Town of Sutton Selectmen Meeting Minutes

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

January  28, 2019

 

The meeting was called to order at 4:00 p.m. by William I. Curless, Chair.  Present at the meeting was William I. Curless, Chair, Dane Headley, Selectman; Robert Wright, Jr., Selectman; Robert DeFelice, Budget Chair; Tom Schamberg, State Representative; Marybeth Angeli, Kings Hill Road and Elly Phillips, Recording Secretary.

 

APPOINTMENTS:

Marybeth Angeli, met with the Board to discuss winter maintenance on a summer-maintained portion of  Kings Hill Road.  A miscommunication occurred regarding maintenance whereby the Town has been plowing that section.  Ms. Angeli discussed the large number of people using the road to access the recreational area.    Ms. Angeli advised that people were parking in such a way that they were blocking the driveways.  Ms. Angeli emphasized her safety concerns.    Ms. Angeli felt that the use of the road changed, and therefore, the Town should assume year-round maintenance.  The current winter maintenance agreement was discussed.  Ms. Angeli felt that they were not given sufficient notice regarding the town not maintaining that area.

 

Ms. Angeli was advised that the town needed to review the winter maintenance issue with counsel.  It was acknowledged by the Town that the hammerhead has been installed.    Selectman Curless stressed that the area should not be maintained by the town pursuant to the recorded winter maintenance agreement.  Ms. Angeli stated that the barriers got moved for the conservation area parking lot and as a result the town extended their plowing.  Ms. Angeli said that she understood that the area was not maintained for winter travel, but objected to everything changing with the letter she recently received from the town.

 

The driveway locations were discussed as well as the fact that the driveways were permitted.    Selectman Curless suggested signage indicating that there was no turnaround.   It was agreed that motorist should not be parking in the hammerhead.  Ms. Angeli said that the driveways were located to make it safer and better.  Ms. Angeli requested that the Board revisit the matter in view of the recreation area and the parking area for the King Hill Reservation.  Selectman Curless advised that people use the recreation area at their own risk.

 

Ms. Angeli asked what would happen with the upcoming storm.  Ms. Angeli said she discussed the matter with staff prior to beginning construction and was under the impression that the Town was going to be responsible for winter maintenance.      Selectman Curless reviewed the methods for making such a change which are through the vote of the Town at annual meeting or by a formal action on the part of the Board of Selectmen.  The Board will research both the immediate needs and future responsibility.  Ms. Angeli emphasized the increased usage of the road.  Selectman Wright reiterated the winter maintenance agreement.

 

Selectman Curless emphasized the responsibility of the Town to adhere to the rules of the town.  Phillips was instructed to follow up with Counsel.    Selectman Curless asked if Ms. Angeli had a contingency plan for the upcoming forecasted storm event.  Ms. Angeli said that she didn’t have a plan.    The matter will be discussed with Counsel to see if the Town can plow for the predicted storm only in order for the Angeli’s to develop a plan.

 

The minutes from January 21, 2019 were approved as written.  The Board reviewed and approved the non-public minutes from January 21, 2019 and January 24, 2019 regarding acquisition of property.  Selectman Wright made a motion to unseal the non-public minutes regarding acquisition of real or personal property from January 21 and January 24, 2019.   Selectman Headley seconded the motion.    The motion passed by a unanimous affirmative vote.   The Board made an offer of $160,000 for 26 Grist Mill Street, subject to approval at Town Meeting.    Phillips was authorized to issue a deposit of $5,000 ($2,500 non-refundable) from the Building and Grounds contingency line item.

 

REVIEW OF MANIFESTS:

The Board reviewed and approved the following manifests:

PAYROLL MANIFEST:   $  13,544.40

VENDOR MANIFEST:    $337,057.26

 

BUILDING PERMT: 

The Board approved a building permit for Sam Dube, 05-819-576, Gile Pond road for a barn.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

The Board reviewed correspondence from Lisa Lopez regarding a proposed Swim program at Kezar Lake sponsored by the Kezar Lake Protective Association.   It was noted that funds had been added to the 2019 budget for the program which will no longer be required as KLPA was not seeking funding in 2019.  KLPA was requesting marketing and administrative support from the Town.    The Board asked that Ms. Lopez be invited to a future meeting so that they could learn more about the program, and the Town’s potential role.  Also, the Board will follow up on whether there are any liability issues that might affect the Town.

 

Tom Schamberg asked for feedback from the Sutton Assessor on HB 700 regarding taxation on telephone lines and polls.

 

The Board requested that town counsel attend this year’s annual meeting.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

Selectman Wright wanted to ensure that all staff, boards and volunteers be made aware of the town’s harassment policies through outreach by a member of the Select Board.  The Board discussed whether it should be outreach or a class.  Phillips was instructed to coordinate two training sessions with Primex as the facilitator.  The trainings are to be scheduled for after town meeting.

 

The Board discussed the proposed bond issue for the fire department addition.  Selectman Wright expressed concern over current cost estimates for the project.    Disseminating information regarding progress on the project was also considered.  Selectman Headley emphasized the need for going forward with the project, recognizing that there was no cheaper alternative.  The town needs to follow required codes for a safety building.  The Board discussed financing for the project.  The Board was authorized to borrow $480,000 at the 2018 Town Meeting.  The authorization to borrow has not lapsed.  Funds from capital reserve were used to perform the necessary architectural and engineering work.   The 2018 authorization of debt will be added to any financing approved at the 2019 town meeting in order to finance the entire project cost.  Selectman Curless discussed the planning process for the bond hearing.   Upcoming meeting schedules were reviewed.  There will be a budget committee meeting on 2/4, a budget hearing on the 7th.  The Bond hearing is scheduled for the 11th.    An additional meeting with the building committee scheduled for 2/8/2019 scheduled for 4:45 at the Pillsbury Memorial Hall was proposed.

 

NON PUBLIC SESSION:

At 5:50 p.m.,Selectman Wright made a motion to enter into Non-public session under RSA 91-A:3,II(a) The dismissal, promotion, or compensation of any public employee.  Selectman Headley seconded the motion.  The Board was polled with Selectman Curless, Selectman Headley and Selectman Wright voting in the affirmative.     Selectman Headley seconded the motion.  The motion passed by a vote of 3-0.  Public session reconvened at 6:02.  The minutes were not sealed.   In non-public session, Selectman Wright made a motion to approve a salary increase for John Csutor, Solid Waste Facility Attendant, using the COLA and merit guidelines with a 6-month successful probationary period.  The motion was seconded by Selectman Headley.  The motion passed by a unanimous affirmative vote.

 

SELECTMEN’S COMMENTS:

Selectman Wright reported on articles from Town and City.

 

REVIEW OF CORRESPONDENCE:

Legislative Bulletin – noted.

New Hampshire Guide to Invasive Species – noted.

There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 6:07 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Elly Phillips

Town Administrator