MEMBERS PRESENT: Galen Stearns, Margaret Crisler, Carolyn Webber and Roger Hohenberger. Christopher Doyle was absent due to illness. David Sullivan, Town Administrator, was also present. Meeting commenced at 7:00 pm.

NON-PUBLIC SESSION: Mrs. Crisler moved and Mr. Hohenberger seconded to go into Non-public Session in accordance with RSA 91-A:3, IIc. Roll Call Vote - all members - Yes. The Board and Mr. Sullivan were present. The subject was reputations. No decisions made.

SUZDAL VISITORS: Barbara Coish introduced four visitors from Suzdal, Russia, Windham's sister city. The two mothers and their daughters brought greetings from Suzdal and thanked their host families and the people of Windham for their enjoyable stay. They especially thanked Mrs. Coish for her efforts in raising funds through donations to purchase a van for the orphanages and senior citizens in Suzdal.

The Selectmen were given a copy of a Russian newspaper article showing the van with the Windham seal painted on the front hood, as well as other gifts for display in the Town offices. The visitors extended invitations to Windham residents to visit Suzdal.

Mr. Sullivan welcomed the visitors and thanked them for their gifts. He presented them with gifts from the Town and extended them an invitation to visit again. He also wished them a safe trip home.

ASSISTANT PLANNER: Al Turner, Planning Director, introduced the Town's new Assistant Planner, Eric Twarog, from Mashpee, MA. Mr. Twarog, who will assume his duties on August 14th, thanked the Board for the opportunity to work for the Town.

LIAISON REPORTS: Mr. Sullivan thanked everyone responsible for making the Senior Picnic a huge success and a joyful occasion, including numerous town employees and department heads, recreation committee members, and Selectmen, as well as those individuals who contributed donations of money, items, and time. Mr. Hohenberger also thanked Mr. Sullivan for his time and efforts. Rep. Mary Griffin extended a thank you to everyone also.

Mrs. Crisler gave notice of a golf tournament on August 28, at 12:30 pm, at the Windham Country Club to benefit the Town and School libraries. Brochures will be available at the Town Hall. She also said that the Woman's Club has a tile of the gazebo for sale.

Mr. Hohenberger reported that the recent I-93 Task Force meeting dealt with the railroad bed from the Massachusetts border to Manchester. He said the ridership will be the main issue at the next meeting.

Mrs. Crisler reported that the Planning Board has several interesting plans on their agenda, including the next phase of Castle Reach for 120 homes. She urged everyone to watch the Board meetings on cable TV.

Mr. Sullivan extended thanks to the three interns, Jeremy Lamson, Kara Hubbard and James Pocklington, for their assistance in the Administrator's office, Planning Department and Highway Department. He wished them well in all future endeavors.

POLICE CHIEF MOECKEL/DEFIBRILLATORS: Chief Moeckel informed the Board that a Windham resident, Lori Hughes-Hempsted, has offered to donate two defibrillators to the Police Department. He said they will be placed in the cruisers, and Dr. Sabato has agreed to train the officers in their use. Chief Moeckel asked the Board to support accepting this gift valued at $9,000. Mrs. Crisler moved and Ms. Webber seconded to accept the two defibrillators with thanks. Passed unanimously.

SEWAGE STUDY: Mr. Sullivan informed the Board that the Town of Salem had approached him to find out if the Town has any interest in funding the cost of increasing the proposed main sewage lines planned for Salem to accommodate Windham putting sewage around the town portion of Shadow Lake and Canobie Lake in the future.

He said the cost for the engineering to determine the cost of the pipe upgrades is $2,500. After explaining Salem's plans, Mr. Sullivan recommended that the Town invest the money now in order to determine what area could be serviced.

Following discussion on the pros and cons of the investment, including comments from department heads and the public, the Board agreed to send a letter to the Planning Board and Conservation Commission for their input on the issue, and a letter to the Salem Board of Selectmen asking them to meet with this Board.

HIGHWAY SAFETY ISSUES: Mr. Sullivan, representing the Highway Safety Committee comprised of himself and other department heads, presented seven highway safety issues for Board action.

