ATTENDANCE

 

Chairman Tom Gauthier; Selectmen: Dianne Gilbert, Karen Sott, James McGeough, Rene Archambault; Administrative Assistant: Judith Bielecki.  Town Administrator Dean Shankle was absent.

 

1.                             CALL TO ORDER

 

Chairman Gauthier called the public session to order at 7:00 PM at the Epping Town Hall.  The Pledge of Allegiance to the flag followed. 

 

2.                             MINUTES OF JANUARY 11, 2010

 

Minutes from January 11, 2010 were submitted for approval.   

 

Motion by Selectman Archambault to approve the minutes of January 11, 2010.  Seconded by Selectman Sott.  Motion carried 5-0.

 

3.                             MINUTES OF JANUARY 13, 2010

 

Minutes from January 13, 2010 were submitted for approval.  

 

Motion by Selectman Gilbert to approve the minutes of January 13, 2010.  Seconded by Selectman Archambault.  Motion carried 4-0.  Selectman Sott abstained.

 

4.                             SIGNING OF ACCOUNTS PAYABLE MANIFEST

 

Accounts Payable Manifest for week ending January 22, 2010 in the amount of $83,114.32, was submitted for approval.   

 

Motion by Selectman Archambault to approve the Accounts Payable Manifest in the amount of $83,114.32.  Seconded by Selectman Sott.  Motion carried 4-0.  Selectman Gilbert abstained. 

 

5.                             PAYROLL MANIFEST

 

Payroll Manifest in the amount of $73,429.62 for pay period ending January 21, 2010 was submitted for approval. 

 

Motion by Selectman McGeough to approve the Payroll Manifest in the amount of $73,429.62.  Seconded by Selectman Sott.  Motion carried 4-0.  Selectman Gilbert abstained.

 

6.                             SEALING OF NON-PUBLIC MINUTES – January 18, 2010

 

Motion by Chairman McGeough to seal the Non-Public Minutes of January 18, 2010.  Seconded by Selectman Sott.  Motion carried 5-0. 

 

7.                             SEALING OF NON-PUBLIC MINUTES – January 25, 2010

 

Motion by Chairman McGeough to seal the Non-Public Minutes of January 25, 2010.  Seconded by Selectman Sott.  Motion carried 5-0. 

 

 

8.                             BUSINESS           

 

8.1                          SIGNING OF WARRANT

 

Motion by Selectman Archambault to approve and sign the 2010 Warrant.   Seconded by Selectman Sott.  Motion carried 5-0.

 

8.2                          PUBLIC WORKS ISSUES

 

Mr. Dennis Koch, Public Works, submitted a request to sign agreement to enroll in the Rural Signage Program with the NH Dept. of Transportation.  Chairman Gauthier requested the agreement be tabled until the next meeting. 

 

Mr. Koch discussed the fees charged for C&D at the Transfer Station.  Discussion followed regarding the fees and dump stickers. 

 

Mr. Koch stated that in discussion with Lamprey Co-Op. they have agreed to buy a truck to accommodate a 50 yard container.  He added that Lamprey is requesting a three year commitment before they invest in the truck.

 

Motion by Selectman Gilbert to continue with Lamprey Co-Op for a three year period.  Seconded by Selectman Sott.  Motion carried 5-0.

 

8.3                          PERSONNEL ISSUE – Police

 

Chief Greg Dodge advised that a letter of resignation has been received from Bradley Jardis and requested the Board accept the resignation upon passage. 

 

Motion by Selectman McGeough to accept the resignation of Mr. Bradley Jardis from the Police Department.  Seconded by Selectman Sott.  Motion carried 5-0.

 

8.4                          ABATEMENT – Waterstone Retail

 

Abatement request for Waterstone Retail, Map 036, Lot 028, to abate interest on current use penalty in regard to agreement between Waterstone and the Town.   The amount of the abatement is $20,101.43.

 

Motion by Selectman Archambault to approve the abatement request for Waterstone Retail, Map 036, Lot 028, in the amount of $20,101.43.  Seconded by Selectman McGeough.  Motion carried 5-0.

