2020 Sandown Board of Selectmen Meetings
Sandown Selectmen Confirm Use of North School for Deliberative
By Penny Williams 12-31-20
The Sandown Board of Selectmen met Wednesday evening, December 30, and after discussions among Moderator Kevin Major, Timberlane School District IT Director Dean Zanelo and Sandown Cable Manager Chris Donnellan, decided that holding the Deliberative would work at the Sandown North School.
While there are some issues to work out, the board accepted the decision and suggestions from the Moderator to go ahead and plan to hold the Deliberative at the North School. Donnellan said technically it can be done and Zanelo's main concern is the possibility of difficulty for people in the gym area being able to hear well. However, it was decided to move forward with doing the necessary planning.
The board listened to Town Administrator Lynne Blaisdell as she reviewed the proposed encumbrances that include:
* Cemetery Expansion to be completed in the Spring in the amount of $7,826.25
* Lease of the F750 truck, the 2020 lease payment of $39,879,27
* Air Condition installation at Police Department, $750.00
* Greenskeeper, Field C at Miller Park infield grooming, to be done in the spring, $875.
* Ocean Flow Gutters for Recreation building to help address water issues, $2,277.00
* Ed's Flooring to finish work on Fire Department flooring, $2,489.77
* Total of encumbrance from Warrant Articles $7,826.25 and $46,271.04 is from the 2020 Operating budget, for a total of $54,097.29
The selectmen voted unanimously to approve the encumbrances as proposed.
In Other Business:
* The board voted to accept a return of funds from the NH Interlocal Trust. The board also voted to accept the check rather than applying the amount to the next year's payment as a premium holiday. The board authorized Blaisdell to sign for the funds.
* Blaisdell told the board the Town's submission to the NH Labor Department of its Safety Policy had been accepted and the Labor Department suggested adding their administrative rules to the Sandown Policy. The board approved this without discussion.
* The board accepted with pleasure a donation of $50 for next year's Tree Lighting fund. The donation was made in response to Santa's Ride through Sandown and the lights welcoming the holiday.
* Blaisdell told the board to be prepared to review the Warrant Articles at the January 4, Board of Selectmen's meeting.
* The Sandown ZBA met on December 12, and Chair Chris True again begged for volunteers to join the committee. He was delighted when Roger Ernst, who had a hearing that night, said he was interested. True told him to get a letter of interest to the Selectmen's Office. The ZBA denied the request of Gregg Collock for a variance to allow construction of a single family dwelling on a .52 acre lot located at Spruce Lane and Hemlock Circle where there would be no frontage on a Class V highway. The ZBA approved the request of Roger and Kathleen Ernst for a special exception to create an ADU in the basement of their single family home at 36 Lantern Drive.
* The Sandown Heritage Commission met on December 10, and discussed a
background presentation on Tom Elmore’s LIDAR capabilities and proposal to the Commission. Member Fran Rosenau informed the Commissioned she had spoken with Richard Holms, author and rights holder of “The View from Meetinghouse Hill” regarding the reprinting of a new edition of his book. Rosenau made a motion to expend up to $700 to format and print 10 copies of a new 3rd 29. edition of “The View from Meetinghouse Hill” to be sold by the Commission. The commission approved this. Chair Pamela Gaudreau asked if other publishing companies had been looked into that might be able to provide set-up and copies of the book for a cheaper price. Rosenau replied she would look into what was available and agreed that if it could be done for less, her motion authorized up to $700. Commission Guest Lynne Blaisdell informed the commission that citizens of the town have expressed interest in purchasing quilts similar to the one hanging in the Selectmen’s Board Office for several decades and suggested perhaps new updated quilts could be commissioned for sale. Member Paul Wentzel provided the Commission with an update on his online meeting with a local Abenaki tribal genealogist and proposed a future Zoom meeting between the Commission and tribal representatives to arrange for educational events.
Sandown Historical Society is Up and Running with New Members
By Penny Williams 12-22-20
The Sandown Board of Selectmen at their Monday night, December 21, meeting handed out verbal praise to the actions and efforts of Sandown residents to get the Sandown Historical Society back up and running.
Shayla McNally stepped up in the midst of the back and forth between the Board of Selectmen and the Maine border members of the Sandown Historical Society during the previous several meetings telling the board she could bring Sandown residents back into play for the society and she did just that.
The previous board, members not living in Sandown or even in New Hampshire, accepted a decision to disband and McNally took over. The new members of the Sandown Historical Society are:
* President Shayla McNally - shayla.mcnally@sandownnhdepot.org
* Vice President Heather Rosati - heather.rosati@sandownnhdepot.org
* Treasurer Paul LeCain - paul.lecain@sandownnhdepot.org
* Curator Deirdre Steinfort-Rivas - deirdre.steinfort-rivas@sandownnhdepot.org
* Secretary Katelyn Whittier - katelyn.whittier@sandownnhdepot.org
McNally told the board the Society is working with the NH Attorney General and the IRS to ensure the Society doesn't lose its non-profit status or its Charitable Standing with the State. She indicated that filings haven't been made for a number of years so the new board is working non-stop to find and gather all the necessary information and get the documents properly filed.
The board without any discussion after praising McNally and the others for their work agreed to sign the lease agreement with the Society for the continued use of the Depot Building. McNally said the electricity and the propane accounts have switched and while the water is off for the winter months they hope to have some events there.
The board was so happy with the way things have worked out and have such confidence in this new board they indicated they didn't feel the society needs to come to the board for permission to hold events. So this was a wonderful local resolution to a problem that had gone on for a number of years and Sandown is now back in the driver's seat where the Sandown Historical Society is concerned.
Moderator Kevin Major came to the board and said a decision needs to be made regarding how and where to hold the upcoming Deliberative session. The date for the Deliberative is January 30.
Major gave the board two options:
* Option 1, based on HB 1120 that was passed by the Legislature to address meetings during the COVID-19 pandemic, was be a 4 part meeting. Session 1 would be a virtual informational session; Session 2 would be open for 7 days for residents to respond in writings with questions and comments and amendments to the information raised during the Virtual discussion; Session 3 would be the Virtual Response by the Town to the resident input; Session 4 would be the vote by the Selectmen on the articles. A letter would have to be sent to every resident (not household) in Sandown describing the process and how they could provide the feedback. They would have to vote, after the fact, regarding accepting or rejecting HB 1120. If they approve it everything is ok but, if the residents vote HB1120 down, then all the Warrant Articles fail and the Town is faced with a default budget situation.
* Option 2 would be to hold the session as usual but where is an issue given the mandate that masks and social distancing must be preserved and an alternative space provided for those who can't or won't wear a mask. The possible locations would be the Town Hall, upstairs and downstairs and using the Fire Department Bay for non-mask wearers. A second location would be to use one of the Town's school gymnasium/cafeteria areas.
The board discussed this and rejected Option 1 out of hand calling it a disaster waiting to happen. The board and Major then discussed the possible use of town hall or a school.
At the end of the discussion, it was decided that Town Administrator Lynne Blaisdell would get the cost of cleaning that would need to happen if a school is used and the board settled on North School as being the best choice. The board wants to discuss with Cable Manager Chris Donnellan if this is doable and it was decided he would work with the school's technology people to make it happen.
Donnellan then discussed two issues relating to Cable with the board. The first is providing the board with the cost of putting in a heat pump/air conditioning unit in the Cable server room. The cost would be $4,650 but the money would come from the Cable money. The board by consensus told him to go ahead with this.
The second issue had to do with Live Streaming. He explained that he had had success using Face Book Live. This would allow the Cable to go anywhere live and would work for the Deliberative. He was asking the board for permission to continue testing this possibility and the board told him to continue although several board members objected to Live Streaming, feeling that subscribers would be paying for those who don't pay for subscription to take advantage of the service.
Office Assistant Paula Gulla went over the Warrant with the board and while it is not finished they were able to make some decisions regarding numbers, among them which new Capital Reserve Funds to create and how much to fund them with and where to get the funding money from (Unassigned Fund Balance or Taxation) was discussed in several instances.
Gulla will be back with the Warrant when she has more definitive numbers for several of the articles and then the board and Gulla will number the articles and approve them.
Blaisdell did warn the selectmen as they review these articles to be mindful of the fact that the Unassigned Fund Balance in Sandown is about as low as is allowed. This should be taken into consideration when deciding where to get funding from for Capital Reserve Funds.
There will be a board meeting on December 28 and then the usual meetings in January and the board will go over the Warrant again to finalize it as soon as Gulla has the Warrant Article funding numbers.
Sandown Town Clerk's Office Closed to the Public
By Penny Williams 12-8-20
Sandown Town Manager Lynne Blaisdell told the Selectmen Monday evening, at their December 7, meeting that the Town Clerk's Office will remain closed to the public at this time.
Blaisdell said residents are strongly encouraged to process any transactions on-line, via the drop box outside the Town Clerk's entrance door, or via mail. She went on to say that the Selectmen's Office is helping out as much as they can but they are not able to handle automobile registrations. However, she noted that work is being handled in the Town Clerk's Office and as of Monday everything at that point was up-to-date. She said she couldn't promise that things would be that way every day.
Looking ahead, Blaisdell said the Tax Collector[s Office would remain closed to the public for the rest of this week. The situation will be assessed toward the end of the week and an announcement would be made about the next week.
The board then heard from the Town Engineer, Steve Keach, Keach Nordstrom Associates, and Department of Public Works Director Arthur Genualdo regarding the proposed 2021 Road Improvement Warrant Article.
The road in question is Odell Road. Originally the plan called for doing the portion of Odell starting at the Fremont end but after checking traffic patterns, the heavier traffic, roughly 1000 cars daily, is from the 121A end due to the development taking place in Danville.
Keach said the initial work would be tree and vegetation removal along the roadsides and whatever excavation needs to happen along the sides of the road. The plan is to try and widen the sides slightly and to stabilize the roadside banks and to fix any guard rails.
Once this work is completed the reconstruction of the roadway will start with reclaiming and stabilizing the base followed by the binder and wear course. There are only two pipes for drainage in this section, one there already that will be changed and one added. The culvert is in good shape and doesn't need to be touched.
Keach said he had proposed the Odell Road work two years back and had set a figure of $540,000 for this section. However, it turns out there is less needed in terms of stabilizing and improving drainage and he said he is comfortable with a figure of $475,000 for the proposed work. He indicated the plan is to do the other half of Odell Road in 2022.
Keach and Genualdo said that they went with Busby Construction who has the current road improvement contract because they do have the current contract and have done good work and held costs down. A good relationship with a company is worth many thousands of dollars Keach noted, and Sandown has a good relationship with Busby Construction.
The board accepted the report and approved continuing to work with Busby Construction.
Chet Sullivan came before the road requesting they approve the portion of Brendan's Way that is in Sandown and part of the Danville subdivision. Sullivan needs the Selectmen to accept the small portion of Brendan's Way that is in Sandown to be accepted as a Sandown Town owned Class V Road. Sullivan complained about the fact that Sandown is still holding a $10,000 surety bond on the project which has already been completed.
Keach explained that Sandown regulations require that a ten percent of the project be held in the form of a surety bond for maintenance and repair if needed and that it is to be held for one year after a road is accepted as a Class V Town owned road.
The board voted to accept the 300-feet of Brendan's Way that is in Sandown as a Class V Town owned road.
Selectman Jon Goldman said Santa's Ride had been canceled Saturday due to the weather. The plan is to hold it on December 19th and the routes will be put up on the Web site prior to then. He did say that all the tags on the Giving Tree were taken Saturday and that food and donations for the Food Pantry had been left at the Fire Station as planned.
In Other Business:
* The Sandown Heritage Commission reviewed the cost of reproducing the "View from Meeting House Hill" by Richard Holmes. Member Fran Rosenau indicated that the cost was such that if they decided to go forward, orders for reprints should be taken beforehand. The value of the reprint is it covers Sandown history. Chair Pamela Gaudreau said she is working with Tom Elmore, who does LIDAR for geographical surveys and whom she hopes to engage to do some of the stone structures found in Sandown. Member Paul Wentzel is working to try and get some representation from the Abernaki organization for the future Heritage Commission event. Rosenau said she is working with the Sandown Garden Club and Eagle Scout Gabriel Gerhard regarding his Eagle Scout project at the Hearse House.
Sandown Selectmen Approve Rockingham County’s Use of Town Hall for Swearing in Ceremony
By Penny Williams 12-2-20
Sandown Board of Selectmen met on Monday night, November 30. One item that was brought up by Selectman Tom Tombarello was whether the Board of Selectmen would be comfortable allowing the Rockingham County Board of Commissioners Swearing In Ceremony to take place at the Sandown Town Hall.
