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Town of AmherstBoard of SelectmenFebruary 13, 2006
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Chairman Marilyn Peterman called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m. Selectmen present: George Infanti, Bruce Bowler and Thomas Grella. Also present Acting Town Administrator Gary MacGuire and Executive Assistant Sharon Frydlo.
There were no concerns or comments from the audience.
Mrs. Peterman acknowledged the passing of Mr. Crouter, a long time resident of Amherst who was instrumental in volunteering on Boards and Commissions. He was also a major financial donor for many things that were near and dear to his heart. She paid the Board’s condolences to his wife, Alyce and his family.
Mrs. Peterman advised they were not quite ready to adopt the CIP Plan. Mr. Bowler moved to table until the next meeting, second by Mr. Infanti. Vote: Unanimous.
Mrs. Peterman advised they will be meeting next Tuesday night at 6:00 p.m. because Monday was a holiday. Mrs. Frydlo advised that the ZBA meets on the third Tuesday. Mr. Bowler suggested they wait until they had time to check with the Chairman during the brief recess.
Mrs. Peterman reported the default budget number was $8,057,912.79. Mr. Bowler moved to approve the default budget of $8,057,912.79, second by Mr. Infanti. Vote: Unanimous.
Mrs. Peterman explained they were going to revote on the petition warrant articles that were amended at the Deliberative Session last week. Mrs. Peterman read Article 26 pertaining to the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. Mr. Infanti moved to accept the revised Article 26 as written, seconded by Mr. Bowler. Vote: 4 to 0.
Mrs. Peterman read Article 27 pertaining to Rescinding of the Domestic Animal Ordinance. Mr. Infanti moved to approve amended Article 27 as read, second by Mr. Grella. Vote: 4 to 0.
Mrs. Peterman read Article 28 pertaining to the Review of Olsen Fines and Fees. Mr. Bowler moved to accept the new wording and support this warrant article, second by Mr. Grella. Vote: 4 to 0.
Mr. MacGuire advised this was a process that began in September when the first draft was sent to Town Counsel for approval. It has been back and forth a few times. With Sharon’s due diligence, they may still have a few questions. It has been given to Town Counsel and he requested they defer it for a week. Mr. Bowler moved to table until next week, second by Mr. Infanti. Vote: Unanimous.
Mrs. Peterman reported this application was part of a group’s responsibility to be signed off on before they were allowed to hold a tournament. Mr. Bowler moved to approve the Soccer Tournament on May 26-29 and note that the application has already been approved by the Cemetery Trustees, second by Mr. Infanti. Vote: Unanimous.
Mr. Bowler moved to approve the minutes of January 9, 2006, second by Mr. Infanti amended as follows: Line 87 – Insert “and” between “trucks” and “plowing”. Vote: Unanimous.
Mr. Bowler moved to approve the minutes of January 17, 2006, second by Mr. Infanti amended as follows: Line 20 – Correct typo “to”; Line 50 – Strike the first “road” and replace with “ditch”; Line 200 – Replace “in all” with “as a”. Vote: 3-0-1, Mr. Grella abstained.
Mr. Infanti moved to accept the minutes of January 30, 2006, second by Mr. Grella. Vote: 3-0-1, Mr. Bowler abstained.
Mrs. Frydlo asked that the Board review the Voter’s Guide as it currently stood. Mr. Bowler spoke briefly about how he presented Article 9 (DPW ten-wheeler vehicle) at the Deliberative Session. He advised that the Selectmen basically supported this Article with a vote of 3 to 2. He wanted to state that he supported the Department of Public Works Director, but not on this Article and was not very clear on what he meant at the Deliberative Session.
Mrs. Peterman advised they would take a short break to determine when they will meet next week.
Upon a roll call vote, the Board entered non-public session under RSA 91-A:3 II (a) personnel at 6:35 p.m.
The Board exited non-public session at 7:04 p.m. While in non-public session no specific decision was made, however, the Board will hold a non-public session at 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday regarding personnel and a public meeting at 7:00 p.m. the same night.
At the Police Station
Heather Castagnaro, David Cooper and George ? met with the Board to discuss their proposal to construct a new telecommunications tower located at the Amherst Police Station. Ms. Castagnaro advised Nextel was licensed by the FCC and were trying to enhance their coverage throughout New England and New Hampshire. They were proposing construction of a 100 foot tower at 175 Amherst Street with 12 antennas mounted to the tower and an equipment shelter at the base. The Town would receive revenue for a long term lease agreement along with a replacement of a guyed tower that may have to be replaced because of safety reasons in the future. The Police antenna could be removed and put on the proposed guyed tower and have a new safer structure. She also spoke of having cellular coverage when people were driving through Town.
