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

July 20, 2020 @ 4:00 p.m.

 

 

The meeting was called to order at 4:00 p.m. by Robert Wright, Jr., Chair.  Selectman Wright read the following message into the record:  Due to the COVID 19/Coronavirus Pandemic and in accordance with Governor Sununu’s Emergency Order #12, pursuant to Executive Order 2020-04, this Board is authorized to meet electronically. The public has access to contemporaneously listen and participate in this meeting by telephone by calling 978-990-5000 and entering access code 112820.

 

Present at the meeting were:  Robert Wright, Jr., Chair; William I. Curless, Selectman; Dane Headley, Selectman; David Burnham, Health Officer, Kyle Orde, and Elly Phillips, Town Administrator.  Attending by teleconference were:  Robert DeFelice, Budget Chair/MBC Budget Chair/North Sutton Improvement Society Chair and Lynn Wittman.

 

The minutes from July 13, 2020 were approved as written.  The Board reviewed and approved the following manifests:

REVIEW OF MANIFESTS:

PAYROLL MANIFEST:  $10,980.26

VENDOR MANIFEST:  $81,092.73

BUILDING PERMITS:

The Board approved a building permit for Ryan and Tracy Mingarelli, 04-633-306, Brown Road North, for a screened-in porch.

 

APPOINTMENTS:

At 4:30 p.m. David Burnham, Health Officer, met with the Board regarding reopening plans and COVID-19 protective measures.  Mr. Burnham said that he had reviewed materials pertaining to IWAVE filtration and noted that it reduces risk of virus transmission.  Mr. Burnham asked about building air flow and treatment areas.  It was observed that the unit also filters for mold, viruses etc.  The filtered air  would be beneficial for staff and visitors to the Hall.    Selectman Curless advised that filters will need to be changed once a month throughout the year.  The Town intends to apply for reimbursement from the CARES/GOFFER Grant.   The sense of the Board was that this would be money well spent and would fall under the grant requirements.  Selectman Curless discussed the quotations received from Heritage for the IWAVE purifier units.  Due to building constraints, the Town will require the wireless thermostat addon for each unit.  Selectman Curless recommended that the library should also acquiring an IWAVE .

 

Selectman Headley made a motion that the Town approve the quotation for $2,694.40 for the installation of two Iwave air purifier systems and wireless thermostats.  Selectman Curless seconded the motion.  The motion passed by a unanimous affirmative vote.  A timetable was discussed.  Phillips to follow up with an updated proposal for the Board to execute.

 

Mr. Burnham asked if any additional thought was given to a bank teller slot/delivery system.  Selectman Curless had concerns regarding security and how any add-ons might affect the building.    Selectman Curless felt, if necessary, the Town could go back to appointments.  Selectman Headley asked whether Mr. DeFelice had followed up on the window system he discussed last week.  Mr. DeFelice said that the design that was being considered was proprietary, but he did have information on a similar system which he would forward.  Mr. DeFelice asked whether the school had contacted him with their re-opening plan and also whether they had contacted the other district health officer.  Mr. Burnham stated that they had not, and that he did not believe that they had a legal obligation to contact him.  Mr. DeFelice requested permission to reach out to the KRSD operations manager for an update for the health officers.  Mr. Burnham emphasized that the District was working with the State epidemiologist, Dr. Benjamin Chan, and that was being considered in the re-opening plan.  Mr. Burnham reiterated that there was no legal obligation but as a courtesy the district may be willing to do so.    Mr. DeFelice said that he would ask the school to provide the information as a courtesy.  Mr. Burnham affirmed that it was good to have connective information.

 

The Board reviewed the Pillsbury Memorial Hall reopening notice.   The Pillsbury Memorial Hall has reopened to the public for walk-in services.  The offices of Planning and Zoning will continue to operate by appointment.  Masks will be required and social distancing will be observed.  It was noted that the library will continue to operate curbside.  Citizens should call the library for information on library operations.  Mr. Burnham has been in contact with the library regarding their plans.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

The Board reviewed the revised  Easement Deed with the North Sutton Improvement Society (NSIS) for a parking area.  The deed was revised to address concerns of NSIS and removes provisions relating to associated costs.  The deed allows the town to maintain the property and to expend funds on the project.  Selectman Curless asked that the deed be reviewed to verify the tax/map lot # and plan # referenced.  Selectman Curless indicated that NSIS should execute the document prior to the Select Board.  Shoreland permitting for the project was discussed.  Lynn Whittman asked who was responsible for the permitting.  The permitting will be reviewed with Adam Hurst,  Road Agent.   The Board is prepared to execute the document at their next regularly scheduled meeting subject to agreement and execution by NSIS.

 

The quotation from Jonah Coldwell was for $35,000 which is over the amount appropriated.  Mr. Coldwell submitted two additional proposals one was just to remove the El and barn.  The other was for the parking area.

