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

MEETING MINUTES OF TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2015

CALL TO ORDER

Call to order at 5:00 P.M. by Larry Konopka, Chairman

MEMBERS PRESENT

Larry Konopka (LK), Chairman, Linda Small (LS), Gerard LeDuc (GL), Albert Douglas (AD), Michael Williams (MW), Town Administrator, and Delores Fritz, Recording Secretary.

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Eric Nilsson (EN), Vice-Chairman

PUBLIC INPUT

Maurice Wells: I looked at Shaw Road before the storm and did not see where it was “rutted out.” (LK) That’s because George did a patch job on it. (MW) It is the road up above. (LK) I recused myself during the Board’s discussion on Shaw Road, but will tell you what I know. At the beginning of Shaw Road, your car would “bottom out;” George had some left over patch materials and beefed it up and now it is not bad. Maurice Wells: I went up to see someone who lives up there last summer and it wasn’t that bad.

Maurice: Shaw Road Bridge Fund – that is just for the bridge work?
(MW) Yes, doing that involves a matching grant with the State. (MW) We have some engineering estimates for that project. That will be about $35,000.

Maurice: There was an old generator which had a seized motor but otherwise in good shape and was stored on a trailer under a canvas cover. No one seems to want to replace it. (MW) That’s true. Maurice: Are we going to have the same problem with the new one? (MW) The plan is to get a commercial generator, place it on a concrete pad and have a maintenance contract in place. Maurice: The new ones start on their own once a month. (MW) Yes, but the maintenance will be checked once a year either by an independent contractor or perhaps, Glenn if we have him as a full-time maintenance individual. Maurice: There is one generator that belongs to the Sewer Department. (MW) That is the one we are talking about using. Maurice: Are they going to get paid for it? The sewer rate payers paid $25,000 for that one. (LK) I see your point on that but we are not there yet. We have a Warrant Article in place for the funds for that. (MW) We are suggesting $17,500 for two generators.

Maurice: Are all the manholes on the streets in Town going to be a camera view on that one? (MW) I can’t tell you precisely but you can contact the Sewer Department and they can give you that information.

Maurice: Linda Small, 10 Berry Avenue – what about the hook-up fees?

Selectman Small recused herself and was seated in the audience. (5:08 P.M.)

Maurice: The fees were never paid. He presented to Board a copy of Town of Pittsfield Building Permit Application which notes: “A Town Sanitary Sewer Service Connections Permit or State of NH Septic Design Approval shall be obtained prior to approval of a building permit when applicable. The Town Sanitary Service Connection Application Fee is $2500.00 PER UNIT, which is due at the time of application.” I mentioned this to the Board two years ago and nothing was ever done. (LK) I do remember discussing it but I am not sure if they were paid.

Linda Small: A great deal of research was done on this which is available for review. I hired a contractor at the time for this and he was the one who was obligated to get all the permits, etc.

(LK) Morris, we will do some research and it will be on the next Agenda.

Selectman Small returned and was seated on the Board (5:14 P.M.)

Maurice: On Lyford Hill Road, there are three trees leaning that should be cut down.

Close Public Input

AGENDA REVIEW

(LK) Conservation Commission – Town Forest; (AD) Update on Aqueduct Purchase Committee Consult. During the course of the meeting (MW) Shaw Road Bridge Engineers.

APPOINTMENTS

None.

NEW BUSINESS
ACTION ITEMS

15. Conservation Commission – Town Forest (Added Item)

Carl Wallman and Christopher Hill were present.

(MW) This was originally presented to Board on January 6th and Board requested additional information. Conservation Commission has presented a Memo noting the potential as an educational resource, improvement of property values, and the unsuitability for development of new homes in that area. There is still sufficient time to add as a Warrant Article if the Board so chooses. These are consolidated lots and any further development would have to be through the Planning Board. George was going to be present tonight but because of the snowstorm is not here tonight. He is not in favor of developing these properties due to Clough Road already being beyond its capacity. Upgrading the road would be cost prohibitive.

