TOWN OF CHARLESTOWN
SELECTBOARD MEETING
SEPTEMBER 15, 2004
Selectboard Present: Brenda Ferland, Jon LeClair, (Absent: Steven Neill)
Staff Present: David Edkins, Administrative Assistant
Keith Weed, Highway Superintendent
David Duquette, Water and Sewer Superintendent
Edward Smith, Police Chief
Robert Davis, Transfer Station Superintendent
CALL TO ORDER & PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: In the absence of Chairman Steven Neill, Brenda Ferland called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS:
Jon LeClair moved to approve the Minutes of the regular Selectboard meeting of September 1, 2004, as printed. Seconded by Brenda Ferland. All in favor, so voted. It was noted that Steve Neill had signed these Minutes previously.
Jon LeClair moved to approve the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard meeting of September 1, 2004, as printed. Seconded by Brenda Ferland. All in favor, so voted. It was noted that Steve Neill had signed these Minutes previously.
DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS:
Transfer Station: Robert Davis advised that the comments on the paving are favorable by the public. It is a busy road. They are finished with the paving for now. He will be off for the next two weeks and is taking some accumulated comp time.
Water and Sewer Departments: David Duquette reported that the Water Department has been busy installing 18 meter pits in Hidden Acres. They have 3 more to install in that area. Moriarty Water Works is working on the other meters on Main Street including Dan’s Max Saver and Ralph’s Supermarket. Next year will be the last year for this project. The crew started working on Sullivan Street for the pump station. The buildings are expected to arrive on September 27th. Dave Duquette had an inquiry about noise in a meter at 14 Summit Street. He investigated and the noise is coming from the service line that is quite long. Rural Water was brought in and they located the leak but it is in the middle of Sullivan Street so the new pavement will need
to be dug up. This leak needs to be repaired so he asked for the Selectboard’s permission to cut, dig down and repair it next week. Smith and Allen will do the re-paving. Jon LeClair and Brenda Ferland approved proceeding with the repairs, as there is little other choice but to do it.
Police Department: Chief Edward Smith advised that they did a study locally relative to increasing the rate of compensation for detail pay for both officers and vehicles. Primex contacted him about a training session on law enforcement liability issues, at no fee, and they are looking for someone from the Selectboard to accompany him on October 4th in Concord. Brenda Ferland will go if Steve Neill is not available. Responding to Dave Edkins question on the computer situation, Chief Smith said that he is happy with the quote received but doesn’t have all the funding at this time so would like to do it in two phases. Right now he can use the equipment and software. Training will be postponed. He will discuss this with the Finance Committee.
Highway Department: Keith Weed said the South Hemlock Road project is paved; they will now seed and hay and put rip rap on the shoulders. It should be finished tomorrow. They are still inspecting some vehicles and will not be done until the end of the month. Truck No. 6, a 1987 International, is down and needs a motor job. They will purchase the parts and do the job themselves to save money. Next week Cliff Stark is on vacation. The season/summer employee is done this Friday. Dave Edkins presented an employment ad for the Selectboard and Keith Weed to review. The Selectboard agreed to place it in the Eagle Times and Keene Sentinel, as a box ad, in the weekend editions (Friday, Saturday and Sunday or Friday, Sunday and Monday). Keith Weed advised that
the equipment line would be close or have an over-run as winter is coming.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
There was no public comment made at this meeting.
SELECTBOARD COMMENT:
Ambulance Building: Brenda Ferland feels that the colors used to paint the ambulance barn are fine, the yard is cleaned-up and there are flowers.
FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION - Payroll, Purchase Orders, Vouchers, Warrants, Abatements, Etc.: The Payroll and Check Vouchers were signed by the Selectboard.
Purchase Orders: The Selectboard approved and signed the following purchase orders: 1) Bob Rivard -University Conference Service- $315.00; 2) Recreation -Pool Man- $3,488.44 for opening the pool; 3) Water Department -Vellano Brothers, Inc.- $386.76; 4) Highway Department -City of Claremont Public Works- $2,800.00; and 5) Highway -United Construction- $14,000.00.
Veteran’s Exemption: The Selectboard approved a Veteran’s Exemption for a tax credit.
APPOINTMENTS, PERMITS, LICENSES, & RESOLUTIONS:
Appointment - Deputy Health Officer: The Selectboard approved and signed the Appointment for Fred VonAhnen as the Town’s Deputy Health Officer.
Appointment - Local Health Officer: The Selectboard approved and signed the Appointment for Robert Rivard as the Town’s Health Officer.
Appointment - Deputy Forest Fire Warden: The State of New Hampshire has re-appointed James Carter as a Deputy Forest Fire Warden.
Application for the Department of Environmental Services: The Selectboard approved the Minimum Impact Application to the DES for the South Hemlock and Acworth Road ditching and culvert work.
License For Junk Yard: The Selectboard approved and signed the License for a Junk Yard for Daniel Merrill on the South Hemlock Road.
