TOWN OF EATON, NEW HAMPSHIRE 03832

EVANS MEMORIAL BUILDING

BOARD OF SELECTMEN

February 3, 2009

The regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen took place on Tuesday, February 3^rd, 2009 at the Evans Memorial Building. Present were Rick Young and Aaron Blake. The meeting was called to order at 7 p.m.

The Selectmen reviewed checks and signed the accounts payable manifest for $10,164.29 for 9 items.

Kenneth McKenzie met with the Selectmen and challenged the Selectmen on their authority for putting the proposed Burri property on the warrant for the Town meeting. He referred to RSA 41:14A which gives the Selectmen the authority to buy or sell property according to a procedure that is laid out in the statute and involves review by the Planning Board and the Conservation Commission followed by two public hearings. The process can also be initiated by a petition of 50 voters. Rick Young said the issue had been raised a few years ago but the Selectmen had never pushed for the adoption of RSA 41:14A preferring that the Town Meeting decide such matters. It was also noted that the statute was a relatively new law. Kenneth McKenzie questioned whether the Selectmen had any authority outside RSA 41A on land issues and whether the Burri article should be on the warrant at all. Rick Young said the Selectmen would get a legal opinion.

Susan Brooks signed checks.

Ken Dean met with Selectmen and discussed roads, road specs and property access.

Hoyle, Tanner and Associates had indicated that A. J. Coleman and Son had been the winning bidder on the Potter Rd bridge at $545,000. This is approximately $200,000 less than the engineering estimate. This would lower considerably the amount the Town has to raise and appropriate as its share of the cost.

The Selectmen approved the use of the Town Hall on Thursday for a reception to commemorate the life of David Gray.

Elwyn Thurston came in to discuss the budget. He was amenable to level funding the Highway Department. Much will depend on how the winter develops. He discussed work that needs to be done on Foss Mt, Glines Hill, Bean Rd and Greeley Rd to facilitate turning around. After further discussion, it was agreed to increase the line item in the operating budget by $5,000 rather than put in a special article.

PSNH is hosting its biennial luncheons for state representatives and local officials at various locations around the State.

The Department of Transportation has issued a permit for the Triathlon on May 31^st sponsored by Purity Springs.

All the petitions are in for the Annual Meeting.

Applications for the New Hampshire Arborists Beautification Awards Program are due March 1^st.

The annual edition of the "Town Meeting and School Meeting Handbook" has been received from the Local Government Center.

The Legislative Bulletin #5 dealt with the economic stimulus package, new rates for current use assessments and the BroadBand Action Plan.

Suzanne Raiche and Jeanne Hartman were in attendance.

The meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

David V. Maudsley

A Public Hearing was held on Thursday, February 5^th, 2009 at the Evans Memorial Building. The purpose of the Public Hearing was to discuss the budget and the proposed purchase of the Burri property. Present were Rick Young and Aaron Blake. The meeting was called to order at 7 p.m. About 15 residents were present. Copies of the warrant, the detailed budget and the statement of payments were distributed.

Rick Young said that Don Philbrick was unable to attend since he was in hospital fighting an infection in his foot. Rick Young explained the process. He said he will review the detailed operating budget and Aaron Blake would review the warrant articles including the one for the Burri property

Rick Young went down the operating budget line by line indicating the amount appropriated last year, the expenditures for the year and the proposed amount for 2009. He noted several line items increased just to keep up with increased costs. The over expenditures on the Highway Department resulted mainly from winter coverage. Rick Young said the Conway recreation appropriation increased every year but the Town was not able to get an accounting of how many people in the Town benefited from the programs. The overall budget is own a little from last year.

Aaron Blake read the warrant articles. Most of the discussion focused on Article 5 to purchase the Burri property. The article currently reads as follows and had been worded in accordance with the DRA requirements.