The board discussed this and all thought it would be a great opportunity for the town's lovely town hall to be seen by others from around the county. Tombarello, Vice Chair of the Rockingham County Board of Commissioners, said to his board members that he had told his fellow commissioners he would ask his Board of Selectmen if they would be agreeable to the Rockingham County Board of Commissioners Swearing In Ceremony being held at the Sandown Town Hall. He told the board members there would be no more than 30 people at the ceremony and they would all follow the state and local COVID-19 guidelines - masks, social distancing, etc., - and they would clean up after the ceremony.
The board noted the building is open for rentals and since all the guidelines and protocols would be followed they thought it made sense to allow the Rockingham County Board of Commissioners to use the facility for its swearing in ceremony.
The board voted to allow the Rockingham County Board of Commissioners to use the Sandown Town Hall on January 6, 2021 at 11 a.m. and the board also voted to waive the rental fee for this use of the Town Hall.
Tombarello said he would tell his fellow commissioners and let the board know if they would be using the facility.
The board covered several more budgets and forwarded them on to the Budget Committee.
* Benefits - $812,907
* Insurance - $113,628
* Health and Human Services - $19,034 (it was the determined that Southern Rockingham Coalition for Healthy Youth request was too much without evidence and information and the board voted to retain the $1,500 level figure instead of the requested $6451)
* Community Assistance - $11,002
* Executive - $292,866
* Government Buildings - $88,374
Selectman Jon Goldman, a member of the Tower Development Advisory Committee, gave the committee's report to the board. Goldman noted that there had been difficulty getting volunteers for the committee but in the end those who did participate all had expertise in this general area. The committee did their research and arrived at its recommendation on the Warrant Article request that sought investigation of a Communication Tower on Town Property in the business district.
Goldman said after the committee did its due diligence, it recommended that the proposed Communication Tower Development proposal was not feasible. The board approved accepting the recommendation.
The board accepted funds from the New Hampshire Department of Environment Services in the amount of $5,000 for treatment of exotic weeds in Phillips Pond.
The board voted to approve volunteer Steve Finnegan for the open seat on the Timberlane School District Budget Committee, replacing Sandown's David Allen who recently resigned.
The board also voted to approve volunteer Cindy Buco as an additional member to the Timberlane School District Superintendent's Search Committee.
It was announced that Sandown Fire Chief Bill Tapley will be retiring as Chief the end of January and Deputy Fire Chief Mike Devine will become the Sandown Fire Chief. Devine's appointment as Fire Chief will create an opening at the Highway Department that will have to be addressed.
Goldman reminded the board and viewers that Santa WAs Coming To Town. The Sandown Fire-Rescue, and Sandown Firemen's Association will be escorting Santa Claus through town. This will be a socially distanced trip, to check on all of the good little boys and girls. Come outside and give Santa a Cheer, a wave, and say Hi. When: December 5, 2020 The route and approximate times will be posted on the Sandown Community, and Sandown Fire Rescue Face book Pages ahead of time, and the day of Santa’s trip. Santa will also pull through the Recreation Department parking lot to greet kids from streets not on his route. Food Pantry/Giving Tree Community members are encouraged to swing by the fire station during the day to drop off donations to replenish the food pantry in time for Christmas. The giving tree will be there too. This will be your last chance to pick up a tag.
In Other Business:
* The Sandown Conservation Commission met on November 19 and discussed the roof for the Red Barn that was under construction. The roof has been finished and looks great. It was done by Advanced Metal Roof Company. Commission member Pamela Gaudreau said she had been in touch with Tom Elmore regarding his work with stone structures. He does Lidar technology renditions of Stone Sites and she hopes to engage him in doing stone structures in Sandown. She indicated a presentation wouldn't be that expensive but would be good as it would be part of the Natural Resource and Historical Resource Inventory. The commission made the decision to treat the Memorial Tree in the middle of town and get the fence that protects the tree from salt up for winter. It was noted the kiosk at Fremont Road Forest needs repair and they are getting a price to do the repair and replace the trail map that is there now with a new one.
Sandown Selectmen Gives Sandown Historical Society More Time
By Penny Williams 11-18-20
On Monday night, November 17, the Sandown Selectmen decided to extend the eviction notice for the Sandown Historical Society until December 4.
Jim Weber, the Sandown Historical Society representative who lives in Maine as do all the board members, was present but he told the board it wouldn't be legal to do as board chair Darren Hudgins suggested, to remove all present out of town board members and replace them with actual Sandown residents.
At that point, Sandown resident Shayla McNally stepped forward and said she has been working on developing a list of local Sandown residents who have an interest in preserving the Sandown history and items in question.
McNally indicated she has at least ten people willing to step forward and volunteer for board positions. She said she could have a Sandown resident board signed and ready to serve by Friday, November 20.
The board discussed this possibility and asked Weber if he was willing to work with McNally to change the Sandown Historical Society board to Sandown residential members.
The board decided it was willing to delay the eviction of the Sandown Historical Society from the Depot Museum building until Friday, December 4. They said they would then be prepared to go over things at their Monday night, December 7, meeting. Weber agreed to go back to Maine and discuss this with his other board members and work with McNally and get back to the board.
Resident Kevin Major spoke up and asked if the board had an assurance that the threatened truck from Maine would not show up between now and the December date to take the Sandown historical items out of the Depot building. The board indicated they felt they did since Weber had agreed to go back to Maine to try and work this out with his other board members.
The board went over the final budgets.
* Supervisors of Checklist - $4,025
* Moderator - $10,311
* Rescue - $ 60,500
* Fire Department - $169,704
* Recreation Building - $17,492
* Parks and Recreation - $ 94,853
* Summer Recreation Program - $19,164
The board approved the request from Rescue/ Fire Department representative, Selectman Jon Goldman to transfer the 2014 Ford Explorer Interceptor vehicle from the Police Department to the Fire Department and to allow Rescue to use up to $7,000 from the Fire Equipment and Apparatus Capital Reserve Fund to properly outfit the vehicle for Fire Department/Rescue use.
The board discussed using some of the Unassigned Fund Balance to reduce the tax rate. They finally voted to reduce the $1,048,266 in the Unassigned Fund Balance by $482,537, reducing the fund to just 5 percent retention ( 5 to 17 percent is recommended by the State). This reduced the tax rate to the $27.66 amount, down from the $28.37 initially proposed before using the money from the unassigned fund balance. The result is a $0.70 per thousand in valuation.
The Town Tax Rate has finally been approved and set at $27.66 – tax bills will be mailed on Friday, 11/20 and will be due on Tuesday 12/22.
The tax rate breakdown is as follows:
2020 Tax Rate 2019 Tax Rate
Municipal 4.08 4.76
County 0.96 0.98
Local Education 20.56 19.07
State Education 2.06 2.15
Total 27.66 26.96
The board discussed the 2017 wage matrix and decided members would review it and discuss whether to update it or make changes in it after the town meeting.
The board asked for a volunteer to fill the open seat on the Timberlane Budget Committee representing Sandown to replace the retiring representative. The second Sandown member on the budget committee board members noted has not attended many Budget Committee meetings so someone is needed who will take it seriously. They asked for letters of interest to be submitted by November 30, to the Selectmen's Office.
The board approved Steve Finnegan as the town's representative to the Superintendent of Timberlane School District Search Committee.
Sandown Selectmen Reached Decision on Health Insurance
By Penny Williams 11-11-20
The Sandown Board of Selectmen met on Monday evening, November 9, and continued their discussion regarding setting the Health Insurance coverage for employees. The board decided to retain the current health insurance coverage.
The board went over whether it would be best for employees to change the current health insurance coverage of $20 co-pay and $250 deductible to a $25 co-pay and $500 deductible that would actually be less of an increase in cost for employees who pay 13 percent of the coverage while the town covers 87 percent of the cost.
There was a discussion of the town picking up the cost of dental coverage for employees to lessen their out of pocket costs so the 3 percent increase would not be too negatively impacted by insurance cost increases. Board members made the point that most residents don't have the good deal municipal workers have where the municipality picks up the lion's share of health insurance cost.
Selectman Jonathan Goldman complained that the board goes through this discussion every year and until the town actually raises employee pay to the appropriate standard this issue will continue to come up. The board acknowledged that if employees only see pennies in terms of salary increases there is the potential for the town to lose good employees.
The board members also discussed the fact that this is a particularly good insurance plan and employees favor keeping it as is. Police Chief Joe Gordon spoke in favor of keeping things as they are as being what would be best for employees.
In the end the board voted to approve keeping the current levels of health insurance coverage in place.
The board learned from Town Administrator Lynne Blaisdell that the Town Hall and Transfer Station would be closed on Veterans Day. They also learned that Arlene Bassett, the Sandown Food Pantry, has Thanksgiving food item needs.
According to Bassett, the Sandown Food Pantry expects to assist many families again this year with Thanksgiving Dinners. The need continues and she said the Food Pantry personnel appreciate residents help.
Items Needed: Frozen Turkeys 10-15 lbs; Stove Top Stuffing Mix; Jellied Cranberry Sauce; Jars of Gravy; 5 lb. bags of potatoes; Canned Whole Kernel Corn, peas and carrots; Brownie Mix; and, Supermarket Gift Cards. Monetary Donation can be mailed to: Sandown Food Pantry, PO Box 1756, Sandown, NH 03873. Please contact Arlene Bassett (603) 887-3453, (603) 505-1512 or email abassett@gsinet.net if you are donating a turkey as an accurate count is needed to ensure all families are guaranteed a meal. If you prefer to drop off your Thanksgiving donation, non-perishable items can be dropped off at the Town Hall during regular business hours until Thursday, November 19, 2020 or at the Food Pantry during open hours Tuesdays 4 – 5 p.m. and Fridays 9 – 10 a.m. Frozen turkeys and chickens can be dropped off at the Town Hall on Sunday, November 22, from 1 – 3 p.m.
Goldman informed the board about the Historical Society situation. He said he was informed that the Sandown Historical Society (SHS) is leaving the Depot and taking the contents (Sandown’s History) away in moving vans “shortly.”
The SHS is a private non-profit 501C founded by Bertha Deveau back in 1970’s for the purpose of preserving and displaying the history of Sandown in the Sandown Depot. After Bertha retired the SHS began a long history of leadership turnovers and conflict with the town that goes back over the 15 years. The group has imploded on many occasions to the point where the town had to make them sign a lease and agree to adhere to certain conditions of use; mainly regarding respecting the town’s ownership of the building and refraining from making alterations to the building (which the SHS had done) which put the depot at risk of being removed from the State and National Historic Registries.
At a board meeting on August 10, Sandown board decided they had had enough of the conflict and non compliance of the SHS to provide simple requests for inventory lists, details of who owned what (the SHS or families that unwittingly donated history). Over 100 days after Sandown confronted the SHS for alleged conflict of interest and lack of access for Sandown citizens to their own Depot Museum, and request for them to provide an inventory of the Sandown Museum artifacts and membership list these had not been provided.
"I’d like to raise awareness about the SHS removing the Sandown Historical artifacts and resources that have been donated and collected over the last 40 years by Sandown residents and their families," Goldman said.
Goldman explained that as a private 501C, the SHS owns the contents of the museum but not the building. None of the SHS members who make the decisions are Sandown residents, he said. As such they can legally take the museum contents including all the Sandown artifacts with them out of Sandown, even though their sole founding purpose and mission statement was specific to preserving and displaying the history of the town of Sandown, not the railroad.
Goldman suggested that anyone who has donated items should contact the SHS and object to the removal of those items and request they return them or leave them in Sandown where they can remain on display in the Depot which the town plans to continue to use as a museum.
Now the SHS has been asked by the board of selectmen to vacate the depot and they’re taking all of the contents of the depot museum; including the artifacts donated by Sandown families and people with ties to the town for over 40 years, when these items were donated with the understanding that these artifacts would remain in Sandown, preserved and displayed in the museum.
The board signed the MS-1 Valuations in preparation for the 2020 tax rate. Blaisdell said she has discussed what can be done to prevent the late utilities information coming to the town from the Department of Revenue Administration which annually holds up the towns tax rate. This delay now means that tax bills will come due December 22, just a few days prior to Christmas. She said she will continue to try and resolve this situation before next year.
While the Town will not be holding the usual Tree Lighting Ceremony this year, the building will be lighted. The board accepted donations of $120 for the Tree Lighting Fund.
The board did the first review of the Warrant Articles with Blaisdell. She said she would provide them with a list with more accurate information and amounts in the near future.
The board discussed using the Strategic Auction Alliance for possibly auctioning off town owned parcels. The board asked Blaisdell to develop a list of potential parcels
with notations on how they were acquired, their anticipated value and any other pertinent details. Once they have the list to review the board will discuss whether they might want to utilize this company to put the parcels up for sale.
In Other Business:
* The Sandown Zoning Board of Adjustment met on October 29 and approved a special exception request from Cheryl Hayden for an Accessory Dwelling Unit at 28 Sargent Road,. They approved a variance request from Paydon Johnston for side setbacks adjustment for a 15 by 30 garage with storage above. They approved the request of Roger and Kathleen Ernst for a special exception for an Accessory Dwelling Unit at 36 Lantern Drive. The ZBA reviewed the application of Jason Walsh for 266 Fremont Road Chester, that seeks a special exception for an Accessory Dwelling Unit. This application was continued to the next meeting. Chair Chris True pleaded for volunteers to step up and join the ZBA and noted his term is up and he doesn't anticipate running for re-election.
