NOTES OF AUGUST 10, 2015 RYE BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING
Final Revision B – Provided by the Rye Civic League
Present (clockwise around table): Town Administrator Michael Magnant, Selectmen Musselman, Jenness and Mills, Town Finance Director Cyndi Gillespie.
Also present and sitting in the audience: Public Works Director Dennis McCarthy, Interim Fire Chief Tom Lambert, Police Chief Kevin Walsh, Planning Administrator Kim Reed
Persons present from the public included: Victor Azzi, Lori Carbajal, Corey Colwell, Peter Crawford, Tracy Degnan, Steve Hillman, Sally King, Bernie Pelech, Peter Randazza, Larry Rocha
Editor’s
note: For ease in finding particular
sections using the archived video and audio on the
Town website, the elapsed time is indicated.
Use the slider and the elapsed time indicated at the bottom of the video
window to fast forward to the desired section.
Videos on the Town website may currently be
accessed at www.town.rye.nh.us by
clicking on “Town Hall Streaming” at the bottom left of the screen. Follow the link for “Town Hall Live
Streaming,” then find the meeting by date under “Previous.”
The video starts
at 6:55:03 p.m. (0:00 elapsed).
Summary
Non-public session
Prior to the start of
the meeting, a non-public session was in progress. Persons present during that meeting were
Building Inspector Peter Rowell, Assessor David Hynes, Randy Crapo, Deb Crapo,
Selectmen Musselman, Jenness and Mills, Town Administrator Michael Magnant and
Town Finance Director Cyndi Gillespie.
Consent Agenda (1:24 elapsed)
Selectman Jenness announced
the items on the Consent Agenda which included two event permits, an
appointment to the Town Hall Committee, an annual Memorandum of Agreement with
New Hampshire Division of Parks and Recreation allowing the Rye Police
Department to cite violators at State Parks, a letter expressing concern about
safety issues at Rye beaches and item (D) referenced below.
Selectman Musselman
asked to pull item D, relating to the Heritage Commission’s request to install
two signs at Town Hall (relating to Town Hall being listed on the State
Register of Historic Places).
All were in favor of
approving the remaining items.
Heritage Commission proposal on Town Hall
signs (3:34 elapsed)
Selectman Musselman
stated that there is a request to put one sign next to the door and the other
on a post by the road. He suggested that
they agree to put one sign on the building but not one by the road. The printing is small and people driving by
would not be able to read it, he said.
Selectman Jenness
stated that the Heritage Commission wanted to get as much exposure as they can
because they feel that the building is under threat of being torn down. She noted that what is proposed is a
“handsome piece” with the granite post. Editor’s note: Selectman Jenness is the Selectmen’s
representative on the Heritage Commission.
There was discussion about the granite post interfering with snow
plowing. Public Works Director Dennis
McCarthy suggested that there be a standard on signs. Selectman Musselman moved to approve one
sign. Selectman Mills seconded. Selectman Jenness abstained, stating that she
would have to go back to the Heritage Commission. The other two were in favor.
Public hearing on grant relating to flood insurance rates (7:17 elapsed)
Selectman Jenness
stated that the grant for $10,000 from Piscataqua Region Estuaries Partnership
grant was for assistance in preparing an application with FEMA to permit Rye to
participate in the Community Rating System.
Editor’s note: FEMA stands for Federal Emergency Management Agency. Rye lost its status in the Community Rating
System a number of years ago due to non-compliance with certain standards. If Rye is approved to reenter the system,
property owners may be eligible for reductions in their flood insurance
premiums.
Planning Administrator
Kim Reed stated that the grant would allow the Town to hire Julie LaBranche of
the Rockingham Planning Commission to assist with the application.
There were no public
comments.
All were in favor of
approving acceptance of the grant.
Minutes (9:44 elapsed)
The minutes of the July
13 meeting were approved with changes.
