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

Board of Selectman
Meeting Minutes of August 14, 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, Robert DeFelice, Budget Committee Chair; and Elly Phillips, Town Administrator.

 

The Board reviewed and approved the minutes from August 7, 2017 both public and nonpublic ( Sealed)

 

The Board reviewed and approved the following manifests:

PAYROLL MANIFEST: $12,606.59

VENDOR MANIFEST: $30,353.72

 

BUILDING PERMITS:

The Board reviewed and approved the following building permits:

Old London LLC, 07-874-293, Davis Court – demo and restore with  condition:  energy audit approval be signed by the contractor.

ATC, 05-678-405A, Shadow Hill Road, replace cell tower equipment – no change to height.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

The 2017 Fuel Bid award was discussed. Huckleberry will provide #2 heating oil at a fixed price of $1.927 through a joint bid with the towns of Bradford and Warner.

The bid for propane was awarded to Ayer and Goss at a fixed price of $1.299.

 

Selectman Baker reported that the Conservation Commission received a complaint regarding target practicing occurring on Town property at the King Hill Reservation.   Due to safety concerns, the Board discussed placing a condition on the property to prohibit target practice.  The Board noted that target practice is not a permitted use for recreational current use.    Selectman Curless added that the condition would not preclude hunting.  The Board will research the process for implementing this condition as to whether to enact through policy or ordinance.

 

The Board approved a purchase order for the Police Department for office supplies.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

The Board discussed award of the Boston Post Cane and noted with sadness that the next recipient of the Boston Post Cane, Mrs. Margaret Wunderlich, passed prior to receiving the cane. The Board will express their condolences to the family and acknowledge Mrs. Wunderlich as the eldest citizen of Sutton.  The oldest citizen in Sutton is now Mrs. Ruth Howe.  The Board will inquire as to whether Mrs. Howe will accept award of the cane.

 

The Board issued abatement forms for the 2017 Tenants In Common Lien correction which were previously approved at their meeting which was conducted on August 7, 2017.

 

The Town Administrator reported that NHMA did not finalize the 2016 Salary Survey due to a lack of participation from towns and cities.

 

The Board issued a memorandum advising Staff, Department Heads, Boards, Committees and trustees regarding posting agendas and minutes timely on town website

 

The Board received a non-binding advisory citizen petition requesting a three-way stop at the intersection of Chalk Pond/Main Street/Newbury Road intersection. The Board agreed to schedule a public meeting on August 28, 2017 at 6:00 p.m. to discuss traffic control options for the Chalk Pond/Main Street/Newbury Road.  The Board will request that representatives from the police and highway department attend to address citizens’ concerns.

 

At 5:40 p.m. Selectman Curless made a motion to enter into non-public session under RSA 91-A:3, II (a) personnel. Selectman Baker seconded the motion.  The Board was polled with Selectman Wright, Selectman Curless and Selectman Baker voting yes.  The Board returned to public session at 6:00 p.m.  Selectman Curless made a motion to seal the minutes the reason being:  personnel matter.  Selectman Baker seconded the motion.  The Board voted unanimously to seal the minutes.  It was noted that the minutes will be unsealed once a suitable candidate is hired – however, candidate names will be redacted.

 

REVIEW OF CORRESPONDENCE:

From DOT/NHMA regarding Highway Block Grant

From Census Bureau regarding LUCA invitation — 2020 Census Local Update – Selectman Curless moved that the Town prepare the Census Local Update registration form. Selectman Baker seconded the motion which passed by a unanimous affirmative vote.

 

SELECTMEN’S COMMENTS:

Selectman Baker reported on the Conservation Commission discussion regarding Horse Beach. The Commission will seek guidance as to allowable uses from the DOT and DES before proceeding with further action.  The Town needs to determine whether expanding the parking etc. is allowed by the State.  A major area of discussion was how to deal with the dog scat problem around the lake.  The Board will seek guidance from Counsel and other Towns regarding regulation and/or ordinances dealing with this matter.

 

Selectman Wright reported that Sutton Old Home Day services will be held on Sunday, August 20, 2017. Dick Dutton will be officiating.  Carlton Bradford, the Putnams and the Lowe sisters will also be in attendance.  There will be a barbecue and dessert service at the celebration.  The Old Store Museum and the Historical Society buildings will be open for the event.

 

Selectman Baker reported that Right Angle Engineering will be providing the library ramp plans by the end of the week.

 

Robert DeFelice sought guidance from the Select Board regarding Article 10 which was tabled at the 2016 Town Meeting, and asked how the budget committee should handle the budget process regarding that matter. Selectman Wright opined that the matter could not be brought back to the table except at Town Meeting.  It was noted that perhaps the wage matter could be resolved during the budget process as part of the operating budget.

 

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:03 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Elly Phillips, Town Administrator