* The Timberlane Regional School District is currently forming a 13-person Superintendent Search Committee that will lead the search process for a permanent Superintendent of Schools for the new Timberlane SAU. They are actively seeking individuals to serve on this committee, who will represent a broad and diverse set of stakeholder groups from across the seven schools and four towns in the district. The goal is to establish a committee that reflects a broad and equitable cross-section of our district, including, but not limited to: Elementary and secondary administrators with experience in both regular and special education at the elementary and secondary levels.
Representatives from the TTA and TSSU who work in a variety of our district schools and with varied student population,
Current parents of elementary and secondary students and non-parents, and, Community leaders and/or business partners from across our 4 towns. The Superintendent Search Committee will begin meeting during the month of December with a goal to complete the first round of interviews of potential candidates during the month of January 2021. The Selectmen asked the community to weigh in on this request.
Sandown Selectmen Waiting For Department of Revenue Administration Utility's Rates
By Penny Williams 10-28-20
The Sandown Board of Selectmen learned Monday night at their October 26, meeting, that the tax rate is still not available because the Department of Revenue Administration (DRA) has not provided the town with the Utility's rates.
Town Manager Lynne Blaisdell expressed frustration that despite contacting the DRA several times in the last two weeks, they still don't have the Utility rates available. The Town can't set the tax rate without these. She is concerned if the DRA doesn't hurry up and get the Town these rates tax bills won't go out until mid or late November meaning tax payers will be facing paying taxes at the end of December near the holiday.
She indicated this hold up is nothing new, having happened several times in the last few years. Nevertheless, she finds it very concerning. She told the board she will wait until Wednesday, October 28, and if the rates have been forwarded to the Town by then she plans to go straight to the DRA upper echelon administrators to try and see if she can't get some action.
The board reviewed the following budgets to be forwarded to the Budget Committee:
* Planning Board - $24,571
* ZBA - $2,721
* Conservation - $ 9,473
* Budget Committee - $ 2,639
* Highway Facility - $8,300
* Highway Facility Operations - $399,951
* Sanitation Facility - $9,130
* Sanitation Operations - $399,951
* Highway Operations - $873,370
* Sanitation Site - $2,000
* Sanitation Recycling - $127,401
After discussing his ZBA budget, Chair Chris True made another plea to the community for volunteers to step forward to be on the ZBA committee. There are just four members and the one alternate is out of town for months at a time. True said the committee will be down to 3 after the upcoming Town Meeting because he doesn't believe he will run again. A three member board would be a non-functioning board, he said.
After discussing his budgets, Public Works Director Arthur Genualdo said he plans to order 1800 tons of salt, which is priced at $50.75 per ton right now. The board approved and approved him signing the contract for the salt.
The board appointed several people as election inspectors given the upcoming Presidential Election on November 3. It was noted that many will be needed given the absentee ballot requests. The board approved the recommended appointees.
Blaisdell said the Town has received a report that the aquatic company divers had visited and worked on Phillips Pond in August and again in October. There were many single plants found and several patches. This report will be reviewed by the Department of Environmental Services and then the Town will have to decide whether to treat the pond again and this may depend upon whether a grant for part of the cost would be available again.
In Other Business:
* The Sandown Conservation Commission met on October 22 and went over their budget. Hoytford Hills subdivision was checked out by Soil Scientist Bruce Gilday and his findings reviewed. The commission would approve the Conditional Use Permit with some of its own conditions. The Red Barn roof project is moving forward. The commission wondered if they could remove the political signs by the Town Elm tree after November 3 so they can get the snow fence put up after getting the tree fertilized. They said they would support Troop 268 Scout Alex Fournier in his Eagle Project plan to install some log bridges in the Fremont Town Forest to help people get over wet areas.
Sandown Board of Selectmen Postpone Insurance Decision Again
By Penny Williams 10-22-20
The Sandown Board of Selectmen met Monday night, October 19, and after a lengthy discussion decided to postpone any decision on the Town's health insurance until their next meeting.
The discussion revolved around whether the Town should stay with the current health insurance plan and its co-pay and deductible of $20 and $250. This would see a 12 percent cost increase of which the Town covers 87 percent while employees pay 13 percent. The board discussed moving the plan to a option that would increase the co-pay to $25 and the deductible to $500 which would have an 8 percent increase cost.
One suggestion offered by Selectman Jon Goldman was for the Town to cover the cost of dental insurance for employees where employees now pay for that coverage entirely.
The board decided it needed to see what the actual costs would be if they chose the increased co-pay and deductible plan and paid for dental insurance as well as what it would cost if they stayed with the current plan cost and paid for dental coverage. The object either way being to ensure that employees get and keep the raise they are awarded and not seeing any salary raises washed away by insurance cost increases.
The board went over the following budgets:
* Treasurer - flat budget - $4083 approved and forwarded to the Budget Committee
* Finance - flat budget - $73,322 approved and forwarded
* Police - slight increase in payroll - $744,912 approved and forwarded
* Animal Control - reduced again to $3772 but department is still trying to fill the position - approved and forwarded
* Library - down about 2.1 percent - $324,179 approved and forwarded
* Assessing - $79,840 approved and forwarded
* Town Clerk - up 26 percent but a position made full time - $70,820 approved and forwarded
* Tax Collector up 3 percent $70,209 approved and forwarded to the Budget Committee.
The board held a public hearing regarding a petition to release the service dedication of several roads including, Abby Lane, Maddy Circle, Osprey Circle, and Patricia Circle. The acreage where there roads are was developed as a subdivision years ago and these roads remain today strictly paper roads as never developed but are still deeded at the Registry.
The Planning Board has approved a new subdivision plan for the area subject to the approval of the Board of Selectmen for removing these roads as dedicated roads. The board before the meeting did a site walk at the location.
No one spoke at the public hearing. After holding it open in the event someone might come, the board voted to approve removing these roads from public servitude.
The board discussed the request from Public Works Director Arthur Genualdo to approve him using $33,775 from the Highway Block Grant Fund that has a balance of $107,873 to do reclamation work on Cross Road. Cross Road is dangerously deteriorated, he noted. The amount he gave has been provided by Busby Construction who can do the work starting next week. After a brief discussion the board approved Genualdo's request for the money to go to Busby Construction for the reclamation of Cross Road..
Moderator Kevin Major checked in with the board re the upcoming Presidential election set for November 3. Polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 78 p.m. and he indicated he has already received over 720 absentee ballots and he is hoping for lots more. The plan is to process these absentee ballots on Sunday morning, November 1. He asked that board members be prepared to help with this and for processing the night of the election.
In Other Business:
* The board appointed Sierra Dolce as an alternate to the Heritage Committee
* Residents were reminded by E911 to clearly mark their residences for first responders given that new subdivisions will have mailbox centers near the beginning of subdivisions so there will be no mailboxes at the end of driveways.
* The board accepted a $53 donation to the Senior Affairs Transportation Fund.
Sandown Selectmen Continue Reviewing 2021 Budget
By Penny Williams 10-8-20
The Sandown Board of Selectmen met Monday night, October 5, and went over more department budgets.
Starting with the Cemetery Trustees budget, the board asked only a few questions of Trustee Carroll Bassett. The board recommended moving this budget of $6,301 on to the Budget Committee.
Next came new Building Inspector Paul D'Amore, going over several budgets. The board started with the Building Inspector's budget of $21,137, which the board forwarded to the Budget Committee. Then the board reviewed and forwarded the Septic Inspector's budget of $5,850. The Plumbing budget got some attention because the Plumbing Inspector was unable to be present and D'Amore couldn't answer the few questions the board had. However, it was decided to leave that budget flat at $12,914 and forward it on to the Budget Committee.
D'Amore provided the Code Enforcement budget. This is a stipend position that the board discussed stipends in general. It was decided to increase all stipend positions by 3 percent, matching the board's decision to increase employee salaries by 3 percent. The board approved forwarding the Code Enforcement budget of $3,759 on to the Budget Committee.
Mark Tolman, Health Officer, presented his budget of $4,673; Tom Tombarello, Electrical Inspector presented his budget of $12,101, and the board approved both of these and forwarded them on to the Budget Committee.
The board then went over the Street Lights budget of $2,650; Patriotic Purposes budget of $250; Trustees of the Trust Fund budget of $500; and with the help of Town Administrator Lynne Blaisdell, reviewed the Debt Expense budget of $50,000 and the accompanying interest amount of $12,316 and forwarded these to the Budget Committee.
Blaisdell explained the Tax Anticipation Note (TAN) budget to new Selectman Rob Nickerson. The board forwarded that $5,000 budget on to the Budget Committee.
There was a long discussion about the health insurance rates. The board annually struggles with trying to ensure that employees don't wind up making less than their raise because of increased insurance costs.
The board set a goal of trying to get employee insurance co-payment to an 85 to 15 percent ratio but it is currently at 87 to 13 percent. The insurance cost increase for the current plan is 12 percent.
The board could change the plan by utilizing three options that would enlarge the deductible. The board was in agreement they needed input from employees on what they want regarding the plan. The current plan is an excellent one and it is thought that most don't want to see any changes made to it and would live with the 12 percent increase in cost. The board decided to make no decision until after they have input from the employees.
The board discussed the Communications Tower Advisory Committee situation and decided to appoint the only two people who had shown any interest so the committee can move forward. They appointed Keith Clark and John Burtt to the committee to work with Selectman Jon Goldman.
There was a brief discussion about what picture to use for the front and back of the Town Report. Blaisdell will make some decisions about the suggestions that included the newly repaired and painted Town Hall or the new Highway Department Truck or the Highway Department itself or other suggestions that might be presented. They would discuss any dedication for the Town Report in non-public.
Sandown Selectman Agree to hold Halloween Trick or Treating on Saturday
By Penny Williams 9-30-20
the Sandown Board of Selectmen met Monday night, September 28, and heard Police Chief, Joe Gordon's recommendation for Halloween.
There was a discussion and Gordon pointed out that door to door trick or treating is considered a high risk event by the current CDC guidelines and he didn't think it was the wisest thing for Sandown to hold Halloween this year because of COVID-19. But after a discussion the board favored keeping Halloween and he said the police would be aware of Saturday, October 31, between 6 and 8 p.m. as the designated Trick or Treat time in Sandown. He reminded listeners that he counsels all kids to not go up to any car except a police car to accept candy. He further recommended that people put out the goodies in baskets and just keep the basket refilled and those not wishing to participate to shut their lights off.
The board signed off on the Eagle Scout project of Gabriel Gerhard. The project involves putting a new roof on the Hearse House that is near the Old Meeting House.
The board asked if he had run his project by Arlene Bassett and the Old Meeting House Committee and he said he hadn't but would. The board then learned that Bassett and the committee were aware of his project proposal and on board with it.
Gerhard said he would be starting the roof project in the spring but this fall planned to work on removing the brush around the building. He indicated he hadn't figured out funding yet but was told that the Heritage Commission and the Lion's Club would be willing to help.
Moderator Kevin Major went over the upcoming election arrangements. He indicated he had had only a few complaints about requiring people who wanted to vote inside to wear masks but he read the RSA that gives him the authority to require that. He said only a few used the outside voting area where masks were not required and reminded folks that voting there was the same as an absentee ballot vote. There will be a similar area for the Presidential election.
He asked the board to support holding the election at Town Hall saying he had it figured out and it could be done safely and securely. The last presidential election was held at the Central School but he didn't recommend doing it there this year. He also asked that the board approve shutting down Hampstead Road at Glastonbury. Gordon agreed with that and said he could provide the needed officers to make this work.
After discussing how he would arrange the voting and what he needed it was decided that people would enter through the upstairs door and exit downstairs and out that door. He said he would have registration set up downstairs with four lines. The board approved using Town Hall for the Presidential Election, November 3, and for shutting down Hampstead Road at Glastonbury Road.
The board went on to approve opening the Town Hall and the Recreational Building to rentals as of October 1 but allowing only one rental per weekend per building.
Town Hall would allow up to 30 people for an event upstairs but only 15 downstairs while Recreation Director Deb Brown said there would no more than 36 allowed in the Recreation building if tables were used and 36 to 40 if only chairs are used at the Recreation Building.
There was a discussion about the cleaning of the buildings after events. While Selectman Bob Nickerson expressed his exasperation over the extra deep cleaning saying it has been proven that infectious germs last only a short time on things like tables, the other board members felt safety and caution were important and that the plans for deep cleaning should remain in place. The board approved the plans for the buildings reopening.
The board appointed Jennifer Dangas and Heidi Dyer to the Recreation Commission and appointed Joyce Fortin and Jan Guarino as Election Inspectors.
