TOWN OF CHARLESTOWN
SELECTBOARD MEETING
JANUARY 5, 2005
Selectboard Present: Steven Neill, Brenda Ferland, Jon LeClair
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: Chairman Steven Neill called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS:
Highway Department: Keith Weed reported that the department has been busy with the two recent storms. They have been cleaning ditches/culverts and working on equipment such as repairing the motor on a sander. The new Chevrolet truck is registered, inspected and serviced; it is scheduled to go to Whelen for the lights. Steve Neill noted that when the new ambulance comes in to replace the old ambulance the old one has six brand new tires that can be swapped for older tires if they fit another Town vehicle. Keith Weed will look at them. The Board of Selectmen dated and signed the contract with M & W Soils Engineering for an engineering study of the village storm drain system.
Dave Duquette and Keith Weed attended the Emergency Management Grant meetings. Dave Edkins had a call from Pete Petschik of the state Emergency Management Office who advised that there are grant funds available and that Vicky Boundy of the UVLSRPC would assist with the paperwork. A Hazard Mitigation Plan will need to be in place. After that the Town can move forward to apply for a grant to assist with funding the drainage work.
Water and Wastewater Department: Dave Duquette has the testing kits for Nitrates, Arsenic, etc. The departments will be working on property maintenance and year-end reports. He reviewed the annual production reports and graphs with the Selectboard showing improvements due to leak detection and repairs. In 2005 the department will have the capability to calculate cubic feet used, cubic feet billed and cubic feet produced especially in North Charlestown. Water will be billed to the Town buildings where meters were installed. Dave Edkins explained that the water usage will be billed for each Town building; money was included in the General Government Buildings line budget to pay those bills but it will not come out of the individual department lines. This will provide better
accountability. During the last round of sampling Toluene was detected at Bull Run but in a very small amount; it has been re-sampled and sent into the State. Dave Duquette solicited quotes for vehicle maintenance from local garages. The Selectboard will review the information.
Dave Duquette displayed photos and provided an explanation of the service line with reference to Mr. Bushway’s letter requesting reimbursement for a portion of the water/sewer repair bill that he paid. The Selectboard requested that Mr. Edkins write a response letter to Mr. Bushway asking for a detailed breakdown of the bill from Norm Beaudry for the water line vs. sewer line repair costs so a determination can be made as to the extent of potential Town responsibility and to provide any photos or other documentation he has.
Police Department: Chief Ed Smith advised that the computer project has started. To tie in the wiring with the main office resulted in a hole in the wall that will be repaired. Claremont had a problem with stolen vehicles that ended up in Charlestown. Claremont now knows who is responsible and charges will be filed.
Transfer Station: Robert Davis reported that the Cheshire County Recyclers met at the Transfer Station this morning. The Planning Committee for the City of Claremont wants a tour of the Transfer Station. He would like to have a Solid Waste Committee meeting soon. One of the issues will be the rate for MSW as the Wheelabrator rates have increased. Brenda Ferland asked if Bob Davis attends the NRRA meetings? He doesn’t usually attend their meetings but goes to the two-day spring conference. Many communities are looking at our facility as a model.
NON-PUBLIC SESSION – Personnel - RSA 91-A:3 II (a):
Brenda Ferland moved to enter Non-Public session pursuant to 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 7:55 P.M. Dave Duquette, Ed Smith and Keith Weed will attend individually.
The regular meeting resumed at 8:28 P.M.
MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING(S):
Brenda Ferland moved to approve the Minutes of the Nonpublic Selectboard meeting of December 1, 2004, as printed. Jon LeClair seconded the motion. All in favor, the motion carried.
Brenda Ferland moved to approve the Minutes of the regular Selectboard meeting of December 1, 2004, as printed. Jon LeClair seconded the motion. All in favor, the motion carried.
Brenda Ferland moved to approve the Minutes of the Nonpublic Selectboard meeting of December 13, 2004, as printed. Jon LeClair seconded the motion. All in favor, the motion carried.
Brenda Ferland moved to approve the Minutes of the regular Selectboard meeting of December 15, 2004, as printed. Jon LeClair seconded the motion. All in favor, the motion carried.