Mr. Infanti asked about propagation maps, George briefly described the two colored coded maps where the green color represented coverage by Nextel customers based on two black circles which were existing Nextel sites that provided service and the additional coverage that the new cellular tower at the Police Station would provide in purple. (See attached.) He also commented that they have co-locators. The object of this tower would be to provide a link of the sites for Nextel and also provide service to the downtown and coverage along Route 101. Mr. Infanti asked if they rent space on the tower to other carriers, would the Town get added income as they add additional carriers? Ms. Castagnaro explained that as it stood now, the answer would be no, but they could talk about it. What they have done was to control the ground space. Mr. Cooper spoke about the amounts of watts that a cell tower gives out and 100 feet up was far enough away not to harm the public.
Mrs. Peterman indicated it was her understanding that co-locating antennas would be part of the lease agreement. Ms. Castagnaro commented they could discuss adding a certain percentage. Mr. Infanti added this was a preliminary discussion and they could have further discussions on this Ms. Castagnaro agreed this was the case. Mr. Infanti asked if Nextel had done any research on hazardous waves? Ms. Castagnaro advised that the FCC regulates those and Nextel operates under the FCC license.
Mr. Grella asked that when the present antenna was moved to the new tower, who would remove the existing tower and would it be up to the Town? Ms. Castagnaro again indicated that was something they could talk about further. Mr. Bowler remarked that he was sure Nextel was aware that the Town had very strict regulations on cell towers and asked about a tower resembling a tree. Ms. Castagnaro explained the “tree tower” was expensive and if the Police equipment was to be relocated it would be a width antenna and would stick out and this would be considered before they made a decision. Relative to going before the Planning Board, Nextel will do what the Board wanted. She showed photos of what the tower may look like to Board members.
Mrs. Peterman asked Chief MacGuire if he had inquired as to what it would cost to replace the tower as it existed today? The Chief advised it would be approximately in the $100,000 range - the tower they have now is approximately 80 feet. Mrs. Peterman advised that in discussions that came up in the past regarding cell towers was the lack of coverage, particularly along the 101 corridor and not only for Police, Rescue and safety, but also residents. At this time, they still had several blind spots. She asked if this propagation would take care of Route 101? George indicated it would be for Nextel. Relative to the height of the tower, he advised that this was the minimum height of the tower for coverage, if they went lower they would lose coverage. Chief MacGuire asked where would they be locating the Public Safety antenna and at what height? Ms. Castagnaro asked what height would they need and Nextel could work with them if they if they had 80 feet now, they could still relocate at a ten foot separation. Further discussion ensued about the distance between antenna locations.
Cal Wood, Woodland Drive, asked if Nextel had done any propagations on the Town’s frequencies that would be broadcast from their tower? Mr. Cooper indicated they had not because they didn’t know what the Town’s frequencies were. Mr. Wood asked if it would improve it or make it worse? The Chief explained that the propagation studies were based on the 80 feet tower. Nextel had not done any propagation on where they might be. He would not expect to dramatically improve this even at 90 feet. They have other areas to improve. Mrs. Peterman thought this was one criteria to take into consideration to go forward with this. One advantage would be to increase propagation, the other was taking the tower down without a taxpayer cost. This was something they should take into consideration before going forward.
Ms. Castagnaro commented Nextel would be looking at the Board’s input and in talking to Mr. MacGuire knew they have to have the approval from the Selectmen and then move forward with Planning and Zoning. Mr. Bowler remarked that this was on the Town Warrant and the Board could not go forward until this was approved. Mrs. Peterman added that the Board could not give them an answer now, however, they heard some of the Board’s concerns which was additional coverage – also they know that the Planning Board and Historic District Commission would make the final determination on what the tower would look like and if this went forward Nextel should be very prepared to go before the Planning Board. Ms. Castagnaro advised they were aware of the Zoning Ordinance.
Mrs. Peterman thanked them for coming in and asked them to contact Sharon on March 15 for the final vote. Mr. Cooper asked if the Selectmen supported the tower? Mrs. Peterman advised the Board and Ways and Means both supported it.
Mr. Grella spoke about the Heritage Commission’s plan for landscaping in front of Town Hall and did not now know what Mr. MacGuire knew about this. Mr. MacGuire explained his last conversation with Mr. Dinkel regarding this matter. Mr. Infanti commented that there was no landscaping money in the budget and someone was going to contact Claudia Everest several months ago. Mr. Grella felt this should be ongoing to get cost estimates for the 250 year celebration in 2010.
Mr. Bowler reported the Conservation Commission postponed their prior meeting and will be meeting this coming Sunday.
Mr. Bowler moved to reconsider their votes of support on the Articles since they were amended at the Deliberative Session, second by Mr. Grella. Vote: 4 in favor, no one opposed supporting the three articles.
Future Selectmen’s Meetings
The Board will meet in Non-Public Session on February 15, 2006 at 8:00 a.m. under RSA 91-A:3 II (a) personnel. They will have a public meeting on February 15, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. at the Town Hall where they will take a vote and announce a decision. They will also meet on February 21 at 5:00 p.m. in Non-Public Session under RSA 91-A:3 II (a) personnel and then come out and announce a decision. They will meet on February 27, 2006 at 6:00 p.m. to adopt the CIP.
Upon a motion made and duly second, the Board adjourned the meeting at 7:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sharon L. Frydlo
Executive Assistant