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HANCOCK SELECTBOARD MINUTES SEPTEMBER 26, 2011
PRESENT: Roberta LaPlante-Chair, Carolyn Boland, John Jordan-Selectboard Barbara Caverly-Town Administrator/Recording Secretary
OTHERS: Kurt Grassett-DPW Director, Bill Kimball-logger LaPlante called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. Jordan moved to accept the Minutes of September 19th, seconded by Boland, unanimously approved. LIAISON REPORTS: Dump: Jordan reported the committee has started working on the budget for next year. He also made note that more covered space is needed for storage of goods. They will be discussing various options for funding that need. SAC: Jordan reported six towns attended the recent SAC meeting. Peterborough, Temple and Bennington had other commitments that night. Jordan stated the Administration cost has increased 45% which SAC stated they find unacceptable. Jordan noted the Model Study Committee is not moving forward at this time. The Property subcommittee will be presenting three options on things that they feel need to be done to the Conval gymnasium. Everyone was pleased with the $625,000 being returned to the Conval communities. Recreation: LaPlante, reporting on the Recreation Committee meeting, stated they wrapped up the summer recreation programs – swimming and Summer Recreation. They also started working on the budget for 2012. There is going to be a need for dock repairs for the 2012 season. Some of that cost may come from a donation specific to the beach. BILL KIMBALL: Kimball was in to speak with the Selectboard about being able to gain access to a lot he will be logging. The access will be over Hayward Road, a Class VI road. Grassett discussed this with the Selectboard last week and it was determined a $5,000 to $10,000 bond would be required because of the length of the road to be used and the amount of work required to make it passable. Kimball stated he was unable to obtain a bond because the road is currently impassable. If the road was a town road, open to others he would have been able to obtain a bond. LaPlante ultimately asked if he could give a check in the amount of $4,000 to go into an escrow account until the project is completed. Jordan noted the Selectboard requires a bond or escrow from others and must also do the same for Kimball. Kimball said he would be back in contact with the Town Office. PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT: Grassett reported he is working on the various budgets he is responsible for. His Highway crew is over at the Dump working an average of three hours a week. He has been keeping those hours under the Highway account but feels they should be paid out of the Dump wage line in order to keep more accurate accounting of the cost to maintain the facility.
Grassett cannot use them too much at the Transfer Station because there needs to be a certified person on site. Grassett is the only other certified person at this time if Roper is away.
Lawnmower: The town lawnmower is in need of a new motor or replacement. The cost of the mower is split between the cemetery and the DPW. It is over nine years old and is getting worn. It has already had one new motor and is coming to time for another one. He would like to take it to Gary's Power Equipment for an evaluation. If it will take over 50% of the cost of a new one to rework it then Grassett feels the money should be put toward a new one. If the cost is under 50% he would consider rebuilding it and splitting the cost with the Cemetery Trustees.
Prospect Hill: Grassett told the Board there is spray paint on rocks and trees on a portion of Prospect Hill Road, placed there by the pavers. He showed the Selectboard pictures of some of the marks. This is a way of marking loads for the pavers; however, the marks should have been placed on the edge of the road. The owner of Busby Construction (the contractor for the project) and the executives for Brox (the pavers for the project) are very upset by this action. Grassett has directed them to remove the marks and leave no visible signs when finished.
Old Hancock Road: The highway crew was doing some grading as time permitted and it ended up raining much harder than anticipated. The end result was a spring mud season on the far end of Old Hancock Road.
The Depot: Grassett reported there is a beech tree on town land that is overhanging the Depot building. It is a hazard that needs to be removed. Grassett will add it to the list for when the bucket truck comes to town.
Fiddleheads: The excess dust and chip seal has been swept up in front of the Hancock Market, Fiddleheads and the Hancock Inn. Grassett said he will now wait and see what happens – whether asphalt continues to bleed through or not.
NONPUBLIC SESSION: Boland moved to go into nonpublic session under RSA 91-A:3,ll (c) to discuss a personnel issue; seconded by Jordan; vote: LaPlante-aye, Boland-aye, Jordan-aye.
Upon coming out of nonpublic session, Boland moved to seal the Minutes, seconded by Jordan, unanimously approved.
POLICE REPORT: Chief Wood stopped in to report Officer Nick Weeks was exposed to meningitis during a rescue call in Greenfield on Sunday. He was called in to the Monadnock Hospital for preventive treatment. Weeks will be asked to file a Worker's Comp report.
SPEED TABLE: A draft of a letter to the NH DOT, asking for a permanent speed table, will be reviewed by the Selectboard.
MS-4: The Selectboard reviewed the form which shows the potential revenue for 2011 to be used to determine the tax rate.
POLICIES: The Selectboard will be reviewing the Work Zone policy, Police Details policy and setting up department head reviews in the coming weeks.
ADJOURNED: Boland moved to adjourn at 8:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Barbara Caverly Recording Secretary
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