Present: Selectmen: Richard Bennett Chairman, Gino Funicella, Gary Allen, Selectmen
Visitors: Raymond Hill Highway Department, Maarten & Pat Schoonman, Robin Willits, Mr. & Mrs. Gleb Barsky, Roger Chambers, Jon Edgerly Bartlett/Jackson Transfer Station Supervisor, Bob & Bea Davis
1. The minutes of September 12, 2005 were reviewed and approved as written.
2. The Summary of Payments was reviewed and checks were signed in the amount of $22,779.91.
3. The Financial Resume indicated an amount of $1,088,850.20 in the general fund after tonight’s vouchers.
4. Deposits in the amount of $2,878.00 were transferred to the treasurer tonight.
5. The selectmen requested Ray Hill, Jackson Highway Department; attend the meeting to discuss the reported incident regarding the town mower damaging a car. Ray reported that it did not happen and if he inadvertently damaged a car with the town mower he would have reported it to the town immediately. The selectmen had questions why this incident was not reported immediately by Dr. Anderson and his daughter. Ray continued it is the policy of the highway department not to mow toward the street because of a safety issue. Richard Bennett stated Dr. Anderson and his daughter had the opportunity to attend a selectmen’s meeting to discuss this issue and the board wanted to give you the same opportunity.
6. Mr. & Mrs. Barsky attended the meeting to discuss the status of court proceedings regarding the helicopter landing on a property in Jackson. Mr. Barsky stated there has been some clearing of the property and noticed a helicopter landing and taking off. The selectmen will advise the police department. The selectmen denied the helicopter use on this property and the Jackson Zoning Board of Adjustment voted to allow it. The town is taking this ruling to court. Mr. Barsky stated Mr. Upton, town counsel, should be apprised of any postponements and this is not in the best interest of the town and residents. Richard Bennett explained that the ordinance was written in a way that would accommodate 2 landowners in town that had previously taken off and landed their helicopters before the ordinance was put in
place. These two residents were grandfathered but could not pass this use on to their heirs. It was grandfathered to a specific individual on a specific property. The selectmen feel the Jackson Zoning Board of Adjustment have misinterpreted the intent of the regulation and the only recourse is superior court. The court will be the mediator. Gino Funicella feels an inquiry to the attorney might be advisable.
7. There was discussion regarding the Special Town Meeting. Gary Allen feels one meeting might be advisable because he feels we might lose attendance for the vote and it is advantageous to have the discussion and vote in one night. Once a vote is taken it will allow the selectmen to see how the residents of Jackson feel about the issues, they can be brought forward at budget time, and the town will be asked at Town Meeting in March to raise the funds to support these projects. Gino Funicella feels dialogue on these items and a vote in the same evening is advisable. The selectmen discussed November 8, 2005 at 6 p.m. as the date and time for the meeting. Richard Bennett will discuss this meeting with the Supervisors of the Checklist and Moderator. This meeting will be noticed. The selectmen will discuss the items for the
agenda at a future selectmen’s meeting. Some items mentioned, move the road, build the highway garage/police station, and expansion of the fire station. There will not be absentee ballot voting for this meeting.
8. Jon Edgerly attended the meeting to discuss transfer station issues. There was discussion regarding pick up fees for electronics. Richard Bennett requested an opinion from Jon whether it would be advisable to have a meeting with Bartlett regarding personnel at the transfer station. Jon agrees a meeting with Bartlett is prudent. There was discussion regarding qualifications to of the employees to operate equipment at the transfer station. Gino Funicella suggested that cross training on the equipment is advisable. Jon is the only employee that is state certified. The selectmen will request a meeting with the Bartlett Selectmen. There was discussion regarding an incident at the transfer station where a resident went beyond the barrier. Richard Bennett stated everyone at the transfer station should be sensitive to all citizens.
The SWAT team will be at Transfer station Tuesday, September 20, 2005 to discuss better management of the transfer station. A new tire was purchased for the roll off truck. Jon mentioned to the selectmen there have been some situations regarding cars coming into the transfer station when it is closed for all but commercial vehicles. There was discussion of a installing an additional gate. A possible solution is to notify Police Chief Meyers to monitor this situation.
