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

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Mr. Hohenberger thanked the Recreation Committee for a very successful Christmas Tree Lighting. He also thanked Recreation for the great Senior Christmas Party held last week at Castleton.

Mr. Sullivan thanked Shirley Pivovar for her efforts in making the Senior Christmas Party such a success. He also congratulated Barbara Fedorchuk on her award recognizing all the work she does for the seniors.

Mr. Sullivan expressed the Town's congratulations to Senator Arthur Klemm on being elected President of the NH Senate.

LIAISON REPORTS: Mrs. Crisler reported that the Planning Board has published their proposed zoning changes and will hold a public hearing on them on December 20th. She further stated that the Planning Board will be discussing Castle Reach and Country Corners at their meeting on Wednesday.

Mr. Hohenberger reported that the I-93 Task Force meeting was attended by the Selectmen and Mr. Sullivan along with many concerned residents. He suggested that the Board send a letter to Jeff Brillhart, Project Manager, describing the Board's views.

Mr. Sullivan stated that the Board has been working with Town Counsel on a proposed zoning amendment to allow some construction work near the cemeteries. Presently the draft ordinance gives the Zoning Board authorization to grant variances. Mr. Sullivan stated he would send a letter to the Planning Board suggesting changes be made to require concurrence by the Cemetery Trustees.

RECREATIONAL TRAILS: Mr. Sullivan gave a brief update on the Town and State's work over the past year regarding the Town acquiring the Rockingham Recreational Trail which is now used for recreation. He noted that the Executive Council has approved this transfer with two conditions - that the Board of Selectmen have the right to allow one driveway easement (if they so vote) and that the State has a revisionary right to the trail. Now, the Board has to decide if they wish to put acceptance of this land on the warrant for Town Meeting.

Mr. Sullivan noted that the Planning Board approves of this and the Conservation Commission also approves but is opposed to the driveway easement.

The Board and Mr. Sullivan discussed this matter at length. Discussion included liability issues for the Town, maintenance, if the State would want the trails back for the proposed railroad, Conservation monitoring the area and if and when an easement might be granted. It was also noted that as the present drafted deed reads, no other easements would be allowed except for one driveway.

Cheri Howell explained the concerns of the Conservation Commission regarding granting a driveway easement. She noted that the Commission wants to keep the land in its entirety and feels an easement would not benefit all residents but simply one.

Mr. Case stated his agreement with the views of the Conservation Commission and he questioned the easement as Town regulations require road frontage to build. Mr. Bailey noted that the ROWs should be barricaded to insure that trash cannot be dumped.

Mr. Sullivan recommended that the article be placed on the warrant for discussion at the public hearing. Mrs. Crisler motioned to place the article on the warrant. Mr. Hohenberger seconded. Mr. Turner questioned if any other easements other than a driveway could be included. Mr. Sullivan stated that the State was only willing to allow the one described. After further discussion, Mrs. Crisler amended her motion to place the issue on the warrant and to authorize Mr. Sullivan to negotiate with the State to allow for other easements. Mr. Hohenberger seconded. Passed unanimously.

GROUNDSKEEPING BIDS: Mr. Sullivan stated that bid packages had been sent to 12 landscaping companies and an ad soliciting bids was run in the local newspaper. Only one bid was received from Brandon Landscaping (our current contractor). Mr. Sullivan noted that the bid was for $14,400 for town buildings and sportsfields, plus $400 per cutting for Griffin Park. Mr. Sullivan told the Board that the $14,400 could be awarded for a two year contract, which he recommended. Mr. Hohenberger motioned to award the bid to Brandon Landscaping for the bid price of $14, 400 for two years and $400 per cutting for Griffin Park for 2001. Mrs. Crisler seconded. Passed unanimously.

MINUTES: Mrs. Crisler motioned to accept the minutes of November 27th as presented. Mr. Hohenberger seconded. Passed unanimously.

CORRESPONDENCE: Letter received from the Windham Community Band thanking the Town for their support.

The following zoning petition was received. "The undersigned legal voters of the Town of Windham, New Hampshire request that the Zoning Map of the Town of Windham be amended by rezoning the portion of lot 8-C-300 presently in Limited Industrial Zone to Rural Zone. The requested zoning amendment is to make the entire piece one zone, Rural Zone.

Lot 8-C-300 is land locked but abuts lot 7-B-30, which is Rural on the Zoning Map and is part of a major land area that is also in the Rural Zone. Lot 8-C-300 has over ½ mile of frontage on the Rockingham Recreational Trail System and the property itself has certain topological features that are consistent with proposed Rural Zone. The existing natural features blend nicely with the uses allowed in a Rural Zone.

This petition is presented now because Sam and Jean Nassar have recently purchased lot 8-C-300 and lot 7-B-30 and would rather seek Rural use of the property contained in lot 8-C-300. "

The Board accepted this petition and forwarded it to the Planning Board for action.

PUBLIC HEARING: Mr. Sullivan read the following public notice. "The Board of Selectmen will hold a public hearing at 8:00 pm on December 11, 2000 at the Town Hall to consider the acceptance of the following roads as public roads:

1. Cochran Farm - from station 0+00 to station 9+00
2. Newfound Road - entire length"

Mr. Sullivan noted that there is a correction on number 1, Cochran Farm is from station 0+00 to station 8+50.

Mr. Hohenberger motioned to accept Cochran Farm Road from station 0+00 to station 8+50 and Newfound Road in its entirety. Mrs. Crisler seconded. Passed unanimously.

OLD BUSINESS: Mrs. Crisler asked Mr. Sullivan to confirm the following dates:

Mr. Sullivan discussed the proposed sign for the new town complex. He is working with Hammar & Sons to finalize the design and materials. He asked if the proposed sign should go before the Planning Board. Mr. Turner noted that the Town is exempt from Planning Board approval if they so desire. The Board agreed to have this item go before the Planning Board.

Mr. Hohenberger noted that both he and Mrs. Crisler had attended a seminar at the NH Municipal Association's Annual Conference last month dealing with bicycle paths. He reported that they were told to contact the engineer as flexibility in the design has been done in other towns.

NEW BUSINESS: Wayne Bailey, Interim Road Agent, told the Board that he has been approached by the Cobbetts Pond Improvement Association regarding their concern about the debris in Golden Brook. Linda Stanford has offered to clean out the debris. Mr. Sullivan stated that it would be necessary for Ms Sanford to sign a liability waiver. Mrs. Crisler motioned to allow Linda Sanford and others to clean Golden Brook under Town supervision and with a signed waiver. Mr. Hohenberger seconded. Passed unanimously.

BUDGET WORKSHOP: The Board and Mr. Sullivan held a workshop on the proposed budget. Mr. Doyle was present for the workshop.

Mrs. Crisler motioned to adjourn. Mr. Hohenberger seconded. Meeting adjourned at approximately 9:00 pm

Respectfully submitted,

Kathleen M. Davis
Administrative Assistant

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