Town of Farmington
Board of Selectmen Meeting Minutes
May 22, 2006
Present: Chairman Paula Proulx, Vice Chair Paul Parker, Selectmen Marty Gilman, Gerry McCarthy and George Meyer, Town Administrator Paul Weston, Water/Wastewater Superintendent Dale Sprague, Public Works Director Joel Moulton
At 6:00P.M. Chairman Paula Proulx called the meeting to order and asked everyone to join her in the Pledge of Allegiance.
PUBLIC INPUT: There was no Public Input.
REVIEW OF MINUTES: 5-14-06: Paul Parker motioned to accept the 5-14-06 minutes as written. Marty seconded the motion. 5 in favor. 5-15-06: Paul Parker stated that his intention regarding the sale of the Town Hall benches was to make the benches available at no charge to churches at all times. Gerry McCarthy stated that the minutes should reflect what was actually said. Paul Parker made a motion to accept the minutes as written. Gerry seconded the motion. 5 in favor.
PUBLIC HEARING: Proposed water rate increase. Dale Sprague approached the Board to discuss the proposed increase. He stated that the initial proposal of 9.2% has been reevaluated and has been changed to 4.6%. He looked at the income, the upward trend of usage and most recent billing and revised the numbers. There is a projected $14,000 deficit based on approved budget and income levels. All factors have been taken into account. The last increase was in 2001. This increase would cost the average household approximately 4 cents per day or $14.00 per year and would take effect July 1, 2006 if passed. Paula opened the subject to public input. Bill Tsiros approached the Board and stated that he was opposed to the increase. As a Budget committee member, he stated that this should have been presented with the budget.
He stated that an increase would affect people on a fixed income. A proposed increase should be brought to Town meeting for the voters to decide. Dale stated that an option to an increase would be to draw money from the checking account to make up for the deficit if the Board chooses to do so. John Fitch approached the Board and stated that he would like the Board to table this issue. He stated that it should not be the burden of the Board to make this decision and it should be brought before the voters at Town Meeting. Dale stated that $327,311 was approved in the budget, with only $313,99 projected income. If the Board decides to vote down the increase, there will be deficit spending and the checking account could be depleted. Increases should be looked at annually so that a huge increase doesn’t have to be implemented in the long run. Barry Elliott approached the Board and stated that there was a proposal to look at hydrant fees, which may overcome the shortfall. He also
suggested a minimum fee for water accounts. He stated that he would be willing to join a water/sewer advisory board if one were implemented. Victor Lapierre approached the Board and stated that the Notices for Public Meetings should be made more visible to attract more of the public to the hearings. Bill Tsiros again approached the board and stated that the last increase in 2001 occurred because the state required it in order to qualify for a bond rate. In response to a question by Gerry, Dale stated that he does not foresee any one-time expenditure arising in the future, just inflationary issues. Dale stated that he is looking into a ‘Betterment Assessment” based on the value of property. Dale stated that a hydrant fee is a valid option and may cut 2% off the projected deficit, we could raise the final bills and/or implement minimum billing. Paula asked Dale if he could eliminate the line from the budget and Dale stated that the line has to be there to draw on to
purchase meters and pay the vendor. Paula stated that the connection fees were just updated - there will be more money coming in, 100% is put into the Capital Reserve. Dale stated that it is an unstable fund. The source this year is slower (not as many new houses). George Meyer motioned to delay the increase until next budget season based on the variable of 4.6%. Gerry seconded the motion. Paula stated that there are too many variables in the potential for income. Paul Parker stated that we should be cautioned; we cannot run on a deficit. A vote was taken: 5 in favor of tabling the water increase until next budget season.
The Board decided to discuss the hydrant fees at next meeting.
Bid to clean and repair well #5. Dale sent bid requests to 4 qualified firms and received 3 back. He recommended accepting the bid from Layne Christianson Company as they were the lowest bidder and Dale is confident in their qualifications. The screen in well #5 is currently clogged and has a crack in it. Currently it is working at only 75% efficiency. The contractor will bring the screen back to 100% capacity.. Gerry asked Dale if the source of the contamination was ever found. Dale stated that it has not been found. They are chlorinating the water as a preventative measure. The last test came up positive for bacteria. The well is down now and they are relying on well #4. Paula made a motion to accept the bid from Layne Christianson for $9,045.00 and proceed with the repair and cleaning of well #5.
George Meyer seconded the motion. 5 in favor.
The Board will schedule a workshop for Monday, June 5 to discuss the contract with Wright and Pierce and to discuss street lighting with PSNH.
OLD BUSINESS:
Update of 500 Boys and Girls Club: President Dan Woodman and Vice President Randy Talon approached the Board. Randy stated that the club was doing well. This weekend they will hold the Memorial Tournament now named after former president Joel Chagnon. The Paulson Road project is nearing completion. With the help of George and Loraine Meyer, they built a new tee ball field. The club will be hosting the Cal Ripken District 6 All Star Tournament in June and July. Randy stated that he wanted to thank the Town for all the support it has given the 500 Boys and Girls Club.
