The Town of Northwood, New Hampshire - Facilities Committee Minutes

Roll Call: Present were Library Trustee Margaret Walker, Marion Knox, Russ Eldridge, Selectman Bob Holden and Steve Bailey. Scott Vaughn arrived at 7:20 p.m. Absent were: Robert Bailey, Fred Bassett and Charlie Comtois.

Athletic Fields Committee Meeting: Steve Bailey presided over this meeting.

Update on work performed: Steve reported that Docko has finished the roadway. The next step is to clear the stumps away. The question was asked where the stumps would be placed. Steve stated there is a large low area where they will be placed, and within 5 to 10 years they will have rotted away. Bob Holden questioned this way of disposing of the stumps, and Steve assured him that there is a long time practice of disposing of stumps this way and the stumps will eventually turn into dirt.

Update on timber cut: Steve stated the timber in the slope area is to be cut next week and the entire project should be finished within a month. Russ Eldridge asked how much we have received so far and the reply was $9060.38, with additional funds to come. Bob Holden questioned cutting the trees if the area is not going to be used. Steve stated there is oak veneer and hemlock that will be cut and that the whole area will be cleaned up for a park.

Update on playground area: Steve asked if everyone knew of the meeting the Recreation Commission has scheduled for Monday, July 12th at 7:00 p.m. at the Town Hall. This meeting was announced in the Suncook Sun, and anyone who wants a playground for Northwood is asked to attend. Steve also stated that Northeast Credit had offered to give a donation to the project, but it appears that may not materialize.

Discussion on next phase of work: Steve stated that David Stack has met with local contractors, and all have seen the plan. After a discussion, all the contractors agreed that the stumps should be left on the property. Docko has received an okay from the Selectmen to begin working on the parking area on the upside of the wetland area. Russ Eldridge asked about blasting the stone/ledge and Steve replied that it is unknown at this time how much stone/ledge there is. This will be followed up at the next meeting.

Other Business: There was no other business, so this meeting was adjourned at 7:12 p.m.

Town Facilities Committee Meeting: Steve opened the meeting at 7:13 p.m.

Approval of minutes of June 2, 2010 meeting: Steve offered changes in wording in the Athletic Fields portion of the minutes, and the change of the amount voted for the purchase of a dehumidifier for the Bryant Library from $4000 to the correct amount of $400. Russ Eldridge motioned to accept the minutes as corrected, Steve seconded the motion, Bob Holden abstained. He stated he did not receive his copy of the draft minutes, although Marion had provided the Selectmen with copies via David Stack.

Old Business:

Expenditure Report as of July 6, 2010: Members reviewed the report and Steve stated that the Town Hall generator has been installed. Marion asked whether the propane tank and propane were included in the $7,970 cost. Bob Holden stated the tank is there, but he was not sure if it has been filled. He indicated the total cost would be around $9,300. Steve stated the NH Electrical Inspector happened to be meeting the Building Inspector at the Town Hall, and he noticed the new generator. He inspected the installation of the generator and stated the aluminum wiring had to be replaced, as a new requirement went into effect on June 1, 2010 – no more aluminum wiring allowed. Steve stated that Lee Harris replaced all the aluminum wiring and the inspector approved the installation.
Bob Holden asked Margaret Walker if the new water pump and filter were working okay. She replied they were. He suggested that the bottled water should be removed now.
There were no other questions on the expenditure report.

Pending Work from 2009:

Woodman Park: Steve reported that David Stack is working on rewriting Jim Wilson’s proposal. Jim had received three prices already. David will pass the rewritten proposal out to the same persons to whom he has given the athletic fields information.

Bryant Library: David Stack is working on the chimney issue. Marion provided Consumer Report information on dehumidifiers for the committee to review. (This subject was discussed later in the meeting.)

Community Hall: Steve stated that David Stack has one set of prices only - $200 plus per window, however the windows are made with black trim which is the color of the building’s trim. David is to call Energy Improvements again for another price.

2010 Budget: status of approved work

Chesley Library painting. Margaret stated that one bid has been received so far. Steve suggested that she contact Scott Vaughn for a bid.

Police Department grounds: Steve stated he has tried to meet with the Chief, but has not made contact yet. He suggested holding this pending, as there has not been any discussion with the department as of now.

Signage at Athletic Fields: Scott informed the committee that the Recreation Commission has received two quotes for the sign. One from Linda Smith, for $1200. Sign to be painted on a particle board type of material. The other from Lenny of Great Northern Signs for $900 plus a bit more. This sign would be thin corrugated aluminum. Scott described the total sign as being a 3 by 8 foot sign that will be on a bracket, cedar rim around sign, mounted on 6 x 6 posts, with the present changeable sign located underneath. Bob Holden questioned aluminum and would rocks thrown at it cause dents. Steve questioned the cost of the posts that Scott thought he might have donated. Motion: Bob Holden motioned to spend up to $1000 for a sign for the Athletic Fields. Scott Vaughn seconded the motion and the committee unanimously passed the motion. There was more discussion relative to the cost, and Bob Holden, with the approval of Scott Vaughn, amended his motion to “spend up to $1100 for a sign”, seconded by Scott Vaughn. Amendment and motion were voted in the affirmative by all present. Scott informed the committee that the Recreation Commission preferred the Great Northern Sign proposal over that of Linda Smith. He also stated he hopes to have volunteer help in preparing the area for the sign, as the soil is quite rocky and too hard to dig into without the appropriate equipment.

Town Hall Generator: Discussed under Expenditure Report

Transfer Station – Concrete Slabs - Completed prior to June meeting

New Business:

Signs at Transfer Station: Russ Eldridge, referring to the June 2nd minutes, asked what can be done about the signs that have been hand-painted, and the other ornaments that have appeared in the area. Marion stated she thought this was a subject that the Recycling Committee should work on. Margaret Walker is on that committee and she said she would bring it up at the next meeting. She indicated that America the Beautiful does provide free signs.

The Lagoon: Bob Holden questioned the safety of the lagoon area. He is concerned as there is no fencing, and the lagoons are full. Steve stated the lagoons should be full, as that is how the system works. Marion stated she has provided David Stack with the history of the lagoons, and she felt that because the fees for depositing in the lagoon are in an expendable trust fund with Selectmen as agents to expend, that the Board of Selectmen should be in charge of seeing that the area is fenced in with a locked gate. She also stated that the area is routinely inspected by the State, and if not in compliance with State regulations, can be closed. Bob Holden asked that the committee review the situation and make recommendations to the Selectmen.

Other Business:

Rocks at Northwood Beach: Russ Eldridge questioned how the rocks can be removed. Steve stated that Scott Vaughn should bring this up to the Recreation Commission as Mandy, a few years ago, had filled out the permit application so the rocks could be removed after fall drawdown. If the paper work can be located it can be updated and submitted to DES now for review and approval.

Knotweed: Marion asked Margaret how the Library is doing with the eradication of the Knotweed at the back of the property. Margaret said there have been three sprayings and they have been told to wait until August to clean up the area, then cover it with loam and plant grass over the entire area, keeping it mowed all the time. She stated she is very hopeful that they have been able to get rid of this horrible weed. Steve asked how the neighbor has reacted, and Margaret stated Preston Towle, who is licensed to do this kind of work has spoken to the neighbor, and all seems to be fine at this time. Margaret stated she contacts Preston Towle through Towle Insurance in Concord.

There was no other business to come before this meeting

Next Meeting – August 4th – 7:00 p.m. Community Hall

Adjournment: Motion by Russ Eldridge to adjourn, seconded by Bob Holden. Meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Marion J. Knox
Member/Secretary

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