TOWN OF SUTTON
Pillsbury Memorial Town Hall
93 Main Street Sutton Mills, NH
Sutton Mills, NH 03221
Select Board
February 27, 2023 @ 5:00 p.m.

Dane Headley opened the meeting at 5:00 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance. Present at the meeting were: Dane Headley, Chair; Walter Baker, Jr., Selectman; Michael McManus, Selectman; Peter Stanley, Planning and Zoning Administrator; and Elly Phillips, Town Administrator.

At 5:30 p.m., Peter Stanley, Planning and Zoning Administrator met with Board regarding a request to the survey Old Store Museum. The property owners, Jody Wells and Brenda Balenger, are interested in clarifying boundary issues that were discovered during the sale of their property. It will be difficult to survey the rear bounds of the property in question due to current conditions and water level at the rear of the property. Selectman McManus advised that another abutter to the property has recently done a survey. Selectman Headley made a motion to allow Mr. Wells and Ms Balenger to survey the Old Store Museum lot at their own expense. Selectman McManus seconded the motion. The motion passed by a unanimous affirmative vote.

Selectman Baker made a motion to approve the minutes from February 20, 2023. Selectman McManus seconded the motion. The motion passed by a unanimous affirmative vote.
REVIEW OF MANIFESTS:
The Board reviewed and approved the following manifests:
Vendor Manifest: $359,456.56
Payroll Manifest: $ 15,669.57

BUILDING PERMITS:
The Board reviewed and approved the following building permits:
Walter Partridge, 05-497-323, North Road, portable storage sheds on NICU land only to meet all setbacks.
Jacob and Monica Jordan, 04-272-396, Old Main Street, After the Fact Permit for Interior renovations.

VETERAN’S TAX CREDITS:
The Board reviewed and approved the following veteran’s credits:
Denis & Nancy Charest, 01-427-152, Service -Connected Total Disability
James R. Critchlow, 06-223-188, Veteran’s Tax Credit
OLD BUSINESS:
Selectman Headley moved to appoint Marion Freymann and David Grinsell to the Economic Development Committee. Selectman Baker seconded the motion. The motion passed by a unanimous affirmative vote. The Board agreed to have Selectman Headley serve as the ex-officio representative on the Economic Development Committee.

Selectman McManus reported that he has spoken with Tim Hayes who has agreed to assist with the transition on the Cemetery Committee.

The Board received a copy of the Library MOU for review prior to their meeting with Trustees. Selectman Baker reported on his meeting with Irish Electric. The original estimate was for $2,500. Irish Electric recommended updating the lighting to LED lighting. Irish Electric will make further recommendations on whether the wiring going across the ceiling requires update. GFI’s will be installed along with a new panel providing an additional 10 circuits. The lighting fixtures in the bathroom will also be done. Selectman Baker felt that the electrical work should be done first.

Selectman Baker reviewed recommendations from Wet Basement Solutions. The basement area will need to be emptied. A section of the paneling will need to be removed to determine access. If Wet Basement is able to get behind the paneling to install the sheathing, then the studs can remain in place. Wet basement will cut two feet along the wall to install the drainage. This will provide an opportunity to look at the floor to determine whether flooring sheathing is required. The drainage will be where the old oil tank was located. The town may be able to assist with some of the digging and trenching. Selectman Baker said he would look at the walls to see the best approach to taking them down if necessary. Selectman Baker recommended using volunteers to take the walls down. Wet Basement will completely sheath the walls and the material installed will be white and could conceivably be left like that. Selectman McManus asked why not take the walls down and not leave six inches. Selectman Baker responded that the panels were structural. The Board agreed to discuss the volunteer efforts at their joint meeting with the Library Trustees.

The Board agreed to have the historical books stored at the Pillsbury Memorial Hall on a temporary basis. The Board agreed to meet with the Library Trustees for a joint meeting on 3/2/2023 at 6:00 p.m. Selectman Baker suggested conducting monthly meetings with the library trustees similar to those conducted with Department Heads.

Selectman Baker also discussed the Old Store Museum project and is meeting with contractors to review the project.

The Board reviewed the 2023 Warrant. Selectman McManus recommended leaving the capital reserve for cemeteries at $17,000 in the operating budget. Selectman McManus recommended dropping the capital reserve for computers down to $4,000 to agree with the Budget Committee. Selectman McManus recommended keeping the appropriation for Highway Trucks at $90,000. If Article 6 passes, the Board will support a motion to reconsider to remove $30,000 from that reserve. The Board will review the process with Moderator Lick and Counsel. The Board agreed to remove the $40,000 from the Mastin Cemetery Capital Reserve. The Board also discussed Article 10.

NEW BUSINESS:
Upon appeal of the taxpayer, the Board issued a Timber Tax Abatement for Woodlot and Grange in the amount of $945.68.

Selectman McManus reported that on behalf of the Board, he attended the a ceremony in New London on February 23 which honored Chief Korbet with a lifesaving award for his heroic efforts in saving a motorist at an accident scene in New London. Selectman McManus said that the ceremony was well attended. New London Police Chief, Emily Cobb, presented Chief Korbet with a certificate and a lifesaving medal.

Selectman McManus reported that Sergeant Crone’s cruiser is still experiencing serious problems losing oil, pressure and radiator fluid. They are taking it to another dealer to troubleshoot. The newest cruiser will likely be equipped within the next two weeks. In the meantime, the Department is down to one equipped cruiser. Chief Korbet is currently driving the new cruiser. Selectman Headley said that the town needs to follow up on the serious problems with Sergeant Crone’s cruiser. The Board agreed to invite Chief Korbet to their next meeting to discuss the matter.

SELECTMEN’S COMMENTS:
The Board discussed staffing.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:25 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Elly Phillips
Town Administrator