Deeds: The Selectboard signed two Quit Claim easement deeds for pump stations from Steve Adams and Cliff Stark.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Town Hall Building: Pat Royce is concerned about the cleaning of the rest rooms. Additional funding was included in the 2004 budget for extra help. Mrs. Royce would like the Board to consider this as 10 hours a week at $10.00/hour. The ladies from Sullivan Nutrition have expressed an interest in doing the job. The Selectboard gave Mrs. Royce their permission to hire whoever she would like.
Model Air Planes: A memo was received from Beth Gallagher relative to ownership of the 8’x 30’ driveway that the model airplane club uses for access to their flight area. Should it come out of Current Use? It is such a small area that the Selectboard felt the paperwork was not needed and it should be left alone.
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT’S REPORT:
Web Page: Dave Edkins reported that we are almost ready to go on-line about October 1st. Dave Edkins and Pat Royce will be trained on Wednesday, September 29th to keep it up-to-date but around 8:30 am on that day he would like the Department Heads to meet with them for about an hour to show them how to understand and make use of it.
Property Tax Sale: The Town can now sell the properties that were taken for Tax Sale; therefore, Dave Edkins had a Tax Sale notice for the Selectboard to review. He would like to advertise them with bids due back by October 15th. The Selectboard approved his moving forward with the tax sales.
2005 Budget: Dave Edkins submitted a memo to the Selectboard that went out to all the Department Heads regarding the 2005 budget request and employee evaluation forms get that process started.
Provan and Lorber: Dave Edkins advised that he continues to work on the Provan and Lorber matter. The Selectboard felt the Town should withhold their payment as long as legally possible.
Fire Station: Some test results from the monitoring wells at the Fire Department property were received. They will keep doing that.
Primex: Dave Edkins responded to the Primex concern about the Police Department steps. Norm Beaudry will replace the handrails.
Ten Year Transportation Plan: The portion of Route 12 in South Charlestown is the number one priority of the Regional Planning Commission. We will have to wait and see what happens at the state level.
Municipal Building: Dave Edkins mentioned that the Selectboard should make some decisions on the repairs for this building. Some items are the gutters, foundation work and the Library windows.
Highway Buildings: Dave Duquette noted that there is about $3,500 left in the budget for repairs to the Highway buildings.
Legislative Policy Conference: Dave Edkins asked if the Selectboard want him to attend the Legislative Policy Conference on Friday. There was a consensus of the Selectboard that it is his decision pending the workload.
Next Meeting: The Selectboard approved scheduling a meeting with the Highway Advisory Board on October 6th prior to their regular meeting at either 6:15 or 6:30 pm.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Conservation Commission - Jon LeClair: Jon LeClair advised that the Conservation Commission has not yet met this month.
CEDA - Brenda Ferland: Brenda Ferland reported that CEDA met. They met the new person that is working for Capital Region Development Corp., Richard Keefe. They are looking for a new office in Newport. They will try to work with CEDA on the Gristmill property including the price for the lots. He will help put together a package for the real estate agents. CEDA is looking for new members and some names came up. They talked about the CEDS Program. Charlestown sponsored one of the CEDS meetings but no one from CEDA attended. Brenda Ferland advised that the Town is almost ready to do the web site and if they would like a link they should contact Dave Edkins.
Planning Board - Brenda Ferland: Brenda Ferland said that the Planning Board met last week on Tuesday and she covered some of it to replace Steve Neill on the Old No. 4 Rod, Gun, and Snowmobile Club, as he is a member. The Planning Board accepted the plans as complete for the 15-lot subdivision on the Great Country Road proposed by Victor and Nancy St. Pierre. The Charlestown Bible Church on the Hammond Road was granted final approval. The Board granted final approval of a 2-lot subdivision for John Bakunas on the Meany Road. The Old Claremont Realty Trust on the Old Claremont Road was granted final approval to convert an existing single-family residence to an office, showroom and apartment. The application for a 3-lot subdivision for Robert and Joanie Davis on the Acworth Road
was accepted as complete. The Old No. 4 Rod, Gun, and Snowmobile Club, Inc. is looking to build a maintenance building to hold equipment. This application was tabled to allow time for receipt of a revised plan and time for the Police Academy expert to view the area and make recommendations. There were concerns about the location of the building in relation to the firing range.
Solid Waste Committee - Jon LeClair: Jon LeClair reported that the Solid Waste Committee has not met but are going to schedule a meeting soon.
Heritage Commission - Brenda Ferland: Brenda Ferland said that the Heritage Commission has not met but she plans to schedule a meeting next month.
NON-PUBLIC SESSION (if necessary) - RSA 91-A:3 II:
The Selectboard and Department Heads did not find it necessary to have a Non-Public Session.
Jon LeClair moved to adjourn the meeting. Brenda Ferland seconded the motion and, with all in favor, the motion carried. The time was 7:58 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Regina Borden 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 October 6th, 2004, Selectboard meeting.)
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