TOWN OF SUTTON
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
January 28, 2008 @ 4:30 p.m.
Pillsbury Memorial Hall, 93 Main Street, Sutton Mills
The meeting was called to order at 4:30 by William Curless, Chair. Present at the meeting was William Curless, Chair; Philip Buteau, Selectman; Robert Wright, Jr., Selectman; Betsy Forsham, Conservation Commission Chair; Elly Phillips, Recording Secretary and interested members of the public.
The minutes from January 21, 2008 and January 24, 2008 were approved as written. The Board reviewed and approved the following manifests:
PAYROLL MANIFEST: $13.305.07
VENDOR MANIFEST: $24,060.99
APPOINTMENTS:
At 4:30 p.m. Betsy Forsham, Conservation Commission Chair met with the Board to execute a purchase and sale agreement for the Crowell property as well as two boundary line agreements. Ms. Forsham encouraged the Board to attend seminars that are conducted annually by the DES regarding wetlands and shoreland regulations. Selectman Wright indicated that he would like to attend one of the seminars in either February or March.
At 5:00 p.m. Selectman Curless opened a public hearing pursuant to RSA 33:8-a,I to receive public comment on a proposed bond issue for the purpose of constructing a highway facility on town-owned land located on Route 114, Sutton Map/ Lot 04-313-462. The total warrant article is $2.1 million and the Town proposed a Bond in the amount of $1,806,000. The remainder of the funding to come from Capital reserves. The article would be the first item of business. It would require a two/thirds majority to pass. There would be discussion of the article and a one hour period for a ballot vote.
To give an indication of tax impact Selectman Curless used a conservative bond estimate over a twenty-year term at a 5.2% interest rate. Based on today’s valuation, the first year payment (which would be in 2009) would be .68/per thousand. Selectman Buteau added that the Town would no longer need to fund the capital reserve at $50,000 a year and that the last payment for the ash landfill bond would be in 2009. By eliminating those two expenditure line items there would be an additional savings of .24 per thousand. Selectman Wright explained that payment of a bond issue was different from a mortgage in that the principal had a declining balance whereas in a mortgage the interest is built up front.
Ed Schiavo asked whether there might be any changes to the proposed plans and was informed by Selectman Buteau at this point no. Mr. Schiavo asked what the plan was for the existing facility. Selectman Buteau said it could be used for storage for other departments such as fire and the outside could be spruced up to look nicer. The storage sheds will be moved to the new facility and the sand shed will come down. In the future, Selectman Buteau indicated that it would make a good location for a municipal office building with ample parking etc.
Selectman Curless stated that the proposed facility would be located on town-owned land. The entrance would be directly across from the Solid Waste Facility. Curless provided historical background noting that the Town initiated a study 10 years ago to determine the feasibility for addition on the existing highway shed. The site was deemed unusable. There was insufficient room for an addition. The highway shed was not structurally sound enough to support an addition. The existing property has wetlands and a PSNH easement that can only be used for parking. The Board realized a need for a new Town Shed and set about looking for the right site and facility. The Selectmen looked at various highway sheds in different towns and modeled the proposed Sutton shed after the Town of
Sunapee’s. The Sunapee facility was built by Trumbull-Nelson. Curless added that there was a warrant article which passed in 2007 to perform engineering studies and obtain preconstruction services on the site of the former ash landfill.
The new site is approximately 22 acres and has sufficient room for expansion. The immediate need is apparent. The existing facility can only house two trucks at a time, has poor ventilation, and inadequate drainage. Welding is often performed in standing water right next to the lunch area. There is no potable water and no way to ventilate the building besides opening the garage doors and waiting for fumes to clear. Curless added that improvements to the building were not possible because the roof system was not strong enough, there was no frost protection so foundations could not be joined and that the site was too small. Selectman Buteau added that the Town could only store two storms worth of sand on the property and that was not enough.
Betsy Forsham noted that the facility was built around 1964. She asked whether we could build something smaller. Selectman Buteau responded that the proposed building was the right size. A quick review of town equipment was then given: six trucks, one grader, a loader, a chipper, a backhoe, a one ton truck and a steam trailer. This equipment could be housed inside the building.
When asked what the project life span for the facility was the Board responded about 50 years.
Brian Tilton felt that it was hypocritical to ask for 2.1 million dollars. He said that when he met with the Board to express his concerns regarding the condition of the roads during a recent weather event. He was told that more sand wouldn’t be fiscally wise because of tax impact. Selectman Buteau responded that Mr. Tilton wanted the sanding done at 3:30 in the morning. The Town needed to focus there efforts for the schools and traveling public.
When asked whether the project would go out to bid. Selectman Wright explained that the Town had entered into a design build arrangement with Trumbull-Nelson. Trumbull-Nelson would put the project out to bid. The Town would have a known fixed cost. John Biewener asked what motivation Trumbull Nelson would have to keep the cost down. Wright explained that not only was it good business, but Trumbull Nelson was assuming the risk for cost overrun that would cut into their profit. The Town would know their costs up front (unlike the big dig).
The Board indicated that the Town has kept the tax rate level for the past couple years and was proposing a budget this year with only a 3.3% increase.
There being no further comment from the public, Selectman Curless reminded those present that the budget hearing would be held on February 7, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. and concluded that he would like to hold another couple public forums prior to Town Meeting so that interested members of the public could learn more about the project.
BUILDING PERMITS:
1. The Board approved a building permit for Hunt and Vicky Willard, Bailey Road, Map 02-598-420, for renovations.
NEW BUSINESS:
1. The Board reviewed the 2008 Budget Committee Recommendations for the Budget Hearing. Selectman Buteau made a motion to agree with the Committees recommendation resulting in a total reduction of the preliminary proposed budget of $34,100. Selectman Wright seconded the motion. The motion passed with a unanimous affirmative vote.
2. The Board reviewed an early draft of the 2008 Warrant.
OLD BUSINESS:
1. The Board adopted an amended Personnel Policy to be distributed to employees.
REVIEW OF CORRESPONDENCE:
The Board noted the following item of correspondence:
1. Fire Warden Appointment Letters
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Elly Phillips
Recording Secretary
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