TOWN OF DERRY
Town Council Meeting March 3, 2009
Derry Municipal Center Tuesday 7:30 p.m.
Staff present: Frank Childs, Janice Mobsby
Warning of Fire Exits, Handicap Access, Turn off all Cell Phones and Pagers
Roll Call: Chairman Metts, Councilors: Wetherbee, Fairbanks, Carney, Coyle, Chirichiello, and Benson
Consent Agenda
09-21 Acceptance of Minutes – February 17, 2009
09-22 Schedule Public Hearing – March 17, 2009 – NH Highway
Safety Agency Grant
09-23 Schedule Public Hearing – March 17, 2009 – Amendment to the
Code of the Town of Derry – Sub-chapter 36 of Chapter 30-2 (H)
09-24 Acceptance of Tax Collector’s Recommended Tax Deeding and/or
Deed Waiver Authorization
09-25 Approval of Veterans’ Credit
Approved with addition
Addition: 09-26 Schedule a Public Hearing – March 17, 2009 -Authorization to apply for and accept EUDL grant from the NH Attorney General’s Office and execute any contracts as required.
Chairman’s Report
- We are still accepting applications from any citizen that would like to volunteer on one of our Boards & Commissions. Residents can apply through our new website and the Town Clerk receives an email. Last day to apply is March 20, 2009.
- Town & School Elections – Tuesday March 10, 2009. District 1 & 4 at Gilbert Hood Middle School. District 2 & 3 at West Running Brook Middles School. Hours: 7am – 8pm
- Saturday, April 4, 2009 Community Profile. Hour: 8am – 4pm. To attend make a reservation 432-6100 Planning office. Cut- off date is March 20, 2009.
- Thanked Councilor Fairbanks for attending the American Legions 80th Anniversary.
Administrator’s Report
*****2nd Quarter Financial Report*****
CFO Frank Childs reported that overall, the FY2009 budget is in very good shape and is manageable as he and Controller Janice Mobsby reported on results for the 1st half of FY 2009.~ He stated that this is contrary to some of the stories being reported with respect to other municipalities who he believes didn’t establish a reasonable budget from either the revenue or expenditure estimates for FY 09 that they used to reflect local government costs and services.~ Frank thanked the Council for working with staff to produce a realistic budget and therefore the Town finds itself in a reasonably good situation.~ Controller, Janice Mobsby reviewed the balance sheet as of 12/31/08.~ She reported that the Town’s cash position was still very strong.~ She highlighted some of the reasons for the cash balance being lower than a year ago.~ Spending on capital has been slightly above the level of depreciation which means that the town is sustaining its investment in its infrastructure and
equipment at a favorable and fairly consistent level. Frank reviewed preliminary results of revenue & expenditures for the six months ended 12/31/08.~ He highlighted and discussed five revenue areas, including four areas where there are concerns about meeting the budget, as set forth in the narrative portion of the report: (1) motor vehicle registration revenues appear to be tracking at the reduced FY09 budget level and should meet budget or be slightly below. (2) building permits continue to significantly lag the budget and no indications that will change;
(3) Transfer Station recycling revenue will likely be below budget despite recovery in the revenue received for some of the materials. and (4) interest on invested funds is expected to be $150,000 below budget.~ The ongoing joint effort of the Treasurer and Finance staff to maximize interest earning continues.~ He reported that ambulance revenues appear to be on track to exceed the budget for FY 2009.~ Expenditures are tracking the budget well, but are being closely monitored in light of predicted revenue shortfalls.~ A particular area of concern is the expense for snow and ice removal.~ Including the storm at the beginning of this week, YTD expenditures exceed the budget by $115,000-125,000.~ The CFO stated that while management will try to absorb those costs within the existing budget, that may not be possible and staff might come to Council to tap the snow/ice capital reserve fund prior to year end.~ That fund’s balance is slightly in excess of $100,000.
Public Forum – non agenda items
Open PF 7-0-0
John Burtis, Lorri Rd – Would like to thank the Derry PD for their presence on the streets.
Lorri Rd was not plowed the last snow storm. He discussed his discord with Community TV 17 regarding a program that aired with George Sioras and Jack Dowd.
