TIME & PLACE:

Meeting January 21, 2003 at 7:00 PM at the home of Kent Ruesswick, 99 Old Tilton Road.

ATTENDANCE:

Kent Ruesswick, Chairman

Beth Blair
Kevin Bragg – Historical District Commission
Charlie Cook
Bob Fife
Gordon Jackson
Ken Jordan
Ginger LaPlante
Billie Richert
Jeremy Slayton
Ted West


MINUTES:

Chairman called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Kent asked the board to review the draft Report to the Selectmen – Canterbury Building Needs Committee – January 2003 and to discuss this Thursday evening’s first town meeting on committee’s proposal.

Beth discussed terminology and the use of “immediate” in the document. Beth pointed out putting first in document why all projects being done together as one. Kent concurred that change should be made in document.

Ted suggested saying we are proposing and this is what it solves.

Ginger suggested providing a synopsis handout in town meeting this week and in town report.

Gordon asked that a good question is what remains to be done after $2.5 million and what about the recycling center?

Kent stated that the recycling center has about $40,000 for transfer station repairs; capping could be an issue.

Bob asked about the tax rate per capita.

Kent stated that report to selectmen due in week or two; Eric will be in Thursday’s town meeting but Steve will not.

Beth asked what would we have to give people at meeting. Charlie replied nothing; Kent stated we would have pictures. Beth stated there is an issue of not having anything to hand out for a major project. Ken suggested one sheet; Beth suggested no price tag on it.

The issue of length of report was then discussed.

Ken suggested telling them why we are doing this all at once; that is, why now and what we’ve found in two years.

Ted asked what have we done to get people to this meeting? Kent replied that notices had been issued. Beth said she wanted to put notices around town tomorrow at the library, Sam Lake building, the store, and other locations.

Ginger asked if there is room to have meeting in Sam Lake building. Kent said he could start heat in town hall. Ken suggested turning heat on in town hall and if Sam Lake building is too crowded, let’s go to town hall. Kent said let’s do town hall and put sign up in Sam Lake building.

Beth suggested having each member call five people to come to meeting. Kevin asked if Concord Monitor was sending a reporter. Kent said it was a good time to get them involved. Beth said she would call radio stations tomorrow to see if they get involved in community activities. Kevin said it would help to look at what other towns are doing and he would go online to obtain information.

Bob asked how would $2.5 million affect my tax? Kent said that selectmen are to address that at meeting and Mike will be there.

Beth asked if the selectmen had seen the report and Kent indicated they had but he had not asked for opinion and he did not get one. The tax impact the first year is projected around $2.07 per $1000.

Committee discussed concerns of library trustees being on board with proposed plan. Kent asked if someone should talk with Sue. Beth said not sure our place. Jeremy said we should reach out to her. Ted said he would talk with Sue.

Ken then asked Charlie to tell the committee the church’s response to proposed plan. Charlie said he took photos to church council meeting the other night and one comment before and after about the garage and that library can’t complain about that building; it is beautiful. Church supports in principle the parking lot; however, church wants to retain ownership of land used for parking lot; requires protection of memorial trees and landscaping in front done after construction with no cost.

Charlie stated that the church council voted to support proposed plan.

Kent stated that road could move over a bit in front of church. Beth stated memorial trees could be moved; they are fairly small.

Ken asked how do we proceed for Thursday night’s meeting.

Kent asked how to moderate meeting.

Beth suggested having someone who feels comfortable. Kent suggested having Kevin field questions. Ken suggested having Jeremy field fire station questions. Jeremy stated it was important to have library and department heads attend public meeting.

Kent asked Ken to continue working on draft and to incorporate tonight’s comments and changes in document. Ken stated he would make changes and distribute to members.

The Chairman adjourned the meeting at 8:30 p.m.


NEXT MEETING:

7:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 29, 2003 at the Sam Lake Building.