Minutes of the Westmoreland Selectmen's Meeting
Thursday, October 19, 2017
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Jack Zeller, Clayton Stalker, Russ Austin
1. The meeting was called to order at 6:00PM by Chairman Zeller.
2. Approval of Minutes: October 5, 2017 A motion was made by Clayton Stalker, second by Jack Zeller to accept the minutes as printed. Motion passed 2-0. Russ Austin was not present at the October 5th meeting.
3. Guests/Public Business:
A. Pam Clark, Old Moore Road: Mrs. Clark is a member of the Monadnock Progressive Alliance and was present to discuss the possibility of installing solar panels on town buildings. She also informed the Selectmen of a piece of land on Route 12 that was for sale at a discount that could have a solar array put on it. Jack Zeller stated that he has done a lot of research on solar and feels that it is a complicated issue. Clayton Stalker added that the Planning Board had discussed solar arrays and does not have an interest in encouraging large solar farms on its open farmland because it would not be in keeping with the town’s Master Plan. Russ Austin stated that he had looked into solar at his home and slate roofs are hard and expensive to put solar panels on. Mrs. Clark stated that she was being enlightened by the conversation and then made the statement that many people in town are not happy with how the town is being run in that the Selectmen are not progressive and are not resolving issues. When asked, she could not give any examples of what she meant by her statement. The Board of Selectmen wants to encourage people to come to them with any issues that they have.
B. Chief Harry Nelson: Due to the possibility of PFA’s (poly & perfluoroalkyl substances) in drinking water from the use of Class B foam, the NH Dept of Environmental Services is recommending that fire department wells be tested. Chief Nelson reported that his department has not used Class B foam for many years and a new well was drilled in 2003, which was after any Class B foam would have been used. Selectmen decided that testing was not necessary.
4. Accounts Payable: A motion was made by Russ Austin, second by Clayton Stalker to approve a manifest of $3,520.63 for the Highway Department and $16,389.55 for all other bills for a total of $19,910.18. Motion passed 3-0.
5. Old Business:
A. June 19 flood repairs are done. Funding for the repairs of $33, 011.56 came from the excess State Highway Block Grant money in 2017.
B. The road crew repaired damage done to a trench/drain at the end of the driveway at 470 Poocham Road. The damage occurred when a highway truck used the driveway to turn around. Jack Zeller stated that the town should not be fixing private driveways.
6. New Business:
Signature Approval was given for the following:
Payroll Manifests: October 10, 2017
General Journal Entries – 620, 621, 622
September 30 Balance Sheet
Third Quarter Budget vs. Actual Report
A. The broken lock in the Town Hall front door will be replaced.
B. Southwest Region Planning Commission will do a Culvert Inventory and/or a Road Surface Management Plan at no cost to the town. Selectmen feel that neither is needed at this time.
C. The 2017 tax rate should be set by the DRA in the coming week.
D. The Selectmen reported that they have heard positive comments about the work being done on the roads by the new road crew with Dave Poklemba as Road Agent.
7. Correspondence: All correspondence is available for review in the Selectmen’s office.
None
8. The meeting was adjourned at 7:16PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Jo Ann LaBarre
Town Administrator
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
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Jack Zeller, Chairman
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Clayton R. Stalker
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Russ Austin
October 19, 2017 Page 2 of 2