Present: Marj Roy, Vicky Mishcon, and Dave Blinn. Jim Delaney arrived at 6:30 PM

Also present: Chief Glenn Laramie; John Thompson; Noise Ordinance Committee members, Donna Blinn and Gail Beaufays; Pecco Beaufays; Andy Guptill; John Sava; Jane Hubbard; Chris Braley; Jeff Newcomb; Fire Chief Rene Lefebvre; John Kinney; and Greg Stetson.

Noise Ordinance Public Hearing

Mishcon explained the formation of the committee tasked with developing an appropriate noise ordinance tailored for Andover. The Committee condensed the noise ordinance that was presented at Town Meeting in 2016 and made it workable for the Police Department to enforce if needed.

Andy Guptill commented that his concern was on Section #3 Application for Special Permit. The last sentence stated that applications for a special permit shall under no circumstances be granted for a Sunday, at any time. After discussion, the Board struck out that line so that Sunday would be exactly like the other six days of the week except for the time, limiting it until 8 AM on Sunday morning.

Chief Laramie commented that if any fines are assessed, that the money from the violations comes directly to the Town of Andover. No money goes to the State.

There being no further discussion, Mishcon closed the Public Hearing at 6:25 PM

Pecco Bearfays suggested to the Board that non-residential brides who choose to have their wedding ceremony at the beach including those who are guests at his Inn, that a donation might be made to the town for use of the Town Beach. The Board will look into this prospect.

John Sava spoke to the Board about his concerns on the road treatment times during inclement weather on school days on Beech Hill Road. Sava indicated that the roads are treated but not in time for the school bus run. Sava would like to see the times adjusted. Road Agent Thompson explained how the roads are treated in town and how the runs go. Thompson also explained that there are other roads in Andover having the same issues as Beech Hill Road. According to Town Policy the roads are not to be plowed until there are three inches of snow on the roads. Thompson brought up his concerns to the Board during last week’s work session about updating the Town’s snow plowing policy. Thompson said that the roads are more heavily traveled now and the Town needs to look at procedures and come up with new ideas on treating the road, options other than what they use currently to treat the roads. However, other options could be costlier. The Board will review this policy on their next work session, Friday, January 20th and address it.

Jane Hubbard presented the Board with an outline to develop an Emergency Plan for the Lawrence Street Bridge should it fail. At last year’s Town Meeting, some residents expressed a concern for family members, especially elderly parents, who live beyond the bridge if it were to fail. Mishcon explained that every three months an independent engineering firm inspects that bridge. If there are any changes, they notify the Town so adjustments can be made such as weight limits for crossing the bridge. The plan is to replace the bridge in 2021 when there should be federal funds available. At this point, the State does not expect a catastrophic event for this bridge.

Fire Chief Lefebvre explained that if the bridge were to fail, they have the apparatus to do life safety, but would not likely be able to get their equipment up in that area beyond the bridge. They would be able to get people out, but not take care of structures. The upper end of Tucker Mountain Road is another road that has issues during mud season.

Hubbard suggested that a committee be formed so that a long-term plan can be developed. This way there would be options and procedures in place, information as to how to approach it. Hubbard suggested the committee be formed with representatives from the Police Department, the Fire Department, the Board of Selectmen, the Highway Department/Road Agent, and the school.

Mishcon will contact Nancy Mayville from Department of Transportation (DOT) for information if the bridge were to fail now. Bailey bridges, cost, etc.

Hubbard will send out an e-mail and start the process of forming a committee.

Mishcon requested that they schedule a meeting in February before Town Meeting.

Fire Department

Andy Guptill indicated that there have been opinions during the past ten years as to combining the fire precincts into one; others wanted to keep the two precincts separate. Administratively, having two precincts works, but operationally, it is not very efficient especially for the treasurer. It doubles the work. At this point, the Fire Department has the procedural information on how to dissolve the East Andover precinct and have a combined Andover Fire Department. One item was to have a petition with ten registered voter signatures and to request the Board to schedule a public hearing. Chief Lefebvre is in the process of writing an article for the February 1st Beacon.

Mishcon made a motion for the Board to accept the petition from the Fire precincts to hold a public hearing on merging the two precincts. The hearing is scheduled for February 15th at 7 PM at the Town Hall. Blinn seconded the motion. All in favor. Motion passed.

John Kinney asked whether it is appropriate to get the Budget Committee’s recommendation.

Roy will also request that the Town Attorney be present to answer any legal questions that might come up.

Chief Laramie

Officer Timothy Dow has resigned from the Andover Police Department effective January 13, 2017

A possible new part-time hire – the criminal background check is being done by the Sheriff’s office. Although not required by the New Hampshire Police Training and Standards Council, the Chief requires police applicants to undergo a psychological test and to take a polygraph test. However, in order to take the polygraph test, an intent to hire must be given to the applicant. The Chief indicated that this applicant was a lawyer in Australia for five years and was a part time police officer in Maine. If everything is completed in preparation to hire this applicant by the next Board’s meeting, the Chief would like to bring the applicant to meet the Board as they are the hiring authority.

Officer Shaw – according to Officer Shaw, his doctor is likely to release him for work duties much earlier than previously thought, sometime in mid-February.

The Chief will not be in attendance for Town Meeting 2017. However, Sergeant Mahoney will step in and answer any questions the public has on the Noise Ordinance.

Town Administrator

Roy will give the Board a 12-page document at Friday’s work session for inspection of the Lawrence Street Bridge for a cost of $3615. This report is much more detailed than the State report. The work session is at 9:30 AM.