TOWN OF FARMINGTON
BOARD OF SELECTMAN
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
Monday, January 22, 2007
Selectman Present: Chairman Paula Proulx, Paul Parker, Martin Gilman,and Gerald McCarthy
Public Present: Charlie King, Sylvia Arcouette, Jane Wingate, Rebecca Howard, Steve Dean, JoAnn Doke, Lt. Kevin Willey, Chief Scott Roberge, Chief Richard Fowler and Ann Titus.
Chairman Paula Proulx called the meeting to order at 6:04pm, Selectman William Tsiros was excused from the night's meeting.
Review of Minutes from 1-13-06 and 1-17-06: Paul Parker moved to table the approval of minutes from 1-13-06 and 1-17-06 until the next meeting, Gerry McCarthy seconded. Motion passed with all in favor.
Public Input:
Steve Dean reported that the Eagle Scout who will be doing his project at the CAP office in the old courthouse will be starting his project really soon but in order to do so will need some items removed from that office. There are chairs, a table, a cabinet and some books that need to be removed. The Selectman were in concensus that a memo should be sent out to dept. heads that if they want any of those items they should get them this week and any broken items would be disposed of.
JoAnn Doke questioned if the $5000 that Paula Proulx received was above what a Selectman already receives and if this is normal practice. Gerry responded that the money was above her stipend and that in the past any Chair who temporary had the role of town administrator was not during the budget season, where Paula has put in 5-6 hours a day in the office.
Jane Wingate read a letter she prepared in support of Paula Proulx and the work she has been doing over the past months as acting town administrator. Mrs. Wingate will provide a copy of this letter to be attached to these minutes.
Lorraine Meyer addressed the board on what they are doing to assist the residents who will lose their jobs at Collins and Aikman as a result of the closing. Paula responded the town has an attorney that has been working on this issue.
Paul Parker moved to go in non-public sessioon under RSA 91-A:3.2.a, Gerry McCarthy seconded. Roll call - Marty Gilman (yes), Paula Proulx (yes), Paul Parker (yes) and Gerry McCarthy (yes).
Board of Selectman - - 1/22/07 Public minutes -- Page 1 of 4
Non-Public session from 6:35pm until 6:50pm.
Loring Ave. Waiver Agreement: Slyvia Arcouette drafted a waiver agreement for Loring Ave. Paul Parker moved to forward the agreement from Sylvia and Ronald Arcouette to the town attorney for review so legal can apply the legal wording to assure the road will remain the same and that the agreement continues if the property is sold, Gerry McCarthy seconded. Motion passed with all in favor.
Police Department-Chief Scott Roberge came prepared to answer the questions the board previously had on his budget.
1. School Resource Officer - He stated that the school resource officer is bought back 80% by the SAU.
2. Holiday Pay - The Chief responded that the officers get straight pay if they work a holiday and instead of getting time and a half they get straight pay for the day (holiday pay) but it is not paid out the week of the holiday but instead paid out in one lump some at the end of the year.
3. Prosecution office - Scott replied that all the other towns who utilize the attorney pay a fee and once they've all paid there is about $4000 left over that goes back to the general fund to pay for hear and maintenance to the building.
4. Salaries - He explained that he does evaluations every 3 months for his officers and uses them to justify his merit raises with the step plan.
5. Animal Control Officer - Chief Roberge informed the board that the current officer is not interested in the job at $75 a week. He is working to regionalize an officer and is currently looking into the idea of subcontracting the Cocheco Valley Humane Society..
6. Line 23 (grants) - The description of this line is not correct. The dept. does not need a new radar. This money would be used for DWI patrol that is paid back at 100% and to purchase spike strips. He stated that he would like to equip each parole car with a spike strip unit that last forever and you would just need to purchase replacement pins if used. The department has never had any of these units but has been trying for several years to get them.
7. Crossing Guard - Marty questioned if the station covers the crosswalk if the crossing guard is not available. The Chief stated he makes every effort to cover the crosswalk if need be but can not guarantee coverage. Gerry questioned if the officer who directs traffic downtown would be interested in subbing and the Chief will look into this.
