Archive for the ‘Selectmen Minutes’ Category

TOWN OF THORNTON SELECTMEN MEETING MINUTES

Meeting Date: August 10, 2011

 

The Thornton Board of Selectmen met and held a meeting on Wednesday,

 August 10, 2011, 5:00 PM at the Thornton Town Hall.

 

Board Members present:  Timothy Tyler, Chairman, AW (Butch) Burbank, Vice Chairman, and

                                                David Joyce

 

Board Members not in attendance:   Roy Sabourn, Brad R. Benton

 

Staff present:                       Tammie Beaulieu, Administrator

                                            Marianne Peabody, Secretary

 

Public present:                   See attached sign in sheet.

 

At 5:06 PM Chairman Tyler opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

Administrator Beaulieu received an e-mail from Selectman Benton requesting for the Chairman to excuse him from this meeting due to a family medical issue.

 

The Board of Selectmen held a work session until 6:00 PM.

A digital voice recorder is in use for the remainder of this meeting.

At 6:05 PM Chairman Tyler opened the meeting beginning with public forum.

 

Public Forum

Fire Commissioner Jim Demeritt submitted a copy of the Campton-Thornton Fire Commission Meeting Minutes of July 11, 2011, and a copy of Campton-Thornton Fire Department 2011 Expense – Budget Variance Expenditures –through August 8, 2011

Fire Commissioner Demeritt discussed with the Board revenues from ambulance runs and informed the Board the Commissioners are working on improving the application for hardship.

Selectmen Joyce questioned the overtime line of the budget. Jim Demeritt explained that full timers attending school. Jim feels the budget will hold.

 

Jim Demeritt informed the Board the first 2011/2012 CIP Committee meeting is scheduled for

August 15, 2011. He intends to introduce a proposed procedure relative to department submittal of proposed long-term expenditures, and would like to see the Selectmen’s Office reviewing the submittals prior to the CIP Committee. He also feels the CIP process should start in June of each year. Selectman Burbank would like to see a serious consideration given to the transfer station CIP.

 

Justin Atwood asked to discuss his construction cease and desist issued by the Board of Selectmen on his garage. He applied to the ZBA for a variance and was denied because the construction was completed. It was the opinion of the board that a variance needs to be requested in advance of the need for the variance having been completed. A copy of the ZBA Notice of Decision was forwarded to BOS for review.  ZBA Member Jim Demeritt explained that Justin was given two options either to tear the building down or attempt to fix it.

Justin Atwood informed the Board that he will fix it. In order to accomplish this he is requesting for the Board of Selectmen to lift the cease & desist to correct the corner of the building, and submit an “As Built”.  After the “As Built” is submitted showing proper setbacks, the Board will sign the intent to build. Selectman Burbank requested for Justin to submit his request in writing this evening for the Selectmen to act on it.

Justin Atwood submitted a letter of request to the Board of Selectmen to consider lifting the cease & desist to enable him to begin correcting the corner of the proposed garage to meet the zoning setback requirements. 

Motion

Selectmen Burbank motioned to lift the cease & desist to enable Justin Atwood

PID 10-05-08-02 to correct the corner of the garage including the concrete, and submit to the Board a new “As Built” Plan. This is to be accomplished before winter. Selectman Joyce seconded.  Voted 3-0. Motion passed.

 

Russell Gilman thanked the Board for the excess material dropped off for the “fire pond”.

 

Lou Kltoz – Discussed with the Board a plan he thought was going forward regarding Mill Brook Rd repairs, paving. Then heard there was a deviation with these plans. He showed concern with the change.  Mr. Klotz has a concern with the bottom of Mill Brook and Joshua’s Lane.  Drainage is causing cracks and eventual pot holes. A copy of the Road Departments roads plan will be given to Mr. Klotz for his review.

