MINUTES OF HAVERHILL SELECTBOARD REGULAR MEETING

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

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

Town Manager: Glenn English

Administrative Assistant/Finance Officer: Jo Lacaillade

Members of the Public Present: Howard Hatch, Doug Henson, Everett Henson, Gabriel Cadreact, Erika Krauss, and Ed Ballam from the Journal Opinion.

Call Meeting to Order:

Chairman Ladd called the meeting to order at 6:22p.m.

Approval of Agenda:

David Joslin made a motion to approve the agenda as presented; seconded by Peter Conrad and carried unanimously.

Approval of Consent Agenda:

Peter Conrad made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda as presented; seconded by David Joslin and carried unanimously.

Scheduled Public Appearances:

Todd Bigelow-Interview for appointment to Planning Board: Todd Bigelow did not attend and the issue was tabled until the next meeting.

Public Hearing(s): None

Town Manager’s Report:

TM English reported that an inspection was done at the Center Haverhill Armory site last Tuesday. The item behind the building is an old septic system and also located was an underground drainage system for the roof and conduit coming if for the electric service. The map shows a proposed future oil tank but there was no evidence that one was ever out there. The Board felt that it was time well spent to clarify the issue. Howard Hatch stated that he stands corrected.

Pending (Old) Business:

Ø Review and update Building Permit Application – precinct procedures: The board reviewed the new section regarding the process for obtaining a building permit in the village precincts. David Joslin made a motion to approve the building permit application as amended; seconded by Peter Conrad and carried unanimously.

Ø Town By-laws, Ordinances – discussion: There was a brief discussion regarding the document as it is today. The Board directed the Town Manager to work with the necessary departments to revise the by-laws and ordinances and bring recommendations for changes to the next meeting.

Ø Agreement for 3^rd Party Inspections: The Town is in receipt of signed agreements from No. Haverhill, Haverhill Corner and Woodsville. The commissioners of each precinct approved the agreement as well as the fire chief of each department. On a motion by David Joslin; seconded by Peter Conrad and carried unanimously the Board approved the agreement.

New Business:

Ø Permission to Improve a Class VI Road: The improvements proposed by Mr. Cadreact for Flat Iron Road have been reviewed and approved by the Road Agent. Mr. Cadreact’s property is just beyond the cemetery. On a motion by Peter Conrad; seconded by David Joslin the Board unanimously approved the permission to improve the Class VI road.

Ø Permission to Build on a Class VI Road: After a brief discussion regarding at which point the Planning Board will be involved with this building application; David Joslin made a motion to approve this application to build on a class VI road subject to comment of the Planning Board; seconded by Peter Conrad and carried unanimously.

Ø Woodsville Armory: Chairman Ladd stated that the Woodsville Armory is no longer wanted by the State but they had heard a rumor that Haverhill did not want the armory in Woodsville. TM English stated that they may have implied that from a conversation with him when he told them not to think they were just going to automatically give it to the Town; the Town will want to consider whether they want it or not. TM English felt that the Town needs to have a purpose before they accept it. Chairman Ladd said he had talked with the Adjutant General’s office and the armory is no longer wanted by the National Guard and is now in the hands of Governor and Council; they need to hear from us whether we are interested. He thinks if the Town is it may expedite that transfer occurring. TM English said that the metal unit storage building on the property must be retained by the State due an agreement with the Federal Government until 2013; that building is not included in the transfer. Peter Conrad made the motion to send the following statement to the State: “The Haverhill Selectboard acting on behalf of the Town of Haverhill, hereby informs the State of New Hampshire that upon the State’s determining that the Woodsville Armory and accompanying property within the Town of Haverhill, are no longer needed by the State, that the Town is desirous of receiving ownership/title to the Woodsville Armory and accompanying property as soon as possible. The motion was seconded by David Joslin and carried unanimously.

Ø Plymouth Septage Agreement: TM English stated that it is a statutory duty of every town to supply a place where septage can be dumped. When the sludge ordinance was adopted by the Town several years ago Woodsville restricted the Town from using their facility. The contract we have had with Plymouth has been year to year but they are now offering a 5 year agreement at a lower rate. David Joslin made a motion to approve the 5 year agreement at $100 per year. The motion was seconded by Peter Conrad and carried unanimously.

Ø Recycling Proposals: The Board reviewed the only proposal received for a recycling center at the Center Haverhill Armory. There was a brief discussion as to the number of residents using the recycling center in Newbury and what the possible increase there might be to the center if one was provided locally. Because there were several areas of concern that need to be reviewed and discussed, such as cost, Neil Robie who submitted the proposal will be invited to meet with the Board at their next meeting.

Presentations and Awards: None

Commission/Committee Reports: None

Correspondence: Chairman Ladd referred to information he had provided to the Board regarding the gas tax increase. There was a brief discussion regarding the pros and cons of any change to the road funding structure. Peter Conrad felt that the State needs to discipline itself a little better about how it spends money instead of raising the gas tax. The 12% increase that the Town will see from the increase does not equal the amount people will be paying for the increase. TM English stated that the bottom line question is “Do you want to pay for your roads with a use fee (gas tax) or through property tax”. There was further discussion as to how the gas tax currently collected is being used. TM English said that the public should know that all of the cuts that the State has been making in their budget are going to be passed down to the Towns and they are going to either cut services or raise taxes. There was further discussion about the stimulus money; the State budget and the Legislative process in dealing with the budget.

Comments of the Public: Doug Henson asked for further information regarding the septage agreement just approved with Plymouth and if there was any information available as to how much local haulers actually use the facility. TM English stated that it is a statute that the Town provide a facility, if not in their own Town then another; it has to be a waste water treatment facility so it does not matter how many use it.

Comments of the Town Manager/Administrative Assistant-Finance Officer: AA Lacaillade stated that resident tax bills and 1^st issue of property taxes will be ready to issue next week. Chairman Ladd reminded all that dog licenses are due also.

Comments of Selectboard Members:

Adjourn Meeting: David Joslin made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Peter Conrad and carried unanimously. Chairman Ladd adjourned the meeting at 7:22 pm.

Minutes transcribed by Jo Lacaillade