The Chief informed the board that he would like to apply for grants to offer calling system for the elderly where they can check in daily. The Selectman agreed this would be a great service.
Heating System at the Old Town Hall/Police Department -
Above and Beyond HVAC set forth a proposal for replacing the oil tanks and some lines for the Police Station and the Rec. Center at $3238 or $4948 if you did the same work but added a containment field.( Proposal attached to minutes).
Paul Parker moved for a 5 minute recess, Paula Proulx seconded. Motion passed with all in favor.
Board of Selectman -- 1/22/07 Public Minutes -- Page 2 of 4
Meeting called back to order at 8:37pm.
Budget Follow-Ups:
1. Planning Dept. - Paula Proulx moved to decrease line 31 (salary) of the Planning and Zoning by $10,000, Paul Parker seconded. Motion passed with all in favor.
2. Paul Parker moved to change line 32 (master plan/consultants) from $12,000 to $3,500, Gerry McCarthy seconded. Motion passed with all in favor.
3. Paula Proulx moved to reduce line 203 (rec. equip.) to $3,000 for the purchase of a used truck, Gerry McCarthy seconded. Discussion followed that the town would continue to put $5000 away towards the purchase of a new van but that the truck was an immediate need. Motion passed with all in favor.
4. Paul Parker moved to reduce line 137 (training) by $500 to $5700, Gerry McCarthy seconded. Discussion followed that Kim Brackett stated she could cut this amount from the budget. Motion passed with all in favor.
5. Library - Marty stated that he did speak with a library trustee and they said that the personnel salaries are justified because librarians have to have more knowledge than just books these days, they are expected to have computer skills as well. The trustee also said that the Budget Committee recommended that the trustees look into increasing the library salaries last year to bring them up to a reasonable rate. Paul Parker moved to ask the library to relook at their budget to see if it can be reduced by $5000, Marty Gilman seconded. Motion withdrawn by Paul Parker and Marty Gilman.
Gerry McCarthy moved to appropriate $229,000 to the library for 2007, Paul Parker seconded. Motion passed with all in favor.
Workplace Success Program:
Megan Taylor, Town Secretary received a call from Gwen Eiely who runs the workplace success program to see if the town would be interested in a woman who would like to participate in the program for 20 hours per week. Megan reported that the services could be used in her office to cover her lunch as well as the police department. Paul Parker moved to proceed with the Workplace Success program and have the individual work 20 hours per week after a background check has been completed, Gerry McCarthy seconded. Motion passed with all in favor.
Town Trash:
Selectman were in concensus that the Municipal Offices should not use town garbage bags for the trash because it is a needless expenditure. The Selectman were also in concensus that the town will continue to pick up the trash at the CAP office and the American Legion and it does not need to be in town bags either.
Street Lights:
It was discussed that Kathleen Lewis from PSNH was suppose to come back in front of the board with some answers to their questions on a new lighting project but has not yet. Paula will schedule her to come back.
Board of Selectman -- 1/22/07 Public Minutes -- Page 3 of 4
Paul Parker moved to go in non-public session under RSA91-A:3.2.a and c, Marty Gilman seconded. Roll call - Gerry McCarthy (yes), Paul Parker (yes), Paula Proulx (yes) and Marty Gilman (yes).
Updates:
1. Marty questioned what is happening with the Catalfo home. Paula stated that traps have been set at the property to dispose of the rodents. It was discussed that the town should not pay the $500 for a burn permit but should crush the house, load it in the truck and dispose of it at the dump. Paula will speak with Joel.
Marty Gilman moved to adjourn, Gerry McCarthy seconded. Motion passed with all in favor.
Meeting adjourned at 11:31pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Brandy Sanger
Recording Secretary
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Chairman, Paula Proulx Vice-Chairman, Paul Parker
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Martin Gilman William Tsiros
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Gerald McCarthy
Board of Selectman - Meeting Minutes 1-22-2007 - Page 4 of 4
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