Conservation Commission grant from NHDES for
former Rand Lumber parcel (11:26 elapsed)
Cyndi Gillespie noted
that a $2365.50 grant had been received for brush management from NRCS,
Department of Agriculture. Editor’s note: NRCS stands for Natural Resources
Conservation Service, an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Selectman Musselman asked what chemical had
been used on 14 acres. Tracy Degnan reported
the chemical had been applied to the salt marsh and reported the brand name,
saying that the active ingredient is Glyphosate. Editor’s
note: Roundup has the same active
ingredient. Ms. Degnan reported that it
had been used on the phragmites. The
motion to accept and expend the money carried unanimously.
Sally King explained
that they also wanted the Selectmen to accept a grant for $121,000 from the
Aquatic Resources Mitigation Fund, NHDES, to be applied towards the former Rand
Lumber parcel of approximately 70 acres.
Ms. King noted that, while they have a purchase and sale agreement, they
have until December to expend the money.
Selectman Musselman
moved to accept and expend the funds.
All were in favor.
Mr. Magnant asked if
there had been a public hearing. Sally
King reported that there had been. Peter
Crawford, speaking from the audience, indicated that he believed that the
hearing was on the purchase of the property, not on the grant. Editor’s
note: See the notes of the November 10,
2014 meeting.
Selectman Musselman asked when the public
hearing on the grant had been. Sally
King responded that there had not been one, that the hearing had been on the
purchase of the property. Selectman
Musselman said “that was our funds.”
Mr. Magnant asked Ms.
Gillespie whether there didn’t need to be a public hearing as the amount was
over $10,000. Ms. Gillespie
confirmed.
It was agreed that a
public hearing would be scheduled for the next meeting on September 26.
Selectman Musselman
withdrew his motion.
Summer Sessions camp update, Sawyers Beach
parent drop-offs (16:17 elapsed)
Tyler McGill of Summer
Sessions spoke, indicating that he had met with Police Chief Kevin Walsh
regarding the status. As far as he
knows, there has not been an issue with the coaches’ bathroom use. Editor’s
note: See the notes of the May 11, 2015
meeting when the issue of unknown persons using the bushes as a toilet facility
was discussed. Mr. McGill continued,
stating that also reviewed the camp numbers to make sure that they were within
the limits of the permit. He referred to
a letter from Katy Sherman with photos.
He wanted to get ahead of the game and have everything documented, so every
day of camp he has four photos taken, including photos of the street at pickup
and dropoff and of the beach.
Mr. McGill stated that,
from the commencement of the season to present he had received no complaints at
the shop regarding the camp.
Nevertheless, there are issues with two photos. Parking was an issue on July 3. There were cars parked on the Eel Pond
side. Obviously there were campers being
dropped off. There were cars parked
there when camp concluded at 2:00. July
4 was a Saturday so a lot of people had Friday off.
As he told the Police Chief, parents dropping kids off is difficult to
control.
After July 3, on the
first two days of each camp, he stationed coaches on both sides of the road to
explain to parents the Town rules. Since
then there have not been problems with the parking, he asserted.
The problems with
double parking and traffic backed up are even worse on Saturday, when no camp
is in session, he said. On a 90 degree
day, whether it’s a Friday or Saturday, the beach will be crowded and parking
will be an issue. He invited the
Selectmen to come and visit the camp.
Ninety-eight percent of the time there is ample parking, he
asserted.
A donation drive has
been done, raising $750 for the Surfrider Foundation and $500 for the Fire
Department. He suggested that that money
be used for the lifeguards.
Selectman Musselman
asked whether the parents who are not Rye residents leave after dropping their
kids off on the ocean side.
Police Chief Kevin
Walsh stated that the problems with beach parking had been challenging for the
parking staff. There have a number of
appeals, particularly in that area, and there have been people upset with the
Police Chief and the parking appeals person when the appeals were denied. When people leave their vehicles they get tickets.
