Present: Jack Sapia, Chair, Paul Sullivan, Fred Childs (Selectmen) and Russell McAllister (Town Administrator).

Mr. Sapia opened the meeting with a moment of silence.

Scenic & Cultural Byways Designation of 3.75 Miles of Main Street

The public hearing was opened at 7:30pm. Mr. Sapia solicited comments from the public. Mr. Consentino addressed the Board relative to his opinion that the designation was not necessary given that the historic nature of the houses were diminished because of recent remodeling done to the houses. He also expressed the opinion that such a designation would result in more traffic. It was explained that many vehicles already traveled the route leading to heavy traffic and that the designation would lead to even more traffic. Mr. Consentino also expressed reservations about the ability to place signs for business along the designated portion of Main Street. He also believed that such designation would lead to land use restrictions on private property. He also expressed concern that such designation might also prevent a communications tower from being constructed. Because of the highlighted concerns Mr. Consentino urged the Board not to approve such designation.

Ken Grant spoke in favor of the designation noting that such designations were a source of pride in the communities that had adopted such designations. He noted that Londonderry had such a designation and that downtown Manchester also had such a designation. Traffic in the Manchester downtown area had not been changed because of the designation. Mr. Grant voiced his favorable opinion of such a designation in Atkinson.

Sue Killam spoke to the issue explaining that the program was not an adoption of a scenic vista and no land use restrictions were placed on private property. Ms. Killam explained that the restriction of billboards was already part of the Town ordinances. She explained that the scenic roads program was not the same as the scenic and cultural byways program.

Peter McVay spoke to the issue of historic values. He asked what historic period the houses within the designation represented? He did not believe that recent remodeling by the homeowners diminished the historic value of the houses at all. The houses were some of the first constructed in Atkinson and therein lay their historic significance.

Tim Dziechowski explained that the area under consideration was not part of a historic preservation district and that the scenic and cultural byways program did not restrict private property rights. He explained that such designation made the Town eligible for federal funding.

The TA provided a synopsis of the statute (RSA 238:19-24) highlighting the purpose of the legislation, establishment of the scenic and cultural byways council, duties of the council, designation criteria, funding, and advertising devices on designated byways. Mr. Consentino again reiterated the increased traffic that had no place to stop to look at the site.

Mr. Sullivan saw no adverse impact from adoption of such a designation. Other Board members agreed as well, but delayed a formal vote until after DOT program manager Bill Watson provided an overview of the program at a Board meeting. Hearing no more comments the public hearing for the scenic and cultural byways designation was closed at approximately 7:50pm.

The TA noted that the AMR lease had been signed and received by AMR corporate.

The TA noted that the Town Moderator had requested that a copy of the town warrant for the special town meeting be mailed. The associated printing and mailing costs were approximately $1,000. The Board briefly debated the issue with Mr. Sullivan making the motion to approve mailing the Town Warrant for the special town meeting. Mr. Childs seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous and so moved.

Planning Board Chair, Sue Killam, addressed the Board relative to an issue of long standing. Ms. Killam explained that Loren Realty Trust had yet to complete their site plan. Jim Kirsch, (CEO) had been working on the issue for some time with little success. The Board debated the issue and agreed to have Bob Jones follow-up on the issue.

Hazard Mitigation Plan

Mr. West provided the Board with copies of the Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan for the Town. Mr. West explained that Federal Law required all Town’s to have a Hazard Mitigation Plan and that the plan itself highlighted potential hazards due to flooding, and other weather related events. The plan outlined critical facilities and vulnerable populations and how Town’s planned to respond to emergencies. The plan still needed approval of FEMA and that review was currently underway. It was explained that without the hazard mitigation plan and participation in the National Flood Insurance Plan the Town was not eligible for mitigation funds. Adoption of the hazard mitigation plan and participation in the NFIP was a benefit to the community because Atkinson would be eligible for federal funding and reduced flood insurance costs.

Mr. Stewart addressed the Board with old business pertaining to the request to increase Josh Stewart and Spencer Brail’s rate of pay from $7.25 to $9.00 per hour now that they had both turned 18. Brief discussion ensued. Mr. Sullivan made the motion to approve the increase in pay for Messer’s Stewart and Brail from 7.25 to 9.00 per hour effective July 11^th. Mr. Childs seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous and so moved.

Mr. Stewart provided a status update of department activities noting that the paving bids issued by KNA were seeing good interest. The Board addressed brush cutting along intersections to improve line of sight for travelers. The Board agreed that Mr. Stewart should cut even where such locations were on State roads to improve traffic safety. It was agreed that NHDOT District 6 had the responsibility for cutting brush along State roads and that elected representatives should be contacted about the issue.

Chief Consentino provided the month of June status report of activity for the department. He also noted that a juvenile had driven the family business vehicle over a number of mailboxes. Chief Consentino explained that the department was vigorously prosecuting this offense.

The Board reviewed the abatements as listed in the table below.

The TA read the above abatement recommendations from the assessor. Mr. Sullivan made the motion to approve the abatements as listed in the table above in the amount of $2,249.49. Mr. Childs seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous and so moved.

Mr. Sullivan provided a synopsis of the Library project to date noting that the Library Qualifications Committee had sent RFQ’s to 17 builders and 8 had responded from which 5 builders were selected. Mr. Sullivan noted that Board members and Library Trustees would need to meet to review and approve the architect’s contract.

The Board briefly discussed the roofing job on the Kimball House.

There being no further business to come before the Board Mr. Sullivan made the motion to adjourn. Mr. Childs seconded. The meeting adjourned at approximately 9:12pm

Respectfully,

Russell McAllister

Town Administrator

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Jack Sapia, Chair

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Paul Sullivan

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Fred Childs