Present: Beatrice Davis Chairman, Gino Funicella, Dave Mason Selectmen
Visitors: Jackson Police Chief Karl Meyers, Road Agent Rob Hatch, Sarah Clemons, Bobbi Meserve, Jerry Dougherty, Anne Boucher, Andy Chalmers, Bob Davis, Francis Lyons
The Board was called to order at 4:05 p.m.
1. Approve the minutes of September 8, 2008 The minutes of September 8, 2008 were reviewed and approved as amended.
Sarah Clemons asked if she could comment on the minutes September 8th. She noted that Selectman Funicella didn’t feel he had Road Agent Rob Hatch’s support when Ray would not accept a request to work at the Transfer Station. Sarah is concerned that the Selectmen didn’t go to Ray’s Supervisor; how can the Selectmen feel that they didn’t have Rob’s support when they didn’t go to him about having Ray work at the Transfer Station. Selectman Funicella noted that they were dealing with an emergency situation at the Station and that’s why Ray was approached by the Selectmen. Selectman Funicella noted he had apologized to Rob about the situation; there was no intent to put Rob down. Sarah thinks the minutes should be amended to include that. She also noted that there is nothing in the minutes regarding the
Highway Department’s new part time hire. The Selectmen and the Recording Secretary don’t think this was discussed at the last meeting however Sarah is sure it was. She is concerned that the Selectmen are interviewing the person to be hired for the garage. She asked if they did the interviewing when Police Chief Meyers wanted to hire a new person. The Selectmen had not and Sarah would like to know why they didn’t give the Road Agent the same opportunity; she feels the Selectmen left the Road Agent out of the new hire process. Selectman Funicella assured Sarah that no one has been hired yet; she noted that isn’t what she has heard in town; that person has every intention of coming to work for Jackson. Selectman Funicella noted that personnel issues are not discussed during public session and she is getting into a personnel issue. Sarah thinks it should be in the minutes when someone thanks Rob. Sarah wants to have the minutes before they are approved and she’s not getting
them. Selectman Funicella noted that the minutes are available from the Town Administrator within five business days; he also pointed out that Sarah is recording the meetings. Sarah stated she has a right to the raw minutes; Jackson is just taking what the Recording Secretary is submitting and she doesn’t think that’s right. She thinks the meetings should be taped. Selectman Funicella noted we will begin taping the meetings; the Selectmen do try to do things above board. He assured Sarah that the new Highway staff person has only been interviewed; no one has been hired yet. The Board interviewed someone Chairman Davis knew was available and had the expertise and then that person spoke with the Road Agent. Sarah thinks the Board used different procedures with the Police Chief and the Road Agent; the hiring agenda should be followed by all of the departments (Fire, Highway, Police and Transfer Station). Selectman Funicella pointed out that we know Ray is leaving; we had
someone who had submitted an application and could be available to work so the Selectmen met with him; when someone that qualified is available we want to grab him as it’s in the town’s best interest. We are in a budgetary crunch and the Selectmen have to keep their fingers on it. The Selectmen have asked to have Jackson’s staff members cross-trained so they can work in different positions if the town needs them to. Jackson is in a joint situation with Bartlett in the Transfer Station and the ambulance service and the Selectmen are working on those situations at this time. They are trying to keep the cost of running the town down. Jerry Dougherty asked how the split works at the Transfer Station where there have been some problems with staffing recently. He wants to know if the employees who are paid by Jackson are strictly doing work for Jackson. Selectman Funicella reviewed the set up regarding who is paid by Jackson and who is paid by Bartlett. Jerry wants the Selectmen
to look at that agreement because the Transfer Station isn’t covered very well when someone is out; he’s concerned someone is going to get hurt because the staffing is too thin. The Selectmen want the town crews to be cross-trained as well. It requires a two person vote from each town to get approval and the ball is in Bartlett’s court; we have the staff we need and everything works very smoothly when everyone shows up. Jerry agrees but we can’t count on that; Bartlett needs to step up to the plate here. Jerry asked who the Selectmen are working with on these joint agreements; it’s the three Bartlett Selectmen. Jerry asked if they are easy or hard to work with and Selectman Funicella noted there have been improvements in their work together. Unfortunately, it costs money to do what has to be done and the Selectmen are working towards that goal. We need new signage and a new traffic pattern; there are a lot of improvements needed. Jerry pointed out that Jon Edgerly has some
good ideas; the Selectmen agreed noting they take a lot of his input.
