October 14, 2019 | Town Admin TOWN OF SUTTONPillsbury Memorial Town Hall93 Main Street Sutton Mills, NHSutton Mills, NH 03221Select Board October 14, 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; Roger Wells, Planning Board Chair; Glenn Pogust, Planning Board Member; Peter Stanley, Planning and Zoning Administrator; Adam Hurst, Road Agent; Robert DeFelice, Budget Committee Chair; Dennis and Becky O’Connell, Anita Blakeman and Elly Phillips, Town Administrator. The minutes from October 14, 2019 were approved as written. The Board reviewed and approved the following manifests: PAYROLL MANIFEST: $ 10,845.64 VENDOR MANIFEST: $ 31,062.00 The Board reviewed and approved the following building permit: Amy Highstrom & Vickie Anderson, 08-884-433, Baker Hill Road, for a rooftop solar voltaic system. The Board reviewed forms: MS-1 Summary of Inventory Valuation and Form MS-434 Revised Estimated Revenues which were executed on 10/9/2019 and submitted to the DRA prior to setting 2019 second issue tax rate. APPOINTMENTS: At 4:30 p.m. Roger Wells, Planning Board Chair, Glenn Pogust, Planning Board Member and Peter Stanley, Planning and Zoning Administrator met with the Board to discuss the Planning Board’s initial goals and statements for drafting the Master Plan. Mr. Wells provided a handout and advised the Select Board that the Planning Board is embarking a Master Plan Update. To begin the update process, the Planning Board developed the following questions for consideration: What is most precious to us as a Town? What is of most concern to us as a Town? What other Towns do that we most appreciate and why? What should we be doing that we aren’t? What is your assessment of the 2006 Master Plan? What else is critical. The Planning Board will meet with all the Town Boards and Committees followed by meetings with representatives of critical components of the Town. The Planning Board sought input from the Select Board on the goals and whether or not they had anything to add. A lengthy discussion ensured regarding mixed use and possible incentives for mixed use. Mr. Stanley read from the 1977 Master Plan noting that the consensus was to “keep Sutton primarily rural and residential. To have Sutton’s population growth by no more than moderate . . ., to preserve Sutton’s agricultural and forest lands and to limit business and commercial growth in Sutton to small home based business.” Mr. Wells observed that taxes are becoming onerous in Sutton and suggested creating incentives for mixed use zoning as well saving historic buildings through mixed use zoning. Selectman Headley noted that the two zoning districts residential and rural agricultural were discouraging for commercial use. Mr. Stanley discussed the dimensional requirements of current zoning. Selectman Wright emphasized the importance of focusing on what is vital, important and desirable. There was an in-depth discussion regarding school funding, noting that it is the biggest chunk of everyone’s taxes. The Board expressed support for the Planning Board’s methodology for the beginning steps for Master Plan update. The Planning Board will report back to the Select Board on an ongoing basis to ensure consensus in the process. At 5:00 p.m., Adam Hurst, Road Agent, regarding various road issues. Mr. Hurst reviewed an ongoing complaint from Sharon Kenrick, and Elizabeth and Edwin Fowler regarding the raising of Andrews Avenue and the effects on her stone wall. Mr. Hurst discussed possible solutions such as crowning the road or grading. Mr. Hurst expressed some concern regarding the dispersion of water if the road were crowned. Mr. Hurst and Phillips will arrange to meet with Mrs. Kenrick to discuss her concerns. Mr. Hurst discussed an issue on Barker Road, advising the Select Board that the O’Connell’s performed work on Barker Road which likely will impact drainage on Barker Road. The O’Connell’s have been notified that immediate corrective action is required. Dennis and Becky O’Connell were present at the meeting to discuss the matter. It was acknowledged that Mr. O’Connell had attempted to meet with the Board to discuss his issues with the road. However, a miscommunication occurred regarding the rescheduling of the meeting. Mr. O’Connell stated that he had several conversations with Mr. Hurst regarding the road surface. His concerns were regarding ditching along the road which is causing subsidence of his boundary wall. Mr. O’Connell presented pictures of his wall along with photos of the corrective action that he had taken. Mr. O’Connell felt that the work he had done would not impede or change the flow of water. It was observed that some of the issues the O’Connell’s are experiencing are because of the location of the culvert in their driveway and the culvert