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Minutes of 03/31/2008

April 6th, 2008

Carroll Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes
March 31, 2008
"These minutes of the Town of Carroll Select Board have been recorded by its Secretary. Though believed to be accurate and correct they are subject to additions, deletions and corrections by the Select Board at its next meeting when the Board votes its final approval of the minutes. They are being made available at this time to conform to the requirements of New Hampshire RSA 91-A:2."

Minutes recorded by Susan Kraabel, Secretary

Board members present: Bonnie Moroney, Rena Vecchio, Christopher Hancock

The meeting was called to order at 6:58 PM.

Members of the public present: Roberta McGee, Bill Smalley, Mike Gooden, Billy Rines, Tom Gately, Carmine Fabrizio, Scott Hayes, Matt Dieterich, Bill Dowling, John Trammell, Kelly Trammell, Evan Karpf, Curtis Pike, Beckie Pike, Jason Hodgman

Pledge of Allegiance

The board announced the approval of bills and signing of checks.

Chairman Moroney moved to accept the minutes of March 24, 2008, as written. Selectman Hancock seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

The report from Stan Borkowski is posted on the bulletin board.

Scott Hayes, from Iron Mountain Water, at the request of the selectmen, came to the meeting to discuss various issues regarding town water. He stated that the Stage 1 and 2 Disinfectant Rule brought up by Steve LaFrance at last week’s meeting does not apply to the Town of Carroll. It is for systems that chlorinate or disinfect the water, and we do not. The only thing that is added to our water is soda ash to regulate the PH level.

He stated that we had applied for two water sampling waivers and were granted only one. A waiver would mean having to sample only once every six years. The waiver was granted for synthetic organic compounds. The one that was not granted (for volatile organic compounds VOC’s) was denied because of the snowmobile trails near a well, and will have to be done every year. This sampling looks for things like oil.

Mr. Hayes stated that our water is really good. We have no violations of state and federal requirements. He stated the annual Water Quality Report mandated by the EPA gives general information and includes all necessary details. He said we could add more to the report, but can’t take anything off. EPA requires that any detection must be listed, but we have no violations. Selectman Vecchio, looking at the 2007 report, asked why the radon was shown as tested in 2002 and everything else was 2006. Mr. Hayes said not everything is tested every year; most things are tested on a three year cycle. He also said our well is a gravel well, and not as likely to have radon present as would a residential ledge well. Selectman Vecchio said she recalled reading several years ago that we had arsenic in our water, but neither Mr. Hayes nor Bill Rines could recall that, and Mr. Hayes said we don’t test for IOC’s. They were screened when the well were put in. Chairman Moroney asked if they would have changed since the well was put in, and Mr. Hayes said we’re probably not at risk. Selectman Hancock asked if there is a scale that would show where our detection levels compare with the maximum allowances. Mr. Hayes said he could provide that information. He said he’d try to have the 2008 Water Quality Report ready so it could go out with the first half water bills on April 15.

Mr. Hayes stated he speaks to state water personnel on a regular basis, and they continue to ask about the status of our use of the water meters. Mr. Rines said he thought they would be ready this summer. We still have nine pits left, and at least five of these will be eliminated and the meters placed inside homes.

Bill Dowling gave the selectmen a cost sheet for putting in a new landfill monitoring well on the Curtis & Beckie Pike’s property. This money would come from the Landfill Closure Capital Reserve Fund, and would only be used if the well goes in. He said the well doesn’t have to be put in, but the groundwater is moving toward the Pike property. He said if we don’t put in the well, the state will probably expand the monitoring zone to include the Pike property, and this would be recorded with the Pike deed, and may raise a red flag if they wanted to sell their property. If we put the well in, it would be clear whether the property tests okay or not; if the zone were expanded and no well, there would be questions, as the state cannot force the town to put a well on private property. Mr. Dowling stated that if the well is installed, it would be a benefit to the Pikes and to the town. Chairman Moroney told the Pikes that they had consulted Town Counsel, and the selectmen have no authority to grant them the easement they had requested.

Mr. Pike asked how Provan & Lorber would access their land to put in a well and how much of the property they would tear up. Mr. Dowling said they’d go in via town land, and disturb very little. Ms. Pike asked if they tested the water themselves and found contamination, would the town be liable, and was told the town probably would be liable. Mr. Dowling said the engineers would like to put this in and test with the other wells in April. Ms. Pike was told if they agree, it will happen now, as the additional testing was approved at Town Meeting. When asked what would happen if the Pike land is contaminated, Chairman Moroney suggested the Pikes call Provan & Lorber and ask, as no one here knows what the state would mandate. Mr. Dowling said if there is a high reading, the engineers will get in touch with us right away, and the Pikes would be notified. Chairman Moroney again mentioned that Town Meeting would have to grant the selectmen the power to give them their easement, and there are no guarantees as to how the vote would go. The Pikes said they would call Provan & Lorber with all their questions.

The following items were approved and signed.

Intent to Cut – Mt. Washington Resort (Dartmouth Brook area)
Intent to Cut – Cersosimo Lumber
Certification of Yield Tax – Cersosimo Lumber
Town Hall Use Permit – Costa
Abatement – AMC
Water Abatement – Myette
Elderly Exemption – Benoit

The warrant articles that were passed were reviewed to see if action has taken place where necessary. Bridge funding is in process. Mike Claflin from Connecticut River Bank is coming on Wednesday to discuss the short term loan we need. Money from Capital Reserve will be withdrawn when necessary. The Building Committee is meeting Wednesday night at 6:30, and the design work will be addressed. The $141,000 voted for various Capital Reserve Funds has been transferred to the Trustees. The $18,000 for the Chamber of Commerce was discussed, but no decision was made on how that money will be disbursed. Chairman Moroney moved to disburse the various town donations in two payments – half in June and half in December. Selectman Vecchio seconded the motion, and it was passed unanimously.

