Members Present: Rob Browne, Lauchlin Titus, and John Melrose
Others logged on to Participate: Mary Sabins, David Trask (virtual meeting host), Matt Streeter, David Cloutier, and Landis Hudson. Other members of the public are anticipated to have observed the meeting being broadcast live online via YouTube; the actual number of which are unknown.
1. Call to order – The meeting was called to order by Chairman Titus at 6:30 pm. Due to the Covid-19 (Corona virus) national pandemic, a state-wide Stay-Safer-At-Home Order has been issued by the Governor for the month of May. In addition, a temporary change in State Law has been passed by the Legislature that allows the provision for these remote video-conference meetings to get town business accomplished. Chairman Titus reminded the Board members that each vote taken is required to be taken by roll call vote. Chairman Titus stated he will make the motions, look for a second, and then take the roll call vote in alphabetical order by last name.
2. Minutes – A motion was made by L. Titus, seconded by J. Melrose, to accept the minutes of the 4/30/20 meeting as presented. The roll call vote revealed the following: R. Browne: yes; J. Melrose: yes; L. Titus: yes.
3. Matt Streeter presented Outlet Stream Dam fishway plans on his computer at home, which was visible for all persons participating and observing the meeting. The Selectmen referred to a paper copy of the plans that was included in their agenda packets. Matt explained each page of the plans, describing the construction process and the pathway the alewife will use to enter and exit China Lake. Upon questioning from Sabins, Matt explained that fishway baffle replacement will need to be performed by town staff every 10-15 years as the wooden baffles deteriorate over time. He stated the baffle replacement process is not difficult; training and extra baffles will be provided when the fishway is installed. Matt indicated that the town will need to sign a permit application for the Army Corp of Engineers and that he would need to come back to the next Selectmen’s meeting on May 28th with a copy of that application to seek the Board’s authorization to have Sabins sign the form on behalf of the Town. Chairman Titus indicated that he was comfortable enough with making that authorization tonight for Sabins to sign the form when it is prepared without Matt having to return for another meeting. The others agreed so Chairman Titus moved that the Board approve the pending permit for this project and authorize Town Manager Mary Sabins to sign it using her discretion if she has any questions at the time the permit comes forward. The motion was seconded by R. Browne. The roll call vote revealed the following: R. Browne: yes; J. Melrose: yes; L. Titus: yes. Engineer David Cloutier reminded the Board that some minor changes will need to be made to this plan presented tonight to address written review comments made by Inland Fish and Wildlife and DMR, however the concept of this plan will be unchanged.
4. Town Meeting plan – Sabins explained to the Board that she and Superintendent Al Pfeiffer have been working together to make a plan to conduct town meeting at the school on June 22nd, but to split the meeting into two rooms in order to comply with the Governor’s mandate of gatherings no larger than 50 in number. The first fifty attendees would be seated in the school gymnasium; the next 50 would be seated in the cafeteria, all socially distanced from each other. With the help of David Trask the Information Technology teacher at the school, the two rooms would be connected with video and audio technology. David joined the discussion and assured the Board that he felt certain he could make the technology work so that the meeting could be accomplished. After discussion about other safety and cleanliness measures that will be taken, the Board agreed to hold town meeting on Monday, June 22nd at 6:30 at the school and the Municipal Election on Tuesday, July 14th, 2020 from 8 am to 8 pm at the school in conjunction with the State’s Primary Election. Sabins informed the Board that she had revised the town meeting warrant to reflect these new meeting and election dates and locations, which the Board had received an electronic copy of prior to the meeting. Chairman Titus moved to approve the Town Meeting Warrant in front of them presented today’s date. The motion was seconded by R. Browne. The roll call vote revealed the following: R. Browne: yes; J. Melrose: yes; L. Titus: yes.
5. Reports – Without discussion, a motion was made by R. Browne, seconded by L. Titus to accept the Road and Police Reports as presented. The roll call vote revealed the following: R. Browne: yes; J. Melrose: yes; L. Titus: yes.
6. Other – 1. Sabins stated briefly that the engineering firms working on the culvert projects have completed the borings needed. 2. L. Titus stated that he had received notification from MMA that the Town has received a $2,000 scholarship in a random drawing for the summer intern who will be working on the computerized cemetery census project.
7. Adjourn – There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 7:50 p.m.
/mss
These minutes were read and accepted by the Select Board on 6/11/20 with the following amendments: None.