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Warner Board of Selectmen Meeting Minutes April 15, 2008 Meeting opened at 6:00 p.m. In Attendance:
Selectman Richard A. Cook Chairman Selectman
David E. Hartman Selectman
David Karrick Jr. Laura
Buono – Town Administrator Absent:
None Others Present: Brad Kelly – Highway Foreman
Ed Mical – EMD – West Joppa Richard Senor
Ron
Wirth Richard Cutting
Jim
McLaughlin Carolyn Stoddard
Martha Mical George Packard
Peter
Ladd Frederick Moe – Intertown Record
Rick Davies Mike Franklin
Wayne Eigabroadt Adrian Henderson
Paul Fouliard – Zero Waste Pete Newman 1. Ed Mical – Emergency Management Director – West Joppa Mr. Mical informed the Selectmen that the
culvert replacement for West Joppa and Parade Ground Cemetery has been
approved by the Governor and Council.
Mr. Mical also heard from State representative Tammy Valincourt,
tentative project approval has been granted for the Connors Mill bridge
replacement. Brad Kelly
informed the Board that the culvert for West Joppa is currently in the
design phase. 2. Ford F-550 Based on information received at the April
8th Selectmen’s meeting regarding the F550 engine and
potential problems, the Selectmen requested more information.
Highway Foreman Brad Kelly spoke to sales representative Chris
Papas at a Concord NH Ford dealer.
Ford has learned that the F550 engine was sucking in to much snow
through the front of the grill which was cooling the radiator down to
fast causing it to crack. Ford
remedied the problem by placing a cover over the grill.
Regarding any filter problems Mr. Papas has not experienced any
problems in his garage. Mr.
Papas said if there were problems the warranty would cover it.
Gas mileage for the F550 runs any where from 12-18 miles per
gallon, the engine size is 6.4. Mr. Kelly reviewed the website that Mr. Cutting moderates on,
it is called Deiselstop.com and could not find any positive reviews
about the F550 but what is unknown is the percentage of vehicles that
are not having any problems. Mr.
Kelly researched surrounding Town’s; New London purchased an F550 last
year, but it has a different engine.
The Town of Springfield purchased a Chevy 5500 series which is
larger than the F550, in the first week the vehicle was returned for a
new transmission. Mr. Kelly
has spoken with the Director of Public Works and both recommend
purchasing the Ford F550. Selectman
Hartman said he has faith in the Highway Departments recommendation.
Mr. Cutting said as new products become older, the issues become
addressed and hopefully through modifications the problems are
eliminated. Selectman
Hartman moved to grant authority to purchase a Ford F550 amounting to $68,434.
Selectman Karrick seconded the motion; all were in favor, the
motion passed. 2. Paul Fouliard – Zero Waste Paul Fouliard spoke about zero-waste and
how it involves the residents, local, State and Federal Government.
Paul said in the next 10 years the disposing of garbage will
severely impact the Town. Paul
believes in 5 years the cost will double from the current $90K cost per
year as well as the cost for transporting the material.
Paul also said in 10 years without a plan in place the cost will
be tremendous. Zero Waste
can be an alternative plan. This
concept is not new; New Zealand adopted zero waste as a National Policy
in 2002. Japan and throughout the Far East also practice zero waste.
The idea is to create items that can be reused.
Germany does not allow any packaging that cannot be recycled.
Another area that needs to be looked at is sustainable products
(repairable & long lasting). Paul feels Warner is in a unique position
because he says everything is in place to implement zero-waste.
Most area’s that have taken zero-waste on are located on the
West coast and it was due to economics.
Paul also said that GM implemented zero waste and Subaru of
America has achieved 94% zero waste. Paul’s zero waste research did not
result in a total comprehensive program, but he feels few places have
been in the same situation as Warner. Paul feels everything is in place,
it would only need refining. Paul said Warner currently recycles at 60%, that number does
not include dumpsters; the State of NH recycles at 17-20%.
Paul believes the cost to process garbage will rise dramatically;
the nearest landfills will be located around the Finger Lakes NY, Ohio,
and Pennsylvania and somewhere down south.
Paul said Nantucket RI is using a
bio-digester. To use this
digester it must be free of metal and plastic; the process turns garbage
into mulch. The
technology comes from Sweden; Paul has been researching a machine that
was created 100 years in the mining industry; it works as a vertical
grinder. Paul says about
25-50 tons of material can be ground in one hour, reducing the volume by
400% and moisture by 80%. Paul
believes that 20% of the material received would remain garbage the
balance could be transformed into low grade mulch which is saleable
based on the Department of Environmental Services.
Paul also explained that when the Transfer Station was set-up the
people involved did a very good job of laying out the grounds and
applying for a permit that gives a broad range capability (this permit
is no longer available). If
Warner was to begin grinding the garbage Paul says the Town would not
need to apply for a special permit.
