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TOWN OF EATON, NEW HAMPSHIRE 03832
EVANS MEMORIAL BUILDING
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
February 2, 2010
The regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen took place on Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010 at the Evans Memorial Building. Present were Rick Young, Don Philbrick and Aaron Blake. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m.
The Board of Selectmen reviewed checks and signed the accounts payable manifest for $11,167.68 for 16 items. The payroll manifest was also signed.
The minutes for the meeting of January 26th were accepted as amended.
The Selectmen discussed additional articles for the warrant. Later in the meeting, Elwyn Thurston presented numbers for adding new sand to the Town Beach and repairing the parking lot ($6,000) and culvert and drainage maintenance work on Towle Hill Rd, Bean Rd and Hatch Hill Rd ($25,000). The Selectmen agreed to put these items on the warrant. Elwyn Thurston also discussed the purchase of a new truck (Ford F550), sander and snowplow for a total of $50,000 after the trade in on the 2004 Ford F350. The Selectmen voted to approve these purchases and authorized the withdrawal of $50,000 from the Capital Reserve Fund for Equipment to cover the cost. The Selectmen noted there was enough in the fund to cover the expense.
Rick Young said the Conservation Commission had met that morning with Tom Henderson of the Upper Saco Valley Land Trust to discuss the purchase of the McKenzie properties on Foss Mt. They are on a fund raising campaign but the application for LCHIP money was not approved. They will be taking a mortgage to secure the purchase. Both the Land Trust and the Conservation Commission would have oversight responsibilities for the properties.
Dick Fortin and Paul Savchick were putting together a financial report on how much income the management of Town lands has generated for the Town.
Susan Tolleson and Howard Dickinson were in to discuss the taxes on property that was recently put into current use. The first tax bill was $91.39 and the current use tax for the year is $2.03. The Selectmen indicated a refund of $89.36 will be issued with the next manifest.
The budget and tentative warrant were reviewed in preparation for the budget hearing on Thursday. All the petitioned articles were in. The American Red Cross did not do a petition this year and the Selectmen noted they no longer have a local office.
Rick Young signed off on the boundary line validation form for the US Census Bureau. Also signed was a letter to the NH Department of Transportation seeking to get the Town on the scheduling for Bridge Aid for the Robert Rd bridge. According to Matt Low of Hoyle, Tanner and Associates, the State is already scheduled out to 2018 for bridge funds.
According to LGC the Town needs to complete a creditable Coverage Notice for CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services).
Comments on Class VI roads issues from planlink were distributed.
Carol Mayhofer signed checks.
Bayring Communications had sent information on their internet and phone services. They provide services to several cities and towns in the State.
The Legislative Bulletin #6 dealt with municipal bonding for broadband facilities, current use and municipal audits.
"The Source" newsletter from the Department of Environmental Services had articles on environmentally friendly winter operation techniques, regional aquifer protection proposals and rock blasting and the municipal role in protecting groundwater.
The Department of Environmental Services has finally issued a Dredge & Fill permit for replenishing the sand at the beach. The Army Core of Engineers is also reviewing the application.
Suzanne Raiche and Jeanne Hartman were in attendance.
The meeting adjourned at 9 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
David V. Maudsley
TOWN OF EATON, NEW HAMPSHIRE 03832
EVANS MEMORIAL BUILDING
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
February 4, 2010
Public Hearing on the Budget
The Public Hearing on the Budget took place on Thursday, February 4th, 2010 at the Evans Memorial Building. Present were Selectmen Rick Young and Aaron Blake. Also present were Paul Hennigan, Jonathon Simonds, Fred Goss, Judy Goss, Elwyn Thurston, Dick Fortin, John Hartman and Dana Bacich. The Selectmen noted this was a record turnout for such a meeting. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m.
Rick Young reviewed the proposed budget line by line. He noted the increases in Solid Waste and Recreation where the costs are determined by Conway. Other increases were in financial administration and highway. Rick Young noted that increases in the budget are very difficult to avoid but the Selectmen have been using the fund balance judiciously to ease the burden.
