December 7, 2010 Minutes

TOWN OF PITTSFIELD
BOARD OF SELECTMAN
TOWN HALL, 85 MAIN STREET
PITTSFIELD, NH 03263
_____________________________________________________________

MEETING MINUTES OF TUESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2010

CALL TO ORDER

Call to order at 6:00 P.M., by Denise Morin, Chairman.

MEMBERS PRESENT

Denise Morin (DM), Chairman, Ed Vien (EV), Vice-Chairman, Fred Hast (FH), Fred Okrent (FO), Arthur Morse (AM), Paul Skowron (PS), Town Administrator, and Delores Fritz, Recording Secretary.

MEMBERS ABSENT

None.

PUBLIC INPUT

None.

AGENDA REVIEW

(PS) Non-Public 91-A:3 II (b), Rocky Ridge Road, Petitioned Warrant Article-Repeal Zoning in Pittsfield, SRTS Grant Application/WA/PH, Gazebo Restoration, ARRA Funding Proposal/PH, Forestry Truck Encumbrance/Town Share, Broadway Cemetery. George Bachelder: Boulders- Ball Park. Police Department: Vehicles Parked at PD, PD Sign, Hazardous Mitigation Handbook.

NEW BUSINESS
ACTION ITEMS

1. Rocky Point Road

(PS) There has been quite a bit communication between (DM) and Mr. Wallace regarding this road. Based upon everything that has been received from Mrs. Clattenburg, George was asked to look at and evaluate the road. He is here tonight to advise the condition of the roadway.

George Bachelder: Last Friday I talked to Mr. Clattenburg and sent someone up to evaluate the road. It is quite muddy and has ruts in it due to the use of the four- wheeler. It is frozen today and my guess is that we would have to do some work to fix it up. (DM) Is this from the logging trucks? George: It is going to take some work to fix it up.

James Clattenburg: I talked to Mark Wallace, Conservation Committee, and the Forester and they have assured me the road would be fixed and all they did was spread out crushed gravel. Mr. Wallace: I talked to the loggers and they feel that they have repaired what they are required and what they were responsible for. I guess ultimately, the repair costs will come out of the project profits. He noted that no bond was acquired as the project was too small. (DM) What is the estimate of the damage? George: Probably about 6-10 loads of gravel to straighten it out. I do have some gravel available. (AM) What was the income from the project? Mr. Wallace: That is unknown as of yet. It is not a large amount. (DM) More or less than $1,200? Mr. Wallace: I do not know.

Board further discussed the condition of the road and what can be done to clean up the road and make is as it formerly was including spreading of gravel, minor grass seed distribution with hay coverage to hold seeds until germination which will probably occur in the spring. George agreed he would do the best he can now dependent upon the weather. He noted that eventually the shrubs would grow and hold the soil also. This was acceptable to Mr. Clattenburg. (DM) So, the consensus is that George will take care of the road, weather permitting, and Conservation Committee will absorb costs.

(AM) Motion that Town repair Rocky Point Road to its previous condition.
(EV) Second. Carried 5-0.

Board discussed how the monies from this cut would be processed. Mr. Wallace: I will check with Cara.

12. Boulders

George noted that he has been requested to set some big boulders at the ball field with Town equipment. This will involve just moving some boulders. (DM) I think is agreeable with the Board.

13. Broadway Cemetery

(FH) A lot of the headstones have fallen over due to age. This is a historic site and I think we should bring it back to what it was sixty years ago. Town should invest in it. George: We maintain the cemeteries and it would cost a lot to put the stones back. It is going to take a lot of work. (DM) Fred, we would need an estimate for that. George: I do agree with Fred that it is a shame. Every year more and more damage due to vandalism is seen. (DM) Paul, could you please put that on Old Business. George: We have locked the gates in the past, but people complain that they cannot gain entrance. (PS) to call Donald Fife about fixing it up.

APPOINTMENTS

6:10 P.M. – Proposed Canine Program: Police Department (6:32 P.M.)

Chief Wharem and Patrolman DiGeorge were present to discuss with Board. Chief Wharem noted that he had presented to the Board a presentation regarding the Canine Program to assist with the drug issue in Town. At that time, more information was needed and requested. Namely, job description and police contract for training so that Town could recoup training of officers. He presented to Board a four year plus breakdown of estimated costs per year and expenses for equipment for one team. Chief Wharem noted that if approved, he would discuss with other towns (Epsom and Alton) in reference to joining Pittsfield in this program which would offer us more options in this quest. He explained the requisition of the animal, training of the animal and the officer, maintenance of the animal, vehicle transformation and use. He noted that there would be no cost to the Town. The program starts in March and would be completed by the end of October. However, acquisition of the animal and posting of the position would also take valuable time. I am requesting that the Board make a decision on this commitment.

