Chairman William Hutchins called the regular session of the Selectmen’s meeting to order on Wednesday, February 27, 2002, at 3:30 p.m. The meeting was held in the Grantham Town Offices, located at 34 Dunbar Hill Road, Grantham, NH.

Chairman William Hutchins

Selectman Michael J. Hayward, Sr.

Selectman Constance Jones

Town Administrator Tina Stearns

• Building Permits – Approved
• Schmidt, Andrew R. & Gale B. – M213 L45 – 56 Anderson Pond Road – Residence
• Village District of Eastman – M222 L6 – 980 Road Round the Lake - Addition

• For Signature - Approved
• Supplemental Warrant – $2,889.23
• Property Tax Refund – Osgood, Paul & Kathryn – M233 L12 - $282.51
• Refund of Tax Overpayments on December 2001 Invoices - $14,512.40
• Tax Collector Abatement Interest Requests - $98.53

Motion by Selectman Jones to accept the minutes of the January 23, 2002 meeting and the February 13, 2002 meeting as written; seconded by Selectman Hayward. Unanimously approved.

Earl Thompson – E&F Development: Mr. Thompson was present to inform the Board of Selectmen that he is moving into Phase Three of the Grey Ledges Development. Septic system #2 for Phase Three is designed for 16 units; the number of units have not changed, they have been restructured from duplexes to single units. Single units with two car garages are what is wanted now rather than duplexes. Mr. Thompson would like to connect the General Court Road to the main access road to allow better flow and not create a cul-de-sac.

The Board of Selectmen informed Mr. Thompson that he needs to acquire site plan approval from the Planning Board for the connection of the road prior to applying to the Attorney General’s office for approval of Phase Three. The next Planning Board meeting is on Thursday, March 7, 2002 at 7:00 p.m. and Mr. Thompson will be in attendance.

Moderator Merle Schotanus: Moderator Schotanus was present to discuss the warrant articles and procedure for Town Meeting to be held on March 12, 2002.

Bob MacNeil – Grantham Indoor: Regarding his petitioned warrant article to have the town accept his portion of Yankee Barn Road, he would like the authority of this vote to be the Selectmen’s decision. Mr. MacNeil stated that there seems to be a lot of questions regarding this issue and his intent was to get a sense from the town if they would accept the road but to have the ultimate decision be by the Board of Selectmen.

Moderator Schotanus informed Mr. MacNeil of the procedure at Town Meeting when a speaker to an article is not a registered voter. Mr. MacNeil stated that Jim Morris and Susan Oliveri will speak to the article and neither is a registered voter. Moderator Schotanus stated that the article can be moved or tabled, but only by a registered voter in the Town of Grantham. Mr. MacNeil was surprised that his petitioned warrant article did not received the recommendation of the Board of Selectmen. Selectman Jones stated that when Mr. MacNeil approached the Board of Selectmen he was informed of normal procedure to have a road accepted by a town. Mr. MacNeil wanted a guarantee that the road would be accepted after he put money into the upgrades.

Mr. MacNeil budgeted to have the road upgraded and paved. He is hesitant to withdraw the warrant article because he feels it would be perceived wrong. There seems to be a lot of confusion regarding the article. Mr. MacNeil stated that legally he has the right to do the work to the road and force the town to take it over but he does not wish to go against the town’s wishes. Chairman Hutchins spoke that the Selectmen will speak at Town Meeting regarding their reasons for not giving this article their approval. Moderator Schotanus stated that the article can be tabled and an explanation given as to the reasons. The voters can be informed that the issue will be brought up at a later date.

Mr. MacNeil asked if the Selectmen would feel comfortable with postponing the article He wants this to be a cooperative effort. He is willing to build the road to specs and then come back to the town for acceptance. The perception is that he’s looking for approval before making any improvements. Chairman Hutchins informed Mr. MacNeil that the Board of Selectmen did not want to give approval to this issue prior to any work being done on the road. Mr. MacNeil questioned the Selectmen that if he brings the road to town specifications would the Selectmen approve the warrant article. The Board responded that they would.

ATC Realty/SBA Towers Inc. v. Town of Grantham – The Town of Grantham was served papers on February 13, 2002 regarding suit being brought against the Town for the denial by the Zoning Board of Adjustment regarding placement of a 190’ telecommunication tower in a rural/residential zone. Town counsel Barton Mayer has responded to the suit and will be the Town’s representation at any hearings. The Zoning Board of Adjustment Chairman, Conrad Frey, has been informed of the suit. ZBA Clerk Sarah Barton has forwarded to Attorney Mayer all copies of minutes, maps, etc. with regard to the Zoning Board’s actions.

