HANCOCK SELECTBOARD MINUTES

AUGUST 30, 2010

 

PRESENT: John Jordan-Chair, Roberta LaPlante, Carolyn Boland-Selectboard
Barbara Caverly-Town Administrator/Recording Secretary

OTHERS: Kurt Grassett-DPW Director; Andrew Wood-Police Chief

Jordan called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.

MAIN STREET REPORT: Grassett reported B.U.R. is continuing to work on the cobble islands, correcting the ones that need it. He gave some of the history behind the need for some correction, i.e. size of cobbles and height. Tuesday, Aug. 31, they will be working on the curbing in front of the flower beds at Fiddleheads’. This work will be paid for by Meridian. Chip seal may be done next week. Everything has been set up to do the chip seal under proper conditions.

Shoulders: There is a question whether the state will accept those that have a 25-30% drop-off. Grassett will contact NHDOT and ask them to check on them and make a determination. Tires can be caught on them and the pavement will start breaking away.

Tree plantings: There has been a request to substitute some of the trees and shrubs originally planned for. Grassett is in touch with Alison Kerwin, who decided on the original trees and will, ultimately, make the decision on any substitutions.

Inn: The sprinkler system at the Inn is tentatively set to be done on September 7th.

Hydroseed: The hydroseeding was done Friday, August 27th. Kurt will be looking into a way to water those areas. He will be asking those living along Main Street if they would be willing to help with the watering in front of their homes once he starts.

Parking: Kurt would like to see a meeting of him, the Common Commissioners, the Selectboard and the Police Chief to discuss parking issues. There are places people tend to park that are not parking areas. The police will be asked to help monitor those areas more closely. LaPlante suggested Chief Wood contact the Preschool and alert them to the fact they cannot park where they have in the past. Grassett will speak with Wood and try to determine what might work the best. One thought is temporary No Parking signs placed along the strips with the most violations.

HIGHWAY REPORT: Grassett gave an overview of the regular highway work being done. Shimming will be taking place on Windy Row and Vatcher Road this week. He would like to put out a Request for Proposals (RFP) for scraping of the Post Office in 2011. The painting can be done by the town, using a rental lift for the high areas.

DES inspected the #2 fuel oil tank. Needs:

• To have access to sensors inside

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AUGUST 30, 2010
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• To install a drop tube
• To test lines because they are not double lined; therefore, need pressure test every three years

The estimated cost to bring these areas into compliance is approximately $1,500. Grassett will obtain pricing and then determine whether he will need to ask for an extension or whether he will be able to do it all this year.

Crosswalk: The town has a permit from the State DOT for a crosswalk down by the Post Office. Grassett asked if the Board wants to tell the state the town no longer has any use for the crosswalk. The Selectboard agreed to let the permit go.

LaPlante stated people have told her they are happy with the way Main Street is coming together.

Grassett stated he is concerned for the cost if it takes too much longer to complete. Some of the concerns that have arisen during the course of the project were noted, i.e. original height of catch basins (have since been corrected).

LIAISON REPORTS:
Planning Board: Boland reported a letter was received from the Waterburys expressing concern that the proposed cell tower will be visible from their property and will impact the value of it.

Budget and Property: Jordan reported on the School Board Budget and Property Committee meeting. They received the initial financial report for the elementary schools. They also discussed the bus contract and the meals program.

Hazard Mitigation meeting: The department heads from Fire, Highway, Police, Emergency Management, Selectboard Chair and Town Administrator met with SWRPC to start updating the Hazard Mitigation Plan for the town.

SAC: Jordan reported article #2 was tabled; there was no presentation on Article #8. Jordan did report on the elementary schools meeting as well as the SAU’s presentation on the Teachers’ Contract and the Fact Finders report. The negotiating problem is the salary schedule and the steps – some of them being over 10%. The fact finder wants lower, balanced steps. It could cost upwards of $6,000,000 over the next five years. The Selectboard stated they support the teachers but feel they need a reasonable percentage increase.

POLICE REPORT: Chief Wood said he wants to fill the second part time officer position. The department has had an intern riding with them for the past six to eight

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AUGUST 30, 2010
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months. He is a senior at Franklin Pierce University majoring in criminal justice. He is interested in going into law enforcement at this time. Wood would like to start a
background check on him now. The part time academy that he would need to attend starts in late December or early January. In the meantime, he would continue riding with the regular officers.

COMMON: Jordan noted there are issues occurring on the Common due to parking. These were discussed with Grassett earlier in the evening. Chief Wood will continue to monitor the area.

It was suggested there be a separate article in the next issue of the Hancock Happenings regarding those parking issues at the Common.

Chief Wood reported the new schedule is working well.
He is now working on a grant for a new radar unit. There is a 50/50 Highway Safety grant and a back to school grant. Grassett and Wood have discussed sharing the towns 50% cost.

MS-4: Caverly reviewed the MS-4, Revised Estimated Revenues form, with the Board making note of some accounts that should show lower anticipated revenues than predicted in March, while there are a few others that have increased. The Board agreed with lowering those accounts that need to be. The goal is to have a more accurate revenue base for the tax rate. The handling of the sale of cemetery lots will continue in the same manner as past years, as designated by the setup of the original article.

Boland moved to adjourn at 5:22 p.m.; seconded by LaPlante; unanimously approved.

Respectfully submitted,



Barbara Caverly
Recording Secretary

 

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