RCL Board of Selectmen Notes April 22, 2013

These are Draft Notes:  The final notes will be re-posted:

NOTES OF APRIL 22, 2013 RYE BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING

Draft Revision A – Provided by theRyeCivic League

            Present:  Selectmen Jenness, Musselman and Mills.  Also present:  Cindi Gillespie.

      Test of video streaming system

            Before the meeting was called to order, Cindi Gillespie went over and pressed a button on the wall to the right of the door of the court room and a red light came on.  She stated that this was a test to see how the recording of the meeting went.  Selectman Musselman said “smile Joe.â€Â  Editor’s note:  Selectman Joe Mills had been an opponent of video streaming.  Questions arose as to the location of the camera and the microphone.  The camera was pointed out at the back right of the room (from the perspective of persons at the table facing the audience).  The microphone was pointed out as one of two objects on the ceiling adjacent to the smoke detector in the center of the room.

Minutes          The minutes of the 4/8 meeting were approved with minor changes, the minutes of the 4/8 non-public session were approved without changes.

Police detail billing rates and scooter

            An increase in the billing rate for police details to $67 per hour was approved unanimously.  Chief Walsh indicated that he plans to trade in a 2003 scooter for $965.  Blue Book value is $900 to $1000.  This saves having the Town auction surplus equipment.  This disposal of Town property was unanimously approved.  

Event permit for Veterans Count Save Our Soldiers

            Police Chief Walsh announced that this is a new event, a 5K race that will start inPortsmouth, go downLang Rd.toWashington Rd., and return.  The event will be May 18.  There will be a detail officer.  Selectman Musselman indicated that the application indicates that there will be 300 participants.  He asked whether both sides of the road would be occupied.  Chief Walsh stated that, by the time they get toRyethe runners will have spread out.  Selectman Mills stated that if someone like Fire Chief Sullivan was running, and the person started at 9:00 they would not reachRyeuntil 9:30.  On the motion of Selectman Musselman the event was unanimously approved on a one-time basis pending receipt of an insurance certificate.  The reason that the approval was granted on a one-time basis was concern about the turnaround and occupancy of both sides of the road.

Acceptance of donations

            The donation from the Driftwood Garden Club of $500 for the Goss Farm and from theUniversityofNew Hampshirefor the Connell Easement of $4000 were unanimously approved by separate motions.

Appointment of Phil Winslow to the CIP Committee

            The motion to appoint Mr. Winslow was made by Selectman Jenness and seconded by Selectman Musselman.  All were in favor.  Selectman Mills commented that he felt that Mr. Winslow would do a very thorough job.  Selectman Musselman commented that he has been doing a lot lately.

Cub Scout “Show and Sell†fundraiser at Recycling Center

A question arose as to whether it was the Little League or the Cub Scouts that had caused a problem at the RecyclingCenterby approaching cars and getting them to stop, and also by improperly displaying a real estate sign.  Public Works Director Dennis McCarthy indicated that the schedule is fairly open now as one of the other groups that requested multiple dates had been asked to submit multiple requests.  Mr. McCarthy stated that he would check to see which group had caused a problem.  The motion to approve the fund raiser on April 27, 2013 was tabled pending this investigation.  If it turns out that there had been a problem with this group they will be asked to come to the meeting at which approval is sought.  Editor’s note:  The tabling appears to have delayed the event as there no Board of Selectmen meeting is scheduled before the 27^th.

E-mail from Jeff Latimer regarding re-paving and re-striping of Route 1A

            The e-mail was not read into the record.  From the discussion, it appears that Mr. Latimer was requesting a narrowing of the travel lanes and a widening of the bicycling/pedestrian portion of the road.  He is apparently also requesting that the paved area not be narrowed, something that, he indicated, occurs at times.  Public Works Director McCarthy stated that he has not seen a narrowing of paved areas.  He also revealed that he has received notice that the State will be repaving most of Route 1A in Rye.  This portion was referred to as “Perkins to the bridge.â€Â  Editor’s note:  Apparently “the bridge†means the bridge on Pioneer north of Odiorne Point and not the one at Rye Harbor.  The Rye Water District is planning on replacing water mains from Rye Harbor Bridge north to Washington Rd. and from Fairhill Ave. north to the end of the main, 650 feet north of Pollock Dr.  The timing was justified, in part, by the scheduled repaving of Route 1A.  In response to a question from Selectman Musselman, Police Chief Walsh indicated that there was no safety issue with narrowing the travel lanes.  Editor’s note:  This narrowing is sometimes called “traffic calming,†and is supposed to slow down traffic.  Selectman Musselman stated that it would be appropriate to send a letter to the State agreeing that narrowing the traffic lanes to provide more space for pedestrians and bicyclists would be appropriate, and also that the overall pavement width should be maintained.  Selectman Jenness indicated that the pavement width should be expanded if possible.