Town Administrator Lynne Blaisdell told the board she needed them to approve a $1,600 cost for the update of the Vision tax card system. Of that amount, $800 was a onetime charge and, the rest an annual fee. The update will provide a weekly or almost immediate data update.
The board went over the information Blaisdell provided regarding the oil, gas, diesel and propane bids. After a brief discussion it was decided that the best interests of Sandown would be served if the Town remained with their present vendor, Hartman.
The board approved adding the one person who had indicated a willingness to be on the Cell Tower Committee along with Selectman Jon Goldman and Blaisdell so they can get started. Goldman noted there hasn't been much interest in the subject.
In Other Business:
* The Sandown ZBA met on September 24 and addressed four public hearings. They continued the request for an ADU special exception for Cheryl Heyden at 28 Sargent Road since all the missing information had been provided.
* They approved accepting the application for a Variance for a garage that doesn't meet all the side setbacks at 9 Aruda Road submitted by Paydon Johnston.
* The board decided that an Equitable Waiver of Dimensional Requirements was needed from the board to address issues with the request from Adam Lamond and Richie Towne at 5 Summer Street. Once this was approved that cleared the way for a conversion from a seasonal to year round dwelling. The board approved the Equitable Waiver and approved the seasonal conversion.
* The application from Roger and Kathleen Ernst was accepted for a special exception for an ADU at 36 Lantern Drive.
Sandown Selectmen Vote 3 Percent Wage Increase for Town Employees
By Penny Williams 9-15-20
The Sandown Board of Selectmen met Monday night, September 14, and voted for a 3 percent wage increase for town employees.
The board held a long discussion about this making it clear that if insurance increases should be way out of whack causing employees to lose money this would be revisited. There was also a discussion about some positions needing an adjustment to get them up to where they should be. There was a lengthy discussion about developing and putting in place a matrix so this discussion wouldn't arise annually.
Town Manager Lynn Blaisdell reminded the board a matrix already exists from a couple years ago and could easily be updated. The board made the decision to work on the development of the matrix for the town so employees would know where their earnings would be.
The board opened the bids from Hartman, Palmer and Irving regarding gas, oil, propane and diesel bids for the Town. However, there were so many different options and different pricings the board asked Blaisdell to review the bids and provide the board with a summary to be reviewed and voted on at the next meeting.
The board approved the request from Jaclyn Kelley for the sale of Timberlane High School football cards at the Town Hall Parking lot. It was suggested they be allowed to hold the event at the Depot building parking lot where they might have more cars go by as they went to the Transfer Station. The board approved using either location of October 4, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with the proviso that nothing else was scheduled for the Depot parking lot and Kelley could choose which location was preferred.
In Other Business:
* The board accepted a $400 donation to the Senior Affairs Transportation Committee and accepted with regret and many thanks the resignation of Dwayne Butts.
* They appointed Steve Tallo and Karen Jertberg as Election Inspectors, terms to run through 2022.
*The board discussed with Blaisdell the contract for the town office copier. The approved her moving forward with the contract that will be less than $2,700.
* The Town has position openings for the Tower Development Advisory Committee; the Planning, Board/ZBA/Conservation secretary position; and, a Part Time position at the Transfer Station.
Sandown Selectmen Decide to Return to Weekly Monday Night Meetings
By Penny Williams 9-1-20
The Sandown Board of Selectmen met on Monday evening, August 31, and made the decision to return to meeting every Monday night starting September 28, at least through budget season.
Board members felt it would be easier to do this during the budget season since it would allow better timing for department heads to meet with the board and provide budget documents. A selectmen's meeting could be cancelled if there was nothing that needed to be addressed.
Town Manager Lynne Blaisdell and Selectman Tom Tombarello both brought up how busy the Town Clerk/Tax Collector's office is. Tombarello said the plan is to bring forward a request for additional help for that office at the next meeting. Blaisdell said most people have exhibited patience but she encouraged everyone to be patient as that office has been slammed.
The board discussed the current drought situation and notices from the NH Department of Environmental Services about it. The board decided to encourage people to restrict the use of water to do things like water their yard or wash their car but made it a voluntary effort, particularly since the town doesn't have town water but people have their own wells. Selectman Jonathan Goldman said the Fire Department will voluntarily impose restrictions on the department building water use and encouraged the town offices and residents to do the same.
The board made the decision to move ahead with the identified town hall building repairs that are needed. They have a RFP and they decided to get information from the Building Inspectors as to what contractors Blaisdell should send the RFP out to but the emphasis was on keeping it local.
Work is already underway for the September 8, Primary in the Town Hall. Blaisdell reminded Goldman and Tombarello of their commitment for Thursday, September 3, to come in and work on the absentee ballot process with Moderator Kevin Major from 8 to 10 a.m. She also said that all of selectmen will need to be at the Town Hall for the end of the balloting (7 a.m. to 7 p.m.) and be prepared to stay and help with the counting of ballots given the number of absentee ballots expected. Residents not willing to wear a mask will be able to vote by an absentee ballot at the outside approved election location during the election period on September 8.
The board voted to authorize Selectmen's Office Clerk Paula Gulla to sign the documents for the 2021 grant application for exotic aquatic weed control in Phillips Pond. The pond has just been treated with divers pulling weeds but the results aren't known and the grant application must be filed by September 15. It was decided to file for the grant and later if it turns out it isn't needed the town can withdraw their application.
The board, after a brief discussion, decided to approve allowing the Lion's Club to hold their meeting in the Town Hall on September 26. The Lion's will be responsible for cleaning the meeting room following their meeting. Goldman said the electrostatic gun will be ordered this week so should be available by then. The board also approved the Lion's holding fundraisers at the Depot parking lot on September 19 from 3 to 4 p.m. and at an undetermined time on September 26.
The board had some concerns with the Heritage Commission request to be able to charge for tables to be either in the Town Hall or in the Town Hall parking lot for the Town Wide Yard Sale on September 26. The board and Blaisdell thought it didn't seem right that the Heritage Commission could charge for tables and keep the $10 when the Town Wide Yard Sale is a Recreation Committee fundraiser. The board decided to seek further information and clarification but in any case the Heritage Commission would only be allowed to use the parking lot.
There was a discussion about a Sandown Garden Club request for the town to provide the club with a spot for a small shed. The board discussed possible locations but decided more information and research on this needs to be done.
In Other Business:
* The Town of Sandown, NH is asking all residents, including those on private wells to stop watering lawns and is requesting the entire community take steps to conserve water. This drought is similar to what we all faced in 2016 with 90% of the State of New Hampshire affected with low streams and waterways and low groundwater levels. Some New Hampshire residents on private wells, as well as some community water systems are experiencing water supply shortages. An above average amount of mild rainstorms that allow water to soak in are needed to fully recharge lakes, rivers and groundwater sources before the winter. It is unlikely that the amount and type of rain needed will be received to fully recharge water sources. Widespread shortages are imminent if the recharge from rain the state does receive is not used wisely. Sandown needs the cooperation of residents to help protect water supplies now and through the winter.
Outdoor water use, primarily for lawn watering, is one of the largest consumptive uses in the summer months. Lawn watering is straining water supplies and needs to be ended. There are also many opportunities indoors to use water more efficiently with little effort that will save not only water, but energy, and money. Indoor use can be cut by 20% or more by turning off faucets while washing dishes and hands, only washing full loads of laundry, and taking shorter showers, as well as by replacing old showerheads, toilets, sink aerators, and washing machines with EPA WaterSense and Energy Star® certified products. Also, repairing running toilets can save hundreds of gallons a day. This request is in conjunction with New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services’ urge for the public to discontinue non-essential outdoor water usage and to take efficiency measures indoors and we appreciate your assistance with water conservation. For current drought information and water efficiency fact sheets including efficiency tips, go to www.des.nh.go, click on the “A-Z” list, and scroll down to the Drought Management Program.
* Of the 431 unregistered dogs only 2 are left that will be going to court and 7 will be registering their dogs after their scheduled rabies shot appointments.
* People were getting stung by bees outside town hall and Blaisdell had this addressed at a cost of $375.
* Vision software is being updated.
* There will be $734.02 from Health Trust surplus to be distributed among the employees who take dental coverage.
* The board appointed Ann McCully as an Election Inspector at the recommendation of Major.
* The Sandown ZBA met on August 27 and continued an application submitted by Adam Lamond and Richie Towne for a special exception to convert a residential structure from seasonal to year round. The dwelling has already been built so this was an after the fact special exception and the ZBA felt there was incursion into the wetlands setback. If the Building Inspector could clear the issue up the board would consider approving but otherwise the applicant would need to apply for a variance. This application was continued for two months.
The ZBA again voted down by a tie among its members an application at 65 Odell Road submitted by Michael Cronin for a variance addressing minimum frontage. The application sought a variance to allow a subdivision of a 15.95 acre lot into 3 lots two of which would have only 195 feet of frontage on a Class VI Highway Hersey Road. The plan which was a continuance was changed so that all three lots met minimum frontage. However, the ZBA board voted 2 to 2 on the proposal but after a long discussion voted again this time by a vote of 3 to 1 to approve. The ZBA also reviewed and then denied an application for in-law apartment because it needed a list of abutters, parking information needed to be provided, and a new septic design be obtained.
Sandown Selectmen Still Undecided Regarding Historical Society
By Penny Williams 8-26-20
The Sandown Board of Selectmen met Monday evening, August 24, and discussed what they wanted to do regarding the Historical Society and the Depot.
They discussed moving toward termination of the contract for the Historical Society for the use of the Depot noting that the Board's attorney had not had a response from the Historical Society attorney. However, the board's attorney said the board of selectmen couldn't lock the Historical Society out without giving them 30 days notice.
The Historical Society had informed the board they were working on a plan. An email received that day outlined a suggestion that the Historical Society would allow the Heritage Commission to use the Depot and the items in the Depot would be theirs on permanent loan. The Historical Society would continue to use the flanger car.
Selectman Jon Goldman said while his instinct is to move forward with the exit plan he felt the board should probably allow the Historical Society officers to come before the board and discuss their proposed plan. However, the board went into non-public to discuss this issue but no final decision was made on the subject.
Sandown Timberlane Regional School Board members Lee Dube and Sheila Lowes spoke to the board noting that comments from residents with concerns about the lack of communication are justified. They explained that it is the result of the recent leadership transition. Superintendent Earl Metzler has been terminated and an interim superintendent Brian Cochrane been activated. The Timberlane Regional School Board hired Cochrane as an Educational Consultant back on May 28, well before Metzler was released without involving the Hampstead School District portion of the SAU 55 Board. Dube and Lowes said Cochrane is getting his hands around school issues and informational letters will be going out to parents soon.
Moderator Kevin Major spoke to the board asking that they authorize the expanded polling area discussed and approved the previous week. He also asked the board to sign the Cares Act grant petition for the upcoming election that would provide Sandown with a grant of $12,955.66 of which the town would receive up to 80 percent for the increased cost of absentee ballots at the Primary and Presidential elections. The board approved the expanded polling area and signed the documents.
Major also asked the board to approve two assistant election officials, Gwen Sheppard and Galen Walton which the board did. The board also approved Colleen Olsen as an Election Inspector for a two year period.
The board approved keeping the snow plow drivers rates the same as last year. Town Administrator Lynne Blaisdell said Public Works Director Arthur Genualdo would be sending out the letters to the drivers shortly. The policy regarding winter snow removal is in place and can be read in full on the Web site.
Blaisdell went over which selectmen would be available to help with the election day process both for the Primary and then for the Presidential election. Goldman and Selectman Tom Tombarello (who was not present) were reminded they had agreed to work with Major on Friday, September 4, at 10 a.m. to start the absentee ballot process.
The board discussed the potential possibilities of expanding the town office space to provide a more private space for the Town Administrator. Possibilities being considered include creating an office in part of the current kitchen space; changing the kitchen into two offices and moving a modified kitchen area into the downstairs meeting room; putting up a wall with a door in the rear of the town office room to create a private office.
The new office would allow Blaisdell to have a private space and the thinking is that Finance Director Gayle Hamel should be in a private office space as well. No decision was made but the board and Blaisdell will look into costs and potential solutions and discuss this further at a future meeting. The motivation is to determine whether to get this done now or put it forward as a warrant article on the 2021 Town Meeting.
The board discussed the issue of renting the upstairs of Town Hall and the Recreation Building and how cleaning would be addressed. After a lengthy discussion it was decided to purchase two electrostatic cleaning machines and cleaning liquid, one for the town hall and one for the recreation building and to leave the rental opening to October 1.
The board approved the Budget Committee holding a community forum on the budget on Wednesday, September 30 and ensuring that the room is cleaned the next day. The board said social distancing and the wearing of masks would be encouraged.
The board also approved Selectmen Goldman and Tombarello being the board members appointed to the negotiating collective bargaining team for the Sandown Police Department and the Union.
The board decided that they would approve the transfer of money paid to the Lamprey Health Transportation to the Rockingham Nutrition as Lamprey Transportation has been closed and Rockingham Nutrition is picking up the Lamprey ridership.
