Town of Grantham - Board of Selectmen

Regular Meeting Minutes

January 29, 2003

 

The meeting of the Board of Selectmen was called to order at 3:30 p.m. by the Chairman, Michael J. Hayward, Sr. Present were: Michael J. Hayward, Sr., Chairman; Constance Jones (arrived at 4:00 p.m.); William E. Hutchins; Tina Stearns, Town Administrator; and members of the public. The meeting was held in the Town Offices at 34 Dunbar Hill Road.

 

ADMINISTRATIVE

 

Building Permits - Approved

Bitler, Justin & Jessica – Map 221 Lot 15-1 – New Aldrich Road – New Construction

For Approval / Signature – Approved

Abatements on 2nd Issue Property Tax:

ü Map 222 Lot 195 – Long, Jennifer = $484.80

ü Map 222 Lot 195 – Negron, David = $984.28

2002 2nd Half Property Tax Warrant – Supplemental = $6,157.23

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 

Motion made by Selectman Hutchins to approve the regular meeting minutes of January 8, 2003; motion seconded by Chairman Hayward. The Board voted unanimously to approve.

APPEARANCES

 

Bob MacNeil – Grantham Indoor: Mr. MacNeil informed the Board that the Class VI portion of Yankee Barn Road has been built to town specifications, paved and guardrails installed. The question is who puts in the warrant article to have the Town take over the road and establish it as a Class V? Chairman Hayward stated that the understanding was to have the road built to specs and then watch it for 12 months prior to it going to Town Meeting; Selectman Hutchins agreed. This would allow the Selectmen to see what maintenance is involved and if the road will be flooded in the spring. Mr. MacNeil stated that if it goes for acceptance on the warrant for 2004 that will give 18 months time. He would like to see it go on this year’s warrant. Chairman Hayward stated that with the absence of Selectman Jones, he would like to table this issue to the next meeting. TABLED

Merle Schotanus – Olde Farms Snowmobile Trail: Mr. Schotanus was present on behalf of the local snowmobile club to request Board of Selectmen permission to exercise a recreation easement in Olde Farms. The recreation easement was established when the Town granted permission for the Olde Farms subdivision. The easement is a 20 foot right-of-way within the 60 foot right-of-way for the roads. This easement is for horseback riding, skiing, snowmobiling, hiking, etc. but does not include any wheeled vehicles (no ATVs). The club would like to create a 10 foot wide trail along the side of the road with the work being done during the summer months. Mr. Schotanus drafted a letter to the abutting property owners informing them of the project and the intention. The club, with Selectmen permission, would be acting as agents of the town.

Chairman Hayward moved to allow Administrator Stearns to contact town counsel regarding the creation of a recreation trail in Olde Farms exercising the established easement; seconded by Selectman Hutchins. The Board voted unanimously to approve.

 

Jonathan MacNeal – Cingular Wireless: Mr. MacNeal was present to inform the Board that his company is intending on adding connections to the tower located off Yankee Barn Road at Grantham Indoor. Mr. MacNeal asked the Board if there were any permits that were needed for him to proceed. Chairman Hayward informed him that he had an existing building permit and there were no further permits needed.

 

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

 

Tax Collector – Memo was reviewed regarding an abatement request on Tax Map 237 Lot 57. The taxpayer states that he did not receive his tax bill and should not have to pay interest. The Board unanimously denied the request for abatement.

 

Town Administrator:

ü Ashbury Properties – 1 Old Spring Drive: The Board received a letter in response to the non-completion of the structure which stated that completion is scheduled for Spring 2003. Chairman Hayward directed Administrator Stearns to begin fine proceedings for non-compliance with the Building Permit process.

ü Town of Newport District Court – Letter was received from Town Manager Daniel O’Neill stating that funding was no longer needed from Grantham for the Court House project.

ü GVS Sprinkler Problem – Administrator Stearns informed the Board that the village school was closed for two days due to a sprinkler problem which flooded a classroom. The situation is under control and school is back in session.

ü Warrant Articles – Administrator Stearns distributed a draft of the warrant articles for town meeting and requested the Board review and edit as necessary.

ü Budgets – A meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday, February 4th at 5:00 p.m. to finalize the budgets.

ü Software – Administrator Stearns requested a line item transfer from 01-4323-1-105 to 01-4130-1-342 in the amount of $18,000 to fund the switching of all software from VADAR Systems back to BMSI. Motion by Selectman Jones to approve the transfer of $18,000 from 01-4323-1-105 to 01-4130-1-342; seconded by Selectman Hutchins. The Board voted unanimously to approve.

Treasurer – The December report was reviewed – ending balance of $2,889,214.57.

 

Trustee of Trust Funds – The January report was reviewed.

 

CONTINUING ISSUES

 

Butternut Pond Road – Administrator Stearns has spoken with Attorney Mayer. A surveyor has been contacted but the physical work will not be completed until the snow is gone. A letter has been drafted to the abutting property owners and okayed by Attorney Mayer.

 

NON-PUBLIC

 

On a motion by Selectman Hutchins, seconded by Chairman Hayward the Board voted unanimously, by poll, to adjourn at 4:05 p.m. into non-public session under the terms of RSA 91:A:3 Para. 11(a) to discuss financial issues. Selectmen returned to regular session at 5:15 p.m. with no decisions to be made.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

There being no further business, Selectman Jones moved to adjourn, seconded by Selectman Hutchins; the Board voted unanimously to adjourn at 5:20 p.m. There will be a regular Selectmen’s Meeting in conjunction with the Public Budget & Bond Hearing on Wednesday, February 12th at 7:00 p.m. at the Municipal Gymnasium.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Tina M. Stearns

Town Administrator