TOWN OF FARMINGTON
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING MINUTES
8-7-06
Present: Chairman Paula Proulx, Vice Chairman Paul Parker, Selectmen Gerry McCarthy and Marty Gilman and Town Administrator Paul Weston.
At 6:05 PM, Chairman Paula Proulx called the meeting to order and asked everyone to join her in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Public Input: Joan Funk approached the Board and stated she is here as the Chairman of the Downtown Committee to consult the Board on several issues. The first is to ask the Board to consider the purchase of the Servitis property and/or a lot for sale on North Main Street for municipal parking and to look into applying for a CDBG Grant for this purchase. The second issue brought up by Ms Funk was the new Town street maps and the consideration of mapping out or highlighting businesses. Ms. Funk stated that new maps have recently been issued and they should contact the mapmaker on this matter. Thirdly, Ms Funk asked the Board for approval to change the name of the Farmington Downtown Committee to Farmington Downtown and Business Committee. She stated that the Committee would like to cover businesses in the whole
community and will be highlighting a ‘business a month’. The Committee would like the support of the Board in asking the Planning Board to look into contacting new developments and contractors to establish walking paths to the downtown area to help businesses. Chairman Proulx suggested the Downtown Committee look at the Transportation Plan in the Master Plan. Ms. Funk also requested that the Board appoint a Selectmen’s Representative to the Downtown Committee. Paula told her that they would look into it. Ms Funk stated that there was past approval for the municipal parking sign to be raised for visibility and asked for permission to proceed. Paul Parker stated that he would check on the ordinances for signage but did not think it would be a problem. Gerry McCarthy motioned to change the name to the Farmington Downtown and Business Committee. Paul Parker seconded the motion. A unanimous vote in favor. Lastly, Ms Funk, on behalf of the Downtown Committee,
stated that they would like to brighten up the Welcome to Farmington sign. Marty Gilman suggested they buy pre-made wood letters, paint and attach them to the sign.
Joan Funk then stated that she received a call that day from Selectman George Meyer telling her that he submitted his resignation as Selectman. Ms. Funk offered her services to fill the vacancy on the Board until next Town Meeting. She had received the next highest amount of votes at Town Meeting.
Chairman Proulx then announced that she received a letter from George Meyer requesting his formal resignation from the Board of Selectmen. She stated that he was resigning for personal reasons. Gerry McCarthy suggested the Board contact Mr. Meyer and ask him to reconsider his resignation. Gerry will contact Mr. Meyer prior to the next meeting and the Board will address the issue then. The Board agreed to this approach.
Town Administrator Paul Weston provided the Board with copies of RSA’s 669:63 and 61 stating the procedure for appointing vacancies on elected Boards.
Paul Parker stated the Coast Bus driver asked him to look into a problem with visibility on the corner of Main and Winter Streets. There is a large overgrown bush blocking the view as you make the turn onto Main Street. Paul Weston will look into what can be done.
Paul Weston announced that there will be a Community Forum on Avian Flu presented by the Northern Strafford County Heath and Safety Counsel on Thursday, August 10 at 7pm in the Selectmen’s Chambers.
Paula Proulx stated that she received a request from the new owners of the Main Street Laundromat to relocate the designated parking spot for the Police cruiser in front of the Laundromat. Gerry stated that that spot has been designated for the PD since he was a kid. Marty stated that if it was moved it would infringe on another business and added that he believes the cruiser is there to be near the bank.
The Minutes of July 31 were reviewed. After several changes were made, Paul Parker motioned to accept as amended. Marty seconded the motion. All in favor.
Paul Parker motioned to table the minutes of the July 31 Non Public Session which have been sealed for 90 days. Marty seconded the motion. All in favor.
Oil Bids: Paul Weston stated that a representative for the lowest bidder for fuel, Downeast Energy, will attend the August 14 meeting to present his proposal. In addition, the lowest bidder for gasoline will also be present at the meeting. There was only one bid for gasoline and Weston is seeking a second or third quote. All information for fuel purchase will be available for next meeting. Weston has been reassured that they will get the offer in on time.
Paul Weston then read a statement saying that on August 2 Chairman Paula Proulx met with him to discuss the July 31 Non Public Session in which the Board of Selectmen voted with a majority vote in favor to end his employment with the Town. Mr. Weston continued to say that he has not received a performance review nor have any of the Selectmen expressed their dissatisfaction with his performance as Town Administrator. Weston quoted Chairman Proulx as saying that ‘the Selectmen feel that he is a nice person but perhaps too nice because if we wanted to hammer one of these department heads, you wouldn’t do it’ Mr. Weston stated that he suggested to Chairman Proulx the Selectmen consult with Town Attorney Tim Bates on this matter. He stated that he is insulted by this action taken by three of the members
of the Board and that he has been a professional for thirty years. He continued to say that notice is mandatory and labor law has not been followed. He stated that he will not voluntarily resign. Under the Right to Know Law, Weston stated that any further considerations in this matter be held in Public Session.
Paula Proulx rebutted by stating that Mr. Weston misquoted her, she did say that they felt he was a nice person but was not worried about hammering any department heads. She reminded Mr. Weston that he was still in the probationary stage of his employment with the Town and the Board had the right to terminate his employment at will. She stated that there were still some unanswered questions, which she hoped to address in Non Public Session. Ms. Proulx stated that the Board will act and stand as a Board regardless of the number of members. Paul Parker stated that he would like to go into Non Public Session to discuss whether or not to grant Mr. Weston’s request and to come up with a plan. Gerry McCarthy stated that they should cease all discussion until they consulted with Town Attorney Tim Bates. Paul Parker
made a motion to contact attorney Tim Bates and arrange a meeting for guidance in this matter. Gerry McCarthy seconded the motion. All in favor.
At 7:15 PM, Gerry McCarthy motioned to adjourn the meeting. Marty Gilman seconded the motion. All in favor.
Signed this __________ day of ___________, 2006
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Chairman Paula Proulx Vice Chair Paul Parker
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Gerry McCarthy George Meyer
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Marty Gilman
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