Carl Wallman: The property is ideal for the wildlife. There are hiking trails up there and the area could be used for other outdoor activities (running, non-motorized biking, hunting, snowmobiling, horseback riding, picnicking, etc.)

(LK) I know George is concerned about Clough Road. It would be a good area for a Town forest. Carl Wallman: It would be a Win/Win situation for the Town. (LK) This would be brought forward to the taxpayers via a Warrant Article.

Chris Hill: Conservation would manage the property and perhaps, do a rough survey of the boundaries and enhance the property with some hiking trails. Right now there is no management of that land; it is just open land.

George Bachelder arrived at 5:40 P.M. Every time a house is built, the Town loses money and a valuable asset – open space. He explained that development in this area would strain Clough Road which is beyond its capacity.

(LS) How much is it going to cost to maintain? Carl Wallman: That is dependent upon what you want to do – probably $1,000 would cover the trail work, picnic tables and parking area. (GL) The Conservation Commission would come to this Board for any ideas they have pertaining to funding.

(AD) I see no reason why we should wait on this. I have listened to everyone, what George relates and I am convinced that it is suited for what they would like to do. It is better to have something happen up there. (MW) What this does is take the authority from the Board of Selectman to manage this property and provides sole authority to Conservation Commission for management. (GL) They would still have to come back to this Board for any funding.

Maurice Wells: Does the Board realize that the taxpayers paid over $100 T for that land through bankruptcy or Mortgage Company? (LK) I am aware it was going to be a development but the land is not that good.

(AD) Motion to authorize Conservation Commission to present Warrant Article to change property to a Town Forest area at Town Meeting. (GL) Second.
Carried 4-0.

BUDGET REVIEW

1. Warrant Articles

(MW) presented a DRAFT of potential Warrant Articles. (LS) Have these gone out to DRA for review? (MW) Yes.

To be taken up Saturday, March 14, 2015 (See attached for Draft Warrant Articles):

Article 3: To be determined.

Article 4: (LS) Motion to be recommended by Board of Selectmen.
(GL) Second. Carried 4-0.

Article 5: (LS) Motion to be recommended by Board of Selectmen.
(GL) Second. Carried 3-1 (LS).

Article 6: (LS) Motion to be recommended by Board of Selectman.
(AD) Second. Carried 4-0.

Article 7: (LS) Motion to be recommended by Board of Selectman.
(GL) Second. Carried 4-0.

Article 8: (LS) Motion to be recommended by Board of Selectman.
(GL) Second. Carried 4-0.

(MW) Articles 7 and 8 will be through the Parks & Rec Fund

Article 9: (LS) Motion to be recommended by Board of Selectmen.
(AD) Second. Carried 4-0.
(MW) This will be worked out with the Cemetery Trustees as to acquisition issues.

Article 10: (LS) Motion to be recommended by Board of Selectman.
(GL) Second. Carried 4-0.

Article 11: (LS) Motion to be recommended by Board of Selectman.
(GL) Second. Carried 4-0.

Article 12: (LS) Motion to be recommended by Board of Selectman.
(GL) Second. Carried 4-0.

Article 13: (LS) Motion to be recommended by Board of Selectman.
(GL) Second. Carried 4-0.

Article 14: (LS) Motion to be recommended by Board of Selectman.
(GL) Second. Carried 4-0.

Article 15: (LS) Motion to be recommended by Board of Selectman.
(GL) Second. Carried 4-0.

Article 16: (LS) Motion to be recommended by Board of Selectman.
(GL) Second. Carried 4-0.

Article 17: (LS) Motion to be recommended by Board of Selectman.
(GL) Second. Carried 4-0.

Article 18: (LS) Motion to be recommended by Board of Selectman.
(AD) Second. Carried 4-0.

Article 19: (LS) Motion to be recommended by Board of Selectman.
(GL) Second. Carried 4-0.

Article 20: (LS) Motion to be recommended by Board of Selectman.
(GL) Second. Carried 4-0.

(LK) This was as previously recommended by State Fire Marshall’s office.

Article 21: (LS) Motion to be recommended by Board of Selectman.
(GL) Second. Carried 4-0.

Article 23: (LS) Motion to be recommended by Board of Selectman.
(GL) Second. Carried 4-0.