crossing Barker Road. What Mr. O’Connell did to mediate the problem was the installation of some 4” diameter perforated pipe, and fortification of the bank along the wall with riprap . The perforated pipe was covered. Selectman Headley noted that the O’Connell’s did not have permission to work on the road. Mr. Hurst advised that he intends to replace the culvert in 2020. Mr. Hurst felt that the 12 inch pipe going to a 4 inch pipe would obstruct the flow of water. Selectman Headley emphasized that permission was needed prior to working on the road. There was a lengthy discussion regarding the preventative action that the O’Connell’s performed. Mr. Hurst expressed concern about the culvert crossing the road being blocked. Mr. Hurst will attempt to change the angle of the pipe and move the inlet up the road when he replaces the culvert next year. Positioning will depend on whether ledge is present. Selectman Wright discussed project schedules as well as budgetary limitations. The Board reviewed the corrective actions Mr. Hurst would do to protect the road in consideration of the heavy rain anticipated Wednesday evening into Thursday. Mr. Hurst stated that he would dig back a few feet to expose the culvert adding that the pipe has clogged up on prior occasions. Mr. O’Connell felt that would be a satisfactory solution. Mr. Hurst and Mr. O’Connell agreed to meet onsite on Tuesday. Mr. Hurst said that he would dig out about 2 feet, and he was okay with the rest of the material staying in place. The concern of the Road Agent was that if allowed to continue the potential for damage to the driveway or road was increased. NEW BUSINESS: The Board reviewed an inquiry from Richard Dwyer regarding Map 01-204-544. It appears that the property dropped off the deed when it was conveyed by the Sailors. It was later taken by the Town by Tax Deed and purchased by Mr. Colby. It was again taken by the Town by Tax Deed. The property is backland abutting the Dwyer property. The Dwyer’s understanding was that it was part of their original purchase. The sense of the Board was to allow the Dwyer’s to purchase the abutting property for back taxes. However, they will review their finding of cause with Town Counsel prior to making a final determination. The Board received the Health Trust Medical Rate Exhibit reflecting a 7.1 increase for the health plan for 2020. Selectman Wright made a motion to accept the current plan with the 7.1 increase. Selectman Headley seconded the motion which passed by a vote of 2-0. The Board noted correspondence from Pine Hill Ski Club regarding signage. Pine Hill Ski Club was provided with a copy of Article 3 D which provides for the general provisions for signs. The Board reviewed the DES Septage Facility annual inspection report. The Board reviewed and approved an Abatement Request for Hector Acevedo Map 04-291-317 in the amount of $48.26. The Board issued a Request for Reimbursement: Trustees of the Trust Funds for Blacktop Upgrade, Newbury Road in the amount of. Robert DeFelice, Budget Committee Chair, said that when he reviews budgets with the Departments, Boards, Committees, he reminds everyone that when a line item is going to go over that they should review that reasoning with the Select Board. Phillips asked to go over the postage line item in the executive budget in preparation for DRA recertification mailings by transferring existing Town Clerk inventory of pre-stamped non-window envelopes to the Executive Budget. Selectman Wright made a motion to approve the transfer. Selectman Headley seconded the motion which passed by a vote of 2-0. Phillips added this was a better way to utilize the inventory. Mr. DeFelice discussed the wage line item for cleaning and suggested that a custodian position be established for Building and Grounds. Selectman Wright asked for further clarification of COLA, merit and parity salary increases. Mr. DeFelice explained COLA is used to bring you back to where you were. Selectman Wright expressed concern about public perception regarding COLA and impact on the budget. Mr. DeFelice went on to explain that merit increases are based on the individual successes of the employee. The importance of parity and being fair and equitable was also discussed. It was noted that the budget committee is doing a parity study this year. Mr. DeFelice discussed the challenges of assessing health insurance benefits as part of the study. Mr. DeFelice observed that it is going to take the town a couple years to get caught up with COLA. REVIEW OF CORRESPONDENCE: The Board noted Knollwood Engineering Sutton Septage Lagoon Monitoring Results for September 2019. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:52 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Elly Phillips Town Administrator