Northwood Town Facilities
Minutes of August 5, 2009 Meeting
Community Hall – 7:00 p.m.

Call to Order:  Chairman Steve Bailey called the meeting to order at 7:08 p.m.

Roll Call: Present were:  Norma Heroux, Fred Bassett, Marion Knox, Steve Bailey
Absent were:  Charlie Comtois, Scott Vaughn, Russ Eldridge and Alden Dill

Approval of minutes of July 1, 2009 meeting: Steve asked that the spelling of basin shown as basis on page one be corrected.  Fred Bassett moved to accept the minutes as corrected, and Steve seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Before continuing with the agenda Steve briefed the committee on the activities of the Recreation Commission’s summer program that was being held at the Community Hall.  He stated there were 10 to 12 youngsters from first grade age up attending.  They did various activities on the hall, walked in the brook, swung on the swings at Brookside School and walked to the Narrows Fire Station where they had lunch with the firemen. After lunch they spent time looking at and climbing on the fire trucks and touring the ambulance and equipment, making bandages, etc. and they enjoyed every minute of it.  Steve will take them on a tour of the Narrows and the mill site on Thursday.

Old Business:

Lucas Pond/Woodman Park :  Steve reported that Jim Wilson is working on this project.  He has three prices from three contractors, and all are in the $20,000 range.  Jim has received, free from Audley Construction, concrete culverts, catch basins, Jersey barriers, and other equipment.  The deep catch basin will be used to replace the one at the park.  Jim is trying to make the repairs on a cost plus basis, and has the following schedule for the work:
1. Replace catch basin and piping
2. Working backwards, do the swale and crushed stone
3. Block off end of parking lot
4. Replace culvert at road
5. Put concrete step blocks on ramp

Bennett Bridge Causeway and Beach:  Bid information is out.  Pre-bid meeting is on August 11th.  Plans can be obtained from Underwood Engineering at a cost of $50.00 per set.  Bids are due by 6:00 p.m. on August 25th at which time they will be opened by the Selectmen.

Chesley Memorial Library:  New well pump has been installed by Fred Holmes and pressure is much better. Cost was $1335.  Norma asked about the bamboo plants, are they are going to be cut down.  Jim Wilson has the required spray, and Steve will contact him about doing this work.  Norma stated that each stock should be cut down as close to the ground as possible, instead of just chopping they down.  If they are cut down and then sprayed, she and Margaret Walker will cover them with plastic which should help destroy them permanently.  Steve will relay this information to Jim.

Storm Damage – June 25th:  Steve reported that the insurance company is lumping all the claims into one deductible – the siding on the back of the Narrows Station, the garage door and Bryant Library ridge cap.  A final figure has not been received by the Selectmen yet.

Russ Eldridge’s Report on Town Hall and Athletic Fields lighting:  Marion stated she received a call from Russ, he could not be at the meeting but has an appointment with Lee Harris (electrician) and David Stack, Town Administrator, at 7:45 a.m. on Thursday to look at these projects.

Ridge Fire Station wiring update:  The committee reviewed the expenses paid up to date on the station which total $1040, leaving a balance of $3060 to complete the wiring and other repairs.  Steve will speak with Kevin about finishing the work.  The list of work includes:
1. Rewiring bay on first floor
2. Rewiring kitchen
3. Plug and outlet for computer
4. Rewiring generator

Norma asked about emergency shelters in town.  Stated the library could be used, and they would store several gallons of water that could be used for drinking.  Steve did state that Emergency Management was caught short during the ice storm, but has indicated that the Chesley Library, Town Hall and the Community Hall could be set up to receive residents during an emergency.  Marion asked about the elementary school and Steve said the school must be left ready to house the children, feed them, and to conduct classes for them.  He asked that suggestions should be written down and given to Bob Young, Director of EM.

Community Hall – storm windows:  Steve continues to gather information on storm windows as there are now wooden ones as well as vinyl ones.  He remarked that the hall remained close to 60 degrees during the coldest days of the winter.  Fred asked if the top of the concrete bandstand could be recapped and made more attractive.  Steve said he would ask Steve Lombard to look at it and make suggestions.  Steve informed the committee that Jean Lane is working on having a concert at the bandstand this year.

New Business:

Bryant Library:  Steve reported that the Hawthorne tree on the front lawn received a lot of damage during the ice storm, and should be removed.  Norma agreed.  Steve said his father would remove the tree and see that something else is put in its place.  Steve also reported that the drainage pipe from the basement has been found.  During the DOT
ditching work the end of the piping was uncovered and water began to flow from it.  Steve said his father will check on the piping and will fix the end of it properly.

Mowing of town grounds and athletic fields:  Steve stated the appropriation for this work is $7500 and was placed in the General Government Buildings budget.  Because of the rains during the spring and early summer, there may be funds left over, but this will not be known until later in the season.  The fellow who does the mowing asked Steve to obtain estimates from not only him but other landscapers in town before putting a figure in the budget.

Steve stated that the new fields have only had one or two mowings so far and the fields have hardened up.  Discussion was held whether to use the fields for soccer this fall or not.  Perhaps using them will help aerate them, then they can be reseeded.  Steve mentioned the conflict the Recreation Department has this year with the Elementary School fields.  The school fields are going to be redone later in August and will not be useable for soccer, and the school wants to use the Bow Lake Road fields, if they can provide transportation from the school to the fields.  The use of the fields is up in the air.

At this point Scott Vaughn arrived and joined in the discussion regarding the use of the new fields, etc.  Scott stated the new fields are holding water, are not draining right.  Rain will made them mud if they are aerated.  He stated further if we had money then they could be watered, reseeded, etc., but if the young children use them they will get slippery.  He recommended that a French drain be installed.  Steve stated there are no field drains only perimeter drains.  Scott stated the grass that is there is rooted in but is very sparce.  Steve stated that Bruce Hodgdon had a soil test done which recommended fertilizing and watering.  Scott felt they could get along without the fields this year and that it would be best to get them reseeded, etc. so they will not be ruined.  Steve will check with Bruce and get back to Scott with more information.

Steve informed Scott that Russ was meeting with the electrician about town hall lighting and also the lighting for the athletic fields.  This opened discussion and questions about the location of poles and parking.  A review of the preliminary plans was made and all agreed with the fact that the well needs a tile so it will be protected better.

Police Department – requests for lighting funds and plans for an addition to the station.

Steve informed the committee that Chief Drolet has submitted a proposal received from ASE Electric LLC of Hudson, NH for repairing and replacing the outside lighting on the building and the flag pole.  He stated the wiring is underground and not grounded, and the Chief asked for funds to replace and repair all the lighting from the Facilities budget. The Chief also would like to have David Whitcher draw plans for an addition to the station, and asked for funds for the cost involved.

Discussion was held relative to receiving only one proposal for the lighting work when the town policy requires three, and the unknown cost of the requested addition plans.  The entire committee agreed the town policy must be upheld and two more proposals must be obtained.  Fred and Steve suggested Lee Harris and Frances Aube, two local electrical contractors who could present proposals for the work.  Marion will send a memo to Chief Drolet with this information.

Regarding the plans for an addition, Steve suggested a memo also be sent to the Chief  suggesting that he attempt to get a free conceptual design plan from David Whitcher, that can be used to determine the actual location and size of the addition,  before any commitment is made to have building plans drawn.  Marion will also send this memo.

Next meeting Date – September 2, 2009 7:00 p.m. – Community Hall

Adjournment – Fred moved to adjourn at 8:50 p.m.,  motion seconded by Marion.

Respectfully submitted,

Marion J. Knox
Member/Secretary