Date:  February 15, 2010
Time:  6:30 PM
Place:  Town Office
Present: Selectmen Daniel Donovan, III, William Condra and Richard Rockwood and Recording Secretary

John Shepardson attended the meeting to discuss a house he had condemned on Forest Road.  The Board agreed that the Water Department should be asked to shut the water off because there will be no heat.

John then informed the Board that he and Mr. Condra had inspected the apartment house on 31 Forest Road.  They both recommended that Mr. Schafer be given permission to rent 10 of the 12 apartments.  Discussion ensued as to the condition of the apartments as a result of all the renovation work Mr. Schafer had done.  There are two apartments that have not been renovated.  One is because Mr. Schafer would like to make it into a laundry facility and one because it was has to be gutted and totally rebuilt.

Mr. Tuttle then attended the meeting and informed the Board that the big trees at the Mill Brook Dam had been cut.  Discussion ensued as to the insurance requirement of Michael Guay when he cuts the trees at the dam and taking them away.  He will be asked to have a copy of his insurance coverage.  The Board has no problem with the Highway Employees cutting some of the trees.

Mr. Tuttle then stated that he would like to discuss the situation with the keys to the town clerk’s office.  He stated that he had a concern with the Water Department’s mail box being in the office where the Welfare Officer was.  He asked if this was a temporary place and what was planned for the future.  He also asked about who opened the mail and how it was distributed.  He was told that it is handled the same as it has always been.  The mail is opened and distributed by the Administrative Assistant and Selectmen’s Assistant.  Mr. Tuttle’s issue was discussed and it was concluded that it will continue to be processed as it is with no reason to change it  Mr. Tuttle wanted to have the mail initialed in addition to the date stamp.  It was concluded that this was not necessary.

The next item Mr. Tuttle wanted to discuss was the issue of the cost of plowing the Wilton/Lyndeborough School road and parking lot.  Mr. Rockwood stated that it is a town service and he did not want to gouge the school system.  It is a town service and should not be an overcharge by the Highway Department.  The Road Agent is the person that bills the school based on the number of storms.

Selectman Rockwood then asked Mr. Tuttle how long the Water Department has been charging a percentage on the cost of material.  Mr. Tuttle explained that he feels that a customer should pay for the cost of buying materials and that all of the labor costs are covered.  Mr. McGettigan stated that he feels that the Water Commissioners should discuss this issue and not just one person adding a percentage to an invoice.  He feels that the water customers should be given the best service for the most reasonable cost.

Paul Schafer, owner of the Forest Road apartments, appeared before the Board and asked if they had considered his letter submitted to the Board of Selectmen asking for permission to rent 10 of his 12 units.  Selectman Rockwood asked what the prognosis is of the 12th apartment.  He is not sure what he is going to do.  He may ask to have it a studio apartment.  He will ask the Board before he makes a final decision.  He will have to apply for another permit before making any renovations to this unit.  He also stated that the numbers on the apartments will be changed for more consistency.  Discussion ensued as to what his plans are for the remaining two apartments and what assurance he has that he will complete the work.

Selectman Rockwood made a motion that the occupancy for the 10 units will be granted when the 11th unit is completed.

Discussion ensued with Mr. Schafer stating that he has to finish the unit because he is under the constraint of TD Bank.  Mr. Schafer has to get 12 units completed to meet the bankruptcy court requirements and if he does not, he will lose the building.

Selectman Donovan seconded the motion but wanted clarification.  Selectman Rockwood stated that he did not feel that he should be allowed to rent any of the units until the completion of the 11th unit.

Chairman Donovan made a motion the amend Mr. Rockwood’s motion that the 10 units be allowed to be rented with a certified backflow inspection and follow-up on the completion of the 11th apartment,

Selectman Condra seconded the motion, which passed with all in favor.

Mr. Schafer stated that he will have the 11th unit completed in 30 days or less.  Chairman Donovan asked if the backflow device was installed and inspected.  He stated that it was installed but not sure if it has been tested.

Selectman Rockwood made a motion that the 11th and 12th units be completed within 30 days.  No second of his motion was heard.  There was no more discussion on the issue.

It was moved, seconded and unanimously voted to authorize the Building Inspector to issue a Certificate of Occupancy if he determined the building is in compliance with the applicable codes, as to ten units on condition that the overflow prevention device is approved by the Water Department.

Pam presented a question as to how the mill building is number for 911.  The Board agreed to have a representative from 911 come and work with John Shepardson to assign numbers for the individual units in the mill building.

One abatement request was reviewed and approved.

The mail box issue was further discussed.  Pam and Peggy explained to the Board that they do not feel there is any problem with the way it is being done now.  The Board decided that the mail boxes can stay where they are because there is not any reason to believe people would take mail in the Water Department mailbox.

The bills and payroll for the week ending February 13, 2010 were reviewed and approved.

Correspondence and informational material was reviewed.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 pm on a motion with all in favor.

Respectfully submitted;

Peggy Arn, Recording Secretary