Chairman Michael J. Hayward, Sr. called the regular session of the Selectmen’s meeting to order on Wednesday, July 24, 2002, at 3:30 p.m. The meeting was held in the Town Office, located at 34 Dunbar Hill Road, Grantham, NH.

Chairman Michael J. Hayward, Sr.                           Selectman William Hutchins

Selectman Constance Jones

Town Administrator Tina Stearns

Road Agent Joe Newcomb

Asst. Road Agent Jeff Hastings

Treasurer Chris Morris

Myron Cummings, Resident

Brian Hastings, Resident

Al Bryniarski, Resident

Dan Nash, Bruno Associates – Engineer

Peter Spear, Wetlands Consultant

Bob MacNeil, Grantham Indoor

Roy Hathorn, Hathorn Surveys

Donna Roberson, Argus-Champion

• Building Permit - Approved
• Burchard, Todd & Melanie – M233 L84 – 3 Learning Drive – Shed
• Manelis, Richard E. – M215 L163 – 23 Bright Slope Way – Shed
• Ray, Karl – M211 L11 – 703 Miller Pond Road – Deck
• Wantuch, Stephan & Ann – M221 L25 – New Aldrich Road – New Construction

• For Signature - Approved
• Accounts Payable Manifest #2
• Payroll Manifest - #2002-15
• 2002 Dog Warrant Notice to Police Department
• Tax Year 2002 Assessment Questionnaire

Motion by Selectman Jones to accept the minutes of the July 24, 2002 regular and non-public meeting; seconded by Chairman Hayward. Unanimous Approval

Dan Nash, Bruno Associates & Peter Spear, Wetlands Consultant – Ball Field Discussion – Dan Nash informed the Board that the field was designed with a 220’ foul line; the wetland impact is ~9,100 sf which will only require a minimum impact wetland permit. The driveway to the field previously went directly through the wetlands and has been relocated to an upland area. Along the drive will be a three-foot high plank retaining wall with a culvert and an average of a two-foot hill. Dan would like to plan for and permit the parking area and two borrow fills areas (both with no impact to wetlands) – these areas can be constructed at a later date but it is advisable to have everything permitted at the same time.

Peter Spear spoke of there being a 6-8 week backlog on wetlands applications. Chairman Hayward questioned amending the existing wetlands permit that the Town has for this parcel. Peter responded that amending the permit would only complicate the issue.

Joe Newcomb questioned if the elevation of the field is critical to the flooding and if the elevation could be lower. Dan Nash responded that with height there is better drainage. He would like to see test pits done to determine the quality and quantity of existing material. Dan stated that the ball field was not designed to prevent flooding. Myron Cummings added that the field has to have a runoff.

Selectman Jones stated that the Town has to move forward on this project and the first step should be to get the area cleared of trees and brush. Peter Spear informed that the stumps cannot be removed and no damage to be done to the wetland areas. Administrator Stearns to get prices on have the area chipped and cleared.

Jeff Hastings questioned if the borrow area could be closer to the existing school parking lot to allow for future expansion of the parking area. Dan Nash stated that this could be possible and will put in the design for permitting the additional borrow area.

Chairman Hayward suggested that the highway crew handle the digging of the test pits; this will be coordinated between Dan Nash and Joe Newcomb. Dan added that the test pits can be done after the wetland application has been submitted.

Selectman Jones made the motion to move ahead with the presented plan, have Peter Spear submit the wetland application, conduct test pits and have the proposed area chipped; motion seconded by Chairman Hayward. Unanimous Approval

Bob MacNeil & Roy Hathorn – Yankee Barn Road – Grantham Indoor – Bob presented a revised plan and informed the Board that he had met with Joe Newcomb a couple weeks ago. Bob doesn’t have a problem with the three-year waiting period and wondered if the Town would consider plowing the road once the work is done. Chairman Hayward stated that legal documentation would have to be done in order for the Town to maintain it prior to fully accepting it.

Bob stated that he is willing to obtain a separate engineer to conduct the test pits if that’s what the Board requests. Chairman Hayward responded that there is not an issue with having the test pits conducted by Bob’s engineer Roy Hathorn and then wait the three years. The Town may wish to have an engineer on site while the road is being constructed. Joe Newcomb stated that how a road holds up is told over time, not what an engineer states on paper. Roy Hathorn added that the current road surface has held up very well with the existing road base.

Selectman Jones stated that she would like to see the road acceptance taken to Town Meeting rather than the decision be by the Board of Selectmen.

Bob MacNeil informed that the road work will begin in September.

GVS Water Testing – Administrator Stearns informed the Board that quotes were received from Secondwind Water Systems to do the water testing. Currently the custodian is in charge of the testing and has to be certified by the State of NH. Contracting with an outside service will eliminate the quarterly trips to Concord and the need for certification. There will be no added expense to the tax payers by using an outside vendor. Selectman Jones made the motion to contract Secondwind Water Systems; seconded by Chairman Hayward. Unanimously approved.

Law Change Building on Private or Class VI Roadways – HB 1156 amended RSA 674:41 to include building permits on private roads. Administrator Stearns amended the existing Agreement & Release and will have Attorney Mayer review it for accuracy.

NH/VT Solid Waste Project – A letter was received from the NH/VT Solid Waste Project 2007 Transition Committee with the following questions:

1. Is it your desire to negotiate a new contract and have the New Hampshire/Vermont Project continue jointly in the same manner as it has in the past?
   
   Hayward – NO Jones – NO Hutchins – Absent
   
2. Do you believe the Districts should cease their partnership and each independently address their own solid waste issues?
   
   Hayward – YES Jones – YES Hutchins – Absent
   
3. Would your community be interested in continuing its participation addressing solid waste issues within its district or would you likely want to address your solid waste issues independently within your own community leaving the District?
   
   Hayward – YES Jones – YES Hutchins – Absent

Administrator Stearns will respond with a letter to the "Project" and include a copy of these minutes for accuracy.

Cul-de-sac Issue on Silo Lane – It was noted by Road Agent Newcomb that the Gosselin’s on 96 Silo Lane have constructed a barrier within the cul-de-sac. The Board request that the Gosselin’s attend the next meeting to discuss a remedy.

Highway – A 1997 Ford pickup has been purchased from Government Surplus at a cost of $4,200. This vehicle will be used by the custodian and highway crew.

Town Administrator – The financial audit has been scheduled to begin August 19^th and Administrator Stearns is working on reconciling the fund accounting system to the final treasurer’s report.

Sullivan County Committee – Al Bryniarski informed the Board that he is resigning from the Committee effective immediately. He is running for County Commissioner and feels this would be a conflict of interest.

Landfill Closure Update – The area has been seeded and the fence has been erected.

At 4:35 p.m. Selectman Jones made the motion to enter into non-public session under the terms of RSA 91:A:3 Para. II(a) to discuss personnel issues; seconded by Chairman Hayward. Members were polled: Hayward – yes, Jones – yes, Hutchins – absent. The Selectmen returned to regular session at 4:50 p.m. with no decisions being made.

There being no further business, Selectman Jones made the motion to adjourn and seconded by Chairman Hayward; meeting was adjourned at 4:50 p.m. The next regular meeting will be held on Wednesday, August 14, 2002 at 7:00 p.m. at the Town Office.

Tina M. Stearns, Town Administrator