TOWN OF THORNTON BOARD OF SELECTMEN Meeting Minutes April 7, 2010

Transcription

1 TOWN OF THORNTON BOARD OF SELECTMEN Meeting Minutes April 7, 2010 The Thornton Board of Selectmen met and held a meeting on Wednesday, April 7, 2010, 10:00 AM at the Thornton Town Hall. Board Members present: Roy Sabourn, Chairman, Gloria Kimball, Timothy Tyler, David Joyce and Alfred Burbank Public present: Sally Davis, Beverly Chappell and Sally Kriebel Minutes taken by: Marianne Peabody At 10:01 AM Chairman Sabourn called the meeting to order and opened the floor to the public beginning with Sally Davis, Member of the Thornton Conservation Commission. Sally informed the Board that her three year term and Commission Member Stephen Shaunessy s term are due for re appointment if the Board of Selectmen agree to appoint them. They are both interested in serving another term. Sally Davis questioned why the posted March 2010 Annual Town Meeting Minutes do not reflect her motion relative to Article 16. At the annual meeting Sally Davis stood up and motioned to table or postpone indefinitely Article 16. Her motion was defeated. Sally also questioned why Town Clerk Susan Lyons signed the minutes when she was not in attendance. Deputy Christy Gleason took the minutes. In an attempt to clarify Sally s concerns Chairman Sabourn requested that the now Deputy Town Clerk Susan Lyons join the meeting. Susan Lyons informed the Board and Sally Davis that she is aware of Sally s concerns and is in the process of waiting for an answer from the Secretary of State s Office. She will contact Sally Davis when she receives a reply from the Secretary of State s Office relative to an amendment to the 2010 Annual Town Meeting Minutes. Beverly Chappell questioned why the March 9, 2010 Selectmen minutes do not reflect her and her husband s complaint against the Board of Selectmen over their negligence in enforcing the Thornton Zoning Ordinance over the years. Chairman Sabourn informed Beverly Chappell that her letter has been forwarded to Town Council for review and response. A motion was made by Selectman Burbank to amend the Board of Selectmen minutes of March 9, 2010 and to adopt the first few lines of Beverly Chappell s letter commenting over the lack of enforcement of the zoning ordinance by prior Boards of Selectmen. This motion was seconded and VOTED TO AMEND 5 0. Selectman Burbank stated: He agrees with the Chappell s and wants the zoning ordinance enforced. Beverly then directed discussion to the Town of Thornton website. 1

2 She asked if the Board is satisfied with it and if there are any changes they would like to see. Features could be added to the site such as search engines and form downloads etc. Selectman Burbank suggested that she contact the Local Government Center. Their site is considered user friendly and they may have search engines that could benefit our site. Chairman Sabourn suggested that she discuss possible changes with Administrator Beaulieu relative to cost effectiveness. The downloading of building permits was mentioned. Beverly also informed the Board that Town Officials (Budget Committee) Members names need updating. The Board informed Beverly that the appointment of these members fall under the responsibilities of the Town Moderator. Sally Kriebel The Thornton Central School 8 th Grade Class is sponsoring a spaghetti supper this evening at the school from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM. Proceeds from the supper will be donated to the Thornton Historical Society for the renovations of the Old Town Hall. Action Folder Applications for Building Permits Approved: Kelly Coburn PID Building Permit # James Sanborn PID Building Permit # Kevin Campot PID Building Permit # Applications for Building Permits denied: Ryan Robert PID Building Permit # Reason: Requires approved septic design from DES. Tax Year 2010 Excavation Intents Duane Johnston PID Duane Johnston PID Leigh Johnston PID Leigh Johnston PID Elderly Exemption Arthur Gross Approved Downing Trust Denied Letter read Does not qualify due to assets exceeding Towns Limitations. Current Use Application Gary & Julie Piehn Denied Letter addressed to Mr. & Mrs. Piehn Reason: The wetlands on their property do not qualify under DRA current use rules. The minutes of the March 24, 2010 Board of Selectmen Meeting were reviewed and approved with the following amendment requested by Selectman Joyce. Page 4 of 5 Under 2