He said most Town’s would need to spend $50K in permit fees and
hold Public Hearings. Paul
said Warner would only need to notify DES, it would be listed under
research & development as well as testing.
Paul said if DES decides to stop the process there is another
option which is drying out the mulch to be used as biomass fuel, if the
biomass fuel becomes unusable the volume is still reduced by 400%.
Paul said there are Federal grants available to off-set the cost
of the machine. The machine Paul is interested in has a 300 horsepower, it is
a self contained machine that spins at 360 mph, it will grind concrete,
cars, demolition debris. The demolition debris could be processed into
biomass fuel or chips for biomass fuel.
Another option is grinding plastic for biomass diesel.
Paul said another application for this machine is shingles, if
they are ground and mixed with gravel the material can be used for road
top, the material does need to be tested.
Paul said glass can also be ground.
For this concept to work restrictions would be placed on what is
disposed in the compactor. Paul
said with this process the Town is looking at saving approximately $75K
the first year on tonnage to the incinerator.
The machine Paul is interested in costs $500K; he said there are
smaller versions. Paul said
at today’s prices the $500K machine would save the Town $1million in
ten years. Questions: Mr. Eigabroadt read on-line that the
machine is used to mine old landfills.
Paul said yes, that is another possibility.
Paul stressed again that the biggest advantage Warner has is the
permit that the Town has, he said the biggest hold up is the permitting.
Paul said in NY and MA they are mining old landfills, grinding it
up into mulch and reclaiming the footprint of the landfill.
Paul said the machine he is looking at seems to be the quickest,
in 30 minutes you can have usable material.
Richard Senor asked about the size of the
digester. Paul said it is
100’ feet long with two compartments, one on each end.
The material is moved from one compartment to the other.
The material would need to be screened for electronics and metals
before being processed. Chairman Cook watched a video about the
machine and said it is a large machine and the Town seems like it has a
small amount to be processed. Paul
agreed the capacity is more than needed and there is a possibility on
scaling the machine down. Paul
said the machine he is looking at has a 12’x12’ footprint, 13’
tall and stands 4’ foot pedestal and 20’ in and out conveyer belts.
Paul said there are smaller versions that could be considered.
Selectman Cook asked Paul if he sees the need to prescreen the
material that presently goes into the compactor.
Paul said yes, the whole system would need to be tightened up.
Paul said one key is to involve the residents, and he has been
working with the Recycle Committee to address this.
Selectman Cook asked what the percentage is organic material that
is going into the compactor today.
Paul said at least 40%, a national average. Someone noted the advantages; the Town
would save money because there would be no permitting required, as well
as the possibility of grants. Paul
said he is researching Federal Grants and feels realistically the
Town’s portion could be 30%. Laura Buono attended a Business
Association meeting, zero waste was discussed and one of the concerns
was about the mulch and would it meet current standards.
Paul said yes, it would need to be tested.
Also, another concern was diapers and the waste getting into the
mulch. Paul said he does
not have all the answers but the machine spins at 360 mph and he
suspects that human waste at certain heats becomes noninfectious.
Peter Ladd asked what the cost will be to
run such a machine. Paul
said the machine has a 300 horse power diesel, Mr. Ladd is looking into
anther source of power, and Paul has been looking into bio-diesel.
Paul said there is the possibility the machine could create the
fuel to run the machine. Paul
also talked about the possibility of the Transfer Station moving off the
grid. Martha Mical asked what happens to the
product that doesn’t meet standard.
Paul said the volume is still reduced by 400% and the product
would need to be land filled. Paul has contacted UNH regarding the residual product.
Selectman Hartman asked if the percentage
is known for organics that is currently going into the compactor, how
much is glass, diapers etc. It would be a positive step forward to quantify the material
that is going into the compactor. Paul
said the Recycling Committee took 5-6 bags went through them and found
at least 50% was recyclable. Mr.
Senor would like to try this on 10 bags and see what the results are. Selectman Hartman recommends many more than 10 bags to
achieve an accurate result. Selectman
Hartman said the current material from the compactor goes to the
incinerator which produces electricity that is delivered to the
residents. Selectman Hartman also said the Town began striving toward
zero waste when the Town voted to approve mandatory recycling which has
been strived for ever since, Paul has brought the recycling to a certain
level. Selectman Hartman is
not sure how to involve the dumpster users in recycling.
George Packard commented on how the
concept of zero waste points more to the beginning of the stream.
It doesn’t mean you can waste more because you are able to
reduce the amount of garbage, you have to focus on the producers of the
packaging, how the packaging is made and how it can be disposed. The Selectmen thanked Mr. Fouliard for his
presentation; it is an interesting idea and deserves further
exploration. 3. Peter Ladd – Energy Committee Interest Mr. Ladd explained he has lived off the
grid for a number of years and is currently working on some personal
energy projects, he does not have particular technical skills just a
strong interest. His
appointment will be considered at a later date. 4. Richard Ricard – Planning Board Interest Mr. Ricard expressed his interest to be a
member to the Planning Board. The
Selectmen explained all positions have been filled and asked Mr. Ricard
if he would be interested in joining the Energy Committee.