Selectman Musselman
stated that he observed three people in beach attire cooking dinner in the road
on Perkins Rd. He observed a woman
stirring a big pot on a camp stove. He
asked whether there was an ordinance prohibiting that. Chief Walsh responded that he could not think
of one off the top of his head but that they would have addressed the issue had
they known about it. Selectman Musselman
stated that this was the same area where residents had complained about dirty
diapers being put in their mailboxes.
Chief Walsh stated that the officers have been diligent about moving
people along. There have been complaints
about people spending the night there.
Peter Crawford stated
that he agreed with Mr. McGill about parking being the biggest issue down
there. A couple of times when he was
there, all of the resident parking was occupied,
although usually it is not. The last
time he was there he counted 18 cars between the boardwalk over the shale pile
and the Summer Sessions van, of which 4-5 did not have resident parking
permits. A number of women were standing
on the shale pile, apparently on the lookout for Parking Enforcement. If seen, a bunch of people who had parked
illegally would head over the shale pile to move, he surmised. He suggested some loading zone spots and
signs saying no parking/no standing for non-residents.
Selectman Mills quipped
that “Andy Fife” had provided Chief Walsh with the solution after studies all
summer long. Editor’s note: Apparently
Selectman Mills intended to refer to Barney Fife, who was a fictional Deputy
Sheriff in Mayberry on the Andy Griffin television show popular during the
1960s.
Chief Walsh stated that
for the 20 years that he has been with the Rye Police Department, unloading has
been tolerated at Wallis Rd. Extension, Cable Rd. Extension and the Sawyers
Beach Area. He agrees however, that when
busy this can create a lot of traffic congestion. Then the officers and parking enforcement
tell people that its too congested and they need to
move on. He knows that he and Parking
Enforcement have been accused of targeting Summer Sessions. Mr. McGill agreed that enforcement was good
and he has no sympathy for the parents who are parking illegally. Chief Walsh stated that, based on what Mr.
Crawford said, he would have Parking Enforcement swing
around the long way by Sea Rd. so that those parking illegally do not see them
coming.
Selectman Mills stated
that if any parents complain about getting bagged, they should be told that
Andy Fife of Mayberry did it.
Lori Carbajal asked
whether it would be feasible to have pickup/drop off in front of the Summer
Sessions shop. Mr. McGill expressed
concern about the liability issue of having 30 kids walking along the
street.
Larry Rocha, 39 Perkins
Rd., stated that are a lot cars on his street that stay late. People do a lot of things on the road,
including cooking dinner, he said. He
also suggested that not all of the Summer Sessions staff be in the water. A couple should be on the beach in case
something happens, he suggested.
Proposed parking ordinance amendment,
discussion of South Rd. parking (35:00 elapsed)
Chief Walsh stated that
the information has been added as part of their packets to start the process of
adding that to the ordinance. Selectman
Musselman asked whether there had been problems with prosecutions. Chief Walsh stated that he had not, but that
could be a problem. Selectman Musselman
asked whether “no cooking in the road” could be added. Chief Walsh agreed.
Selectman asked about
the parking on Sea Rd. and South Rd. and whether there could not be parking
there, as it was one of the widest rights of way in the Town and Philbrick’s
Beach was at the foot of that road.
Chief Walsh stated that it had been that way for the 20 years he had been
with the Department. Selectman Musselman
stated that it was probably residents having their way at one time. Selectman Jenness agreed that was perhaps
why, but that the roads “are ours” and we know that
the right-of-way is 30 feet onto the lawn of what used to be the Smith
House. If “we’re looking for places for
cars to park – just a thought,” she said.
Selectman Jenness asked
whether they were ready to get back to the residents of Perkins Rd. Editor’s
note: See the notes of the July 13, 2015
site walk meeting and the accompanying video.
A number of residents complained about the parking on the street.. The other two
Selectmen immediately said no, they had taken the matter under advisement.
Hazardous tree removal (39:07 elapsed)
Public Works Director
Dennis McCarthy stated that a Town Ordinance states that all roads are
scenic. For a tree to be removed, a
Planning Board hearing is required unless the tree is designated as
hazardous. He is suggesting that two
trees well in the Town’s right of way be removed as they are not in the best
shape. Selectman Musselman moved to
designate the trees as hazardous.