Brenda Ferland moved to approve the Minutes of the Nonpublic Selectboard meeting of December 15, 2004, as printed. Jon LeClair seconded the motion. All in favor, the motion carried.
PUBLIC COMMENT: There was no public comment at this meeting.
SELECTBOARD COMMENT: There was no Selectboard comment at this meeting.
OLD BUSINESS:
Jeff Drive Streetlight: There was a consensus of the Selectboard that they do not support a streetlight at this time. Dave Edkins will notify the petitioner.
FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION – Payroll, Purchase Orders, Vouchers, Warrants, Abatements, Etc.: The Payroll was approved and signed by the Selectboard.
Purchase Orders: The Selectboard approved and signed the following Purchase Orders: 1) Water and Wastewater Departments –PH Master $536.32; 2) Highway –Asetec Tire $502.08; 3) Highway –American Rock Salt for 125 tons $5,118.75; 4) Ambulance–Staples for office supplies and FAX $312.79. Steve Neill noted that the Ambulance purchase order puts both their budget lines over budget so they were signed with reservations.
Abatements: The Selectboard approved and signed abatements on Tax Deeded properties.
APPOINTMENTS, PERMITS, LICENSES, & RESOLUTIONS:
There were no appointments, Permits, Licenses, & Resolutions at this meeting.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Connecticut River Bank: Brenda Ferland acknowledged receipt of a letter from the Connecticut River Bank relative to the direct payroll employee deposits. A revised Direct Deposit Agreement was signed.
Municipal Resources, Incorporated: A supplemental Agreement for assessing services with Municipal Resources, Inc. was approved and signed by the Selectboard.
Mowing Bids: The Selectboard reviewed the mowing bids and agreed to accept the low bid from Beaudry Enterprises, Inc. The Selectboard signed the letter to Beaudry Enterprises, Inc. confirming that their bid was accepted for 2005 and the two letters to the other bidders.
Town Report Bids: Several bids were received for the printing of the Town Reports.
Brenda Ferland moved to accept the low bid in the amount of $800.00 from All Service for printing the Town Reports. Jon LeClair seconded the motion. All in favor, the motion carried.
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT’S REPORT:
Dave Edkins advised that he has nothing further to report at this meeting.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Conservation Commission – Jon LeClair: Jon LeClair has been unable to attend the Conservation Commission meetings as he has been attending Finance Committee meetings on Monday nights.
CEDA – Brenda Ferland: Brenda Ferland reported that CEDA has not yet met this month.
Planning Board – Steve Neill: Steve Neill advised that the Planning Board met on December 21st and approved, with conditions, the conversion of an existing automotive service station to a truck repair facility and approved the Sign Permit at 109 Main Street for Jonathan Keeler, Sr. The revised Fee Schedule for the Planning Board was adopted. A preliminary consultation was presented by the Student Conservation Association regarding future development of their property. Travis Royce of Landmark Land Services presented a preliminary consultation for a two-lot subdivision on the Sam Putnam Road for the Mitchell Family Trust. A one-year extension was granted to John and Elinor Olson for a 70-foot cell tower. There was discussion on the Master Plan. During their
meeting last night the Planning Board tabled the application for the Mitchell Family Trust for a two-lot subdivision. The application from the Student Conservation Association was accepted as complete for a modular building addition for temporary office space for eighteen months on the River Road. There was discussion on the Master Plan Community Attitude Survey questionnaire.
Solid Waste Committee – Jon LeClair: Jon LeClair reported that the Solid Waste Committee would be meeting soon.
Heritage Commission – Brenda Ferland: Brenda Ferland advised that the Heritage Commission has not yet met this month.
Ambulance Department – Brenda Ferland: Brenda Ferland reported that the Ambulance Department has not yet met this month.
OTHER BUSINESS:
Senior Center: It was noted that a letter was written to the Senior Center regarding the fact that their tax status will change due to the rental apartment. A response has not yet been received.
Continuing Agenda: Dave Edkins will update the Continuing Agenda for review.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no other business, Brenda Ferland moved to adjourn the meeting. Jon LeClair seconded the motion and, with all in favor, the motion carried. The time was 8:55 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
David M. Edkins, Administrative Assistant 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 January 19th, 2005, Selectboard meeting.)
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