(DM) Can you assure me that there would be no overtime involved? Chief Wharem: No overtime would be incurred. The contract before you is a template and can be worked on. It should go to Town attorney first and we can find out about the liability insurance. (DM) The contract policies are not clear.

(AM) Why don’t we put it on the Agenda for December 28th and (PS) and Chief Wharem can work on it and we then can take action on it when the contract is clean and proper rather than try to straighten it out afterwards. (PS) I would recommend we start with Laura Spector rather than made modifications which may have to be repeated. (DM) The Board is definitely interested in the concept but it just needs to be clearer.\

13. Police Department Sign

(EV) Regarding the sign, we should send a letter to the sign maker that no payment will ensue in the future unless it is approved by the BOS first. (DM) It is not the Board’s responsibility but the Chief’s responsibility. (EV) I would like a paper trail in the future. Chief will draft letter noting the sequence that should occur. (DM) An estimate is an estimate and not a work order.

14. Police Department Painting

Chief Wharem: Painting at the Police Department should be completed by tonight. They (prison inmates) came in and did the painting, which should cut down on maintenance and is not going to peel.

15. Vehicles – Police Department Parking Area

(EV) We need to clean out some of the vehicles in the parking lot behind the Police Department before the snow arrives. Maybe we could put them down at the Fire Department. Chief Wharem noted that one of the vehicles’ services would be “pulled” if they were unable to utilize plugging it in.

16. Hazardous Mitigation

Chief Wharem: There is a grant for the Hazardous Mitigation to be rewritten which is about a $4-5,000 matching grant. It should be rewritten by 2012.

6:30 P.M. Virginia Chase (7:33 P.M.)

Ms. Chase did not appear.

NEW BUSINESS – CONTINUED

2. Tax Deeded Properties

(PS) Board requested that this be put on the Agenda for tonight. There have been several agreements regarding back taxes and the Board needs to now take formal action on each one of these. Town Clerk has provided a list of the properties involved. (FH) We should have an updated list as additional interest has probably been added on.

(EV) Motion to approve Tax Deed for Tax Map R11, Lot 13. (DM) Second. Carried 5-09.

(EV) Motion to approve Tax Deed for Tax Map R26, Lot 9. (AM) Second. Carried 5-0.

(EV) Motion to waive Tax deed for Tax Map R34, Lot 30-T07. (FO) Second. Carried 4-1 (FH).

Discussion: (EV) There is a question as to whether this is a rental which HSA will follow-up on. (AM) What connection would that have? (EV) It would be a reason to not recommend taking it. It could cost us more money.

(EV) Motion to approve Tax Deed for U01, Lot 93. (FO) Second.
Carried 4-1 (FH).

(EV) Motion to approve Tax Deed for R34, Lot 18. (DM) Second. Carried 5-0.

(EV) Motion to approve Tax Deed for Tax Map R14, Lot 37. (FO) Second. Carried 5-0.

(EV) Motion to approve Tax Deed for Tax Map R14, Lot 17. (FO) Second. Carried 5-0.

(EV) Motion to approve Tax Deed for Tax Map R39, Lot 18. (FO) Second. Carried 5-0.

(EV) Motion to approve Tax Deed for Tax Map U03, Lot 114. (FO) Second. Carried 5-0.

(EV) Motion to approve Tax Deed for Tax Map R54, Lot 6. (FO) Second. Carried 5-0.

(EV) Motion to approve Tax Deed for Tax Map R49, Lot 4. (DM) Second. Carried 5-0.

(EV) Motion to approve Tax Deed for Tax Map R15, Lot 21. (FO) Second. Carried 4-0. (DM) Abstain.

(EV) There may be hazardous materials on property and may need to be cleaned up.

(EV) Motion to request property owner Tax Map R35, Lot 48 be invited to appear before the Board of Selectman to discuss pay schedule of back taxes. If individual declines, then Tax Deed will be initiated. (FO) Second. After Discussion: Carried 5-0.

Discussion: (PS) The Board did not approve this agreement initially. Board indicated that individuals should be notified and agreements approved by me, which is what I have done. (FH) He is still falling behind. (DM) He is trying to pay, but we should ask him to come in and alter the initial agreement. (FH) The Board should all agree on a payment agreement for him to catch up on back taxes.

(EV) Motion to approve Tax Deed for Tax Map R35, Lot 48. (FO) Second. Carried 5-0.

(EV) Motion to approve Tax Deed for Tax Map U01, Lot 2. (FO) Second. Carried 5-0.

Tax Map U04, Lot 13: This property has been sold and closing will be around the 17th of December.

(DM) Motion to table Tax Deed decision Tax Map R04, Lot 2-3. (EV) Second. Carried 5-0.

(DM) I think more information is needed regarding this property.

