TOWN OF BENNINGTON

BOARD OF SELECTMEN

Minutes of the Meeting – August 18, 2004

Selectmen Joseph Cuddemi, Bruce Edes and Terry Schnare were present, as well as Administrator Denise French. The meeting was called to order at 5:00 p.m.

Road Agent David Blanchard met with the Selectmen. Doug Davie, a Gillis Hill Road resident, also joined the meeting. Mr. Davie expressed his concerns about the travel conditions on Gillis Hill Road, truck traffic and concern for the school children. A message received from Jeff Rose indicating a desire of the Gillis Hill neighborhood to meet with town officials from Antrim, Bennington and Francestown (Tri-Town Landfill District towns) was also discussed. Their concerns are similar to Mr. Davie’s.

Chairman Cuddemi reported on his conversation with the Francestown Highway Department.
They are currently hauling gravel and will shortly begin hauling winter sand. The material comes from the former Tri-Town Landfill, of which Francestown has an interest. The Town has previously addressed the speed issue with them. Regarding the narrow travel section of Gillis Hill Road, the Road Agent reported the road couldn’t be widened; poor drainage is caused from water that is unable to drain from the road surface. The Selectmen do not want to re-route the truck traffic because the only alternative would be to send the trucks on Bible Hill Road which is well developed and has many children on this road. A route of North Bennington Road onto Antrim’s Depot Street is not an option as Antrim has imposed a 15-ton weight limit on this road.

The Board does not favor paving Gillis Hill Road as it would most likely encourage vehicles to speed.

The Road Agent and the Selectmen agreed to grade Gillis Hill Road after Francestown has finished hauling before the cold weather returns, ditches will be pulled in, culverts cleaned and calcium chloride applied. The truck drivers will be reminded that a school bus stop is located at the intersection of Gillis Hill Road and North Bennington Road. Selectman Cuddemi volunteered to meet with Francestown officials to convey their concerns.

The Road Agent reported that he has checked three driveways on Merrill Drive where the Town continues to hold three driveway bonds. He reported they were finished and the Town should release the driveway bonds. He reported that two driveways on North Bennington Road are unfinished. The Selectmen authorized him to contract out for the installation of the driveway aprons; funds coming from the respective driveway bonds.

Blanchard reported that all signs on Town roads have been erected, excepting the replacement Stop sign on Old Stagecoach Road. He will speak with Jeff Chase, NH Department of Transportation, about replacing the signs and adding a Blind Driveway sign on South Bennington Road. He reminded the Selectmen that this road is considered a State road except for winter plowing.

The Selectmen and the Road Agent discussed the Petition for Layout of Class V Highway over the existing Class VI portion of Onset Road, beginning at the point opposite the common boundary between Lots 7 and 45 on Tax Map 12 and proceeding northerly to the point opposite the northern boundary of Lot 4 on Tax Map 12. The Road Agent reported that the flattest portion of the Class VI portion of Onset Road is at 10% grade. The Road Construction Ordinance states that grades for minor streets shall not exceed 10%. The Road Agent reported that in order for road construction to meet grade at the boundary of tax map lots 7 and 12 the grade would be substantially steeper at the bottom.

A letter from Dennis Caton, 181 Onset Road was received. Mr. Caton advised the Selectmen that he opposed Town monies being spent on the upgrade of Onset Road. He further stated that if the property owners wish to improve the road at their expense (the Petition does call for this), then Mr. Caton has no opposition as long as it is not detrimental nor lessens the value of his property.

Another concern is that the Petition for Layout stops at the northern boundary of lot 4. The Class VI road continues beyond this point. It is not possible to end the Class V construction at that point and expect vehicles to turn around and traverse back up the steep slope.

The Selectmen and the Road Agent unanimously agree that the slope of the Class VI Onset Road is extremely dangerous to the traveling public. Documentation already exist that fire apparatus were nearly demolished years ago while responding to an emergency call at the former Wright residence at 208 Onset Road.