9. Maarten & Pat Schoonman & Robin Willits attended the selectmen’s meeting to discuss the Class 6 Iron Mountain Road. Mr. Schoonman thanked the town for grading the upper portion of Iron Mountain Road. The main concern is that the upper portion of Iron Mountain Road is eroding. When it rains heavily the road floods and it has lost a great deal of gravel in spots and bedrocks are showing that have become hazardous to vehicles. The travel portion of the road is level with the drainage ditches. There are areas where new culverts are needed to replace plugged or non-existent culverts. Iron Mountain Road has been in existence for over 200 years. This road is used by hunters, hikers, summer residents, bikers, walkers, and service vehicles. Mr. Schoonman is requesting that the Town of Jackson do road repairs on the road over a
period of time. Richard Bennett stated the town cannot do much maintenance on a Class 6 road because then it would become a Class 5 road. A Class 5 road would require full time maintenance. Mr. Schoonman stated they do not want the road reclassified. It is his understanding that if there are summer residents on the road, it can maintained seasonally. Richard stated that some maintenance can be done on the road for safety. Mr. Schoonman advised the selectmen that they are losing the top grade which means they are losing the road. They requested some drainage installed a little at a time. Mr. Willits stated that there are no ditches on parts of the road. Possibly more ditches can be added and a little maintenance each year which would be less of a cost. There was discussion of classification. Mr. Willits submitted letters from Robert Upton and the Jackson Board of Selectmen. In September, 1987 Mr. Upton advised the selectmen that from a recent Town Meeting Iron Mountain Road has been
determined as a Class 6 road. He goes on to say that he does not believe this classification precludes any maintenance of it. “It would be imprudent and illogical for the town to let the road go completely to pieces.” A letter written in 1988 to Mr. Willits by Peter Kelly, Jackson Board of Selectmen Chairman, stated it is the intention of the town to maintain the Iron Mountain Road for passage of emergency vehicles which includes the Jackson Police cruiser. Mr. Willits stated that in 1987 the police cruiser was not a 4 wheel drive and he felt comfortable that he would be able to get his vehicle up the road. Richard referred to the manual A Hard Road to Travel; if a town seeks to perform some form of minimal maintenance to a Class 6 road it should do so under emergency lane statute. If they do more than that on a regular basis it would revert back to Class 5 road. Bob Davis stated he works up in that area frequently and the road has deteriorated. There has been one flash flood
after another and the road is narrow. The ditches are about the same level as the road. The selectmen will discuss this situation with the road agent and determine what maintenance is necessary on this Class 6 road. Richard Bennett stated the board will do research and get a policy in place which will assure that this road receives the maintenance that is appropriate.
10. Under RSA 91-A3, II the selectmen went into Executive Session to discuss public assistance.
11. The selectmen discussed emergency management. Gary Allen Emergency Management Director advised the selectmen that the new plans are ready. These copies will be distributed to office police, fire, and highway. This plan is the foundation which the state requires. Gary said it would be helpful if the town had a checklist and the plan should be refined for Jackson. He would like to meet with Board of Selectmen, Fire Chief, Road Agent, and Police Chief and discuss this in further detail and create a checklist that would fit the needs of the town. This plan is the foundation and a future meeting will be planned with all department heads to revise the plan so that it meets the needs of the town. This plan is available at the town office to be reviewed by anyone interested.
12. There was discussion regarding the town’s utility Blazer. It has high mileage and has had some recent repairs. They are going to request that Arthur Fernald, Road Agent attend a meeting to discuss the merits of the Blazer for the town. They also discussed an inventory of town equipment in the Gray’s Inn garage.
13. Avitar responded to the selectmen’s letter regarding the final payment from the town. The selectmen will respond to this recent letter from Avitar.
14. The selectmen reviewed town maps from Terra Mapping. There are many details this company can incorporate into the town maps. The town will be receiving a proposal from this company for creating and updating the town’s maps.
15. The following building permits applications were approved by the building inspector and signed by the selectmen: Gordon Lang, Ken Crowther.
16. The selectmen reviewed the building permit application for CC Russo and had questions regarding the submitted fee.
17. The selectmen reviewed the resume of expenditures of the town.
18. The building permit application submitted by Bruce Wilson was denied by the selectmen due to the fact the new structure was in the setback. A denial letter will be sent.
19. Gino Funicella attended the Eastern Regional Forestry Service Meeting. There were 70 forest officials in attendance from different parts of the country. The last time they met in Jackson was 1977. He welcomed all present to Jackson and commended Terry Miller, local Forest Ranger, for doing a great job. He gave them some background on the town and invited them back to Jackson soon.
20. Richard Bennett met with the forester regarding Prospect Farm. They released 140 apple trees and pushed back big rocks. It was seeded it and looks like it will be able to be maintained. Don Johnson, Forester, will request more funds from New Hampshire Fish and Game because we released more trees than originally anticipated.
21. There is some electrical work in the town office, a photo eye has to be replaced, and some work in the park that has to be done. Gary Allen will contact an electrician for some of the electrical work.
22. The meeting started at 5:30 p.m. and ended at 9:35 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Julie A. Maiorano
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