TOWN OF STODDARD, NH
SELECTMEN’S MEETING
SEPTEMBER 21, 2009
7:00 PM @ TOWN HALL
ATTENDANCE: John D. Halter, Chairman
Sandra L. Holland
Arnold R. Stymest
Evelyn Nadeau, Administrative Assistant
REVIEW/SIGN MANIFEST & BILLS
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Chairman Halter opened the meeting by stating there would be strict adherence to the agenda, that if a person or item is not on the agenda, they or it would not be heard. The “House Rules” were read aloud.
SCHEDULED APPOINTMENTS
1.) JON & MARY HICKS and DAVID VAILLANCOURT, POLICE CHIEF - Mary Hicks read aloud a letter to the Board reiterating the content of her letter from the previous week and adding a notation that on September 16th Joel Hicks’ dog Jenna was again on her property, she called animal control and eleven (11) minutes later Chief Vaillancourt arrived at her property. The dog had already left by then. The letter accused Joel Hicks of stalking her and her husband based on the fact that they have heard crackling sounds in the bushes at night. Another letter, written by Jon Hicks, was also read aloud by Mary Hicks. The letter detailed civil problems between the two neighbors, some of which have already been resolved, and issues with the Police Chief. Chairman Halter asked Chief Vaillancourt for input. Chief Vaillancourt reported that, with regard to the fire-pit issue, the Fire Warden had called dispatch requesting his presence to “keep the peace”. Other times when the Hicks’ have called about the dog, Chief Vaillancourt has gone to Joel Hicks’. He has gone to Joel Hicks’ four or five times concerning the dog. Joel Hicks was in the audience and asked the Chairman if he could speak, to which the Chairman agreed. Joel Hicks said his puppy goes to the fire-pit on Jon and Mary Hicks’ property because she has been feeding it. Whenever the dog goes over the hill, she calls. The dog has been restrained and has a radio collar. Mary Hicks has admitted to feeding Jenna when she was a puppy. Chief Vaillancourt stated that Joel Hicks is working on training the dog and has a 100’ run. Mary Hicks said she does not feed the dog. Chairman Halter stated that it seems everyone is doing their best to resolve the matter. Joel Hicks indicated Jon and Mary Hicks have been to his property looking for their dogs, too. Chairman Halter said he thinks Joel Hicks is doing what he can. Joel Hicks voiced concern for his kids what with the bears in the area. He stated he has no reason to stalk anybody, but he sometimes walks on his own property looking at the trees. Selectman Holland indicated she doesn’t see that the Selectmen have any jurisdiction over the matters discussed. Selectman Stymest asked how many calls doesn’t Chief Vaillancourt respond to. Chief Vaillancourt noted there was one incident when he was out of town, but other times, by the time he arrives the dog is not running loose.
2.) HARRY POWER, COMPLIANCE OFFICER - submitted a proposed new building permit form. A couple of minor amendments to the form were suggested and it was noted the checklist for the applicant should be amended to include the plot plan requirement information. Chairman Halter noted there is no requirement for permits for free-standing decks, or roof replacements, or replacement in kind of existing buildings. Mr. Power noted that anything within 250’ of the shoreline requires a permit from the Department of Environmental Services (DES) before a building permit can be issued.
SELECTMEN’S WORK SESSION
ITEMS FOR SIGNATURE:
1. Intent to Cut on TM#E 410-09 owned by Andorra Forest
2. Oath of Office for Beverly Power for re-appointment to the ZBA
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION/ACTION:
1. Selectmen’s Minutes of 9/14/09. Chairman Halter noted that in follow up to Mr. Fiondella’s discussion an email was sent to Cross Country Appraisal but no response had been received thus far. Selectman Stymest indicated he had come in to talk with the appraisers during the hearings. Selectman Stymest made a MOTION to accept the minutes as written. Chairman Halter seconded the motion. Vote: Halter-Aye, Stymest-Aye, Holland-Abstain.
2. Deposit and rental fee for Town Hall use on 9/18/09. It was noted that the application has not yet been returned with approvals from the Police and Fire Chiefs. Selectman Stymest made a motion to waive the fee for the pot luck. Discussion: Chairman Halter indicated there is a difference between public and private events. Selectman Stymest read off a list of groups for which waivers have been granted, including Garden Club, Friends of the Library and others, and noted that this function was to honor a former town employee. Motion seconded by Selectman Holland. Vote: Halter-Abstain, Holland-Aye, Stymest-Aye. Further discussion: Selectman Holland asked that Police and Fire Chiefs be emailed or faxed Town Hall rental applications to speed up the process, or put the applications in a folder somewhere in Town Hall where the Chiefs can find them to review and approve.
