Date:  February 21, 2005
Time:  7:00 pm
Place:  Town Office
Present: Selectmen Jerry Greene, Chair, Robert MacFarland and Daniel Donovan, III
  And Recording Secretary Peggy Arn
1) At 7:00 pm Chairman Greene called the Public Hearing to order.  The purpose of the hearing was to discuss and hear the views of the citizens of Wilton pertaining to the proposed issuance of a bond in the amount of one million five hundred thousand dollars for the purchase of other property and to authorize the Selectmen to issue, negotiate, sell and deliver said bonds.  The hearing was attended by Cary Hughes, Stuart Draper, Mark Whitehill, Conservation Commission members Lynn Draper, Spencer Brookes and Leslie Tallarico, Selectmen Jerry Greene, Robert MacFarland and Daniel Donovan, III and Recording Secretary Peggy Arn.  Mr. Greene stated that the proposed bond issue was recommended by the Board of Selectmen and the Budget Committee.
Chairman Greene asked if anyone had comments.  Mr. Draper stated that he was very much in favor of the proposed bond because it would initially cost the town but that in three years, the town would see a savings.  Mr. Hughes and Mr. Whitehill both stated that they were in favor of the proposed bond issue.  Ms. Draper stated that a paper ballet would be necessary at town meeting on this Warrant Article.  Selectman Greene, after receiving no further comments, made a motion to adjourn the hearing at 7:07pm.  Mr. Hughes seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.
At 7:08 pm Chairman Greene called the regular Selectmen’s meeting to order.
2) Road Agent Steve Elliott attended the meeting to discuss a plan of action for the bridge on Burton Highway over Burton Pond Outlet.  The Board had received a letter from Robert Barry of the DOT Bureau of Municipal Highways that during a recent bridge inspection, a critical bridge deficiency was noted. Their recommendation was to post the bridge as “Closed” and barricaded.  He informed the Board that he had talked to Mr. Barry and discussed procedures and options for correcting the bridge deficiencies.  He informed Mr. Barry that he inspected the bridge and while under the bridge, when traffic did cross the bridge, he could not detect any movement.  After his inspection and discussion with Chairman Greene, he reported that it is his judgement that there is no imminent danger of crossing the bridge.  He noted in his report that the estimate to replace the bridge is $375,000, with the State reimbursement of 80%, but this money might not be available until 2010.  Mr. Barry is in agreement with Steve’s proposed repairs that would remedy the deficiencies by installing new components or upgrading existing steel plating and decking and or new girders and decking.  Steve presented the Board with a partial list of repairs and a time table to do the repairs.  Discussion ensued as to the cost such repairs and the amount of money the town already has in a non-lapsing appropriation fund until the Russell Hill Road Bridge and the Burton Highway Bridge projects are completed.  The Board agreed that the repairs as presented by Steve would be the course of action to take at this time.  A letter will be written to Mr. Barry informing him of the plan to repair the bridge.  Steve recommended that an Engineering Firm be retained to over see the project.
3) Bill Condra attended the meeting to discuss his response to a letter of complaint concerning a local business.  He informed the Board that he could find not find any violation of Wilton Zoning regulations.  After a discussion, the Selectmen agreed to accept his findings.
4) Maurice Guay attended the meeting to inform the Board of a notice from DES concerning a public hearing on incinerator closure grants.  The Board will review the information.
5) Stuart Draper attended the meeting to inform the Board of his progress on closing the books.  He has balanced the accounts and will start the reports Wednesday.  He also asked the Board if they wanted to approve closing out with a General Entry some uncollectable receivables.  The Board agreed that he do this.  Discussion ensued as to the town reports being published and what remains to be submitted before this could happen.
6) Lynn Draper, Spencer Brookes and Leslie Tallerico of the Conservation Commission attended the meeting.  They informed the Board that they were going to revise a snowmobile easement deed and they wanted the Board’s approval to have the Town Attorney look at the deed.  Selectman MacFarland made a motion approving the request of the Conservation Commission for the Town Attorney to review the deed.  Selectman Donovan seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.
7) Spencer informed the Board of the preliminary work they are doing for the Frog Pond purchase should it be approved at Town Meeting.
8) Charles McGettigan attended the meeting to discuss the cemetery mapping that Jim Nelson is doing for the town.  He expressed his concern about the cost and the progress of the project.  The Board suggested that he also discuss the issue with Mr. Nelson.
9) The Board reviewed a letter from Glenn Little of Wilton requesting relief from property taxes due to their house being uninhabitable for 6 to 7 weeks.  He also requested that charges at the Recycling Center be waived for material from the demolition of his house.  After a discussion of the letter and requests, the Board agreed that they could not refund taxes assessed due to their situation but would waive the recycling costs.  They will also have the Town Assessor visit the property and see if there would be an adjustment in the present assessment because of the uninhabitable portion of the house.  A letter will be sent to the Little family stating the Board’s decision.
10) The Board reviewed a report from Paul Buffum of the Ambulance Gift Fund that they had requested.  After a discussion of Mr. Buffum’s request on behalf of the WLT Ambulance for the interest on the F. Wheeler’s bequest to the town, it was agreed that it was too late for a Warrant Article to be included this year but that they would do it for next year and that this year’s interest would be included in next years Warrant Article.
11) Chairman Greene signed a letter from the Board to Mr. Parker stating that they had denied his request for a tax refund from 2003 per RSA Chapter 76:16.
12) One Intent to Excavate was reviewed and signed.
13) Chairman Greene signed an application for a Homeland Grant Reimbursement Authorization for the Fire and Police Departments.
14) The bills and payroll for the week ending 02/19/05 were reviewed and approved.
15) The correspondence and informational material was reviewed.

The meeting was adjourned on a motion at 9:48 pm.

Respectfully submitted;
Peggy Arn, Recording Secretary