TOWN OF NEW LONDON BOARD OF SELECTMEN METING MINUTES- APRIL 30, 2007

Transcription

1 PRESENT: Ruth I. Clugh, Chairman Bard f Selectmen Mark Kaplan, Selectman Larry Ballin, Selectman Jessie Levine, Twn Administratr TOWN OF NEW LONDON BOARD OF SELECTMEN METING MINUTES- APRIL 30, 2007 ALSO: Jhn Chiarella, Springfield Selectman Ken Jacques, Cmmissiner New Lndn/Springfield Village District Debbie Crss, InterTwn Recrd Carline Dube, Argus Champin Rbert Andersn, New Lndn/Springfield Water Precinct Resident Sue Andrews, New Lndn Planning Bard member Pat Blanchard, New Lndn Budget Cmmittee Bb Brwn, President Messer Pnd Prtective Assciatin Dick Cavallar, Resident Dale Cnley, New Lndn Planning Bard and Cnservatin Cmmissin Celeste Ck, New Lndn Planning Bard, and Welfare Directr David Ck, Resident The Crzers, New Lndn/Springfield Water Precinct Residents Alan Gepfert, New Lndn/Springfield Water Precinct Resident Hardy Hasenfuss, Kearsarge Area Cuncil n Aging Bill Helm, Chairman New Lndn Hspital Bard f Trustees Michele Hltn, Resident Jack Hltn, Resident Jack Hughes, New Lndn/Springfield Water District Resident Janet Kidder, Resident Vicki Krn, New Lndn Cnservatin Cmmissin Bb Lavie, New Lndn Citizens Advisry Cmmittee D.J. Lavie, Resident Les Nrman, Chairman New Lndn Cnservatin Cmmissin Stanley Richards, New Lndn/Springfield Water Precinct Resident Peter Stanley, New Lndn Zning Administratr Debbie Stanley, Resident Jess Taylr, New Lndn/Springfield Water Precinct Resident W. Michael Tdd, Resident Lri Manr Underwd, Senir Directr Planning & Prjects fr New Lndn Hspital Dn Vss, New Lndn/Springfield Water Precinct Resident Jhn Wilsn, New Lndn Budget Cmmittee Kitty Wilsn, President Pleasant Lake Prtective Assciatin Anita Wlf, New Lndn/Springfield Water Precinct Resident Steve Wlf, New Lndn/Springfield Water Precinct Resident Other New Lndn/Springfield Water Precinct Residents

2 Page 2 f 13 Sue Clugh called the meeting t rder at 6 p.m. The Selectmen addressed 12 items f business during this meeting. 1. Vlunteer Appintment Prcess Sue Clugh said the main issue with which the Selectmen are wrestling right nw is the questin f term limits fr appinted Bard members. She infrmed the meeting that Twn Cunsel has cautined Selectmen against establishing a firm written plicy with regard t term limits. She pened the flr t cmments frm residents in attendance. Dale Cnly infrmed the meeting that he is a member f the New Lndn Cnservatin Cmmissin, and serves als as the Cnservatin Cmmissin s representative t the Planning Bard. He referenced the n-ging debate regarding term limits fr appinted bard members, and said that while he appreciates the advantage in having new members with new energy and new ideas, he des nt favr impsing strict term limits fr the fllwing reasns: The strength f the Planning Bard rests n its making thughtful decisins that are fair and cnsistent. In ther wrds, members must be able t draw n histry, n thse issues preceding and similar t the ne befre them at any given time. The plans presented t the Planning Bard require a familiarity with such cmplex areas as sil types, runff and drainage issues, etc. It takes a great deal f time t becme familiar and cmfrtable with the prcesses f the Planning Bard, and particularly with the vast number f regulatins and rdinances within which it must wrk. Regarding the Chairman in particular, he said it is f particular benefit t the Bard t have smene with a legal backgrund, and willingness t spend the huge amunt f time required. He nted that the issues cming befre the Planning Bard these days are increasingly cmplex and with that cmplexity cmes increased cntentiusness at the hearings. Parties are ften represented by lawyers wh may take advantage f a weaker bard. The current Chairman has been instrumental in prtecting New Lndn, and addressing thse legal issues that therwise may have required utside (and cstly) cnsultatin. Similarly, the Cnservatin Cmmissin is cmpsed f members with strng backgrunds in envirnmental fields. In cnclusin, he said that if the Selectmen feel they must impse term limits n experienced members just t make rm fr smene else, they wuld seriusly weaken thse Bards. He suggested that if term limits are instituted, then the length f a term shuld be lnger than three years. Regarding the selectin prcess itself, he made the fllwing suggestins: The candidate shuld be willing t make a substantial time cmmitment. The Planning Bard has a minimum f tw meetings a mnth, and in additin, members are required t serve frm time t time n subcmmittees. Als, a great deal f time is required t study the issues, laws, regulatins. The experience and expertise f the candidate must be cnsidered. What can this persn add t the Bard? The particular interests f the candidate shuld be cnsidered. Are these in cncert with the wellbeing f New Lndn? Are they within the parameters f the Master Plan? Bill Helm said that he recalls that while he was serving as Selectmen elsewhere, he bserved that the weight was given t cntinuity f service and experience. He nted that in that lcale, a term was five years lng, and vlunteers tended t serve tw terms r ten years. In his current capacity as Chairman f the New Lndn Hspital Bard f Trustees he has had pprtunity t see hw bth the Planning and Zning Bards have addressed the technical issues, and recgnized their understanding f thse and f

