Selectmen Minutes
November 16, 2021
Present: Fred Woodhouse, Diane Callahan, Gary Backstrom
Call to order by Fred Woodhouse at 5:30 pm.
Motion to approve the minutes of 11/2/2021 (Backstrom/Callahan). All in favor, motioned carried.
Motion to approve payroll for November 2021 (Backstrom/Callahan). All in favor, motion carried.
Motion to approve the manifest for November 2021 (Backstrom/Callahan). All in favor, motion carried.
Review of the 2021 sales assessment ratio data compiled by Avitar, the Board signed the certification form.
Reviewed the 2021 preliminary tax rate of $22.35. Motion to approve the tax rate of $22.35?M with no fund balance to be used (Backstrom/Callahan). All in favor, motion carried.
Mr. Woodhouse, as Chairman, signed the JDK contract for the 2021-2022 snow plowing season.
Signed an intent to cut for Harris Construction, M 6 L 2.
Discussion of the Bar Harbor Bank cash management agreement, which will be replacing the former agreement under Lake Sunapee Bank. Mr. Woodhouse asked the Chair of the Conservation Commission, Anne Booth, for her opinion as the ConCom accounts will also be subject to this agreement. Ms. Booth asked what the consequences for not signing the agreement would be. The answer is that the Town will not earn any interest on any of its accounts. Ms. Booth would like further information.
Eric Hoagland and Attorney Phil Runyon spoke to the Board about Mr. Hoagland’s property on Mountain Road. Mr. Hoagland is planning to build a residence on this property with access from Peterborough. Mr. Hoagland has received the permits he needs to construct a driveway in Peterborough off of Rte 101. The portion of this property that is in Sharon is in the Highland Conservation District. Mr. Hoagland has an engineer working on the requirements for the Highland Conservation District so that he will be able to meet with the Planning Board. The purpose of attending this Selectmen’s meeting is to keep the Select Board informed and answer any questions.
Sandy Eneguess:
Sand and salt are ready for the winter
There was an issue with a fire started in the middle of the Mill Road Bridge, Mr. Eneguess cleaned up the debris
Has driven the snow plowing routes with the plow drivers.
Will deal with some potholes before snow comes.
Discussion of an opening on the Planning Board (PB) for a full member, created by the resignation of Ken Callahan. Mitch Call requested that Jeff Osgood, a current alternate, be appointed to this open position. Mr. Woodhouse said that other people have expressed an interest and suggested that the town should reach out to these people. Jeff Osgood spoke to the Board stating that he has been an alternate to learn the process and is interested in being on the PB to keep the town the same. Letters were read from Bill Joyner and Anne Booth in favor of appointing Mr. Osgood. Another resident spoke in favor of Mr. Osgood. Rich Dufresne asked if Select Board members had any serious issues with Mr. Osgood’s nomination. There was discussion about having people with different points of view, and the perception that some members of the PB did not want to listen to dissenting views. Mitch Call stated that in his 20 years on the PB the process has been that an alternate member would be appointed to a voting member when there has been an opening. There was also discussion about people attending meetings if they are interested in a Board. In response to a question about the ZBA Chet Bowles stated that the ZBA has measurable criteria when dealing with an application. Mr. Bowles thinks that attending meetings of a Board and becoming an alternate member of a Board is a good way to become informed on how a particular Board operates. It was determined that the Select Board will delay a decision on this appointment and interview both candidates.
The Town Administrator will contact the School Board Rep, Jim Fredrickson, and ask for dates that he may be available to meet with the Select Board and review the school budget.
Review of a response from Tim Groesbeck regarding the Select Board letter about the temporary containers. Mr. Groesbeck pointed out that there is nothing in writing about any length of time.
The Town Administrator informed the Board that the School District is working on the student census information. There has been no progress on finding a Sexton or Site Inspector.
Mitch Call:
Fieldstone has not responded to questions about San-Ken.
In Mr. Call’s opinion, the attorney for San-Ken is incorrect about PB permission for the curb cut. Ms. Callahan asked Mr. Call to have the PB look at the San-Ken reclamation plan signed by the PB, pursuant to the Select Boards email request.
Ms. Callahan:
Attended the Peterborough Planning Board meeting regarding the Monadnock Rod & Gun Club. The Peterborough Planning Board sent the Rod & Gun Club to the Peterborough ZBA.
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Meeting adjourned at 6:35 PM.
Minutes taken by Debra Harling. Approved on 12/07/2021.