"To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Selectmen to enter into a contract to purchase the Burri property (U1-002-000) on Crystal Lake for the sum of $400,000 and furthermore to raise and appropriate $200,000 for the initial payment with $100,000 to come from the unreserved fund balance and $100,000 to come from general taxation. Future payments will be in terms of 10 semi annual payments of $20,000 plus 4% interest, this amount will be added to the operating budget in future years. (2/3rds ballot vote required)."

The Selectmen noted there had been three meetings organized by Don Bacich and Ralph Wilkewitz to discuss this issue and gather more information. Part of the agreement would be to provide a septic easement for the Eaton Village Store. So far, no costs had been incurred by the Town There were several questions requesting on whether any alternatives were available for a septic for the store, what would be the conditions of a septic agreement and what monetary contribution the Eaton Village Preservation Society (who own the Eaton Village Store) will be making to the Town for the easement. There were also questions about what will happen to the cottages and whether there would be parking for the Eaton Village Store. Rick Young said it was up to the Eaton Village Preservation Society to provide the details. Kevin Flynn, President of the Eaton Village Preservation Society, said the Society was looking into all these issues and they would host another public meeting prior to Town Meeting.

The issue of RSA 41:14A was brought up. This statute authorizes the Selectmen to buy or sell property using a procedure independent of Town Meeting. Rick Young noted the Selectmen have not proposed adopting it because they felt such matters were best handled by Town meeting. Kenneth McKenzie and Gail Blake recommended that the Town adopt RSA 41:14A.

Aaron Blake proceeded to read each warrant article. These included appropriations for the Capital Reserve and Trust Funds.

The next item generating discussion was the appropriation for the Potter Rd bridge. Rick Young explained that the construction had been authorized by the Department of Transportation and they would be reimbursing the Town for 80% of the cost. Funds for the Town’s contribution had been accumulating in the Capital Reserve Fund for Bridges for several years. Rick Young said the bid had just been awarded to A. J. Coleman and Son for a significant amount less than the engineers estimate reflecting the grim economic times for the construction industry.

All the petitions for the social service agencies were in on time. Aaron Blake read through all the articles and the amount being requested. . There was no discussion.

The meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

David V. Maudsley

The regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen took place on Tuesday, February 10^th, 2009 at the Evans Memorial Building. Present were Rick Young and Aaron Blake. The meeting was called to order at 7 p.m.

Teresa Kennett, Program Director for the Carroll County Transit Project, met with the Selectmen and updated them on the proposal for public transportation improvements in the area. At present, the average commute time to work is 26 minutes. Teresa Kennett noted the large number of persons over 65 in Carroll County (11,000) and that this was projected to rise to 33,000 by 2030. The focus of the new program will be on getting people where they need to go. At the present time, there are demand services for the elderly, and the disabled but it is an uncoordinated response and not appealing to federal agencies. A combination of services is anticipated including a flex route(e.g. 1/4 mile either side of Rte 16 and Rte 25; demand and response services and volunteer services. The Selectmen were asked to consider an appointment from the Town to the Board in keeping with the need for local involvement in the planning process. The towns are not being asked to provide funds at this time. That request is going to Carroll County. Other funds will be sought including federal grants and matching funds sources.

The minutes for the meeting of February 3^rd were accepted as distributed.

Rick Young said the Conservation Commission had met the previous evening. They have received just over $24,000 from the timber sale to date. The second timber sale is scheduled to start shortly. The Conservation Commission is also putting together their contribution to the Master Plan. The membership of the Commission and getting new members had also been discussed.

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Don Philbrick will be out of commission for an unknown period of time fighting an infection.

Rick Young said he had spoken with Paul Hennigan about an issue over the vote need to carry an amendment to the Burri property article which requires a 2/3 ballot vote. An amendment on the floor will require only a majority voice vote.

The Selectmen reviewed the budget hearing held last week. They felt it was now up to the Eaton Village Preservation Society to make the case for purchasing the property.

Signature item was a letter to Sherwood Gray and a copy to Maureen Gray, noting that his property does not have a septic system installed and that the property should not be used until this situation has been corrected.

Rick Young said he had not received any encouragement from Marnie Cobbs about Elwyn Thurston’s wish to push up Foss Mt.

