Center Harbor Board of Selectmen Board of Selectmen s Meeting August 8, 2018 CALL TO ORDER: At 7:00 p.m. Chairman Harry Viens called the Board of Selectmen s meeting to order. Selectmen Richard Hanson and Richard Drenkhahn were present. Tax Collector/Town Clerk Mary Richardson, Code Enforcement Officer Ken Ballance and Historical Society President Roland Garland were also present. AGENDA REVIEW: Due to an apparent miscommunication Parks & Recreation Sandy Frost did not attend the meeting. The Appointments were reordered with Mr. Garland speaking first, Compliance Officer Balance meeting second and Town Clerk Mary Richardson third. MEETING MINUTES: July 25, 2018 Board of Selectmen s meeting: Mr. Drenkhahn motioned to approve the minutes of the July 25, 2018 Board of Selectmen s meeting as presented electronically. Mr. Viens seconded the motion. Mr. Hanson, who was not present at the meeting, abstained from voting. The motion passed. APPOINTMENTS: President of the Historical Society Roland Garland REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) REPAIRS TO THE SCHOOL HOUSE BUILDING: Center Harbor Historical Society President Roland Garland submitted a draft RFP for repairs to the front entrance wall and the 1929 classroom ceiling. Karen Ponton submitted an email suggesting the following wording be included in any RFP s for the School House: The Contractor must agree to abide by the Secretary of Interior Standards for Rehabilitation of Historic Properties. Ms. Ponton reported that wording would show grant agencies that the Town is serious in their efforts to preserve our local historic buildings and may help with future grant applications. Mr. Ballance noted that in the case of the School House there is really no need for this at this time. A final RFP will be drafted and published which will include the Towns insurance requirements. Town Hall Signage: Mr. Garland reported that the Historical Society was considering offering to repaint the signs outside Town Hall as a gift to the Town. Mr. Viens noted that the Town has requested quotes from Paquette Signs for replacing the signs with PVC replicas of the existing signs. They would look the same, but last longer without requiring repainting. He suggested the Historical Society consider that approach. Mr. Garland said he would review the whole project with his board and get back to the Select board. TOWN CLERK/TAX COLLECTOR MARY RICHARDSON: Property tax deeds: Mrs. Richardson informed the Board that three resident s tax bills have now become delinquent to the point that the Town is authorized to go to Deed on the property. She also noted that the property owners in question had been working 1
with the Town by making payments to discharge the overdue taxes. As the amounts involved are fairly small her recommendation was to not go to Deed at this time. Mr. Viens motioned to continue working with the taxpayers in question and not go to Deed at this time. Mr. Hanson seconded and the motion was unanimous. CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER KEN BALLANCE: Fire code violation complaint: Mr. Ballance submitted a copy of a possible fire code violation complaint. He reported that he had opened an investigation into the complaint which is ongoing. Hedge Trimming at Town Cemetery: Mr. Ballance reported that the hedges that delineate the boundary between the cemetery and adjacent private property are significantly overgrown and some action is needed. However, simply trimming them back will remove all of the foliage and leave essentially bare branches which may or may not refoliate next year. He would like to research some alternatives to determine the best course of action which include progressive trimming over time (contracting with a landscaping company), replanting or possibly replacing the hedges with an appropriate fence. The Board asked Mr. Ballance to proceed and report his recommendation back to the Board along with cost estimates for the work noting that any significant expense will have to be approved by the taxpayers at Town meeting. Cemetery markers: Mr. Ballance submitted information on the cost of cemetery markers, which would identify cemetery lots. He recommended that all cemetery plots be clearly identified to avoid any confusion on location. Fire Station Drainage: Mr. Ballance reported that the recent rain has caused puddling around the drains in the Fire House which appear to be blocked at some point. He recommended that Lamprey Septic be called in to run a camera through the drain system to identify the cause and location of the blockage. The Board agreed, any cost will be covered by the Building Maintenance fund. PUBLIC INPUT: None. SELECTMEN S REPORTS: Mr. Drenkhahn reported that the Energy committee will be meeting this week, Mr. Viens reported that the Planning Board had met Tuesday night. In addition Center Harbor Resident Elliot Berkowitz met with the Board in an informal discussion regarding possible development plans to convert existing structures on his Red Hill Farm property into condominiums. (11,15,18,16 BARN LANE (PVT) Map 215 Lot 010.1). He was advised to develop a site plan for review by the Planning Board. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: PARKS & RECREATION REPORT Beach passes: Ms. Frost and Town Clerk Mary Richardson have developed recommendations on combining Beach passes with the Transfer Station stickers for review. A final recommendation will be forthcoming. 2
