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Page of
Town of Sandwich
Selectmen’s Meeting: June 26, 2017
Attendees: Selectmen Bud Martin, Robert Rowan and Christopher Boldt; Admin: Catherine Graham
Public: Jon Peaslee, Julie Dolan, Ole Anderson, Sharon Teel, Ted Call, Doug Wyman, Dick Papen, Julie Deak.
Mr. Martin opened the meeting at 5:00 P.M.
Approval of Minutes: Mr. Rowan moved to approve the Selectmen’s Meeting minutes of June 19, 2017 as amended; motion seconded by Mr. Boldt, and the vote was unanimous.
Staff Meeting:
PARKS & RECREATION:
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Ole Anderson, Director, reported there are four lifeguards this summer and they started with their duties at the beach last Saturday morning. A lifeguard will be stationed at the Pothole starting late in the mornings to make sure folks stay away from the bridge construction area and barricades. Mr. Rowan moved to have a lifeguard stationed at the Pothole during the Young Mountain Road bridge construction; motion seconded by Mr. Boldt and the vote was unanimous.
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Per the Town’s recent safety inspection by Primex, Mr. Anderson will install some better safety signage at the Pothole warning of fluctuating water levels so is not safe for diving.
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The Town’s swim and tennis lessons are scheduled to start next week. Currently signed up are 20 participants in swim lessons and 18 in tennis lessons. Based on schedules of out-of-state property owners, these numbers fluctuate throughout the summer, and we can accommodate those ‘drop-ins’.
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A youth soccer camp is scheduled for the first week in August
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The Sandwichlot baseball program is scheduled to start this Saturday
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Maintenance: Mr. Anderson said with all the recent rains it has been difficult to keep up with all the mowing required, but he is making good progress. Sunshine Park is not the highest on his priority list and could use more time, especially since there are not as many volunteers as in the past. There was a work crew there recently, which helped.
TOWN CLERK/TAX COLLECTOR:
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Sharon Teel provided the Selectmen with the updated list of those properties at risk for tax deeding to the Town based on three years of past due property taxes.
POLICE DEPARTMENT:
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Chief Wyman stated it was another active month with accidents and arrests.
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He reported on the aftermath of the Durgin Bridge vehicle accident. He asked the Town to provide an invoice for the cost of the repair so he can get restitution from either the driver or owner of the moving company.
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Chief Wyman is still looking for a part-time Officer to cover at least one shift a week.
FIRE DEPARTMENT:
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Chief Call reported the fire trucks were all pump-tested and everything passed
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He plans on going through the department’s current policies to make sure they coincide with the Town’s current Employee Handbook.
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Calls for Service dropped a bit this month
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The number of volunteer members in the department is down which is a concern. The department has done membership drives in the past to try and get new members, but those interested in joining back out since the training is such a time commitment (Firefighter and/or EMT). At networking events, Chief Call learned membership is a problem all over New England. A few towns offer Cadet programs to try and entice youth members, and will sponsor their training.
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Chief Call attended the CIP meeting last week. He will get updated list of trucks and equipment to the CIP members soon.
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He is still working on the Fire Department dock. They have run into some trouble in attaching it to the ledge. After discussion of alternative options, Chief Call was reminded he must work within the approved wetlands permit from DES, or contact them to see if they would approve an alternative attachment per the original wetlands permit application.
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT:
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Jon Peaslee announced the Town received approval on their wetlands permit for the Schoolhouse Road Bridge project. However, the project cannot start until the permit is reviewed by the Army Corps of Engineers, which could take up to 30 days.
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Young Mountain Road Bridge – this project is going well. The concrete abutments were stripped and will be backfilled next. The Steel beams should get delivered and installed in the next week or so.
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The crew is still ditching on Tilton Haley Road; they should be done in another week. The larger pines that were approved for removal will be taken down soon.
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Mr. Peaslee consulted a contractor about getting rid of the Japanese Knotweed in some of the ditches along Town roads. There are six different places which he feels should be treated to eradicate this invasive species soon. The estimate to treat is $2,500. Mr. Boldt asked what type of spray is proposed. Mr. Peaslee replied it is a glyphosate spray, similar in composition to Round-up. Mr. Boldt stated he is against the use of Round-up or its equivalent. He acknowledged the problem with this invasive species, since it is also spreading on his property. He just cannot vote to support the treatment Mr. Peaslee is proposing. Mr. Rowan said he heard there are alternative treatments to eradicate weeds: a mixture of salt, vinegar and borax has worked. He isn’t sure if that specific treatment will also work on knotweed. Mr. Boldt thought it was worth exploring, among other options.
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Mr. Peaslee completed his 6-month review of Ty Bryant as the official end of Mr. Bryant’s probationary period. Mr. Peaslee reported both his new employees are doing a great job. Based on his performance, Mr. Boldt moved to increase Mr. Bryant’s hourly wage by $.50; motion seconded by Mr. Rowan and the vote was unanimous.
Trustees of Trust Funds:
Julie Deak reminded the Selectmen Tom Cullen resigned as a Trustee of the Trust Funds effective June 1, 2017. The remaining Trustees advertised for the opening and recently held two interviews for interested candidates. Ms. Deak stated both candidates were very well-qualified for the position. Mr. Papen added both are involved in Town business and he feels both are excellent.
The Selectmen will read through the candidates’ resumes and discuss further next week.
Highway Department Update:
Mr. Peaslee confirmed his plan is to lower the culvert on Upper Road on Tuesday, June 27, per the agreed to Temporary Stipulation. He will also ditch on the east side of the road.
Site Plan Review Application – Chestnut Manor Project (Map R10-1F):
The Selectmen read through the letter to the Chestnut Manor property owner as drafted by Town Counsel. The Selectmen agreed the project exceeds the scope of a ‘Bed and Breakfast’, and would incorporate this statement in the letter to the property owner, advising him of the need to apply for a Special Exception and/or Variance from the Zoning Board of Adjustment. Ms. Graham will draft a new letter for review by the Selectmen for Monday.
Selectmen’s Reports
Mr. Boldt reported last week he attended the Audubon dedication of the new walkway/viewing area at the Alice Bemis Thompson Sanctuary. He added the dedication was very well-attended and noted how impressive the new handicapped-accessible walkway is.
Mr. Rowan stated he continued to check in on the progress of the Young Mountain Road Bridge project.
Other Business:
NH Primex is offering the Town membership in their Contribution Assurance Program (CAP) for our Workers Compensation policy. This assures a cap at an 8% increase with our W/C premiums for three years, if we commit to membership for that long. Mr. Boldt moved to join the Contribution Assurance Program of NH Primex for our Workers Compensation policy; motion seconded by Mr. Rowan and the vote was unanimous.
Dave Witham, of NH Primex, provided the Town’s Safety Committee with his observations on safety issues with our Town facilities after inspection on June 1st.
Ms. Graham reported Chapman Sanctuary/Visny Woods submitted their IRS form 990 per their tax exempt application requirement. Mr. Boldt moved to give a final approval to Chapman Sanctuary/Visny Woods for tax exemption of their properties R14-6, R14-7, and R14-13; motion seconded by Mr. Martin and the motion passed. Mr. Rowan recused himself from the discussion and vote since he is President of that organization.
Ms. Graham notified the Selectmen she and Jon Taylor, Treasurer, are working with Meredith Village Savings Bank to set up Direct Deposit for Town and Library employees.
Ms. Graham also reported there is training scheduled this Tuesday afternoon on the Town’s new website.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:53 P.M. on a motion by Mr. Boldt; motion seconded by Mr. Rowan, and the motion passed.
Respectfully submitted,
Catherine Graham
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