2. Rob Hatch Road Agent Rob Hatch would like to say a public “Thank you” to Jay Henry. When the Highway Department started paving, the upper portions of Tin Mine Road were very muddy. Jay dropped what he was doing and came over with his equipment. When the paving crew got to the top of the hill everything was ready for them. There was also a rock that had to be dug out of the road which Jay assisted with as well; it was too big for Rob to move by himself; it was bigger than a Volkswagen. Rob reviewed the work completed over the past two weeks. Jackson
came out even on the FEMA project and purchased 250 tons of asphalt on the state aid of $20,000. Ken Coleman asked the Jackson crew to haul some of the product as Coleman has cut back on their crew; the Highway crew did this which allowed them to get all the asphalt down. We’re ready to take possession of the new truck from DiPrezio’s. A water leak at the cemetery was repaired and the Durango has been fixed. Rob has heard nothing from Steve Weeder regarding repairs needed to the garage roof; the Selectmen asked that Rob ask someone else to work on it. Selectman Funicella asked if the road equipment will be ready for the winter. Rob noted all equipment is gone over and inspections are due this month. Regarding the air supply to the Highway garage, Rob spoke with Fire Chief Ed Dubie who noted the piping that was shipped was the wrong size but the correct size has been ordered and he is now working on that link for the air supply. The grader is operable but it does need work
done on it before the winter. Rob has located Windmill Equipment which specializes in graders. There will be three trucks on duty for the winter and the ’99 is a back-up. Rob wanted to know if the Selectmen want him to put money into it come budget time. Selectman Funicella asked Rob to find out how much it would cost to buy a rebuilt motor with a full warranty. This would provide Jackson with a good truck that will last for a few years. It will cost almost $200,000 for a new truck and that would have to go into a two-year plan. The GMC is a small truck and has already proven to be inadequate; Rob would like to know if he should make this the back-up truck. Selectman Funicella noted we already know it’s inadequate, and wondered what we could get for a trading it in. Rob doesn’t think the truck would be tradable; if a private contractor were using it DOT wouldn’t allow it. It was suggested that Rob look at converting the GMC, rebuilding the ’99 and put the new equipment
request into a two-year plan. Rob will look at this option. The grader has had 300 hours of use this year but Rob doesn’t think this accurately reflects its use as last winter he was asked to minimize its use and there have been a lot of breakdowns this summer. Once the grader is fixed Rob intends to use it more as it’s an efficient machine for Jackson’s needs. Rob asked how much money is in the Expendable Trust Fund for the purchase of equipment and for repairs as he thinks it has around $18,000 in it but there’s no information about it on the current budget report. He was informed Town Administrator Tracey Scranton would have that information. Jerry asked Rob if anyone has asked about a pedestrian crossing at the school. Rob noted the DOT has been asked; the Selectmen contacted the state and Rob has spoken with Kenny Crowther about it. Rob noted if it comes down to it, he will paint the crossing but he’d prefer not to as once Jackson does that it will be doing it
forever.
