Select Board
Thursday, May 23, 2024
Meeting Minutes

Select Board: Andrew Maneval, Andrea Hodson, Kathy Scott
Attendees:  Mary Armstrong, Les LaMois, Don Scott, Marylou DiPietro, Beverly Packard, Penelope King, Erica Saunders, Leslie Downing, Russell Downing, Ben Hoy, Connie White, Sonja Bianchi, Katie Hamon, Susan Weller, Earl Horn, Barbara Watkins, Ned Hulbert, Mary Day Mordecai, Ranae O’Neil, David O’Neil

The chair opened the meeting at 7:00 pm.

Recycling Center – In light of the Recycling Committee’s recommendation to change the days of operation at the Recycling Center to Wednesday and Saturday from the current Friday and Saturday hours, and the request for the Select Board to schedule a public hearing for feedback from residents, the board proceeded with the following:

Public Hearing on the Proposal to Change the Recycling Center Days of Operation
The board opened the public hearing, which began with an explanation from Recycling Committee representatives that a change in staffing and expanded job responsibilities associated with expanded recycling operations lay behind the proposal to shift to Wednesday and Saturday. In addition, spreading out the days the facility is open gives residents a mid-week option for disposing of waste and recyclables. Such a schedule is common among towns. Finally, it also could help vendors, who may be servicing towns in the area on that day.

The board and committee representatives considered suggestions related to business or public hours, as well as staff hours, which would exceed public hours for prep and cleanup.   Following discussion and no concerns or additional questions from the public, the chair closed the public hearing.  Andrew Maneval then moved to support Recycling Manager Ben Hoy’s plan to open the Recycling Center on Wednesdays from 10:00 am to 4:45 pm and to keep the Saturday hours of 8:00 am to 4:45 pm, with the facility no longer to be open to the public on Fridays.  Andrea Hodson seconded. All voted in favor. The anticipated transition date is the third or last week of June. Notification will go out several weeks prior via posters, online media and the digital roadside sign board.

As a final comments, Kathy Scott noted that new staff Shaena Hakey and Jay Clark will work on Wednesdays with Ben Hoy, and Jay Clark and an additional, certified new hire will work on Saturdays.  Volunteers will also assist as available.

The Select Board noted that, while the transition of Randy Tarr to the Highway Department is a few weeks later than the board had initially hoped, they anticipate it will happen June 24 following certification of the new RC staff.  Leslie Downing noted the importance to the Cemetery Trustees to continue to have Mr. Tarr tend to the groundskeeping.  The board agreed.

Old Home Days – Susan Weller presented the preliminary budget for Old Home Days activities and will bring the final proposed budget to the SB in the coming weeks.  She noted the pending application to the Harrisville Community Fund to cover costs in excess of the $1700 in the Town budget. The Old Home Days Committee will be losing three members who plan to roll off after this year, and will be looking to fill those spots. Old Home Days is Friday, July 19 and Saturday, July 20. Fireworks are Sunday, July 7.

Transportation Committee (TC) – Mary Day Mordecai reported on the work the committee has completed to quell speeding concerns on Hancock Road along Skatutakee Lake, including yellow road striping on 5 curves, and installation of speed limit and ‘share the road’ signs. The committee expressed tremendous thanks to the Highway Department and Police Chief for their assistance

On the issue of the Transportation Committee’s reporting relationship, the committee shared results of its research that, of 10 towns contacted, 7 towns’ transportation committees report to their Select Boards, 1 reports to its Planning Board, 1 has dual reporting, and 1 did not respond to outreach.

Ms. Mordecai noted the Harrisville Planning Board’s vote of 3-2 against the committee’s proposal to shift primary reporting to the Select Board, and requested the Select Board vote on the question. The Transportation Committee feels that, based on the focus of the committee’s work and their hope to streamline the reporting process and prevent any hindrance to the committee’s ability to move forward, such a reporting relationship makes sense.  An inquiry to the NH Municipal Association found no definitive best practice; only recommending that reporting should depend on the nature of each committee’s work.

Following discussion and comment from Kathy Scott regarding the importance of PB involvement in transportation matters, and from Andrew Maneval and Andrea Hodson who expressed concern with efficiency, logistics and the desire to maximize volunteer time, Andrew Maneval moved that the Transportation Committee serve under the auspices of the Select Board but that, any time a matter comes to the committee that is relevant to the Planning Board, the committee will report to the PB on that matter; and further the Transportation Committee will welcome and invite a member of the PB to sit on the Transportation Committee. Andrea Hodson seconded. All voted in favor.

Correspondence and other business – The SB discussed the request to use the town beach on Harrisville Pond for a Keene school’s year end picnic in June. Due to the new enforcement policy for town beach rules that have always existed, and the concern about creating problems by honoring the request, the board moved and voted in favor to decline.

The SB signed the pay warrant in the amount of $153,602.35.

The board signed the proposal from Granite State Curbing Setters for the village road project in the amount of $26,472.

South Road Bridge –Ms. Hodson reported the town received a proposal from Dubois & King to update the bridge engineering plans for a cost of $43,850. The board authorized Ms. Hodson to review the proposal and to sign it if no issues are identified.

St. Denis Church – Kathy Scott shared that HHI received funding to rehabilitate St. Denis as a community center.  HHI is working to finalize plans for the structure. Discussion of a public/private partnership for the building’s use could be imminent.

Minutes of previous meetings, 5/14 and 5/16.  The board approved the 5/14 minutes with a correction from Kathy Scott that the May 23 public hearing date for the Recycling Center proposal was agreed to at the 5/14 meeting. The board approved the minutes of 5/16 with no changes.

The SB next meets Friday, May 31, 2024 at 9:00 am.  The meeting adjourned at 9:25 pm.