October 7, 2022 | Town Admin TOWN OF SUTTON Pillsbury Memorial Town Hall 93 Main Street Sutton Mills, NH Sutton Mills, NH 03221 Select Board October 7, 2022 @ 3:00 p.m. Dane Headley, Selectman, opened the meeting at 3:37 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance. Present at the meeting were: Dane Headley, Chair; Walter Baker, Jr., Selectman; Michael McManus, Selectman; Joe Driscoll, Town counsel; Anita Blakeman, Timber Monitor; and Elly Phillips, Town Administrator. INTENT TO CUT: Town of Sutton, 04-312-539 and 04-313-462, for 20 acres out of 21.41 (corrected form) OLD BUSINESS: Ms. Blakeman discussed the draft contract with Burl Land Clearing and reviewed her concerns. Ms. Blakeman emphasized that the contract should include specific terms for remuneration. Ms. Blakeman felt that the contract should specify more precisely regarding the goods (timber). Ms. Blakeman elaborated at how value is determined noting that it is a tricky process as each logger arrives at what they feel is reasonable based on the amount they can operating on a site using their particular equipment, markets, and costs. Ms. Blakeman cautioned that it is important to find a variety of prices from the start. Ms. Blakeman asked that the following be included in the record: “I am responsible to the landowners and when I hear things from loggers, abutters, or the landowner themselves and the responses do not jive. I step back and say did I miss something or what is going on here. The whole thing that brought her to this point is that she has been told repeatedly that “time is of the essence.” There is a he said/she said situation regarding contacting local loggers.” Ms. Blakeman elaborated on a text she received which supported her position that the discussion regarding the clearing on the landfill has been ongoing since last November. Therefore, “time is of the essence” is not valid. Phillips shared her understanding that the logger in question was contacted and stated that he did not have the equipment to do the whole project. Ms. Blakeman responded that there are a lot of excavators in town. Selectman Baker said that the matter has been under discussion for some time. Selectman Baker said the goal was to have one person come in do the whole job so that the area would be available for material storage. It was noted that some of the delay was communicating with the DES to ensure that the Town could store the reclaimed materials there. Ms. Blakeman suggested that the language regarding the Selective Cut required more information. Ms. Blakeman also discussed the international ¼” log scale rule, Doyle, Bangor, Scribner rule and suggested contract revisions based on this information. Selectman Baker summarized the town’s objective which was to get the job done and not have to raise funds for the project. Selectman Headley thanked Ms. Blakeman for her due diligence regarding this project and for bringing her concerns to the Board’s attention and for the follow up work that she has done. Selectman Headley said that this will help going forward should this type of project on town property. Selectman Headley acknowledged in the future all contracts will be brought to the Select Board first and that Ms. Blakeman will be consulted with regarding future timbering. Selectman McManus made a motion to table actions on the contract and intent to cut until their next meeting (May 10, 2022) so that Counsel can revise the contract as discussed. Selectman Baker seconded the motion. The motion passed by a unanimous affirmative vote. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 3:54 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Elly Phillips Town Administrator