3 Motion 7:40 PM to read as follows: Roll call was taken Selectman Burbank: Yes, Selectman Tyler: Yes, Selectman Sabourn: Yes, Selectwoman Kimball: Yes. Selectman Joyce recused himself and left the room. A motion was made and seconded by Selectman Burbank and seconded by Selectwoman Kimball to approve the amendment. VOTED 5 0. Second amendment of the March 24, 2010 Board of Selectmen Meeting minutes page 4 of 5 to be amended as follows: Under Motion 8:05 PM Roll call was taken. Selectman Burbank: Yes, Selectman Tyler: Yes, Chairman Sabourn: Yes, Selectwoman Kimball: Yes, Selectman Joyce rejoined. Motion passed 5 0. A motion was made by Selectman Burbank and seconded by Selectwoman Kimball to approve the amendment. VOTED 5 0. A motion was made by Chairman Sabourn and seconded by Board Members to approve the minutes of March 24, 2010 as written and amended. VOTED 5 0. Signature/Action Folder A letter written as a memorandum of agreement under which the law firm of Devine, Millimet & Branch, Professional Association has undertaken to represent the Town of Thornton s Police Department in connection with municipal legal services and other specialized legal matters. A motion was made and seconded to accept the offer made by Devine, Milliment & Branch, Professional Association and to sign the agreement. No discussion. VOTED 5 0. Selectman Sabourn signed the agreement as Chairman. Town Clerk/Tax Collectors Office The Board of Selectmen signed appointments for the offices of: Town/Clerk Tax Collector Christy Gleason Deputy Town Clerk/Tax Collector Paulette Bowers Temporary Deputy Town Clerk/Tax Collector Susan Lyons These appointments will be submitted to the NH Office of Secretary of State. The State of NH Department of Revenue Administration is charged with the responsibility of annually equalizing the local assess valuations of municipalities. The DRA has conducted a sales assessment ratio study using market sales, which have taken place in our town between October 1, 2008 and September 30, Based on the information received from the Town of Thornton they have determined the average level of assessment of land, buildings and manufactured housing as of April 1, They have determined the overall equalization assessment for the Town of Thornton Tax Year 2009 to be This information was forwarded to the Town of Thornton on March 29, 2010 and received on March 31,

4 Highway Department Road Agent Tom Dubey drafted a letter addressed to Sugar Run Realty Trust relative to a culvert replacement at 155 Sugar Run Road. Chairman Sabourn read the letter and a motion was made and seconded to forward the letter as drafted by Road Agent Dubey. VOTED 5 0. Tri State Fire Protection Contract Board Members reviewed, and prefer to discuss it further with Administrator Beaulieu. Medical and Dental Coverage Rates guaranteed from July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2011 has been received. Board Members will discuss with Town Administrator. Board of Selectmen items for discussion Selectman Sabourn informed the Board he spoke with Tyler Phillips. Tyler has agreed to look at the Covered Bridge in Mill Brook and will suggest some possible engineers to assist with the project. Tyler feels we may not need all the work and associated costs the State DOT has suggested. Road Agent Dubey told Selectman Sabourn he has spoken with Bill Feather about Upper Mad River Rd..Mr. Feather is willing to work with the Town to improve road slope and ditch problems. Selectwoman Kimball spoke with Road Agent Dubey relative to a slight crown on Upper Mad River. George Cheney was working on the roadway. Selectman Tyler No discussion Selectman Joyce Road Agent took care of a tree that was down. Selectman Burbank Informed Board Members that during the heavy rains he looked at Mr. Feathers driveway and the ditch and road appear to be at the same level. The water was running where it should. Other Business Selectman Sabourn and Kimball will investigate a possible nest of birds over the police department main work area ceiling. Special Events Board Members discussed and took into consideration from the public present ideas and approaches to begin a procedure to license special events. Chairman Sabourn feels the Board has an obligation to make it work. This Memorial Day Weekend at the Benton s Field Soberfest will be held. June will bring Mr. Russell Gilman s tractor show. Selectman Burbank feels the Board needs to address the concerns of the abutters. Selectmen listened to abutter Beverly Chappell with her complaint over last year s Soberfest event. She informed the Board that the music from the rap tent was very loud, and added that she and her husband do not want to live next to a concert site. The Board has suggested that Beverly submit her complaints in writing. Sally Kriebel feels all principal players should meet together to discuss each events particular concerns. Board members agreed at their next scheduled meeting to be held on April 21, 6:00 PM to schedule a meeting and invite the principal players of the event. (Town Officials, Town Council, Abutters, Benton s, and the sponsor of the event) to discuss the 4

5 procedure. The Board of Selectmen discussed, motioned, seconded and voted unanimously the following: 1. To adopt a draft event application taken from the special events planning guidebook put together by the Local Government Center and name the application Town of Thornton Interim Application VOTED The sponsors and/or property owners are to submit a completed application and site plan to the Town Hall no later than Friday, April 16, VOTED The Board of Selectmen will ask Town Council to attend the April 21, 2010 meeting to discuss procedure. VOTED Abutters and Town Officials will be notified of the April 21, 2010 meeting. Discussion to begin at 6:00 PM. VOTED 5 0. The meeting adjourned at 12:30 PM. Next scheduled meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 21, 2010, 5:00 PM at the Thornton Town Hall. Respectfully Submitted, Marianne Peabody Secretary for the Thornton Boards Posting Date: 04/12/2010 5

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