Board of Selectmen Town Meetings

RCL May 23, 2016 Board of Selectmen Notes


File for Civic News:  RyeBOSrclNotes052316revBfinal

Text of letter from Joe Tucker is below:

  1. Eversource has been cutting trees on private property along Washington Rd. based on a “verbal signature.â€Â  The Selectmen and residents expressed concern that Eversource is not fully informing the residents of their options.  Tree cutting in the Town right-of-way will not occur prior to Planning Board approval.  More Detail
  2. The Selectmen approved entering into a five year renewal of the franchise agreement with Comcast on the existing terms inasmuch as it appears that cost and programming issues of importance to residents are non-negotiable.  The agreement permits the Town to tax Comcast’s property, but further action on that awaits resolution of legal issues, including an existing lawsuit with Verizon. More Detail
  3. Residents will have 30 days to provide written input on the Draft Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan that will be submitted to FEMA.  Selectman Musselman objected to a number of major expenditures in the draft plan. More Detail
  4. The low bid for heating oil for the coming year is $1.72 per gallon, applicable to the Town and School District.  This compares to a School District budget of $3.19 per gallon, which will generate over $50,000 in savings at the budgeted usage, approximately equivalent to half a teacher. More Detail
  5. The Red Mill Ln. culvert replacement project has run into some snags due to the need to expand the culvert to handle tidal and rain flows. More Detail
  6. Rye will enter discussions with North Hampton regarding possible collaboration on municipal services. More Detail
  7. State approval to install parking meters along Ocean Blvd. has still not been received.  The Selectmen are concerned that this may presage a negative response. More Detail

Letter From Joe Tucker:

Re: Utility companies doing “tree pruning” for power and communication lines in the Town of Rye right of way.
I would like to see the following enacted by the Town (Selectmen) :
– – Anytime that “tree pruning” is to be scheduled anywhere in the Town, the company conducting the tree cutting should provide a letter in writing to all effected citizens as to 1) what the utility company is proposing to do , 2) why the utility  company is doing this, 3) when the work will be conducted, and 4) what the homeowners rights are regarding this work.
– – This letter would also include contact telephone numbers and names of a person or people at the utility company who could be reached to answer any questions regarding this work. This letter would be first provided to the Selectmen or Town Manager , for approval before being sent to the
effected residents.
– – Any “tree pruning ” or “cutting” would be done in the early or late Fall to prevent destruction of nesting birds and mammals .
Joe Tucker