Town of Sutton
TOWN OF SUTTON
Pillsbury Memorial Town Hall
93 Main Street Sutton Mills, NH
Sutton Mills, NH 03221
Board of Selectman
April 22, 2019 @ 4:00 p.m.

 

The meeting was called to order at 4:02 p.m. by Dane Headley, Chair.  Present at the meeting were:  Dane Headley, Chair; Robert Wright, Jr., Selectman; William I. Curless, Selectman; Robert DeFelice, Budget Chair; Wally Baker and Henry Howell, Conservation Commission Co-Chairs; Barbara Hoffman, Conservation Commission Member; Tom Schamberg, State Representative; Jeff Evans, Wetland Scientist; Marc Hebert and Elly Phillips, Town Administrator.

 

APPOINTMENTS:

At 5:00 p.m. Jeff Evans met with the Board to discuss his fees for advising the town regarding wetlands setbacks.  Mr. Evans stated that he has been doing setback checks since 2006 and has not received any fee increases.  Mr. Evans indicated that he has been doing more work in checking all wetlands aspects for potential setback infringements.  The $50.00 fee currently being charges was at a reduced rate.  Mr. Evans requested the compensation be set at $75.00.     Selectman Wright made a motion to set Mr. Evans fee at $75.00 per permit.  Selectman Curless seconded the motion.  Mr. Evans advised that he does approximately 30 inspections a year.  The motion passed by a unanimous affirmative vote.

 

Walter Baker and Henry Howell, Co-Chairs for the Conservation Commission and Barbara Hoffman, Conservation Commission Member met with the Board to execute the Town’s portion of the Webb Crowell Easement Deed.  Mr. Baker discussed erecting a monitoring kiosk/shelter at the Horse Beach site.  Mr. Baker will review the process for erecting the structure with Peter Stanley, Planning and Zoning Administrator to determine the most expedient method to complete the project.

 

The minutes from April 15, 2019 were approved as written.  The Board reviewed and approved the following manifests:

PAYROLL MANIFEST:  $10,671.55

VENDOR MANIFEST:    $  6,808.54

 

BUILDING PERMITS:

The Board approved a building permit for Douglas & Kim Dean, Map 04-258-134, Barker Road, for a garage.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

The Board reviewed suggestions for correction and amendment to the Sutton Harassment Policy.  Karin Heffernan expressed written concerns regarding the display of materials section in the policy as well as other matters  regarding individuals covered by the policy.  The Board noted that the policy was based on Primex language and reviewed by Counsel.  It was determined that the “display” portion of the policy was not intended to be applicable educational/informational displays at the library.  The Board noted Ms. Heffernan’s recommendations and expressed appreciation for the suggestions.   The newly adopted harassment policy, as vetted by Counsel and Primex, will be incorporated into the Personnel Policy.

 

The Board noted that the online auction for the sale of  the 2008 Sterling Dump Truck was finalized.  The truck sold for $24,400.  The proceeds from the sale will go to the general fund under Sale of Town Property.

 

The Board did not find cause to grant a request for a refund of Planning Board Fees for a conditional use permit for Mike Sailer.  The Planning Board followed regulations in place at the time and costs were incurred by the Town.  The conditional use permit was heard by the Planning Board and a determination was completed prior to the adoption of new zoning regulations.  The Board will write to Mr. Sailer denying the request on the grounds that the application was heard in accordance with local regulations and is not retroactive.

 

The Board issued a letter to the Trustees of the trust Funds with instructions for discontinuance of Capital Reserve funds as voted at the 3/13/2019 Town Meeting.

 

The Board executed a contract Sanders Searches for lien research.

 

Selectman Headley made a motion to appoint Robert Wright as the Sutton representative on the Warner River Management Advisory Committee.  Selectman Curless seconded the motion.  The motion passed by a vote of 3-0.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

The Board issued a corrected (date) Yield Tax for  Thomas Friel, Map 05-548-577, in the amount of $18,522.77.

 

The Stotler Property will be monitored for compliance on a weekly basis.  A hearing has been scheduled by June 10, 2019 to determine the final action by the court.

 

The Board issued correspondence to Arthur Just, Jr. denying a request for abatement of interest (cause not demonstrated).

 

The Board issued the following abatements of interest for just cause (administrative error):

Abatement of 2018 property tax interest:           Jane Williamson $76.51 for 08-172-430

Jane Williamson $25.68 for 08-158-425

Kevin Currie, 76.05 for  02-239-312

 

The Board revisited recycling kitty litter due to weight concerns.  It was verified that kitty litter can be recycled on private property.  However, the DES does not allow kitty litter disposal at the solid waste facility except in the compactor.  In addition, it was noted that the Lebanon facility no longer will be accepting construction debris.  Alternatives for disposal of construction debris will need to be explored.

 

The Board executed correspondence to Rowell Hill Road abutters addressing drainage issues in order to determine whether there was a willingness to grant an easement to the town for water turnout/infrastructure.

 

Robert DeFelice discussed replacement of the library’s air conditioner with Town Counsel.  The library acquired the air conditioner with library funds, so the Trustees are responsible for repairs.  Counsel advised that if the library is interested in replacing the air conditioner, the funding should be approved at Annual Meeting.  Mr. DeFelice recommended that the library pursue these repairs before the onset of summer weather.

 

SELECTMEN’S COMMENTS: 

Selectman Curless commented on the recent sale of the new truck noting that the revenue received, as opposed to potential maintenance costs) appears to be well within CIP goals, especially as it pertains to safety and function.  Selectman Wright commented  that just because vehicle life might be extended, there is always a judgment call.  You often do better on the trade-in.  You need to think both in terms of vehicle life and financial return.

 

REVIEW OF CORRESPONDENCE:

The Board approved an employee vacation request.

 

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:10 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Elly Phillips, Town Administrator