3 Page 3 f 13 relative precedents. In cnclusin, he suggested the Selectmen shuld seek a balance f bth renewal and managed cntinuity. Celeste Ck said she is currently in her secnd term as a Planning Bard member, and she nted the learning curve required. She said the number f regulatins and prcesses that a member is required t becme familiar with can be verwhelming fr at least the first three years. She went n t say that the current Planning Bard wrks extremely well, and the face f the Twn reflects that. She nted that as far as she knws, there have been n cmplaints abut the Planning Bard s wrk r decisins. She secnded Dale Cnly s assertin that the Bard is dealing with increasingly difficult and serus issues including new site plan regulatins and, this year, updating the Master Plan. On that nte, she suggested that peple interested in getting invlved culd start ut by wrking n ne f the Master Plan subcmmittees. In cnclusin, she suggested that impsing term limits wuld take valuable experience away frm the Bard, and be detrimental t the twn. She asked if the prcess under discussin tnight applies t all appinted bards. Selectmen respnded in the affirmative. Jhn Wilsn infrmed the Bard that he has served as a Planning Bard member in the past and is currently in his secnd term n the Budget Cmmittee. He, t, nted the amunt f time required t learn the RSA s, regulatins etc., and he bserved that at every meeting, he still learns smething new. Regarding the questin f term limits, he said the Twn is frtunate t have peple wh can dedicate the time required t learn the regulatins and RSA s, wh can apply them with little subjectivity, wh can exercise due diligence in filling the psitin, and wh are willing t cntinue serving. He suggested the three criteria that shuld be cnsidered are Objectivity f the prspective member. Ability and willingness t give the time. Members wh are unable t d the abve, wh are nt perfrmers, shuld nt be renewed; perfrmers shuld be cnsidered assets and kept n the Bards. David Ck referred t his past experience as a New Lndn Selectmen, and als t the draft f the Twn f New Lndn Bard Appintment Prcess being cnsidered at this meeting, particularly sectin D-5, 7 th bullet, regarding Cnflict f Interest, and he made tw suggestins: He urged the Selectmen t nt encurage twn emplyees t serve n Bards. He has bserved prblems arising frm this situatin in ther Twns. He suggested that peple with special agendas may nt bring unbiased views t a Bard. Bill Andrews referred t his past experience as Chairman f the Planning Bard, and said he wuld favr a limit f tw terms. He said the Bards shuld nt be allwed t evlve int elite grups. He nted tw advantages t term limits: the rtatin keeps the bards user friendly, and having term limits gives the Selectmen an excuse t nt reappint smene wh is nt perfrming well n the Bard. He said he des nt feel that the material that must be learned is rcket science; it can be learned within a year. And in a small twn, the Bards are wrking as neighbr t neighbr. Michele Hltn als supprted the idea f term limits, saying that the Twn is enriched by a wealth f peple willing t serve. There is a great deal f untapped skill in the cmmunity, and it is time nw t draw n that. Les Nrman, Cnservatin Cmmissin Chairman, said the Cmmissin is cmpsed f seven regular members and tw alternates, nting that fur are relatively new. He, t, cited the imprtance f having

4 Page 4 f 13 members with lng experience. It is gd t knw what happened t a piece f land sme years ag. He said it is imprtant t keep that kind f knwledge n the bards. Jeff Hllinger said he is in his secnd year n the Planning Bard and is just nw beginning t feel cmfrtable. He pined that it takes three r fur years t understand fully the Planning Bard s peratins. He favrs cntinuity, nt term limits. The Bard shuld have members wh knw what has happened in the past. He, t, referred t the Planning Bard s current Chairman and said she des nt dminate r try t sway the Bard. He nted that it is rare t find peple willing t wrk as hard as she des, including all the behind the scenes wrk. He said the current Chairman understands the legalese, and, referring t Bill Andrews cmment that it is nt rcket science, he said that like it r nt, things are indeed mre cmplicated nw, despite that fact that New Lndn is still a relatively small twn. In cnclusin, he said that there is already a fairly gd turn ver n the Planning Bard, and he wuld favr keeping at least a few f the ld members each year. Jack Hltn pinted ut that term limits wuld nt mean that the whle bard turns ver at ne time. The terms wuld alternate. That is, tw wuld cme due every three years. He referred t the cmment abve regarding lawyers representing peple at hearings, and suggested that it is nt crrect t assert that just because lawyers are attending the hearings nw, the Bards must have smene wh can fight them. Bb Lavie said the Selectmen s cncern shuld be the ttal cmbined experience f a Bard. He referred t the cmment abut the benefit f having members wh are familiar with the past experiences f a Bard, and nted that the current members can always g back and lk at minutes in rder t find ut what has happened in the past. And he added that a Bard can always call upn prir members if histry f a particular issue is needed. In cnclusin, he suggested that the need t have experience available t current bards can be handled even with term limits in place. D.J. Lavie said that at the last Citizens Advisry Cmmittee meeting, suggestin was