Present: Marj Roy, Vicky Mishcon, Jim Delaney, and David Blinn
Also present were: Sean Downey, Hilltop Public Solutions; Melissa Pierce, Comcast; Joanna Sumner, Tax Collector; Heidi Murphy and Tom Frantz, Recreation Department; Nan Kaplan; Lisa and Randall Costa; Andy Prokosch; Wood Sutton; and Chief Glenn Laramie
Comcast:
Melissa Pierce explained that it’s time to update the contract with the Town. The deadline is October 31st, but that can be somewhat flexible. The Board’s goal is to have both Comcast and TDS renewed at the same time frame. Pierce does not expect any significant changes to the agreement that has already been in place for the past ten years. Last year, the Town received just under $16, 000 in revenue at the rate of 3.5%.
The Board discussed with Pierce that in the area of Dyer’s Crossing and Hoyt Road heading on Route 11 toward Franklin, those homes do not have service in that area and have to have satellite. Pierce will go back and find out whether there are any possibilities of expanding the service out in that area.
Roy indicated that some of the town’s people believe that under the old contract there was free internet at town hall. Pierce told the Board that there is not free internet outside of the courtesy internet at the library. There is also the issue of people parking in the Town Hall’s lot using free internet.
The Board would like to start with a draft proposed agreement from Comcast, then discuss it and ask questions before they make the decision. Pierce will e-mail a draft of the franchise renewal to Roy to distribute for review.
Signatures and Correspondence:
Final MS 232 signed by Board
Intent to Excavate – Thompson Pit yearly paperwork
New sign permit for the Service Club to be placed out by the road – Mishcon signed
Next Work Session:
The next work session is scheduled for Wednesday, May 17, 2017 at 9:30 AM
RecreationDepartment:
Heidi Murphy explained that the Recreation Department would like the okay from the Select Board to go forward with electronic sign-ups and payments through Sports Illustrated. The old system with paperwork and checks is not very efficient. Doing on-line registrations will be all around easier for everyone involved.
Murphy has done extensive research on different companies and felt that Sports Illustrated offered the best choice. Murphy indicated that many other leagues use Sports Illustrated and believes it is secure and encrypted. With Sports Illustrated, there is no annual fee. However, there is a $2.50 fee for each registration, but it can be included in the cost of the sign-up. They will have the ability to offer a discount to children who can’t afford the full price or at no cost if the family is unable to pay at all.
At last week’s meeting, the Recreation Board voted to move forward and get the approval of the Select Board. They would like to get up and running for the summer bicycling and the soccer season.
Blinn made the motion that the Select Board authorize and allow the Recreation Department to begin on-line registrations and to monitor the funds received with the registrations. Delaney seconded the motion. All in favor. Motion passed unanimously.
Roy will send a W-9 to Alan Hanscom. Murphy will contact Mainstay regarding setting up on the Town Web site.
Hilltop Public Solutions:
Sean Downey represents National Grid. Downey explained that this project is called the Granite State Power Link. The project is set up to bring renewable energy, hydro-electric and wind, from Quebec to Massachusetts. It will encompass 168 miles of line in New Hampshire and will cross into 24 towns. The Right of Way will not be expanded in 106 of those miles from Monroe to Litchfield. For Andover, it is approximately 4.6 miles. Basically, they will be using the existing power corridor already in place with minimal upgrading changes.
The price of power in New England through this project will decrease because there will be more power available thus cheaper rates. There will be absolutely no cost to New Hampshire residents unless a power company that supplies power to New Hampshire resident’s purchases power from them. Andover will receive revenue from this project. Information packets are available at town hall.
The next step is to hold a Community Open House event where an expert will be on hand to discuss the project and answer any questions. They are committed to working with towns.
Road Agent Report:
The road crew remains involved in spring clean-up getting the cemeteries ready for Memorial Day, cleaning the debris from the culverts, getting the bath house at Highland Lake ready, and the baseball field prepared. The baseball field has been thatched, fertilized and seeded. It will be re-seeded in June, July, and September.
The crew took care of the washout on Maple Street recently.
Thompson is trying to get the bridge work on the schedule as soon as possible.
The Board discussed with Thompson the bad condition of the dirt roads in town. Priority needs to be given at this point to the dirt roads. Thompson will come up with a priority plan.
Beach Sand – In mid-June last year, the Town planned on replenishing the sand at Highland Lake Beach. At that time, DES indicated that a Permit by Notification be filed along with a check for $200.00. On July 28, 2016 when Roy spoke with Dale at DES, he suggested that since towns can only replenish the sand every six years, and because it was so late in the season, that the Town should wait until the Spring of 2017 to replenish the sand.
At this time, Roy wants to have a DES representative come to make sure the Town is applying for and receiving the correct permit and to make sure there are no wetland issues. The Board agreed.
Other Business:
Delaney wanted to know what was going on with the following issues:
Replacing the library door – Barton will replace the library door as soon as the rain stops.
Moving the wall in Town hall, getting a secure door down stairs in the meeting room, burying the gas tanks, installing a window in the file room, and landscaping – Roy is working on getting estimates for all of these items.
The pile of dirt by the library – will be moved to the other side of the library.