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

July 27, 2020 @ 4:00 p.m.

 

 

The meeting was called to order at 4:01 p.m. by Robert Wright, Jr., Chair.  Selectman Wright read the following announcement 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; Joe Eisenberg and Melissa Laverack, and Elly Phillips, Town Administrator.  Attending by teleconference were:  Robert DeFelice, Budget 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: $  12,048.09

VENDOR MANIFEST:  $514,774.71

 

BUILDING PERMIT: 

The Board approved a building permit for Jacob & Elizabeth Morrill, Map 06-762-594, Baker Hill for an addition.

The Board approved a building permit for Melissa Laverack 2013 Trust, 02-872-358, Foothills Road, for a dwelling subject to a Zoning Board of Adjustment special exception for a Detached Accessory Dwelling Unit and a dimensional variance.

 

INTENT TO CUT:

The  Board approved a supplemental intent to cut for Karen Fischer-Anderson, Map 02-830-262, 02-810-302 & 02-844-231.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

Action was deferred on an Easement Deed and Maintenance Agreement with the North Sutton Improvement Society (NSIS).  The North Sutton Improvement Society will be meeting on 7/29/2020 to review the easement.  If approved, Mr. DeFelice will execute on behalf of the society.

 

The Board discussed the 26 Grist Mill Street.  The asbestos inspection will be performed on 7/28/2020.  Mr. DeFelice advised that some of windows may be repurposed for the Old Store Museum.  Phillips will check with Kevin Rowe regarding any plans for recycling of materials.

 

Selectman Curless made a motion to authorize the Town Administrator to proceed with the acquisition of IWAVE air purifier systems for the Pillsbury Memorial Hall.  Selectman Headley seconded the motion.  The motion passed by a unanimous affirmative vote.  Phillips will also check to see if an IWAVE air purifier system is a viable option for the library.  The town will seek grant reimbursement from GOFFER funds.  If not approved, other funding options were explored.

 

The Board signed a letter to Christopher Stotler notifying Mr. Stotler that the Town will perform an assessment of the property on 8/12/2020.

 

Mr. DeFelice advised that the Library was interested in pursuing a bond issue for the ramp project.   Phillips will follow up.  The Board was invited to a meeting with the library trustees on 8/4/2020 to discuss budget issues.  The Board would like Mr. DeFelice to be in attendance as well.

 

The Board noted that the dead trees at Smiley Grove have been removed.  Replacement trees/landscaping options will be reviewed for the 2021 budget.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

The board executed a Road Use Agreement with Granite State Forestry for the Patriot’s Trail logging operation on Wright’s Hill Road.

 

The Board issued an abatement for KLPA, Map 07-947-371, in the amount of $46.00.  Cause of Abatement:  property is tax exempt.

 

The Board will schedule Personnel Evaluations for August.  A work session will occur at the end of their next meeting.  Evaluations will be scheduled at the beginning of their regularly scheduled meetings from 4:00-4:30 for subsequent meetings in August.  The performance evaluations will be conducted in non-public session.

 

Selectman Curless provided an update on the Roby Road upgrade project.  Rocks are being removed.  Culverts have been backordered but are being installed next week, gravel then paving.  Information regarding the project will be posted on the website.

 

The Board authorized Phillips to lock in a fuel rate for 2020-2021 heating season if rates are favorable.  The fuel rates are bid out with the towns of Bradford and Warner.

 

The Board discussed a possible ownership discrepancy for Town owned property located at 02-895-218 (Old Gravel Pit) on Old Sutton Road.  A title search was recommended by Counsel.   Selectman Curless made a motion to authorize a title search/abstract on property located at Tax Map/Lot 02-895-218 up to $1,000.   Selectman Curless seconded the motion.  The motion passed by a unanimous affirmative vote.   Phillips will explore splitting the cost with Fischer/Anderson.

 

The Board approved Vacation Days for the Town Administrator on 7/31/2020 and 8/7/2020.

 

REVIEW OF CORRESPONDENCE:

KRSD regarding reopening – noted.

 

SELECTMEN’S COMMENTS:

Selectman Headley discussed absentee ballot voting.  Selectman Headley expressed concerns regarding in-person voting.   Select Board coverage for election day was discussed.  Selectman Headley encouraged absentee voting and noted that a link for a request for an absentee ballot application for the State Primary 9/8/2020 and the General Election 11/3/2020 is on the Town Clerk Page of the website.  The application is also online on the Secretary of State’s website.  Selectman Wright discussed the absentee ballot voting process.

 

PUBLIC INPUT: 

Mr. DeFelice discussed the call in process and noted that if employees would prefer to call-in to discuss their performance evaluations, there is a direct line that could be used for non-public sessions.

 

Mr. DeFelice encouraged the Board to attend the July 30,2020 School Board Meeting.  There is a call-in number for the general public.

 

Mr. DeFelice discussed the portable PA system recently acquired by the town.  There is more equipment on the way to include two portable microphone.  The portable system is suitable for other Town events requiring a PA system

 

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:55 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Elly Phillips

Town Administrator