Aaron Blake then reviewed the warrant articles. Most discussion focused on the proposed contribution of $50,000 to the Upper Saco Valley Land Trust for the proposed purchase of on the McKenzie properties on Foss Mt. The properties abut Town lands and would provide an extension to the blueberry fields. Rick Young noted that the property area could be developed for private purposes if it was not put into a conservation easement. The mission of the Upper Saco Valley Land Trust was to protect for perpetuity land that was deemed to be of public benefit. The land is in current use and generates less than $500 a year in taxes. Rick Young also noted that the funds already existed in a Capital Reserve Fund set up for the purpose of land acquisition and there was now enough money in that fund to cover the cost. A spreadsheet, put together by Dick Fortin and Paul Savchick, summarizing the amount of income existing town lands had generated over the years for the Town was distributed.
Also discussed were proposed appropriations for road work, aerial mapping and the emergency operations plan as well as the petitioned social service requests.
The meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
David V. Maudsley
TOWN OF EATON, NEW HAMPSHIRE 03832
EVANS MEMORIAL BUILDING
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
February 9, 2010
The regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen took place on Tuesday, February 9th, 2010 at the Evans Memorial Building. Present were Rick Young, and Aaron Blake. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m.
Rick Young opened the Public Hearing on the proposed contribution of $50,000 to the Upper Saco Valley Land Trust for the purchase of the two McKenzie properties on Foss Mt (R08-009-000 and R08-010-000). Present were Don Dashnau, Edith Dashnau, Fred Goss, Judy Goss, John Hartman, Paul Hennigan, Ed Ellis, Chet Russell, Kenneth McKenzie, Dick Brisbois, Paul Savchick, Dick Fortin, Candace Maher, Tom Head, Debbie Callis, Judy Fowler and Marnie Cobbs. Tom Henderson and Tom Earle represented the Upper Saco Valley Land Trust.
Rick Young said the Selectmen had been working with the Conservation Commission and the Upper Saco Valley Land Trust towards acquiring these properties. The property at issue would be capable of being developed but the Selectmen were in favor of the Town acquiring the properties since they abutted existing town lands and would permit an extension of timbering and blueberry harvesting. Maps were on display showing the location of the two properties totaling 99 acres. Marnie Cobbs said the Conservation Commission had paid for an appraisal of the property. The appraisal value was $320,000. Dick Fortin and Paul Savchick had done a spreadsheet showing the income generated from Town lands over the past 30 years and what the proceeds had been used for.
Tom Henderson provided background information on the Upper Saco Valley Land Trust. It is an all volunteer non profit organization founded in 2001 for preserving land, mainly through easements. It has been involved in preserving over 4,000 acres, the majority of which have been donated. Easements are tailored to the individual property. The Trust has signed a purchase and sale agreement (for $320,000) and has obtained a mortgage for the Foss Mt properties. Collateral has been provided by individual benefactors. A fun raising campaign is getting underway which they hope to complete before the end of the year. An application for a LCHIP grant was not successful. When the mortgage is paid off, the ownership of the property will be transferred to the Town with a conservation easement being granted to the Upper Saco Valley Land Trust. That easement would prohibit any further subdivision, landing strips, wind turbines, motorized vehicles except those required for maintenance and designated purposes. Agricultural buildings (e.g. sap houses) would be allowed as part of the stewardship plan. The agreement will require the Upper Saco Valley Land Trust and the Town, through the Conservation Commission, to monitor the property once a year.
A question was asked about additional risk to the Town. Tom Henderson noted the risk is with the Upper Saco Valley Land Trust to raise the money. The land is in current use and taxes to the Town total less than $500 a year. Details of the sale and the conservation easement are available. Rick Young said the properties will be incorporated into the existing management plan for Town lands.
The Public Hearing adjourned at 7:26 p.m.
The Board of Selectmen reconvened at 8:10 for their regular meeting.
The minutes for the meetings of February 2nd and February 4th were accepted as amended.
Rick Young said the Conservation Commission had met the previous evening and worked on the presentation of the Public Hearing just held. The Conservation Commission had authorized a payment of $2,987 for Stewart Heath for work done on the Willis Bean Rd.