Articles 23 (second listed) through 26 are Housing Standards Amendments.

Article 27: Pending.

Article 28: This Warrant Article will be concerning the Town Forest.
(LS) Motion to table this Warrant Article until the next Board meeting.
(AD) Second. Carried 4-0.

Article 29: (LS) Motion that Warrant Article is NOT recommended by
Board of Selectman. (AD) Second. Carried 3-1 (GL).

The Board discussed the rationale as to the reason and goal of a seven member board. Some Board members felt it would create a more balanced group of individuals but ultimately agreed that this could be addressed again in the future if Board felt it necessary. It was agreed that members of PB and ZBA should attempt to participate in any training sessions that might become available. (MW) It should be noted that almost full attendance by both Boards occurred for the recent Law Series. I will send a FYI Memo to Planning Board as to Board of Selectman’s decision on this. This Warrant Article will be deleted from the list.

Article 30: (MW) This is a Citizen Petition and is not legally binding.

Article 31: (MW) This is purely advisory and is up to the Town.

(MW) to provide an outline of the Warrant Articles noting reasons/benefits/costs – one time improvements/employees and benefits/offset revenues (grants, etc.)
(LS) Noted that there is an increase in the total operating budget of about 10%, which is significant and a decrease in the tax rate. She requested a summary of the costs.

(MW) These Warrant Articles can be listed according to the Board’s request. Board agreed that the sequence was acceptable.

2. Final Budget Items

(MW) Capital Outlay – Page 27, Lines 4902:

(LS) Motion to approve Total Capital Outlay- Machines, Vehicles, & Equipment as proposed. (AD) Second. Carried 4-0.

NEW BUSINESS
ACTION ITEMS

3. Funds Transfer – $144 from General Fund to Conservation Fund for Land Use Change Tax

(AD) Motion to approve $144 funds transfer from General Fund to Conservation Fund for Land Use Change Tax. (LS) Second. Carried 4-0.

4. Funds Transfer – $1,360 from General Fund to Conservation Fund for Land Use Change Tax

(GL) Motion to approve $1,360 funds transfer from General Fund to Conservation Fund for Land Use Change Tax. (LS) Second. Carried 4-0.

INFORMATION ITEMS

5. Foss Family Scholarship Donation Acknowledgement

(MW) The Board of Selectman needs to acknowledge receipt of the following donations:

David Fogg $750.
Harry Vogt 35.
Cara Marston 35.

Amount Available $746.77
To transfer to the Trust PayPal is net
of the PayPal transaction fee.

Board unanimously acknowledged receipt of these donations.

16. Aqueduct Purchase Committee Update (Added)

(AD) Committee has met with the consultant and received the final report. The costs seem to be lower than last year. It was a good discussion. Committee will again meet on February 16, 2015 and then again after Town Meeting if Warrant Article passes. Should any Public Hearings occur, Mr. Sansoucy will be in attendance to answer any proposed questions.

OLD BUSINESS

6. Morency Abatement

(MW) At the last meeting Board approved the Morency Abatement; however, Board did not mention the abated amount of $10.59.

(LS) Motion to acknowledge Morency abatement in the amount of $10.59.
(GL) Second. Carried 4-0.

7. Batori Abatement

(MW) At the last meeting Board abated the value and now the abatement for the tax amount based on the value abatement needs to be addressed.

(LS) Motion to approve abatement of $1,683.15 for Tax Map U06, Lot 41.
(GL) Second. Carried 4-0.

APPLICATIONS and WARRANTS

8. Elderly Exemption Application – Brown

(MW) These individuals have been receiving the elderly exemption since 2007 and recently put their property in Trust. By Statute, they must re-apply for the elderly exemption. He noted they are slightly over the limit. Because of the 2015 valuation, it will be necessary for all individuals to re-apply. The Board can
re-visit the elderly exemption. Technically, they do not qualify. (AD) If approved, what does it do to the Town? (MW) Actually nothing, we are approving it for good cause shown. This is revenue that we have not been receiving since 2007.