1. Placement of Stop sign at intersection of Governor Dinsmore and Searles Road. He said the committee agreed with this request with the location of the sign on Searles Road. Mr. Turner indicated that improvements to the road in this area had been agreed to by a developer. Mrs. Crisler moved and Mr. Hohenberger seconded to support the recommendation of the committee. Passed unanimously.

2. Request for "Slow Children" sign on Camelot Road. Mr. Sullivan said the committee denied this request as it felt the sign was unenforceable. Ms. Webber moved and Mrs. Crisler seconded to support the decision of denial by the committee. The motion passed by a 3 to 1 majority, with Mr. Hohenberger opposed.

3. Placement of four-way Stop sign on Londonderry, Kendall Pond and Moore Roads. He said the committee denied the Stop signs as they felt there were already two signs (on Kendall Pond and Moore Roads) and two additional signs at the bottom of Londonderry Road at Kendall Pond Road would be a greater hazard in the winter. He said that the committee did agree that posting a 30-mph speed limit sign and placing an S-curve sign near 160-170 Londonderry Road were important.

The Board and residents of these roads discussed the safety issues in this area of town. Mrs. Crisler suggested that a blinking red and yellow light be considered. She also recommended that the Board continue this issue to the next meeting so that further study could be done. Ms. Webber moved and Mrs. Crisler seconded to put S-curve signs where deemed necessary and to reconsider the reasons at the next Board meeting. Passed unanimously.

4. Placement of "Slow Children" and speed limit signs on Glance Road. Mr. Sullivan said that the committee denied the "Slow Children" sign as they felt it was unenforceable. He said they did agree to recommend speed limit signs at the entrance to Glance Road. Mrs. Crisler moved and Mr. Hohenberger seconded to approve the speed limit signs. Passed unanimously.

5. Request for "Slow Children" sign and Speed Limit signs at top and bottom of Easy Street as it intersects with Blossom and Meetinghouse respectively. Mr. Sullivan said the committee denied the "Slow Children" sign as it felt it was unenforceable. He said the committee agreed with the speed limit signs, and felt a Stop sign was warranted at the intersection of Easy Street and Blossom Road (sign on Easy Street). Mr. Hohenberger moved and Ms. Webber seconded to erect a Stop sign at the intersection of Easy Street and Blossom Road, but not the speed limit signs. Passed unanimously.

6. Request to remove "No Thru Traffic" sign on Heritage Hill Road. Mr. Sullivan said the committee felt this issue was not in their jurisdiction as the Planning Board made this sign placement a condition of the Castle Hill subdivision. Mr. Turner pointed out that the sign was requested by the residents, and felt it should remain as the road still has construction activity. Ms. Webber moved to remove the sign after installation of construction warning signs by developer. Seconded by Mr. Hohenberger. Passed unanimously.

7. Request to eliminate cul-de-sac at end of Pilgrim Road. Mr. Sullivan said the committee referred this issue to the Selectmen, as it is not a Highway Safety issue. Mr. Turner explained that this was a temporary dirt cul-de-sac originally, and that one of the owners eliminated his side and the other owner paved his side, making the cul-de-sac a half-moon shape. The residents were complaining that the area was being used by other people and wanted it eliminated entirely.

Mrs. Crisler moved and Ms. Webber seconded to deny the request to eliminate the cul-de-sac and reclaim the dirt side and return it to a full cul-de-sac. Passed unanimously.

Chief Moeckel noted that discussions have been held to consider making a 30-mph speed limit throughout the town unless otherwise indicated. He said that he is investigating this practice in other towns prior to any final recommendations. The Board supported this proposal.

MINUTES: Mrs. Crisler moved and Ms. Webber seconded to approve the minutes of July 10th. Passed unanimously.

ROAD BONDS: Mrs. Crisler moved and Ms. Webber seconded to release $182,906 to H & B Homes for improvements to Carr Hill, Coventry and Grandview Roads. Passed unanimously.