made that with a limit f tw terms, there culd be flexibility allwing a member wh has served ne f thse terms as Chairman, t serve a third term. Similarly that flexibility wuld allw the Selectmen t waive the limit in instances when n ne else is available t fill an pening. She nted that previus members can be used as back-up, and that wuld fill any vids in knwledge that may arise. She reminded everyne that the cnsensus f the CAC was that term limits culd be made t wrk very effectively fr the twn. Kitty Wilsn said the bttm line is that the Cmmittees shuld be highly effective. She acknwledged the difficulty with which the Selectmen are faced, and suggested the challenge is nt the questin f term limits, but t get as many highly effective peple as they can n the Bards. She als pinted ut the pssibility that when a Bard member is nt perfrming well n a given bard, the prblem may simply be that he r she is n the wrng bard. Sue Andrews has served as Cnservatin Cmmissin Chairman, as that Cmmissin s representative t the Planning Bard, and fr several years nw as a regular Planning Bard member. She said she feels the current Planning Bard members wrk well tgether, have a gd wrking relatinship, and she wuld like t cntinue t serve in that capacity. She is nt aware f a perceptin that the Bard is nt user friendly. The Planning Bard wrks in the best interest f the Twn, always, and that was demnstrated mst recently during the applicatin prcess fr New Lndn Hspital s renvatin plans. Vicki Krn said she has bserved that n the Cnservatin Cmmissin there is sme amunt f natural turn ver. Beynd that, she said she des nt knw what the Cmmissin wuld d withut sme f the peple wh have the histry and knwledge f that Cmmissin s past wrk. She said it

5 Page 5 f 13 wuld be very difficult if new members had t g thrugh a stack f past minutes every time they needed infrmatin abut a particular parcel r issue. Sue Clugh said the Selectmen are seeking a balance f the tw ideas, and she referred t Twn Cunsel s advice abut nt establishing a firm written plicy regarding term limits fr appinted Bard members. Mark Kaplan said his bjective wuld be t have cntinuity ver the lng term. The questin is hw t address this with cmity. T that end, he made tw suggestins: The Chairman s psitin culd be made rtating, as it is n the Bard f Selectmen. Alternates culd be appinted t the Planning Bard, allwing new persns t gain experience in that capacity, and giving the Bard experienced peple ready t mve up when an lder member steps ff. Certain small changes can be effective in bringing new ideas t a Bard, and he said that really there are always changes being made, but the Bards have t have peple wh can keep the cntinuity ging. Jhn Wilsn said he likes the idea f rtating Chairmen, but feels it is really just windw dressing. He nted that State law stipulates that the Bards chse their wn chairman. Selectmen agreed, they can nly make recmmendatins. Peter Stanley said that appinting alternates wuld allw new peple t attend meetings and t study the infrmatin. He agreed that it is difficult infrmatin t learn and t apply. He nted that ver the lng run, New Lndn s Bards are extremely cmpetent. He addressed the questin f term limits by naming tw f the Twn s mst valuable vlunteer Bard members: Esther Currier wh was instrumental in getting the Cnservatin Cmmissin established in New Lndn and wh served n that Cmmissin fr many years and whse precepts the Cmmissin is still fllwing t this day, and Syd Crk wh served many years n the Planning Bard, and brught t that Bard a wealth f engineering expertise which the Bard nw has t cntract utside fr, at additinal cst t the Twn. Peter Stanley suggested it wuld be a huge mistake t impse term limits n such lng term valuable members. He made the fllwing suggestins fr the appintment prcess: The psitin shuld be regarded as a jb. Minimum training requirements, attendance at seminars etc., shuld be required A minimum attendance requirement shuld be established. The plicy f appinting alternates wuld allw new peple t wrk int regular psitins, and wuld allw the Bard and the Selectmen t get a sense f hw they wuld perfrm n that Bard. Michele Hltn said that Attrney Mayer s letter t the Selectmen indicates that the Supreme Curt has nt had pprtunity t address this issue (f term limits fr appinted members). She said she disagrees that it is difficult t find individuals wh are willing t make the cmmitment described abve. The Selectmen have received respnses t the call fr vlunteers. She asked abut the pssibility f drafting a plicy fr this, and submitting that t Twn Meeting fr apprval. Sue Clugh said she wuld nt be averse t that, but they need t address the issue nw, fr this year. She reminded everyne that three years ag, vters at Twn Meeting vted against having Planning and Zning Bard psitins be elected, and the prpsed eliminatin f the Zning Administratr and the zning rdinance was withdrawn during the curse f that Twn meeting. Larry Ballin said that Twn Cunsel s letter makes clear that elected fficials cannt be subjected t term limits. The questin tnight is whether r nt t apply term limits t appinted bard members. Regarding the questin f alternates, he suggested that a member can serve as an alternate nt nly at the beginning f his r her service t a bard, but als at the end, when his term as a regular member expires. Often the Zning Bard calls upn alternates, frmer regular members, t make up a qurum.

