston as they have had more rain. Spraying is taking place tonight for mosquitoes at the town hall, and park, but not the school, which includes the library. (After note: Spraying was postponed due to the weather; planned now for Thurs, Aug. 12th) That will be done the 2nd or 3rd week of August. While there has been nothing positive to date, the education of the public is important. She will place a brochure at the store and on the park gate. Julie Hall said she is planning to provide education through the school regarding ticks and will combine with mosquito information. Stefanie said she has asked Municipal Pest Management for a three day notice before spraying.
Primex – Workers’ comp renewal – tabled
Concord Regional Co-op – Proposal review – Russell Perry will look into it further.
OLD BUSINESS:
Town Hall – Generator-Richard Powers will discuss with Steve Wilson as the installation must be done to code, which may cost more. Donna Carter, supervisor of the checklist explained that she needs a cable connection at the front of the town hall for voting day.
Town Park – The generator shut down this past year due to lack of propane. It needs to be kept full and is currently at 60%. The current vendor will be contacted to see if the price can be locked in.
A permit for Lefebvre was presented and approved for use of the pavilion on August 15, 2010 from 5:30 to 6:30 pm. Dave Macek presented a proposal for a softball benefit tournament for Jeffrey Kuznian with a request to waive the fees. The Board concurred that the consensus is to be consistent – if out of town, fees are charged. Since Dave is sponsoring the tournament, Russell Perry moved to waive the fees, seconded by Stefanie Johnstone with all in favor.
Russell Perry requested the following be included under Town Park: Russell Perry highlighted recent discussions and decisions of the Trust stating the following: The Trust compared turf care costs from 2009 to 2010. 2009 costs were 29 thousand. Estimated costs for 2010 are over 25 thousand not including any costs for donated product and labor which have not been made available to the Town or Trust despite repeated requests. Additionally out of pocket real dollar costs have been over 11 thousand to date with another estimated 9 thousand yet to be spent (based on needs previously communicated). The current adopt a field program has not shown any significant savings under current management. The Trust voted to recommend the Town move to a single source vendor, Purely Organics, to establish a much needed budget, use a proven successful vendor and provide ease in management and ability to gain feedback and better communication. This vendor, doing well with field A, will take on the rest of the fields for the remainder of the year for $5k. Russell Perry stated that there has been a blank check to cover program shortages that had to end. Money spent by the Trust on turf care shortages was money that couldn’t be spent on other necessities such as building damage and other needed improvements to the Park, which ultimately costs the residents.
Russell moved to go with one vendor and accept Purley Organics proposal for turfcare for the remainder of 2010, seconded by Stefanie Johnstone with both in favor and Powers abstaining. Russell noted that this would not be abandoning the adopt-a-field program since Purley Organic would still be donating services for Field A as well as donating all the recommended seed (a $3,000 cost saved by the town). Purely Organic also agreed to apply any previously donated product. Hillside also agreed to donate the application of the seed.
Russell Perry moved to go with one vendor for next year, seconded by Stefanie Johnstone with both in favor and Powers abstaining. Proposals will be solicited by the Trust and reviewed by the Town at a later date. Russell added that this would allow for the Trust and Town to establish a budget, lock down costs for next year, avoid all the issues encountered last year in waiting so long to decide on a program and allow us to lock in the services of a proven vendor that works. Russell noted that one of the companies, Safe Lawns is now bankrupt and the field using those products and services from that franchise is failing and we would not want them back. Purely Organic never intended to donate product and services a second year so the ability to solicit vendors for next year, even if it did work this year, was unlikely.
Russell Perry noted that since we are agreed on 1 vendor which will make it easier to manage and provide a much needed line of communication, and we have Chip Osborne still contracted, that he didn’t think we need Mike Motherway for the rest of the year.
Additionally:
1. Mike refused to communicate with the Board even after repeated requests and even though we stipulated this would be required when we allowed him to keep turf care after quitting as park coordinator.
2. He wasn't able to control costs of turf care costing over 11 thousand so far and what is estimated to be as much as 20 thousand by the end of the year. He originally stated this would be little to no cost, then changed to 5k, then to 10k.
3. He was unable to provide a documented program and ultimately recommended the trust contract Chip to do it at a cost of 3k.
4. Has refused to provide any documentation of what has been done or estimated costs of product and services donated for budgeting. Chip Osborne had to be paid to do this, although it has not been provided yet.
5. The final decision, agreed by all parties prior to the start of the season, was to combine both organic adopt-a-field program proposals and to accept donations from all sources. User experience and perception of the park needed to be a focus, the program was not just about our method of turf care. Budget concerns and costs for short and long term needed to be a focus too. These agreed upon priorities were not addressed by Mike.
Russell Perry moved to end Mike Motherway's appointment as turf care coordinator, seconded by Stefanie Johnstone with both in favor and Powers abstaining.
Mike Delsesto added that the Trust recommended that Bruce Cilley be the coordinator for turf care and maintenance. Russell Perry noted that Bruce was already doing a lot of Park coordination and moved that Bruce Cilley be appointed as coordinator for turf care along with his other responsibilities for the remainder of 2010 and all of 2011 with an expiration date of 12/31/11, seconded by Stefanie Johnstone with all in favor.
OTHER BUSINESS:
Executive Session – RSA 91A:3, II(a) – Personnel & (e) Legal matter-Richard Powers moved to go into non-public session at 9:37 pm with Powers, Perry and Johnstone voting in favor. Two personnel and one legal matter were discussed. No votes taken or motions made. Stefanie Johnstone moved to end non-public session and return to regular session at 10:00 pm, seconded by Richard Powers with Powers, Perry and Johnstone voting in favor.
Next Meeting Date – August 23, 2010
Approval of July 26, 2010 Board minutes – Stefanie Johnstone requested that in the first paragraph under Road Manager, her name be replaced with David Buxton’s and the sentence, “Stefanie Johnstone said she’d discuss with Chief Sheehan” be added. Russell Perry requested the name “Adopt a Garden Program” be changed to read “Adopt a Visibility Site”. Russell Perry moved to accept the minutes of July 26, 2010 with amendments, seconded by Stefanie Johnstone with all in favor.
Bills were reviewed and approved.
Richard Powers moved to adjourn at 10:20 pm, seconded by Stefanie Johnstone with all in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
Denise Gregson
Administrative Assistant