MINUTES OF HAVERHILL SELECTBOARD REGULAR MEETING

Monday, November 9, 2009

Draft Subject to Review, Correction and Approval at Following Meeting

 

Board Members Present: Roderick Ladd, David Joslin, and Lynn Wheeler.

 

Excused: Peter Heilemann and Robert Maccini.

 

Town Manager:  Excused                                                                

 

Administrative Assistant/Finance Officer:  Jo Lacaillade

 

Members of the Public Present: Howard Hatch, Robert Fillion, Gary Scruton, Janice Scruton, Roger Mitton, Susan Brown, James Walker, Annemarie Godston, Doug Henson, Ruth Ranno, Richard Rines, Craig and Allison Schulz and Ed Ballam- Journal Opinion.

 

Call Meeting to Order:

 

Chairman Ladd called the meeting to order at 6:00.

 

Approval of Agenda: 

 

David Joslin made a motion to approve the agenda; the motion was seconded by Lynn Wheeler and carried unanimously.   

 

Approval of Consent Agenda:

 

David Joslin made a motion to approve the consent agenda as presented; seconded by Lynn Wheeler and carried unanimously.

 

Town Manager’s Report:

Ø  3rd Party Life Safety Inspector: Chairman Ladd reviewed the process taken over the past year or more to enforce the life safety code that was adopted by the voters several years ago; the development of a job description for that position and the hiring process used. Woodville, North Haverhill and Haverhill Corner Precinct Commissioners and the 3 Fire Chiefs signed off on the concept of a 3rd party inspector position. After an application period and interviews, James Fortier has been hired to fill that position. Howard Hatch wants the duties of this person to be expanded to oversee the maintenance and inspection of all Town owned properties including the Business Park. He believes that the person that was hired as the 3rd party inspector has the capability to do this, if this position cannot be expanded to do this then perhaps they will need to create another position. Susan Brown wanted to agree with what Howard was saying but feels it is the Town Managers job to do this. She made a further statement that she hopes the multi family units in Woodsville will not be grandfathered to which Chairman Ladd stated they would not be grandfathered. With the hiring of the 3rd party inspector all buildings that are multi family, commercial or mixed commercial/residential will be handled in a consistent way throughout the whole town.

 

Public Hearings:  Acquisition of Woodsville Armory: At 6:20 Lynn Wheeler made a motion to go into public hearing regarding the acquisition of the Woodsville Armory. The motion was seconded by David Joslin and carried unanimously. This is the second required hearing per RSA 41:14-a to discuss the acquisition of the Woodsville Armory building. Annemarie Godston felt it was important that the Town take this piece of property, real estate is always a good asset. She further felt that it would make a real good place to house a shelter for the Town; a place for the HARP program to get out of the elements; and a wonderful place for a recreation facility. She sees no downside to the Town acquiring that building. Chairman Ladd referred to a schematic drawing of the building to hand around for people to review. Susan Brown wants to know how much the building is going to cost for utilities, maintenance and security. The taxpayers need to know how much this is going to affect their tax rate. Lynn Wheeler said that at the prior public hearing regarding this building TM English had provided some of that information for 2006-2008 and the highest year of water and electric was $5,300. Susan Brown said that the cost to heat it will be significant because it is such a big building. Alternate energy sources should be considered. Richard Rines talked more about using the building as an Exposition Center and that would bring some significant revenue in. Because of the location right off from the interstate it would be a prime location for gun shows, camping shows and that sort of thing. The money generated could be invested into a recreation center to give kids a place to go. Chairman Ladd reviewed the conditions that will be attached to the transfer of ownership if the Town accepts the property. He then reviewed the Selectboard’s intention to set up some sort of steering committee to look at potential uses of the building as well as the costs to maintain it and revenue sources to offset those costs. He further stated that the Town Manager has already been instructed to seek Federal and State money for alternative energy and to retrofit that building. When asked by Susan Brown he stated that the National Guard has said that the cost of that building is $20,000 per year for heat, utilities, maintenance including lawn mowing. Howard Hatch said that the first year only should be an expense to the Town. After that he would expect that it would stand by itself either by breaking even or a small cost to the taxpayers. He thinks that Mr. Rines expectations of an expo center might be a little high. He thinks maybe the Town will need a better salesman; he thinks it will mean the right people taking control of the building and it will be nice to have a building like that which a lot of people will be able to use. It does not need to all be turned over to recreation. He would hope that they Selectboard will accept the building. James Walker agreed that the building will be good for the Town. He talked of uses that it had over history. Chairman Ladd said that the Town is very lucky to have a recreation director such as Glenn Hatch and he has built the H.A.R.P. program up and this building will be a great asset to that program. Gary Scruton said he thinks that it would be pretty hard to turn down this building for $1 but his concerns pretty much echo what Susan stated; the costs. He wondered what the short term plan for the coming winter is, will the building be kept heated; will it be shut down? David Joslin said that the Board has not discussed it yet; there will be some sort of shut down and the heat will probably be lowered to just what is necessary to keep the pipes from freezing. Susan Brown asked about the flat roof, who will clean off the snow load. David Joslin said that there is one spot that has to be shoveled or it will leak; no decision has been made on that. Chairman Ladd stated that it is a membrane roof and will need to be kept clear where the leaking issue is but you have to be careful with them because you can do more damage by getting on them. The building and roof are going to need constant maintenance and constant care and a program will have to be put in place to do this. He said that there is a proposal to set up a Woodsville Armory Advisory Steering Committee (WAASC) to help research the best utilization or that facility and that will be addressed later in this meeting. Until that committee has reviewed this facility and made their recommendations; it will have to be taken care of by existing staff. He thinks that the costs of this facility now may save on costs down the road with regards to welfare, incarceration costs etc. We don’t necessarily see a dollar and cents return but a different area of savings. Howard Hatch asked how much fuel was left in the building. Chairman Ladd stated he did not know. Mr. Fillion gave a handout providing more information regarding his offer to fund an information center if room is made available at that building. Chairman Ladd said that this proposal, along with any other ideas received, will be forwarded to the steering committee for their review and discussion. There was a brief discussion as to the actual square foot of the building; the functionality of the kitchen, electrical. With no other discussion forthcoming Lynn Wheeler made a motion to close the public hearing; seconded by David Joslin and carried unanimously. The Public Hearing ended at 6:45 pm. Chairman Ladd explained that the decision on whether to accept the armory will be made at the Monday, November 23, 2009 Selectboard meeting.