Jim Sullivan’s letter of resignation as Cemetery Trustee was read. He has sold his Bretton Woods property, and will no longer be a resident of the Town of Carroll. After some discussion about a possible replacement, Mike Gooden volunteered to serve until the next election, and was appointed by the selectmen.

Chairman Moroney read the Safety Committee’s inspections reports from November and December (Fire Station and Town Hall). Two floor drains in the fire station have been covered, the washroom facility has yet to be worked on, and the ceiling plug in the last bay has been covered. The shields for the overhead lights are on order. In the town hall, the junction box cover in the downstairs men’s room has been covered. The railings on the first old entrance are in place, and the wooden stairs will be replaced with concrete. The ramp at the gym exit is not a requirement, and will not be put in at this time. A new set of center doors will cost $1,700, and have not been ordered. There are still no stairs at the bulkhead. Still no fire extinguisher in the library, but this will be done. The downstairs men’s room wall repair is 90% complete, and the ladies’ room leak will be eliminated by fixing the rotted decking on the old entrance above. The stairs have been removed from this entrance. The high outlet in the kitchen has not been, removed, but it is not a live outlet. The door from the kitchen to the gym hall has been made ADA compliant.

The selectmen filled out the NH DRA Property Appraisal survey to indicate which classes they may be interested in attending. This will be compiled with office staff choices and sent to Ron Cote from DRA.

Matt Dieterich from the Bretton Woods development office came to the selectmen to ask for their support in opposing House Bill 474. He said he knew it was a last minute request, as the public hearing on this bill is Tuesday, April 1, but hoped they would send a letter opposing passage of this bill. If enacted, the Mt. Washington Resort would lose its property tax exemption on its wastewater treatment facility. Mr. Dieterich stated that the facility serves to supplant and complement public services that might otherwise be necessary to be provided by the town. He said the exemption provides an incentive for businesses to do their part for a clean environment. When asked for the wording of the bill, Mr. Dieterich said he did not have the exact wording, that it had been attached to the bottom of another bill, and he did not know the substance of that bill. Not having that information, the selectmen were unwilling to send the requested letter, but said they could possibly send letters to the representatives after the public hearing once they knew the substance of the entire bill.

Recommendations for Planning Board and Zoning Board of Adjustments were received.

Ernie Temple – Planning
Joan Karpf and Nancy Mitiguy (alternate) – ZBA

Chairman Moroney made a motion to appoint the three persons, Selectman Vecchio seconded, and the motion was passed unanimously.

It was reported that Hoyle Tanner wants to schedule a Pre-Construction Meeting with Bayview Corp., the bridge contractor, and has asked if the selectmen are interested in attending. Chairman Moroney expressed an interest, but cannot take a day off to attend. Mr. Rines would also like to attend. The secretary will pass this information to Jason Lodge of Hoyle Tanner.

Evan Karpf reminded everyone that the Carroll Community Pride Day will be Sunday, May 18. Mr. Dowling will have the Transfer Station open to accept the trash that’s picked up. Dr. Karpf is working with Stacy Boone of Mt. Washington Resort, and they are hoping to have a barbeque at the Rec Center afterward. He mentioned the possibility of a softball game as well. He already has plastic bags, gloves, and grabber sticks, and is applying for a grant towards this event. Chairman Moroney suggested he talk to the Snowmobile Club about supporting this event.

Jason Hodgman came to board to talk about a problem he recently had with a freeze up at his home. He first commended Mr. Rines and his crew for immediate assistance in getting the water turned off, and the leak stopped, but questioned our water meter system. He said his heater went out and as a result the meter blew in his basement. He said the insurance company is questioning who owns the meter. Mr. Rines said we own it, but the property owner is responsible for keeping it warm, otherwise it’s deemed negligence. He said the freeze plate did what it was supposed to do. Mr. Hodgman said the freeze plate did its job of saving the $400 meter and resulted in $10,000 in damage to his house, and he questioned why the meter was there for years and still not being used. Discussion took place regarding whether the meters are being maintained because they’re not being read. A false reading would maybe trigger inspection of the meter. Mr. Rines said Mr. Hodgman’s freeze plate was replaced last year, and in the last year they have been logging all meter maintenance. Mr. Hodgman said his intention for coming was to point out a problem with the metering system not being used. Mr. Rines stated his intention to get the metering used this summer.

At 8:55 PM, as there was no additional business, Chairman Moroney declared the meeting ended, and moved to go into executive session regarding legal matters, town aid, and personnel. This was seconded by Selectman Vecchio. The board was polled, and went into executive session.

At the close of executive session, Chairman Moroney made a motion to return to public session and seal the minutes from executive session; Selectman Vecchio seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

Action Items:

Industrial Park land use - CEDC
Chamberlain property
Website
PDIP
Policy/Procedures Manual
Trail Crossing Agreement – waterline
Town Hall Decking
2/11/08 Minutes approval
Prop/Liability Insurance options
FEMA Required Classes
Town hall locks
Chamber Money

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