TOWN OF SUTTON
Pillsbury Memorial Town Hall
93 Main Street Sutton Mills, NH
Sutton Mills, NH 03221
Select Board

February 22, 2022 @ 4:00 p.m.

 

William I Curless, Chair, opened the meeting at 4:10 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance.  Present at the meeting were:  William I. Curless, Chair; Dane Headley, Selectman; Walter Baker, Jr., Selectman; Donald Davis, Jr., and Elly Phillips, Town Administrator.

 

 

APPOINTMENTS:

Don Davis met with the Board regarding the Burpee School #13 located at the junction of Newbury and Nelson Hill Roads.  Walter Goddard contacted the Historical Society to let them know that Ellie Goddard very much wanted the School House to go to either the Historical Society or the Town.   Mr. Davis advised that the schoolhouse is in good condition.  The Historical Society discussed the matter but has concerns about taking on the care of another building because of the ongoing maintenances costs associated with the buildings they own.   A suggestion given was that the structure be moved to the park area of the Grist Mill/Main Street parking area if that was acceptable to Mr. Goddard.

 

Selectman Curless said that “the Town should help the historical society care for these buildings, because once they are gone.  They are gone.  They are worthwhile structures to be kept.”  Selectman Curless said that would be an awesome building and that the Town should have a budget to assist the historical society with preservation of old buildings.”  Selectman Headley asked about the building’s anticipated annual maintenance costs.

 

Mr. Davis advised that at this point Mr. Goddard was just trying to ascertain the town’s interest in the structure.  Phillips indicated that if the Town were to accept the gift, it would likely need to be approved at Town Meeting.  At this point, it would be too late to add it to the warrant.  Phillips will verify the process with Town Counsel.    Mr. Davis said that he was going to speak with preservationists regarding restoration requirements.  The Board reviewed the dimensions of the building.  Selectman Headley discussed criteria for presenting it to the town such as historical value, renovation costs, and ongoing maintenance requirements as well as an optimum location for the structure.  Mr. Davis advised that the school is on a granite slab.  It was last used in 1919 as a school.  It was also used as a sugar house.

 

Selectman Headley noted that the timing was bad for Town Meeting.  Mr. Davis said perhaps the Town could do something in partnership with the Historical Society.  Mr. Davis will discuss the Town’s requirements and options with Mr. Goddard.   The Board discussed several options for the structure.  Selectman Baker said that it warrants serious investigation.

 

The public and non-public minutes from 2/14/2022 were approved as corrected.  The Board reviewed and approved the following manifests.

Vendor Manifest:  $400,639.64

Payroll Manifest:   $  12,015.07

 

OLD BUSINESS:

The Board agreed to schedule a public meeting regarding the Library Bulletin Board on April 4, 2022.

 

The Board issued a Cemetery Deed for John E. Leland.

 

Selectman Headley distributed a draft code of conduct.  Selectman Headley is working on the administrative section for the code.  He asked that the Board review the draft for discussion  at the next regularly scheduled meeting.

 

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:50 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Elly Phillips

Town Administrator