TOWN OF CHARLESTOWN
SELECTBOARD MEETING
FEBRUARY 15, 2006
Selectboard Present: Brenda Ferland, Jon LeClair, Steven Neill
Staff Present: David Edkins, Administrative Assistant
Keith Weed, Highway Superintendent
Edward Smith, Police Chief
Regina Borden, Recording Secretary
CALL TO ORDER & PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Chairperson Brenda Ferland called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING(S):
Steve Neill moved to approve the Minutes of the regular Selectboard meeting of February 1, 2006, as printed. Jon LeClair seconded the motion. With all in favor, the motion carried.
Steve Neill moved to approve the Minutes of the second Non-Public Selectboard meeting of February 1, 2006, as printed. Jon LeClair seconded the motion. With all in favor, the motion carried.
Steve Neill moved to approve the Minutes of the first Non-Public Selectboard meeting of February 1, 2006, as printed. Jon LeClair seconded the motion. With Mr. Neill and Mr. LeClair in favor, the motion carried. Brenda Ferland abstained as she was not present at this meeting.
DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS:
Highway Department: Keith Weed reported that the damaged truck is going to be fixed but the parts have not come in yet. The Town received the insurance check for repairs. The new motor for the chipper is here; it is larger than the other one but they were able to fit it in. They are back working on Richardson Road; about five weeks ago there was another washout. This will be an on-going problem until it is fixed this summer.
Police Department: Police Chief Ed Smith advised that they anticipate an arrest on a major burglary case in the next couple of days. The safety door was fixed. The department is dealing with the civil issue on River Road; he will be calling one of the attorneys before the end of the week. There was a full moon so they had their share of phone calls. An injured owl was brought in and was taken to the veterinarian.
Water and Sewer Departments: Dave Duquette is ill and unable to attend this meeting. Dave Edkins provided a brief report for him. Dave Duquette wanted to know if the Selectboard had a chance to review the draft Water Ordinance, as he wants to move forward with it. It was noted that Steve Neill had expressed some concerns about the budget for the East Street and Springfield Road projects being sufficient, as it does not include any gravel but Dave Duquette talked to Keith Weed about using some from the highway department and reimbursing them. Steve Neill is not opposed to the way he wants to approach it except for the bottom line of the budget. Keith Weed said they are working out a schedule to share some equipment.
Transfer Station: Keith Weed advised that the scales at the Transfer Station are starting to act up. Some regular everyday customer loads are being estimated. They hope to open the panels to see what’s going on. Steve Neill has noticed that sometimes the traffic is going onto them too fast and that is hard on the scales. A possible violation of use is being investigated by Keith Weed.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
There was no public in attendance at this meeting.
SELECTBOARD COMMENT:
There was no Selectboard comment made at this meeting.
OLD BUSINESS:
Deliberative Session: Brenda Ferland felt the Deliberative Session went very well.
FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION – Payroll, Purchase Orders, Vouchers, Warrants, Abatements, Etc.: The Payroll and Check Vouchers were approved and signed.
Purchase Orders: The Selectboard approved and signed the following Purchase Orders: 1) Highway Department – NH Hydraulics, Inc. $800.00; 2) Highway Department – B-B Chain, Inc. $433.75; 3) Highway Department – Blacktop, Inc. $520.80; 4) Town Clerk – Fall Mountain Printing $451.00; 5) Highway Department – Atlantic Broom $364.00; 6) Department Heads – Quill $328.73; 7) Highway Department – R.N. Johnson $491.44; 8) Highway Department – Howe Motors $3,025.03; 9) Transfer Station – Rouse Tire $389.82; 10) Highway – Bandit Industries, Inc. - $742.85; 11) Water Department – A & D Instruments $2,887.24; 12) Water Department – pump hose $929.00; and 13) Water Department – Fastenal $615.00.
Warrants: The Selectboard approved and signed: 1) a Yield Tax Warrant; 2) the State of NH Tax Collector’s Warrant for additional property taxes in the amount of $659.12; and 3) a Water Abatement for a revised bill.
Water Abatement: An elderly couple that went into a nursing home was given an Elderly Exemption that covered the taxes but there is a $10.00 Inventory penalty remaining on the books. Pat Royce wanted to know if the Selectboard would approve an abatement for the $10.00. The Selectboard approved the issuance of an abatement as they were long-time residents.
APPOINTMENTS, PERMITS, LICENSES, & RESOLUTIONS:
There were no Appointments, Permits, Licenses or Resolutions at this meeting.
