TOWN OF FARMINGTON
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
Monday, August 13, 2007
Selectman Present: Chairman Gerald McCarthy, Martin Gilman, Paula Proulx, Joan Funk (via telephone) and Joel Chagnon.
Staff Present: Anthony Mincu (Town Administrator), Joel Moulton (Public Works), Richard Fowler (Fire Department), Dale Sprague (Water Department), Kevin Willey (Police Department), and Kathy Seaver (Tax Office)
Public Present: Cyndi Paulin, John Fitch, Wayne Jenness, Kim Jenness, Victor LaPierre,Theresa Tetreault, Charlie King and Paul Tetreault
Chairman Gerry McCarthy opened the meeting at 6:00pm.
Chairman McCarthy introduced the new Town Administrator Anthony (Tony) Mincu.
1. Review of Minutes:
A. Marty Gilman motioned to accept the public minutes of 7-23-2007 as written, 2nd by Joel Chagnon. Motion carried with all in favor.
B. Marty Gilman motioned to accept the non-public minutes of 7-23-2007 as written, 2nd by Paula Proulx. Motion carried with all in favor.
2. Public Comment
John Fitch, resident, informed the Board that he is having problem with the brook that runs behind his home on Glen Street because of the flooding that occured in 2006. He wanted to know what, if anything was being done to address the issue. Gerry McCarthy responded that he will ask Joel Moulton tonight during the meeting and that he knew an application to correct the problem has been brought forward to NHDES.
3. Billing Procedures:
Mr. Mincu offered a suggestion to the Board to have them just sign the check registers instead of each individual purchase order. The Board was in consensus that this would be a great idea as long as the purchase orders were available for their review.
4. Introduce Welfare Director:
Mr. Mincu informed the community that Tara Pierce is the new Welfare Director and she is doing very well.
5. Fire Department (Chief Richard Fowler):
A. Americorp Grant - The Chief reminded the Board that the Town was chosen to receive the Americorp Grant again this year for two full-time people at $6300 per person to begin on October 7, 2007. The Chief stated that to get the same amount of coverage at the station with per diem coverage would cost about $20,000. Mr. Mincu reminded the Board that they might want to keep in mind that this coverage is invaluable even though we may not continually receive the grant. Therefore the Town would need to keep it in mind for budgeting purposes. Paula Proulx motioned to accept the Americorps Grant for $6300 per person starting on October 7, 2007, 2nd by Marty Gilman. Motion carried with all in favor.
B. Student Program - The Chief reminded the Board of this program he proposed a few months ago and that he did find out Primex would cover the students at the station. Gerry asked what the Town's responsibility is to the students. The Chief responded to provide housing, which he is proposing to do by putting up petitions in the Fire Station to create rooms. Gerry asked what the Town would gain. The Chief responded he would have two more people on call at the station. Joel asked if advisors have been chosen. The Chief responded his two deputy chiefs and himself would be the advisors in the first few months. Mr. Mincu stated that he would have a waiver of liability drafted by Town Counsel for the students to sign.
Gerry stated that he was not in favor of the program because he feels there is too much liability and that the Town is not prepared. Paula stated she is concerned for the privacy of the students with their living quarters. Joan stated that with the waiver of liability she is in favor, Joel was in agreement. Joel Chagnon motioned to approve the Student Program at the Fire Station, 2nd By Joan Funk. Discussion followed that Rich will find out where the Town's and Tech school’s liability begins and ends and report back at the next meeting. Motion was withdrawn by both Joel Chagnon and Joan Funk.
C. Ambulance Fees - The Chief reminded the Board that Comstar suggested the Town change their ambulance fees to the Medicare rate plus 30%; where as the highest increase would be $77.00. Paula Proulx motioned to accept Comstar's 2007 billing fees schedule recommendation, 2nd by Marty Gilman. Motion carried with all in favor.
The Chief also stated that Frisbee Memorial Hospital has recently informed him that only one agency can bill Medicare if Frisbee assists on an ambulance call. Frisbee suggested that the Town agree to bill the Medicare patient and then Frisbee will bill the Town or have Frisbee bill the patient and reimburse the Town. Joel Chagnon motioned to approve Rich Fowler's recommendation to have Frisbee Memorial Hospital bill Medicare ambulatory intercept patients and reimburse the Town of Farmington our fees, 2nd Joan Funk. Motion carried with all in favor.