6 Page 6 f 13 Jeff Hllinger said if the Twn ges t term limits, he wuld like them t at least keep sme ptins pen. Perhaps they can just use term limits as an ut. Otherwise, he suggested that term limits wuld tie their hands, and pssibly hurt the Twn and the Bard. The gal and respnsibility f the Selectmen shuld be t assure that the best peple are n the Bard. Jack Hltn pinted ut that implicit in the idea f term limits, is that a previus member can always be reappinted. Pat Blanchard suggested that the prcess as described in the draft may be a bit intimidating. It includes an interview and questins abut histry f vlunteerism, etc. She suggested that Selectmen shuld really be mre pr-active in encuraging new vlunteers. If smene expresses an interest in serving the Twn, the Selectmen shuld really wrk hard at finding him r her a place. Jhn Wilsn added that the CAC is als a great place t get ne s feet wet. D.J. Lavie asked what the future wuld be fr alternates. Wuld they have t serve as alternates fr years befre becming a regular member? She nted that the list f interested vlunteers cntains 48 names, and she suggested that if peple keep getting turned away, eventually they will stp bthering. She suggested that rather than have a black and white term limit, that they have a flexible plicy. David Ck asked hw many members will be needed fr the Master Plan Cmmittees. Sue Clugh said she thinks there will be as many as 12 Master Plan subcmmittees. Peter Stanley said that during the 1998 Master Plan prcess, they had 250 attend the first visining sessin, 100 attend the secnd, but nly abut 10 r 12 wh fllwed the prcess all the way thrugh and wh attended every single meeting. Larry Ballin agreed that attendance is very imprtant, but added that nw days, a lt can be dne electrnically. Bb Lavie suggested the Selectmen nt encurage s many peple t apply fr nly a few slts. Jessie Levine clarified that f the 48 n the list, 19 applied this year, and many are seeking psitins n brand new cmmittees such as the Energy Cmmittee, the Slid Waste Cmmittee, and the Master Plan subcmmittees. S there are enugh places t be filled. Of the thirty applicants this past year, 21 were placed n Bards. This is nt a case f 48 peple applying fr just a cuple f slts. Sue Clugh thanked attendees fr their input, and said the Selectmen will be wrking thrugh this and beginning meeting with vlunteers next week. 2. Public Hearing n Petitin t Redefine bundaries f New Lndn/Springfield Water Precinct Sue Clugh pened this public hearing at 7 p.m., and read the Ntice f Hearing as psted. Specifically the petitin is t redraw the bundary f the water district t except seventeen prperties that d nt receive public water supply. Jack Hughes said that in March 2006, the Cmmissiners were asked t change the rate structure. Cmmissiner Ken Jacques said the Cmmissiners did lk at the rate structure, but he pinted ut that has n bearing n tnight s hearing. Jack Hughes went n t say that the seventeen petitiners pay a ttal f $6600 per year in water district taxes, althugh they are nt hked up t the public water supply, and there is n intentin t hk them

7 Page 7 f 13 up. He said that in cnversatin with frmer Selectman Dug Lyn, the latter agreed that an inequity exists, that the prblem will nt g away n its wn, and it shuld be addressed either by letting thse seventeen ut f the precinct r by sme type f abatement. At this meeting, Jack Hughes als referred t an earlier cmment by Mark Kaplan that $6600 represents 1.3% f the precinct s revenue, and is nt s large that it cannt be slved. He als referred t cmments made at earlier meetings cmparing this tax n peple wh d nt receive public water supply t childless prperty wners paying the schl tax, and a similar cmment relative t fire prtectin, and he pinted ut hw the entire cmmunity benefits frm gd schls, and frm having fire prtectin. He said at stake tnight is the principle f availability. He said that if the water mains passed in frnt f their hmes, all seventeen f the petitiners wuld be delighted t hk up. As it is, they are being taxed fr a service they cannt have. He asked abut precedents, and said they have asked the Cmmissiners t lk at what ther Twns are ding. Steve Wlf prvided sme statistics cmpiled frm data prvided by the NH Department f Revenue. There are 104 village districts in the State. Of thse, 28 including New Lndn/Springfield are fr water nly. Twenty-three charge nly user fees, n taxes. Of thse which d charge bth user fees and taxes, 12 are multi-use districts (that is, include ne r all f the fllwing: fire, sewer, ambulance, lighting, impundment, recreatin, rads, rnamental trees, parks, electric). He bserved that in New Lndn, fire prtectin is cvered by the general taxatin. There are 150 hydrants in Twn and he bserved that the cst t the Twn was increased last year t $250; that is an increase frm $11,000 t $37,000 fr fire hydrant maintenance. He suggested that this is at least ging in the right directin. He said that the petitiners are prpsing three ptential slutins t their dilemma: That the district tax nly thse wh are hked up t the water. The water is a utility, and he suggested that the tax shuld nt be impsed n the nn-users. That the district perate n fees nly. That the district bundaries be adjusted t except the