(LS) Motion to approve extending the elderly exemption for one year for James & Jean Brown, Tax Map R34, Lot 14. (GL) Second. Carried 4-0.

9. Current Use Application – Ed & Laurie Vien

(LS) Motion to approve Current Use for Ed & Laurie Vien, Tax Map R38,
Lot 9-1. (GL) Second. Carried 4-0.

10. Timber Tax Levy – Wallman: Tax Map R10, Lot 8-4

(GL) Motion to approve Timber Tax Levy $856.33, Carl Wallman,
Tax Map R10, Lot 8-4. (AD) Second. Carried 4-0.

11. Timber Tax Levy – Ward: Tax Map R47, Lot 2

(GL) Motion to approve Timber Tax Levy $644.18, Sheila & Daniel Ward,
Tax Map R47, Lot 2. (LS) Second. Carried 4-0.

12. Timber Tax Levy – Hanson: Tax Map R22, Lot 31

(GL) Motion to approve Timber Tax Levy David & Audrey Hanson $590.96,
Tax Map R22, Lot 31. (LS) Second. Carried 4-0.

CHECKS and MANIFESTS

(LS) Motion to approve Accounts Payable and Checks Manifest.
(AD) Second. Carried 4-0.

(LS) Motion to approve Payroll and Direct Deposit. (GL) Second.
Carried 4-0.

MINUTES

13. Public Session Minutes January 20, 2015

(LS) Motion to approve Minutes of January 20, 2015 with Correction.
(GL) Second. Carried 4-0.

Correction:

Page 7, No. 6 add: (LS) These will all be Warrant Articles.

14. Non-Public Session Minutes of January 20, 2015

(LS) Motion to approve Non-Public Session Minutes of January 20, 2015.
(AD) Second. Carried 4-0.

OTHER:

17. Shaw Road Bridge – Engineers

(MW) The Board has reviewed the prospectus of the engineers which were submitted for the Shaw Road Bridge project. The Board has unanimously narrowed it down to two engineers. Would the Board like to meet with these engineers or request references for review and then decide? Board agreed that references would be sufficient. (MW) to do.

PUBLIC INPUT

Denis Beaudoin presented a few questions on Selectman serving on Zoning Board which were clarified for him by the Board.

NON-PUBLIC SESSION

(LS) Motion to go into Non-Public Session per RSA 91-A:3 II (e) – Consideration or negotiation of pending claims or litigation which has been threatened in writing or filed against the Town or any subdivision thereof, or against any member thereof because of his membership in such body, until the claim or litigation has been fully adjudicated or otherwise settled. (AD) Second. Carried 4-0. Individual members of the Board were polled and all agreed.

Board went into Non-Public Session at 6:50 P.M.

Town Administrator Michael Williams did not attend the Non-Public Session.

Board returned to Public Session at 6:56 P.M.

NOTE: RSA 91-A (III) – Minutes of proceeding in non-public session shall be kept and the record of all actions shall be promptly made available for public inspection, except as provided in this section. Minutes and decision reached in non-public session shall be publicly disclosed within seventy-two (72) hours of the meeting, unless, by recorded vote of 2/3 of the members present, it is determined that divulgence of the information likely would affect adversely the reputation of any person other than the members of the Board, or render the proposed action ineffective. In the event of such circumstances, information may be withheld until, in the opinion of a majority of members, the aforesaid circumstances no longer apply.

Shall the Minutes be publicly disclosed? No.

Motion made by (LS) and Seconded by (AD) to not publicly disclose the Minutes because it is determined that divulgence of the information likely would affect adversely the reputation of any person other than a member of the Board and render the proposed action ineffective.

ADJOURNMENT

(LS) Motion to adjourn. (AD) Second. Carried 4-0.

Meeting adjourned at 7:00 P.M.

Approved: February 17, 2015

______________________________ _________________________
Larry Konopka, Chairman Date

I hereby certify that these Minutes were recorded by me on February 3, 2015, transcribed and publicly
Posted on February 5, 2015.

___________________________________________
Delores A. Fritz, Recording Secretary

Attachment (2)
Olympus: 1:52:36

BOS Attachment 2-3-15