In the absence of Chairman Michael J. Hayward, Sr., Selectmen Jones called the regular session of the Selectmen’s meeting to order on Wednesday, May 8, 2002, at 7:00 p.m. The meeting was held in the Town Office, located at 34 Dunbar Hill Road, Grantham, NH.

Selectman Constance Jones                                     Chairman Michael J. Hayward, Sr.

Selectman William E. Hutchins

Town Administrator Tina Stearns

Al Bryniarski, Sullivan County Committee Rep.

Art Zerbel, Mtn. Views Realty

Art Magowan, NH/VT Solid Waste Project Rep.

Donna Roberson, Argus-Champion

• Building Permit - Approved
• Barton, Kenneth H. – M242 L26 – 908 Route 10 South – Mudroom/Entry
• Beaulieu, Terry – M236 L66 – 562 Route 114 – Deck
• Brown, Gregory & Jennifer – M216 L4 – 95 Silo Lane – Garage
• Delmolino, William & Julie – M215 L20 – 13 Anderson Pond Road – Addition
• Shea, Mort & Pauline – M222 L188 – 5 Turnbuckle – Addition
• Smith, Suzanne – M215 L5 – 22 Draper Mill Road – Utility Shed
• Swiderski, Robert – M222 L75 – 25 Summit Drive – New Residence
  
• For Signature - Approved
• Current Use Application – Brown, Gregory & Jennifer – M216 L4 &5 – 17.11 acres
• 2002 1^st Issue Property Tax Warrant - $2,747,096.91
• 2002 Excavation Tax Warrant - $37.50
• Notice of Intent to Excavate – Field, Reginald & Theresa – M233 L4 – Dunbar Hill

Motion by Selectman Hutchins to accept the minutes of the April 24, 2002 regular meeting as written; seconded by Selectman Jones. Approved

Art Zerbel, Mtn. Views Realty – Mr. Zerbel has the Elmer Geiger property listed for sale and there seems to have been some confusion over the issue of current use. Mr. Geiger was simply looking for what the cost would be to withdraw the property from current use. The application had been submitted and approved by the Board of Selectmen at a prior meeting for the complete withdrawal of the land from current use status. Selectman Jones suggested that Mr. Zerbel have a letter from Mr. Geiger to the Board of Selectmen prior to the end of May requesting that the property remain in current use.

Art Magowan – Mr. Magowan was present to discuss the proposed settlement between CVEC and Wheelabrator and what affect it would have on the contributing towns. The Stipulation of Settlement stated in Paragraph 5 that "No Passthrough to Waste Project. Wheelabrator Claremont covenants that it will not seek any reimbursement or cost sharing from, or otherwise seek to pass through to the New Hampshire/Vermont Solid Waste Project ("Project"), any portion of Wheelabrator Claremont’s Settlement Payments." A group has been formed called WOW (Working on Waste) that are Citizen Inteveners contesting the findings of the settlement. Mr. Magowan feels it would be appropriate for the Board of Selectmen to send a letter to the PUC supporting the Stipulation of Settlement. Selectman Hutchins made the motion to approve such a letter being sent to the PUC in support of the Stipulation of Settlement; Selectman Jones seconded. APPROVED

Selectman Hutchins thanked Mr. Magowan for the tremendous effort put forth on his behalf. Mr. Magowan informed the Board that he is the Chairman of the NH District.

Deputy Fire Warden Appointment – Selectman Jones made the motion to appoint Glen Jenkins as a Deputy Fire Warden for the Town of Grantham; Selectman Hutchins seconded. APPROVED

Barbetti Request for Interest Abatement – John & Marguerite Barbetti request that the Board of Selectmen abatement the interest and costs applied to their account due to the fact that the December tax bill was sent to the previous owner. Selectman Hutchins made the motion to abate the accrued interest and costs on Tax Map 222 Lot 147-001; Selectman Jones seconded. APPROVED

Cemeteries – The corner on Hilldale that was addressed by Frances Hastings at the last meeting has been corrected thanks to Road Agent Joe Newcomb. Mrs. Hastings called Administrator Stearns to thank the Town for their quick response. Administrator Stearns informed the Board that the cleanup at the cemeteries is going very well and wanted to acknowledge the work done by the Highway crew, Joe Newcomb and Jeff Hastings with cleaning up Hilldale Cemetery.

Police Department – The issue of part time officer search was tabled until a full board was present and Chief Lary was back from Guard duty. The monthly report for April was received and reviewed.

Transfer Station – Chris Palermo requests the Transfer Station being able to accept gas grill size propane cylinders at a cost of $5 per tank providing the tank is empty. NRRA will pick up the tanks and if the quantity is 100+ there is a base $25 fee; if the quantity is below 100 there is a charge of $3 per tank. Selectman Hutchins made the motion for the Transfer Station to accept gas grill size empty propane tanks at a charge of $5 per tank; Selectman Jones seconded. APPROVED

Zoning Board of Adjustment – Chairman Conrad Frey has been working on a tower overlay project and would like approval to hire a consultant at a cost of $3,400. Selectman Jones would like Mr. Frey to have complete ZBA approval prior to any work being done. Administrator Stearns to inform Mr. Frey and have the ZBA vote on the work at their next scheduled meeting.

Coalition – A meeting is scheduled in Portsmouth on May 14^th which no one will be able to attend. Selectman Hutchins requested Administrator Stearns notify the Coalition and inform them that Grantham is still interested in being part of the Coalition.

Johnson & Dix Fuel Corp. dba Grantham Mountain Mart – Administrator Stearns received a letter from Tom Frawley stating that Johnson & Dix was appealing the Board’s decision to the Zoning Board of Adjustment and would be looking for a variance to the Zoning Regulations.

Grantham Greenway – Ernie Collier was to attend the Planning Board meeting on May 2^nd and provide a plan showing the added building; Mr. Collier did not appear. The Board of Selectmen are informing Mr. Collier that he will need to attend the June Planning Board meeting with an updated plan or they will be forced to issue a cease and desist order.

Landfill Closure Update – The next landfill closure meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 14^th at 10:00 a.m. at the site.

Administrator Stearns informed the Board that the Town Clerk/Tax Collector’s office would be closed on Thursday, May 9^th so that Rita & Cindy can attend a Town Clerk’s meeting.

Merle Schotanus would like the Board’s permission to approach the Conservation Commission regarding a potential donation of $10,000 toward the purchase of the Donas Reney property on Route 10 South; the Board of Selectmen had no objections.

Under the terms of RSA 91-A:3 II (a) Selectman Jones made the motion to enter into non-public session to discuss a legal issue; motion seconded by Selectman Hutchins. The members were polled: Jones – Yes; Hutchins – Yes. The vote being unanimous, non-public session was entered at 7:40 p.m.

The Board of Selectmen returned to regular session at 7:50 p.m.

Selectman Jones made the motion to withdraw the proceedings of any legal action regarding the septic system located at the Grantham Village School; Selectman Hutchins seconded. APPROVED

There being no further business, Selectman Hutchins made the motion to adjourn; seconded by Selectman Jones. Meeting was adjourned at 7:55 p.m. The next regular meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 22, 2002 at 3:30 p.m. at the Town Office.

Tina M. Stearns, Town Administrator