 

Mr. Klotz briefed the Board on progress they are making with Time Warner. They have come to verbal agreement that both Thornton Town Office & Campton Town Office should show a reduction in rate with their internet service. It was emphasized the agreement at this time is verbal.

Chairman Tyler showed concern with flyers being distributed by Time Warner in unmarked trucks in his neighborhood.

 

Combined session with the Campton & Ellsworth Boards of Selectmen to discuss the Fire

& Transfer Station Intergovernmental Agreements

Board Members present: Please see attached sign in sheet.

Refreshments were served.

Board Members reviewed the Campton-Thornton Ellsworth Intergovernmental Fire/Rescue Service Agreement.  Proposed amendments were made by the Boards. Administrator Foote and Administrator Beaulieu will work together to incorporate the proposed amendments and prepare the intergovernmental agreement for the next joint meeting.  Boards received copies of the Disposal of Solid Waste agreement for review and discussion at the next joint meeting.   

 

Lisa Lima – Appointment of Town Clerk/Tax Collector

Lisa Lima came before the Board to inform them that she is very interested in the position of Town Clerk/Tax Collector. She stated that she did not apply for the position because of the compensation or benefits. She has applied because she likes performing the work associated with the position. The Board of Selectmen informed Ms. Lima that they will be holding interviews.

Manifest

Motion

Selectmen Joyce motioned to accept the vendor manifest of August 12, 2011 for the amount of $56,398.80. Selectmen Burbank seconded.  Voted 3-0.  Motion passed.

Motion

Selectmen Joyce motioned to accept the payroll manifest of August 12, 2011 for the amount of $20,283.48 Selectmen Burbank seconded. Voted 3-0.  Motion passed.

 

Signature Folder

Abatements

PID 15-04-710 –   Abatement amount $1,325.00    Tax Year 2009L          Signed

PID 09-01-03-03- Abatement amount $111.72        Tax Year 2010P02     Signed

PID 11-03-112      Abatement amount $414.00        Tax Year 2010P02     Signed

PID 08-10-01        Abatement amount$1,136.42      Tax Year 2010           Signed

 

Correspondence Signed by Board of Selectmen

Letter dated August 10, 2011 to Raymond & Susan Wright – Non-permitted encroachment into Woodwinds Road.

Letter dated August 10, 2011 to Seth D. Levine, Attorney at Law – Copy fees.

 

Notice of Intent to Cut Wood or Timber

Vincent R. Levasseur – Operation #M09-01-02 Signed

 

Original Warrant /Timber Tax Levy – Tax Year April 1, 2011 to September 30, 2011

Amount in all to the sum of $108.75.

PID 10-09-31 Operation #11-449-07 Timber Tax Due $108.75.

 

Action Folder

Chairman Tyler read a letter of response dated August 9, 2011 from property owners in

Mill Brook expressing their pleasure with Road Agent Dubey’s efforts to address their concerns relative to the Mill Brook Rd, Fadden, Sullivan and Hazelton Drive.

 

An e-mail of complaint from David Rivers regarding Thornton Permissible fireworks was read by the Board. After discussion the Board agreed to leave it the way it is. The Board is not in favor of enforcement of Class C Fireworks.   

 

Town Administrator presents

Scheduled August 24, 2011 Selectmen Meeting will begin at 5:00 PM not 10:00AM as previously scheduled. It will be an interview meeting. Nothing else will be scheduled on the agenda. Administrator asked if the Board is willing to begin at 4:00 PM. Board Members agreed. Chairman Tyler will arrive after his prior commitment.

 

TA Beaulieu looked into an office divider as requested by the BOS, and informed the Board that there is no way it can be accomplished due to the current setup of the office.

 

TA Beaulieu was excited to inform the Board she was awarded a scholarship from New England Government Financial Association for $1,000.00. It is a four day training session at no cost to the town except mileage. The training will be held in Kennebunkport Maine

September 15 & 16, 2011. The Board congratulated TA Beaulieu. 

