TOWN OF DERRY
Town Council Meeting January 20, 2009
Derry Municipal Center Tuesday 7:30 p.m.
Staff present: Tom Carrier, Frank Childs, Janet Mobsby, Larry Budreau, Mike Fowler
Salute to Flag, Warning of Fire Exits, Handicap Access, Turn off all Cell Phones and Pagers
Roll Call: Councilors Wetherbee, Fairbanks, Coyle, Chirichiello, Benson, and Chairman Metts
(Councilor Carney absent)
Consent Agenda
09-05 Acceptance of Non-Public Minutes – January 6, 2009
09-06 Acceptance of Minutes – January 6, 2009
09-07 Approval of Veterans Credits
Added: 09-10 Schedule Joint Workshop-Town Council & Derry Co-op School
Board WRB Library on February 10, 2009
APPROVED
Chairman’s Report
Private Roads Workshop – January 29, 2009 (Without Legal Counsel)
Derry Police Blood Drive – January 23, 2009 (Promises to Keep)
Derry Cooperative School District Deliberative Session 1/31/09
Frost Festival – February 13 – 15th
Community Profile Meeting moved to April 1, 2009 WRB 8 – 4 pm
Administrator’s Report
09-02 Police Officers (3) remove from agenda / Reschedule for 2/3/09 meeting.
Chief Klauber and TA Stenhouse have drafted a letter regarding the PSNH issues that evolved from the Ice Storm that is going to the Governor and P.U.C.A. It will be signed on the behalf of the Town Council. Mr. Stenhouse will email the letter to the Town Councilors for review before sending it out.
Chairman Metts wanted to thank all that responded with suggestions regarding the Town of Derry’s handling of the Ice Storm.
Open Public Forum 6-0-0
Public Forum – non agenda items
Al Dimmock, High St – Asked questions regarding an article in the newspaper pertaining to the Bike Trail funds.
Steve Trefethen, Property Manager Derry – spoke in regards to Mayor form of government as compared to a Council Town Manager form of government.
Close Public Forum 6-0-0
Public Hearing
09-02 Amend the Code of the Town of Derry, Chapter 150,
Section 150-9 – General Parking Restrictions
Town Administrator Stenhouse gave an overview of what he and Mike Fowler had discussed in the staff report and the effect of using more than the designated 14 spaces. They also lowered the cost of the permit from $100 to $20.00.
Open Public Hearing
Coyle/Wetherbee 6-0-0
Steve Trefethen, owner and manager of Broadway properties - spoke regarding his tenants receiving multiple parking tickets during the Winter Ban on Street parking. People are not sure how the lottery works as there is never any notice of the lottery. He had discussed the issue with former Town Administrator Marcoux. He presented Town Council with information he obtained during his discussion with Mr. Marcoux. He also spoke in regards to other areas of downtown and parking lots that could be accessible to downtown residents.
Mike Fowler explained that a parking ticket for $10 is much less than if vehicles were to be towed.
Al Dimmock, High St – stated he gave Mr. Marcoux the deed to the Abbott Ct Parking lot. There should be no charge. It should be free to the public. Parking should alternate on odd and even days to alternate sides of the street.
Steve Trefethen agreed with the parking alternating one side to the other odd and even days. He questioned use of Wall St parking lot.
Ron Goldthwaite, Scenic Dr – he is puzzled by parking restrictions in any public parking lot. It appears there is an insufficient amount of downtown parking during the winter ban.
Close the Public Hearing
Chirichiello/Fairbanks 6-0-0
Councilors asked various questions regarding what people in the downtown area do now, where the number 14 spaces came from, if there is anyone else that utilizes the lot , and if there are other times that the lots can be plowed or designate a plow to the lots.
Mike Fowler gave answers to their questions and spoke about cost efficiency to conduct winter maintenance operations.
Councilor Benson suggested that if more than fourteen people come in for the lottery that Mr. Stenhouse would come before the Town Council and at that time the Council would make a decision for more parking spaces. Mr. Stenhouse would monitor the situation and if more spaces were needed he would bring the matter back to Council.
