Present: John R. Swindlehurst, III

Stephen Kennedy

Charles Graybill, Chairman, was unable to be here tonight because of a prior engagement.

Meeting was called to order at 7:20pm

Ken Swayze: Planning Board issues. Discussed proposed Cell Tower regulations. This proposed ordinance regarding cell towers which will have nothing to do with the application before the boards at this time. The ordinance will need to have a hearing and go to town meeting for vote.

Ron Slocum: Gave an update on the Master Plan questionnaires. We have the highest response to date - 37% The information is on the web site.

International Building Code: Ken Swayze stated that the town needed to adopt the international building code for residential use at this years town meeting.

Jeff Trexler & Dan DalPra: Building Committee. Discussed the meeting with School Board and The Board of Selectmen last evening. The subject of the meeting was the proposed purchase of the Vaal property. The building committee was assigned the job of preparing a buyer and seller agreement, standard form between the town and the Vaals based on an appraisal of this property. Also, make the offer to the Vaals and bind with the town contingent upon acceptance at town meeting. The Vaals could continue to post the property for sale in the event that the town does not vote to purchase it . Jeff Trexler stated that the negotiations best be done by the Selectmen and not the committee. There needs to be a Market Analysis done on the property by an appraiser. Dan DalPra stated that we also need to ask the town what they would like to do with this property. A plan would need to be prepared and the cost must be determined. They concurred that the Purchase and Sales Agreement can be prepared by Simona Robinson and it can be reviewed by our attorney. It was determined that an appraisal would probably cost about $500 and this would be paid out of the towns funds.

Bud Noyes was asked to join the discussion. He is an appraiser and was asked for his input. He was asked to recommend an appraiser and he recommended Compton French. It was agreed that Mr. French will be asked to do this work and he will contact Jeff Trexler.

What to do with the property? It was decided to leave the door open. Could have school take advantage, the Library or the Town Office could utilize the property. . Jeff Trexler went over his concerns regarding the cost of borrowing money. He was unsure of the Bonding rates but will check on these. He said that it was predicted that rates are going up, not down. If the town goes to a private institution you can get money right away, bonding takes months.

Steve Kennedy had no problem with the Board of Selectmen negotiating with the Vaals. The Building Committee would manage the assessing of the property. Might need more than one appraisal. Steve Kennedy stated that after this was done we need to ask the town to think about a professional assessment of the property and how it could be used. The Building Committee will come up with some recommendations on that. Jeff Trexler stated that if this was done right away it will cost money but if it took one year it would be less costly. Dan suggested a year study because would want community feedback. Need to put something on the 2004 warrant to do the study and come back with plan in 2005.

All plans for the renovations of the Town Hall will stay on tract in case the Vaal property purchase does not fly at town meeting and need to have another plan.

Steve Kennedy stated that the tenants of the Vaal property may stay. Leases are month to month. They could stay there until the town decides to do something with the property.

JR asked about combining two libraries, town and school. Jeff Trexler responded that this probably would not be feasible. Security is main issue. The general public would not be allowed to wander around in the school.

Bud Noyes, Ken Swayze: Historical Awareness Committee: Ken & Bud were in regarding the publishing of the new history book, “Where settlers Feet Have Trod”.. Town has offered $15,000 for the publication of the history book. Book has been beset by production problems. It is not ready yet, was to be completed in September. There has been internal problems with the production of the book. To save money the committee had volunteers doing a lot of the work and it is taking longer and some of the photos have been a problem because they were generated from post cards. Bud presented a draft copy of the book. Bud stated that the committee sent out pre-order forms, set up passbook savings book for advanced sales and so far have 121 reservations, 23 from out of state. Some have prepaid and others are waiting for the book.

The Selectmen decided to spend the $2500 that was carried forward from 2002 and pay the publisher before the end of the year and carry forward the $12,500 into 2004.

FYI: J. R. Swindlehurst noted for the record the New England Power was replacing static lines in Dunbarton and have been working from Robert Rogers Road via helicopter.

