Town of Stoddard, NH

Building Committee, Town of Stoddard

Minutes for Meeting Convened April 14, 2009

Stoddard Town Hall

7:00 PM

Members Attending:  Chairman Dick Briere, Vice Chair Amy Rokoszak, Penny Betz, Arnie Stymest, Alan Rumrill, Sandy Holland and Harry Power

Absent:  David Vaillancourt and PJ Lamothe

Resigned:  George Preston

Public in attendance:  none

Chairman Briere called the meeting to order at 7:08 PM.

It was noted that George Preston has announced publicly that he was resigning from the Building Committee and that he would provide a letter of resignation to the Moderator to formalize his decision.  George has been an enormous asset to the Committee and we are sorry to lose him. 

Penny Betz brought plans from the KSC architectural students depicting renovations to the Gould House and an addition to the existing library, as well as plans for a new library.  There are minor problems with the plans which will be easily resolved.  Dick Briere will take these plans to a couple of contractors on Thursday, April 16^th.  Based on two comments at the recent budget hearing, he will also discuss with the contractors some generalities re new construction, attempting to get a ball park cost to be used as a comparison to the cost of completing renovations to the Gould House.  By necessity, any information will be somewhat vague as the engineering feasibility assessment was never completed for the Cahill donated property.  We don’t know where a building might be sited, what its footprint might be, whether a basement for storage is possible or the structure may need to be two-story or have a larger footprint to account for storage/files.  What we do know is that some of the amenities we already have with the Gould House (septic, parking, plumbing, heat, working though inadequate electrical, well, etc) will have to be installed as well as the excavation and construction for a new structure.

It was noted that we have been pursuing renovations at the Gould House with some urgency based on the assumption that our current Town Clerk was retiring in 2010, but it may be that she will not.  Harry Power said that he would have a conversation with Mrs. Read to determine if we still do have the urgency to complete offices before next year’s elections.

Quotes from four electricians were compared.  Only one quoted a firm price for upgrades to the town hall; the others quoted time and materials stating the unknowns made it impossible for them to provide firm prices.  Further discussion and consultation with the electricians will be necessary before a decision for recommendation can be reached.  Dick Briere will do a visual inspection of the overhead of the town hall on Wednesday, April 15^th, which may facilitate those follow-on discussions. 

It was noted that Mathewson cannot finish the parking lot work until the road restrictions are lifted.  It may be possible to get a waiver from David Vaillancourt if the conditions appear sufficiently improved before the restrictions are lifted by the State. 

Dick Briere said that he had talked with John Halter about volunteerism and whether that would be an insurance/liability issue for the town if we had people performing certain physical labors.  Any purpose for the volunteerism should be put into writing and provided to the Board of Selectmen.  John said that he would check with the insurance provider.

Dick Briere offered to prepare a document listing all our names, which we will each sign, to provide to the Town Moderator following the Town Meeting if the Building Committee is voted up again.  It will state that we are willing to be reappointed should the Moderator determine that is the proper course of action.  We feel that the experience and knowledge we have gained over the past few months is too valuable to lose at this stage of the game. 

The Town Hall has been placed on the NH Historical Register.  POSH and the Historical Society are hosting a rededication of the Town Hall due to having received this designation for it.  This will be May 17^th from 3 – 5 PM at the Town Hall.  The Building Committee will have plans for the Gould House and Library on display during this event.

Dick Briere read an email from John Halter extending an invitation to dine at KSC to enjoy dishes prepared from all-local products.  Some members indicated they are planning to attend.

The next Building Committee meetings will be April 23^rd and May 7^th at 7 PM at Town Hall. 

Meeting adjourned at 8:45 PM.

Respectfully submitted:

___________________________

Sandy Holland, Secretary