TOWN OF EASTON



TOWN OF EASTON

Select Board Meeting – DRAFT COPY

Tuesday August 2, 2016

Select Board Select Board Secretary

Ned Cutler – Chair – Present Amy Rasmussen – Present

Deborah Stever – Present

Zhenye “Zak” Mei – Present (Via Skype – St. Petersberg, Russia)

“These minutes of the Town of Easton Select Board have been recorded by the Secretary. Though believed accurate and correct, they are subject to additions, deletions, and corrections by the Select Board at the next meeting when the Board votes its final approval of the minutes. These minutes are made available at this time to conform to the requirements of New Hampshire RSA 91 – A: 2.”

Ned Cutler officially called the meeting to order at 6:04 pm.

This Select Board meeting is being filmed by an Easton resident.

Public in Attendance:

Bob Thibault, Jim Collier, Roy Stever, Frank & Toni Woodruff, Dr. Campbell McLaren, Kris Pastoriza, Nancy Feenstra, Debbie Winters

The minutes of the July 18, 2016 Select Board meeting were read.

Ned Cutler made a motion to accept the minutes with the following amendment:

• Board approved with a plan to be presented to the SB before work begins. It was noted that other residents were interested in the flowers.

Debbie Stever seconded the motion. All were in favor.

Vouchers and Checks:

All vouchers and checks were accounted for and signed.

Ned Cutler read the following Treasurer’s Report:

Treasurer’s Report:

• Woodsville Guaranty Savings Bank - Checking Account - $81,439.09

• Woodsville Guaranty Savings Bank - Money Market Account - $307,836.68

• Balance - $389,275.77

Motion made by Ned Cutler to accept Treasurer’s Report. Debbie Stever seconded the motion. All in favor. Motion carried.

Presby Bridge/Lead Paint

Debbie Stever said she discussed the need for an independent test done on the paint to test for lead. Thad Presby said he checked with the DES and they said it was no big deal.” The Conservation Commission will continue investigating and get back to the SB.

Ashton House

Debbie Stever called David Ferm with Keeper Barn, a salvage company. He has to look it over and see if he is interested in salvaging parts from the home. If he pays to do it the money will be applied to the loan. If citizens are going to want to salvage material from the house they need to sign a waiver. The SB needs to create a system for the removal. Form for requesting salvage may be obtained from the Town Clerk.

Ned Cutler made a motion that Debbie Stever can approve the bill for the Woodsville Bank Bond. Zak Mei seconded the motion. All were in favor.

Ned Cutler made a motion to approve the removal of the asbestos. Debbie Stever seconded the motion. All were in favor.

Thad Presby’s Bid for Gibson Road:

Discussion regarding Presby’s bid not including an itemized list of costs involved. He has not turned in a rough drawing as the SB requested as of yet. He needs to provide testimonial from past clients for similar projects. Zak Mei wants to make sure Dr. McLaren is happy with Presby’s plan. He wants to know if the DOT will come back and inspect the road after completion. Dr. McLaren would like to see if the shoulder requirement can be removed to minimize the profile. The proposal from Presby is past the two week time limit. Dr. McLaren proposed the SB contact Gary Ward since he may be interested in bidding. The SB will review the Presby bid and decide if he needs to reapply.

The SB discussed what constitutes a quorum and Ned Cutler believes the SB can vote with Zak appearing via Skype per Bernie Waugh’s legal opinion regardless if Ned Cutler recuses himself from the voting process. Debbie Stever said the legal opinion she received said that with Ned recusing himself would not constitute a quorum, and would vote on the on the RFP with the caveat that the procedure may not be legal under the advice of the NH Municipal Association.

Discussion regarding the pros and cons of Presby bidding a set amount of money in the proposal versus a per hour rate.

Debbie Stever says Presby’s bid is thirty thousand more this year than it was three years ago for a less complicated design. The landowner wants to see if it can be put back out for bid to see if the Town receives more bids. It was suggested the SB advertise the RFP in neighboring town circulations in the hopes of receiving more bids.

Zak Mei does think we should give Presby a chance to respond to the SBs questions.

Ned Cutler recused himself from voting due to personal dealings he has with Mr. Presby.

Debbie Stever made a motion that there is not enough information in the bid from Presby to award him the bid so it must go out for bidding again.