In Other Business:
* Divers from AB Aquatics, Inc. have been on Phillips Pond for harvesting invasive weeds such as milfoil and fanwort. Diver assisted suction harvesting (DASH) is a non-chemical treatment and therefore there are no restrictions.
* The Household Hazardous Waste Day has been cancelled. After further consideration, the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day has been postponed and will not occur on Sat. September 19, as planned. The organizers feel it will be too difficult to meet all the restrictions. Organizers hope to hold a collection day in the spring of 2021t this time.
* The Sandown Conservation Commission met on August 13, and discussed their concerns regarding the Hoytford Hills development. Their Environmental Scientist Bruce Gilday will be inspecting the proposed well and the wetland crossing proposals. The commission and residents also have concerns regarding traffic and wildlife issues resulting from the development. The commission approved the Red Barn metal roof and the contract with Advanced Metal Roofing for $20,500. This will take place in September or October. The commission approved Mackenzie Byron-Chaput's two benches for the Red Barn area that she is donating. She got the benches for collecting over 1,000 pounds of plastic. It was noted the Hearse House has been added to the NH Registry of Historical Buildings in connection with the Sandown Old Meeting House.
* The Sandown Planning Board met on Tuesday August 18, and approved Nick Ortins becoming a member of the Planning Board. The Public Hearing for the Re-Division of Land submitted by Montana Realty Trust for property at Meghan Drive was continued by vote of the board to the September 15, meeting. The board continued the Public Hearing for the Multi-Family Residential Site Plan application for an Open Space Development for 48 two bedroom townhouses as well as an Application for a Conditional Use Permit for the associated 6.791 square feet of land area in the Wetlands Conservation District.
Owner of the property is D & H Construction, of Plaistow, Inc. with the property being located toward the end of Ferguson Lane. Town Engineer Steve Keach, Keach Nordstrom Associates, said a condition of approval would be having the required permits from the State which they have, a revised set of site prints and a clean letter from Keach and the approved Conditional Use Approval.
Abutters are concerned about traffic and financial impacts of the development and have requested that a traffic study be done as well as a Financial Analysis and whether the development would have a negative impact on abutters and neighborhood wells. Keach said a condition of approval would be acceptance by the applicant for a fair share assessment to offsite improvement of Ferguson Lane. The hearing was continued to the board's October 6, meeting.
Sandown Selectmen Reject Historical Society Lease on Depot Building
By Penny Williams 8-11-20
The Sandown Board of Selectmen heard from Attorney Eric Maher representing the absent members of the Sandown Historical Society executive members on Monday evening, August 10. The board met and rejected the Historical Society request for renewal of their lease and use agreement for the Depot Building.
Maher read a letter from the absent Vice President of the Historical Society Jim Weber, who lives in Maine as do the majority of the members of the Society. Three months ago the board of selectmen submitted a list of specific information they wanted from the Historical Society before the board would renew the society's lease and use agreement but did provide a 90 day temporary agreement. The letter written by Weber, grandson of Bertha Deveau who actually started the Depot and the Historical Society some 4 decades ago, intimated that he alone in Sandown knew the history of the items in the Depot, something which several residents contradicted.
Maher gave the board one of their five requested items, a list of members but the last names were redacted. The membership does not meet the Sandown regulation requiring 60 percent membership be Sandown residents.
The board went over the difficulties they have had with the out of town and out of state society members where all of the executive members are out of state. These out of state members are more interested in trains and train meetings than in Sandown History, according to board members.
Back in 2017 the Society executive members sent registered letters to several Sandown residents who were members of the society telling them they were no longer members. Among the residents verifying the ongoing disruption of the society in 2017 were Pamela Gaudreau, Susan Dupoy and Arlene Bassett.
It was also noted that there was a claim and charge that one of those out of state members had stolen money from the society and there was also the concern referenced by the board that things from the Depot were showing up for sale on Craig's List.
Maher suggested that the current Society could partner with the Heritage Commission and the Historical Society members out of state would focus on railroads and raising funds while the Heritage Committee could look to the history aspect.
At that point the board said no. They were by consensus not interested in continuing with the Historical Society as constructed and if it meant losing some items because everything would have to be turned over to the State Attorney General's Office that was the way it would have to be. The Town might or might not be able to get the items belong to Sandown back. The board felt so be it.
The board said the out of town executive board members had been rude and disrespectful and had made no effort to provide the board with the information they requested and the board members said they were not interested in renewing the lease or use agreement. There was a push to lock the Depot immediately but Maher said by law the Society had to be provided with a 30 day notice before being locked out. The consensus of the board was to immediately cut all ties with society.
Kevin Major spoke up as a resident saying he encouraged the board to lock the building immediately and to have a policeman there when the society was allowed in. In the final analysis, the decision was that the lease and agreement will not be provided to the society and it is assumed the state will step in at this point.
Major then addressed the board wearing his Moderator hat telling them about the projected changes that COVID-19 is bringing to this year's election process. He said he is meeting on Thursday morning September 3, at 8 a.m., to go over the absentee ballots. Selectmen Tom Tombarello and Jonathan Goldman said they would meet with him and others that morning to conduct the pre-counting process of the absentee ballots.
Major said he would need additional ballot clerks and janitorial workers. He stated that he needs two runners and greeters for the popup tent that will be a voting area for those residents who refuse to wear a mask. He asked the board to verify the tent is part of the election area which they did.
Everyone going inside Town Hall to vote will be required to wear a mask but for those who won't wear a mask they will be able to sign in at the tent, have their credentials checked and a ballot gotten for them to fill out.
The cost of the extra people will amount to roughly $300 but Major said that would be covered eventually by COVID-19 reimbursement funds.
The board then reviewed the School Impact Fee fund that has $128,038. in it and discussed how much of a payment they would make to the school district for their use on infrastructure payments.
They paid out $75,000 last year and decided that was the right amount for this year as well. That would leave $$28,000 in the fund going forward. The board approved the Town making out a check to the school district for $100,000.
The board decided after a long discussion that opening town hall to rentals was something they would put off for now but would allow the Lions Club and Scouts to hold meetings in the downstairs but they will be expected to clean off everything following their meeting.
Recreation Director Deb Brown said it was just too soon to open up to group rentals because of the necessity to clean thoroughly between or after each use. Getting equipment to spray clean might be a solution and the decision was to hold off until October 1, so the extra cleaning needs and how to cover the extra cleaning needs and the cost of the extra cleaning can best be addressed, The rental fee may have to be increased to cover the extra cost of the extra cleaning requirements due to COVID-19.
In Other Business:
* The board approved Office Assistant Paula Gulla having the Town Attorney review the Right of Way information provided by Town Engineer Steve Keach, Keach Nordstrom Associates.
* The Highway Block Grant will be $162,575.36, which is only about $8,000 less than last year, which the board felt was encouraging.
* The board voted to approve the ZBA document removing Abbe Lane, Matty Circle, Osprey Circle and Patricia Circle in the Montana Realty Trust Variance regarding re-subdivision of the property at 11 Meghan Drive.
* Bob Meany will be back before the Board of Selectmen with a maintenance agreement in order to get a building permit on Hersey Road, a Class VI road having been approved by the Planning Board.
* The Zoning Board of Adjustment met on July 30 and the deal to turn over the land in question at 11 Meghan Drive to the State Agriculture Department was approved. This would include de-creating several roadways that at this time are paper roads only. The ZBA approved the minimum frontage variance request of Michael Cronin at 65 Odell Road. The ZBA also approved the special exception requested by Adam Lamond and Richie Towne for a conversion of a seasonal dwelling to year round at 5 Summer Street.
* The Heritage Committee met on August 6, and discussed the fact that the Hearse House has been added to the Registry of Historic Places as it is connected with the Old Meeting House. They also discussed a possible yard sale on October 3 and discussed some of the possible vendors who might be part of the Heritage Fair that is tentatively scheduled for October 10. They decided to add a rain date of October 11 for the Heritage Fair.
Sandown Selectmen Discuss Waste Management Increases
By Penny Williams 7-29-20
The Sandown Board of Selectmen met on Monday night, July 27, and Peter Lachapelle, Waste Management, and Arthur Genualdo, Public Works Director met with the board concerning the increase in the Waste Management contract that expired on June 30.
The cost of hauling and disposing of a ton of waste has risen about 30 percent, up to $72.07 due to increased solid waste tonnage resulting from so many people being at home and clearing things out and eating more at home than usual and the difficulties with the recycling market. Lachapelle offered the town a five year contract with a maximum increase of 5 percent per year.
In answer to questions he said if he reduced the annual increase he would have to increase the per ton cost so that wouldn't really reduce the overall cost. Asked if the town could do the hauling and disposal and so forth itself for less he told the board that would increase their overall cost considerably. The board, seeing they had no choice even though Genualdo said the increases were not covered in his budget, approved the proposed contract as presented.
The board discussed the request of Nick and Christy Ortins to be allowed to park their food truck at the Sandown Public Library parking lot on Fridays from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. and on an occasional Saturday morning. The Library had no issue with it but the board, after a discussion, decided it would not be fair to the pizza shop that has to pay taxes for its store. The board wanted to help the Ortins and indicated they would look at the request further but at this point couldn't approve it.
Town Manager Lynne Blaisdell said the Lion's Club had asked permission to sell hot dogs and raffles at the Transfer Station on Saturday, August 8, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. as a fund raiser. The board after a brief discussion approved the request. Selectman Jon Goldman said the Lion's fundraiser would have preference over any Historical event the Historical Society might come up with for that date
The Historical Society was supposed to be at the Monday night meeting regarding continued use of the Train Depot by the Historical Society. However, despite having multiple members, no one showed up. This issue was further discussed in non-public.
The board discussed the possibility of changing the membership set up of the Seniors Affairs Transportation Committee to try and ensure they would have a quorum. It was decided to look into this and make it a warrant article for the coming town meeting.
The board discussed the article voters approved of looking into the feasibility of entering into a long-term lease with a communication tower company for a communication tower in the Sandown Business district. The board decided to form a committee of five to research and consider this and report back to the board. The committee would have a selectman (Goldman volunteered to do it) a Planning Board member and three people from the public and they would consider two alternates from the public.
In Other Business:
* The board approved the Vision assessing agreement. Blaisdell said the company offered the first year of cloud storage for free with a $2,500 annual charge for that thereafter.
* Joanne Donahue, Ferguson Lane, asked the Board to enter into an investigation of three aspects of the proposed 48 dwelling development being proposed for Ferguson Lane. (1) traffic impact study; (2) fiscal impact study; and, (3) a hydrogeologic impact analysis. The last because earlier homes built in that area had had their wells run dry and needed to put in new wells.
* Mary Patterson, East Lane asked the board if her group could buy the rights to the beach since they are the ones maintaining it. The board said they would look at a proposal if the group would put one together and email it to all the board members.
Sandown Selectmen Hear Moderator Discuss Upcoming Elections and Concern about 300 Unregistered Dogs
By Penny Williams 7-14-20
The Sandown Board of Selectmen held a meeting Monday night, July 13, and among the issues before them were the upcoming elections that Moderator Kevin Major discussed with the board.
Major reminded the board the NH Primary Election is slated for September 8, followed by the Presidential Election on November 3. He indicated that one of the changes for these upcoming elections will be the number of absentee ballots that will be submitted.
New Hampshire doesn't allow online voting but does allow absentee ballots and the Governor will be filing legislation allowing absentee ballots for those fearing COVID-19 exposure. There are more than 4700 registered voters in Sandown so the election sessions, the Primary at Town Hall and the Presidential election at the school, Major believes will be busy.
The layout of the room at Town Hall for the Primary will be a little different due to COVID-19 concerns and Major said the state will be supplying PPE for use by the election officials. The requirements for the layout will be amended slightly by the Governor to address COVID-19 challenges. However, Major said there could be up to 50 or 60 percent absentee ballots that will need to be counted.
In addition, Major said Sandown has been selected to be a regional center for an election official training session, if the board of selectmen approve it. The training would take place on Tuesday, August 18, and there might be two sessions.
Since that is the date Planning Board meets in Town Hall, Town Manager Lynne Blaisdell said she would work with Ernie Brown, Chair of the Planning Board if that board plans to meet that night and have them meet downstairs. The board was pleased Sandown was chosen for the training site and approved the use of the Town Hall meeting room for the election training sessions.
Major went over the responsibility of the selectmen to attend and be present at the two upcoming elections. The board members agreed to participate and would notify Major of who would be there when on the two election days.
The board welcomed Adam Shlager as the new Sandown Public Library Director. Shlager started on Monday, July 6. He was previously the head of Technology and Circulation at the Barrington Library, a position he called wonderful but said he was pleased to be in Sandown and this had been too good a position to pass up. He offered to answer any questions the selectmen might have and said he looked forward to working with them. Library Liaison Selectman Bob Nickerson said he thought Shlager was going to be a very good fit for Sandown and would accomplish a lot.