seventeen petitiners. He reminded the hearing that there are sme precedents fr changing the bundary, ging back t 1985 and thse pertained t Camp Sunapee Rad and Lake Sunapee Cuntry Club. Sue Clugh reminded everyne that tnight s hearing is nly regarding the petitin t change the bundaries. That was what was psted in the ntices, and they cannt engage in discussin f ther prpsals. Anita Wlf said the petitiners have been frustrated in their effrts t generate discussin and reslutin f this amng the precinct cmmissiners. Jack Hughes agreed that the water cmmissiners have an bligatin t respnd t the petitiners. The minutes f the water precinct meeting d nt reflect any discussin f this issue. He said that the petitiners have waited thirteen mnths fr a respnse, but feel that they have just been blwn ff. Ken Jacques said that the Cmmissiners did lk at the rate structure as well as at ther cmmunities. He reiterated that a discussin f rates has n bearing n tnight s hearing. Sue Clugh agreed that the Selectmen d nt have the authrity t change the water precinct tax structure. Tnight, the Selectmen have been asked t cnsider the petitin t change the bundary. Larry Ballin asked the petitiners if they culd prvide a map f hw the bundary will appear nce the prpsed change is put in r are they prpsing t strictly remve just the seventeen huses. Jack Wlf prvided a map f the current precinct, and Steve Wlf said he culd draw in the prpsed new bundary. The seventeen petitiners are lcated in three specific areas.

8 Page 8 f 13 Jack Hughes went n t say that it wuld cst hundreds f thusands f dllars fr thse seventeen residents t hk up t the water (they wuld be required t bring the water main t their prperties). He reiterated his cncern that it has been s difficult t get infrmatin, and t get peple willing t agree that this is a prblem that needs slving. Sue Clugh expressed cncern that there are thers within the water precinct wh als are nt hked up. Jack Hughes and Steve Wlf agreed, but pinted ut that sme f thse d have the water main ging right by the frnt f their prperty (thus it wuld be less expensive and easier fr them t hk up if they wished t). Ken Jacques said the Water Precinct Cmmissiners are ppsed t changing the bundary. He nted that nthing has changed since 2003 when this petitin was last presented t the tw bards f Selectmen and denied. He said there are 100 prperties within the precinct that are nt hked up t the water. Of thse, sme d have the main running by their prperty. Sme have chsen t dig wells. He disagreed with the descriptin f the water precinct as a utility. He said it is a nn-prfit water service cmpany. He went n t say that the current bundaries were established in 1945, and were based n prperty lines at that time. Thse included in the precinct at that time, elected t be s. In the 50 s, the mains were built t where hmes were at that time. Afterwards, individual subdivisin develpers had the ptin f bringing water int their subdivisins. He said the Water Precinct Cmmissiners d nt see the current structure as being inequitable, r that it is a big prblem. There are sme prperty wners wh pay very high taxes, and wh will never be hked up t the water. He said the Cmmissiners see this petitin by seventeen wners as cherry picking. He nted that all they have t d is bring the main t their prperties t be hked up. He bserved als that they have all had the pprtunity t d that. He cited Wdland trace as an example. Hwever, he pinted ut, it is nt the Water Precinct s bligatin t d that (pay t bring the main t these lcatins). He said the Cmmissiners cllect taxes t cver anticipated revenues. He reminded everyne that since , the Water Precinct has incurred sme large capital imprvements prjects including the Clby Pint well field, the 100 galln tank in the wds (Mrgan Hill?), and nw the prject at the Cllege. This year, they are lking at a $350,000 cst t imprve the mains n Newprt Rad as it is ging t be mre efficient t d that during the cnstructin wrk relevant t the rund-abut. All f that debt is carried by peple in the water precinct. If wners chse t tie in, that is an additinal benefit. They have the ptin t d that. He said there are 1200 prperties within the present water precinct bundary. Wuld changing the bundary be fr the general benefit f thse, r just fr the seventeen? If the seventeen petitiners are granted their petitin, it wuld set precedent, frce everyne else t pay higher taxes, and, as thers may als wish t get ut then, it wuld put the precinct in a state f flux. He referred t Twin Lake Villa as an example f a prperty that must pay the water precinct tax, but des nt have public water supply. Where 114 meets Little Sunapee Rad is the end f the water main. The wners did nt pay up frnt t have it extended further, and the water precinct is nt expected t d that, yet the wners are expected t pay their share f the debt reductin. In cnclusin, he said the water precinct tax is cllected t reduce the debt. The Cmmissiners feel the structure is equitable. Stanley Richards said that he feels that by charging thse wh are nt hked up, the Cmmissiners are asking sme t subsidize thers. Jess Taylr agreed that they are being charged fr a prduct they d nt get. Dn Vss als said that he lives n Mrgan Hill Rad and is paying a tax fr water they can t get.