 

8.5                          REVERSAL OF ABATEMENT – 123 Blake Road Realty

 

Request to reverse abatement pertaining to an agreement to reduce the LUCT payments on six lots as payment was not received by the agreed upon date of December 15, 2009.  Five parcels were submitted to reinstate the original tax amount and appropriate fees:  Map 020, Lot 026-015 in the amount of $3,376.82;  Map 020, Lot 026-027 in the amount of $4,609.12;  Map 020, Lot 026-028 in the amount of $4,609.12;  Map 020, Lot 026-036 in the amount of $4,609.12;  Map 020, Lot 026-037 in the amount of $4,609.12.

 

Motion by Selectman Archambault to reinstate the original tax amounts on the following lots: Map 020, Lot 026-015 in the amount of $3,376.82;  Map 020, Lot 026-027 in the amount of $4,609.12;  Map 020, Lot 026-028 in the amount of $4,609.12;  Map 020, Lot 026-036 in the amount of $4,609.12;  Map 020, Lot 026-037 in the amount of $4,609.12.  Seconded by Selectman McGeough.  Motion carried 5-0.

 

 

 

 

 

 

8.6                          PURCHASE ORDER – Town Hall

 

Request to enter into a new lease with Konica Minolta to provide a copier for the Town Hall.   Judith Bielecki provided three bids on a copier lease and recommended a color copier from Konica Minolta at a lease price of $263.00 per month which includes maintenance and supplies.

 

Motion by Selectman McGeough to approve the lease of a color copier for Town Hall for 48 months at a price of $263.00 per month which includes maintenance and supplies.  Seconded by Selectman Archambault.  Motion carried 5-0.      

 

8.7                          VETERAN’S EXEMPTION – Straw

 

Veteran’s Exemption request for Mr. Richard Straw, 340 North River Road, Map 005, Lot 001, was submitted for approval. 

 

Motion by Selectman Archambault to approve the Veteran’s Exemption for Mr. Richard Straw, 340 North River Road.   Seconded by Selectman McGeough.  Motion carried 5-0.

 

9.                                             CORRESPONDENCE & REPORTS

 

9.1                                          TOWN ADMINISTRATOR REPORT

 

9.2                                          INDIVIDUAL SELECTMEN’S REPORTS

 

Selectman McGeough

 

Selectman McGeough stated that last week the visit from Carol Shea Porter and the building was filled to capacity and complimented the residents for attending and asking questions.

 

Selectman McGeough reminded everyone that there are a lot of openings on Town boards, and stated that the deadline is Friday, January 29 at 5:00 PM.   He added that there are five openings on the Budget Committee and asked anyone who is interested, please sign up.

 

Selectman Archambault

 

Selectman Archambault stated that all the Town Employees give 100% all of the time and was angered when people talk against the Police Department.   

 

Selectman Archambault thanked Attorney LaPointe for excellent job in compiling the agreement with Orchard Hill Subdivision. 

 

Selectman Sott

No issues.

 

Selectman Gilbert

 

Selectman Gilbert reminded everyone that the Town Deliberative Session is Tuesday, February 2 at the Epping Middle School Gym.

 

Selectman Gilbert stated she received a call from a resident saying that the audio on ETV during the broadcasts of the meeting is very low.  Chairman Gauthier advised that it has been reported to ETV and should be corrected soon.

 

 

Chairman Gauthier

 

Chairman Gauthier reminded everyone that wants to sign up for office that it closes at 5:00 PM on Friday, January 29, 2010. 

 

Chairman Gauthier stated that the Deliberative Session for the Town is Tuesday, February 2 at the Middle School Gym.  He added that the Deliberative Session for the School is Thursday, February 4 at the Middle School.

 

10.                                          COMMENTS BY VISITORS

 

Ms. Grace Lavoie, Supervisor of the Checklist, requested permission to utilize the upstairs office for record retention and meetings.  She advised that recently conflicts occur with meetings and space is needed to properly fulfill the requirements of her position.    