CEMETERY DEEDS:
The Selectboard approved and signed a Cemetery Deed.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Ambulance Department: The Selectboard acknowledged receipt of a request from Mr. Edkins for up-to-date roster for the Ambulance Department.
Sewer Department: A letter was received from Jean and Justin Shaw regarding a clogged sewer line on Elm Street that backed up into their dwelling. They are requesting a reimbursement of $1,831.57. After they had their line checked and it was clear, it was determined that the clog was a caused by tree roots in the Town sewer main. Steve Neill stepped off as a member of the Selectboard for this item but stated that, as a member of the public, some of the charges on the bill are not reimbursable. The Shaw’s are not looking to the Town for reimbursement of cleaning that they did themselves but only the actual bills that were incurred.
Jon LeClair moved to approve reimbursement in the amount of $1,831.57 to Jean and Justin Shaw. Brenda Ferland seconded the motion. With Mr. LeClair and Ms. Ferland in favor, the motion was approved.
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT’S REPORT:
FEMA: Dave Edkins announced that the Town received two checks from FEMA totaling $144,688.69. This represents approximately 75% of the roadwork except for Scott’s Drive. They will pay their share of that when the work is finished; it will be approximately $32,600 more. FEMA sent an Exit Interview form that they would like signed; the Selectboard approved having Dave Edkins sign the document. The Selectboard feel there is a need to push the DOT on the Acworth Road repairs.
Cemetery Department: Jeff Lessels, Cemetery Trustee, has advised that they would like to advertise for a seasonal Cemetery Sexton (March 15th through December 15th) and to have Keith Weed provide general supervision on the time cards and over what needs to be done. The Cemetery Trustees talked to Pat Royce about providing some clerical help, about five hours a week and they would pay the salary. Steve Neill would be in favor of having Keith Weed help them but his time should be paid for by the Cemetery Department. There was discussion relative to considering partial benefits for this seasonal position.
Mileage: Last fall the Selectboard agreed to increase the mileage reimbursement to $.485 on a temporary basis. As of January 1st, 2006, the Federal rate dropped down to $.445. Pat Royce questioned if the Selectboard wish to do the same.
Steve Neill moved to drop the mileage reimbursement rate from $.485 to $.445, effective January 1st, 2006. Jon LeClair seconded the motion. With all in favor, the motion was approved.
Hazard Mitigation Plan: Dave Edkins has scheduled a meeting of all the Department Heads for March 2nd at 3:00 pm in the Community Room to work on the Hazard Mitigation Plan. The Selectboard are invited to attend.
Appraisals: Pat Royce submitted a memo relative to getting an appraisal of the Block House painting and the Boston Post Cane for insurance purposes. There was discussion relative to obtaining one on the cannon as well. The Boston Post Cane and cannon are covered even off premises as they are Town owned property. Pat Royce will obtain a quote on what the appraiser will charge.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Conservation Commission – Steve Neill: The Conservation Commission will not meet until the third Monday of the month.
CEDA – Steve Neill: Steve Neill said CEDA met last night but he was unable to attend. Dave Edkins did attend and reported that most of the meeting was spent reviewing the list of area businesses. Someone from the Community Development Finance Agency will be attending a meeting in mid-March to look at the Gristmill property and talk about grants, tax credits, etc. They are talking to Jack Dugan of Monadnock Economic Development Corporation about a partnership.
Planning Board – Brenda Ferland: The Planning Board cancelled the first meeting this month because of the conflict with the school district meeting.
Solid Waste Committee – Jon LeClair: The Solid Waste Committee has not met since the last report. Steve Neill noted that Cliff Stark had spoken with him about negotiating with Wheelabrator as opposed to hauling the material up north to cut back on expenses. Steve Neill said he would bring it back to the Selectboard and the Solid Waste Committee for discussion.
Heritage Commission – Brenda Ferland: Brenda Ferland reported that the Heritage Commission met and there will be another meeting at the end of this month. At the last meeting they discussed the Bakery building windows again.
Ambulance Department – Jon LeClair: Jon LeClair advised that the Ambulance Department met last week but the Town was having their Deliberative Session so he was unable to attend.
ADJOURNMENT:
Jon LeClair moved to adjourn the meeting. Steve Neill seconded the motion and, on a roll call with all in favor, the motion carried. The time was 8:02 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Regina Borden, Recording Secretary Approved,
Brenda L. Ferland, Chair Jon B. LeClair Steven A. Neill
(Note: These are unapproved Minutes. Corrections, if necessary, may be found in the Minutes of the March 1st, 2006, Selectboard meeting.)
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