The Board of Selectmen, with input from the Road Agent, voted to deny the Petition. They did not find a benefit to the public for the construction of 700’ of road that exceeds safe standards and provides no value to the community. The Selectmen will revisit their decision if the petitioners hire an engineer and can show the Board that the road can be built to accommodate the specifications of the Road Construction Ordinance.

The Administrator reported two complaints she received from the Water & Sewer Commissioners. The first issue reported involves the Highway Department. The Commissioners complain that a dangerous trench exist along Ross Road near the fire hydrant. They are concerned that a fire truck might be damaged if the operator is unfamiliar with the area. The Selectmen and the Road Agent discussed the issue and are of the understanding that the trench was damaged when the Water Department and Fire Department jointly flushed the hydrants. At that time the Selectmen received several complaints from the public about dirt and sand that had been washed out from the force of the hydrant flush. The Administrator was asked to notify the Commissioners that they would need to add a length of hose to the hydrant before flushing to alleviate future damage. The Road Agent agreed to pull in the ditch along Ross Road.

The second concern from the Water & Sewer Commissioners involves the replacement of the hydrant near the Historical Society Building. This is the last remaining hydrant to be replaced and is tentatively scheduled to be done before school starts. The Selectmen have previously suggested the hydrant should not be replaced until the Town undergoes sidewalk reconstruction under the Traffic Enhancement Grant, tentatively scheduled for 2007. The Selectmen asked the Administrator to invite the Commissioners to meet with them to further discuss the matter.

Minutes of the August 10, 2004 Selectmen’s meeting and Notes from the August 13, 2004 Work Session were reviewed and accepted as presented.

Cyn Environmental has copied the Town their letter to Blaise Heroux, Department of Environmental Services. The letter provides a summary of the emergency response actions and cleanups conducted by Cyn Environmental Services in response to a diesel fuel release during a pickup truck fire on June 18^th. It is Cyn’s opinion that since the analytical results for the composite soil sample and the second round of surface water sampling indicate that contaminant concentrations are not above the applicable standards, no further action is recommended at this time.

The Administrator informed the Board that Earls, Neider, Perkins, LLC has finished the 2004 Revaluation, excepting two commercial assessments. Supervisor Jim Commerford reported approximately 67 people, representing approximately 100 parcels, requested a meeting with the reval company to review their assessments. As a result of the hearings, 56 assessments were changed. The new values have been accepted by the Selectmen and will be incorporated into the tax program.

Chairman Cuddemi reported on his comparison pricing for heating oil and propane for the 2004/2005 season. Motion was made, seconded and voted to accept the Rymes Heating Oils, Inc. bid of $1.259 for heating oil and $1.299 for propane.

Cuddemi also reported on his recent conversation with Charlie Provencal reference to painting the sidewalks in the center of Town. As soon as the paving is completed on Routes 47 and 31 he plans to stripe the sidewalks, preferably before the start of the new school year.

The Administrator reported that Deering officials will host a public meeting addressing the Bennington/Deering town line on September 15^th at 7:00 p.m. The Administrator and the Selectmen discussed 2004 taxation of the properties along the town line. The Selectmen voted to wait until the town line has been officially changed before assessing taxes on the affected lots.

Plans are being finalized for the public auction of personal property owned by Theresa Allen. The Courts have ordered the Town to dispose of the property and to remove two mobile homes.

Bert McClary will auction the contents and mobile homes on August 29^th at 1:00 p.m.

The Selectmen reviewed and tentatively identified properties that could be affected by the Junk Yard regulations. Letters and a copy of the Statutes will be sent to the property owners identified. The Selectmen plan to visit the identified properties within the next thirty days.

The Selectmen voted not to meet August 24^th. The Administrator announced her vacation plans for the latter part of September.

Building Permits for Joseph Cuddemi, James Crooker and Jerry Wright were reviewed and approved. An Intent to Cut for Donald Hardwick and an Elderly Exemption Application for Elizabeth Cashion were reviewed and approved.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:50 p.m.

Respectfully submitted by Denise French, Administrator.