Town of Sutton

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

Select Board Meeting

July 22, 2019 @ 4:00 p.m.

 

The meeting was called to order at 4:00 p.m. by Dane Headley, Chair.  Present at the meeting were:  Dane Headley, Chair; Robert Wright, Jr., Selectman; William I. Curless, Selectman; Adam Hurst, Road Agent; Robert DeFelice, Budget Chair; and Elly Phillips, Town Administrator.

 

The public and non-public sealed minutes from July 15, 2019 were approved as written.  The Board reviewed and approved the following manifests:

PAYROLL MANIFEST:      10,493.11

VENDOR MANIFEST:  $555,949.26

 

APPOINTMENTS:

At 4:15 p.m. Adam Hurst, Road Agent met with the Board regarding the proposed 2019 gravel upgrade.  Mr. Hurst recommending doing Baker Road (1500 feet)  from the New London town line, south;   Penny Ante Alley (650 feet); Park Avenue (850 feet); Mastin Road starting at the high school (350 feet) and Nelson Hill South (1270 feet).  Mr. Hurst noted that Penny Ante Alley and Park Avenue have not received a gravel upgrade for many years.  Mr. Hurst advised that he has spoken with the Newbury Road Agent about providing materials for the portion of Nelson Hill that is in Newbury.  The towns of Newbury and Sutton have a reciprocal agreement for maintenance activities on Nelson Hill.

 

The Board also discussed an anticipated building permit application for a cell tower on Wright’s Hill Road.  The Board sought feedback from Mr. Hurst on whether the town should stipulate maintenance for tower on Wrights Hill Road (a Class VI Road) as there is a maintenance agreement in effect with Mr. Brooks for a dwelling.  It was noted by Selectman Curless that the Town’s policy addresses dwellings.   The process for issuing a building permit was discussed which includes notification of abutters and execution of an Agreement and Notice of Limitations on the Town of Sutton’s Responsibility and Liability Pursuant to RSA 674:41,I (c) (2) & (3).  Selectman Wright made a motion that the maintenance clause would be waived in the notice of limitations for Vertex Towers.  Selectman Curless seconded the motion.  A public hearing will be scheduled in conjunction with the building permit application.

 

At 4:30 p.m. Selectman Wright made a motion to enter into non-public session under RSA 91-A:3, II(d)  Consideration of the acquisition, sale or lease of real or personal property which, if discussed in public, would likely benefit a party or parties whose interests are adverse to those of the general community.   Selectman Curless seconded the motion.  The Board was polled with Selectman Headley, Selectman Wright and Selectman Curless voting in the affirmative.  Public Session reconvened at 4:58 p.m.  Selectman Wright made a motion to seal the minutes because divulgence of this information would likely render a proposed action ineffective.  The motion was seconded by Selectman Curless.  The motion passed by a unanimous affirmative vote.

 

 

OLD BUSINESS:

The Board received feedback from the Conservation Commission asking for an extension of time until after town meeting so that the Commission can review the tax deed properties that may possibly be offered for sale.  The Board will request that the Commission provide feedback on or before August 16, 2019 so that the information is available at the Selectmen’s following regularly scheduled meeting.

 

The Select Board executed Rules of Procedure for their board to serve as guidance for the conduct of Select Board meetings.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

The Board issued the PA 28 for the Department of Revenue Administration.

 

The Board issued a nomination form for Andrew Jeffrey to the Warner River Advisory Committee.

 

The Board received a draft copy of the 2018 Audit and Independent Auditor’s Communication with Those Charged with Governance.  Selectman Headley executed the Managements Representation Letter on Behalf of the Board.

 

A Maintenance Agreement with the North Sutton Improvement Society is being drafted.  The Agreement would be put forth for consideration at the 2020 Town Meeting.  In the meantime, the Town will continue to plow snow.

 

 

REVIEW OF CORRESPONDENCE:

Selectman Wright shared his notes from a meeting conducted by Governor Sununu for Selectboards regarding by the budget veto.   Relevant to the town of Sutton was information pertaining to school funding and the New Hampshire Retirement System.  Selectman Wright noted that the budgets were presented to the Governor and July 27 with and expected response by July 1.  Selectman Wright also wrote a personal letter to the State Representative, Senator and Governor supporting the Governor’s budget recommendation.  Mr. DeFelice asked whether he felt the Governor was supportive of education.  Selectman Wright indicated that his sense was that the Governor did support education.,

Legislature Press Release regarding budget – the board will review at their next meeting.

FEMA regarding Contoocook Watershed mapping – flood risk – forward to Dan Sundquist for review

A hearing on the Stotler matter has been scheduled for August 13 at 9:00 a.m.

 

SELECTMEN’S COMMENTS:

 

PUBLIC INPUT:

Mr. DeFelice advised the Grist Mill Committee will be meeting next week and will get input from the Road Agent.   Selectman Headley said that the Committee is making good progress but will be stepping things up a bit to develop a budget.  Selectman Curless provided an estimate on the annual cost for maintaining a building at 3%.

 

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:37.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Elly Phillips

Town Administrator