4. Selectman Stymest commented that people are coming into Town Hall and socializing with the Administrative Assistant preventing her from getting her work done. Stymest went on to say that former Selectman Lou GrandPre’s truck has been seen in the parking lot and he has been socializing and interfering with the Administrative Assistant’s workload. The Administrative Assistant stated that has not been happening. Mr. GrandPre’ has come into the Town Hall a few times, recently. Once with his wife to get updated addresses for the Hidden Lake Association and a couple of other times when he has given updates on the Building Committee meetings and the Cemeteries.
5. Dick Betz has asked for a digital copy of the dispatch map for the website. Chairman Halter wants the tax maps put on the website, too.
6. Letter from the school requesting plowing of the new emergency route. Chairman Halter read the school letter and asked David Vaillancourt to get the details worked out with Ray Lagasse at the school and then come back to the Board with a cost quote, because it would be an addendum to the current road contract. A letter will be sent to the Principal to keep him informed.
7. Maude Stone telephoned a complaint about drainage from a neighbor’s land. Travel trailers are reported to be on the property. Chairman Halter asked that the Compliance Officer be notified to look at it if and when he is in that vicinity to see if the trailers are registered.
8. Letter from Cynthia Burton about a deck on Peate’s land. The letter was read by each Selectman. No action was to be taken at this time while a response from DES is pending. A note of courtesy will be sent to Mrs. Burton that it is up to the landowners to determine whose land the deck is on.
9. Selectman Stymest asks why these letters were not in the reading folders prepared for the Selectmen. The Administrative Assistant indicated she had only been asked to copy all items in the “Reading” folder for the Selectmen, not the items for “Discussion”. She stated she would now copy all discussion items, too, if that is what the Board wants. It was the general consensus that some discretion could be used, but correspondence should be included.
10. NH Accessibility Training on 10/6/09 - Selectman Holland will pass this along to the Building Committee.
11. Letter from Sheila Healy in response to our letter of July 20th. The property file will be checked for the septic information to make sure the system is adequate for the number of bedrooms. The assessment should be updated either with the pickups in the spring or by Cross Country Appraisal if they can do it now. Bring back for next week.
12. Copy of Joel Hicks’ letter to the Selectmen and DES. Chairman Halter said he wants an electronic copy of the CD Mr. Hicks has provided so he can send it to DES. Mr. Hicks asked to speak and was given permission by the Chairman. Mr. Hicks said Health Officer Dr. Englund and Mr. DeSeves from DES will be going out to review the situation at Jon and Mary Hicks’ property sometime next week. He is concerned there is pollution to the lake or the area. Chairman Halter agreed we should work through the Health Officer and DES. A MOTION was made by Chairman Halter to ask the Health Officer and DES to take a look at the property. Selectman Holland seconded the motion and the vote was unanimously affirmative. Chairman Halter said he also wants Police Chief Vaillancourt to be there. Mary Hicks asked if they can be notified in advance so they can bring in their dogs. Chairman Halter said he has no problem communicating that with the Health Officer and DES. Chief Vaillancourt was asked to let them know in advance when the appointment is so they can bring in the dogs.
13. Building permit for Tracy Turcotte for a new house at TM# 423-53 - APPROVED.
14. Selectman Stymest stated he wants Chief Vaillancourt in for a non-public session with all his certification documents and Officer Busto’s background check for review. Chief Vaillancourt had left the meeting prior to this, so it was agreed a letter would be sent to him communicating this demand.
15. Selectman Stymest said more posters have been placed outside at the entrance to Town Hall. He suggested a notice be put up that only authorized or signed notices can be posted. No decisions were made on the matter.
16. Selectman Stymest asked again if all letters could be included in the Selectmen’s folders. (See item #9)
ITEMS FOR INFORMATION/READING:
1. Police calls for service
2. DRA letter to Trustees of Trust Funds
3. Planning Board preliminary minutes 9/15/09
4. Planning Board letter to Hayes Car & Truck
5. Copy of letter from Maria Gagnon to Cross Country Appraisal Group.
6. DRA letter with Utility assessment for PSNH
7. Coalition Communities’ fax re: a meeting on October 9th
8. Monadnock United Way newsletter
ADJOURNMENT: A MOTION was made by Chairman Halter, seconded by Selectman Stymest and approved by unanimous vote to adjourn at 8:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Evelyn Nadeau
Administrative Assistant