TOWN OF CHARLESTOWN
SELECTBOARD MEETING
AUGUST 18, 2004
Selectboard Present: Steven Neill, Brenda Ferland, Jon LeClair
Staff Present: David Edkins, Administrative Assistant
Keith Weed, Highway Superintendent
Edward Smith, Police Chief
Robert Davis, Transfer Station Superintendent
Jerry Beaudry, Ambulance Service Director
CALL TO ORDER & PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Steve Neill called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS:
Jon LeClair moved to approve the Minutes of the regular Selectboard meeting of July 21, 2004, as printed. Seconded by Brenda Ferland. All in favor, so voted.
Jon LeClair moved to approve the Minutes of the Workshop meeting of August 4, 2004, as printed. Seconded by Brenda Ferland. All in favor, so voted.
Jon LeClair moved to approve the Minutes of the regular Selectboard meeting of August 4, 2004, as printed. Seconded by Brenda Ferland. All in favor, so voted.
Jon LeClair moved to approve the Minutes of the Workshop meeting of August 9, 2004, as printed. Seconded by Steve Neill. With Jon LeClair and Steve Neill in favor, the motion passed. Brenda Ferland abstained as she was not present at the August 9 Workshop.
DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS:
Transfer Station: Robert Davis is working with Keith Weed to put out bids for paving work. The sticker sales are moving slowly but should pick up toward the end of the month.
Ambulance Service: Jerry Beaudry distributed copies of a memo, dated August 14, 2004, regarding ambulance rates. Medicare stopped reimbursing for cardiac monitoring and oxygen administration; these had been worked into the Town’s fee schedule. After looking at the rates he felt the Selectboard should be asked if they felt a Public Hearing is warranted to consider raising the fees. In the past they worked with LeFevre Ambulance Service on Paramedic Intercept Services. By Medicare law in New Hampshire and Vermont they cannot bill the patient for that. As of July 1st LeFevre Ambulance Service established a $200 fee for paramedic intercepts that is billed to the requesting ambulance service. Charlestown backed LeFevre up a number of times but only used the
service once this year. This has been worked into the proposed rate for non-residents. Jerry Beaudry believes that it will be over a year before Medicare makes any more adjustments. It is anticipated that IV administration will be deleted as a billable expense.
Police Department: Chief Ed Smith reported that the department has two officers on a three-day training session at the Academy; they should be back on Thursday. The radio in the older cruiser is being sent back to Motorola for repairs. The new radar speed sign will be out on Thursday morning at 10:00 A.M. at the north end of Main Street. The Selectboard were invited to attend the viewing.
Dave Edkins noted that the Town has a new generation of skateboarders. Two of them came into his office today and are interested in finding out if the Town will develop a skateboard park / facility. He gave them Recreation Director Bill MacDonald’s name and phone number.
Highway Department: Keith Weed said the crack sealing is behind schedule because of the rain but hopefully it will be done next week. The crew has been working on the South Hemlock Road. He will be looking at the paving to widen the entrance to the Transfer Station.
Highway Advisory Board: The Highway Advisory Board would like to meet with the Selectboard to discuss budget preparation for next year. There was a consensus of the Selectboard to schedule it for one-half before one of the regular meetings. Bruce Putnam advised that they have not yet made a recommendation on the Great Country Road; they are still evaluating it and will consider it at their next meeting.
Robert Davis’ Driveway: Robert Davis had requested that the Selectboard consider allowing him to use the injection process as an option on his driveway that will ultimately be a public road. The Highway Advisory Board put their seal of approval on it. The Town feels it is appropriate and is trying it on a heavy traffic road. Brenda Ferland is concerned that the Selectboard will be setting a precedent by setting a different standard plus the fact that Bob Davis is a Town employee; she cannot support it. Steve Neill proposed that if it is approved there be stipulations that this is experimental so the Selectboard will not allow it to happen on another road for two or three years to see how it holds up. Dave Edkins noted that the Town would not take the road over for a full
year so it will give them a chance to see how it is holding-up. If it works the Town may incorporate it into their specs.
