Northwood Town Facilities Committee
Minutes of June 3, 2009 Meeting
Community Hall – 7:00 p.m.

Call to Order:  At 7:00 p.m. Chairman Steve Bailey called the meeting to order.

Roll Call:  Alden Dill, Russ Eldridge, Norma Heroux, Charlie Comtois, Scott Vaughn, Marion Knox. Absent was Fred Bassett.

Approval of minutes of May 6, 2009 meeting:  Motion by Alden Dill to approve minutes as presented.  Unanimous vote of committee to approve.

Agenda Items:

Northwood Lake Beach:  Steve informed the committee that he and David Stack met with 4 contractors on site and explained the work included in the bid.  He stated that out of the 4 contractors who attended, 2 indicated they were not interested in doing the work right away.  Bids are due next week for the Selectmen’s June 9th meeting.

Steve then stated there is additional work that needs to be done on the right-hand side of the beach where bushes have grown up, etc.  He feels this work can be done at no cost by getting volunteer help.  He also indicated that the fencing in that location will remain, along with the tree, and it will become an area for a picnic table, etc.

Lucas Pond/Woodman Park:  Steve asked if his recollection was correct, that Jim Wilson was to talk with local contractors about how the approved plan should/could be worked, i.e. install one culvert, cross the area with a swale that will tie in with the ramp.  By flushing out the catch basis money will be saved – there is only $10,000 to work with.  As this project is waiting on Jim Wilson’s report, Alden  stated he would talk with him.

Bennett Bridge Beach:  Steve reported that at the Highway Advisory Committee meeting, the Bennett Bridge Road culvert project and beach work were discussed. The HAC combined the two projects.  At Town Meeting it was voted to only install the culvert and repair the road as FEMA would only pay for the road project.  Because the culvert project includes culverts and catch basins in the area of the beach, the HAC combined the projects for bidding, as Phase #1 and #2, using the $93,600 raised at Town Meeting, plus the FEMA money as the total amount available for the combined projects.

Alden Dill stated the plans approved by DES cannot be changed, we must go by them.  Discussion was held relative to how the beach was lost and what needs to be done to preserve the beach in the future.  FEMA agreed to pay for the causeway culvert(s).  Russ Eldridge asked that provisions be made for cleaning out the basins and culverts in the future.

Other Business:  In line with Russ’ comment about cleaning out basins and culverts in the future, Steve reported that he and David Stack, Town Administrator, have talked about placing funds in department budgets for building and grounds routine maintenance.  He indicated that several items have been added to the highway department with no funding available, and that there is some funding coming from FEMA for the ice storm cleanup.  However, there will be added maintenance required for the new athletic fields, the cleaning of catch basins and culverts, and other essential yearly maintenance work for many of the buildings, etc.  Some money can be added to department budgets, and some should be within the Facilities Committee’s budget.  Steve said that David Stack would work on this issue.

Motion made by Russ Eldridge that the Facilities Committee recommend to the Board of Selectmen that funding be place in next year’s budget for routine maintenance of buildings, grounds and highways, and that the committee be involved with setting up the way this funding is allocated.

Norma Heroux stated she has had a conversation with Jim Wilson about the American Bamboo plants that are at the rear of the Chesley Memorial Library building.  Steve stated he has spoken to Jim Wilson about this matter.  Jim has received a fluid that will be sprayed on the plants after they have been cut down.  Norma asked that she and other members of the Trustees be informed when this is to be done as they wish to be present.

Steve reported that four bid requests were sent out for the replacement well pump and wiring for the library and only one bid has been received.  Fred Holmes has bid $1400, and his bid will be presented to the Selectmen next Tuesday.  The Facilities Committee recommended that Fred Holmes’ bid be accepted.

Next meeting:  July 1st – Community Hall – 7:00 p.m.

Adjournment:  Russ Eldridge motioned to adjourn, seconded by Charlie Comtois at 7:50 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Marion J. Knox
Member/Secretary