(EV) Motion to approve Tax Deed for Tax Map R11, Lot 15. (FO) Second. Carried 5-0.

(EV) Motion to approve Tax Deed for Tax Map U01, Lot 33. (FO) Second. Carried 5-0.

(DM) Motion to waive Tax Deed for Tax Map R20, Lot 12-T04 due to Agreement pending. (FO) Second. Carried 5-0.

(EV) Motion to approve Tax Deed for Tax Map U01, Lot 73. (FO) Second. Carried 5-0.

(DM) We should get a revised list to see if any of the properties have been sold or if taxes have been paid.

Break 8:24 P.M. Resume 8:29 P.M.
3. Revised Engineering Contract WWTP

(PS) This is a revised WWTP contract due to an amendment to #. 2 because additional work by the engineer has to be accomplished. Chair will need to be authorized to sign.

(AM) Motion to authorize Chair to sign revised Engineering Construction Phase Contract Amendment #2. (FO) Second. Carried 4-0. (DM) Abstain.

4. Banking Service Agreement

(FH) Motion to approve TD Bank Cash Management Master Agreement and authorize Chair to sign. (FO) Second. After Discussion: Carried 5-0.

Discussion: (DM) Everything remains the same? (PS) Yes, no change.

5. Rocky Ridge Road – Mark Wallace Memorandum

See No. 1 above.

6. Petitioned Warrant Article – Repeal Zoning In Pittsfield

(PS) The Board should formally acknowledge acceptance of the Citizen Petition with a Memo to Bill Miskoe summarizing what Planning Board is required to do.
(FO) Who is responsible for checking the names on the Petition? (PS) Town Clerk.

(FO) Motion to accept as written Citizen Petition on Zoning Ordinances.
(EV) Second. Carried 5-0.

Discussion: (AM) Are any members of this Board in favor of this petition? If so, it is encumbered upon Board to express that. We are the leaders of this community and we should make that known. We could put out a news release to this effect. (DM) Agreed. (AM) will draft a letter for publication that Board of Selectmen are not in favor of this petition.

7. SRTS Grant Application/Warrant Article Discussion/Public Hearing Date

(PS) Board needs to grant application and notify Coordinator of any corrections/modifications.

(PS) Board will need a Warrant Article regarding bond issue for amount of grant and then after monies distributed, will be reimbursed by State. At this point a hearing regarding the bond issue, perhaps, sometime in January should be scheduled. Public Hearing information will be posted for January.

8. Gazebo Restoration

(PS) I have an E-Mail from Nick Abell regarding the Gazebo. I have asked the Budget Committee about encumbrances in regard to the repair of Gazebo. Mr. Abell may be of the mind that it should be removed.

(FH) noted that he and BI had looked at it. We could ask the prison for help in repairing it at no cost. It needs new columns and has to be reshingled. We could contact them and get these three projects (Gazebo, floor at Town Hall, and windows) done. (DM) Paul could you find out about doing these three projects done by them? (PS) Do you want the encumbrance for Gazebo to lapse?
(FH) No. We will need the money to do the work. (FO) We should keep it for the work.

9. ARRA Funding Proposal Discussion/Public Hearing Date

(PS) An E-Mail has been received from Daniel Fenno, NHDES. The NHDES Water Division is prepared to offer an ARRA-supported CWSRF loan to the Town of Pittsfield for the Joy and South Main Streets Pump Station project in the amount of $288,324, 50% of which ($144,162) is forgiven. Would we like to move forward with this and at least hold the Public Hearing? (AM) We should go forward with the Public Hearing and at least see what the reaction to it would be. (PS) It is a hard time to be refusing this also. (PS) to schedule Public Hearing. (DM) Please make sure that School Representative for the SRTS and Ron Vien for the ARRA are at the Public Hearings.

10. Forestry Truck Encumbrance/Town Share

(PS) It is recommended that the Town encumber the monies for the Town share for the Forestry truck. This will be on the encumbrance list also on December 28th.

11. Broadway Cemetery

See No. 13 above.

INFORMATION ITEMS

None.

OLD BUSINESS

1. Capital Improvement Program

(EV) The Planning Board has now accepted it. (PS) Ralph Odell and Cher Keuenhoff have signed it.

2. Bids for Town Hall Window Frame Rehabilitation

See No. 8 above.

APPLICATIONS AND WARRANTS

1. Abatement Application Tax Map R02, Lot 5

(PS) These abatements have been recommended by appraiser. This is an abatement for $70,000. (FH) We should go and look at some of these.

(EV) Motion to approve abatement for Tax Map R02, Lot 5. (FO) Second. Carried 5-0.

2. Abatement Application Tax Map R15, Lot 26

(FH) Motion to approve abatement for Tax Map R15, Lot 26. (FO) Second. After Discussion: Carried 5-0.