The board discussed the request to approve the contract agreement for Wunderlich-Mallec, Newmarket, developing the engineering design and plans so the town could go out for bids from vendors to do the structural repairs and upgrades needed at Town Hall. The cost for the company developing the designs and plans would be $5,500 and the money would come from the grant from the State the Town received last year. The board approved and signed the contract. When she has the engineering design and plan information Blaisdell will move forward with seeking a construction company bid to do the work structural work needed.
The board has reviewed the proposed Joint Loss Management Committee review of the revised Safety Policy. The policy hadn't been updated since its 1996 writing. The committee contacted their current insurer to make sure all the necessary concepts were covered and they were. The board had a few questions and suggestions such as adding a page indicating the revisions made and the establishment of a CPR/AED training date for all employees as part of the policy. They then approved accepting the proposed policy.
Selectman Tom Tombarello expressed his disappointment that there are still 300 unregistered dogs in Sandown. It was pointed out that it is virtually impossible to get an appointment for a dog's rabies shot before the end of August due to the COVID-19 issues. However, the Town will need to make a decision soon regarding whether the police department will send Sgt. Rich Bucco out to knock on the doors of the families with unregistered dogs. In the meantime if a family has an appointment for the vaccination they should let the Town Clerk know.
In Other Business:
* Adam Shlager, the new Sandown Library Director was appointed to the Joint Loss Management Committee.
* The board signed its IT contract that is expiring. The new contract is for another three years with no increase in price.
* The Conservation Commission met on Thursday, July 9, and raised some questions and requests regarding the site plan presentation of Hoyford Hills Subdivision off of Ferguson Lane. The 80.6 acre open space development will have 48 two-bedroom multifamily condominium units accessed by a 300-foot private road, Cole Circle. There will be 66 percent open space. The Conservation Commission pointed out this is misleading since the open space is divided up into 3 areas. There are three wetland crossings and one is very near one of the buildings and this concerned the commission. There have been 10 vernal pools identified and endangered species are known to be in the area. The commission wants the construction company made aware of this and the area to be developed flagged before construction starts. The commission decided to move forward with metal roofing for the Red Barn.
Sandown Board of Selectmen Meeting Dominated by Seeley Beach Ordinance Discussion
By Penny Williams 6-30-20
The Sandown Board of Selectmen met on Monday night, June 29, and the majority of the meeting was spent discussing an ordinance and possible beach pass process for Seeley Beach use.
Seeley Beach is used by the Recreation Commission as part of its summer program and there is a Recreation Life Guard on duty there. It has been posted as for residents only but the signs have been stolen. Several years ago there was an influx of non-residents using the beach and the Recreation Director, Deb Brown is concerned that there will be a similar situation this summer since many local area beaches are still closed. Police Chief Joe Gordon expressed concern that a young person, the life guard, would be challenged in trying to deal with non-resident use of the beach but he needed an ordinance in place saying the beach is for residents only and that a beach pass is required so he could enforce this.
After going round and round the board finally approved adding to the proposed ordinance that Seeley Beach is for "residents and their guests only" and a beach pass is needed for use of the beach. This will be in effect as of July 17, allowing time to get the information of this out to the public and signs erected. Beach passes can be obtained at Town Hall Office, the Police Department and the Recreation Department. Town Manager Lynn Blaisdell has the beach pass form ready for residents to fill out.
Selectman Jonathan Goldman objected to this saying the ordinance and process should have been done last winter - actually several years ago - and he feels it is too late to do anything for this year and Selectman Eric Olsen agreed so they voted no to the adoption of the new Selectmen's Ordinance for Seeley Beach, but it passed 3 to 2.
The board opened the single bid received regarding the expansion of the cemetery and it was from Britain's Landscaping for $54,100. Carroll Bassett, Cemetery Trustee said this was too much money as the Warrant had called for $30,000. However, included in the bid was the road that he planned for the future as well as part of the proposed development that is for future development. He asked the board if he could discuss re-negotiating the price with Britain excluding the roadway and the extra area for development. After a brief discussion the board told him to go ahead and negotiate and come back to them at the next meeting.
The board signed the contract with AB Aquatics for the diving to be done at Phillips Pond. The contract amount called for $12,500 which was exactly what the town has for the job - $4,625 encumbered from last year's money and a grant for $7,875.
Blaisdell reported that the painting of the Town Hall building is complete and that it looks really good. She said repairs are being done to the handicap ramp and she is seeking a report from an engineer for the structural work needed so an RFP could be processed for that work.
Blaisdell said the damage to the parking lot done by the painting company ladders has been fixed by Petra Paving. The cost was $150 and the bill will be sent to the painting company and the town's insurer will be notified of the incident and the billing sent to the painting company in case more work needs to be done to the damage and the repair.
Gordon said the time is nearing when Sgt. Rich Bucco goes around knocking on doors regarding dog licensing. There are still several hundred homes with unlicensed dogs and he begged people to get them registered. He also asked the board to approve accepting a Fish & Game $3600 grant for his department monitoring the trails, which the board approved.
In Other Business:
* The board accepted two checks donated by the Republican Committee for the Main Street Flag Donation Fund.
* Blaisdell reported the Town was reimbursed $6,624.75 by GOEFRR.
* Town Hall as of Monday, July 6, will be re-opening to the public with COVID-19 modifications. People are asked to please enter the Town Hall through the Main Street entrance door only and lines to the Town Clerk's Office etc. will form here and to please exit the Town Hall through the doors at the Town Clerk's Office (facing the Fire Station). Social distancing while in the building
We encourage you to wear a face mask while in the building is asked and
masks and hand sanitizer will be available at the entrance, exit and at various stations in the building. Please be patient as the employees transition through this next phase - due to social distancing requirements, there may have only one customer service window open at times. On-line transactions are still available and are encouraged whenever possible.
* The Sandown ZBA on June 25, approved the application for a Special Exception for an Accessory Dwelling Unit submitted by Naomi and Mike Mcnamara for 30 Hemlock Circle. The ZBA that night also approved an application submitted by Montana Realty Trust for a Variance to allow minimum frontage for a re-subdivision of property at 11 Meghan Drive and the creation of a 4.32 acre lot with 98.3 feet frontage, a 4.03 acre lot with 98.3 feet of frontage and an 82.67 acre lot with 96.95 feet of frontage.
Sandown Board of Selectmen Approve Cemetery Expansion Plan
By Penny Williams 6-17-20
The Sandown Board of Selectmen met in a regular session Monday night, June,15, and approved the Cemetery Trustees going forward with the RFP bids for the expansion work for the Central Cemetery.
Carroll Bassett, Cemetery Trustee Chair presented the request for bids for the expansion and development of the Cemetery. The bids will be accepted up until 3 p.m. on June 29th. The board will open the bids and pass them on to the Cemetery Trustees to make the decision but the board said it would be comfortable supporting whatever recommendation the Cemetery Trustees made.
Recreation Director Deb Brown came before the board seeking approval of her proposed Summer Recreation Program plans. These plans are published on the Recreation web page on the Town website. She said there will be a limit of 75 participants and the hours will be between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. The participants, to use the beach, will need a bus and at the moment that is an issue since the buses can only hold 12 at a time but she is continuing to work on this aspect. If the kids are at the beach and a storm comes up they will be taken to the Town Hall.
The board had no questions and approved her plan. They also approved her request for hiring three young people for the Recreation Program and two for life guards. One life guard candidate from Manchester is conditional until the background check can be done but the board approved her working so long as there is someone there who has had a background check. It was suggested Brown check with Police Chief Joe Gordon for help with this issue.
The board approved an amended Roadway Improvement Plan contract with Busby Construction. The plan was previously approved for $413,969 but guard rails needed to be added at a cost of $12,012.50 increasing the total to $425,981.50. The board approved the amended contract amount.
Town Manager Lynn Blaisdell discussed moving on from phase 3 to phase 4 at the Town Office Building which would allow residents in the building but still encouraging wearing masks and insisting on social distancing. The door by the kitchen would be used for people to enter into the building and people would leave by the door by the Town Clark Tax Collector Office.
The board made the decision not to rent out the building until after the Summer Recreation Program is over due to the Town Hall being the place to house the kids from the beach in the event of a weather event. The board also decided that they would wait until July 6, to go to phase 4 at the Town Hall as by then the painting of the building will be completed. Continuing with service by appointment only until July 6, can be reconsidered if things change at the board's June 29 meeting.
Robert Meaney asked the board for their approval for him to build on lots he owns on Hersey Road, a Class VI road. Blaisdell said he had to comply with agreeing that the Town would provide no maintenance on the road, that he would provide the town with a hold harmless agreement and these documents would be filed at the Registry of Deeds. After they are recorded he can get a building permit but he still has to go before the Planning Board. However, the Board of Selectmen approved his request subject to comment from the Planning Board.
In Other Business:
* The aboard announced the appointment of Paul D'Amore as the new Town Building Inspector and Code Enforcement Officer.
* The Department of Environmental Services declined to take any action on complaints of violations at Cross Road, Pillsbury Road and it was noted these were discussed by the Conservation Commission.
* The well pump and 300 feet of wiring has been replaced.
* The Library requested repairs to their bathroom sink, the door out onto the parking lot and the platform and rails. Blaisdell said there is $13,000 in Government Building Repair line and they will see how much they can take care.
* The Library is interviewing an applicant for Library Director as Deb Hoadley has moved on.
* There are between 700 and 800 unregistered dogs. There is a $1 late fee at present but after July 8, it will be a $25 fee per dog and any dog owners whose dogs are not registered at that point can be taken to court or as a last resort the dog taken.
* The Senior Affairs Transportation Committee received a $250 donation from Ed Mencis and his fried dough cart sales and $86 miscellaneous donation dollars. The rides will restart July 6, but with restrictions.
* The Red Barn is seeking metal roof bids.
Sandown Selectmen Appoint Building Inspector/Code Enforcement Officer
By Penny Williams 6-10-2020
The Sandown Board of Selectmen sought a replacement for long time Building Inspector, Code Enforcement/Septic Inspector Bob Bogosh who has chosen to retire.
Sandown advertised for an Open Position - Building Inspector/Code Enforcement/Septic Inspector for the Town of Sandown. Applicants must have knowledge of the NH Building Codes, RSA’s and local zoning ordinances as adopted by the State of New Hampshire and the Town of Sandown. Applicants must be knowledgeable of IRC and IBC. The position oversees building department and town inspectors. Applicants must use the highest degree of professionalism. Resumes were to be filed with the Town on or before May 28.
Town Administrator Lynn Blaisdell said they received 4 applications and the board met with them in non-public session on Monday evening, June 8 for interviews.
The board announced late on Tuesday, June 9, that they have appointed Paul D'Amore to the open position. D'Amore is a long time Assistant Building Inspector and Code Enforcement Officer for Sandown and in his day job does this for another town so is extremely knowledgeable. Blaisdell said D'Amore will start on July 1.
Sandown Selectmen Hold First Open Meeting
By Penny Williams 6-2-2020
The Sandown Board of Selectmen met on Monday night, June 1, and didn't meet electronically. The whole board was present along with Town Administrator Lynne Blaisdell and a half dozen residents who showed up for the meeting who were seated using extreme social distancing.
Board Chair Darren Hudgins read the proposed Ordinance for Through Trucking on Odell Road, Ferguson Lane, David Lane, Phillips Pond and Cross roads. The ordinance basically prohibits trucks other than those providing a delivery to a resident living on one of the roads or emergency vehicles, from operating a motor truck on the specified roads. The reason for the ordinance is truckers have been using these Hampstead roads to reach a development in Danville and the heavy trucks and the excessive use of the roads are tearing up Hampstead roads.
The only discussion regarding the content of the ordinance came over the proposed fine for violations of $100 per offense. The board members felt this would not deter trucks from using the roads and after a discussion increased the fine for the first offense to $250 and subsequent fines to $500. The board approved the amended Ordinance for Through Trucking.
Public Works Director Artie Genualdo presented Part B -Wells Village Road proposed road work in the amount of $413,900. He said the amount was agreed to by Busby Construction and they could start work by early August.
Hudgins questioned why only the one bid for the work and Genualdo, along with Selectmen Jonathan Goldman and Tom Tombarello who echoed his explanation, said that Busby had held his prices for several years and always did good work, saving the Town money. Genualdo added that to go out to bid would add quite a lot of expense and he felt this was far and away the best deal the town would get. The board approved the contract with Busby Construction for Part B -Wells Village Road.
Genualdo also asked the board to approve allowing him to purchase a Crack-N-Tack2 machine and 4, 55-gallon barrels of material to be used in dealing with minor crack repairs particularly to newer reclaimed and redone roads which would increase the life of the roads. The cost would be $4,738.61. The board after a brief discussion approved the purchase.
Genualdo said that a pipe in the vicinity of 260 Fremont Road was cracked and needs to be fixed. He said Busby could do it for $9,885, using a special liner. The board approved this.
