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

May 8, 2023 @ 5:00 p.m.

 

 

Dane Headley opened the meeting at 5:00 pm with the Pledge of Allegiance.  Present at the meeting were:  Dane Headley, Chair; Walter Baker, Jr., Selectman; Michael McManus, Selectman; Glenn Pogust, Planning Board Chair; David Anderson, and David Grinsell, Town Administrator

 

APPOINTMENTS:            

Glenn Pogust, Planning Board Chair, reported that the Peacock Hill injunction is in the process of being filed by Town Counsel.   The construction schedule provided by the developer is not acceptable to the Town.    The schedule does not appear to be realistic, nor does it allow for required construction inspections.   The Court will allow a set amount of time for the developer to respond, and it is anticipated that the court will decide on the injunction shortly after the allotted response time.

 

Selectman Baker moved to accept the minutes of May 1, 2023, as corrected.  Selectman McManus seconded the motion.  The motion passed by a unanimous affirmative vote.

 

CONSENT AGENDA:

REVIEW OF MANIFESTS:

The Board reviewed and approved the following manifests:

Vendor Manifest:  $13,265.44

Payroll Manifest:   $15,891.49

 

BUILDING PERMITS:

The Board reviewed and approved the following building permits:

Peter and Elisabeth Sykes, Map 05-420-452, Mastin Road, for interior renovations.

Shawn and Laliberte and Emily Wilmott, 01-138-089, East Sutton Road, raise existing garage with apartment and replace with a garage apartment.  ZBA decision attached.

Brandon Battis, 02-732-432, Route 114, for demolition of structures.

Anthony Giglio, Map 09-687-000, Shaker Road, for a roof mounted solar array.

 

CURRENT USE APPLICATION:

The Board reviewed and approved the following Current Use Applications:

Benjamin and Heather Dalbec, Map 01-885-559, for 1.57 acres

Anderson/Salthe Current Use, Maps 04-194-375 and 04-207-389

 

NEW BUSINESS:

Selectman Headley moved to adopt the following resolution to amend the retirement program to permit loans:

 

Whereas, the Employer has employees rendering valuable services; and Whereas, the Employer has established a retirement plan (the “Plan”) for such employees which serves the interest of the Employer by enabling it to provide reasonable retirement security for its employees, by providing increased flexibility in its personnel management system, and by assisting in the attraction and retention of competent personnel; and Whereas, the Employer has determined that permitting participants in the retirement plan to take loans from the Plan will serve these objectives;  Now therefore be it resolved that the Plan will permit loans.

 

Selectman Baker seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

The Board executed a Proposal from Knollwood Engineering for annual sampling for environmental services/annual groundwater sampling at the solid waste facility.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

The Board issued a Road Bond for McAlister/Peterson, Map 05-729-028, Pound Road South, in the amount of $3,000.

 

The Board discussed Tax Deeded Property and were provided with an overview of the auction process. The Board will review the tax deeded properties and provide the auctioneer with a list of properties for sale.  Town Counsel will review the properties for sale, and the auctioneer will visit the properties.  The Board reviewed the properties for sale.  A lengthy discussion regarding the properties ensued.

 

The Board also discussed the process for conveying Map/Lot 06-653-513 back to Puskas as approved at the Annual Meeting.  The conveyance will be subject to a title search.

 

The Board discussed Counsel Fees noting that when Counsel attends meetings or makes court appearances on behalf of the Town an hourly rate is paid.  The Town also pays a monthly retainer fee for general legal inquiries.

 

Selectman Baker made a motion to approve the estimate from Irish Electric to update the lighting to LED at the Pillsbury Memorial Hall meeting room.  Selectman Headley seconded the motion.  The motion passed by a vote of 2-1.

 

Selectman Baker discussed a proposal from Wet Basement Solutions for a pump for the library.  Selectman Baker recommended going back to the original bid of $1,850.  The dehumidifier will be installed in the furnace room.  The dehumidifier needs to be installed at the end of the project.  The source of the water and project phasing was also discussed.  Selectman Baker provided his recommendations for assessing the source of the water infiltration.  The library trustees should begin boxing the items for storage.  The TA will follow up on obtaining a revised estimate, and the Board will execute the agreement.

 

In response to a question concerning a logging operation on Bum Carter Road, it was determined that Bum Carter is a Class V Road.

 

TA Grinsell provided a Library update.  Town Counsel has reached out to the library chair but has not yet received a response.  Selectman Headley requested that the TA invite Nancy Glynn, Chair of the Sutton Free Library Trustees, to meet with them at their next regularly scheduled meeting.   The TA discussed benefits qualification based on the number of hours worked.    The Board will discuss benefit administration with Ms. Glynn at that meeting.  The Board will also follow up with counsel regarding ongoing library matters.

 

TA Grinsell clarified the Solar Exemption which allows for the taxable value of the solar array is exempt from the taxpayer’s total assessment.   In other words, the assessed value of the solar installation does not result in an additional tax.

 

The Board discussed the maple tree in front of the Town Hall and requested that David Anderson share his opinion on the condition of the tree.  Mr. Anderson advised that once a tree shows mushroom growth it is an indication that the heartwood is rotten.  The Board explored whether the tree was a hazard tree.  It was noted that an arborist is coming in to assess the tree on May 10.

 

SELECTMEN’S COMMENTS:

The Board discussed Select Board meetings as well as the process for public input.

 

Selectman Baker commented on the excellent job the Highway Department did grading North Road.  Selectman Baker discussed the pros associated with paving the Grist Mill Parking Lot and drainage issues on the parking lot.  Selectman Headley felt that a hardpack surface would be adequate.  Selectman Baker supported bringing the matter to the next Town Meeting.   Selectman McManus asked if the article was voted on with no paving.  Selectman Headley discussed the work and recommendations of the Grist Mill Parking Committee.

 

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:10 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Elly Phillips

Recording Secretary