Town of Sutton Selectmen Meeting Minutes

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

Board of Selectman
Meeting Minutes of July 17, 2017

 

 

 

The meeting was called to order at 5:00 p.m. by Robert Wright, Jr., Chair. Present at the meeting was Robert Wright, Jr., Chair; William I. Curless, Selectman; Walter Baker, Jr., Selectman; Duncan Domey, Police Officer; Elly Phillips, Town Administrator; Ed Canane, Land Use Coordinator; Melissa Lavarack; Joe Eisenberg; Lonnie and Ruth Guin; and Cindy Stillman, Assistant.

 

The minutes from July 10, 2017 were approved as written. The Board reviewed and approved the following manifests:

PAYROLL MANIFEST:   $   9,949.77

VENDOR MANIFEST:   $ 81,362.47

 

APPOINTMENTS:

At 5:30 p.m., Melissa Lavarack regarding met with the Board to discuss concerns regarding traffic at the intersection of Main Street and Newbury Road. Ms. Laverack suggested additional signage would be beneficial to control speed and lessen confusion related to users of the Town Hall u-turning at that intersection.

 

Selectman Wright suggested a 3-way stop. Selectman Curless and Officer Domey felt that a 2-way stop would definitely be advantageous and added that the yield sign coming down Chalk Pond Road could be replaced by a stop sign.  Selectman Baker supported the suggested 3-way stop.  Joe Eisenberg observed that people start to slow down coming past the school but once they make the turn or go out that start to speed up.

 

Selectman Wright sought Officer Domey’s opinion on what would be the most effective and easiest option to enforce. Officer Domey advised that stop signs on all three roads would be very easy to enforce but wondered whether the citizens of the town would want that.  Selectman Baker stated that a public hearing would be conducted to hear suggestions from interested members of the public, and added that this intersection has been discussed before.  Selectman Baker felt that a non-binding petition would be helpful in enhancing public awareness as well as identifying support for the signage.  It was noted that there was also a signage concern at the intersection of Chalk Pond Road and Baker Hill.

 

Ed Canane suggested that signage may not be the answer and indicated that a round-about was a potential solution for traffic control. Additionally, Mr. Canane suggested that a traffic engineer be consulted.  Selectman Curless recalled that there was an island at the intersection previously, but the Town had to remove it during construction of the Main Street Bridge, because the State had determined that it made the approach to the bridge too tight.  Phillips expressed concerns regarding the expense associated with a round-about as well as the potential for taking a portion of abutting properties by eminent domain to provide adequate space for the round-about.  Selectman Wright requested that Mr. Canane research the requirements for a round-about in his capacity as Land Use Coordinator and report to the Board within the next three weeks.

 

A public hearing will be conducted after Mr. Canane’s report. Ms. Laverack agreed to circulate a petition and will review the wording of the petition with the Town prior to circulation.    Officer Domey stated that the Police Department will solicit input from the Road Agent regarding potential options.  Selectman Wright asked that the Road Agent and a representative from the Police Department be in attendance at the public hearing.  Selectman Baker added that the Select Board would welcome suggestions from the public prior to the public hearing.

 

INTENT TO CUT:

The Board approved an Intent to Cut for Richard Deschenes, Map 02-000-140, Cottage Lane for 5 acres out of 34.4.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

The Board issued the 2017 Unlicensed Dog Warrant as requested by Linda Ford, Town Clerk/Tax Collector.

 

The Board executed the “Application for Reimbursement to Towns and Cities in which Federal and State Forest Land is Situated” for the Department of Revenue Administration, Equalization Bureau.

The Board authorized a purchase order from Staples for for Linda Ford, Town Clerk/Tax Collector.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

Selectman Baker reported on the Library Ramp. There was a meeting conducted on Tuesday, July 11, 2017 with Erin Darrow, Right Angle Engineering.  Drawings were provided depicting the location, size and pertinent information required for permitting due to proximity to the Lane River.  Working drawings will then be provided in order to go out for an RFP.

 

Selectman Baker reported on the Corporation Hill Bridge which is at Hansen’s and is in the process of being fabricated. Ms. Darrow has provided drawings locating the footings for the abutments.

 

REVIEW OF CORRESPONDENCE:

The Board reviewed a copy of correspondence from Linda Ford, Town Clerk Tax Collector regarding the privacy act. The issue at hand is that residency needs to be established.  The Town Clerk’s office does verify residency.  However, information cannot be conveyed from the Motor Vehicle system as this would be a violation of the privacy act.

 

A possible solution would be to provide a form with the Welfare intake packet that the client would take to the clerk’s office to be verified and returned to the Welfare Officer. The importance of offering aid in an expeditious manner was discussed as well as the need to establish residency prior to offering aid.    The Welfare Office is checking with the Secretary of State’s Office, the Department of Motor Vehicle and Town Counsel to determine the correct method of verification of residency.

 

The Board will issue a letter to the Town Clerk outlining the process and acknowledging that the Board respects and appreciates the clerk’s concerns as it relates to privacy issues as well as thank Ms. Ford for bringing the matter to the Select Board’s attention. Selectman Baker asked whether or not the Deputy was authorized to verify residency and was advised in the affirmative.  Selectman Baker added that all Welfare needs is a yes or no to the residency question and does not need to offer any information concerning physical location.   The Board was concerned that aid does not get delayed for those in need.

 

SELECTMEN’S COMMENTS:

Selectman Curless discussed the fact that five homes currently have the potential to be tax deeded and suggested that it would be advantageous to have the Police Chief review the list and provide personal knowledge and information from the Town’s database. The underlying concern was for safety of the employees.  The Board will issue correspondence to those facing tax deed to notify them of the exigency of the situation.  Prior to taking any action, the Board will seek Counsel’s advise.

 

Selectman Wright reported on the meeting that he attended on Tuesday, July 11, 2017 concerning the Warner River Nomination. Selectman Wright provided an analysis of the Shoreland Water Quality Protection Act (SWQPA) as it pertains to the Town’s existing Zoning Ordinance. The Town of Sutton’s zoning complies with the SWQPA.  Selectman Wright asked Selectman Curless to provide a copy of the handout to the Planning Board. Copies of the handouts will be provided to the Conservation Commission.  Selectman Wright described the nomination process as follows:

  1. Nomination is recommended by the legislature.
  2. A local advisory commission was established for the benefit of all the towns: Bradford, Sutton, Warner and Hopkinton.
  3. If nominated, there is restriction of all new and expanded Waste Facilities (not to be within 250’ of the Warner River).
  4. Recreational use would not be restricted (other than refraining from littering).
  5. A public hearing is conducted and the legislature approves.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:45 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Elly Phillips

Town Administrator