Discussion: Abatement is recommended for $87,200. (AM) I have a question regarding the assessing company. How could they miss a current use property and an empty building? This is a black mark against this company. These things are rather obvious. (DM) We will be looking for a new company to do the assessing. (PS) The Board should look at contracting for a single year the general assessing for pick-ups and then a multi-year contract.

3. Abatement Application for Tax Map R14, Lot 3

Abatement is recommended for $21,200.

(FH) Motion to approve abatement for Tax Map R14, Lot 3. (FO) Second. Carried 5-0.

(AM) Again the same thing. This is not a fine job in assessing.

4. Intent to Cut Tax Map R01, Lot 8

(EV) Motion to approve Intent to Cut Tax Map R01, Lot 8. (FH) Second. Carried 5-0.

CHECKS AND MANIFESTS

(EV) Motion to approve Accounts Payable and Check Manifests. (FO) Second. Carried 3-0. (FH) and (DM) Abstain.

(EV) Motion to approve Payroll and Direct Deposit. (FH) Second. Carried 5-0.

PUBLIC INPUT

Paul Richardson: The Minutes should reflect the owner’s name on abatements. The public has the right to know.

Maurice Wells: Regarding the sewer, I have read the Minutes of November 16th. I was informed on November 2nd by the Town Administrator that you placed $64,000 in the Sewer Fund. When did you get that? Where did you get the money? That is a no-no if sewer funds go into General Fund. The Sewer Fund has about $350,000 plus. Each year 15% is added by ratepayers in case it breaks down. You guys are adding more to a fund that already has a lot of money in it. Did you use any of the sewer funds to help the ratepayers like cleaning the lagoons, etc? Is the sewer fund going to be used to take some of the bite off of the ratepayer? (FH) Yes, the money was used to clean the lagoons and the sewer lines.

In 1987 Town Report, Page 40, the Board of Selectmen established a sewer fund. No money should go into the General Fund. In 2001 the lagoons were cleaned and it cost $294,000 and it was voted by the people that the funds should be taken out of the sewer fund. Apparently you guys are not with it. You are not using sewer funds for what it was made for. Any surplus in that fund should be used for any enlargement or replacement of sewer lines.

Maurice Wells: At the Fire House, there are two flood lights, one on each side of the bays that are on day and night. I called Sunday and I believe it was Jen Tedcastle, told me she would work on it. I went down there the next morning and the lights were out. There is a piece of metal on the roof that is off. Nothing has been done about that.

The Deputy Tax Collector, is she full-time? (PS) Yes. Mr. Wells: Why?
(FH) Because we need two people in there. Mr. Wells: Is Liz Hast a bail bondsman for the Police Department? (DM) Yes. Mr. Wells: When she gets a call she leaves the Town Hall to go to the Police Department. (PS) Most of the time, Liz is at the Police Department during the evenings.

Maurice Wells: At the Public Works building, why is the sand pile getting larger? We have a salt shed. We should not have sand down there. “No answer from the Board. Okay.” How many yellow dump trucks do we have? (FH) One. Mr. Wells: When did the other get auctioned off? (FH) They were auctioned off earlier. The decals are off. Mr. Wells: Those decals are a bunch of bull. The law says that they should be able to be seen within fifty feet. I can’t see them. Also, the York Rake is supposed to be on Thompson Road. I cannot find it. I would like George to show me. (FH) Ask him. Mr. Wells: I am not talking to him. He is in charge of driveway permits. I have asked the Building Inspector to find out where driveway permit is for Snedekers. They could never find it.

Ladies and Gentlemen, it is like talking to a wall.

Mr. Wells left at 9:20 P.M.

MINUTES

1. Public Session Minutes of November 16, 2010.

(FH) Motion to approve Public Session Minutes of November 16, 2010.
(EV) Second. Carried 5-0.

2. Non-Public Session Minutes of November 16, 2010.

(FH) Motion to approve Non-Public Session Minutes of November 16, 2010. (FO) Second. Carried 5-0.

NON-PUBLIC SESSION

(DM) Motion to go into Non-Public Session per RSA 91-A:3II (b). (EV) Second. Carried 5-0. Individual members of the Board were polled and all agreed.

Board went into Non-Public Session at 9:22 P.M.

Board returned to Public Session at 9:40 P.M.

(AM) Motion to seal Non-Public Session Minutes of December 7, 2010.
(EV) Second. Carried 5-0.

ADJOURNMENT

(EV) Motion to adjourn. (FO) Second. Carried 5-0.

Meeting adjourned at 9:45 P.M.

Approved: December 28, 2010

____________________________ _________________________
Denise Morin, Chairman Date

I hereby certify that these Minutes were recorded by me on December 7, 2010, transcribed and publicly posted on December 14, 2010.

__________________________________________
Delores A. Fritz, Recording Secretary

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