 

Tax Deeded property ½ ownership with Helen Petrycki PID 06-03-09. To begin the bid process a 90 day notice needs to be given to the property owner and previous owner. If the notice goes out on August 25, 2011 bid advertising would be scheduled for November 24, 2011 with an open sealed bid date to be scheduled. TA Beaulieu asked the Board if she should proceed? Board Members all agreed to proceed.

 

Town Clerk/Tax Collector Recommittal Audit –  TA Contacted Plodzik & Sanderson for an estimated cost of $1,500.00 to $2,500.00 these dollars are not in the budget. TA Beaulieu also contacted the State to perform their audit.

 

 

TA Beaulieu distributed to the Board the post reports from the Police, Fire & Health Departments for the 2011 Half-moon Sober fest for review.

 

TA held the Department Head Meeting on Monday. Discussion centered on putting together a lunch & break policy to conform to the personal policy.  Department Heads agreed that they would all like a seminar held at town hall for performance evaluation process. TA will contact Scott Weder to schedule the seminar. The BOS equipment site visit was discussed.

 

The Mill Brook Rd birch tree was cut down on August 8, 2011.

 

Road Agent reports that (2) six wheelers are down the 1994 & 1997. Mechanic will begin working on them next week.

 

Police Department reports that Officer Carol is back from the Academy.

The BOS would like a press release with photo. TA to inform Chief Moller.

 

The Police Department will be putting out public surveys looking for feedback relative to Halloween Trick or Treating.  The department is interested to see what the public wants.

 

TA Beaulieu informed the Board that the supervisor meetings are very valuable, and she thanked the Board for implementing them.

 

Board of Selectmen Discussion

Selectman Joyce – spoke with Transfer Station Manager Kevin McGuire they discussed mowing of the transfer station.  TA will discuss procedure with Manager Kevin McGurie Bids will be posted for the job.

Selectman Joyce spoke with Shirley Benton loam is still an option for donation to the town, as long as the town provides their own truck to pick it up.

Motion

Selectman Burbank motion to accept the donation of loam from Benton Enterprises, LLC for the beautification of the town hall. The Board will authorize the Road Department to transport it. Selectman Joyce seconded. VOTED 3-0   Motion Passed.

 

Selectman Burbank – Ditching is working excellent. There is some erosion on Upper Mad River Rd. He is sure Road Agent Dubey is aware of it.

 

Chairman Tyler – is working on the sign for the town hall.  He asked for the committee member’s telephone numbers.  Marianne Peabody agreed to forward to Selectmen Tyler.

 

Chairman Tyler stated that he found this meeting very difficult to run tonight. People have a wealth of information to inform, but there needs to be more diligence with the public present and the Board. He has been put into this position to run the meetings he has the experience, but is concerned with no control. He feels there needs to be a process and it has to be followed. 

 

Public Forum

Lou Klotz has suggested an equipment book for the BOS to refer to with pictures, values, mileage and equipment history.  

 

Jim Demeritt – Discussed Fire Department grants, and procedures.

 

TA Beaulieu informed the Board that the joint meeting with Campton, & Ellsworth was never intended to include Fire Commissioners. The agreed process was that all Selectmen would create a draft then forward to the Fire Commissioners and Chief Tobine for their input before finalizing the document.   

 

Beverly Chappell – Thanked the Board for including the public when serving refreshments.

 

This meeting adjourned at 8:25 PM.

 

MOTION

At 8:25 PM Selectman Joyce motioned to enter into non-public session pursuant to

RSA 91-A: 3, II (b. hiring & c. reputation) seconded. VOTED 3-0 Motion passed.

Roll Call

Selectman Joyce, Yes, Selectman Burbank, Yes, Chairman Tyler, Yes

Administrator Beaulieu present.

 

At 9:25 PM the Board of Selectmen came out of non-public session.

 

 

Respectfully Submitted

Marianne Peabody, Secretary

Posting Date: 08-16-11