APPOINTMENTS:
Trustee of the Trust Fund: There are four applicants for the two open positions on the Trustees of the Trust Fund. Diane Berry, John Wingate, Ruby Pond and Linda Gareeb. Gerry McCarthy motioned to excuse Diane Berry from an interview, as she was not able to attend the meeting. Marty seconded the motion. A unanimous vote in favor. The Board interviewed applicants John Wingate, Ruby Pond and Linda Gareeb. Gerry motioned to appoint Diane Berry to fill one-year term to 2007 on the Trustees of the Trust Fund. Paul Parker seconded the motion. 5 in favor. Paul Parker made a motion to appoint John Wingate for a one-year term on the Trustees of the Trust Fund. Gerry seconded the motion. 5 in favor. Gerry thanked the other applicants for applying and encouraged them to reapply in future.
Downtown Committee: The three applicants, Bill Tsiros, John Fitch and Joann Doke approached the Board individually to be interviewed. Gerry made a motion to appoint Bill Tsiros for a two-year term on the Downtown Committee. Marty seconded the motion. 5 in favor. Paul Parker motioned to appoint John Fitch for a 2-year term on the Downtown Committee. Gerry seconded the motion. 5 in favor. Gerry motioned to appoint Joann Doke for a 1-year term on the Downtown Committee. Marty seconded the motion. 4 in favor, George abstained.
Decision on engaging CMA Engineering for long range planning at the landfill. Joel Moulton and CMA principals Bill Straub and Bob Grillo approached the Board. Grillo stated that the Farmington landfill is one of two unlined landfills in New Hampshire. It is large for a Town of its size and is located favorably hydrologically which lessens the groundwater impact. Grillo stated that DES sent a letter to the Town in 2005, which requires a response. He compared the letter to a slow softball pitch. 2010 is a baseline closure date. CMA will develop a plan and a budget. Bill discussed the tasks CMA will be handling. (A copy of this information is attached to these minutes). Bill stated that the option of having outside haulers utilize the landfill is a decision for the town to make. Bob stated that the
Cardinall Landfill issue should be addressed. We have to propose a solution. A legal strategy is needed at this point. Joel stated that the Town would do well to hire CMA. CMA will respond to the letter form DES sent in March, 2001. Paul Parker motioned to accept the proposal from CMA to answer the requirements of DES & to proceed with their proposal for a strategic plan for the landfill closure. George Meyer seconded the motion. 5 in favor.
Update on storm/flood: Joel stated that he is meeting with representatives from FEMA on Tuesday, 5-23, to assess the damage to the roads and bridges caused by the recent flooding. There will be a conference call at 3PM Tuesday with the State Emergency Management. Bay Road Bridge suffered soil erosion to the footings. A temporary repair has been done but it needs further work. The boulders under the Ten Rod Road Bridge shifted. It is not unsafe but should be addressed. Meeting House Road and Bay Road have had some wicking. The damage could cost $500,000 to $1,000,000. Everything is safe and passable at this point. Joel stated that many driveways were affected. A lot of driveways do not have culverts. Marty asked what could be done with properties with damaged driveways that did not have a permit or were not in
compliance. There should be a policy and clarification on this issue. Joel suggested adding a caveat to driveway permits stating that if a culvert is not required the Town requires the right to put a culvert in at the owners expense.
Paul Weston briefed the Board on the Public Works Garage project. The Town’s attorney is reviewing the contract with Budel. Three items need to be resolved: color, roof and payment bond. Marty stated that the roof should be addressed now.
Survey of the Dubois Property. Randy Orvis of Orvis and Drew approached the Board to discuss his proposal to survey the Dubois property for not more than $11,000. Paul Weston stated that there are three tasks to complete which include the survey, an environmental assessment and the Conservation Easement Agreement. Gerry motioned to award Orvis and Drew the contract to survey the Dubois Property. Paul Parker seconded the motion. 5 in favor.
8:45 PM Paul Parker motioned for a ten-minute break. George Meyer seconded the motion. 5 in favor. The meeting re-conveyed at 8:55PM.
Steve Dean approached the Board and stated that the American Legion and the Veterans Association will be holding the annual Memorial Day Parade Sunday, May 28 at 2PM. He invited the Board to join.
Liaisons to Committees: Gerry McCarthy stated that he would volunteer to be a liaison to the Budget Committee if someone would volunteer as an alternate. Marty spoke up and volunteered. Paul Parker motioned to appoint Gerry McCarthy as Selectmen’s liaison to the Budget Committee and Marty Gilman as an alternate. George Meyer seconded the motion. 5 in favor.
At 9:00PM Paul Parker motioned to go into Non Public Session per RSA91-A:3 (b). George Meyer seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. Paula Proulx – yes, Paul parker – yes, George Meyer – yes, Marty Gilman – yes, Gerry McCarthy –yes.
Review of a full time fire chief recruitment process. The Board discussed this issue with Fire Association President Will Panek and Police Chief Scott Roberge.
At 10:00PM Paul Proulx motioned to come out of Non Public Session Paul Parker seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. Paula Proulx – yes, Paul Parker – yes, George Meyer – yes, Marty Gilman – yes, Gerry McCarthy –yes.
Paul Parker motioned to seal the Non Public Session Minutes for 90 days. Gerry McCarthy seconded the motion. 5 in favor.
At 10:00 PM Paul Parker motioned to adjourn the meeting. Paula Proulx seconded the motion. 5 in favor.
Signed this date of ______________
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Paula Proulx, Chairman Paul Parker, Vice Chair
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Marty Gilman George Meyer
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Gerry McCarthy
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