MINUTES OF HAVERHILL SELECTBOARD REGULAR MEETING

Monday, May 11, 2009

 

Board Members Present:  Roderick Ladd,  David Joslin,  Bob Maccini and  Peter Heilemann.   Peter Conrad was excused.

 

Town Manager:  Glenn English                                                        

 

Administrative Assistant/Finance Officer:  Jo Lacaillade

 

Members of the Public Present:  Doug Henson, Everett Henson,  Larry Corey, Brad Kennedy,  Howard Hatch,  Lynn Graham, Jim Graham, Lynn Wheeler, Heidi Lyman and Ed Ballam from the Journal Opinion.

 

Call Meeting to Order:

Chairman Ladd called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m.

 

Approval of Agenda: 

Bob Maccini made a motion to approve the agenda as presented; seconded by Dave Joslin and carried unanimously.

 

Approval of Consent Agenda:

Bob Maccini made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda as presented; seconded by Dave Joslin and carried unanimously.

 

Scheduled Public Appearances:

Ø     Woodsville Fire District Commissioners – 3rd Party Inspections

Commissioner Larry Corey and Fire Chief Brad Kennedy were present and said they were now supportive of the agreement with the Town based on the changes which had been made to inform the fire chiefs of inspections and the four year term of the agreement.  Larry Corey stated that 2 of the three commissioners would sign along with the fire chief.

 

Ø     Heidi Lyman –Business Park prospect

Heidi Lyman reported to the Board that PT Farms was an interested company in the Business Park.   This is a food processing facility currently located in St. Johnsbury.   The Board was provided copies of the Business Park Covenants by TM English.   Ms. Lyman also reported on several other potential buyers who she is working with.   She invited the Board members to visit the current PT Farms facility in St. J. to see you it is being run.   Dave Joslin said such a facility was likely to be a large water user and sewer capacity may be an issue.

 

Town Manager’s Report:

TM English reported that the towns of Haverhill and Bath have won another award from the NH Preservation Allliance for the Covered Bridge Project.   He also presented a signed agreement by the Blaisdell’s which documents the gravel pit boundary set backs which were discussed at the last meeting.   Rick Ladd asked if it had legal review.   TM English said it had broad review.  Bob Maccini made a motion, seconded by Peter Heilemann to sign the agreement and all approved.

 

Pending (Old) Business:  

Ø     Agreement re:  Life Safety Code/Fire Code 3rd  Party Inspections

After signatures are received from the Woodsville Fire District the agreement will be brought to the next Selectboard meeting for the Board’s signature.

 

Ø     Town Use of former Center Haverhill Armory

After a brief review of the uses of the former armory property which were

discussed at the last meeting Bob Maccini made a motion to use the property for a gravel pit, cold storage of highway equipment and Town records and a recycling facility, if a successful lease can be negotiated with a provider.   The motion was seconded by Dave Joslin.   Howard Hatch questioned whether the Town has been held harmless by the State for any contamination of the property.   TM English replied that an asbestos abatement was done in the building  and certified by the State. The Adjutant General’s Office had reported to the Town that there was no other environmental issues on the property.   Mr. Hatch stated that there is a waste oil sump on the property.   TM English responded that the A.G.’s Office claims this is an old septic system.   Mr. Hatch insisted that this is an oil sump and the site should be checked for contamination.   After further discussion the Board directed TM English to have the Highway Department backhoe excavate the site to see what was there.   Mr. Hatch asked to be present.   After several Board members expressed concerns about the site, Bob Maccini clarified his  motion that it was the Boards’ intent to use the property as stated in his original motion.   All approved.

 

Ø     Town By-laws, Ordinances

The Town By-laws and other ordinances were again reviewed by the Board.   Specifically they concentrated on the By-laws for the Woodsville Fire District where animal nuisances have been reported.   A number of residents were at the meeting and testified about the noise, smell and health issues with the keeping of animals.   After a long discussion Bob Maccini made a motion to increase the fine amount in the Woodsville By-laws from a maximum penalty of $10.00 to a maximum penalty of $150.00.   The motion was seconded by Peter Heilemann and all approved.

 

New Business:

Ø      Veteran’s credits and Elderly Exemptions

Bob Maccini made a motion, seconded by Dave Joslin to approve the pre-existing Elderly Exemptions applications which meet the age, income and asset limit criteria based on the list provided by Jo Lacaillade and all approved.

 

Dave Joslin made a motion, seconded by Peter Heilemann  to approve the new applications for Elderly Exemptions which meet all the criteria based on the list provided by Jo Lacaillade and all approved.

 

Peter Heilemann made a motion, seconded by Dave Joslin to approve the Veteran Exemptions applications which met all the criteria based on a list provided by Jo Lacaillade and all approved.

 

Bob Maccini made a motion seconded by Peter Heilemann to deny the 6 Elderly Exemptions listed which did not meet the criteria and all approved.

 

Dave Joslin made a motion, seconded by Pter Heilemann to approve a Blind Exemption application provided by Jo Lacaillade and all approved.

 

Peter Heilemann made a motion, seconded by Dave Joslin to deny 3 Veteran Exemption applications which did not meet the criteria and all approved.

 

Commission/Committee Reports:   none

      

Correspondence: 

TM English reported that the Board had several pieces of correspondence in their folders.

 

Comments of the Public:  none

 

Comments of the Town Manager:  none

 

Comments of Selectboard Members:   none

 

Adjourn Meeting:   Dave Joslin made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Bob Maccini and all approved.   The meeting was adjourned by Chairman Ladd at

8:11 pm.

 

Minutes transcribed by Glenn English