DATE:  May 18, 2009
TIME:  6:30 pm
PLACE: Town Office
PRESENT: Selectmen Daniel Donovan, III, William Condra and Richard Rockwood and Recording Secretary Peggy Arn

Chairman Donovan called the regular meeting to order and then called a public hearing on the updating of the ordinance for flood insurance rate maps.  Chairman Donovan presented the following resolution to incorporate the flood insurance study and flood insurance rate maps into the Town’s Zoning Ordinance:

 “Pursuant to RSA 674:57, by resolution of the Town of Wilton, NH Board of Selectmen, all lands designated as special flood hazard areas by the Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in its “Flood Insurance Study for the County of Hillsborough, NH”, effective date of September 25, 2009, are
Declared to be part of the Wilton, NH 2009 Zoning Ordinance section 10.0, Floodplain Conservation District. “

With no public comments, Selectman Donovan made a motion:

Motion:  Chairman Donovan made a motion to approve the resolution to incorporate the flood insurance study and flood insurance rate maps into the Town’s Zoning Ordinance.  Selectman Rockwood seconded the motion.  Motion passed unanimously.

Dawn Tuomala attended the meeting and informed the Board that the street lighting conversion agreement had been completed by PSNH.  The project came in at $44, 718, including financing.  The original estimate had been over $77,373, which was a saving to the town of over $32,600.  Chairman Donovan signed the customer purchase agreement and thanked Dawn for an excellent job.  The Board expressed their appreciation for all the work that Dawn had done on this project for the town’s benefit.

Dawn presented the Board a letter she had written in response to the Wilton/Lyndeborough/Milford town line monument question raised by Milford.  The Board reviewed Ms. Tuomala’s explanation of her background in the placement of the monument.  After reviewing the facts as presented by Dawn, the Board agreed that they are satisfied with the placement of the boundary and a letter will be sent to Ms. Carson stating their position.

The Board received a letter of resignation from Bob Spear as a member of the Zoning Board.  They will entertain nominations from the Zoning Board to fill the vacancy.

The Board received a letter from the New Hampshire division of Historical Resources informing them that the Wilton Town Hall has been entered in the National Register of Historic Places.

At 7:00 pm Chairman Donovan called a public hearing to order to hear comments and open a dialog on the Bennington Battle Trail.  Persons attending the hearing were members of the Conservation Commission, Heritage Commission, and landowners in the area of the trail and concerned residents.  Chairman Donovan stated that the hearing had been called as a result of persons using the trail and concerns of landowners next to the trail.  Also, because the Board wants to see if the Commissions were interested in opening the trail up to be a more passable footpath.  The discussion started with Mr. Holmes stating that his property was right next to the trail and he was very concerned that the town had plans to improve the road and the trail for public use.  He explained his concern with persons walking on his land and people parking and partying on his land.

Selectman Rockwood explained that the town had no plans to do anything except improve the footpath to make it more available to the public for walking.  Discussion ensued as to the condition of the trail and how people do use it for hiking and biking.  It was stated that it is, however, a problem with parking for persons who want to use the trail.   The end of the trail on Duggin Road does not have any parking so it becomes a problem at both ends of the trail.

Discussion continued as to where signs to the Bennington Battle Trail should be placed and as to how it is marked presently.  It was noted that there needs to be a sign that also makes it clear that it not a through road and that there is no parking to hikers.  Many points of view were discussed as presented by both Conservation and Heritage members and other interested persons.  Other solutions suggested were that a gate be placed at the entrance of the trail so those vehicles could not use it.

No decisions were made but Chairman Donovan stated that the Board would consider the issue at the next meeting and that the meetings are open to the public.  The Commissions stated that they would be interested in working on the trail and putting up signs.

The public hearing was adjourned at 8:35.

Chairman Donovan called the regular session to order at 8:36.

Road Agent Steve Elliott was asked by Chairman Donovan to give his opinion of what order of priority he would list the bridges to be replaced or repaired.  He stated that he thinks the King Brook Road Bridge over King Brook would be first, then Frye Mill Road over Burton Pond Outlet and then Old Country Farm Road over Blood Brook.  He placed his judgement on the condition of the bridge, area homes or business and volume of traffic.  There is money in the Bridges Capital Reserve Account to cover the town’s portion under the State Department of Transportation Bridge Aid program to do two bridges over a two-year period.  The town will make application for these two bridges to the Department of Transportation.

Chairman Donovan asked Steve if the Old County Farm Bridge over Blood Brook would support a fire truck.   Steve said it would not because the bridge has a weight limit of 3 tons and can only support passenger cars only.  It is also a one lane bridge.  After a discussion of an alternative route to get a fire truck to the 101 side of Old County Farm Road it was agreed that it would be necessary to grade a portion of the road which is a Class VI road.  Under RSA 231-59-a., Emergency Lands, the town can do minimal maintenance to a Class VI road.  Under the RSA requirements, the Board will hold a public hearing to hear comments for this work to make the road passable for emergency vehicles.

Selectman Rockwood asked Steve to look at the cover over the town line monument on the playing field at Carnival Hill because it is broken.  Steve will replace it with a metal cover and a few inches of topsoil.

Mr. Rockwood then questioned Steve about a request from a resident that he takes care of a tree on private property.  Steve replied that he had not because it was not the town’s policy to do so.  He then asked Steve if he had used town equipment to plow a private driveway and Steve replied that he had not.

Mr. Elliott was also instructed to put up a 25 Mile Per Hour sign on Marden Road.  The speed limit of 25 is part of the ordinances but the sign had not been put up.

Chairman Donovan asked Ms. Arn to ask Rebecca Balke of Comprehensive Environmental to attend the Recycling Center meeting Thursday to discuss solid waste disposal alternatives for the recycling center.

Selectman Rockwood stated that he had gotten a call from a concerned resident concerning a structure that was too close to a stream.  The Building Inspector will be asked to inspect the structure and it’s placement.

The Board reviewed and signed:

1) J & D Auto Permit
2) Two abatement requests
3) 2 Yield Tax bills and Warrant
4) Representation Letter for the 2007 audit
5) Bills and payroll for the weekending May 23, 2009

The Board discussed and agreed that they would meet with Milford and Mont Vernon Selectmen to re-sign the MACC Base contract was not dated at the original signing.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 on a motion, with all in favor.

Respectfully submitted;

Peggy Arn, Recording Secretary