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

Roll Call: Present were Joe Holmes, John Lane, Marion Knox, Fred Bassett, Jim Wilson, Steve Bailey and Bob Bailey. Alden Dill arrived at 7:20 p.m. Absent was Paul Belliveau. Jean Lane recorded the meeting.

Approval of minutes of October 28th meeting: John Lane moved to accept the minutes as presented, and Steve Bailey seconded the motion. Committee voted to accept as presented.

Road Agent’s Report:

Blake’s Hill Road: Jim reported he has started ditching and cleaning out the edges of the road. Bob Bailey asked how much money there is for this road. Jim indicated about $45,000 is left after $10,000 of the $55,000 was allocated to plowing. Jim stated that John Schlang has a friend who is a tree guy, has a bucket truck and chipper, charges $60.00 per hour. The town crew can haul the chips away. This man is coming this weekend to see what the job entails. He works a 10-hour day. Jim indicated he has a few trees around town that require this type of equipment, and he will have those taken care of also.

Bennett Bridge Road Project: Jim reported problems have happened on this project. The contractor dug the gravel out down to the base of the road, and put in new gravel. He forgot to put the fabric layer down that was called for on the plan. The engineer from Underwood reviewed the plan and found the fabric is called for. He told the contractor to take up the new gravel and put the fabric down. Jim said the engineer is only on site between 7:00 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. Also DES was called by someone about the fact that silt fencing was not installed along the water’s edge, and that cut trees were in the water. An inspection by DES has been done and DES has fined the contractor for these errors. Also a permit must be obtained before any more trees are cut.

Old Turnpike Road: B-Line Fencing is coming to replace guard rails and they also will look at the area where barriers are located to see if guard rails can be used. Joe Holmes asked about the shoulder work, has it been completed. Jim stated Docko has done some, but there is more to be done. This was not part of the Wolcott contract. Jim will contact Busby who has done shoulder work for the town in the past. Steve Bailey stated there is money to complete the job so it should be done.

Brush Cutting: Jim wondered if this still should be done this year, and the reply to him was have it done as soon as possible. Now is the time you can see what is on the edge of the banking as the leaves are off the brush. Jim will contact Chatter Brook and have him start next week.

Bennett Bridge Road Project: With the arrival of Alden Dill, this project was discussed further. Jim repeated what he told before, and added that paving of the road is scheduled for next week – Wolcott is the paver. He indicated that the engineer said no silt fencing was needed, but DES said it is. Bob Bailey stated that the contractor, Parker, should have known that silt fencing was needed. Jim said the engineer and Ben from Underwood both said the water was far enough away so no silt fencing was needed Alden indicated the Selectmen will have to have a conversation with Underwood. Jim also indicated there are seven additional outlets than what are shown on the plan, which will cost more money to install. He described how the installation of the grates is done. Jim asked why are we paying an engineer when he is not following the plans.

At this point in the meeting Steve Bailey and Fred Bassett left as there was a repeat call for more assistance at a fire.

Old Business:
Gulf Road Warrant Article: Bob Bailey asked if David Stark has been in touch with UNH about a flyover of the area. Alden stated he would check, but knew David was buried with budget work. Bob also asked Alden when he will be available to walk the area, and Alden stated it would have to be after the holiday. The wording of the article will be done once the needed information become available.

Annual Report Draft: Marion stated she will revise the draft if the committee wishes her to do so. She also said she talked with Sandy and David about the information for the road work completed in 2005-9, and found some is available and some is in storage and it is filed by vendor, not road. David informed her that he is not including any figures on the CIP for completed work, only for work proposed for 2010 and after. It was agreed that Marion should follow the same procedure. She will have the final draft ready before the December meeting.

Signage for Bennett Bridge Road (Class 6): Marion stated this subject was talked about at a recent meeting, and she wondered if signs are to be installed before winter. Alden asked Jim to obtain “Not Maintained” signs for both ends of the road. The words “subject to gates and bars” are not to be on the signs. Jim asked if the road is to be plowed by the town, and was told no. He indicated that the turn-around he used is now part of someone’s property and is used for storing wood and equipment. He said he will have to find another turn-around area, perhaps part of one of the private roads.

Jim also asked about Masten Way – is it a town accepted road. The reply is no. It has not been accepted by the Selectmen, there is still work to be done, no top coat on road yet, and the sidewalk situation needs to be finalized. Bob Bailey spoke about the roads in the Sherburne Hill Road development, and Jim stated he is aware of the damage being done by the heavy equipment being used for the construction of homes.

Alden asked Jim to get a P. O. for the Old Turnpike Road shoulder work in before next Tuesday’s Selectmen’s meeting.

New Business:
Meeting dates for year 2010: Decision is to hold monthly meetings on the last Wednesday of each month, except when a holiday falls that week. That month’s meeting will be held a week earlier on Wednesday.

Appointments for Steve Bailey and John Lane: John indicated he was quite sure he was appointed for 3 years as an alternate. He will check his appointment and let Marion know. Note: John’s appointment in 2009 was for three years as an alternate – appointment expires March 31, 2012. Motion: Alden Dill moved to request an appointment for Steve Bailey as a member of Northwood Highway Advisory Committee for a term of 3 years. Seconded by Jim Wilson and the committee approved. Marion will write the needed letter to the Selectmen.

Other Business: There was none.

Next Meeting: Marion asked if the December 16th meeting will be held. Bob Bailey said it would as we still need to finalize the warrant article and appointments.

Adjournment: Motion by Joe Holmes, seconded by John Lane to adjourn at 7:55 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Marion J. Knox
Member/Secretary

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