Date:  November 6, 2006
Time:  7:00 pm
Place:  Town Office
Present: Selectmen Daniel Donovan, III, Jerry Greene and Richard Rockwood and Recording Secretary Peggy Arn

1) Maurice Guay informed the Board that he would like to close the Recycling Center Wednesday afternoon before Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving Day and the day after Thanksgiving.  The Board agreed that this would be acceptable and he will post the schedule.

2) Gilbert Hargrove and Heather Nichols attended the meeting representing a Committee that is studying the building needs and options for the Florence Rideout Elementary School.  They approached the Board with questions that they thought would need to be answered if building were to take place.  Mr. Hargrove posed several questions concerning the use of the playground land adjacent to the school, such as if the school could actually buy the land, could it be used to house temporary class rooms, etc.  Then questions were raised about the roads that go around the school being one way.  Discussion ensued concerning the actual building that could take place on the existing building and site.  When asked by the Board why they were considering a larger school, Ms. Nichols stated that even though there is not a projection for a large increase in students, there is a space problem.  By standards, the classes have an excess number of students and if there were more rooms, the classes could be made smaller.  There is also a need for a nurses office, a larger cafeteria and other office space.

Selectman Greene asked if they had projection numbers for students and specific needs documented.  When told that they did not, he stated that if they were to have the Town’s approval they would have to have real numbers and specific needs documented.  They projected that they would present the final plans in 2007 with construction in 2008 and completion in 2010.

After further discussion of the needs study, it was agreed that they would present a list of questions that the Board of Selectmen could answer.  No decisions were made at this time.

3) Mr. John Herrera presented the Board with a concern.  His daughter and other children have to cross Burns Hill Road to the sidewalk from Barry Court.  The problem is that there is no sight distance.  The children crossing the road cannot see on-coming traffic and actually have to run across the street hoping that there is no traffic.  Mr. Herrera presented the Board with several pictures of the area and suggestions for possible solutions.  He asked if the town would put up 25 mile speed signs,  additional “Children Crossing” signs and a convex mirror on the tree across the road from Barry Court.  He stated that he is also going to meet with the School Board to discuss the issue also.  Chief Hautanen stated that he had monitored the traffic in that spot and that there were 175 cars recorded traveling Burns Hill Road in one hour.  The Board discussed the problem and stated that the safety of the children is certainly a priority.  They agreed that the speed limit signs should be put up and the Road Agent will be asked to do so as soon as possible.  The Board also agreed to have a convex mirror put up and a cross walk put across the road.  A public hearing may have to be held to approve a cross walk.

4) Chief Hautanen stated that as a representative from the Main Street Steering Committee, he was relaying a concern about the no parking signs that were put up in front of C & S Pizza and Beanies.  Mr. Greene stated that the Board of Selectmen did not give permission to put up the signs but did not stop them from being put up.  The issue of restrictive parking on Main Street was discussed.  It was agreed that during the day, there is no real problem with available parking.  It is during the hours the theater is open, is when there is limited parking.  Brent suggested the Board review the parking and that maybe a Parking Ordinance be proposed that would address this problem.  There was no decision made at this time.

5) Brent also stated that Carl Anderson’s tenants living over the Color Shop are presently parking on Lot 48.  If Lot 48 is made into a park, is there any town parking lot that could be designated for overnight parking for his tenants.  The Board felt that this could be a possibility and that perhaps the town could even lease a couple of parking spaces.  The issue will be further addressed when the Main Street Sidewalk project is underway.

6) Chairman Donovan informed the Board of Jane Farrell’s request for parking designation for voters.  The Board approved the plans.

7) Chairman Greene made a motion at 8:05 to adjourn the regular board meeting and convene to a Non-Public session per RSA 91:A:3,II©.

8) The regular meeting was called to order at 8:50.

9) Conservation Committee members Lynne Draper and Spencer Brookes attended meeting.  They informed the Board that they had been approached a person who wants to donate land to the town.  The Town would be required to not use the land for any development and it would remain in its natural state.  To insure that it be kept for this purpose only,  any change to the land would have to be approved at a town meeting.

Selectman Greene made a motion to accept a parcel of land as a donation to the town from a resident with the understanding that the land will not be developed.  If any change to the land was proposed, it would have to be voted on by the town at a town meeting.

Selectman Rockwood seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

10) Chairman Donovan opened the bids requested for the purchase of fuel oil, diesel fuel and propane.

The bids were: Irving Oil Corp. Heating Oil  $2.2440 per gallon
 
   CW Fuels              Diesel Fuel  $2.6990

   Draper Energy Co. Diesel Fuel  $1.9915
                                  Heating Fuel  $1.9680

   Note:  Irving and Draper bid figures are not fixed but are subject to change based on daily market fluctuation.  Because the bids did not reflect a fixed rate, no bid was awarded at this time.  The companies will be contacted to get a fixed rate.

11)The Board was asked if they would approve the addition of a phone line for the Welfare Office.  The Board stated that they would be in favor but would like to know what the cost of installation and the added line would cost.

12) The payroll and bills for the week ending November 4, 2006 were reviewed and approved.

13) The correspondence and informational material was reviewed.

The meeting was adjourned on a motion at 9:50 pm.

Respectfully submitted;

Peggy Arn, Recording Secretary