Selectman Mills seconded, asking who was going to get the wood. “Not Joe,” Selectman Musselman said, adding
“high bidder.” Selectman Jenness and
Musselman voted in favor. Selectman
Mills was not observed to vote.
Culvert
replacements (Red Mill Ln.) (40:57 elapsed)
Mr. McCarthy passed out
a number of bound reports. He stated
that there are 66 culverts in Town. They
have spread out their replacement over 30 years, depending on what kind of
shape they are in. The two on Red Mill
Ln. were possibly constructed in 1909.
They are both on the same stream so it makes sense to do the engineering
on both at the same time.
Selectman Jenness asked
what a bottomless culvert was. Mr. McCarthy
explained that if a box culvert with a bottom is put in, it needs to have stone
and gravel added to the bottom so it looks like the bottom of a stream to the
indigenous fish and other animals. The funds are available in the budget
(except for $1000 which can be found elsewhere) for the engineering, they hope
to do the actual replacement in 2016. He
suggests that Wright Pierce, who did the last one, be retained. A lot of this requires permits, especially
what is close to tidal, he said.
Selectman Musselman
stated that, some time ago, he would have suggested that the priority of the
culvert at Long John Rd. be bumped up, but it only affects one house. Editor’s
note: Selectman Musselman recently moved
from Long John Rd. to Sagamore Rd. and sold his house at the former location. Selectman Musselman noted that it is on the
plan for 2027 and it is still appropriate.
Mr. McCarthy stated
that the road assessment needs to be part of the culvert plan as they do not
want to repave a road and then have to replace the culvert.
Selectman Musselman
asked what the name was of the body of water going under the Red Mill Ln.
culvert. Mr. McCarthy asked whether he
should use “his name” or “her name.”
Selectman Jenness stated that the only correct name is “Cedar Swamp
Run.” Mr. McCarthy stated that it
appears on the maps as “Baileys Brook” and he agonized over what to call it but
had to use that name.
Selectman Musselman
stated that he had reviewed and commented on the report in 2012 and it was now
here. This has been needed for years, he
said. He said that not many culverts are
critically deficient. Many communities
have 8 or 9 that regularly flood homes and roads. Mr. McCarthy agreed. He stated however, that the “tides to storms”
issue could be major by 2050. Editor’s note: Tides to storms refers to sea level
rise. Selectman Musselman stated
that only a few would be affected.
In response to a
question from Selectman Jenness, it was revealed that the engineering cost
would be $31,000. Mr. McCarthy stated
that he is estimating $150,000 project cost for both culverts, which would
include the $31,000. Selectman Musselman
asked whether these would be added to the CIP Plan. Mr. McCarthy stated that this would be the
next step.
Selectman Musselman
asked whether there had been any more discussion about Eel Pond. Mr. McCarthy stated that there had not been,
and that the outlet pipe is State, and Eel Pond itself is private property.
There was discussion
about whether the Town would excavate the shale pile during a hurricane. It was revealed that the Selectmen had voted
not to do so, as the Town would then assume the liability. Mr. McCarthy referred to ongoing work with
the State on their culverts. There are
ongoing State projects at Church Rd. and Causeway.
There was further
discussion about Eel Pond not draining and the residents not wanting to convert
Eel Pond back into a salt marsh because it would smell. Selectman Jenness stated that it would
eventually silt in.
Selectman Musselman moved
to authorize the Public Works Director to enter into a contract for the
permitting and design of two culverts at Red Mill Ln. All were in favor.
Automated road condition assessment (49:08 elapsed)
Mr. McCarthy stated
that he had begged companies to submit proposals. One of the problems is that the Town is
small. However, Street Scan from
Burlington, MA is very interested. They
have done Beverly and are currently doing Chelsea.
