Select Board
Thursday, September 19, 2024
Meeting Minutes

Select Board: Andrew Maneval, Andrea Hodson, Kathy Scott
Attendees: Barbara Clark, Mary Day Mordecai, Charles Sorenson, Cathy Sorenson

The meeting opened at 7:00 pm.

Agenda, minutes of 9/12 – With the additions of updates on the highway garage generator grant, the Fire Department request for house numbering, and the Agricultural Commission, the board approved the agenda as amended. The board also approved the minutes of September 12 with Alan Clark to be added as an attendee that evening.

Transportation Committee – Mary Day Mordecai noted that the TC’s request to Robert Hyslop at the DOT for an additional speed limit sign near the school radar was granted. The SB office has ordered an additional boat ramp and arrow sign for the Prospect Street bridge. The TC will work with the police chief and road agent to place at the optimal location and height.  Separately, Ms. Mordecai presented the recommendation for appointment of a new member to the TC. Following discussion and a brief bio, the SB moved and voted unanimously in favor to approve Ryan Whitworth as appointee to the Transportation Committee.

Investment Policy – With the revisions suggested by Andrew Maneval, the SB agreed to request that the Finance Specialist edit the document accordingly and present for SB adoption at next week’s meeting.

Code Enforcement – The SB will await the building inspector’s update on 74 Seaver Road before sending the draft letter.  Separately, the SB acknowledged receipt of the complaint regarding a property in Chesham and will follow up with the property owner, with whom the board has been trying to work, and with the building inspector, as to the town’s junk and nuisance statutes, and commercial equipment storage in the village residential district. The SB will draft a follow up letter, aiming to send it next week.

The SB also briefly discussed the ordinances as they relate to tourist homes, but which lack a reference or definition of short-term rentals. The SB and ZBA chair agree it’s important to distinguish between residences which are rented and residences which are owner-occupied with rooms or apartments available for rent, or residences not occupied by the owner but have individual rooms or apartments for rent.  The commonly-used definition for short-term or transient accommodations is 30 days or less.

Until the town ordinances are clarified and/or amended, the challenge is how to enforce in the interim provisions regarding tourist homes.  According to Southwest Region Planning Commission, Harrisville’s amount of rental housing is considerably above average.

The SB recommends getting a legal opinion and asking the Ordinance Review Committee to update and clarify the language, with agreed-upon language then setting a course of action on enforcement, and will contact the town attorney for interpretation of caselaw and legislative intent on short-term rentals, as well as ADUs, as a basis for ordinance changes.  Barbara Clark also will help research the use of ADUs as tourist homes or short-term rentals and what is allowed.

Other business
-Legal update – Mr. Maneval noted that the Superior Court issued an order granting further briefs as to claims against the Town and Pamela Worden in the case of Cucchi v. Town of Harrisville and Worden.  This process is anticipated to take 45 days.

On the matter of a restraining order brought to the board’s attention by the Police Chief, the SB agreed with the chief’s outreach to the town attorney and supports his course of action.

-The SB signed the payroll warrant in the amount of $44,439.24 and the pay warrant in the amount of $15,792.88.

-In response to the Fire Company’s request, the SB voted in favor to authorize the $450 expenditure for a mailer to property owners requesting they obtain reflective 911 address signs.

-Grant for Highway Barn Generator – Following submission of a letter of intent for a grant request for a generator at the highway barn, the SB received a recommendation to apply from the state’s office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management. Andrea Hodson will follow up with Finance and EMD to complete, noting the 75/25 cost split would affect next year’s budget.

-Agricultural Commission – Mr. Maneval noted the commission will meet Wed 10/2 at 6 pm at Town Hall and will let the PB know per its interest.

SB Calendar – The board next meets on Fri 9/27 at 9am for a department heads meeting, followed by Thurs 10/3 at 7pm.

The meeting adjourned at 8:05 pm.