NOTES OF JUNE 19, 2017 RYE BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING

Final Revision B – Provided by the Rye Civic League

 

            Present (clockwise around table):  Town Administrator Michael Magnant, Selectmen Craig Musselman, Priscilla Jenness and Phil Winslow.  Not present:  Finance Director Cyndi Gillespie. 

            Also present and sitting in the audience:  none.

            Members of the public included:  none. 

 

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 5:07:24 p.m. (0:00 elapsed).  The audio is off until 5:07:34 p.m. (0:10 elapsed)

 

Summary

 

1.      The Selectmen rejected the Rye/New Castle Bridge Maintenance Agreement and will not sign it as the Town has no equipment with which to perform the required snow removal from the bridge sidewalk.

2.      The Selectmen voted to submit an LCHIP application for a grant for Town Hall painting, related repairs, and a condition assessment.  Final approval of grant acceptance cannot occur until after 2018 Town Meeting, given uncertainty as to whether or not voters may approve tear down and rebuild of Town Hall.     

 

Sealing of minutes

 

            The motion of Selectman Jenness to seal the minutes of the non-public meeting just concluded carried unanimously.

 

Raffle request from Ray Tweedie, St. Theresa Men’s Club (1:15 elapsed)

 

            After Selectman Winslow recused himself, indicating that he is also a member of the club, the other two Selectmen voted unanimously to approve the request to hold raffles during their summer meetings.

 

Rye/New Castle Bridge Maintenance Agreement

 

            Selectman Musselman explained the situation.  There is a similar agreement that was entered into in 2007 relating to the Foyes Corner Roundabout, however, that says that snow removal on the sidewalks would be done in accordance with the Town’s practices and procedures.  As the Town did not then, and does not now, clear sidewalks of snow, lacking the equipment to do so, they have not been clearing the sidewalks at Foyes Corner.

            Town Administrator Magnant said that he had spoken with DOT staff and they are unwilling to add the language about practices and procedures to the Rye/Newcastle bridge agreement.

            Selectman Winslow said that, although he understands that New Castle signed the agreement without any intention to maintain the sidewalks, he cannot support having Rye do the same thing.  The Town should either maintain the sidewalks or not enter into the agreement.

            Selectman Jenness agreed.  She said that it would make more sense to extend the bike lane over the bridge than to have a sidewalk.

            Selectman Musselman moved that the Town Administrator be authorized to send a letter to DOT stating that the Town could not sign the agreement in its current form as it lacks the necessary equipment to perform maintenance, and suggesting that a bike lane be provided to accommodate access.  All were in favor. 

 

Town Hall LCHIP application (6:46 elapsed)

 

            Selectman Musselman explained that the Heritage Commission has been working on an application for a $60,000 grant to pay half of the cost of painting Town Hall, associated necessary repairs and an historic structures assessment.

            Since the last Heritage Commission meeting they have determined that there are regulatory constraints.  Before funds are expended there must be a project agreement.  At the end of the project, the Town would need to enter into a five year stewardship agreement that would restrict sale and renovation (exterior or interior) of the building.  A legal opinion and indications from LCHIP indicate that the Town can apply for the grant and decide later whether or not to accept the conditions.  The grant award would be announced in December 2017, with painting not starting until 2018.  There is a conflict with the “Loftus article,” he said.  Editor’s note:  This is an anticipated warrant article.  In 2017, Article 34 passed, 873-700, providing for Mr. Loftus to, at no cost to the town, do a conceptual design of a new Town Hall, with the assistance of an architect.  The article did not state that the existing Town Hall would be torn down.  It is anticipated that Mr. Loftus will put forth a warrant article in 2018 to provide funding to construct his design.  If bond financing is sought, a 60 percent vote would be required.  Article 34 failed to achieve this level. 

            Selectman Musselman said that, in accordance with conversations with the grant provider, there is time to get Town Meeting approval prior to accepting the grant as well as to obtain more information on possible use of a part of the Rye Junior High for town offices.  Editor’s note:  In accordance with 2018 School Warrant Article 3, which passed 1177-312, a committee is looking into possible uses for surplus Rye Junior High space, as well as the possibility of combining the elementary and junior high schools in one location.  Selectman Musselman said that there would be time to consider the long-term implications of the stewardship agreement.  The real decision would be made after 2018 Town Meeting, he said. 

            The motion to approve submittal of the grant application, which is due June 23, 2017, carried unanimously.

            The meeting was then adjourned and the video was off briefly.  Selectman Musselman then modified his motion to allow the Town Administrator to send the application with a cover letter explaining the circumstances in which the Town finds itself.  The meeting then adjourned.