Genualdo also asked the board to approve hiring two new employees for the Transfer Station. The board approved the hires noting they are subject to background checks but the two new employees can start immediately and receive training for certification down the road.
Recreation Director Deb Brown asked the board to approve her hiring two young people for the Summer Recreation Program - one as a life guard and one as a counselor. She told the board she had had four life guard candidates but two have recently withdrawn their application having found better jobs. The board approved her hires.
Brown asked about renting a 40-foot by 40-foot tent since the Summer Recreation Program will not be allowed to use the school this summer. The board told her to go ahead and rent it and pay for it out of her budget. The board noted the probability is that the cost will be reimbursed because the need for the tent is COVID-19.
The board discussed the re-opening of various departments in the coming weeks. The Town Offices will move to Phase 3 which will allow residents to call and make an appointment to come in to conduct business. This would start on June 8. The Library will announce its decisions on its web site but the board members felt that as of June 8, department's could make their own decisions regarding opening up but that wearing masks by both customers and employees was strongly encouraged.
In Other Business:
* The Third Party Electric Supplier will be First Point Power with a price of 0.074
per kilowatt hour.
* The Sandown Senior Affairs Transportation Committee is considering returning to providing rides but for now it is recommended they stick to deliveries but when the drivers do resume providing rides masks for drivers and riders will be encouraged and strict cleaning will be required between rides.
* The board and Blaisdell discussed the color for the Town Hall paint job and basically settled on white with black trim.
* A decision on whether Old Home Day will take place will be made at the committee's upcoming meeting.
* The Sandown Budget Committee met on Wednesday, May 27, and put out a bid for the open position on the committee with letters of interest to be submitted to the Selectmen's Office by end of the day on June 11. The committee will meet on June 17, to interview those seeking to fill the open seat and their decision will be announced at the Selectmen's meeting following that date.
* Suzanne Reynolds, current chair and committee recording secretary, said she will not be the chair this year but will continue as the recording secretary.
* The Budget Committee decided to try and begin their meetings earlier in the coming fall, not holding as many meetings but having each meeting be longer. It was decided to start with the big ticket budget departments. A list of proposed meeting dates will be posted early in June. It was also decided to eliminate the practice of public comment during the meeting so going forward there will be a short time for public comment at the opening of the meeting.
* The Sandown Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA) met on Thursday, May 28, and after reviewing the application submitted by Paydon Johnston for a Variance to allow construction of a 16 by 24 foot garage with either storage or a bedroom above the board denied the application. The denial was because the wrong Article was used to seek the Variance, the drawing did not use the required scale, and, the criteria answers were inadequate.
* The ZBA approved accepting the second application that sought a Special Exception to construct an ADU at 30 Hemlock Drive submitted by Naomi and Mike Mcnamara. The committee noted the application needs to have the zoning floor plan in the appropriate scale and a certified plot plan provided.
Sandown Selectmen Hear from Departments on Reopening Readiness
By Penny Williams 5-21-2020
On Wednesday afternoon, May 20, the Sandown Selectmen heard from Library Director Deb Hoadley, Recreation Director Deb Brown, Town Clerk/Tax Collector Dawn Nicolaisen, and Town Administrator Lynne Blaisdell, on what phase they are in relative to their department re-opening - all dependent upon the guidelines and decisions from the Governor which are still changing almost daily.
Hoadley had submitted a 6 phase re-opening plan to the Town Office and Wednesday afternoon said the Library is in phase 2 and "dipping their toe" into phase 3.
The building is still closed to the public but 2 to 3 library staff are working in the building Monday through Thursday between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Hoadley and the Assistant Library Director Cathy Hassard are there most of the time doing different shifts along with 2 or 3 other staff but at no time are there less than 2 staff in the building. As staff enter the building they follow the guidelines and fill out the form provided by Primex and maintain social distancing. On May 26, book drop off and material returns will begin and be held that on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. All returns will held in quarantine for 72 hours.
On June 1st there will be tables outside with bags filled with material requested by patrons for them to pick up outside. This is a measured step into phase 3.
It was asked what Town Employees can do regarding customers wearing face masks when the public may be allowed back in buildings. It was noted that employees cannot force customers to wear masks. However, employees could, using discretion, refuse to provide service.
Brown said Recreation is basically in phase 2 but she is planning the Summer Program and hoping for the best. She has a veteran staff lined up but no date set for the beginning of the summer program. However, the thinking of Recreation and the Board of Selectmen is a life guard could be at the beach when beaches are opened up at least providing residents with something. Right now Brown plans to stay with her usual plan of mid-June for having lifeguards at the beach. She is hoping to have summer program in operation in some form in mid June but a date has not yet been announced. She is waiting for further orders from the Governor.
Nicolaisen indicated that working from home and online has been difficult and she has had less help than usual due to COVID-19 circumstances. She said while she was working on the current day requests today, she is behind in many phases and there is a backlog in her office. She indicated and Moderator Kevin Major affirmed that with two elections coming up her office is only going to get busier and not knowing exactly how those elections will work increases the pressure. Major noted there will be an increase in absentee ballots and those take time. There are also registrations for vehicles that are increasing daily, 200 dog registrations, and 300 new vehicle registrations and a thousand other registrations to be dealt with. Many of these have been dealt with but filing is way behind.
She continued noting that the lien date filing is coming up as is the date for sending out tax bills. She said the tax bills have been printed but not stuffed and ready for mailing. On top of all this the end of the month is coming with all its extra demands. "I could use some extra help," she said. After a brief discussion, the Selectmen agreed to additional help for the Town Clerk/Tax Collector to get caught up on clerical work and get ready for elections.
Blaisdell said Town Office is in phase 2 with the building still closed to the public but staff being allowed to work in their offices. Looking ahead to phase three would be when they would allow customers by appointment only to come into the building. She wants to make it a one-way pass through with customers entering by the kitchen side door and passing through and exiting by the Town Clerks office. Staff would wear masks and customers would be asked to wear masks and the floors will be marked with tape to show social distancing and where to go.
Blaisdell provided the board with a draft 'Through Trucking Ordinance' that had been vetted by Town Counsel. Notice of the ordinance has to be posted as to where the draft of the ordinance is available and to make this happen the board needed to review and sign off on the draft ordinance.
She went through the entire ordinance and the only change the board made was to the amount of the fine, which they increased from $100 to $500 dollars for each violation. The board approved the ordinance and it will be available at the Town Clerk's office once the notice goes out.
In Other Business:
* Sandown is advertizing an open position for the Building Inspector/ Code Enforcement/Septic Inspector. Current inspector Bob Bogosh has decided this is the right time to retire. Applicants need knowledge of the NH Building Codes, RSA’s and local zoning ordinances as adopted by the State of New Hampshire and the Town of Sandown. Position oversees Building Department and Town Inspectors.
Please submit cover letter and resume on or before May 28, to: Town of Sandown, PO Box 1756, Sandown, NH 03873.
* Application form to Change Party Affiliation is available on the Town Web site.
The deadline to change your party affiliation is June 2. The form can be mailed to the Town Clerk's Office at: Town of Sandown Town Clerk's Office, PO Box 583, Sandown, NH 03873, or, the application can be dropped off in the locked drop box located at the Town Clerk/Tax Collector's office entrance, which faces the Fire Station.
Sandown Selectmen Considering How to Reopen Town
By Penny Williams 5-13-20
One of the things discussed by the Sandown Board of Selectmen at their Monday night meeting, May 11, was a review of their discussions at a special meeting held last Wednesday, May 6, concerning reopening the town.
The selectmen decided that they needed to prepare for how the town and the Town Office Building would reopen. Each department was asked to provide the board with a specific reopening plan for their department for the board to review. It was noted the Sandown Library has their own plan in place and starting Tuesday, May 12, there will be two employees in the building working. The next phase will be curbside pick-up.
The department heads have until the next special meeting, Wednesday, May 20 at 4 p.m. to get their plans put together and sent to the selectmen. Town Administrator Lynne Blaisdell said the return of employees to the Town Office Building will include each office keeping its doors closed and anyone needing to deal with that office will do so from the hallway where there are Plexiglass protectors in place.
Parks and Recreation is planning on holding its Summer Program and Recreation Director Deb Brown is lining up the personnel and the programs for the time it gets to open up, but she is tentatively hoping for mid-June. Campers are encouraged to go online and get signed up.
Selectmen Chair Darren Hudgins said hopefully that perhaps electronic meetings will soon be a thing of the past.
Blaisdell went over the COVID-19 grant programs from FEMA and the Governor's Office For Emergency Relief and Recovery(GOFERR) that will provide re-imbursement to the town for things bought or done related to COVID-19.
She told the board she is tracking these but needs to file the GOFERR items the town wants re-imbursement for things that were bought or spent between March and April 30 by June 1 in order to be eligible for re-imbursement. After that there will two more opportunities to file for things in the following two months.
Sandown was allocated $152,159 for this purpose but Blaisdell didn't appear to think they would be spending anywhere near that much. She indicated she is still waiting for answers to questions related to these filings from the Municipal Government Center.
The Town is participating in the First Responder Stipend program. Finance Director Gayle Hamel indicated she would prefer to make two payments of the that money rather make the payments to eligible first responders on a weekly basis. The board approved of that.
The board decided to hold a public hearing on Monday, June 1, relative to the No Through Trucking Ordinance for Ferguson, Odell, and David roads that are being used by Danville trucks working on a Danville development. It was noted that there is a big development possibly going to take place off of Ferguson which would have some portion in Sandown and some in Danville and the board needs to keep track of that going forward but it hasn't been presented as yet.
Blaisdell said she is pleased to announce that the Municipal grant of $67,000 the town received from the State in 2019 that was to be used for the salt shed that voters denied the warrant article can be used for something else or several things.
She said she has that opinion from the Municipal Government Center and is waiting to make sure the Department of Revenue Administration agrees. If so that is good news for the town. She wants to find out if this is true whether the Town will have to hold another Public Hearing regarding how the money would be used and she expects to hear about that soon.
Blaisdell asked the board if they wanted to distribute a flyer provided by the Hampstead Water Resource Committee relative to monitoring and reporting any impacts on wells in Sandown within the specified impact area of the Angle Pond Well # 3 with is going on line.
The Hampstead Area Water Company is supposed to provide this notification but has not and the board members felt the board had a responsibility to inform its residents about this. The board approved sending the flyers out to the identified homeowners of wells in the impact area and to also post it on the web site.
In Other Business:
* Selectman Tom Tombarello announced the four employee May employment anniversaries: Michael Devine, Fire Chief Bill Tapley, Police Officer Steve Winter and Building Inspector Bob Bogash.
* The board was told that the company that will be doing the painting of the Town Hall can schedule that work for mid-June and has tentatively done so. Blaisdell asked the board what color they wanted the building painted and asked them to send her suggestions.
* The NH Department of Transportation notified the town they will be digging up and repaving 121-A between Fremont and Lexington throughout the summer.
Sandown Selectmen Grill Historical Society Officials About Membership
By Penny Williams 4-29-20
The Sandown Board of Selectmen met on Monday evening, April 27, and grilled the out-of-town officials of the Sandown Historical Society about the society's membership and what items in the Depot belong to the Town.
Historical Society President Jon Wells, who lives in Maine, and Society Curator Eric Emery who lives in Merrimack were present to find out why the Town had padlocked the Depot Door. Jim Weber who is the grandson of long time Historical Society founder and supported Bertha Devoe also chimed in. He too is from out of town. The board had directed the locking of the Depot building at an earlier meeting because there was a report of the sale of Depot related items and a picture of a Depot sign for sale on Craig's List.
The Selectmen made it clear they had locked the town-owned Depot building door until they had answers regarding these items that appeared to have been sold. The board also made it clear they are not happy with the Sandown Historical Society being handled by out-of-town people, especially people whose focus is primarily on train related things and events with only a side interest in Sandown historical things.
The Historical Society men made it clear that while the Town owns the building, the only item they are aware of that the towns owns among the items at the Depot is a quilt that hangs on the wall. They explained that the Put Put or track car that was at the Depot grounds and which was rusting apart and whose engine had failed was sold several years ago because of its deteriorating condition and because it was not period correct for the cars at the Depot. As for the sign that appeared on Craig's List that had been made by Devoe and disappeared from the Depot in the last few years, Police Chief Joe Gordon was notified and he was able to reclaimed it.
In the not too distant past there was a situation that occurred with the Historical Society that over the course of a year or two getting it settled wound up with one member being removed for possible criminal behavior and several members pushed out for using some of the items at the Depot Museum to sell on e Bay to raise money for the society. The last local person to be president, Bob Brouder, died unexpectedly and the society officers are now all out of town people.