Sullivan County Commissioners Interest Invoice – A statement was received informing the Board of Selectmen that $4,877.60 is owed in interest due to the county taxes being received 14 days after the due date of December 17^th. Town Administrator Stearns stated that due to the software conversion and the property tax bills not being due until December 31^st, the Town was in no financial position to remit $1,271,677.00 to Sullivan County on December 17^th. Selectman Hayward requested that the Board of Selectmen follow the same procedure as last year and request from the County Commissioners a breakdown of all the towns within Sullivan County and when their payments have been received for the last five years; Chairman Hutchins and Selectman Jones agreed.

NH DRA Sales-Assessment Ratio for Tax Year 2001 – Based on the sales of properties in Grantham from October 2000 – October 2001, the Sales-Assessment Ratio was calculated at 83%. Assessor Norm Bernaiche will begin the inspections of properties starting with the condos and work toward getting the property assessments closer to market value.

Road & Drainage Construction – Revised regulations have been reviewed by the Selectmen and Road Agent. Board of Selectmen unanimously approved recommending these changes to the Planning Board. Administrator Stearns will get copies to the Planning Board for the review.

Highway Department – Road Agent Joe Newcomb posted the roads in Grantham as of February 25^th until further notice due to the warm weather conditions. Notices have been circulated informing that all Class V road are restricted to a maximum of six (6) tons total weight and all Class VI roads are closed to all motorized vehicles.

Police Department – Chief Russell Lary requested an increase in the hourly pay to officers for outside services. These are services to the independent contractors working on the highway project, etc. which are fully reimbursed to the town. Currently the rate is $25/hour plus a 10% administrative fee and Chief Lary is requesting an increase to $43/hour which would break down to $30/hour for the officer and the remainder as the administrative fee. Unanimously approved.

Town Administrator – The 2001 Annual Town Report is at Whitman Communications being printed and should be available for pickup on Monday, March 4^th. The absolute deadline is Tuesday, March 5^th.

Transfer Station – Chris Palermo has been busy baling cardboard and has put up three bales. He hopes that by April 1^st he will begin baling the other recycled items. This will mean that the residents will have to begin separating their recycled items rather than leaving them co-mingled.

Treasurer’s Report – Report was received from the Treasurer for the month of January 2002 with a month end balance of $2,323,445.59.

School Lease Agreement Draft – The Board of Selectmen have made their recommendations to the Lease Agreement and Administrator Stearns will send the draft to the School Board for their review and comments.

Grantham Mountain Mart – Tom Frawley, VP of Johnson & Dix Fuel Corp. will be present at the next Selectmen’s meeting to discuss the zoning issue regarding the deli.

Ball Field – To date $41,899.90 has been spent on engineering fees for the ball fields adjacent to the Village School. Administrator Stearns is concerned that not a shovel of dirt has been moved and there are sure to be questions at Town Meeting. Selectman Jones questioned if one Babe Ruth field could be put in and Chairman Hutchins & Selectman Hayward stated that there is not room enough for a Babe Ruth field which is why Little League fields were designed. Harold Haddock informed that the field in Eastman is available for use. The Board of Selectmen informed Administrator Stearns to contact Dan Nash of Bruno Associates to obtain a proposal for one Little League field with the access road at the end of the school parking lot.

Town Land – It was agreed that Administrator Stearns will request Bruce St. Peter meet with the Selectmen regarding the potential placement of a Police facility on one of the town-owned parcels of land.

Vehicles Parked on Miller Pond Road –Steve Moulton was previously given permission by the Board of Selectmen to park his vehicle in the area adjacent to the school bus turnaround at the end of Miller Pond Road during inclement weather. Mr. Moulton has the lot filled with vehicles and Administrator Stearns has written him requesting that the vehicles be removed before March 11^th. If the vehicles are still there after that date, they will be towed at Mr. Moulton’s expense.

Water Coolers in Gym Foyer – A quote was received to replace the broken water fountains in the gym foyer with refrigerated water coolers. Selectman Hayward stated that he would donate a water fountain and have it installed prior to Town Meeting on March 12^th.

Date Change for Next Selectmen Meeting – It was agreed that the next Selectmen’s meeting will be held immediately following Town Meeting on Tuesday, March 12^th, 2002 at the Municipal Gymnasium on 75 Learning Drive.

Selectman Jones made a motion to enter into non-public session per RSA 91:A:3 Para. II (a) at 5:30 p.m. to discuss a matter which, if public, might adversely affect the reputation of someone other than a member of the body itself; motion seconded by Selectman Hayward. Selectmen polled: Hutchins – yes; Hayward – yes; Jones – yes. Selectmen returned to regular session at 5:35 p.m. with no decisions being made.

There being no further business, Selectman Jones made the motion to adjourn; seconded by Selectman Hayward. Meeting was adjourned at 5:35 p.m.

Tina M. Stearns, Town Administrator