TOWN OF DUNBARTON

BOARD OF SELECTMEN

MINUTES OF MEETING

July 10, 2003

 

Present:          J. R.  Swindlehurst, III

                        Steve Kennedy

                        Janice VandeBogart, Town Administrator

 

7:00 p.m. Judy Petersen, re:  Ethics Committee ruling

A discussion was underway prior to the start of the Board meeting.  Steve discussed Judy’s concerns about the outcome of the complaint that was made earlier.  Steve indicated that he didn’t feel that there was cause for action based on the complaint made.  Judy expressed her appreciation for the Board’s time.

 

7:10 p.m.  Woody Bowne, re:  Transfer Station issues

Woody indicated that he interviewed two candidates yesterday.  Steve moved to hire the people he interviewed, contingent upon passing the physical .  J.R. seconded the motion.  The motion passed. Woody mentioned that one candidate lives in Weare and the other in Manchester.

 

J.R. asked how things were working out with the commercial haulers.   Woody indicated that Ron is doing fine but that Gleason has “his troubles”.  Steve asked Janice if there is a requirement that home businesses become registered.  Janice indicated that home occupations need to register with the Building Inspector to see if they meet the requirements.  Steve asked if this applies to renters.  He also noted that Mr. Gleason’s truck was parked at his trailer for several days, full of trash and feels this is a health hazard. 

 

Ron Slocum was in attendance, as an observer, and stated that only property owners can have a home occupation.  J.R. mentioned that Mr. Gleason owns the trailer.  Ron’s opinion was that he needs to own the property, meaning the land.  Ron then found Article 3 if the Zoning Ordinance, which indicated that home occupation business owner needs to be the owner of the principal building. 

 

Steve mentioned that he wants to go with the dump rules by Labor Day.  The Board reviewed the relevant Zoning Ordinances.

 

Janice brought up the auditor’s inquiry into whether the Board wanted to include a letter after the auditor’s report and that this is holding up the audit.  Janice will ask the auditor to come in and talk with the Board.

 

Steve questioned the Police Dept.’s five year plan which calls for another officer.  J.R. thought that the plan called for a part-time officer.  J.R. suggested that the Board could ask all department heads to submit new plans.  Steve’s concern is that when individual department heads present warrant articles at Town Meeting, the Town doesn’t get the “big picture” and these warrant articles may not be in the best interest to the Town, as a whole.  He feels that the Town’s needs should be prioritized and that the Master Plan needs to be explained to the Town.

 

Ron Slocum asked if a Selectman’s representative had been chosen for the Master Plan Steering Committee.  Steve moved to appoint Chuck to the Master Plan Steering Committee.  J.R. seconded the motion.  The motion carried.

 

Janice mentioned that Ken Swayze wants a separate phone line.  Steve said it was fine as long a he raises the fees to cover it.  Janice mentioned that the cost would be $275 for a module to increase the number of phone lines with the current system.  She mentioned that a viable  alternative plan may be through their computer server, with mailboxes.  She will look into the cost.  She checked into adding voice mailboxes through the Dunbarton Telephone Co. and felt that it would be costly to add this feature for all of the lines.  Steve asked Janice to have Bob (the computer guy) come in with a plan.

 

Steve asked Janice to buy 10 folding chairs.

 

Steve mentioned that we may need someone to do typing of the master plan, starting in the fall. Janice is going to check with someone who had applied for the Building Dept.’s secretary position.

 

J.R. mentioned that Jon Wiggin has attempted to get several estimates for a new garage door and that he was only able to get a call back from one.  J.R. motioned for Jon Wiggin to go with the door company that will give him a quote.  Steve seconded the motion.  The motion carried.  He feels that this is a safety issue and warrants an exception.

 

Steve reviewed the Board’s site walk on Rangeway Rd. The street goes from a class 5 road to a class 6 road and Jan VandeBogart wants to make a turnaround to extend the class 5 portion for snowplowing purposes.  The corner is all ledge.  A discussion took place as to whether the Town should blast the ledge.  J.R. suggested building a hill. 

 

Ron Slocum is concerned that this is setting a precedent for the Town and other people living on class 6 roads may seek an upgrade.  Janice mentioned that the biggest problem is the plow truck.  Jan can’t leave the snow pile right there where it turns into a class 6 road.

 

8:15 p.m.  John Swindlehurst, re:  Order of Notice

John came in to inform the Board that he had received this notice.  Steve said Steve Duggan will contact John.

 

8:25 p.m.  Steve moved to hire Alan Sheldon as a Highway Dept. employee at a rate of $15/hour.  J.R. seconded the motion.  J.R. abstained.  The motion carried.

 

8:30 p.m.  Ken Swayze, re:  Home Occupations, Gleason’s trash collection

Ken mentioned that he called up Solid Waste and they informed him that Mr. Gleason is allowed four days for his trash to be in transit.  Steve suggested taking pictures of the trash to be sure it is the same trash. Ken mentioned that the trailer park could qualify as a junk yard.  The burned trailer was moved to the back of the property.  Ken suggested that there could be a problem because Mr. Gleason doesn’t have the opportunity to bring the trash to the Transfer Station every four days.  Woody noted that he can come in on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.  Ken mentioned that the four days were designed to prevent abuses by Towns.

 

Woody mentioned that it used to be that commercial haulers could come in anytime between 10-4, until they started fighting.  This resulted in set hours.  He feels that they need to be open to the public more hours. 

 

Steve wants to set up a Department Head meeting.

 

J.R. reviewed the history behind the burned trailer. 

 

Ken mentioned that Stillwater is requesting money.

 

J.R. mentioned a complaint by Janet Zeller. She would like a sign on Everett Rd. that reads “Not a Through Road”.  J.R. feels that we should put up a sign after construction is complete.

 

9:03 p.m., Steve motioned to adjourn the meeting.  J.R. seconded the motion.  The motion carried.

 

________________________________________________________________

J.R. Swindlehurst, III, Selectman

 

________________________________________________________________

Steve Kennedy, Selectman

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

Joanne Johnson