Langdon Selectboard
Unapproved Meeting Minutes
July 12, 2010
Present: Jay Grant, Ron Batchelder, Betty Whipple, Jennifer Doyle
Minutes Review: The minutes from the board’s June 28th meeting were accepted as written.
Old Business: The town is waiting for the latest cable bills to be issued by Comcast to see if the franchise authority information thereon has been changed.
-- The board met with Lisa Young and Karen Coons of Fall Mountain Physical Therapy to continue discussions regarding the replacement of carpeting in her rented office space. Ms. Young said that, like the town, she had consulted an attorney regarding the usability of the office space. She noted that the carpet in question was pre-existing in the space and that at this point she has concerns that are health and safety related due to the mold problem.
Ms. Young also told the board that she had also spoken to several contractors, all of whom were of the opinion that the floor is part of the building foundation. She added that she had also learned, after being approached by another individual, that the town office facility had been built in a wetlands-type area, which could account for some of the moisture issue.
The town’s tenant reiterated that she and her patients like the space, and said that she agrees with the board in trying to find a solution for the space that is fair to all involved parties. Ms. Young said that she is willing to try and work out some kind of deal with the town over replacing the carpeting in the space. She noted that at present she does not have a current lease, and would be interested in having a five-year, long-term lease drawn up that would also include provisions for rent increases. Ms. Young told the board that at present she pays $1,011 to rent her space, but would be willing to increase that figure to $1,040 per month. She added that, at a minimum, she thinks that the town should bear the cost of replacing the carpeting in the immediate entry area of her practice.
Ms. Young said that she had spoken to a couple of carpet installers and that concerns were raised regarding the high water table in this area. It was noted that Monadnock Flooring & Tile is scheduled to come look at the space later in the week. The company has been apprised of the problem. The board explained that they have also investigated using tile in the space that matches flooring elsewhere in the building, but in a non-slip type of surface.
Selectman Grant commented that it would likely be to the benefit of Ms. Young’s patients to install non-skid tile. He went on to say that, until the town is in possession of further estimates and numbers, the board will have to delay taking any action on making changes in the space.
Ms. Young said that she understood this, and added that her practice will next be closed the week of Labor Day, and that would be an optimum time to get any work done in the space. She added that if it became necessary she would also be willing to work her schedule to facilitate workers coming in if extra time is needed, and noted that the only thing she’ll need help with will be clearing the furniture out of the space.
In discussing the mold, Ms. Young said that she had spoken to someone who used tea tree oil on mold in a basement. She said that the application of the oil eliminated the problem. It was agreed that when Monadnock Flooring comes to measure the space inquiries will be made about using tea tree oil in the space.
Selectman Grant said that the board will investigate long-term leases, for which the town’s attorney will have to be consulted. It was also agreed that there will have to be a discussion regarding a cap on the percentage that rent for the space could increase over a given time.
-- Griffin Construction and Brendan Honey have both been contacted again regarding providing estimates for replacing the screws and sealing the roof on the ell of the municipal building.
-- The board voted unanimously, per the Soldiers and Sailors Relief Act, to abate interest on Richard Brigg’s main residence to six percent. They asked that Mr. Briggs, who is currently on active military duty in Afghanistan, be emailed regarding their decision and that said email include an explanation to him as to why all of the properties he owns will not receive the same abated interest.
-- The town received a note from Ringscape saying that mowing at the covered bridges cannot continue until the poison ivy has been dealt with. It was noted that Doug Ring and several of his employees had to visit the hospital due to exposure to the poison ivy during mowing. There was a brief discussion about whether or not the town can spray the poison ivy itself, or if someone will have to be hired to do so. All parties agreed that it is likely an issue of licensing. The board asked that both True Green and MJS be called to get information about eliminating the plants from the bridge sites. Selectman Grant stated that there is also a great deal of poison ivy growing along the front of the municipal property, and it was agreed that that area should also be sprayed.
-- The board will meet with Richard Dwyer of the Local Government Center’s risk management division on July 19th. Mr. Dwyer will discuss the cost implications of increasing the insurance value on the town hall. The board asked that the members of the Heritage Commission be invited to attend the discussion. Selectman Grant said that he would call commission chair Dennis McClary.
-- Connecticut River Bank has been contacted again regarding the financing paperwork for the new highway truck. It was noted that the bank and the town’s attorney have been in contact regarding the same, as the town recently received a bill from its attorney regarding the same.
Cemetery Trustees: Trustee Doug Beach asked if the town has received reimbursement from Chuck Dupler for the repairs that were made to the cemetery wall on Holden Hill. The trustees confirmed that Mr. Dupler was sent a bill. To date the town has not received any payment from him. Selectman Grant said that he would recuse himself from the discussion on the matter. Mr. Beach said that he thinks that the best course of action to follow should Mr. Dupler continue to leave the bill unpaid will be to turn the matter over to the town’s insurance company. He asked how long the matter should be allowed to drag out and said that at this point the town needs to be reimbursed for the expense that was already paid. Selectman Whipple said that she would contact Mr. Dupler to discuss the issue.
