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

ANNOUNCEMENTS: None.

LIAISON REPORTS: Mr. Hohenberger reported that the Planning Board heard the plan for the expansion of Cyr Lumber. A public hearing on this will be scheduled in March.

CORRESPONDENCE: Mr. Hohenberger motioned to approve the final release of the road bond in the amount of $13,500.00 for Crestwood Road as a new bond has been received from the new contractor. Ms Webber seconded. Passed unanimously.

Ms Webber motioned to approve the final release of the road bond in the amount of $37,200.00 for Barker Road for maintenance. Mr. Doyle seconded. Passed unanimously.

Ms Webber motioned to approve the partial release of the road bond in the amount of $53,068.00 for Governor Dinsmore Road. Mr. Doyle seconded. Passed unanimously.

Ms Webber motioned to approve the partial release of the road bond in the amount of $290,838.00 for Jenny’s Hill Road. Mr. Hohenberger seconded. Passed unanimously.

Mr. Doyle motioned to approve the partial release of the road bond in the amount of $86,099.00 for Netherwood Road. Ms Webber seconded. Passed unanimously.

Mr. Hohenberger motioned to approve the partial release of the road bond in the amount of $691,617.00 for Searles and Mockingbird Hill Roads. Ms Webber seconded. Passed unanimously.

Mr. Hohenberger motioned to approve the partial release of the road bond in the amount of $238,693.20 for Morrison Road to Hancock Road. Ms Webber seconded. Passed unanimously.

MINUTES: Mr. Doyle motioned to accept the minutes of February 12, 2001 as presented. Ms Webber seconded. Passed unanimously.

BID AWARD: Two used police cruisers, 1993 and 1995 Chevrolets, were put out for bid. Six bids were received for the 1993 Chevrolet ranging from $550.00 to $2,373.00. Ms Webber motioned to award the bid for the 1993 Chevrolet to Dick Forde for $2,373.00. Mr. Doyle seconded. Passed unanimously.

Four bids were received for the 1995 Chevrolet ranging from $1,300.00 to $2,283.00. Mr. Hohenberger motioned to award the bid for the 1995 Chevrolet to Bill Murphy for $2,283.00. Mr. Doyle seconded. Passed unanimously.

PUBLIC HEARING: Mr. Sullivan read the following public hearing notice: "The Board of Selectmen will hold a public hearing at 7:15 pm on February 26, 2001 at the Town Hall to consider the acceptance of the following road as a public road: (1) Nottingham Road - from station 0+00 to 18+00 station".

Mr. Hohenberger asked Mr. Turner to explain why a sunken double catch basin was allowed on the road. Mr. Turner explained that he was not Director at the time but from the file they ascertained that the developer had put the catch basin in the wrong location and was allowed by the former Code Enforcement Officer to correct the problem by installing a double grate. Mr. Doyle motioned to accept Nottingham Road as a public road. Ms Webber seconded. Passed unanimously.

HIGHWAY AGENT: Wayne Bailey, Highway Agent, asked the Board to define his scope of authority for removal of trees which he feels are a safety concern abutting town roads. He and the Board discussed trees on Lamson and Searles Roads. Ms Webber stated that she would like to see the tree on Lamson Road but if it’s dead it should come down.

Mr. Stearns suggested that the road agent be allowed to remove trees deemed a danger up to six inches in diameter without the Board’s review. Mr. Doyle motioned to allow the Road Agent to remove the tree on Lamson Road after 2 days to permit the Selectmen to view it and to allow the road agent to remove trees up to 6' in diameter which are deemed dangerous. Ms Webber seconded. Passed unanimously.

Mr. Bailey said the last small storm cost approximately $8,000 and that they had to borrow two tons of salt from the State.

WETLANDS PERMIT: Jim Gove of Gove Environmental Services Inc. is working with the Town to obtain a Minimum Impact Expedited Review Permit for Griffin Park for the farm pond. As part of the State’s review process for the permit, the State ascertained that the Town had filled in a 15,000 square foot seasonal wetland as part of the field development. This matter came as a result of reviewing a sketch drawn by the Town’s contracted forester as part of Forest Management activities a few years ago.