3. Andy Chalmers, building permit applications; Building permits recommended for approval by building inspector; Village House, McSheffrey Andy Chalmers reviewed permit requests. The McSheffrey permit is just for siding. Selectman Funicella thought that general maintenance projects didn’t need permits. Andy explained the project includes windows; Sarah asked if he’s adding windows or replacing windows; he’s replacing windows. Jerry asked for clarification, is a permit needed or not. The Selectmen had decided upkeep and general maintenance wouldn’t need a
permit as long as the project was under $10,000 but Andy suggested a permit be required for windows so a discussion can be had regarding egress; this is an important life-safety issue; we need to assure firefighters can get in. The plans for the Village House are not complete. There is a permit for a deck to be added on a Spring Street home and the Liccard and Killourie permits are recommended for approval as well. The Selectmen noted these aren’t in their file. Andy wants them to know he has no issues on these projects; the Board can sign these permits out-of-session when they are located. Andy reviewed what is happening on David Hall’s property. This is the former Glen Ellis Grocery and David had fifteen foreign workers living there and a family on the second floor. Mr. Hall has agreed to stop that activity and is going to address the life safety issues that weren’t addressed with his earlier permit. Andy is unable to find a permit on file for the conversion from the
grocery to a two-family dwelling. Selectman Funicella knows there is one because the Selectmen weren’t sure if he was actually making it a three-family dwelling; there was a septic issue with that permit. Andy noted there is still a problem as the plan has six bedrooms and the property is only approved for four. The state is involved in this situation and Mr. Hall has agreed to comply. Andy met with Todd Crane regarding his Vista Way project. The values on the submitted permit were too low; Mr. Crane has agreed to pay whatever it is valued at. Andy wanted to discuss Mr. Kling’s project; Andy has just completed the frame inspection and there are all kinds of issues on this project; some are due to the owner but most are because of the builder. The deck and the garage have both failed. This has been a very challenging project and he’s already got $2,000 into this inspection but the permit fee is only $1,600. Andy would like to draft a letter to Mr. Kling to have the permit
fee adjusted; the IRC allows us to make an adjustment and Mr. Kling is aware of the problems. The sprinkler system at the Eagle Mountain House needs to be inspected in order for them to get their Permit of Assembly. Eagle Mountain hasn’t complied with any of the testing requirements; the owner wouldn’t sign the work authorization. No Permit of Assembly will be issued and their previous Permit has expired. Andy will generate a legal notice regarding the expired Permit and the Selectmen will have their office generate a letter. The Selectmen are concerned that the Eagle Mountain House is operating without this Permit and want to be sure it is understood the town will have no liability. Andy is consolidating Building Permit information so folks will know which projects require a Residential Permit and which require a Commercial Permit. The property next to the covered bridge is for sale and Andy’s been contacted by the Realtor showing it; someone wants to buy the property;
renting out the house and putting in a hair salon. A home occupation is allowed only if the owner lives there; secondly the septic system was built in 1967 and was undersized at that time; it can be replaced but it can’t be increased as it is next to the river. Another person wants to rent the house and use the office for a landscaping service. Andy doesn’t see that as a home occupation either but is also concerned with all that equipment being on that property, which is not allowed under Jackson’s regulations. Selectman Funicella noted this hasn’t been enforced; people have been parking their business equipment everywhere in Jackson. Chairman Davis noted some businesses that were established before that regulation was approved do it but she doesn’t think Jackson has allowed any new businesses to do this. Andy is concerned about the equipment being in the floodplain. Chairman Davis isn’t sure there’s enough property there for this sort of a proposal but it would be a big
eyesore next to the scenic bridge. Andy showed the Selectmen pictures of the pump house at Eagle Mountain which is wide open and ungrounded. He will be meeting separately with Mr. Lyons about this.
4. Fran Lyons building permits Francis Lyons was asked if the easement has come through for the pump house property at Dana Place Condominiums; he told the Selectmen it should be in their file. Chairman Davis noted the Board doesn’t have a number of items in its Building Permit file. Andy noted that if the easement is recorded the Selectmen should sign the permit out-of-session; he hasn’t seen it yet. He let Francis know that he has some concerns regarding the Eagle Mountain House pump house and asked Francis to call Andy on Tuesday.