9 Page 9 f 13 Ken Jacques cuntered by pinting ut that they are nt being charged fr water; but fr the precinct s debt reductin. Steve Wlf disagreed, saying that accrding t DRA, 65% f the perating budget is cvered by the tax. The tax is nt all ging fr debt reductin. Ken Jacques questined that figure 65%. Bb Andersn pinted ut that if the Selectmen apprve the petitin, it will then g n the warrant fr the water precinct s annual meeting. He suggested they d that, and let the vters decide. Peter Stanley pinted ut that sewer users as fr example, Jb Seamans residents, have extended the sewer line at their wn expense. Once the line was extended, residents had the pprtunity t tie in, but were nt required t d it. Regarding the water main, he suggested that eventually, there may be sme state r federal grant funds available t extend that. Regarding the prpsed bundary change, he said this is like a twn bundary, and that wners bught their prperties knwing what the tax bill is. Anita Wlf cuntered by spaying that in the first year f their wnership, the fact that they were paying water precinct taxes was nt spelled ut n the tax bill. Jack Hughes agreed that it was nt until 2004, that the line n the tax bill stating precinct was changed t water precinct. He suggested that the tax structure is similar t a welfare type system. He went n t say that when he asked abut getting hked up t the water, he was tld his cst wuld be $300,000, and he wuld have t get easements frm his neighbrs. He said if at sme pint, the main is extended t g in frnt f these prperties, then they wuld have the pprtunity t hk up, and then they shuld be charged the tax (whether they pt t hk up r nt). Pat Blanchard suggested that in the future, the Twn shuld be mre pr-active in cmmunicating with develpers. Alan Gepfert asked hw residents can generate a discussin abut the rate structure specifically. Hw can that be brught up? Jessie Levine said the Bard f Water Cmmissiners is a separate, elected, independent Bard. The water precinct rate structure is utside the purview f the Selectmen. Precinct bundary changes must cme befre the Selectmen f the tw Twns, because it was their vte which riginally established the precinct. Ken Jacques said that the Cmmissiners did lk at the rate structure. This was discussed at the annual meeting. Sue Clugh suggested that if residents want t discuss the methd f billing, they can make an appintment t be put n the agenda fr the Water Cmmissiners mnthly meetings. Alan Gepfert said, but the tax bills are ruted thrugh the Twn. Jessie Levine said that the Twn des the billing, nly because the precinct des nt have its wn billing ffice. Hearing n further cmments r questins, Mark Kaplan mved t clse the public hearing. Larry Ballin secnded. N further discussin. Mtin unanimusly apprved. As a qurum f Springfield Selectmen was nt present, the New Lndn Bard f Selectmen agreed t pstpne its wn deliberatins n this matter as well, until next Mnday, r until further instructins are btained n hw t prceed. 3. Mark Kaplan mved t accept the Minutes f April 23 as drafted. Larry Ballin secnded. N further discussin. Mtin unanimusly apprved. Sue Clugh reprted that she has had a cnversatin with Peg Birch regarding use f the side entry fr the Flwer Shw in June, and the latter understands the safety issue that is invlved there. 4. Update n Jint Meeting with Sunapee Sewer Cmmissin Sue Clugh and Mark Kaplan reprted that sme questin had been raised abut whether r nt the New Lndn Selectmen shuld attend that meeting. Jessie Levine said as it was the Cmmissiners f the tw twns wh signed the cntract, there

10 Page 10 f 13 has been a questin raised abut the validity f that cntract nw that versight f the sewer system in New Lndn has been returned t the New Lndn Selectmen and the New Lndn Bard f Sewer Cmmissiners has been disslved. New Lndn s Twn Cunsel has said that everything including the cntract and agreements can cntinue as usual, but it is a gd idea fr Sunapee t check with its wn attrney n this matter. Sue Clugh said that there have been several prpsals t red the cntract. Jessie Levine agreed that the cntract shuld be updated, but nt fr this particular reasn. This is a nnissue. Sue Clugh said everyne agrees that the cntract shuld be updated, but it has nt yet been reslved exactly wh will d it a special subcmmittee, the tw Bards (New Lndn Selectmen and Sunapee Sewer Cmmissiners), the lawyers, r a cmbinatin f