Joint Meeting of Town Facilities Committee
And Athletic Fields Committee
Minutes of February 3, 2010
Community Hall – 7:00 p.m.

Call to Order:  Chairman Steve Bailey opened the meeting at 7:03 p.m.

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

Meeting with Athletic Fields Committee:  Steve Bailey reported that he attended the Planning Board meeting, in January 28th at the committee’s request.  The meeting went through the procedures – this was a public hearing on the expansion of the new fields.  There were neighbors of the fields present.  The Planning Board had 20 questions to be answered.  The neighbors also some questions relative to the condo development well radius, drainage and why the gate is not up.  Steve told them their concerns would be addressed at the next TFC meeting which is an open meeting and they were invited to attend.  The Planning Board decided that because it was getting late in the evening that the hearing would be continued to the second Thursday of February (18th) at which time the questions will be answered.  It was indicated that a new set of questions would be made available prior to that meeting.

There was a claim that the town was not following rules relative to stone walls and set backs.  Selectman Scott Bryer told those present that the hearing is only a formality that the town agreed to have, that because it is town property the rules do not specifically have to be followed completely.

Alden Dill requested, and it was agreed that Don Rhodes should be present at the next hearing so the questions relative to the plans can be fully answered.  It was requested that Don be provided with the Planning Board questions prior to the meeting.  A sampling of the questions is:

   - Plan infringes on the 20 foot set back
   - Drainage from retention pond shows rocks (rip-rap) within 20 feet
   - No set backs shown on the plan
   - Retention pond on Route 4 will need to be changed  (Lee Hanson)

Bob Bailey stated that pond will need to be increased.  Whenever you clear more land you must enlarge basin to accommodate increase in flow.  Flow is now stopped before it gets there.  When working with a larger area you must follow new rules.  Alden Dill stated this is all a pervious structure.  Bob Bailey stated there is a wet area between two fields and there is no water underground.  When it was a field, no road crossed the wet area, there was no path across the wet land.  The neighbor cut his timber, and the area is now dry.  The skidder found ledge down three feet.

Questions were asked about the logging operation.  It was reported that the logs have been sold to Canada and will be removed next week.  The whole logging operation will be finished within the next two weeks.  Then the chipper will come in and clean up the entire area.

Alden asked whether blasting will have to be done.  Bob Bailey stated it is too soon to know, but all precautions will be taken if necessary.

Alden Dill stated that the Selectmen have placed two articles in the warrant regarding dogs on leashes and dogs at large.  The Recreation Commission’s name is not included in the warrants, they will be town ordinances with the Selectmen as the authority involved.

Bob Bailey showed the committee members a plan of Old Mountain Road and referenced the section that will be discussed in a petitioned warrant article by NALMC and Friends of Northwood Meadows State Park.  The petition would change part of the closed, subject to gates and bars Class 6 road to a Class 1A trail, that would be closed with gates and bars by law.  This action would preserve the headwaters of the Lamprey River.

The meeting with the Athletic Fields Committee was adjourned at 7:40 p.m. by a motion by Russ Eldridge, seconded by Alden Dill.  Motion carried.

Town Facilities Committee Meeting:  Steve Bailey called the meeting to order at 7:45 p.m.

Approval of minutes of January 6, 2010 meeting:  Motion by Scott Vaughn, seconded by Fred Bassett to approve minutes as presented.  Motion carried.

Old Business:
Chesley Library:
Update on work completed at Chesley Library.  Marion stated she put this on the agenda so the water system and heating could be discussed.  Norma Heroux stated they are in limbo because of the water damage from the outside drainage.  The outside perimeter needs a French drain installed because the gutter extensions have not been kept in place which has caused the water to enter the basement area.  There is a French drain in the new part of the building, and one is needed in the old part.

Fred Bassett stated he has done a lot of work on finding the best water system and he recommended Advance on Route 125.  He stated there is stuff stored in the area where the system would be located that should be moved.  Norma  stated that the State’s filtration system also needs to be removed as it is not needed anymore.

Alden Dill stated this request needs to be approved by the Selectmen, a contract needs to be obtained from Advance, and a purchase order issued, for the system at the bid price.

The heating system was briefly discussed.  Fred Bassett stated he needs to get specs for the work.  It entails pricing for either a fan in the ceiling or a small electric heater system.

Community Hall:  Steve reported that David Stack is working on and has applied for an energy grant for the refitting of the upstairs windows, for storm windows for the entire building, and for insulation at the Community Hall, and insulation in the old part of the Town Hall.  The money in the budget is about the percentage needed to match the grant.

Ridge Fire Station:  Steve reported the Selectmen requested bids from electrical contractors and only one bid was received.  It was recommended that the Selectmen be requested to honor the bid from Francis Aube so this work can be done.

Review of 2010 Budget:  Marion stated she put this on the agenda so the budget addition made by the Selectmen could be discussed.  Steve stated that Transfer Station Supervisor Steve Preston did not think the facility was part of the town facilities committee’s jurisdiction, but the Selectmen stated it is a town facility.  They added $8000 for container slabs to the TFC budget to cover the new slab work.

New Business:  There was no new business presented.

Next meeting Date – March 3, 2010 – Community Hall – 7:00 p.m.

Adjournment:  Scott Vaughn motioned to adjourn, seconded by Russ Eldridge at
8:05 p.m.  Motion carried.

Respectfully submitted,

Marion J. Knox
Member/Secretary