5. Karl Meyers Jackson Police Chief had been in attendance earlier but had to go on a call as an elderly citizen had activated his/her medical alert. He rejoined the meeting following the discussion on permits and reviewed the Department’s calls for the past two weeks. There was a garage fire on Friday night; the State Fire Marshall is investigating and the preliminary finding is that it was arson. The Department also received a complaint about speeders on Rte. 16 between 5 and 7 a.m. Many folks are traveling up to the construction site in Berlin. The
Department set up radar and has been writing up a lot of tickets. There was also a complaint about the sprinkling system at the golf course spraying onto the road; the state highway department reported it but motorcyclists have expressed concern as well. Karl spoke with Maintenance and believes this will be resolved. The Selectmen let Karl know that he is doing a fine job.
6. Signatures: Intent to Cut Anne Peterson, Cemetery Lot Agreement, White Mountain Oil Price Cap Insurance 2 forms The Selectmen signed these items.
7. Other Business Bob Davis noted that Black Mountain Road needs to be graded as water is traveling down it and it’s wash boarding. Bob has turned in a permit request as they moved a building onto their property; while the Selectmen have noted they don’t have permits tonight he’d like a verbal approval as the building has already been moved. He was asked if the property is a conforming lot which he affirmed; there should be no issues on this permit. Selectman Funicella noted adding the building should be okay and once the permit is located it will be
reviewed and if approved, the permit will be given to Bob. Sarah noted that a light is out at the bottom of Green Hill. She was asked to provide Rob Hatch with the pole number so that can be replaced. Jerry asked what the progress has been regarding the salt and sand shed; he offered to help with the project. Selectman Funicella noted the Selectmen are waiting on the report from the Sand and Salt Shed Committee; they were to report in ninety-days and that was one-hundred-eighty days ago. Sarah thought the Selectmen had denied use of the funds; she was told the funding is available for Burr Philips to provide the requested information regarding sites that were reviewed. Jerry asked if a location had been decided on and he was informed Burr would be looking at the Gray’s Inn property parallel to the garage. There is also a possibility of tearing down the old garage and putting the shed in that location and remodeling the Gray’s Inn garage so it can serve as a real garage.
Whatever the town builds it needs to be a containment structure. The Selectmen need to get the report from the Committee first. Town Administrator Tracey Scranton had spoken with Doug Burnell; he completed the plans and they were supposed to be turned into the Selectmen for tonight’s meeting and an electronic copy was sent to Burr. The Selectmen do not have these plans. Sarah noted that the Committee hasn’t discussed a design, only the location. The Committee hasn’t met since they toured the Transfer Station site as they were waiting on a decision regarding funding. Selectman Funicella noted that the Board had acted on the funding request immediately. He will make sure that Selectman Mason calls the Committee together and that they have Doug’s plans. Jerry volunteered to be Clerk of the Works for this project. Last year the people of Jackson clearly voiced that they wanted this shed built. Selectman Funicella noted this is a two-year plan, no one is expecting this to be
built immediately. Bill Botsford will be undergoing surgery for a torn quadricep on Thursday; Susan Way will be in tomorrow if she is able. The Selectmen would like to thank the Methots for allowing the school to use the field at the Snow Flake Inn for recess. Sarah wants to know how members of the public can find out if town personnel are doing their jobs if the Selectmen won’t discuss personnel issues during public session. She was asked to trust the Selectmen to run the town properly. Sarah would like the Selectmen to generate a quarterly report providing information on any complaints received. Selectman Funicella pointed out that Road Agent Rob Hatch and Police Chief Karl Meyers have only recently started attending the Selectmen’s meeting; Transfer Station Manager Jon Edgerly would also be in attendance but he is working at this time. The Selectmen get a lot of calls regarding job performance but the Selectmen take these complaints under advisement; they don’t discuss
them with the public. For example Chairman Davis acts as “ombudsman on roads”; she goes around town making sure projects have been completed. The Selectmen do follow-up on complaints.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:41pm
Respectfully submitted:
Martha D. Tobin
Recording Secretary
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