DUNBARTON BOARD OF SELECTMEN

MINUTES OF MEETING

THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2005

TOWN OFFICES – 7:00 P.M.

The regularly scheduled weekly meeting of the Dunbarton Board of Selectmen was held at the above time, date and place with Chairman J. R. Swindlehurst presiding. It was noted that the meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. The following were present:

J. R. Swindlehurst, Chairman

Charles (Chuck) Graybill

Mert Mann

Janice VandeBogart, Town Administrator

The Selectmen signed checks prior to the Public Meeting was called to order.

Gregg Scarlet: GPS Properties regarding Proposed Subdivision:

Gregg Scarlet, GPS Properties, appeared before the Selectmen and the Road Agent regarding Olde Mill Brook Road which would be the access for one of the lots in the proposed two lot subdivision presently before the Planning Board.

Gregg Scarlet stated that one of the things he can do is develop the lot into 22 units as a PRD. He stated he doesn’t want to do that. He stated he plans on building a home for himself up on the top. Stated he believes he can get another three lots out of the 49 acre lot.

At this point in the discussion, Mr. Bracey stepped up to the table, and he and Gregg Scarlet stated they had discussions this last Sunday regarding the proposed subdivision. Mr. Bracey stated that he has agreed to sell Gregg Scarlet his property including his home, on Olde Mill Brook Road and that he will purchase a 15 acre parcel from Gregg Scarlet and build himself a new house. This will allow Mr. Scarlet can improve the road because he will own both sides of Olde Mill Brook Road. Mr. Bracey stated that Olde Mill Brook Road is not wide enough at this time to have cars pass.

After discussion, the Selectmen agreed they will request that the Planning Board require any further subdivision will require the road has to be upgraded to a Class V standard from Long Pond Road to the end of the property (turn around).

At this point Gregg Scarlet stated he will have to think about the situation. He noted the cost of upgrading the road to a Class V standard would be at least $150/foot. He stated there was a possibility he would withdraw his present subdivision application and reapply for another subdivision to include the entire project.

Jan VandeBogart stated that the Town is not in the business of upgrading roads to encourage development.

Budget Review: Linda Peters, Town Clerk:

Linda Peters, Town Clerk, appeared before the Board of Selectmen to review the Town Clerk’s Budget.

The Selectmen stated they had reviewed the Town Clerk’s budget which included a scanner, shredder and file cabinets.

Linda Peters also stated that she would like the Town Clerk’s position to be full-time with benefits. She stated there were other Town Clerks within the State that were full-time with benefits. The question of whether they were appointed or elected with benefits was discussed.

J. R. Swindlehurst pointed out that he would think that she would rather be appointed than elected because of the possibility of being voted out of office at some point in time. She stated she wanted to continue to be elected and not be an employee of the Town. She stated that just because you are elected, does not mean you do not get benefits. She stated that the Selectmen’s control over the Town Clerk is limited to the Budget. There is no State Minimum for hours worked by a Town Clerk.

The question of whether or not elected officials have benefits was discussed. It was suggested that if the Town offers insurance to one elected official, it has to offer it to all elected officials because it is a Group Insurance. Janice will check into this.

The Selectmen stated that she would have to provide a Petition Article to be voted on at Town Meeting.

At this point in the discussion, the Selectmen agreed that they would not recommend the passage of a Petition Article to provide benefits to the Town Clerk. They noted this is the same position they took two years ago.

Comments from the General Public:

J. R. Swindlehurst asked for comments from the public. There were none.

The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Alison R. Vallieres

Recording Secretary

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J. R. Swindlehurst, Chairman, Board of Selectmen

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Charles (Chuck) Graybill, Selectman

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Mert Mann, Selectman