 

Lynn Wheeler recommended that the Board address an item that is listed under new business at this time; that being the Woodsville Armory Advisory Steering Committee. Chairman Ladd read the suggested language for the establishment of this committee. Howard Hatch thinks the appointees should be doubled; he felt there were too many political people on the suggested list. He felt that if they were given too much time, the budget committee would not have time to address a budget for this if the committee has until Town Meeting. Susan Brown felt that the steering committee should continue as an advisory committee in the future; it shouldn’t be just turn it over to the Selectboard and Recreation Director. Chairman Ladd felt that there may be a group to follow this forward but that will be determined in the future. Susan Brown said that this kind of a thing needs a Board to run it. AA Lacaillade stated that statutes would have to be checked because they may not allow for an advisory board. Susan said that it depends on how the Town sets it up but she thinks it would be allowed. Again, AA Lacaillade stated that the NH statutes will need to be reviewed but it may be allowable. Susan Brown said if you don’t, who is going to run it. Other recommendations for additions to the committee were given such as the High School Booster Club. The current list of possible appointees was reviewed with suggestions of who else might be considered. Howard said that when he spoke about the number of politicians on the list he was referring to the fact that he does not want to see any more presentations by the North Country Council like they saw the night that Lynn came back on the board. Chairman Ladd said that he thinks they all agree to that. Lynn said they might have someone that is willing to be a quasi representative. Howard stated that anyone who might generate an income from a decision made on that committee should be excluded. It comes up in the budget process all the time with librarians that serve on the budget committee. David Joslin stated that it is sometimes hard to get people to serve on committees. Howard Hatch stated that if they don’t have time, don’t volunteer. Lynn Wheeler stated that she thinks there will be a lot of people willing to help out on this committee because of the importance of utilizing this building. Mr. Fillion stated that the people at the meeting tonight are probably the most interested people in Town; if they aren’t attending these important meetings then they probably don’t care. Chairman Ladd feels that the more ownership people get in the future of the armory building the better it will be; he feels there is a lot of interest out there in this project. Lynn Wheeler stated that every time there has been work done on the master plan, the Town has made it clear that they are looking for something like this. This building is what people have had in the back of their minds for a long time. Richard Rines stated that someone from the fair association would be a good addition to the committee. Lynn Wheeler made the motion to establish a Woodsville Armory Advisory Steering Committee (WAASC) with the purposes stated in the draft proposal but allowing for the purposes to be expanded as well as membership as needed. David Joslin seconded the motion which carried unanimously. AA Lacaillade was directed to get an advertisement into the paper for the committee.