Patrick (Woody) Bowne, Supervisor of the Transfer Station and Ron Slocum: Woody and Ron were in to discuss progress on project. They went down the list of items that needed to be completed:

1. Generator receptacle: not done, within the next week.

2. Main power panel: No idea what needs to be done. Assistant Building Inspector, John Turner did an inspection and there were problems with existing electrical panels. Woody will put on list to do and Ken will inspect. Will need a copy of John’s report. It was noted that this was existing stuff and met code then but needs to update in the future.

3. Seal conduit where enters the building: done

4. Junctions boxes and conduits on lower level: done

5. Complete wiring for compactor: done

6. Diamond plate: done

7. Attendants shed, dry wall etc.: Most done, only needs trim around door.

8. Baseboard heaters: done

9. Additional blocks for burn pile: ordered.

10. New canopy for truck: done

11. third axle fenders: Work to be done tomorrow, 12/5/03.

12. Phone line to attendants shed : will be done next week, need to snake wire through.

13. Wall between drive thru and garage : done

14. Roll up doors: no funds left for this. Not sure if needed, will check with OSHA.

15. Sliding door on side: done

16. Soffet on east overhang: done

17. Old tire pile: gone

18. Dirt piles: old piles gone, got new ones

19. Barrels, containers: need to find out what is in barrels, will be done in the spring.

20. Grading, driveway and paving: done

21. Blocks on burn pile: working on this. Have piles of loan and fill. It was suggested that the town could sell by the yard.

Ron asked if any items were not done and was funding needed. NO according to Woody. Only thing he will have to do is have OSHA check on the door (see #14) and the handrail system and that would probably cost about $4000. Steve Kennedy suggested mailing a letter to OSHA for their assistance and list each item specifically.

Compactor: Ron wanted to know the latest on how it was working. Woody stated that a representative from Accura was out to look at it. The Warranty is up but their Rep said they would not leave us in the lurch. He has it in writing and Atlantic Leasing will stand behind it also. Nothing has happened all summer so he will run the heater and see what happens.

Ron asked if there will be any money for additional staff. Steve Kennedy stated that this will be discussed when Woody bring in his budget.

Ron asked questions regarding Fire calls and when Woody left to go on afire call was there anyone there to be in charge who is certified to run the Transfer Station. He was assured that the new person who was recently hired is certified and also Alan Sheldon from the Highway Department is also certified. Also SK stated that it is most important that if the town has a certified firefighter here in town he should be able to respond to fires and emergencies. Ron asked what the general policy was for others employed in town when they go on fire calls, are they paid by their employer. The Selectmen stated that employees of the Telephone Company and Dunbarton Fuel were on the employers time when they respond to calls during daytime working hours. Therefore Woody is paid if he responds during his working day. Steve Kennedy stated that if he went over his normal hours he of course would not be paid for that time. Any hours that Woody or any employee of the town would respond to a fire call would be considered indirect hours and charge accordingly. Ron asked if the Fire Department gave money to their firefighters for response to calls. Firefighters are paid on a point system. At the end of the year the Chief counts the number of points each person gets and they are paid per point. It amounts to about $4.00 a call.

Ron asked if a policy had been drawn up for commercial haulers, regarding their hours, etc. This will be discussed at budget time. Probably would have hours on Tuesdays and Fridays. In State Statues it says that a person cannot leave the trash in their trucks no longer than three days.

Woody stated that the paving was finished at the Transfer Station and everyone he spoke to was very pleased with how it came out.

General Discussion:

Tammy Luby stated that she was accused of discrimination by Sylvia Grenier. Ms. Grenier spoke and called it nepotism because Tammy was asked to work at the Transfer Station, she felt, in place of Ms. Grenier and the fact that Tammy Luby and Woody Bowne are a couple made her feel it was discrimination. She said she was working for a time and now doesn’t get a call and wanted an explanation. The Board assured her that they approved Tammy and another person to be hired when help was needed and it was not discrimination against her.

Further comments from Ms. Grenier were considered rude and vulgar by the Board and any further discussion ceased.

Steve Kennedy made a motion to adjourn , JR Swindlehurst seconded the motion, motion passed. Meeting was adjourned at 9:05 pm

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John R. Swindlehurst, III

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Stephen Kennedy

Dunbarton Board of Selectmen

Recorded by: Janice VandeBogart, Town Administrator.