Band concerts: Rain dates will be added to the Band concert schedule to accommodate bad weather. The Board would like to know why the Fire Station couldn t be utilized in case of inclement weather as it has been in the past. Playground repairs: The Selectmen were informed that it will cost $799.64 to repair the bark mulch border by the playground swings; the border was run over/damaged by a lawn mower. A claim will be filed with Stephens Landscaping. Bandstand granite steps repairs: The Selectmen were informed that Dave Cutter donated his time to assist the Highway Department in resetting two of the granite steps at the bandstand; the steps were damaged by a lawn mower. A thank you letter will be sent to Mr. Cutter. MUNICIPAL BULDING PARKING AREA IMPROVEMENTS: The Selectmen previously received the following proposals for improvements to the Municipal Building parking area: Ambrose Brothers, Inc. $78,066 GMI Asphalt, LLC $60,200 At the July 25, 2018 Selectmen s meeting, Road Agent Jeff Haines and Quantum Construction Consultants, LLC Representative Jim Bouchard recommended awarding the contract to GMI Asphalt, LLC, the lowest bidder. Mr. Viens and Mr. Drenkhahn tabled this matter until all three Selectmen were present for a discussion. After some discussion the Board decided to ask Road Agent Jeff Haines to research the cost of simply shimming or doing overlay paving on the existing surface area to make it smooth and even. This would spare the expense of having to excavate the existing parking lot. TOWN ORDINANCES SELECTMEN S SECTION : The Selectmen are still reviewing the edited draft of the Selectmen s Section of the Town Ordinances. TOWN SIGNS: The Selectmen received, and reviewed, the following proposals submitted by Annie Paquette, of Paquette Signs: The sign at the Municipal Building was installed in 2002. Mr. Paquette suggested replacing the signs with PVC signs (looking the same as the current signs) and repainting the black post; $2,500. Mr. Paquette suggested replacing the two Welcome to Center Harbor signs on Route 25 with PVC signs and putting PVC sleeves over the posts; $1,700 for both locations. Mr. Paquette reported the Town of Meredith had new Welcome signs made this year. He reported the Welcome to Meredith sign on Route 3 is blank on the side coming in to Center Harbor. Mr. Paquette suggested the Selectmen ask the Town of Meredith if Welcome to Center Harbor could be on the blank side. VOLUNTEER AGREEMENT/LIABILITY RELEASES: The Board discussed developing a simple volunteer agreement which would spell out responsibilities and expectations for volunteers, and include a liability release clause. A decision was made to 3
research this and see if other Towns or the Municipal Association may have some existing agreements which could be modified and adapted to meet the Towns needs. 2019 PROPOSED BUDGET: New Beginnings: $1,050 requested for 2019, $1,020 appropriated in 2018. NEW BUSINESS: HARASSMENT TRAINING: A Harassment training program was recently conducted at Town Hall by the Towns insurer; Primex. Currently this has been done annually at no expense to the Town. After some discussion the Board decided to try and conduct the training at a two or three year (or other appropriate) interval since it essentially consumes an entire work day. However all new employees would be required to take the training upon hiring, which is available on-line. LIBRARY TREE LIGHTS: The Board would like to begin the process of repairing/replacing the lights on the Library Christmas Tree so they are in place before Christmas. A letter will be sent to landscaping companies in the area requesting cost estimates for this work. HEATING OIL CONTRACTS: Mr. Hanson reminded the Board that the Town is obligated to purchase fuel for this coming year under a group contract with Inter Lakes School system and Meredith that was authorized in October of 2017. The cost for this year will be approximately 45 cents per gallon less than the quotes the Town has received from other suppliers, which will mean a savings to the Town of about $1575. ROUTE 25-B SIGNAGE: Mr. Hanson requested an update on DOT progress in adding speed limit signage to 25-B. The Board asked Chief Chase to inquire. ADDITIONAL BUSINESS: STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE: State of New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NH DOT): o NH DOT Highway Block Grant Aid: The Selectmen received notification from NH DOT that the Town may anticipate $41,020.51 in Highway Block grant Aid in FY 2019. o Winona Road speed limit: The Selectmen previously received a copy of a letter sent to NH DOT from Winona Road residents requesting consideration of a 5-mile per hour reduction in the posted speed limit from 662 Winona Road to 636 Winona Road and the addition of yellow >>>>> signs on this bad curve. The Selectmen received a copy of a letter from NH DOT Traffic Engineer/Administrator William Lambert reporting he shares their concern for safety along the State highways and regret that the requested sign changes would not be effective at modifying driver behavior. Mr. Lambert reported he will make it a point to revisit Winona Road in the near future to evaluate whether there may be other measures that could improve traffic safety. 4
State of New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration (NH DRA): o NH DRA Application for Current Use : Mr. Viens motioned to sign the following NH DRA Application for Current Use : Coolidge TML 201-3 Mr. Drenkhahn seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous. CONSTRUCTION PERMIT APPLICATIONS: The Selectmen reviewed the following approved construction permit applications: Gasparoni TML 215-28 Novak TML 226-65 Heiner TML 212-29 Duymazlar TML 103-12 Hyslip TML 103-19 Ryan TML 205-21 Mendzela TML 215-33 CURRENT BILLS PAYABLE: The Selectmen reviewed, and approved, the payroll and accounts payable manifests as presented. GENERAL JOURNAL ENTRIES: The Selectmen reviewed, and approved, the general journal entries as presented. PUBLIC INPUT: None ADJOURNMENT: At 8:29 PM Mr. Drenkhahn motioned to adjourn the Board of Selectmen s meeting. Mr. Hanson seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous. Respectfully submitted, Harry Viens Chair Acting Secretary for the evening 5