MIUNTES
TOWN OF FARMINGTON
BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING
October 17, 2005
Present: Chairman Joan A Funk, Vice Chairman Paula Proulx, Board Members George Meyer, Paul Parker and matt Scruton. Town Administrator Paul Weston, Water/Waste Water/Landfill Superintendent Dale Sprague, and Marty Gilman.
Others present: Loraine Meyer, Joanne Doke, Terrie Nickerson, Charlie King, Kathleen King, Victor LaPierre
Chairman Joan Funk convened the meeting at 6:00pm and asked everyone to join her in the Pledge of Allegiance.
The approval of the October 3, 2005 minutes was tabled until the next meeting.
PUBLIC INPUT
There was no Public Input
OLD BUSINESS
1. Review of proposed job description and responsibilities for the Public Works Director position to be advertised. Paul Weston asked the Board to review the job description and re-open discussion on this issue. The description presented to the Board, labeled Option A, includes the overseeing of the Public Works Department including Highway and Landfill. Paul Parker requested information on how this job would affect the budget and also requested an organizational chart. Joan commented that the salary would go up if it had to be divided into the 4 different departments; the Town needs a Public Works Director for the Highway not the Landfill or Water
Department as there are consultants for those departments as well as Dale Sprague. Matt disagreed stating that having an employee with knowledge would save on consulting fees; a ‘jack of all trades’. Paul Parker disagreed stating that comparing the different departments was like comparing ‘apples and oranges’. Paula Proulx stated that she would like to see someone act as a ‘pivot point’ between the employees and the Town Administrator. George Meyer stated that the position should originally concentrate on highway issues with the ultimate goal of joining the other departments. George added that the Town is growing and by adding someone with expertise would be a benefit. Paul Parker made a motion to accept the Option A Job Description for a Public Works Director (who will have responsibility for highways, bridges and landfill) and to further set in motion the advertising and filling of the position. George Meyer seconded the motion.
Paul Parker, George Meyer and Joan Funk in favor. Matt Scruton and Paula Proulx opposed. More discussion followed. It was determined that with the filling of this position, the Highway Department would be complete. Joan commented that they would be lacking a ‘working body’. Paul Parker commended the Highway Crew and Fire Department on the fine job they did during the past weekend with the flooding and road problems.
2. Review of proposals for the cleaning and maintenance of Town building furnaces. Three proposals were presented.
1. Strogens: A one year contract for $1781, 2 year $3254.14, 3 year $5343. which includes cleaning all furnaces, $80.00 per hour for service calls, no travel time charges or overtime for evenings or weekends.
2. Dowling: 1 year $3,128., 2 year $3254., 3 year $10,152. plus $80.00 per hour for service calls, travel time charged one way from Portsmouth, no overtime for evenings or weekends.
3. Above and Beyond: 1 year $1555. and willing to propose a multiyear contract with no increase cost. $70. per hour, no overtime charges.
The Board discussed their options. It was agreed that Above an Beyond was the most reasonably priced and Paula Proulx stated that she contracts them and is highly satisfied with their work. Matt Scruton motioned to accept the proposal from Above and Beyond. Paul Parker seconded the motion. All in favor.
Paul Weston read a memo dated 10/12/05 from Recreation Director Kim Brackett regarding the furnace at the medical building near the fire station. (This memo will be available as an attachment to the final copy of these minutes from the Town Clerks office). The memo states that there is a fire threat from the furnace and Strogens and Above and Beyond both recommend replacing the unit. Paul Weston stated that the furnace has not been running. This building is scheduled to be replaced in the future Paul Weston did not recommend purchasing a new furnace at this time. The matter would be looked into further.
6:45pm Chairman Joan Funk called for a ten-minute break.
6:55pm Chairman Joan Funk called the meeting back to order.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Discussion with Ed Mullen on Community Access Television issue (Federal Legislation) and Web Site Coordinator position. Ed asked the Board for support to utilize the PEG (public, educational and governmental) station to inform the citizens and to seek support opposing Federal Bill H.R.3146 that will eliminate PEG. (A copy of H.R.3146 will be available as an attachment to the final copy of these minutes from the Town clerks office). Joan Funk made a motion to support the petition and give Ed permission to access PEG to solicit petitions against this bill. George Meyer seconded the motion. Discussion followed. Matt Scruton stated that
if the Board supported the petition it would be considered lobbying and the non-profit status could be at risk. Paul Parker suggested that the opposing view should be shown and Ed agreed. The Board expressed concern over the legalities of this issue and Paul Weston said he would get legal advise and bring that information to the Board at a future meeting. Joan Funk amended her motion to be contingent upon the information sought by Paul Weston and research in regards to what the Local Government Center is doing. Ed stated that there are 3 branches lobbying and that he does not want to create problems with the non-profit status. Joan Funk withdrew her motion.
