Date: January 14, 2008
Time: 7:00 PM
Place: Town Office
Present: Selectmen Richard Rockwood and Daniel Donovan, III and Recording
Secretary Peggy Arn
1) Main Street Program Manager, Tracy Bardsley, attended the meeting. She told the Board that she would like to work with the Conservation Commission and the Florence Rideout School to plant flowers in spaces created by the construction of the new sidewalks. She would write for a grant to pay for the plants and flowers and would also agree to the maintenance of such flowers. The Board would support this project.
2) Tracy then informed the Board of a Rural Business Enterprise Grant that will be available this year. She would like to apply for the grant to pursue the relocation of the replacement of the utility poles to the back of the buildings on Main Street. It is actually a Federal Grant and therefore would require a 20% match by the town. Discussion ensued and it was agreed that the Board would support a Warrant Article next year using a $50,000 grant which would make the town’s portion $10,000. Tracy stated that there would possibly only 9 poles that would need to be moved. Tracy asked if the town had any plans to go forward with the project of moving the poles. It was agreed that the issue of the pole licensing has not been actively pursued since the sidewalk project was started.
3) Jeff Kandt attended the meeting representing the Planning Board. He asked if the Board would approve and sign the contract for this year with NRPC. Because the contract has Chairman Greene’s signature, Selectman Rockwood stated that the Board would defer signing the contract until Mr. Greene attends next week’s meeting.
4) Mr. Kandt then asked the Board if they were familiar with the proposed bill HB 1223 before the legislature this session. This bill would allow the expansion of an excavation site to land acquired after 8/24/70 and contiguous and exempts such excavation from local ordinances. Wilton resident, Bill Carnduff, attended the meeting to also voice his opinion and opposition to the proposed bill. Selectman Rockwood and Donovan both stated that they are not in favor of the bill. Selectman Donovan stated that he would write a letter to the legislature stating the Boards opposition to this bill.
5) Ray Shea attended the meeting on the recommendation of the Planning Board for a two lot subdivision he is proposing. He stated that he has just about completed the requirements of the Planning Board and he has a driveway permit signed by Road Agent Steve Elliott. Discussion ensued as to the impact of this one additional house on Town Farm Road.
Motion: Selectman Donovan made a motion that the one lot to be developed on C-147, Town Farm Road, would not require an impact contribution to the Town. Selectman Rockwood seconded the motion; which passed unanimously.
6) The Board reviewed and signed a letter to the Director of Emergency Services at the NH Department of Safety requesting them to make the Town of Amherst Department of Public Safety Communications the primary back up location for the Milford Area Communications Center. Hollis will continue to serve as a secondary back up location to Milford, Wilton and Mont Vernon.
7) The Board discussed a proposal from Building Inspector Bill Condra to have the Board of Selectmen draft a Warrant Article for adopting a property maintenance code for the Town of Wilton. The Board will review the proposed maintenance code and both Selectmen were in favor of supporting this warrant article.
8) The Board reviewed a letter from Police Chief Hautanen in which he wanted the Board to be aware of one of his Police Officers heroic actions. Officer Mike Abel responded to a house fire at 4 Barry Court and was responsible for tenants of the building being awaken and removed from the burning building. The Chief recommended that Officer Abel should given an award and letter of commendation as a result of saving other lives at considerable risk to his own personal safety.
Motion: Selectman Rockwood made a motion to write a letter of commendation from the Board of Selectmen. Selectman Donovan seconded the motion which carried unanimously.
9) The results from asking for proposals for the audit were reviewed. Only one firm has presented a proposal to date. The quote was close to what the present auditors have given for their services for this year. After a discussion, it was agreed that the town should retain the firm of Plodzik & Sanderson for this year’s audit. The reason for the increase in fees this year is due to the new audit risk standards which results in additional time to perform the assessments and develop this procedure.
10) The issue of billing the Archdiocese for the maintenance of Mount Calvary Cemetery was discussed. It was agreed that they should be billed for the cost to the town minus income from the trust funds. Selectman Donovan stated that he had talked to Attorney Little concerning the town’s continued care of this cemetery and would continue to investigate the issue.
11) The Board interviewed one applicant for the position of Town Building Inspector.
The meeting was adjourned on a motion, with all in favor at 9:00 PM.
Respectfully Submitted;
Peggy Arn, Recording Secretary