Gay-Kimball LibrarySELECT BOARD MEETING MINUTES
TOWN OF TROY
Monday, January 11, 2016 4:00 p.m.
Selectmen Present: Howard M. Sheats, Jr. , Allan Bailey and William T. Matson
Chairman Sheats called the meeting to order at 4:01 p.m.
Selectmen Matson MOVED to accept Selectmen Meeting Minutes from January 4, 2016 SECOND Selectmen Bailey VOTE unanimous
Selectmen Matson MOVED to accept Selectmen Meeting Minutes from January 7, 2016 SECOND Selectmen Bailey VOTE unanimous
Selectmen Matson updated the Select Board on the TRG bankruptcy. Selectmen Matson MOVED to have his report from the bankruptcy meeting attached to tonight’s Selectmen Meeting Minutes SECOND Selectmen Bailey VOTE unanimous
4:15 pm Chris Manzi – Mr. Manzi would like to open a boxing gym in February at the Minute Mart Plaza. The Select Board stated that there is no ordinance against his proposal as long as he follows the State’s requirements.
Winter Parking Ban – The Select Board reviewed and made necessary changes. Selectmen Bailey TABLED till next week’s meeting so Alissa Fox can make the changes.
Chairman Sheats MOVED to change next week’s Selectmen’s Meeting to Tuesday 1/19/16 SECOND Selectmen Bailey VOTE unanimous
The Selectmen discussed presenting plaques to certain individuals at Town Meeting. Selectmen Matson MOVED to have Selectmen Bailey pick an appropriate plaque and wording SECOND Selectmen Bailey VOTE unanimous
4:50 pm Cheshire Railroad Depot Budget, Stan Clark & Barbara Guelcher – There are 10 members to the committee. The building and maintenance budget was raised a bit for some repairs to the building. Pastor Clark explained the budget. Selectmen Matson asked about how the committee would be raising income. Mrs. Guelcher explained that the Cheshire Railroad Depot will work with Troy Fest on fundraising.
5:05 pm Chairman Sheats opened the public hearing on Rental Ordinance
Selectmen Matson asked if anyone would like to bring a question to the floor. Herb Drugg asked the board what they were trying to accomplish from this ordinance. Selectmen Matson stated that over the years there have been problems such as mold, wire being exposed, landlords renting apartments that aren’t up to livable standards and this ordinance would help with the complaints that come in. Mr. Drugg stated that there are people with illegal apartments that the zoning ordinance can’t fix so how is the rental ordinance going to change these issues. Selectmen Matson stated that we will have licensed apartments that will have to follow the ordinance. Mr. Drugg asked the question of what happens with the apartments that are already illegal and have not been dealt with. Marty Decatur stated that he feels it is just a money grab and that it is going against the 4th Amendment rights. Selectmen Matson stated that the majority of the complaints are coming from young single mothers who have no means. Mr. Decatur stated that then that is a civil matter for the court. Mr. Drugg said the State Division of Public Health has codes that landlords have to follow that are state statutes and that any tenant can call with complaints. Mr. Decatur stated that landlords already have to follow the rules of the State. Mr. Drugg stated that the apartments have a yearly inspection done by the State. Marshall Adams has a 50 room bed and breakfast that would have to be inspected. Mr. Adams stated that he would not want to pay for this to be done since his insurance company already does an inspection. Josh Ellis asked why the Planning Board didn’t handle this ordinance. Selectmen Matson stated that it was not a Planning Board issue. Mr. Adams asked if the Select Board considered that once this ordinance was in place and the code enforcer inspected an apartment and the next day something happened if the Town would be liable. Mr. Drugg stated that the fee for inspection is an issue and that it should be a complaint driven process. Mr. Ellis asked why there wasn’t a family exception. Selectmen Matson said that it seems the landlords present would want some grandfathering requirements, no licensing fees, and no inspections. Mr. Decatur stated that all of the complaints should be 540-A actions for landlords and tenants. Selectmen Bailey asked if instead of publishing the draft of the ordinance and just put it out for a meeting who would have shown up. Mostly everyone in the room raised their hand to Selectmen Bailey’s question. Mr. Drugg said that motels, hotels, bed and breakfasts should be exempt from the ordinance. The Select Board stated that they would start to make another draft from tonight’s meeting and that any landlords that would like to offer suggestions for the ordinance then please do so.
Public Hearing on Rental Ordinance adjourned.
Wade Paight – He received the noise ordinance letter and states he registers his vehicles so he should be able to drive them on the road at whatever hour he wants. The Select Board re-read the noise ordinance and stated that Mr. Paight isn’t doing anything wrong..
Carrie Matson resignation letter – Selectmen Matson states that Mrs. Matson is upset with the way the recreation director was hired. Chairman Sheats MOVED to accept Carrie Matson’s letter of resignation from the Recreation Committee SECOND Selectmen Bailey VOTE unanimous
Meeting is next week on Tuesday
Chairman Sheats MOVED to adjourn at 6:30 pm SECOND Selectmen Bailey VOTE unanimous