Jon LeClair moved to allow Robert Davis to use this new process on his new road with a restriction that it not be used on other subdivision roads for another four years to see how this process holds up. Seconded by Steve Neill. With Jon LeClair and Steve Neill in favor, the motion passed. Brenda Ferland was opposed because we are experimenting on our own roads and we are changing the rules for our own employee; she doesn’t support it.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Tom Minickiello: Tom Minickiello asked Jon LeClair a question: Going back a few years when a group of people that included Jon LeClair were looking into the school situation did he get a lot of opposition to leave town? Jon LeClair responded that he had some experiences from that. Tom Minickiello said he got the same feeling from David Edkins today during a discussion in his office. He felt Dave Edkins told him that if he didn’t like it he could leave town. Dave Edkins responded that this is not a fair accusation and that Mr. Minnickiello had distorted his comments way out of context. Tom Minickiello said he wanted to get it above-board that’s all - consider it over with.
SELECTBOARD COMMENT:
There was no Selectboard comment.
FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION - Payroll, Purchase Orders, Vouchers, Warrants, Abatements, Etc.: The Payroll has been signed.
Purchase Orders: The following purchase orders were reviewed and approved by the Selectboard: 1) Office - All Service-Annual service contract for a copier $450.00; 2) Water and Sewer - J.F. McDermott $1,000.00; and 3) Water -Owens Leasing in Claremont for a tractor rental $502.00.
Abatement: The Selectboard approved a sewer abatement of $139.88 as compensation for an easement on the sewer project.
Contract: The Selectboard approved renewal of the Alltex contract for another two years for uniforms for the Highway, Water and Sewer Departments. All employees are happy with the service the Town is getting.
Voided Check and Regular Vouchers: A voided check register was initialed and regular vouchers were signed by the Selectboard.
MS-5: Three copies of the new F-65 document, Annual City or Town Financial Report, were signed by the Selectboard.
Notice of Intent to Cut Wood: The Selectboard signed two Notices of Intent to Cut Wood. One is on the River Road and the other is on the Meany Road.
Change in Current Use: The Selectboard approved a Change in Current Use, as the property no longer meets the minimum acreage requirements.
Elderly and Disabled Tax Application: An Elderly and Disabled Tax application was approved by the Selectboard.
Elderly Exemption Application: An Elderly Exemption application was denied by the Selectboard because it does not meet the income criteria.
Quit Claim Deed: The Selectboard signed a Quit Claim Deed from the Town back to the owner of property that was taken for back taxes. The owners have redeemed the property.
Town Property: Brenda Ferland read the following proposals for repairs to Town properties:
A proposal for a ramp originally came in at $18,000.00 but after further discussion they invited the contractor back and were able to reduce that figure to $14,600.00. The Selectboard are waiting for a figure on two handicapped bathrooms for the upstairs in the Bakery Building.
Dave Edkins advised that when the handicap access recommendations for the polling places arrived from the Attorney General’s Office the railing in the ramp/hallway in the Library Building did not meet ADA requirements. To install the ADA rail system will cost $1,700.00.
A proposal to do brick work on the backside of the Library building and a new rail system will cost $995.00.
A proposal to do masonry repairs on the Bakery Building, the front steps and re-pointing of the brick will cost $6,485.00. Dave Edkins recommended that the brickwork be held off for now but the thimble holes need to be fixed soon.
Brenda Ferland moved to accept the $1,700.00 bid for the ADA rail system from the Police Station into the building. Seconded by Jon LeClair. Dave Edkins noted that the railing is to be on both sides of the hallway. All in favor so voted.
Brenda Ferland moved to accept the proposal of $14,600.00 for the ramp from the main street to the back of the Bakery Building. Seconded by Steve Neill. Steve Neill offered an amendment to the motion to see what the difference would be to have the Highway Department do the sidewalk to the start of the ramp. Brenda Ferland and Jon LeClair felt that Keith Weed has a lot of work on his plate and is short manpower. Steve Neill withdrew his amendment. All in favor so voted.
