The Town of Northwood, New Hampshire - Highway Advisory Committee Minutes

Roll Call: Alden Dill, Steve Bailey, Robert Bailey, Fred Bassett, Joe Holmes, John Lane, Marion Knox. Jean Lane recording.
Absent were: Road Agent Jim Wilson and Paul Belliveau

Approval of Minutes: Marion indicated there was one slight correction that John Lane found on page 2 – the addition of the letters “ed” to the word “show” making it “showed” Alden Dill motioned to accept the minutes with that correction, the motion was seconded by John Lane. Minutes were placed on file.

Report of Road Agent: Marion stated that Jim reported that he was requesting bids from five contractors with the hope that at least three bids will be received which will cover him because the Selectmen want to broaden the number of bidders. The question was asked what are the bids for – Bennett Bridge? Marion said Jim did not say what project the bids are for, but the committee felt they must be for Woodman Park.

Alden informed the committee that last night the Selectmen discussed proceeding with the bid process for Bennett Bridge Road/causeway and beach, and have received estimates from Underwood Engineering for two proposals, one to do everything under the sun, preparing specs, receiving bids, conducting the walk-through and supervising the work for $16,000. (2) preparing specs, receiving bids, conducting the walk-through only - $10,000. The Selectmen have asked Underwood to prepare the specs and have them out in July, and David is going to work out the rest of the work with Underwood which is not to exceed the total cost of $16,000. Alden would like to have the bids received in August so the work can be scheduled for Fall.

Marion asked where this money is coming from. Alden stated from the voted appropriation, and committee members did not agree with that decision. Alden stated the Selectmen feel that because there are federal and state agencies involved with this project that it is advisable to have the engineering firm involved also. He stated they will look at the budget for the funding, and as a worst case scenario they will have a special meeting for the funding. Steve Bailey asked who would be included in the list of bidders and Alden stated there would be outsiders included with town contractors. Steve’s feeling is the bids should be only to town contractors – who pay taxes in town, and make their living here and have an interest in the town.

General discussion was held regarding other road work to be accomplished and what money is included in the budget.. It was stated that only Old Turnpike Road paving is scheduled, and that Wolcott’s bid of last fall was accepted for this work. The question of whether money was encumbered for this work in 2008 was asked. Bob Bailey stated that bid was settled last Fall and will be done this summer. It is a done deal. Marion will check to see what money was encumbered in 2008. The planned preparation work for Blake’s Hill Road was included in the 2009 budget.

Alden spoke of the extra work done on Old Turnpike Road. Ditching was scheduled but the use of a jack hammer to break up rocks was not included in the original purchase order, so the Selectmen found it was an after-the-fact request for approval in the amount of $6500. Bob Bailey told the complete story. An abutter gave permission for the rocks to be placed on his property, so they jack hammered all the other rocks except those rocks. Then the man decided he did not want the rocks there, so now Jim ended up with more rocks he had to jack hammer. Alden stated that Jim said if he didn’t have it done that week the jack hammer was going onto another job and would not be available. Alden understood why Jim did it without approval. Steve Bailey stated the Road Agent is a town official elected by the people and he has the authority to schedule road work, he has charge of making sure that all the work is done He routinely gets prices before hand using the hourly rate for all work and submits proper paperwork. He has discretion on who does what work, not the Selectmen, even though the Selectmen hold the purse strings. More general discussion was held regarding what needs to be done when the scope of the planned work changes while work is in progress.

Other Business:
Marion circulated a letter received from Strafford Regional Planning Commission relative to the parameters established by NH DOT for the 2011-2020 Ten-Year Plan, which included where Northwood stands versus all the other towns involved. This information will be kept on file.

Marion showed the committee the various reports she has in her possession that pertain to Gulf Road. There was general discussion about the history of this road, and Marion stated she would be providing Paul Belliveau with most of this information, as he is interested in determining where and how another exit can be constructed and at what cost.

New Business:
Bennett Bridge Road extension: Alden asked what the final cost of opening the class 6 section of this road was, and the reply was the bid price of $58,000, plus the cost of two culverts. Marion will get the final figure for next month’s meeting.

Old Mountain Road: Fred Bassett asked about using and doing repair work (culvert needed) on the Winding Hill Road end of this class 6 road. The snowmobile club uses this road and would like to make necessary repairs. Alden stated that only snowmobiles can use a class 6 road, no legally registered vehicles are allowed. He referenced Bernie Waugh’s book “A Hard Road to Travel”. General discussion was held regarding class 6 roads and how other towns place signage on them. Bob Bailey stated some work was done recently when logging was done on the Peterson property that has been sold. Alden stated that permission to do any work must come from the Selectmen.

General information: Question was asked about removing the graffiti from town signs, and the amount of solution that was purchased for this work. Also discussed was the Boy Scouts use of the discontinued section of Gulf Road, and Alden informed the committee that David Stack has written to the Boy Scouts informing them that Gulf Road is still a town road and they must remove the signs placed at the Blake’s Hill Road of the road.

West Street Entrance: Joe Holmes asked that the committee members join him in viewing the culvert work done by the State at the entrance to West Street. It appears to be improperly installed and the State should redo it. At 7:40 all members except Marion walked to the site and viewed the work, and returned to the meeting at 7:50 p.m. Joe Holmes motioned that a letter be sent from this committee to the Selectmen informing them of the problem with the installation of the culvert, and requesting that they inform NH Division Six of this matter. It is felt that a catch basis should be installed on the uphill side of the culvert. The work done infringes on a vehicle’s ability to turn into or out of West Street, as the turn cannot be made without ending in the ditch. It is felt that this is a public safety issue. Motion was seconded by John Lane and other members.

Next Meeting – July 29, 2009 7:00 p.m. - Community Hall

Adjournment: Motion by Alden Dill, seconded by Fred Bassett to adjourn at 7:55 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Marion J. Knox
Member/Secretary

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