 

 

 

 

Town Manager’s Report: (cont.)

 

Ø  Railroad Park Caboose: Chairman Ladd stated that a caboose has been purchased and placed at Railroad Park by the Heritage Commission and any plans for restoration will be developed by that Commission.

Ø  Budget Advisory Committee Meeting Date Setting: Chairman Ladd stated that the Advisory Budget Committee has set a date for their first meeting which will be Tuesday, December 8, 2009.

 

 

Pending (Old) Business:  None

 

New Business: 

 

Ø  Tax Collector Deeds: There were two taxpayers in attendance who wished to discuss their delinquent tax issue in a non public session. Lynn Wheeler made a motion to go into non-public session per RSA 91-A:3 (c); the motion was seconded by David Joslin. All members were polled and it was unanimous to go into non public session at 7:15 pm.

 

Lynn Wheeler made a motion to come out of non-public session, seconded by David Joslin and all approved. The Board came out of non-public session at 8:02 pm. No motions were made, no action taken and the minutes are to be sealed.

 

Lynn Wheeler made a motion to accept deed waivers regarding 900 Briar Hill Road map 405 Lot 12 and 6 Locust Street map 101 lot 60 as discussed. The motion was seconded by David Joslin and carried unanimously.

 

Lynn Wheeler made a motion to issue a one year deed waiver on property located at 2 Chase Lane, Tax Map 104 Lot 44 with further information to be provided regarding a payment schedule to be received by the next Selectboard meeting and proof that the property has been refinanced or turned down refinancing in a years’ time. All delinquent taxes must be paid current in a year. The motion was seconded by David Joslin and carried unanimously. The Board reserved the right to issue a tax collector deed at any time that the payment schedule is not maintained.

 

Monadnock Forestry: AA Lacaillade reviewed with the Board a letter received from Walter Young who owns the property where the office trailer is located. The owner of record for the trailer has been dead for several years and Mr. Young was unaware of delinquent taxes due on the trailer until he was notified recently as the owner of the property the trailer sits on. He rents the trailer and land to a mill for a log yard. After a brief discussion Lynn Wheeler made a motion to accept a $500 payment to be applied to back taxes with the balance to be abated and Mr. Young to take over take payments on the trailer beginning second issue 2009. The motion was seconded by David Joslin and carried unanimously.

 

David Joslin made a motion to take by tax collector deed property owned by Richard Niles at tax map 417 lot 65 on Country Land Drive. The motion was seconded by Lynn Wheeler and carried unanimously. It was discussed that perhaps no trespassing signs should be posted at the property.

 

After a brief discussion Lynn Wheeler made a motion to issue a deed waiver on the Tatro property located at Tax Map 406 Lot 034-4. The motion was seconded by David Joslin and carried unanimously.

 

Lynn Wheeler made a motion to accept a tax collector deed on the Whitman property located on Barber Road Tax Map 411 Lot 070; the motion was seconded by David Joslin and carried unanimously.

 

After a brief discussion Lynn Wheeler made a motion to issue a conditional waiver on the Engler property located on 19 Lime Kiln Road; tax map 421 Lot 35. The motion was seconded by David Joslin and carried unanimously. AA Lacaillade was directed to send a letter to Mrs. Engler stated that the Selectboard is reserving their right to issue a tax collector deed on this property at a later date if the taxes are not brought current by April 1, 2010. It was also requested that an attempt is made to find out who is doing the maintenance on the property.

 

Ø  Resignation of Fire Warden: The Board reviewed a letter submitted by Brad Kennedy resigning from the position of Fire Warden. David Joslin made a motion to accept the letter of resignation from Brad Kennedy with thanks for the years of service. Lynn Wheeler seconded the motion which carried unanimously.

 

Ø Appointment of New Fire Warden: David Joslin made a motion to recommend the appointment of Don Hammond as Fire Warden; the motion was seconded by Lynn Wheeler and carried unanimously. The recommendation will be forwarded to the Steve Sherman with the NH Division of Forest and Lands for further action.

 

Commission/Committee Reports: None

 

Correspondence:  None

 

Comments of the Public:  None

 

Comments of the Town Manager/Administrative Assistant-Finance Officer:  AA Lacaillade stated that the tax rates had been set that day and as soon as they are certified the tax bills will be issued.

 

Comments of Selectboard Members:  None

 

Adjourn Meeting:  David Joslin made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Lynn Wheeler and carried unanimously. Chairman Ladd adjourned the meeting at 9:05 pm.

 

Minutes transcribed by Jo Lacaillade