 

Motion by Selectman McGeough to authorize the Supervisor of the Checklist to utilize the upstairs office at the Town Hall.   Seconded by Selectman Archambault.  Motion carried 5-0.

 

Mr. Ken Mailhot, Acre Street, stated that Birch Road was approved for 4-wheelers at the 2007 Town Meeting when it was voted on to be a Class A Trail.  He stated that 4-wheelers are not tearing up that area and not dumping. He requested the Board reconsider the request to place gates stopping the entrance of 4-wheelers. Mr. Reinhold advised that they could put the gate up with a four foot opening on the side to allow 4-wheelers. 

 

Mr. Walter Manter, Dearborn Road, requested the Board consider widening his road to take into account blind spots.  He stated it is a safety issue as two cars can not pass in those areas, and volunteered to prepare an easement if they wanted to take part of his property to widen the road. Chairman Gauthier stated we would have to have a public hearing as it is a scenic road.  Mr. Dave Reinhold stated that they would be preparing a plan to address that area.

 

PUBLIC HEARINGS/APPOINTMENTS

 

7:45 PM                ORCHARD HILL SUBDIVISION

 

Attorney Venci attended the meeting in regard to the agreement for the proposed roadway crossing of New Lane.  Attorney LaPointe presented the Notice of Decision which vacates the Cease and Desist Order dated November 23, 2009. (attached). Chairman Gauthier asked if Appledore Engineering has been contacted in regard to this review.  Attorney Venci stated not to date. Selectman McGeough stated that the approval of this agreement is to address the safety issue in that area and requested the applicants revisit the location of those six lots with the Planning Board.  Attorney Venci advised that the applicants would probably revisit this issue with the Planning Board at some later time.  Selectman Sott reiterated the statement made by Selectman McGeough and requested consideration of revising the location of these six lots with the Planning Board so that they do not touch New Lane.

 

Motion by Selectman Archambault to approve the Notice of Decision in regard to the proposed roadway crossing of New Lane.  Seconded by Selectman McGeough.  Motion carried 4-1.  Selectman Sott voted nay. 

 

8:00 PM                NH FISH & GAME – Birch Road

 

NH Fish & Game presented a proposal to install gates on Birch Road to limit access to the area between the Piscassic and Fresh Rivers.  Ms. Betsey McNaughten, NH Fish and Game, presented various representatives from the Trail Bureaus, snowmobile clubs, and NH Fish & Game in regard to the installation of two gates. She advised that the installation of these gates would prevent damage to that area, and prevent illegal dumping to the trails.  She added that the signs currently in that area should be removed as it only limits access to motorized vehicles over 1,000 lbs.  Discussion followed regarding location of the gates.

 

 

Chairman Gauthier asked if any liability to the Town exists if someone runs into these gates. Lt. John Wimsatt, NH Fish & Game advised that under RSA: 212.34 the owner does not have liability, it doesn’t specifically address gates, but it would fall under the Trail Bureau.  Selectman McGeough asked who has keys to the locks.  Lt. Wimsatt advised it would have a lock box installed in that area.

 

Selectman McGeough asked Lt. John Wimsatt to thank his staff at NH Fish and Game for assistance during an issue that happened at his farm. 

 

Motion by Selectman McGeough to authorize the installation of gates on the south side of the Fresh River and a double gate between the Rockingham Recreation Trail and Mast Road. Seconded by Selectman Archambault.  Motion carried 5-0.

 

11.                                          ADJOURN

 

Motion by Selectman Archambault to adjourn.  Seconded by Selectman McGeough.  Motion carried 4-0.

 

Meeting was adjourned at 8:43 PM.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

 

Judith Bielecki

Administrative Assistant

 

 

 

 

 

____________________________

Tom Gauthier, Chairman

 

 

______________________________

Dianne Gilbert, Selectman

 

 

______________________________

Karen Sott, Selectman                      

 

 

________________________________

James McGeough, Selectman

 

 

______________________________

Rene Archambault, Selectman

 

 

 

Date _________________________