Mr. McCarthy stated
that the old method involved driving the roads to determine the condition. They were then assigned numerical ranks to
come up with a plan. With equipment the
analysis is automatic. Pavement depth
can also be ascertained. The budget had
been $25,000. They are around that, but
the smaller roads, which would cost around $4000, were omitted. However, there is extra money in the paving
budget, he said. He recommends that all
roads be done, for a cost of approximately $30,000. For this there would be computer support for
a year.
Selectman Musselman
stated that, five years ago, only departments of transportation had these rigs,
but they are now in high demand. They
were trying to get Rye included with other towns that his firm is working with,
but they could not get that done. Ground
penetrating radar is something new. It
can ascertain asphalt depth and subsoils.
Sometimes old New England roads have wood corduroy beneath them that
could be detected by the scans, he said.
Selectman Musselman
stated that $200,000 per year is now being spent by the Town on roads, whereas
it used to be $300,000. The data needs
to be looked at to see whether the Town is gaining, rather than losing,
ground.
Selectman Musselman
stated that his firm did Dover before, is doing Eliot now and is also working
with a couple of other communities. If
Mr. McCarthy likes, his firm can help on a pro bono basis. Editor’s
note: Mr. Musselman is President of CMA
Engineers.
Selectman Musselman moved to authorize Mr.
McCarthy to enter into a contract for an amount not to exceed $30,000 with
Street Scan for sensing of Rye’s roads.
Catch basin cleaning bid results (61:32 elapsed)
Mr. McCarthy reported
that two bids had been received, one for $28.55 per basin from the
incumbent. The other bid was for
$50. He recommended that the contract be
awarded to the incumbent.
Selectman Jenness asked
why three firms did not submit bids. Mr.
McCarthy stated that the economy was good and the cleaning is required for EPA
permits. Capacity is getting used up, he
said. About a quarter of the Town’s
catch basins are cleaned annually, or 200, he said.
Roadside mowing contract bid results (64:05 elapsed)
Mr. McCarthy reported that there two bids, one for $85 per hour from Sewell
Enterprises and the other, for $78 per hour, from Rye Beach Landscaping. Sewell has done the work in the past and is
able to do the work in August. They have
larger equipment so in theory they can work faster. The difference is about $500. Sewell thinks that all of the roads can be
done in 80 hours. Rye Beach Landscaping
cannot provide that assurance as they have not done the work before. He has worked with Ben Holmes of Rye Beach
Landscaping and would love to work with him, as he has in the past, but
nevertheless recommends that the Town go with Sewell.
Selectman Jenness
stated that $7 per hour is quite a bit.
Some people work for that. That
led to discussion about the bushes on Selectman Jenness’ property that had been
cut back during a mowing. Selectman
Mills stated that they had been illegal invasive plants. Selectman Musselman quipped that what she
needed was a stone wall in the right-of-way.
Selectman Mills moved
to go with the recommendation of Mr. McCarthy (i.e. Sewell). Selectman Musselman seconded. Selectman Jenness abstained stating that they
try to stick to the low bid whenever possible.
Purchasing policy update, Mosquito
Commission disposition of traps (68:22 elapsed)
Town Administrator
Magnant stated that he had learned that one of the Town’s commissions had been
disposing of Town property. He
discovered that there was not a policy on the issue of surplus property. Many other towns have a paragraph on that, he
said.
Selectman Musselman
asked whether there wasn’t a warrant article on that and whether that did not
override. Editor’s note: A warrant article
“To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Selectmen to sell to the highest
bidder at public auction, or sealed bid, such surplus Town equipment as is not
traded in on new equipment in 2015” passed earlier in 2015. A similar warrant article passes each year.
It was then revealed that the Mosquito
Commission had attempted to dispose of greenhead traps by giving them to the
Wentworth-by-the-Sea.
Mr. Magnant stated that
the proposed policy fleshes out the warrant article by requiring commissions
and department heads to come to the Board.
Mr. Magnant stated that
the greenhead traps will not be given to the Wentworth.
Selectman Musselman
suggested that the policy not be adopted this year, but that the warrant
article be revised for next year.