Mrs. Crisler moved and Ms. Webber seconded to release $6,400 to Robert and Judith Yennaco for improvements to Nottingham Road. Passed unanimously. A public hearing will be scheduled to accept the road.

Mrs. Crisler moved and Ms. Webber seconded to release $5,500 to Serenity Homes for improvements to Bradford Road. Passed unanimously. A public hearing will be scheduled to accept the road.

Ms. Webber moved and Mrs. Crisler seconded to release $40,122 to Fred and Stella Ramey for improvements to Camelot and Aberdeen Roads. Passed by 3 to 1 vote, with Mr. Hohenberger opposed. A public hearing will be scheduled to accept these roads.

GRIFFIN PARK COMMITTEE: Rick Hancock, Griffin Park Committee Chairman, presented a brief history of Griffin Park and its project status to date. He explained the proposed work and costs for Phase 2 of the park. He said the committee is requesting the amount of $600,000 for Phase 2 to be included in the Capital Improvement Program for 2001.

Mr. Stearns, CIP liaison, said that requests from the Selectmen for CIP funds must be submitted by Mr. Sullivan and include all cost information. Mr. Turner informed the committee that requests for CIP funds are due this week to be considered. He said that committee will hear individual requests in September.

OLD BUSINESS: Mr. Sullivan asked the Board to finalize the Selectmen's CIP funding requests for 2001 as follows:

1. Land for salt shed - $150,000. Could be funded for one year or multi-years. Seller has agreed to $5,000 non-refundable deposit, with the purchase and sale agreement being conditioned on approval of both the CIP and Town Meeting. Mrs. Crisler moved and Ms. Webber seconded to request CIP funds for a salt shed. Passed by 3 to 1 vote, with Mr. Hohenberger opposed.

2. Town Hall vault - $70,000. Modular style (21 ft x 30 ft), made of steel in three sections, and portable which allows for relocation if necessary in future. If not totally funded in CIP, funds in Property Maintenance Trust could be used for remainder of funds needed. Ms. Webber opposed using Property Maintenance funds for vault. Mrs. Crisler moved and Mr. Hohenberger seconded to request $70,000 in CIP funds for Town Hall vault.

3. New Town Hall planning - should begin funding program at this time for new Town Hall to cover 10-year span. Mr. Hohenberger and Ms. Webber stated they were opposed to this funding. Mrs. Crisler moved and Ms. Webber seconded to change purpose to new Administrative Offices and consider for inclusion in CIP. Motion failed with 2 to 2 vote.

Mr. Hohenberger suggested that the Building Re-use Committee be asked to conduct an update on future use of the old Fire Station apparatus bay, Bartley Building, etc. for new offices.

Mr. Sullivan confirmed with the Board that the CIP requests for 2001 will be Salt Shed Land Purchase, Town Hall vault, and Griffin Park Phase 2.

Mr. Sullivan asked the Board to approve the sign for the Town Complex on Fellows Road. The Board selected the "green" sign, and Mr. Sullivan said he will check with the two companies who submitted proposals to determine costs.

NEW BUSINESS: Mrs. Crisler voiced her concerns about the safety of the intersection of North Lowell Road and Church Street. She felt that the left turns on Church Street should be eliminated and the power company asked to bury the lines at Town Hall. Mr. Hohenberger saw no problems with Church Street, but felt a right turn lane onto Route 111 should be constructed. Mr. Sullivan said he would discuss this issue with the Highway Safety Committee.

NON-PUBLIC SESSION: Mr. Hohenberger moved and Mrs. Crisler seconded to go into Non-public Session in accordance with RSA 91-A:3, IIc and e. Roll Call Vote - all members - Yes. The Board, Mr. Sullivan, and members of the Recreation Committee were present in the first session. The Board and Mr. Sullivan were present for the second. The subjects were reputations and legal. Mr. Sullivan will follow-up on both issues.

Ms. Webber moved and Mr. Hohenberger seconded to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 11 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Elaine Keefe
Secretary

NOTE: These minutes are prepared in draft form and have not been submitted to the Board for approval.