Letter from Aquarion Water Co. regarding water protection surveys

            Chairman Mills revealed that this letter had been received and outlined its substance.  Editor’s note:  Aquarion provides water service in the southern part of Rye, and the Rye Water District provides water service in the northern part.  Small portions of the Town are on Portsmouth water.  In response to a question from Selectman Mills, Selectman Musselman indicated that he had nothing to add.  Editor’s note:  According to its website, Selectman Musselman’s company, CMA Engineers is involved in water projects.  Selectman Jenness stated that she was on Aquarion water, just barely.  Selectman Mills indicated that he received water from the Rye Water District, unfortunately, he said.

Proposed charge to Beach Use Ordinance Committee

            Selectman Mills stated that none of the Selectmen seemed to have a copy of the proposed charge.  Mike LaBrie, Chairman of the Beach Commission, was present in the audience and offered to read it from his cell phone.  The proposed charge refers to assessing the current and future impact on Public Safety, use of the beach and Town liability.  It provides a listing of the types of businesses and activities that are to be evaluated.  These seemed to be similar, if not identical, to those in 2013 Warrant Article 15.  The proposal also refers to at least one public hearing, and a report back to the Board of Selectmen on the effect on public safety and public use and enjoyment.  It refers to a second public hearing being required, in accordance with the warrant article, if the Board of Selectmen proposes legislation.  Editor’s note:  That warrant article, which originally would have required Board of Selectmen permission to conduct varies types of beach-related businesses, was amended at the 2013 Deliberative Session to make it only a study.  Ryan and Tyler McGill, the principals of Summer Sessions, a surfing-related business at Jenness Beach proposed the amendment to make the warrant article require only a study.  In the minutes leading up to discussion of this warrant article, perhaps 100 people arrived and stood in the Junior High School Cafeteria.  The warrant article passed 590-487 in the election the following month.  Summer Sessions came before the Planning Board on April 9, 2013 regarding an exemption request, which was denied due to the increased traffic in the area.

            Selectman Musselman indicated that nothing would be happening on this until Town Administrator Magnant returns.  Editor’s note:  Based on discussion at the prior meeting, it appears that Mr. Magnant is on vacation in Italy.  Selectman Musselman suggested that there be a list of possible appointees prepared for the next meeting and that Mr. Magnant talk with them regarding their willingness to serve.  Selectman Mills asked whether Mr. Magnant would be using his old phone or his new phone for this.  Selectman Musselman quipped that “cans and string†might be used.  A discussion ensued in which it was revealed that Mr. Magnant’s cell phone, which had been in vibrate mode, had found its way into one of the Town toilets while Mr. Magnant was using the rest room, causing the toilet to become plugged.  Public Works Director McCarthy revealed that a “successful retrieval†had been conducted. 

House numbering ordinance

            Fire Chief Sullivan indicated that, while there is a house numbering ordinance, nobody is listed to enforce it.  Police Chief Walsh indicated that he had e-mailed Building Inspector Peter Rowell a standardized letter that police or fire personnel could provide when they go to location and the numbers don’t exist or are not in compliance.  Selectman Jenness asked whether the Building Inspector would be responsible for enforcement.  Fire Chief Sullivan stated that this was the case in every town that he has been involved with.  There are particular problems inRyein the Rye Beach Village District, where there are often bronze or brass plaques that may be covered by snow, and there are no mailboxes down there. 

            The two chiefs indicated that they would be meeting regarding this issue.  Selectman Mills asked when “the three of youse†would meet and who was going to be buying the donuts. 

On call paramedic             Police Chief Walsh indicated that a recent situation involving a resident with a medical problem had been resolved and worked out well by using a standby paramedic.  Fire Chief Sullivan indicated that there is now a process by which a paramedic is available within 10 minutes by radio.  When a call comes in the person travels, using his own car, to the scene.  The paramedic receives standby pay.  Chief Sullivan stated that this provides a higher level of emergency medical care and Rye, rather than some other town, receives the revenues when there is a call.  Editor’s note:  See notes of December 10, 2012 meeting.  At that meeting the Fire Chief’s request for a warrant article providing an additional firefighter/paramedic was rejected because of the cost.  It would be reconsidered once a firefighter retires.  Schooling had been offered to existing firefighters, but none would go.  The effect is that one shift out of four has no paramedic coverage.

Bid for roadway striping            Public Works Director McCarthy indicated that the low bid for this service had been received from Highway Safety System of Rockland, MA, in the amount of $33,000.  The motion to accept the bid was accepted unanimously.

Non-public session            The agenda indicates that there would be a non-public session involving the “reputation†exception.  As the session was announced, Ms. Gillespie got up to press the button adjacent to the door, and the red light went off.