Mr. Ricard is not interested but he was encouraged to attend the
Planning Board meetings and to try again next year. 5. Jim McLaughlin – RSA 79-E At Town Meeting the voters accepted the
provisions of RSA 79-E giving the Board of Selectmen authority to grant
Community Revitalization Tax Relief based on a specified area.
Mr. McLaughlin is before the Selectmen asking them to determine
the area within which the tax relief benefits could be made.
Selectman Hartman made a motion
to approve the submitted map dated April 16, 2008 proposing the Warner
Village RSA 79-E boundary to be adopted for
the Community Revitalization Tax Relief.
Martha Mical asked is a description of the boundary could be
added to the motion. Mr.
Newman noted to the Board that the boundary goes through the middle of
his property. Selectman
Hartman amended his motion to include the
suggested boundary encompasses the Warner Village with the Warner River
as its southern boundary, Children’s Brook as its easterly boundary,
the B1 District boundary on the north and west, but following property
boundaries, such that any property wholly or in part within the B1
District is included, and Mill Street extended to the Warner River.
Selectman Karrick seconded the motion; all were in favor, the
motion passed. 6. Appointments – Highway Safety Committee – Road Agent –
Concord Regional Solid Waste Selectman Hartman moved
to nominated Chairman Cook as the Selectmen’s representative to the
Highway Safety Committee. Selectman
Karrick seconded the nomination; all were in favor, the motion passed. Selectman Hartman moved
to nominate Allan N. Brown as Road Agent for a three year term.
Selectman Karrick seconded the motion; all were in favor, the
motion passed. Selectman Karrick moved
to nominate Selectman Hartman as a full member and Paul Fouliard as an
alternate member to the Concord Regional Solid Waste Committee for a
three year term. Chairman
Cook seconded the motion; all were in favor, the motion passed. 7. Manifest Selectman Hartman made a motion
to authorize the Selectmen to sign the manifest and order the Treasurer
to sign accounts payable checks numbered 41377-41421 dated 04/09/08 and
04/15/08 in the amount of $306,688.64.
Selectman Karrick seconded the motion; all were in favor, the
motion passed. 8. Recycle Committee Request A letter has been submitted to the
Selectmen by the majority of the Recycle Committee members asking for
consideration for recyclable containers located in the downtown area.
Areas have been located on private property.
Ms. Buono recommended containers at Riverside Park as well as the
beach area. Volunteer help
has been arranged to build the structures that will hold the containers
as well as maintaining the containers.
Another area that needs consideration is Bagley Field.
Selectman Hartman recommended a trial period to see how receptive
and cooperative people will be. Selectman
Hartman moved to endorse the
Recycling Committee container project.
Selectman Karrick seconded the motion.
Mr. Cutting asked if there any issues with these structures being
placed in the flood zone areas (Riverside Park & Bagley Field).
Chairman Cook recommended chaining them down.
Chairman Cook also said approval is for two structures and in the
mean time Parks & Rec will be contacted regarding the recreation
areas. All were in favor, the motion passed. 9. General Business Chairman Cook said he attended the last
Recycling Committee meeting which went very well and plans to attend on
a regular basis. The Selectmen’s office is almost ready
to begin placing the audio version of meetings on the website, an mp3
conversion program is needed, which is being worked on, as well as a
policy which will require approval by the Selectmen.
10. Trustee of the Trust Funds Selectman Karrick recommends John Warner
to serve the vacant term that is available on the Trustee of the Trust
Funds. Selectman Karrick moved
to nominated John Warner as Trustee of the Trust Fund until the next
election. Selectman
Hartman seconded the motion; all were in favor, the motion passed. 11. Non Public Session RSA 91-A;3 II (c) Selectman Karrick moved to go into Non
Public Session per RSA 91-A;3 II (c) reputation.
Selectman Hartman seconded the motion.
Roll call vote: Selectman Hartman, Aye; Selectman Karrick, Aye,
Chairman Cook, Aye. All
were in favor, the motion passed. Selectman Hartman moved to close the non
public session. Selectman
Karrick seconded the motion. Roll
call vote: Selectman
Hartman, Aye; Selectman Karrick, Aye, Chairman Cook, Aye.
All were in favor, the motion passed. Selectman Hartman moved to seal the non
public session meeting minutes. All
were in favor, the motion passed. Motion to adjourn at 8:32 p.m. Board of Selectmen Richard A. Cook – Chairman Respectfully submitted, Mary Whalen Recording Secretary
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