PRESENT: John Badger, Richard Bajger, Jason LaBranche, Mike Ricker, Administrator Ed Wojnowski. Excused John Ahlgren and Councilor Michael LaBranche
Chairman Michael Ricker opened the meeting at 7:02 pm.
Chairman Ricker asked for a motion on the minutes of Non-Public June 3, 2010. Motion was made by John Badger and seconded by Richard Bajger to approve the minutes 3 affirmative, 1 abstain (Jason LaBranche). Chairman Ricker asked for a motion on the minutes of June 3, 2010. Motioned by John Badger and seconded by Richard Bajger to approve the minutes 4-0.
Chairman Ricker recognized the Town Administrator to report on discussions relative to the Newfields Railroad Bridge. Mr. Wojnowski noted he had visited the Newfields Town Office to determine their ownership of the railroad bridge #130083 on Newfields, which spans the Gilford PanAm Railroad tracks in Newfields. A review of their records determined that the Town of Newfields does not currently own the bridge although they have been offered on several occasions the opportunity to acquire ownership for maintenance and repair of the bridge but has steadfastly refused. Therefore, because of the position of the town of Newfields, the bridge remains property of the State of New Hampshire.
Mr. Wojnowski then noted that he talked with Nancy Mayville, who is the municipal highway engineer with the NHDOT Bureau of Planning and Community Assistance. She confirmed that the bridge was conveyed to the State back in 2001 by the railroad. She reviewed internal correspondence with DOT regarding discussions with the Town of Newfields and noted that the Town of Newmarket was interested in potential participation under the State Bridge Program in updating the bridge to provide access to Black Bear TIF.
It was noted that during the discussions there are several hurdles that the Town of Newmarket would have to overcome as it relates to the potential upgrading of the bridge which would require not only communications with the Town of Newfields but also with the County Commissioners.
Ms. Mayville indicated that there is a hearing officer for railroad crossings and that she would contact the individual to review what options are available to the town to consider in obtaining the crossing. Either the at grade crossing at the end of Forbes Road or rehabilitation and widening of the Newfields bridge.
The Administrator noted the most recent inspection report dated October 26, 2006 for the bridge. At the conclusion of the report, the members of the committee discussed the viability of pursuing the upgrade to the bridge over the tracks that run from Rockingham Junction to Portsmouth are used intermittently by the railroad. The Administrated noted that one of the things that would need to be looked at would be the height of the bridge from the railroad tracks. Ms. Mayville noted that the track needs to carry double stack railroad cars. Mr. John Badger noted that was a requirement that all bridges needed to adhered to at the present time.
Chairman Ricker asked Mr. John Badger if he had any conversations with Mark Stevens, Mr. Badger noted that he did not have a conversation with Mark Stevens. Mr. Badger noted his frustration in receiving very little cooperation and/or information from Mr. Stevens and asked what ideas committee members had to try to move this forward a lot more quickly.
Mr. Badger provided some alternatives for committee members to consider in order to put more pressure on Mr. Stevens as it seems to be no concentrated effort on his part to consider the approval of the at grade railroad crossing at Forbes Road.
Chairman Ricker suggested that he would like the committee to consider having legal counsel to come in to discuss with them the various options they consider to move this forward. There was general agreement to request legal counsel be present for the meeting on August 26, 2010. Mr. Wojnowski noted that any meeting with legal counsel would be considered, under the RSA 91-A, a Non-Meeting that would be closed to the public.
Chairman Ricker recognized Rose-Anne Kwaks of Wadleigh Falls Road who raised several questions regarding the committee for the railroad crossing. In addition to the legality of Mark Stevens signing the resolution. Chairman Ricker also presented the Town Administrator with two requests to have information relative to how to run a committee meeting and a second request that the town’s website be updated to incorporate all the minutes of the Black Bear TIF in addition to the committee member list.
There being no further business before the committee, a motion was made by John Badger and seconded by Jason LaBranche to adjourn the meeting. The meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m.
