Chichester Board of Selectmen
Minutes of Meeting
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
Member Present: Richard DeBold, Michael Paveglio, Jeffrey Jordan, Town Administrator Jodi Pinard
Others Present: Jim Plunkett, Patrick Clarke, Alan Quimby, Matt Cole, John Freeman, Lucille Noel, Donna Chagnon, Philip Hitchcock, Ann Davis, and other members of the public.
Call to Order: Mr. DeBold called the meeting to order at 4:00pm.
Reconvene the Public Meeting of September 18, 2014
Mr. Debold stated what we have done today is combined the continuation of the public meeting of September 18, with the Road Agent concerning a personnel issue, and once we finish that issue we will be continuing on with the regularly scheduled Board of Selectmen meeting. We did recess the meeting from September 18, to give the opportunity to the Road Agent to see witness statements. There is some sensitivity in regards to that information. In looking to protect the reputation of those involved I believe the Board should entertain reviewing this information with the Road Agent in non-public session.
A motion was made by Mr. Debold and seconded by Mr. Jordan to enter into Non-public session at 4:05pm under the following RSAs:
91-A:3 II (a) The dismissal, promotion, or compensation of any public employee or the disciplining of such employee, or the investigation of any charges against him or her,
91-A:3 II (c) Matters which if discussed in public, would likely affect adversely the reputation of any person other than a member of the public body itself, unless such a person requests an open meeting.
Roll Call vote: DeBold Aye, Paveglio Aye, Jordan Aye. Motion Passes
A motion was made by Mr. DeBold and seconded by Mr. Paveglio to exit non-public session at 4:52 pm. DeBold Aye, Paveglio Aye, Jordan Aye. Motion Passes
A motion was made by Mr. Paveglio to seal minutes seconded by Mr. Jordan to seal the non-public meeting minutes indefinitely. DeBold Aye, Paveglio Aye, Jordan Aye. Motion
Passes
Mr. DeBold stated we are now out of non-public and are in public session. We are continuing our public session discussion with the Road Agent and there will be no comments by the public taken. Jim, we have discussed with you the statements that have been made in the investigation of this matter. You have addressed each and every one of those statements and raised some issue with them as well as some doubt. In my opinion you have succeeded in raising in my mind some doubt to the validity of the statements. Having said that I will pass it on to the other two members to make statements. Then the Board will vote on whether to take disciplinary action if any in this matter.
Mr. Paveglio stated it comes down to there was doubt cast on the witness statements we have and I have some doubt on some statements and evidence that Jim Plunkett has presented to us. It comes down to what side I believe and I stand by what I have believed all along that the truth was not completely told to us.
Mr. Jordan stated my opinion is the situation is clouded and we are unable to really make a correct decision on issue.
Mr. DeBold stated that we need to close this matter. It started with a letter given to the Road Agent that proposed disciplinary action in the form of a 3 day suspension without pay. At the end of the meeting on September 18, the Board could not come to a decision. At that time I had stated I felt that a written reprimand should be placed in your personnel file. My decision now after having a good conversation with you, further examining these witness statements, and looking at the information that you have brought to us I am in favor of no disciplinary action be taken against you at this time.
A motion was made by Mr. DeBold and seconded by Mr. Jordan that no disciplinary action be taken against Jim Plunkett at this time. DeBold Aye, Jordan Aye, Paveglio Nay. Motion Passes.
Mr. DeBold stated the matter is closed. At this time there will be no further discussion of this personnel matter.
Appointments:
Department Heads
Police – Chief Clarke informed the Board Jeff Miller has officially retired. We are taking him to dinner and presenting him with a plaque. This does put the department on a tight schedule. We have one candidate who went through the part time police academy with one of our other officers. We are going to sit and talk with him.
Mr. Paveglio stated please thank Jeff for his service to the Town of Chichester.
Highway – Jim Plunkett stated the employees are going to the state certification class for putting salt down. Advanced Excavation and Paving is going to start shimming on Monday. We are finishing up the ditch line on Staniels Road on Thursday or Monday. The Hilliard Road culvert that I am planning on having installed has increased by $3,000 from when the same culvert was installed on Perry Brook Road. I believe it took 3 days to install the culvert on Perry Brook Road. I’m working on getting the bids ready to send out.
Emergency Management – Nothing to report
Fire – Chief Quimby stated the department is asking to waive the purchasing policy and request the use of town equipment to install a dry hydrant on the Plunkett’s property to serve
Bear Hill Road. If we put this out to bid it increase the cost because we would need to hire a contractor.
Mr. Paveglio asked if there needs to be a deeded right of way.
Chief Quimby stated yes.
Mr. Plunkett stated that we have not gotten that far yet, we have just been working on cost estimates. There is 120,000 gallons of water in the pond. I spoke with the State Natural Resources and they stated that the town could use that as a fire suppression pond.
Mr. Cole stated this is something that they would like to do this fall.
A motion was made by Mr. DeBold and seconded by Mr. Paveglio to waive the three bid rule of the purchasing policy in the name of public safety which would give authority to the Fire Department to work with the Highway Department to install the dry hydrant utilizing town equipment for the pond located on the Plunkett property. Motion passes.
Mr. Cole stated we will be starting the installation of the dry hydrant on Ferrin Road next week.
Building – John Freeman stated things are relatively busy considering what the last few years have been like. We have had 19 permits since I was here last with one new house, a major addition, and a barn. I believe that will be 8 new houses this year. We have received $1,800 in revenues since August.
Library – Lucille Noel stated there is another book sale on Saturday. We have a lot of new activities starting. We have a Book Club during the day and the next book is the Lobster Chronicles. The Trustees are going to a Personnel Management workshop. We need to budget for IT support for hardware and the gutters are going to have to be replaced on one side. Trick or treat at the Library will be on the 29th. The Charrette will be taking place on Friday and Saturday so people can let their voice be heard.
CIP – Matt Cole stated that the committee has had two meetings. It is in process and we are hoping that by the December budget season we will have the spreadsheet ready for review.
General Business/Board Discussion:
Award Heating Oil Bid
Mrs. Pinard reviewed the bids that were received.
Rymes $3.01 per gallon
Eastern $3.43 per gallon
A motion was made by Mr. Paveglio and seconded by Mr. Jordan to award the heating oil bid to Rymes for the fixed price of $3.01 per gallon. Motion Passes.
2015 Budget Meeting Schedule
Mrs. Pinard presented the Board with a draft memo and schedule for the upcoming budget season. The meeting dates for the month of December will be the 16th and 17th. The 18th will be reserved if needed.
Resident Request to Waive Interest Accrued on a Land Use Change Tax
Mr. DeBold reviewed the request by the resident.
Consensus of the Board was for the resident to pay the fees and then the Board would consider the request.
SVRTA Representative
Bruce Dyke will be discontinuing his involvement in SVRTA. The company he works for is undergoing another acquisition and it brings substantial demands. Unfortunately he just does not have the time to commit to the group. He wanted to let the Board know so that they can appoint someone else prior to the end of year. He believes his last meeting will be the one scheduled for the first week in November.
Public Input
Ann Davis stated the Agricultural commission is meeting tomorrow night. On the 23rd there is a Heritage Committee meeting and the Garden Club meeting on the 22nd is a presentation by a Master Gardener.
Adjournment
A motion was made by Mr. DeBold and seconded by Mr. Paveglio to adjourn the meeting at 5:37pm. Motion Passes
Respectfully submitted,
Not approved until signed
Jodi Pinard, Town Administrator
Richard DeBold, Chair D. Michael Paveglio Jeffrey Jordan
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