The Derry Town Council met in workshop session to review “open items” on its checklist of things to be accomplished. Chairman Brad Benson initiated the discussion at the Tuesday, Feb. 19 meeting, noting that Town Administrator John Anderson had sent him an e-mail of open issues. The following issues were discussed:
• Adams Memorial Building. The three entities using the building, the Greater Derry Londonderry Chamber of Commerce, Derry Housing Authority and Derry Arts Council, have open leases and have not signed new ones.
• Cable TV. The cable fund has a “substantial reserve,” Anderson said, which needs to be used for the cable program.
• Anderson noted that the Derry Cooperative School District will need help upgrading the computer systems at its two middle schools in preparation for the Smarter Balance test, which will replace the New England Common Assessment Program (NECAP) test in 2014 and is done entirely online. Councilor Neil Wetherbee said that while the elementary schools are capable of administering the test, the two middle schools only have 15 percent capacity.
• Zoning. Benson said the Planning Board is still working on the sign ordinance. It was expected to finalize the document on Wednesday, Feb. 20, and schedule a public hearing, Anderson said.
• The idea of a combined police and fire dispatch had been “kicked around” for years, Benson said. “It would be nice to put it to bed once and for all. Does a centralized dispatch make sense or not make sense?” he asked.
• Manchester Road/Pinkerton Tavern. The town needs to sell that property. Anderson said he has had conversations with three “interested parties” and has met with a Realtor. “By the end of the month there should be a sign out,” he said.
• E-911 identifying of streets. Anderson said, “They have put us on the docket. We have not moved to the top yet.” By December he expected to have a report on what street names need to be changed in order to make finding a property less confusing for police, fire and other emergencies.
• Additional economic development. “We need to figure out priorities downtown? Route 28 South?” Councilor Joel Olbricht said.
• The Town Administrator’s contract renewal.
Olbricht added another item to the “to do” list: communicating with other governmental bodies. “Its important to keep on a list of joint meetings Pinkerton, the School District, even the county,” he said.