Ed then asked the Board to refer to the memo dated 9/12/05 asking for the formalization and compensation of the position of Farmington Website coordinator. (A copy of this memo will be available as an attachment to the final copy of these minutes from the Town clerks office) Ed explained that he was the main person inputting data and updating the Farmington Website. The Planning Board Secretary and Selectmen’s Secretary update their agendas and meeting minutes. Ed is in regular contact with Virtual Town Hall (the Website company) for assistance and for tasks, which they have to perform remotely. The fee for Virtual Town Hall is drawn from the Economic Development budget. Ed explained that keeping the Website updated and in good format was essential to the Town as it is one of the first
contacts people have and is considered a ‘welcome mat’. Paul Parker motioned to approve the proposal from Ed Mullen and appoint him as Website Coordinator at $10.00 per hour 5 hours per week. Joan Funk seconded the motion. All in favor.
2. Review of a request to sign a Right of Way Permit for Town land used as a snowmobile trail. This issue was tabled until Brad Anderson and/or Randy Orvis could be present for this item.
3. Review of proposed revisions to the Farmington Building Code (Foundation requirements for mobile homes or manufactured housing outside of mobile home parks). Paul Weston referred to a memo dated 10/13/05 from Code Enforcement Office/Building Inspector Dennis Rosebury. ( A copy of this memo and further information will be available as attachments to the final copy of these minutes from the Town Clerks office). Paul Weston stated that the suggested changes conforms with general standards. Matt Scruton motioned to accept the proposed changes. Joan Funk seconded the motion. All in favor.
Department Head and Administrators report. Paul Weston reviewed the Action List, which consists of issues he is working on (a ‘to do’ list). The list included the following:
1. Awaiting a decision from DES
2. A workshop with the Fire Department
3. Review of the copier purchase payment schedule
4. Advertisement for the Public Works Director
5. Recreation Department Position filled
6. Arrangement of a Workshop with Dale Sprague to clarify where the sewer lines are today and where they should go in the future
7. Working on issues with Economic Development Committee.
Correspondence and Signature File:
1. Short discussion regarding recruitment for a board representative for the Wedco Board
2. Two Intent to Cut: One for Cheryl & John Huckins for Chestnut Hill Road and the other for James Lawrence for Pound Road.
3. Non-Public Minutes for 9-26-05.
Joan Funk inquired on the ZAMPS minutes. Paula Proulx responded by saying that the ZAMPS minutes were given to the Planning Board Secretary.
Charlie King commented on the previous water/waste water workshop with Wright and Pierce and stated that they said they would bring back a build out analysis.
Chairman Joan Funk then read a letter dated 10-12-05 from Beulah Thayer offering a generous donation to renovate most of the Town Hall Building. (A copy of this letter will be available as an attachment to the final copy of these minutes from the Town clerks office). Mrs. Thayer has lived in Farmington for 71 years where she and her late husband Jim brought up their children. They always have been actively involved in the community and have donated funds towards building the new High School. This gift to renovate the Town Hall is a gift of appreciation to the Town. Joan explained that the renovation was contingent upon bringing the building to code to satisfy the Fire Marshall for fire egress matters. An inspection by the Fire Marshall was done in 1999 and many violations were found, of which only a few have
been addressed. Marty Gilman joined the Board to explain that he has been researching this issue. The improvements will include refinishing floors, purchasing new chairs, installing a movie screen. He described the work that needed to be done to bring the building to code before renovations could begin. The items include adding a sprinkler system, installing up to 23 fire doors and fixing and covering the fire escapes. He stated that to install all recommended fire doors the total cost could be up to $18,000 but if the whole building were ‘sprinklered’, not all 23 fires doors would need to be installed. Marty is meeting with Burns Security to get a proposal for a sprinkler system. He then suggested hiring an engineer to inspect the building and he will get an estimate from engineer Shaun Bergeron. Joan stated that there was money to cover the needed repairs from various sources such as CDGB funds and left over money from a Town bond account. She stated that these code
violations need to be addressed regardless of the gift from Mrs. Thayer. George Meyer stated that one of the intents of this gift is to expand the arts in Farmington and that they should move fast on this project
Paul Weston told the Board that he would be meeting with Jeanie Samms from DRA on Tuesday 10-18-05 to set the tax rate. Mr Weston went on to explain the process of setting the tax rate.
8:15 pm Matt Scruton motioned to adjourn the meeting. Joan Funk seconded the motion. All in favor. Meeting adjourned.
Meeting Adjourned at 10:00 pm.
Approved on October 31, 2005
_______________________ _______________________
Joan A. Funk, Chairman Paula Proulx, Vice Chair
_______________________ ________________________
George Meyer Paul Parker
_______________________ ________________________
Matt Scruton
| 