Carl Arccardo, Olsen Rd – questioned the secure communications via email between the Town of Derry and their Town Councilors. Some Councilors use their business email addresses instead of the Town of Derry email.
Al Dimmock, High St – wanted to know who owned the pocket park at the circle. He had put a political sign there before and was asked to remove by a police officer as it was town property. Town Administrator Stenhouse stated that it belongs to the Derry Improvement Society.
Tina Claremont, Scobie Pond Rd/Julian Rd – Stated the last three snow storms her road has not been plowed. The town had to be called. She believes it is a town hired contractor who does her road.
Diane Lachance, Julian Rd – she has provided the Town Administrator with the documentation that proves the Town approved her road as public. She would like to know when the Town will take action to return the road to public.
Close PF 7-0-0
Old Business
09-20 Charter Study Committee
Town Administrator Stenhouse supplied the information requested at the last meeting regarding the Town of Salem and funds.
Chairman Metts explained why 09-20 was on the agenda.
Councilor Wetherbee requested to move the motion.
Councilor Carney raised a “Charter Objection”.
Councilor Carney explained why he raised the Charter Objection and his reasoning why he does not want to support this at this time. He would like to wait until the next meeting after the election.
There was discussion and opinions on the reasoning of the Charter Study Committee vs. Charter Commission.
There was an error in minutes on the second of the motion. However, the minutes were approved. It was debated in discussion on what Councilor Coyle stated in the minutes regarding his disapproval of the vote.
Chairman Metts position was to rule on the “Charter Objection”. He accepted the “Charter Objection” based on past experience but stated the Chair could be overruled.
Councilor Wetherbee moved for a Special Meeting, seconded by Councilor Chirichiello.
Chairman Metts stated the meeting would have to be Friday.
Councilor Coyle moved to join Councilor Carney in his “Charter Objection”, and stated, “He hoped Councilor Fairbanks would too.”
Councilor Fairbanks, when asked what her move would be she stated, “If the “Charter Objection” is not accepted then she would make a motion to “Table”.”
Councilor Fairbanks stated 6.6 of the Town Charter “that if two or more other Councilors shall join in the objection, such postponement shall be until the next regular meeting.”
Chairman Metts had already accepted the “Charter Objection”.
Councilor Fairbank is joining the “Charter Objection.”
Public Forum – non agenda item
Open PF 7-0-0
John Burtis, Lorri Rd – His thought was that the town was going to look at a 20% fuel savings and look at other things in town to reduce costs. He thought it would be good to look into some other short terms goals for the taxpayers. Reducing the taxes should be the priority not keeping them level.
Maureen Heard, Windham Rd – She is sad and embarrassed that a very appropriate alternative to the charter commission was shot down. She felt there was parliamentary posturing. It’s inappropriate. This is very frustrating.
Al Dimmock – Gave his opinion of the Charter Study vs. Charter Commission. Began finger pointed. (Chairman Metts spoke to Mr. Dimmock regarding personal attacks). He expressed his dissatisfaction of the Town Council.
Joe DiChiaro, Humphrey Rd – He tried to show Londonderry vs. Derry town of government.
He would like the entire Council to prioritize the four items he placed to the candidates for Town Council.
Tom Cardon, Cunningham Dr. –He cannot see a duplication of the services in Charter Commission vs. Charter Study Committee.
Close PF 7-0-0
Council Requests/Open Discussion
Councilor Coyle – addressed Councilor Benson regarding the disagreement between Charter Commission vs. Charter Committee. He just wanted to say they both want the same things.
He just wanted to say as this could potentially be his last meeting; he wanted to say “Thanks to Denise Neale and Sheila Bodenrader for their assistance to the Town Council.
Councilor Benson – addressed Councilor Coyle regarding Charter Commission vs. Charter Committee and believes the Town Council can work together on this for the better of the community. He thanked Councilor Coyle and Councilor Fairbanks for the work they do.
Councilor Fairbanks was a little shocked over the premature good-bye’s as she hasn’t won or lost the election yet. She will be back.
8: 50 p.m. Adjournment
Recording Clerk, Denise Neale, Town Clerk
Reviewed by: Gary Stenhouse, Town Administrator
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Town Clerk Date
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