D. Alarm System - The Chief suggested a drop-dead date for the hard wired alarm system for January 1, 2008 and a $50/month monitoring fee until then. Gerry asked what will happen to anyone who does not change to the digitized system and the Chief responded that they would just be dropped. The Chief stated that the schools have the money in their budget for the change over and are seeking bids to do just that. He also stated that he believes the church maybe the only entity that may have a hard time with the change and suggested leaving that one line because it only goes straight across the street. The Board was in consensus to have January 1, 2008 as the end date for the old alarm system. Gerry asked for a list of everyone who is on the old system.
E. Radio Dispatch - The Chief asked to table this item for a couple of meetings because he is trying to work it out with Mr. Mincu.
6. Public Works Update (Director Joel Moulton):
A. FEMA Monies - Joel Moulton stated that $499,755 was submitted for and 75% of that is reimbursable through FEMA. He also added that to date the out-of-pocket expense for the flooding is $61,097 thus far. He will get a complete project breakdown to the Board this week. Paula asked if we have received any of the 12.5% from the State for the 2006 flooding damages and Joel responded no.
B. River Dredging Update - Joel reported that FEMA has stated that can not contribute any funds and therefore the Army Corps is taking control of the project. The Army Corps is planning to expedite the permits and work since they only have a small time frame to work in.
C. Computer Purchase Payment - Pam Merrill needs an official vote from the Board saying where the money is to come from for the computer purchase. Joel Chagnon motioned to pay the $830.90 for the public works department computer purchase out of the technology capital reserve, 2nd Paula Proulx. Motion carried with all in favor.
D. Lagoon Closures - Joel reported that the lagoon work is complete and all the sledge as been removed.
E. Ten Rod Road Bridge - Joel presented the Board with NHDOT letters of approval for the engineer study and the preliminary plans. He stated he is now ready for the final plans and needs the Board's signature on the Edwards/Kelcey agreement to do so. Paula Proulx motioned to have the Chair sign the Edwards/Kelcey agreement to move on with the final plans, 2nd Marty Gilman. Motion carried with all in favor.
F. Other - Joel asked the Board for permission to create a leaf compost pile at the landfill where residents can bring their leaves. The Board was in agreement that this was a good idea. Joel also stated that a non-resident who is seeking permission to bring her recyclables to the landfill approached him. The Board was in agreement that this would not be okay. Lastly, Gerry asked Joel if he knew what was happening with the brook on Glen Street and Joel responded he would call NHDES to find out the status of the project.
7. Water Department (Director Dale Sprague):
A. Dale stated he was under the impression that a representative would be at this meeting to answer for the water leakage that Dennis Scruton requested a Sewer Abatement for. Dale stated he did send a letter to Mr. Scruton requesting he provide some type of proof there was a major leak for the $473.88 sewer abatement he is seeking and has not received any response. Marty Gilman motioned to deny the sewer abatement requested by Dennis Scruton, 2nd Paula Proulx. Motion carried with Joel Chagnon opposed.
B. Gerry asked if Dale has received any correspondence from the state in regards to the Sewer Use Ordinance he had proposed. Dale responded that he found a new contact person at the state and has emailed him with questions. The gentleman responded stating that he would be willing to meet with the Board in a work session. The Board was in agreement to have Dale set-up such a meeting on August 23, 2007 at 6pm.
8. Police Department (Kevin Willey):
Lt. Willey informed the Board that the station would like to take the money from their cruiser detail and their drug forfeiture fund to purchase a 2003 Ford Explorer for $10,000 to add another cruiser to the station. He stated that often the station is short a vehicle and this would assist with that matter. The Board was concerned where the money would come from in the budget next year to off set the cost of a new cruiser as it usually does. Lt. Willey stated that due to the unpredictability of the funds he was not sure but stressed the importance of adding another vehicle to ensure service to the community.