Base on the State’s review, the Wetlands Bureau would not issue a permit to dredge the pond. Mr. Sullivan, Mr. Gove, Mr. Turner and Mr. Nickerson subsequently met with Richard Head from the Wetlands Bureau. Two suggestions were derived at this meeting - (1) dig up the field to see if the wetlands exist or (2) accept the State’s finding and apply for an after the fact permit to fill the area, compensating for this fill by granting a conservation easement on a 20 to 1 ratio to the area disturbed.

Mr. Gove recommended that the Board pursue option number two - grant a Conservation Easement on Griffin Park to the Conservation Commission of 8.3 acres. This land would remain forested and could be used for passive recreation. He noted that plans for Griffin Park always included areas for passive recreation and conservation. Granting this easement would be the most expeditious and less costly solution. Mr. Gove answered questions from the Board.

Mr. Hohenberger motioned to go forward with the Conservation Easement of 8.3 acres and to authorize Mr. Sullivan to work with Mr. Gove on filing the application to the Conservation Commission and then to the State. Ms Webber seconded. Passed unanimously.

OLD BUSINESS LAND SWAP: Mr. Sullivan and Mr. Turner updated the Board on the proposed land swap between the Town and Everett Ryan. He stated that Town Counsel is working on the deed based on the Selectmen’s approval. They further requested that the Board sign the mylar indicating the intended land swap in order for Mr. Ryan to apply to the Planning Board for the necessary approval to subdivide his land and consummate the transfer. Ms Webber motioned to approve the Chairman sign the mylar to continue with the swap. Mr. Doyle seconded. Passed unanimously.

NEW BUSINESS: Castle Hill Bridge - Mr. Sullivan told the Board that a letter was received from the Town of Pelham which stated that Pelham is considering closing the bridge over Beaver Brook on Castle Hill Road at the Windham line. They further stated that the bridge is in need of major repairs and asked Windham if they have any comments pertaining to the impact of the bridge’s closure.

Mr. Sullivan stated that the safety departments were against closing this bridge as response time would increase. The residents in Windham would have to travel an extra .8 miles to Mammoth Road. He further stated that Pelham usage is less and it is not a priority to them. There is no estimate at this time as to repair costs. Mr. Doyle motioned to have Mr. Sullivan send a letter to Pelham expressing our objections to this closure. Ms Webber seconded. Passed unanimously.

Highway Department Ms Webber asked the Board to discuss their perception of the Town’s Highway Department and Highway Agent.

Mr. Stearns stated that he sees the Town presently with the highway agent, assistant highway agent and a couple of laborers in the summer. Also, possibly buying a 3-5 ton truck for summer work and plowing. He also stated that if in the future we have a salt shed, a loader would be needed. Contractors would still be used for most of the plowing and reconstruction work.

Mr. Hohenberger stated that although there are presently no plans to have a full highway department he is concerned as these things seem to gradually grow over the years.

Mr. Bailey stated that he feels three persons are needed presently for safety reasons and vacation coverage. He also stated that he thought the situation would be driven by the market - if the Town can contract work out and if it is less expensive to do so, there would be no need to buy additional equipment.

Ms Webber stated that she feels Windham is having the same problems as other towns and the State - all had problems finding people to plow.

Mr. Sullivan stated that the Board would be meeting with Mr. Bailey in a workshop session after town meeting and this matter could be discussed in detail at that time.

Mr. Doyle stated that he felt that contracting would cost more than the Town eventually owning the equipment.

Mr. Hohenberger noted that the current warrant article being presented to the upcoming town meeting is advisory only and questioned what real affect it would have seeing that no cost estimates were made part of the article.

NON-PUBLIC SESSIONS: Mr. Hohenberger motioned and Ms Webber seconded to go into non-public session in accordance with RSA 91-A:3, IIa. Roll Call Vote - all members - yes. The subjects were personnel and the Board and Mr. Sullivan were in attendance.

The Board signed a department head evaluation.

The Board reappointed Bruce Flanders as Health Officer.

Ms Webber motioned to adjourn. Mr. Doyle seconded. Meeting adjourned at approximately 9:00 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Kathleen Davis
Administrative Assistant

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