Debbie Stever voted yes. Zak Mei voted no.

Zak Mei made a motion to award the contract for Gibson Road to Presby Construction. Debbie Stever seconded.

Zak Mei voted yes. Debbie Stever voted no.

Ned Cutler thinks the SB should put a time limit on Presby responding to the questions the SB has on the Presby bid or the RFP goes out for bid again. Debbie Stever would like to see his proposal itemized. She is not comfortable with the price since it is the only bid.

It was suggested that Debbie Stever send a letter to respond to the SBs questions. It was suggested that if he does not respond by that date the RFP will go back out for bid.

Jim Collier said that the SB was free to move forward with a new plan after the SB voted on Zak’s motion.

Debbie Stever makes a motion to send the RFP out for new bids. Zak Mei makes a motion to amend the wording to open the RFP for rebid with a deadline of the SB receiving it by September 9, 2016. Debbie Stever Seconded.

Zak Mei voted yes. Debbie Stever voted yes. All were in favor.

Debbie will send a letter to Presby regarding the RFP being sent back out for bid and explaining why.

Nancy Feenstra’s Building Permit:

Nancy Feenstra attended to ask what is the status of her building permit. The Conservation Commission needs to view the property.

Amy Rasmussen will deliver a copy of the building permit and plans to Allan Clark.

Ned Cutler made a motion to approve Nancy Feenstra building permit on the condition that the Conservation Commission approve the site. Debbie Stever seconded. All in favor.

NP Drilling on Rte. 116:

Kris Pastoriza wanted to know if the SB had a chance to read her letter. She listed her concerns regarding numerous issues with the drilling and if DOT is overseeing their work. They are drilling right next to water and wetlands. The SB and the Conservation Commission will sign the letter and Debbie Stever will send it. Debbie Stever will call the DOT as well and cc Christine Fillmore.

Debbie Stever said the Conservation Commission attended a meeting in Littleton put on by the Peter Roth with the Attorney General’s Office regarding

Ned Cutler made a motion to approve the letter to the DOT and the Northern Pass drilling in Easton. Debbie Stever seconded the motion. All in favor.

Toni Woodruff Concerns:

• What is the status of the parking lot lights. Zak had an electrician give an estimate of around $200.00.

Ned made a motion to hire Mr. Lackey to install lighting with a motion sensor in the parking lot. Debbie Stever seconded. All in favor.

Debbie will call him for a quote about a new lock system.

• Toni wants to make sure the SB appoint both democrat and republican ballot clerks. They cannot be SB members.

Debbie will check on it.

• Put the KVC on calendar.

• Toni thinks the Town should send condolence cards for resident deaths.

The SB agreed. Debbie Stever will purchase cards to give to Toni.

• Toni wants to put the Conservation Commission’s plans for the Ashton House replacement green space on the Towns Bulletin Board.

Roy Stever will send the plans to Toni.

• Sugar Hill Road and other roads in the Town are in need of brush cutting.

Debbie Stever will call DOT about trimming on the state roads and especially Sugar Hill Road.

• Kinsman Valley Club has reserved some dates on the Town Hall Calendar.

Miscellaneous:

• Allan Clark approved the structural support of the Cell Tower to withstand the winds.

• Jim Collier went to Election Training and he needs ballot counters. The SB needs to post a warrant for the election two weeks prior to election. A Selectman needs to work as a greeter checking IDs. Anyone who does not have their picture Id needs to have their picture taken if they cannot be officially identified. The only people who can verify their identity is the town clerk, moderator and supervisor of the checklist. The polls are open from 11:00 to 7:00.

• Debbie Stever said she spoke to John Hynes and is wondering when the sign is going to be done. He said they will begin working on it in September.

• Debbie spoke to John Hynes about the Rec. Department Meeting / Transfer Station.

• Ned Cutler would like to appoint the clerk and deputy clerk as “go to” people for information while Ned and Zak are out of town. Zak agreed. Debbie recused herself.

Motion made by Ned Cutler to go into closed session at 9:20. Debbie Stever seconded. All were in favor.

9:30 pm motion to enter Nonpublic Session made by Ned Cutler, seconded by Debbie Stever per RSA 91-A:3, II (e). Motion carried.

Motion made to seal the minutes, approved unanimously.

Motion to adjourn meeting at 7:45 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Amy Rasmussen

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