Mr. McCarthy stated
that there may be surplus auction later this month or next month. In the past, the list has always been brought
to the Selectmen for approval.
Commissions have not been included but they could be in the future.
Selectman Musselman
stated that the Mosquito Control Commission can sell the traps to the Wentworth
for $1, but they need to go through a process.
Cavaretta request to issue building permits
for Pioneer Rd. (73:32 elapsed)
Attorney
Bernie Pelech, representing the applicant, referred to RSA 674:41 which requires that the Selectmen approve the issuance of building
permits for construction on a Class VI highway.
Editor’s note: A Class VI highway is one that is not
maintained by the town, but is nevertheless a town road and may not be
discontinued without town meeting approval.
In 2013, Warrant Article 12 was passed, approving the relocation of Old
Ferry Landing Rd. to accommodate a development proposal by the Cavarettas. Old Ferry Landing Rd. goes through the
Wentworth-by-the-Sea golf course and ends up near the bridge on Wentworth Rd.
that leads to New Castle. The exact
location is unclear as much of the road no longer physically exists. Despite this, the Town retains the right to
the road.
Mr. Pelech stated that
they had been before the Planning Board.
Town Attorney Donovan has weighed in and determined that the Selectmen’s
approval is needed. A Class VI road maintenance
agreement has been recorded with the Registry of Deeds in accordance with his
request. The Cavarettas are responsible
for the maintenance. Another document,
limiting the town’s responsibility, has also been agreed to. This is the last step, he said.
This is a win, win for
the Town as there will be increased property taxes and there is no maintenance
responsibility. Mr. Pelech said.
Selectman Musselman
asked whether there were any changes to the buildings from what had originally
been proposed. Corey Colwell, MSC
Engineers (also representing the applicant) stated that they were minor and the
design was actually for a smaller structure.
Mr. Pelech stated that there had been discussion with the Planning Board
regarding a detached carriage house with a bathroom upstairs. As a result of these discussions there will
not be a bedroom. The Planning Board had
indicated that with a bedroom it could be considered a second dwelling
unit. Editor’s note: The Rye Zoning
Ordinance allows only one dwelling unit per lot in the Single Residence
District. It has also been decided
that there would not be a kitchen, Mr. Pelech said.
There was also a
request for an accessory apartment in the other home which has been withdrawn
for the moment, Mr. Pelech said.
Selectman Jenness
stated that the Planning Board had spent quite a bit of time on this and had
considerable concern regarding the future of the detached garage. Editor’s
note: Selectman Jenness is the
Selectmen’s representative on the Planning Board. Attorney Pelech stated that the plans had
been changed since then.
Selectmen Jenness
stated that she understood that the Board of Selectmen could place restrictions
on the plans. Mr. Pelech agreed. Selectman Jenness stated that they wanted to
make sure that the carriage house did not become a dwelling unit. It was presented to the Planning Board as a
garage and shop. She stated that she
recalled a half bath on the first floor.
Selectman Musselman
stated that that was OK, to avoid the need for someone working in the shop to
go back to the house, but now there’s a full bath on the second floor. Mr. Colwell disagreed, indicating that he
believed there was only one bath and that the plans had recently been submitted
to the Building Inspector.
(80:00 elapsed)
Building Inspector
Peter Rowell handed some documents to Mr. Pelech, who walked up saying “I have
never seen these. Peter just handed them
to me, so I’ll hand them to …” and started to pass out copies the Selectmen,
who stated that they had copies already.
Mr. Pelech looked at the document and said “full bathroom, sitting,
that’s on the second floor. OK. I have not seen these.”
Selectman Musselman
stated that they had a motion to make.
It was to approve the issuance of building permits for lots 82 and 97
respectively, and for accessory structures on the lots provided that there
shall be no additional dwelling units, including accessory apartments,
permitted on either lot. Second, there
shall be no sleeping quarters permitted in any accessory structure on either
lot, including the proposed carriage house on lot 82, which shall not have a
kitchen and no more than one half bath. Third the notice of limits of responsibility
is signed by all parties and recorded.
