TOWN OF SUTTON
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
September 24, 2007 @ 4:30 p.m.
Pillsbury Memorial Hall, 93 Main Street, Sutton Mills
The meeting was called to order by William Curless, Chair. Present at the meeting was: William Curless, Chair; Philip Buteau, Selectman; Robert Wright, Jr., Selectman; Darrel Palmer, Fire Chief; Andrew Wells, Adam Schaefer, Hansen Construction; and Elly Phillips, Recording Secretary. Selectmen Buteau reviewed the agenda and executed business items but had to excuse himself from the remainder of the meeting due to a scheduling conflict.
The minutes from September 17, 2007 were approved as written. The Board reviewed and approved the following manifests:
PAYROLL MANIFEST: $ 12,024.46
VENDOR MANIFEST: $145,382.59
APPOINTMENTS:
The Board met at the intersection of Johnson Hill/Jolly Farm Road for a site visit. Selectman Robert Wright, Jr., reported on the meeting. Present at the site visit was Selectmen Robert Wright, Jr., and Philip Buteau; Paul Parker, Road Agent; Todd St. Cyr, Kevin Hart and Pinky Porter. In order to improve turning at the intersection, Mr. St Cyr offered to remove an oak tree and large stone. The Town agreed to request that PSNH relocate a pole. A weight limit form would be executed by affected parties and stipulations would be made for assuming responsibility for direct causal damage.
Andrew Wells and Adam Schaefer of Hansen Construction met with the Board regarding a disputed accident whereby a taillight on Mr. Well’s pickup truck was damaged. Mr. Wells requested a meeting with the board to air the difference of opinion regarding the cause of the accident. Mr. Wells filed a report with the Sutton Police Department and Mr. Schaefer provided a statement to the Department. However, because there was only minor property damage it was not a matter which required police intervention. Mr. Wells also asserted that there was damage caused to his fence, but he fixed it. Mr. Schaefer stated that this was the first time he was hearing about the fence. Mr. Wells indicated that he had other concerns regarding the bridge project. Selectmen Wright and Curless advised Mr.
Wells that they didn’t feel the issue fell under the purview of the Board of Selectmen. Selectman Wright opined that it more likely was an issue for small claims court. Selectman Wright asked Mr. Wells’ to elaborate on his concerns regarding the bridge project. Mr. Wells felt that nearby property owners were not kept abreast of the project, and he did not feel adequately notified. The AA explained that several public hearings were held on the bridge. Selectman Curless added that the Board and engineers met with the abutters on site prior to the commencement of the project. It was noted that although Mr. Wells was not an abutter to the project, his property was across from town property where Hansen staged their equipment. Mr. Schaefer explained that they received permission to use that area so that construction activities would not interfere with the Highway Department. Mr. Wells was unhappy with the management of
excess cement, but added that it had been cleaned up. Mr. Schaefer explained that while pouring cement if there is excess material they store it in one spot to minimize impact and then clean it up. Selectman Wright thanked Mr. Wells for providing feedback and stated that it reinforced the valuable lesson that the Select Board cannot be proactive enough in providing information to the citizenry while contemplating or implementing a project.
Fire Chief/Cemetery Trustee, Darrel Palmer met with the Board to review various matters pertaining to the Fire Department, public safety and cemeteries. Mr. Palmer conveyed his opinion to the Board that he hoped that the Selectmen would take into consideration current staff members when they filled vacancies within the Police Department. Fire Chief Palmer asked about the Town’s procedure for disposal of old equipment, specifically the old ’72 tanker, fittings and a trailer. Fire Chief Palmer was given permission to put the equipment into the state auction and informed that the proceeds would be deposited to the revenue line item for sale of town property. Selectman Curless said that the Board could appropriate revenue from the sale to the Fire Department’s equipment capital reserve
fund as a component of the 2008 budget. Fire Chief Palmer discussed progress on the Fire Department’s proposed addition and said that he felt the Board should concentrate on the Highway Department Facility for 2008, and pursue plans for the addition at a later date. He informed the Board that the Fire Department was looking into grant opportunities.
Selectman Wright said that he had been told by a third party that there was a resident in Sutton who might be willing to sell some land abutting the North Sutton Cemetery. Trustee Palmer recommended that Mr. Wright speak to the party to determine if there was sufficient interest in conveying the property as well as to identify the location of the property. He added that the Town would need permission to dig some test holes to ascertain whether or not the land was suitable for cemetery needs prior to pursuing the matter.
Fire Chief Palmer updated the Board on the Fire Departments efforts to assist with 911 mapping of the Town. He indicated that many individuals did not have their street number posted in accordance with the Town’s Ordinance. He suggested that the Police Department during the course of their patrols could assist with compiling a list of structures that did not have their houses properly identified. Individuals that were not in compliance should receive a letter from the Selectmen enforcing a deadline for posting their address. Phillips recollected that addresses should be posted in 3” reflective numbering at the roadside entrance and on the structure. The Selectmen also felt that a press release regarding the matter might raise public awareness.
Fire Chief Palmer invited the Board to a drill being held at the new middle school. The Fire Department in conjunction with mutual aid towns, police and rescue will be conducting the drill on Sunday, October 28, 2007, and Fire Chief Palmer felt that it would be beneficial for the Selectmen to observe.
NEW BUSINESS:
1. The Board discussed transition within the Police Department. The Board would meet at 3:00 p.m. on September 26th to recognize Chief Tighe’s thirteen years of public service in the Sutton Police Department. At that time, Sergeant John Sims will be appointed to the position of Acting Police Chief. The Board reviewed a letter of interest from Sergeant Sims regarding the position. In addition, the Board reviewed letters of endorsement for Sergeant Sims from citizens and staff members. .
2. The Board instructed the AA to draft a press release regarding the opening of the Main Street Chalk Pond Bridge.
OLD BUSINESS:
1. The Board received a revised copy of the draft personnel policy and addressed a question specifically relating to annual leave. The Selectmen felt that the policy was clear as drafted and that no revisions were required for the annual leave section.
2. The Board received a request from Jon Feins through his Attorney Dana Bisbee requesting written authorization to perform upgrades on a Class VI portion of Kings Hill Road. The AA was instructed to refer to the minutes from the public hearing and seek advice from Town Counsel.
REVIEW OF CORRESPONDENCE:
The Board noted the following items of correspondence:
1. From Evans Land Consultants re: current use status map 1-406-086
2. From ASLPT to BOS regarding Conservation Easement
3. Planning Tool Handout from Conservation Commission public information session
4. From AA to Town Clerk/Tax Collector regarding computer configuration.
5. Notification pursuant to RSA 485-C:14, Village District of Eastman, Groundwater Withdrawal
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Elly Phillips
Recording Secretary
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