thse. Jessie Levine reprted that at the meeting, they heard Sunapee Superintendent Dave Bailey s reprt n current peratin f the plant, recent events, and the n-ging need fr the inflw studies. She said that he cnfirmed that they want t g frward and wrk with New Lndn n rebuilding the system. She said that Superintendent Bailey and New Lndn Public Wrks Directr Richard Lee and their respective staffs are wrking well tgether, s the actual management f the system is functining. She said it is imprtant fr New Lndn t be kept in the lp regarding imprvements t the plant, as the Twn will pay apprximately 65% f the cst f thse. On the ther hand, they must recgnize that it is Sunapee s plant, and Sunapee fficials are the decisin makers. Sue Clugh reprted als that the Cmmissiners vted at that meeting t g frward with a phsphrus study. Als, she reminded Jessie that meetings that include any discussin f the sewer system r the Sunapee plant shuld be sent t the Sunapee Bard f Sewer Cmmissiners. Jessie Levine reprted receipt f the cntract frm Underwd Engineers fr the inflw study. She said the State has reviewed and apprved these terms. Specifically, the testers will cnduct smke testing within the entire system, and the testing will be divided int segments (ne segment f the system will be tested at a time). Engineers will als d sme dr t dr testing and sme dye testing. The ttal cst will be $60,000 and is part f the mitigatin with the Attrney General t reduce the fines relative t the Gerges Mills spill. She cnfirmed that that will be paid by sewer uses. Mark Kaplan mved t authrize Sue Clugh t sign the cntract with Underwd Engineers n behalf f the New Lndn Bard f Selectmen. Larry Ballin secnded. N further discussin. Mtin unanimusly apprved. Jessie Levine reprted that she is applying t the State fr sme reimbursement fr the csts f upgrading the Gerges Mills pump statin. Mark Kaplan mved t authrize Jessie Levine t sign that grant applicatin. Larry Ballin secnded. N further discussin. Mtin unanimusly apprved. 5. Planning Bard Update Larry Ballin reprted that the Planning Bard has apprved the final site plan fr the New Lndn Hspital imprvements, after full review f issues such as hw runff will be addressed, and the requirement fr silt fencing fr snw cnfinement areas. Als at Tuesday s meeting, the Planning Bard addressed a bundary line change fr the Mres, a request frm the Crzers fr a green huse n their prperty in the ARR zne (will require site plan review), and sme parking issues relevant t the frmer Jesseman, nw Dailey prperty n Little Sunapee Rad. He said the Master Plan wrk is nw frnt and center fr the Planning Bard. Sue Clugh asked him if they have set dates t begin. Nt yet.

11 Page 11 f 13 Jessie Levine reprted that New Lndn Hspital has asked if the sidewalks culd be extended t in frnt f their building n Cunty Rad while that wrk is being dne during the rund-abut prject. She has tld them that she will see if the grant will cver that. New Lndn Hspital wuld pay the 20% fr their share f the sidewalk. It wuld require remval f sme centuries ld pine trees there. 6. Hazardus Waste Day Jessie Levine said they have received nly ne respnse t their call fr bids. That is frm Clean Ventures Inc. The estimate includes a set up fee plus running fees depending n the amunt cllected, but she said based n previus experience the cst shuld nt exceed the $6000 the Twn has budgeted fr this purpse. They will receive $584 reimbursement frm a State grant. Mark Kaplan mved t accept this bid. Larry Ballin secnded. N further discussin. Mtin unanimusly apprved. 7. Special Persn Retirement Party Details were discussed. 8. Rund Abut Update Jessie Levine said she has received an frm Kimc indicating that they will grant the easement, s pending sme further discussin with the Faccnes, they are ready t put ut the call fr bids nw. 9. Vlunteer Appintment Prcess Sue Clugh said she feels that Selectmen shuld meet with bth the incumbent members wh are seeking reappintment as well as new persns interested in appintment. Mark Kaplan asked if the Bard Chairmen shuld be present. Referring t discussin at the April 23 Selectmen s meeting, it was agreed that these meetings will be pen t the public, but the decisin has t be the Selectmen s. Chairs will be encuraged t attend. Larry Ballin suggested sme changes t the list f questins, and suggested that the list be given t applicants a few minutes prir t the meeting. Sue Clugh referred