Weber and Wells objected to being accused of "stealing" and Board Chair Darren Hudgins stated they were not being so accused but the board, before renewing the lease of the Depot Building, wanted answers to their questions. The discussion went round and round and eventually Chief Gordon stepped in and asked if the Society would be willing to provide now and annually, membership lists as well as a comprehensive list of items that are at the Depot as well their by-laws and policies. The men said that could be done and it was determined that there are about 57 members of the society and possibly 40 percent are Sandown residents.
Selectman Jon Goldman pointed out that for free use of town buildings a program or group has to have 60 percent Sandown membership and if the society could work on that that might help. It was noted by Wells and Emery that the bad publicity the society had undergone in recent years made it difficult if not impossible to get people in town to participate. Hudgins said that the people of Sandown feel disconnected from the Historical Society and they are not happy about it since the Depot Museum is such an important part of Sandown history.
Goldman and Hudgins suggested that the Historical society consider partnering with the Sandown Heritage Commission saying this way the society could concentrate on railroad events and activities while the Heritage Commission would be active and involved in the legacy and Sandown historical side of things. Wells and Emery said they would need to meet with the rest of their board members and make a decision regarding this suggestion.
Selectman Tom Tombarello stated that he thought the explanations and the agreement to provide the selectmen with the lists and documents they requested warranted the immediate unlocking of the Depot building. The board agreed and said it would happen first thing Tuesday morning. A 90 day temporary lease of the building to the Historical Society was approved and the Selectmen asked Town Administrator Lynne Blaisdell to have the Heritage Commission come to their next meeting to discuss the possible partnership.
Public Works Director Arthur Genualdo went before the board discussing two issues. The first concerns trucks traveling over Ferguson and Odell roads to reach a Lewis Builders' development in Danville. Hampstead roads are being used because Danville ordered No Through Trucking signs to be posted on their roads making it necessary for the trucks to use Sandown roads to reach and leave the development with the result damage is being done to these Sandown roads.
The board discussed what they could do about this with both Genualdo and Chief Gordon and it was decided that No Through Trucking signs would be placed on Ferguson, Odell and David roads in Sandown and a selectmen's ordinance developed if needed forcing the trucks to find some other way to go or be prepared to pay the fines which might range from $500 to $1,500 depending on what Gordon was able to determine the infringement of the signage would constitute. The board also approved writing a letter to the Danville Selectmen telling them use Sandown roads must stop and that the town is putting up No Through Trucking signs and any further use will be penalized. The board wanted Lewis Builders CC on the letter.
Genualdo said the trucks have caused real damage to Ferguson such that the roadway has been shifted sending run-off water into a resident's yard causing damage to his property. Genualdo said that will have to be fixed.
Genualdo second issue is that on Lakeview there is a resident who is deliberately blocking the catch basin causing run off on neighbors' properties and making his public works workers clear it up constantly. This is an ongoing situation and the resident refuses to stop damming up the culvert with yard refuse but Genualdo said he will no longer clear the culvert. He has notified NH DES about this situation and if he stops clearing out the culvert perhaps the neighbors will act and bring a civil suit to clear this action up.
It was thought that perhaps the Conservation Commission would be able to fine the resident for this activity and Hudgins said he would get in touch Brian Butler Chair of the Conservation Commission to check on what that body might be able to do.
In Other Business:
* The board approved Chief Gordon purchasing a Dodge Durango for its cruiser with a three year lease.
* The board approved the three year lease contract for the cardiac monitor at a total cost of $34,350 which is less than the $45,000 budgeted for it.
* The board discussed the three bids for painting the Town Office building and approved the second lowest bid, $15,500, for the job. They approved the bid and will lock in a June start time for the work but want to wait until then in order to ensure there is a revenue stream to cover it. Blaisdell will check on the deposit.
* The board approved purchasing special Plexiglas separators for the election workers for the September and November elections and special iPads for police and Town Administrator use for the electronic meeting requirements and police things requiring these specialized computers, The board approved the payment for these coming from the Disaster Management Fund because FEMA would more than likely refund these COVID-19 expenses.
* The board approved appointing Jennifer Prather, Stephanie Kulik, and Kate Winter to the Old Home Day Committee as well as approving Paul Wentzell to the Heritage Commission as an alternate and reappointing Cindy Buco as the Sandown representative to the School Capital Improvement Committee.
* The board decided that the floor in the Fire Station should be done but decided to put it off until later in the year, possibly early fall.
* The board approved the 3 year contract with Vadar Systems for the Town Clerk/Tax Collectors office which supplies financial software at a cost of $5,582.62 annually which is only a slight increase (2.5 percent) over the previous contract cost.
Sandown Selectmen Finalize " It’s Christmas in April" Parade
By Penny Williams 4-14-20
The Sandown Board of Selectmen met Monday night, April 13, and went over a number of issues including contracts, COVID-19 and a planned Fire and Police event to take place this coming weekend.
Selectman Jonathan Goldman described a special event being planned by the Fire and Police Departments for the coming weekend. "It's 'Christmas in April.' The Sandown Fire-Rescue and Police Departments will be parading through town on Saturday April 18, all decorated for the holiday. Time and route information will be posted Friday April 17, via the Sandown Fire Department Facebook page and the town web site to be shared amongst the community. Due to time limitations we will not be able to travel every street in town. However, we will make a drive by at the Recreation Building so if we will not be on your street you are encouraged to practice social distancing in your car along one side of Pheasant Run Drive at the Recreation building to watch us go by. We are trying to work on a special guest, but it is NOT confirmed yet. As a reminder, we will NOT be stopping, and parents are always asked to practice social distancing."
Town Administrator Lynne Blaisdell presented the request from Charlie Zilch, S.E.C. Associates, Inc. for the board to sign the easement documents related to the DF Realty Trust development on Valerie Way. The board reviewed these easement documents at a previous meeting and now that the Planning Board has conditionally approved the site plan, the Board of Selectmen need to sign off on the documents.
Blaisdell said she has received the recommendation for the board to sign the easement documents from Town Engineer Steve Keach, Keach Nordstrom Associates because everything has been satisfactorily been met and she has also received the deed and fee that she will get to the registry once the board signs the documents. The board approved Chair Darren Hudgins signing on the board's behalf and he did so.
The board approved the request from Lewis Builders to accept the extension to Wilkele Road and to release the $12,960 bond.
The board signed the contract with Comprehensive Environmental Inc. for $20,000. The company will be doing the work required to meet the MS-4 permit requirements. They will finish up the 2019 items that need to be completed and do the work on the 2020 requirements so the Town is in compliance.
Goldman said the Fire and Rescue and Police departments have sufficient PPE for the next two weeks thanks to donations. He indicated they should be alright over the next two weeks when New Hampshire is expected to get the COVID-19 surge if it is to happen. He said the Emergency Management is in good shape.
Blaisdell said she is seeking clarification regarding the Governor's Orders relating to payment of property tax interest payments but that the town needs people make their property tax payments because revenues from the state Highway Block grant and the Room and Meals Tax will be less than expected and have a negative impact on the town tax rate.
She also asked that department's keep good track of payments/costs for things relating to the pandemic as those that are reasonable that deal with enforcement and protection will be able to get federally reimbursed. Goldman said the government will reimburse "reasonable" items at 75 percent so he cautioned care in purchasing only what is absolutely necessary.
Heidi Chaput asked the board for approval to allow volunteers to carry out the annual Earth Day Town pick-up. The board discussed this and while noting it might be a good idea to delay it one week because of the Christmas in April event they had no problem with it happening in homeowner neighborhoods so long as people were cautioned to keep social distancing and used appropriate coverage such as gloves and so forth.
Chaput said the Sandown Girl Scout Troop 10765 and the Town of Sandown would be sponsoring the Earth Day Town Wide Clean-up that is scheduled for April 24, 25, and 26. Everyone will be asked to wear a mask and gloves and people should email to Paula Gulla@ pgulla@sandown.us their name, address, phone number and street they will be cleaning and if they want to the Highway Department to pick up the bags. People wanting the blue State trash bags are asked to call Sandown Town Hall at 887-3646 Monday through Thursday between * a.m. and 4 p.m. and the bags will be brought out to them. Leave the filled bags at the end of your street or a major intersection for the Highway Department to pick the bags up.
The Lion's Club has put off doing Main Street until later in the year due to the pandemic, Selectman Eric Olsen said.
Hudgins reported that Conservation re-appointed Tom Sands, Pam Gaudreau and Mark Traeger and that he had sworn them in. The commission signed the contact with Charlie Moreno to do the forestry cut at the Wells Village Road Forest and he expects the town will get $25,000 for the wood out of which they will pay Moreno his $5,875 fee. The Community Garden forms for the 14 available plots are up on the Web page. The commission approved having Scott Bassett till the garden for $150. They also canceled the Fishing Derby and Briana Butler is returning monies that were donated. Benches have been installed on the Blue Trail off Morrison Lane and all geocashing events have been canceled.
In Other Business:
* Since the request from the Reach the Beach Race to approve their use of the Town Hall as a transition stop for the September race is so far out and the race may in the end be canceled the board approved the request.
* It was noted that there had been flooding on Fremont Road from a beaver dam and the Public Works Director Arthur Genualdo and the Busby Construction Company brought in equipment and removed the dam and fixed the culvert that needed work.
* Selectman Bob Nickerson said the Library Director Deb Hoadley and Trustees have decided to allow one employee at a time to work in the library building to do research and other needed work.
Sandown Cancels Selectmen’s Meeting But Easter Bunny Will be in Town
By Penny Williams 4-7-20
Sandown issued the following information regarding meetings and how residents can access services they need during the changes wrought by the coronavirus pandemic. The modifications are approved by the Selectmen and Selectman Jonathan Goldman is responsible for putting out weekly notices during this period.
This information was updated as of April 1 and the complete list of modifications as of that date can be accessed on the Town Web page for the Board of Selectmen.
But first of all the decision was made by the Board of Selectmen and Town Administrator Lynne Blaisdell to cancel the Monday night, April 6, Board of Selectmen meeting. In addition it was determined that all town inspectors will be making case by case decisions regarding home inspections and everyone requesting an inspection should contact the required inspector directly.
Other business:
• The Sandown Fire/Rescue Association will do it’s best to reschedule the rabies clinic previously rescheduled for May 4th but this has now been postponed until further notice. Goldman notes that people need to contact their veterinarian if your dog’s rabies shot is expiring as rabies shots are required to be up-to-date by law. They may be offering alternative pricing or options knowing many rabies clinics have been canceled. Please don’t risk your animal getting sick.
• Those needing to file their annual recertification paperwork for their Elderly Exemption was discussed at the last Board of Selectmen meeting and the board approved extending the period for filing. People now have until July 15, to do so. The previous deadline of April 15th has been extended. Residents seeking the recertification of the Elderly can either mail in the paperwork to the Town Office or leave it in the lockbox outside the building near the Town Clerk’s office. You also have the option to wait until the Town Office opens back up soon and bring in person before July 15th.
Goldman notes that if any elderly would like to be checked on periodically during various weather emergencies or State of Emergencies, they should complete a Special Assistance Card. The Town Offices shares this information with only the Fire and Police Departments who will call or visit your property to check to be sure you are ok during these times of emergency. If you’d like to complete one of these cards, please call the town offices and one will be mailed to you. They will also be on the town website by the end of this week.
• The Sandown Transfer Station will remain open on its regularly scheduled days with regular hours with the exception of closing on Easter Sunday.
• The Sandown Parks and Recreation has it on good authority that the Easter Bunny has come up with a plan to visit with Sandown boys and girls while still practicing eggscellent social distancing.
Everyone in Sandown is welcome to participate, residents and non-residents alike.
The Easter Bunny will be outside, at the Edward C. Garvey Recreation Facility located at 25 Pheasant Run Drive between 10 a.m. and 12 noon on Saturday, April 11, so that boys and girls, along with their family, can drive in, travel through the parking lot and out the other side visiting with the Easter Bunny by watching the Easter Bunny who will be very hoppy to see and wave to everyone!
Visitors to the Easter Bunny will not be allow to exit their cars they are encouraged to decorate their vehicle, sing, wave, throw kisses and enjoy this 'mobile' Easter Bunny visit, said Recreation Director Deb Brown.
"The recreation department is also encouraging residents to participate in the "Easter Decoration Hunt" by decorating you residence, mailbox, windows, yard or anything on your property for Easter and getting listed on the registration guide with the recreation department," Brown added. "Just send your name, address and location of your decorations to: recreation@sandown.us by Thursday at 2 PM to be included in the guide."
Those who want to go on the 'hunt' to find decorated mailboxes or porches or trees etc., will be able to do so on Friday between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. and Saturday between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. The guide will be posted to the town website at www.sandown.us and people can navigate to the recreation page under Children's Programs. The push is on to make this an eggstra special Easter Bunny visit! If you have questions please contact Recreation Director Deb Brown at 887-1872.
• If you have questions or need assistance from a town department you can contact the Town Office at 603-887-3646 during normal business hours and either Blaisdell or Office Assistant Paula Gulla will be there to either answer your question or direct you where to get an answer. Monday Town Office hours have changed temporarily to 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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