Joan questioned if the server and the air conditioner at the station have been corrected. Lt. Willey responded that they both have been serviced but even if they had not the cruiser would still be of higher priority because it would ensure that service is available. The Board was in consensus that such a purchase would need to be addressed at the March Town Meeting and if the Chief had any additional information he would like to present he is welcome to do so.
9. Planning/Zoning:
A. Governor's Road Realty, LLC submitted street names for approval. Their first choice was King Richard's Way and their second was Ava Page Lane. Chief Fowler stated that he would be concerned with King Richard's Way because their is a similar road in Town. Paula Proulx motioned to allow Governor's Road Realty, LLC to utilize Ava Page Lane for their road name, 2nd Marty Gilman. Motion carried with all in favor.
B. Wayne Jenness was seeking a Hawkers/Peddlers License to operate a lunch wagon during the week at 91 Main Street and Saturday through Sunday on Central Street by the bank, with the lunch wagon being moved nightly to Ernie's Tire. Joel Chagnon motioned to approve the Hawkers/Peddlers License to Wayne Jenness, 2nd Paula Proulx. Motion carried with all in favor.
C. Rudy Tetreault was seeking approval of the Board on a Class VI and Private Road Acknowledgement. Planning Board Chair, Charlie King stated that this is a private road in an approved subdivision and does not require planning board review. Mr. Tetreault stated he is willing to bring the road up to the minimum town road standards as requested by the Code Enforcement Officer. Joel Chagnon motioned to accept the application from Mr. Tetreault with the requirement that he completes the requirements listed by the Public Works Director as well as recording at the Registry of Deeds the signed "Liability Waiver" and agrees that the farm will not be commercial, 2nd Paula Proulx. Motion carried with all in favor.
10. Communtiy Preservation Guild/Safe Routes (Cyndi Paulin):
Cyndi Paulin went over a report she compiled on the Safe Routes Task Committees findings. She asked if the Board would like the committee to create a grant proposal to address the issues discovered for the Town to submit and manage. The Board was in agreement they would like Cyndi to work on the grant and that they would get her a contact person from the Town, whether it be Mr. Mincu or a new Planner.
11. Fuel Bids:
The Town received four bids for the 2007-2008 season. Marty stated that he believes a few phone calls need to be made to these companies to see if their rates stand if only purchase one or two items from the companies since none of them offer all three products. Paula Proulx motioned to table the decision on the fuel bids, 2nd Marty Gilman. Discussion followed that Union Oil should be contacted to make sure they did not want to bid since they were this years contract holder. Motion carried with all in favor.
12. Proposal for Computer Updates for Municipal Offices (Kathy Seaver):
Paula Proulx motioned to approve the purchase of three new PC's plus contract DeVa Systems to get them online; to update the citrix server to a MP54.5 for $3,360; and to purchase a Sonic Wall 2440i CDP Appliance with one year of support for a back-up on a remote secure site at $6,995.00, 2nd Joan Funk. Discussion followed that Kathy will check with DeVa Systems to see what the difference in cost would be to utilize a Friday/Saturday schedule. Motion carried with all in favor.
Kathy Seaver stated that the construction of her new office is complete and she is just awaiting the painter. Marty added that the front doors for the municipal office building have been ordered.
13. Correspondence:
A. A petition from the residents of Water Street was received and Joel Moulton responded that he is working on it.
B. A letter from resident addressing concerns was received. Gerry stated he will forward the letter to Joel Moulton.
C. Victor LaPierre informed the Board that South Berwick might not get their waste permit renewed so he may have issues of where to dump the waste from his septic pumping business. He informed the Board that they might need to sign up with another Town to accept the waste.
Marty Gilman moved to go in non-public session under RSA 91-A:3.2.(b),(c) and (e), Joan Funk seconded. Roll Call - Martin Gilman (yes), Paula Proulx (yes), Joel Chagnon (yes), Joan Funk (yes) and Gerry McCarthy (yes).
Joel Chagnon motioned to adjourn, Marty Gilman seconded. Motion passed with all in favor.
Meeting adjourned at 10:38pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Brandy Sanger
Recording Secretary
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Chairman, Gerald McCarthy Vice-Chairman, Martin Gilman
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Paula Proulx Joel Chagnon
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Joan Funk
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