t Karen Ebel s letter t the Selectmen. She asked if new vlunteers shuld be asked different questins than thse wh are seeking reappintment. Larry Ballin recmmended keeping the same matrix fr everyne. It was agreed that the Selectmen can appint alternates t the Planning Bard, and that alternates will functin t serve n subcmmittees, t serve in the psitin f regular member when that is necessary t make a qurum, will sit at the table with the regular Planning Bard members and can participate in discussins (but will nt vte except when they are filling in fr a regular member t make the qurum). Jessie Levine said that the pen psitins include tw regulars and ne alternate n the Cnservatin Cmmissin (all incumbents are seeking reappintment), tw regular and the pssibility f tw alternates n the Planning Bard (the incumbent members are seeking reappintment fr the tw current seats), tw regular and unlimited alternates fr the Zning Bard, fur psitins n the Recreatin Cmmissin (Chad Denning has recruited tw interested parties), tw psitins n the Firewards (incumbents are seeking reappintment), and Archives. She will schedule as many meetings as pssible n Mnday May 7, in mrning, afternn and evening sessins. 10. New Lndn Inn Jessie Levine reprted that Claytn Platt has cmpleted the survey fr this prperty. The acquired piece is apprximately ne-half acre, and the new Twn parcel will be 1.29 acres. She said that Bart Mayer has drafted the deed. Mark Kaplan asked fr the exact square ftage f what the Twn is acquiring. 11. Per RSA 91-A:3 II, the Selectmen entered nn-public sessin t discuss persnnel matters.

12 Page 12 f Bnd Bids: Selectmen reentered public sessin, at which time Jessie Levine reprted receipt f seven bnd bids. Selectmen nted that the lwest bid is guaranteed fr nly five years, and the Twn s bnds will extend fr ten years. After brief review and discussin, Larry Ballin mved t accept the lwest bid that wuld extend fr the full life f the bnds ten years. The Selectmen then signed the fllwing items: Building Permits: Rbert and Jill Carr, 29 Bulder Pint (Map 115, Lt 002), permit t repair and replace existing stne and masnry retaining wall with similar cnstructin materials Apprved (Permit ) James and Lynn Gilbert, 82 Old Cach Rad (Map 123, Lt 022), permit t add tw drmers t the frnt f the huse t enlarge bath and bedrm, ther wrk t included kitchen remdel and tw bath remdels with n structural changes Apprved (Permit ) Gerge and Phyllis Wlfrd, 100 Page Rad (Map 117, Lt 026), permit t add 10 7 x 10 7 screened prch Apprved (Permit ) Eric and Sue Schultz, 148 Old Main Street (Map 107, Lt 017), permit t add 11 7 x 6 3 shed Apprved (Permit ) Jennifer and Jnathan Paul, 149 Sunset Shres Rad (Map 091, Lts 007, 008, 014), ersin cntrl permit fr realignment f private radway Apprved (Permit ) Julius and Barbara Federici, 55 Queenswd Rad (Map 118, Lt ), permit t add 12 x 16 screen huses n tw alternate sites Apprved (Permit ) Sign Permit Applicatins: Temprary Sign Permit Applicatin fr Kearsarge Cmmunity Presbyterian Church fr tw sandwich bard signs indicating Yard Sale May 26, 2007 frm 8 AM 2 PM and Yard Sale Here which will be placed at the Infrmatin Bth and Kearsarge Cmmunity Presbyterian Church driveway Apprved Temprary Sign Permit Applicatin fr Jhn W. Jnes fundraiser fr the American Cancer Sciety t be placed at the Infrmatin Bth fr a 2 ½ x 1 sign indicating Rast Beef Diner at the Baptist Church, Nrth Suttn n May 12, 2007 frm 5:00 7:30 PM - Apprved Permanent Sign Permit Applicatin fr Distinctive Flral Designs, LLC, 255 Newprt Rad, fr tw 14 square ft signs attached directly t Clnial building indicating Distinctive Flral Designs ne sign t be placed ver large windw n Rute 11 and the secnd t be placed ver windws n the parking lt side - Apprved Other Items fr Signature: Disbursement & Payrll Vuchers fr the week f Apprved Three cpies f Inflw Evaluatin Prgram Reprt Phase Engineering Cntract by Underwd Engineers, Inc. - Apprved Inter-municipal Agreement fr Assessing Services between the Twns f Newbury, New Lndn, and Sunapee - Apprved Sewer Betterment - Jb Seamans Acres Prperty Tax 1 st Half Levy fr State f New Hampshire Apprved

13 Page 13 f 13 Sewer Betterment - Edmunds Rad Prperty Tax 1 st Half Levy fr State f New Hampshire Apprved There being n further business, the Bard f Selectmen adjurned the meeting at 9:15 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Sarah A. Denz Recrding Secretary