Town of Sutton

Pillsbury Memorial Hall

93 Main Street Sutton Mills, NH 03221

Select Board Minutes

July 22nd, 2024, 6:00pm

Pledge of Allegiance:

Select Board Chair Glenn Pogust opened the meeting at 6:00pm with the Pledge of Allegiance. Present at the meeting were: Glenn Pogust, Select Board Chair; Michael McManus, Select Board Member; Nancy Glynn, Select Board Member; and Julia Jones, Town Administrator.

Also present at the meeting were: Lee Booker, Judy Parkinson, Land Use Coordinator Peter Stanley, and Chief of Police Jon Korbet.

Appointments:

At 6:00pm the Board met with Chief of Police Jon Korbet. Chief Korbet and the Board discussed the following matters:

  • The Department’s work with the School District, the cost to the Town, and the possibility of hiring a Student Resource Officer (SRO) in the future. Chief Korbet emphasized the importance of finding the right candidate for this position. The Board asked Chief Korbet to estimate the cost of providing services to the school district.
  • A warrant to issue a civil forfeiture for unlicensed dogs in the Town of Sutton, and to authorize the Chief of Police to seize any unlicensed dog. The warrant was presented by the Town Clerk/Tax Collector and signed by the Board on July 15th. Chief Korbet restated his concern that the deadline had been missed to issue such a warrant under RSA 466:1. Out of concern for the validity of the warrant, Chief Korbet informed the Board that the Department would not seize unlicensed dogs. Chief Korbet and the Board discussed late fees for unlicensed dogs.
  • The perceived prevalence of speeding activity on town roads, deterrence methods, and speed study requirements. Chief Korbet shared that the Department has not observed a significant increase in speeding activity. At the Board’s request, Korbet shared an update on the Town’s radar speed signs. Korbet identified battery issues and the need for sturdier posts to adhere solar panels to. The Board discussed crosswalks and signage to deter speeding. Chief Korbet recommended prioritizing Shaker St., Kearsarge Valley Rd., North Rd., Roby Rd., and Main St. for speed reduction efforts. McManus asked Chief Korbet to collect estimates for additional radar speed signs. Glynn and Chief Korbet discussed the relative efficacy of radar speed signs as a tool to deter speeding.
  • Chief Korbet’s request to replace residential carpet at the Police Department with industrial tile carpeting. The Board asked Chief Korbet to gather an estimate for the Board’s review.
  • Glynn and Chief Korbet discussed the Department’s budget for mileage reimbursement.

At 6:30pm the Board met with Land Use Coordinator Peter Stanley to discuss the following matters:

  • Correspondence from Danielle & Ira Thomas regarding an after-the-fact alteration of terrain (AOT) permit application submitted by Peacock Hill Rd. LLC. Pogust shared that Town Counsel reviewed this correspondence and is advising the Town on how to respond. Pogust shared that an independent engineer has conducted all of the compliance inspections to date, and will inspect the development for compliance once the Department of Environmental Services (DES) is satisfied and approves a permit. Pogust shared that DES approval of the AOT permit is one of the prerequisites for certificates of occupancy. Stanley and the Board discussed drainage issues at the Peacock Hill Rd. development, and the fact that there will be a status conference on July 31 regarding the Town’s pending lawsuit against the developer for outstanding zoning violations. The Board directed the Town Administrator to inform Danielle and Ira Thomas that their correspondence was discussed during the meeting and to direct them to these minutes for the Board’s response. Pogust and Stanley agreed to conduct a site visit to the property on Thursday, July 25th.
  • Ongoing compliance matters related to parcel 02-020-566 located on Roby Rd. owned by Christopher Fox. Stanley confirmed that he had received building plans that would require two zoning variances to excavate a steep slope. Stanley shared his opinion that DES would be unlikely to allow the design. Stanley and the Board discussed next steps to assess compliance with relevant setbacks and incursions into the wetlands and wetland buffers on the property.
  • Ongoing efforts by the Planning Board to examine ordinances pertaining to storage containers.
  • A meeting scheduled for Wednesday; July 24th hosted by the Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts at Pillsbury Memorial Hall regarding Camp Wabasso. Pogust shared his understanding that Girl Scout representatives would present their vision for the property at this meeting. Pogust shared his opinion that he would like to see something related to conservation at Camp Wabasso should it sell. Pogust shared his opinion that the Town is not in the position to purchase the property.

Minutes:

At 7:00pm McManus made a motion to accept the public minutes from July 8th subject to revisions. Glynn seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

At 7:01pm Glynn made a motion to accept the public minutes from July 15th subject to revisions. McManus seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

At 7:___  Glynn made a motion to accept the Non-public minutes from July 15 as drafted. McManus seconded the motion which passed unanimously.

The Board agreed to postpone discussion of the public minutes from June 27th and nonpublic minutes from July 1st at the request of the Town Administrator.

Manifests:

The Board reviewed and approved the following manifests:

Payroll: $ 17,839.87
Vendor: $ 131,087.62

Intents:

Building Permits:

New Business:

McManus made a motion to approve a $2,118.00 quote prepared by CCI Managed Services for computer hardware replacements, and to expend funds from the Administrative Computers Capital Reserve Fund. Glynn seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

The Board reviewed and approved a $5,700 estimate to replace the exterior door and repair granite sill on the northeastern side of Pillsbury Memorial Hall.

The Board confirmed that they approved a $700.00 estimate for cluster fly remediation by individual e-mails sent to the Town Administratoremail.

The Board discussed draft revisions to the Personnel Policies Manual and agreed to revisit the manual after further review.

Old Business:

At 7:15pm Glynn made a motion to authorize Pogust to execute Invest NH Municipal Planning & Zoning Grant Program Housing Opportunity Planning Grant Agreement Amendment 1. McManus seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

The Board agreed to postpone discussion of NH RSA 265:73-a – Accessible Parking Signs, and the Americans with Disabilities Act Checklist for Existing Facilities.

Review of correspondence:

The Board agreed to postpone discussion of the following correspondence:

  • NH Municipal Association Legal Services Counsel – procedure for assigning 25mph speed limit to unposted roads.
  • NH Municipal Association Legal Services Counsel – ground marking requirements for accessible parking spots.

Public Input:

Lee Booker shared observations regarding speeding activity on the paved section of Keyser St that then turns into Hominy Pot Road.

Select Board Comments:

Select Board comments (? ß Were there any?  I can’t recall.)

Adjournment:

There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 7:31pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Julia Jones

Town Administrator