Town of Sutton
TOWN OF SUTTON
Pillsbury Memorial Town Hall
93 Main Street Sutton Mills, NH
Sutton Mills, NH 03221
Board of Selectman
March 18, 2019 @ 4:00 p.m.

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 Committee Chair; Marc and Cheryl Hebert; Linda Myer; Laura Crawford, residents from Rowell Hill Road; Peter Stanley and Elly Phillips, Town Administrator.

ELECTION OF CHAIR:

Selectman Curless nominated Dane Headley to the Chair.  Selectman Wright seconded the motion.  There being no discussion, the motion passed by a unanimous affirmative vote.

EX-OFFICIO APPOINTMENT TO BOARDS:

Selectman Wright moved that Selectman Curless serve as ex-officio to the Planning Board.  Selectman Wright serve on the Budget Committee.  Selectman Curless seconded the motion.  The motion passed by the unanimous affirmative vote.

 

APPOINTMENTS:

At 5:00 p.m. Cheryl and Marc Hebert met with the Board to discuss drainage issues on Rowell Hill Road.  Also present to discuss Rowell Hill Road were Laura Crawford and Linda Myer.  Mr. and Mrs. Hebert discussed an ongoing situation of water inundating their property on Rowell Hill Road.  The Heberts indicated that the manner in which the road was crowned contributed to the problem.  Another contributor was the direction of plowing on Rowell Hill Road. They noted that the level of the road has been raised since they moved to the area in 1989.

After a lengthy discussion, Selectman Curless suggested that the Board investigate the matter along with the road agent in the Spring.  Selectman Curless noted that the road goes downhill in both directions and that it’s important to investigate the whole road to determine what the best solution might be.  Selectman Wright made a motion to assign Selectman Curless, along with the road agent, to review and investigate the drainage issues on Rowell Hill Road.   Selectman Curless seconded the motion which passed by a unanimous affirmative vote.

Ms. Myers and Ms. Crawford also expressed concerns regarding the drainage problem along Rowell Hill Road as well as their support for finding a solution for the whole road.  The citizens will draft a letter outlining the areas that they felt the Selectmen should take into consideration.

At 5:48 p.m. Selectman Wright made a motion to enter into non-public session under RSA 91-A:3, II(b) The hiring of any person as a public employee.  Selectman Curless, seconded the motion.  The board was polled with Selectmen Headley, Wright and Curless voting in the affirmative.  Public session resumed at 6:34 p.m.  Selectman Wright made a motion to seal the minutes/personnel.  Selectmen Curless seconded the motion.  The motion passed by a unanimous affirmative vote.

At 6:36 p.m. Selectman Wright made a motion to enter into non-public session under RSA 91-A:3,II(c) matters which, if discussed in public, would likely affect adversely the reputation of any person, other than a member of this board.  Selectman Curless seconded the motion.  The Board was polled with Selectmen Headley, Wright and Curless voting in the affirmative.  Public session resumed at  6:43.  Selectman Headley made a motion to seal the minutes as it was determined that divulgence of this information would likely affect adversely the reputation of any person other than a member of this board.  Selectman Wright seconded the motion which passed by a unanimous affirmative vote.

 

The minutes from March 11, 2019 were approved as written.  The Board reviewed and approved the following manifests:

PAYROLL MANIFEST:  $  12,190.80

VENDOR MANIFEST:    $169,590.42

BUILDING PERMITS:

The Board reviewed and approved the following building permits:

Michael Sailer, 01-576-410, Birch Hill Road, for a barn

Melissa Laverack, 06-445-229, Newbury Road, for repairs.

Timothy Sliter/Kyle Stefel, Summit Road, for a barn/outbuilding.

 

VETERANS EXEMPTION:

The Board reviewed and approved the following veteran’s credits:

Allan Byam, all veterans tax credit

Edward Fowler, Tax Credit for Service-Connected Total Disability

NEW BUSINESS:

The Board executed the MS-232 Report of Appropriations voted at the March 13, 2019 town meeting.

The Board received a question  from a citizen regarding the possibility of purchasing and relocating the building at  26 Grist Mill Street.  Phillips was instructed to arrange a meeting with the individual.  The Board also was interested in developing a preliminary plan for the lot and including the planning board in the process.   The closing for the property is tentatively scheduled for 4/1/2019.

The Board reviewed salary increases as approved at Town Meeting.  Police Officer salaries were approved as recommended by Chief Korbet.  Police on-call (which are based on minimum wage) and special duty rates do not change.  The Deputy Town Clerk salary was approved as recommended by the Town Clerk.  The Town Clerk’s salary was approved at the rate of $35,000 at Town Meeting.  The Welfare Officer’s salary was approved as recommended by the Budget Committee and Select Board.  The Solid Waste attendant’s salary was approved as recommended by the Board of Selectmen.  Selectman Wright made a motion to set ballot clerk wages at $8.08 which includes the 3% COLA.  Second Curless seconded the motion which passed by a unanimous affirmative vote.  All other staff received COLA increases of 3%.  A wage adjustment of 5% was approved for the Solid Waste Supervisor, Executive Department staff and Highway Department personnel.

The Board approved replacement of the Town office computer file server per the computer equipment replacement schedule.  The acquisition is to be funded through the computer equipment expendable capital reserve fund.

The Board reviewed a draft harassment policy as recommended by Primex and Town Counsel.  The Board agreed to adopt the policy at their next regularly scheduled meeting.  In addition, the Board will review the policy on an annual basis after Town Meeting.

ROAD MATTERS: 

The Board discussed several complaints that were received regarding muddy roads conditions due to a rapid onset of mud season.  Specific concerns were raised as to how such conditions might affect disabled individuals etc.

The Board noted that town roads have been posted.  Selectman Wright made a motion that all Class V Roads are restricted to a maximum of 6 tons total weight of vehicle and load, and all Class VI Roads are closed to wheeled vehicles.  Written permits to travel over posted roads in the Town may be obtained from the Highway Department.  Pursuant to RSA 41:11 & 47:17.  Selectman Curless seconded the motion.  The motion passed by a unanimous affirmative vote.

OLD BUSINESS:

Selectman Wright agreed to represent the town at  a scheduled hearing regarding the Stotler property that is being held on April 11, 2019 at the superior court.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:45 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

Elly Phillips

Town Administrator