In other business, the trustees still need a formal deed for the newest part of the cemetery on Holden Hill. It was suggested that the trustees, Selectboard, surveyor Bill Lawrence and Bruce and Ginger Cheeney all meet to discuss the matter. Said deed will need to incorporate information previously discussed with the Cheeneys, including rights-of-way, trees and other issues. All parties agreed that this paperwork needs to be finished before any further land donations are made to the town. The board and trustees hoped to meet with the Cheeneys and Mr. Lawrence on either July19th or August 2nd.
The matter of the second parcel was briefly discussed. It was noted that there will likely be no need for the matter to go through the planning board since it will involve a simple lot line adjustment.
Compactor: Selectman Whipple said she had spoken to David Crosby regarding Langdon’s compactor. He told her that he thinks leaving it at its present site is the best course of action, as it will eliminate additional expense for installation elsewhere. Mr. Crosby told her that cardboard from the Alstead facility can more easily be brought over to be crushed. Selectman Grant expressed concern about whether electricity costs for Langdon have been factored in, particularly since the town is paying higher facility fees to Alstead this year. The board agreed that the matter should be discussed by all concerned parties and said they would plan to meet with the Alstead Selectboard.
Radios: Selectman Whipple reported that she was also told by David Crosby that a new radio tower is to be installed in Alstead, which will significantly improve the range of radios. He suggested that it might be a good idea to put a mobile radio in Road Agent Todd Porter’s truck so that he will be able to better communicate with Alstead. The board agreed that this would be a good idea, particularly from a safety viewpoint. It was further thought that the new tower could also help to solve some of the communications issues currently faced by the local police departments. Improved communications would be a tremendous safety boon for all town departments. Selectman Whipple said that this is another good topic to broach with the Alstead board. It was noted that Mutual Aid will be using the towers, too.
Safe: The Heritage Commission has asked that the safe currently located at the town hall be moved prior to the start of the construction work. There was a brief discussion as to where the safe should be. Because it does not contain historic documents, it was agreed that the best place for it is the file room across the hall from the town office. It was noted that at the moment there is no place to put the safe because of all the other debris currently littering the room. The board said that they might need to hold a work day to get the space cleared out not only for the placement of the safe, but also for the installation of the new file cabinets that were approved at town meeting. The board asked that Griffin Dussault be contacted about moving the safe, since he previously moved the police department’s gun safe with no problem.
Cool Room: Selectman Batchelder said that he had been approached about the possibility of the voting room being used on hot days as a sort of cool shelter for people in need. It was thought that the Community Club, if interested, could serve drinks on hot days. After some additional discussion, it was agreed that Bob Cunniff, in his capacity as the town’s emergency management director, should be involved in something like this.
It was noted that during the recent hot weather there were no calls for assistance due to heat-related problems. It was thought by the Selectboard that there should be some guidelines and procedures in place for the room to be used in such a way. A question was also raised about the best way to notify people that the facility is open should the town pursue such action. It was suggested that radio stations often make public safety announcements, and that the Web site could also be used.
The board agreed to discuss the issue with other departments at the September 13th safety committee meeting.
Town Officers: Selectman Grant asked that, going forward, all positions that are available within the town be advertised. The discussion then turned to the recent appointment of the new deputy tax collector. Selectman Batchelder said that, per the conflict of interest committee, should any kind of issue arise, the simplest thing to do would be to have Selectman Whipple recuse herself. He added that the committee is drafting a policy which they hope to have ready in September, which is when they will hold their next meeting.
Office Locks: The door between the conference room and the office was recently discovered unlocked again. All parties agreed that it has gotten too cumbersome to track keys that have been issued, particularly since it appears that unauthorized copies have been made and then not returned. It was suggested that, rather than key locks, the town install combination or electronic locks where codes could be changed when personnel changes.
It was also noted that the town still needs to set up a box with copies of master keys. However, it was agreed that most of the lock boxes available are too flimsy and easy to break into. Instead, the town will get a locked box for keys that will then be stored in a locking file drawer.
Fuel Oil: It was noted that there is a fee to join the Fuel Club, and that said fee varies based on the number of tanks needing filled. The board asked that the school district be approached again about joining their fuel buying program. Selectman Whipple said that Acworth is buying their fuel through the school district. It was also noted that recently Fleming Oil has had very low prices; the town will investigate this option as well.
Unemployment Benefits: The state has dismissed the case and closed the file on the unemployment benefits appeal filed by Roger L. Pelton. If Mr. Pelton chooses to pursue the matter, he will have to petition directly to the director of New Hampshire Employment Security for a new hearing so that his case can be reconsidered.
The town has received additional information from NH Employment Security that states that Randall Wood has met their criteria for additional benefits. The board asked that the information be sent to the town’s attorney for review.
Grader: The town’s grader, which had been acting up, needs a new head gasket. The town will contract with Clark’s Heavy Equipment to get the repair work, estimated at $3,500, done. It was noted that this price is approximtely $2,000 less than what was quoted by Caterpillar. Aside from the imminent repairs, Road Agent Todd Porter has reported that the grader is in good working condition and should not need much more, if any, work done on it.
The meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jennifer Doyle
Recorder