 

Selectman Curless reviewed the quotation from NH Demolition.   The price included water control using hydrant and fire hose.  Water provided by the Town.  The Town does not have water provided at that site.  Over-time/holiday pay was not included in the quotation, nor was backfill.  Erosion controls, if necessary, would be extra as would any repairs to asphalt.  Selectman Curless expressed concern for damage to town roads.  Selectman Curless indicated that those factors could significantly affect final costs.

 

Selectman Curless stated that the quotation from Rowe Brothers was at $25,623.  The town would be responsible for pumping the septic tank at a cost of $250-$500 and removal of the tank if required.  Selectman Curless advised that typically a concrete tank would be crushed and left onsite.  Selectman Curless noted that both proposals specified that asbestos/hazardous waste inspections/remediation costs would be the responsibility of the town.  Selectman Curless felt the successful bidder should recommend the contractor that they worked with for the project.  It was noted that the inspection at the time of sale did not reveal asbestos/hazardous waste.  However, an inspection would be required.

 

Selectman Curless recommended selecting the local contractor as the least number of unknowns.  The start and turnaround times were discussed.  Rowe Brothers would completed the project prior to 8/28/2020.  NH Demolition would complete the project on or before September 1 as specified in the RFQ.

 

Selectman Curless noted that all of the bidders would likely do a good job, but he favored  a local contractor as the least number of unknowns.  Mr. DeFelice asked if there was a contingency for overhead/additional costs in the quotations and advised that no contingencies were specified.   Mr. DeFelice stated that the town approved $35,000 so $5,000 was available for contingency.

 

Selectman Curless made a motion to accept the quotation from Rowe Brothers.  Selectman Headley seconded the motion. Selectman Headley did not feel that being a local contractor would affect the quality of the work.  Selectman Headley felt that the exclusions specified in the NH Demolition quotations were “boilerplate” specifications.  Selectman Headley felt that both quotations were so close that either company would be acceptable and that he was comfortable with either one.

 

Selectman Wright Called the question, to accept the quotation from Rowe Brothers.  The motion passed by a unanimous affirmative vote.

 

Selectman Curless reviewed quotations for the 26 Grist Mill Street demolition project.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

The Board issued a zoning enforcement letter to Hope Hersey, 27 Jolly Farm Road, Map 02-320-580, re:  unregistered vehicles.

 

The Board issued the DRA Application for Reimbursement to Towns and Cities in Which Federal and State Forest Land is Situated 2020 and DRA Re Form PA-28 2021.

 

REVIEW OF CORRESPONDENCE:

Mr. Orde was present to discuss his recent correspondence to the Board regarding taxation and possible savings the school may have achieved during the closure.  Selectman Wright explained that the town was responsible for collecting the school tax, but the Select Board did not have authority over their budget.  Selectman Wright encouraged Mr. Orde to attend KRSD School Board and KRSD Budget Committee meetings.    Mr. Orde was advised that his correspondence has been forwarded to the District.

 

Mr. DeFelice advised that he was seeking information on savings achieved.  He noted that some savings have been achieved, but transportation is still being required for the distribution of lunches.  There is grant funding available to offset the cost for the lunches but not the distribution.    Mr. DeFelice said that savings would be discussed at the September meeting.  Mr. DeFelice encouraged public participation at KRSD Budget Meetings.  Mr. DeFelice said that this year the school was returning 1.6 million to the Towns.  He said that more could have been returned but has been on expended on other items.  Mr. DeFelice expressed concerns regarding the costs associated with reopening.  Attendance at school meetings was discussed as well as whether the call-in number is available to the general public.   The Board will write to the District regarding the call-in process.

 

TOWN ADMINISTRATORS COMMENTS:

SELECTMEN’S COMMENTS:

Selectman Headley discussed the recent Master Plan Survey.  The Planning Board is working on a consolidated version of the survey process.  The majority of responses related to taxes.  Public information on how the tax rate is arrived at.

 

Selectman Wright reported on the recent school board meeting.  Selectman Headley also listened to the meeting.  School is with safety, equity, and quality of attendance.  Parents want attendance 80%.  The school is concerned about both parents and teachers.

 

Mr. DeFelice expounded on the school’s challenges in reopening.  He felt that it would have been beneficial if the survey went to all taxpayers rather than just parents and teachers.  He felt that taxpayer input on reopening should also be considered.  Mr. DeFelice expressed concerns regarding the psychological effects of social distancing on young students and would like input from the school psycholgists.  Mr. DeFelice felt that the focus does not include Sutton Central due to space constraints.

 

There was a general discussion regarding spread of the disease and whether kids can carry it.

 

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:25 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Elly Phillips

Town Administrator