The Town received notice of an electronic transfer for $7,244.15 for the Highway Block Grant.
The LGC has made available on their website five presentations given to a recent workshop for Moderators.
The NRRA’s Annual Recycling Conference and Expo is in Manchester on June 7th and 8th.
The LGC Legislative Bulletin #7 dealt with pole tax exemptions, the room and meals tax and
broadband facilities for municipal revenue bond purposes.
The State (Homeland Security) has awarded a grant for 50% ($4,500) of the costs of the Hazard Mitigation Plan.
The UNH Extension Service is holding a workshop for small woodlot owners on February 20th in Moultonboro.
A draft of the memorandum of understanding between the Town and the Upper Saco Valley Land Trust was received.
Suzanne Raiche and Jeanne Hartman were in attendance.
The meeting adjourned at 9 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
David V. Maudsley
TOWN OF EATON, NEW HAMPSHIRE 03832
EVANS MEMORIAL BUILDING
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
February 16, 2010
The regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen took place on Tuesday, February 16th, 2010 at the Evans Memorial Building. Present were Rick Young, and Aaron Blake. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m.
The Board of Selectmen reviewed checks and signed the accounts payable manifest for $189,911.24 for 13 items. The payroll manifest was also signed.
The minutes for the meeting of February 9th were accepted as amended.
Rick Young said there was a request from the Crystal Lake Inn for the Town to provide additional information required by the Department of Environmental Services for installation of a new septic system at the Inn. A letter was reviewed stating that the Inn went back to 1884, the Town did not keep a record of usage and there was no need to get the approval of the Department of Transportation for installation of a tank on Rte 153 since the DOT did not own the road. Bobbie Barker came in later in the meeting to pick up the signed letter.
Rick Young said that the Upper Saco Valley Land Trust had been advised to apply for a particular grant to assist in the purchase of the McKenzie properties and they would like a letter of support from the Town. The Selectmen agreed to do it when further information on where to send the letter etc. became available.
A representative from the North Country Council delivered the updated version of the New Hampshire Land Use Statutes. They were also carrying out a survey of broadband access.
Legislative Bulletin #8 dealt with assessing standards, spending caps and tax exemptions.
Carol Mayhofer signed checks.
The Town Report may be off to the printer this week if all the remaining reports come in.
Jeanne Hartman was in attendance.
The meeting adjourned at 9 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
David V. Maudsley
TOWN OF EATON, NEW HAMPSHIRE 03832
EVANS MEMORIAL BUILDING
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
February 23, 2010
The regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen took place on Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010 at the Evans Memorial Building. Present were Rick Young, and Aaron Blake. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m.
The minutes for the meeting of February 16th were accepted as amended.
Rick Young said there had been an inquiry about the New Hampshire boat launch project on Purity Lake. People from the State had been into Town Hall recently and the site work had already started.
The warrant for the Annual Meeting and the MS-6 Budget form have been posted. The warrant has also been sent to Paul Hennigan, the Moderator. The Town Report should be in this week.
A Land Resource Management Workshop will be held at the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services in Concord on March 5th, 23rd and April 23rd.
Legislative Bulletin #9 discussed broadband facilities and municipal bonding, assessment equity and audits.
The Town had to join the Ford Fleet program to get the municipal discount for the new truck.
Medstar has sent their Annual Report on calls to Eaton. There had been a total of 30 calls to the Town in 2009. The annual charge will increase 4% to $3,977 for 2010.
The Ethel McKenzie properties on Foss Mt have been transferred to the Upper Saco Valley Land Trust.
The Department of Environmental Services has issued a transfer of ownership from Sherwood Gray to Denise Frappier for septic construction for property at 122 Glines Hill Rd (R03-003-00B).
The Selectmen agreed not to join the National Association of Local Boards of Health on the grounds there was no apparent benefit to the own.
Michael Dube is doing graduate work on WWII memorials. He will be sent a photograph of the one in the hall.
Cutwater Asset Management is the changeover name for MBIA where all the Town’s trust funds and capital reserve funds are banked.
Suzanne Raiche and Jeanne Hartman was in attendance.
The meeting adjourned at 9 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
David V. Maudsley
