TOWN OF SUTTON
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
September 10, 2007 @ 2:30 p.m.
Pillsbury Memorial Hall, 93 Main Street, Sutton Mills
The regularly scheduled meeting was called to order at 4:21 by William Curless, Chair. Present at the meeting was: William Curless, Chair; Philip Buteau, Selectman; Robert Wright, Jr., Selectman; Patrick Tighe, Police Chief; Paul Parker, Road Agent; Betsy Forsham, Conservation Commission Chair; and Elly Phillips, Recording Secretary.
The minutes from August 27, 2007 were approved as written. The Board reviewed and approved the following manifests:
PAYROLL MANIFEST: $ 12,773.91
VENDOR MANIFEST: $ 39,987.50
PAYROLL MANIFEST: $ 17,350.55 (from 8/31/07)
VENDOR MANIFEST: $309,676.32 (from 8/31/07)
APPOINTMENTS:
The Highway Facility Meeting was conducted at 2:30 p.m. The minutes from the meeting were taken by Bob Wright and will be submitted under separate cover. The AA was instructed to explore 15 and 20 year bond issue payments.
At 4:21 p.m. the Board (unanimously) moved into nonpublic session under RSA 91-A:3, II(a) to discuss setting the compensation for a public employee. The Board adjourned from nonpublic session at 4:42 p.m.
Betsy Forsham met with the Board to execute a conservation easement under the auspices of the Ausbon Sargent Land Preservation Trust with respect to the Mildred Lefferts property and adjoining acreage known as the Enroth gift. Both properties had been generously gifted to the Commission. Ms. Forsham also personally invited the Board to attend a public education forum conducted by the Commission on the tax benefits of land conservation and protecting land.
At 5:00 p.m. Selectman Curless opened a Public Hearing pursuant to RSA 31:95-b to determine whether to accept funds from the federal government for FEMA 1695-DR-NH in the amount of $133,502.80. There being no comment from the public. The Board unanimously agreed to accept the funds to be administered by the highway department for the purpose of road upgrade with the administrative portion of the grant to go to the AA.
BUILDING PERMITS:
The Board approved a building permit for Gregory and Kathleen Gill, Map 06-385-202, Main Street, to replace barn foundation and perform repairs on the barn.
NEW BUSINESS:
1. The Board reviewed a letter from Roger Wells regarding tree damage Road that appeared to be the result of fall mowing on Keyser Street and Hominy Pot. The Board provided the Road Agent with a copy of the letter. The Road Agent assured the Board that he would take immediate corrective measures. The Board agreed to issue a letter to Mr. Wells thanking him for calling the matter to their attention.
2. The Board reviewed expenditures through August 2007.
3. The Board received recommendations from the assessors to deny a tax appeal from RCC Atlantic 08-369-498A (cell tower) for 2006 property taxes. In addition the assessors recommended denying an appeal for a change in use tax for Meadowview Farms. The Board unanimously agreed to accept the recommendations of the assessors. In addition, the Board discussed current and potential assessing costs in relation to the appeal and will review the matter with the Conservation Commission.
4. The Board received a resignation from the Zoning Board of Adjustment from Janet Haines. The reason for the resignation is that Ms. Haines is no longer a resident of Sutton. The Board instructed the AA to advertise for candidates to serve on the Zoning Board and Budget Committee.
OLD BUSINESS:
1. Chief Patrick Tighe met with the Board to review various matters. He discussed the Department’s plans to pursue a grant opportunity for a mobile traffic monitoring device. He noted that the Newbury Police Department had offered to allow Sutton to use their unit in order to test how the unit would be received in Sutton. In addition, he provided the Board with input on the Town’s newly revised personnel policy as to how it pertained to the Police Department. Chief Tighe briefly reviewed the job descriptions for police officers. Selectman Wright asked the chief what the requirements were for part-time officers. The
chief explained that their responsibilities were the same as for full-time officers. Selectman Wright asked how many shifts a part-timer should work in order to keep their skills honed. The chief advised him that for optimal performance they should work a minimum of six shifts per month. Chief Tighe also discussed his future plans. After 22 years of service in law enforcement, the Chief informed the Board that he was retiring in order to pursue personal interests. The Board accepted, with regret, his letter of resignation effective October 1, 2007. The Chief expressed his best wishes to the other departments in town and extended his sincere thanks to the citizens, adding that he very much looked forward to retirement.
2. Paul Parker provided the Board with input into the Town’s newly revised personnel policy. The Board agreed to take his thoughts into consideration.
3. Bob Wright informed the Board that there was no new business before the Planning Board so the Planning Board would not be meeting on 9/11/2007.
4. The Board agreed to forward proposals received for engineering assistance from mid-sized firms to the Planning Board for their input. The Board indicated that they had a long standing relationship with Nobis Engineering and were pleased with their services.
5. The Board received a letter from Todd St. Cyr regarding requested work to be done at the intersection of Johnson Hill and Jolly Farm Roads. Mr. St. Cyr asked for an onsite inspection with the Selectmen and Road Agent. The AA was instructed to arrange the onsite visit.
6. The AA reported that Hansen Construction was preparing to pave the Main Street Bridge and that the bridge would be open to traffic soon.
7. The AA advised the Board that William Uhl will summarize his concerns regarding a turnaround for the Board in writing for the Boards’ consideration.
REVIEW OF CORRESPONDENCE:
The Board noted the following items of correspondence:
1. CNP Revaluation Bond
2. Invitation from Conservation Commission 2007 Public Education Program
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Elly Phillips
Recording Secretary
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