Tom Minickiello said that quite a while ago the question came up as to whether or not the handicapped elevator would operate without electricity. Steve Neill responded that it is battery operated and will function if there is an electrical failure.
APPOINTMENTS, PERMITS, LICENSES, & RESOLUTIONS:
Permit To Operate An Outdoor Café: Police Chief Smith and Selectboard members signed a Permit To Operate An Outdoor Café on Sunday, September 5th, 2004.
Permit To Allow Alcoholic Beverages in the Town Hall Building: Police Chief Smith and the Selectboard signed a Permit To Allow Alcoholic Beverages for a private party in the Town Hall Building on Saturday, November 20th, 2004.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Water Commissioners: A letter was received from Fred Poisson to the Water Commissioners regarding a bill for a higher amount of usage than the previous eight years. There was a consensus to give the letter to the Water and Sewer Department to look into.
Gail Fellows: A letter was received from Gail Fellows raising two issues. She filed her inventory in a timely fashion reporting that she no longer has a dog yet received a civil forfeiture notice for not registering the dog. She feels that the list should be looked over more thoroughly. A small shed was removed on her property and this was reflected in her inventory but it wasn’t reflected in her tax bill and she is concerned about that. Steve Neill asked Dave Edkins to respond to her letter.
Frank Delorier: A letter was received from Frank Delorier regarding the situation at Whelen Engineering. The Town has dealt with that and it has been taken care of.
CEDS Meeting: There will be a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy meeting in this room tomorrow evening at 6:30 P.M.
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT’S REPORT:
Downtown Poles: Matt Blanc is planning on installing the Women’s Club poles on Saturday, August 28th. He checked with Dig Safe and is set to go. The wiring, electricity and lights will be done at a later date. Steve Neill asked Dave Edkins to notify the Town’s insurance carrier.
Meeting: Dave Edkins and Keith Weed talked about meeting with the contractors on the Fling Road Bridge and invite them to come back to look at a simpler solution. They will invite all of the contractors who bid on the original proposal to bid on a scaled back project.
Provan and Lorber: There will be a meeting with Provan and Lorber on Tuesday, August 24th at 1:30 P.M. Rural Development and other people involved in the project will also attend this meeting.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Heritage Commission - Brenda Ferland: Brenda Ferland said there have been no meetings.
Solid Waste Committee - Jon LeClair: Jon LeClair reported that they are trying to set up a meeting soon.
Conservation Commission -Jon LeClair: Jon LeClair said they are on vacation until next month.
CEDA - Brenda Ferland: Brenda Ferland advised that CEDA will not meet until next month.
Planning Board - Steve Neill: Steve Neill reported that the Planning Board met last night. The Board approved: 1) a new sign for the “Old Fort No. 4 Apartments and Storage Units” that will now be known as the “Meadow View Apartments and AAA Storage Units”; and 2) approved a two lot subdivision on the Old Claremont Road. The Board tabled until the next meeting the 15-lot subdivision off the Great Country Road for Victor and Nancy St. Pierre. They accepted as complete an application from the Charlestown Bible Church on Hammond Road. The Board accepted an application as complete for John Bakunas for a two-lot subdivision on the Meany Road. They accepted an application as complete for the Old Claremont Realty Trust to convert an existing single-family
residence to an office, showroom and apartment. The Board waived a Public Hearing for the Water Commissioners for the two pumping stations to be located on Stevens Street and Salt Shed Road.
NON-PUBLIC SESSION (if necessary) - RSA 91-A:3 II:
Brenda Ferland moved to enter into a non-public session under RSA 91-A:3 II (a) to discuss personnel. Jon LeClair seconded the motion and, on a roll call with all in favor, the motion carried. The time was 8:12 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Regina Borden, Recording Secretary
Approved,
Steven A. Neill, Chair
Brenda L. Ferland
Jon B. LeClair
(Note: These are unapproved Minutes. Corrections, if necessary, may be found in the Minutes of the September 1st, 2004, Selectboard meeting.)
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