PRELIMINARY MINUTES
TOWN OF STODDARD, NH
SELECTMEN'S MEETING
SEPTEMBER 28, 2009
@ TOWN HALL, 7:00 PM
ATTENDANCE: John D. Halter, Chairman
Sandra L. Holland
Arnold R. Stymest
Administrative Assistant: Evelyn Nadeau
REVIEW/SIGN MANIFEST & BILLS
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
SCHEDULED APPOINTMENTS
1. P.J. LAMOTHE, FIRE CHIEF – with a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for a grant for radios capable of analogue and digital for Selectmen’s signature. A MOTION was made by Chairman Halter, seconded by Selectman Holland and approved by unanimous vote to approve the MOA and sign it on behalf of the Board. Chief Lamothe reported that a HazMat situation occurred when someone deliberately drove his vehicle into Island Pond. Also reported: Mill Village Store passed inspection. An exhaust fan needs a minor repair due to a minor problem when the electrical was installed. That is being fixed within two weeks. The Marina is waiting for a quote. An inspection was done on Aten Road. As for Mr. Champney on Doe Road, that is in the Fire Marshall’s hands now.
2. MARY & JON HICKS – gave a letter to the Selectmen detailing how Lou GrandPre’ had stopped by to see if they had any sanitary facilities on their property. They now have a port-a-potty on site. Chairman Halter stated he agreed with what the letter said except for one word. He had “asked”, rather than “told” Lou GrandPre’ to check the property out. Mr. GrandPre’ noted he never went onto the property and could see the port-a-potty from his truck. Selectman Stymest took issue with Chairman Halter having asked Mr. GrandPre’ to check into it, saying he thought it circumvented having Dr. England go there and no other Selectman was consulted on this after the Board agreed to have Dr. Englund visit the site. Stymest commented said he didn’t think it was ethical. Chairman Halter disagreed with Selectman Stymest’s assertion, saying he had asked Mr. GrandPre’ friend to friend, and because of his association with the Hidden Lake Association. Chairman Halter then told Mrs. Hicks that the fact that they had a port-a-potty on their property would have been an important piece of information the previous week. Chairman Halter said Dr. England has said someone from DHHS may accompany him this Wednesday to Hicks’. Lou GrandPre’ asked the Board if he could address Selectman Stymest’s recent comments faulting him for the time he has spent at Town Hall. Selectman Stymest voiced refusal to discuss it because the Board was not in the Miscellaneous Public Session portion of the meeting. Chairman Halter agreed the Board was not in the Public Session part of the meeting.
3 PAUL FIONDELLA – stated he is having difficulty getting a mortgage on his Stoddard property because it is deemed “seasonal” by the town. Under EnvWq1004.17 (State Administrative Rules) if the property was lived in year-round (9 months per year or more) prior to 1990. Insulation and a heating system were installed in 1970, and the house had a well, electricity and a septic system pre-dating 1970. Mr. Fiondella made the point that the Stoddard Community Planning Ordinance fails to define “seasonal”. A proposed letter was given to the Board to resolve this issue. Chairman Halter indicated the Board will need to discuss the letter. Selectman Stymest recommended running it by the Town Attorney before making a decision. The general consensus of the Board was to seek an opinion from the Town Attorney.
4. MARCIA KAYSER, LIBRARY TRUSTEE – appointment rescheduled to next week.
MISCELLANEOUS PUBLIC SESSION:
1. ELLEN MASON, TAX COLLECTOR – provided information on a property which was foreclosed on and needs an abatement for a lien placed on it in error. TM# 135-05 – abatement amount = $546.25.
2. BEV GAY – gave the Board an application to NH The Beautiful to be filled out for signage for the Transfer Station. She mentioned a big sign with the hours for the front gate. No discussion from the Board.
3. PAM ROSS – had a solar system installed and is applying for a rebate. Ms. Ross needs a building permit or other documentation to submit with her rebate application. Selectman Stymest suggested giving it to the Compliance Officer. A letter is requested stating Stoddard does not inspect or require permits for installations of solar systems. Chairman Halter indicated a letter could be written after Ms. Ross speaks with the Compliance Officer.
4. PATRICIA PUTNAM – the parsonage basement has mold and volunteers will be tearing off 2 X 4’s and replacing them. Ms. Putnam asked for a key to the Transfer Station for the demolition debris. A MOTION was made by Chairman Halter, seconded by Selectman Holland and approved by unanimous vote to approve the request. (As it later turned out, there was not a spare to provide.)
5. ARLENE DECORCIA – stated the estimate she had asked for was to replace four window panes in Town Hall, but the quote was for much more than that. It was agreed the Board would review the quote later in the meeting.
NON-PUBLIC SESSION with Police Chief Vaillancourt – A MOTION was made by Chairman Halter to enter non-public session to discuss a personnel issue. Motion seconded by Selectman Stymest and approved by unanimous vote.
A MOTION was made by Chairman Halter to come out of non-public session and seal the minutes indefinitely. Motion seconded by Selectman Stymest and approved by unanimous vote.
WORK SESSION
ITEMS FOR SIGNATURE:
1. Payroll Authorization for Kelly Taylor – Library Director
2. Town Hall rental form for the pot luck dinner held 9/18/09
3. Town Hall rental form for Friends of the Library 10/10/09 Tag Sale
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION/ACTION:
1. Selectmen’s Minutes 9/21/09 - A MOTION was made by Chairman Halter, seconded by Selectman Holland and approved by unanimous vote to accept the minutes of 9/21/09 as amended.
2. Informational Meeting minutes 9/23/09 (will be available 9/28/09) – A MOTION was made by Chairman Halter, seconded by Selectman Stymest and approved by unanimous vote to approve the minutes of 9/23/09.
3. Sheila Healy letter from last week (Septic=3 bdrms/ House = 3 bdrms/ Garage = bunkroom set up for 4 children) Assessment record has been updated based on the information she provided. A letter will be prepared for next week saying the Board has reviewed her letter and the assessment was adjusted accordingly, and in reviewing the file it was found that there is a septic system for a three-bedroom house and the house is listed with three bedrooms. We wouldn’t expect to find living quarters in the garage. They will need to upgrade the septic system and we will then upgrade the building permit to bring the property into compliance.
4. Proposal from NH Historic Sash & Windows – to be turned over to the Building Committee for consideration when the sequence of repairs is established.
5. Administrative Assistant’s report (will be available 9/28/09)
6. Police call sheet (will be available 9/28/09)
7. Selectman Stymest indicated a problem with unauthorized postings appearing on the board by the front doors. A MOTION was made by Chairman Halter, seconded by Selectman Stymest and approved by unanimous vote to prohibit unsigned or anonymous postings on the board.
8. The Administrative Assistant suggested the meeting by recessed rather than adjourned so the Selectmen can sign the MS-1 form on Wednesday before the Informational Meeting.
OLD BUSINESS
9. Administrative Procedures:
a.) Review of old Selectmen’s policies – No Action taken
10. Anytime Auto septic system – Mr. Z. will be in next Monday
11.
MISCELLANEOUS PUBLIC SESSION
ITEMS OF INFORMATION/READING:
1. Letter to Cynthia Burton
2. Letter to Mark Taft, Principal at the school
3. SWRPC memo: Safe Routes to School Program
4. DRA Chart detailing due dates for forms and documents
5. SWRPC memo re: Brownfields Forum
6. Coalition Communities latest
A MOTION was made by Chairman Halter to recess the meeting until Wednesday, September 30, 2009 at 7:15 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Evelyn Nadeau
Administrative Assistant