All were in favor.
Selectman Mills asked
who was going to rent the garage to store his boat. Mr. Colwell stated that the future owner of
the carriage house would be storing his boat there.
Letter from Steve Hillman regarding orange safety cones in Town
rights-of-way (82:25 elapsed)
Police Chief Walsh
stated that he had spoken with Public Works Director Dennis McCarthy. “F” Street is a private road with beach
access by the public, so he does not believe that the Town is allowed to remove
the cones. They can on the Ocean Blvd.
side.
Steve Hillman stated
that he understands what the Chief is saying, but “F” Street has been a bone of
contention as a number of years ago shrubs were put in. When he drove by, there were 8-10 cones. It is very foreboding for walking as it looks
like a skull and crossbones. It’s their
way of putting the shrubs back, he asserted.
Selectman Musselman
said that all of them should boldly walk down “F” Street.
Peter Randazza letter, parking issues at 2228 Ocean Blvd. (25:08
elapsed)
The letter stated that
Mr. Randazza appreciated the effort of the Selectmen with respect to parking on
Ocean Blvd., but something went wrong with respect to his property. Editor’s
note: See the notes and video of the
April 29, 2015 site walk, during which the Selectmen decided to “stripe” a
number of the driveways along Ocean Blvd. to provide additional space adjacent
to the driveways in which parking would be prohibited. The e-mail stated that his is the only
driveway in the area that is not painted for no
parking. To add insult to injury the
painting forces cars to park just south of his driveway, blocking his view of
northbound automobile and pedestrian traffic.
He had spoken to Chief Walsh but had been referred to the
Selectmen. He stated that he would like
this to be corrected by the weekend.
Mr. Randazza then
spoke. He held up a poster board with
photographs and explained how the striping had forced cars to park adjacent to
his driveway. He pointed to the
neighbors on either side with striping for their driveways but none for his.
Selectman Jenness
stated that the problem was that they were working with driveways were 10-20
feet wide, so that adding 10 feet on one side and 20 on the other they ended up
with 50 feet. However, his driveway is
already 40-50 feet wide.
Mr. Randazza referred
to a problem when the driveway was full of cars.
Selectmen Musselman
stated that there were other residents with wide driveways who were in a
similar situation and they had not yet complained. He asked how Mr. Randazza exited his garage. He responded that they do not use the garage
in the summer.
Selectman Musselman
stated that there was a question as to whether he had building permits for the
two car garage. Mr. Randazza stated that
it was original since the house was built in 1935. His grandparents bought it shortly after
then.
Selectman Mills stated
that he must have originally been given a curb cut size by the State, which
could be researched in Durham. Mr.
Randazza stated that it had always been there.
Selectman Mills stated that the State is lazy and doesn’t do anything
with their rights-of-way. The State may
have given his grandfather 20 feet, but he used 30-40 feet and nobody checked
on it, he surmised.
Selectman Musselman
suggested that he back in. That would be
safer, he said.
Mr. Randazza stated
that a number of people with the Town had somewhat agreed with him. He asked that one spot be eliminated.
Selectman Musselman
stated that they were trying to eliminate as few spots as necessary, but
balancing that with safety issues.
Mr. McCarthy stated
that he had contacted the State which is researching the original permit. There is a question of whether it was even
permitted to be on the Boulevard as the property originally fronted on “D”
Street. If the driveway is filled with
too many cars to allow turning that is the property owner’s problem.
Selectman Mills
referred to no parking signs on telephone poles that had not been authorized by
the Town or the State. Mr. Randazza
stated that he had not put up the signs.
The discussion was
inconclusive but Selectman Musselman agreed that there was a safety issue. It appeared that the Selectmen would consider
the matter further at a later date.
Adjournment (99:18 elapsed)
There being no new
business, old business or public recognition, the meeting adjourned at approximately
8:36 p.m.