Jason Lodge had sent in details of the bids for the Potter Rd bridge. It had also been sent to the Department of Transportation for approval.

Legislative Bulletin #6 dealt with binding arbitration, the State retirement system and damage apportionment.

Effective immediately, all calls from Eaton for American Red Cross assistance will be routed through Concord.

The Department of Transportation has approved the Potter Rd bridge award to A. J. Coleman for $544,436.20.

Correspondence was received from Kevin Gagne, an engineer with Fay, Spofford and Thorndike. He is assisting the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department withe design of a public car top boat launch facility on Purity Lake. There will be provision for 8 vehicles. The Town was being notified as part of the process for filing a Dredge and Fill Permit application and a Shoreland permit application with the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services.

Suzanne Raiche and Jeanne Hartman were in attendance.

The meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

David V. Maudsley

The regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen took place on Tuesday, February 17^th, 2009 at the Evans Memorial Building. Present were Rick Young and Aaron Blake. The meeting was called to order at 7 p.m.

The Selectmen reviewed checks and signed the accounts payable manifest for $ 9,775.81 for 15 items. The Selectmen also signed the payroll manifest.

Kenneth McKenzie met with the Selectmen to discuss the warrant article to purchase the Burri property. He said the article does not contain any mention of an easement for a septic system for the Eaton Village Store, although the purchase and sale agreement does. The issue has been raised before and the Department of Revenue Administration has been asked for input on whether it should be included with the article or offered as an amendment on the floor.

The minutes for the meeting of February 10^th were accepted as amended.

Rick Young said he will be a write in candidate for the Selectmen’s position.

Don Philbrick has been proofreading the Town report.

Legislative Bulletin #7 discussed Governor Lynch’s proposal to eliminate shared revenue and the room and meals tax payments to municipalities. The Bulletin listed how much revenue each municipality would lose if this came to pass. For Eaton, it would be $21,712.

Signature item was a letter to Peggy Westcott in response to her request for information on property tax exemptions available in the Town.

The Selectmen reviewed the current version of the warrant.

The Public Officials Schedule Bond was received from the NHMA,

Carol Mayhofer signed checks.

PSNH has issued a report on their experience of the ice storm of 2008.

The Department of Environmental Services has issued a Complete Forestry Notification for David Lovequist.

Suzanne Raiche and Jeanne Hartman were in attendance.

The meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

David V. Maudsley

The regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen took place on Tuesday, February 24^th, 2009 at the Evans Memorial Building. Present were Rick Young and Aaron Blake. The meeting was called to order at 7 p.m.

Cindy Goslee inquired about permit requirements and related issues.

The minutes for the meeting of February 17^th were accepted as distributed.

Rick Young said there he had received an inquiry from Stewart Heath on the increase in taxes on his property on Stewart Rd. Review of the assessment card indicated the assessors had noticed the establishment of a driveway and the land being cleared fora homesite.

Rick Young said he had spoken with Paul Hennigan about arrangements for the Town Meeting. The warrant article for the purchase of the Burri property will be the first item on the agenda and the voting by ballot has to be open for one hour. The warrant will be sent to Paul Hennigan.

The Town Report is at the printers and was proofread today.

The New Hampshire Resource and Development Area Councils are offering their assistance for fire protection in rural areas. They charge a nominal fee for dry hydrant design and related offerings.

The Office of Energy and Planning Spring Conference is on May 2^nd in Manchester.

The Litter Free New Hampshire organization provided information on the annual litter pickup and the availability of blue bags for trash pick up.

The Legislative Bulletin #8 discussed the Governor’s desire to level fund municipalities by using stimulus funds to offset his intent to keep the revenue sharing and rooms and meals tax in Concord. The House Committee has voted to increase the gas tax. The Senate has also voted to allow towns to hold special meetings without court approval if they wish to raise funds for economic stimulus projects.

The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services has sent information on their beach program including notices to be posted.

Suzanne Raiche and Jeanne Hartman were in attendance.

The meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

David V. Maudsley