Motion: The Derry Town Council moves to ordain 14 parking spaces in the Abbott Court parking lot as exempt from the overnight parking ban (Section 150-9). It is further moved that the Department of Public Works administer a permit system through a random lottery. (November 15 – April 1)
Motioned by: Councilor Benson seconded by Councilor Wetherbee.
Vote: 5-1-0 (Fairbanks)
Chairman Metts asked Mr. Trefethen if he would do an informal survey regarding how many downtown tenants, cars and how many need parking. He requested Mr. Trefethen ask other landlords for the same information.
New Business
- Authorization to Advertise and Fill Positions
Tax Collector- Frank Childs referred to the staff report prepared for Town Council regarding Ms Milone’s retirement as of June 30, 2009. He highlighted the staff report. He would like to fill this position by May 1st.
Councilor Coyle asked if there was any reason why they could not fill from in-house. Councilor Coyle feels that an in-house position would not have to be filled.
Councilor Chirichiello asked if it was necessary to hire someone by May 1st.
Frank Childs explained why it was important to have someone on board during a tax collection period which is in May and June. It was also important that the new Collector learn our billing process and gain insight into the motor vehicle registration process. He also discussed the length of the hiring process and the steps the Town needs to use to fill this position. .
Councilor Fairbanks made a Charter Objection in accordance with Section 6.6.
Councilor Benson asked why a Charter Objection.
Councilor Fairbanks replied that she would prefer all seven Councilors were present. Since Councilor Carney was absent she would like to move these to the next meeting.
Water & Sewer Electrician
Councilor Fairbanks made a Charter Objection.
Part Time Health Administrative Support
Councilor Fairbanks made a Charter Objection
Police Officers (3)-Removed by Town Administrator
Councilor Coyle would like discussion on the hiring freeze.
- Advisory Ballot Question / Charter Study
Town Administrator Stenhouse reported on the information requested regarding Town vs. City. He is still working on some answers. There is nothing set in stone.
Councilors asked Mr. Stenhouse various questions regarding the information that was obtained.
Council Benson stated that if there is no factual information how do you ask the residents if they wish to be Town vs. City.
Chairman Metts suggested putting a non binding referendum on the ballot. Do you the citizens of Derry want to become a city? If they want to then we would explore the issue more.
Councilor Benson doesn’t feel it relevant without the answers.
Councilor Chirichiello felt the question should be asked.
Councilor Wetherbee asked if they could still have the question ready for the next meeting.
The Town Clerk explained that the question needs to go to Town Attorney for proper wording and be back to the Town Clerk by February 3rd.
Chairman Metts asked if the question could be emailed by Council members to him by 1/27 so that they could get it to the Attorney in time.
Discussion turned to the Charter Study Committee.
Chairman Metts suggested the question be asked and then Town Council can decide on the Charter Study Committee.
Chairman Metts stated Charter Revision changes should be for the Town Council with Staff input.
Public Forum – non agenda item
Open Public Forum 6-0-0
Al Dimmock, High St – he disagrees that the Town Council is the legislative body. They are there for the citizens of Derry.
Close Public Forum 6-0-0
Council Requests/open discussion
Councilor Benson - asked about the sand issue.
Town Administrator Stenhouse stated that people aren’t taking just buckets of sand they are filling up their trucks.
Councilor Wetherbee had an idea that maybe the sand could be kept at the Police Station.
Town Administrator Stenhouse said he could check on it.
Council Fairbanks asked about the CLD EIS statement, if there had been any results? She also asked if they could draft a letter to CLD and ask for something from the money already spent.
Mr. Stenhouse stated he would work with the Town Manager of Londonderry to prod CLD along.
Chairman Metts was reminded by Councilor Wetherbee that the Town Council needs to meet with all the committee and board chairs in January as stated in the Charter. It will need to be scheduled in February.
Councilor Chirichiello would like to schedule a meeting with the Derry Legislators.
9:25 p.m. Adjournment
______________________________________________ _____________________
Town Clerk Date
Recording Clerk, Denise Neale Town Clerk
Reviewed by: Gary Stenhouse, Town Administrator
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