Francestown Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes
September 19, 2011
Present: Chairman, Betsy Hardwick, Selectmen Scott Carbee and Abigail Arnold constituting a quorum.
Call to Order: Chairman Hardwick called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm.
Posting: Hardwick reported this meeting being properly posted at the Town Office and the Post Office.
Minutes: Administrative Assistant, Debra Davidson taking minutes.
APPOINTMENTS:
Kevin Magoon was not present but Selectmen discussed his request for permission to access Bullard Hill Road, a Class VI Road during hunting season to access property in that area. Selectmen discussed the status of the road. It is understood that Mr. Magoon plans to trailer the ATV to the road. Hardwick said she had received the same request from Steve Miller. Selectmen unanimously agreed to grant Kevin Magoon and Steve Miller permission to ride an ATV on Bullard Hill Road during this years hunting season. They will send a letter to both within the next week or so, but for sure prior to October 15, 2011.
Mr. Magoon arrived, asked about accessing the Town Forest and also accessing the town land behind the golf course. It was explained that these areas are the Conservation Commission’s responsibility and Hardwick said she would bring it up for discussion at their next meeting and would contact him afterward.
Carbee mentioned that he believes old snowmobile trail signage on some of the trails in the town forest are inaccurate and suggested it might be good to remove the ones that are incorrect. Hardwick will contact the State to see if she can find out if another club has taken over responsibility for that snowmobile trail.
OTHER:
Correspondence – Selectmen reviewed correspondence.
Transfer Station – Hardwick mentioned that notice was received from Becky Moul that only one recycling attendant is certified at this time. Becky Moul is looking into programs through the State. Apparently regular training is no longer offered as it used to be, and if training is received through local means a supervisor needs to sign off on the training. All the attendants need to obtain certification.
Clark/Cersosimo subdivision – James Clark has applied for a driveway permit; the driveway location which Mr. Clark has asked the Highway Dept. to approve is not the same as the driveway relocation approved by the Planning Board at a recent meeting. Mr. Clark went before the Planning Board to see if the driveway could be moved from what was shown on the subdivision plat to an alternate location that would utilize an existing opening in the wall, and the Planning Board approved this. The new location would require that six – eight trees be cut. A note has been received from the Planning Board Chair indicating that this newest location is not acceptable and that the trees that need to be cut are in a no-cut buffer as included in the subdivision approval. A letter will be written to Mr.
Clark from the Selectboard, indicating that he must comply with the Planning Board decision. Arnold will draft a letter for the Board to send to Mr. Clark. The driveway application will remain on hold until further information is received.
GENERAL BUSINESS:
Charlie Bass Office – There has been no follow-up on this matter of their meeting in town.
Treasurer Books – Per the auditor suggestion, the Treasurer is going to establish a separate set of books. Davidson will set up a time for the Greenfield Treasurer to talk with herself and Treasurer, Nick Wilder about this.
Lien Release – Arnold mentioned that the Board of Selectmen need to do lien releases on Miller and Slamin.
Water Damage – Davidson will ask Miller Plumbing and Heating to breakdown their invoice as to how many hours were spent on just the water damage cleanup. This is needed for reimbursement from the insurance company.
ITEMS TO SIGN:
Check Manifests - A/P & P/R were signed
Letters –
Minutes – Minutes will be tabled until the next meeting on September 26, 2011.
MOVE MEETING TO LOWER LEVEL, MEETING ROOM:
7:00 - At this time the Board moved the meeting to the meeting room downstairs and reconvened the meeting with the Budget Committee and Department Heads.
Selectwoman Arnold opened the discussion explaining the packets each department received. Davidson explained budgets going forward and what she would like as a worksheet to use in preparation of 2012 budgets.
Arnold reminded everyone there are 53 weeks in 2012, and suggested they think about should the town allow tax increases or work towards a flat tax rate, wages and maintenance items that need addressing. Arnold further discussed the variance sheet that was provided.
Budget Committee Member, Charlie Pyle asked to have the payroll netted out to show how payroll ties into budgets.
Becky Moul & Donna Noonan asked if they could obtain their budgets electronically. Davidson will e-mail them each their year to date budgets.
Arnold discussed some of the needs within the Town and how they may affect the 2012 tax rate and/or budgets. She began with discussing that a 53 week year increases wages & associated costs approximately $11,000.00. Arnold also discussed energy costs are up, the Library has leaks that need repair, the office has outdated computers, the Police Department needs a roof, side exit stairs at the Town Office need repair, the T/H is in need of serious repair, the Town Office needs a generator hookup installed, the Police Department needs a stand alone generator, Pleasant Pond boat landing a Port-a-pottie and the Transfer Station needs improvements.
Arnold suggested departments talk about their needs.
Budget Committee Member, Henry Kuhnardt discussed that the Wall Street Journal states that income levels are as low as in 1996. He would like to see spending being held flat.
Road Agent, Gary Paige said that between tires, cutting edges and fuel costs atleast part of his budget should be increased. Paige mentioned concerns regarding costs of gravel and processing gravel
Police Chief, Steve Bell discuss how fuel costs affect his budget and police coverage.
Cemetery Trustee, Robert Abbot doesn’t think this is the year for any major work at the cemeteries.
Arnold discussed how wages for full time employees remained flat for several years and that part-time employees only received a small increase. Discussion followed regarding wages, budgetary items being noted so they will be discussed and not overlooked, as well as budgets being accurately reflected. Options were discussed.
Arnold spoke for librarian, Carol Brock who could not be here, expressing concerns about mold and also the book purchase line item being reduced. Residents seem to support the idea of new books - Carol would like to see this line item be a reasonable amount.
Becky Moul informed the Board the recycling budget cannot be prepared by the 7th and requested an extension.
Discussion followed regarding capital purchases and options for alternatives.
Maureen VonRonsenvinge briefly discussed the report for the Old Town Hall. The report is on the Francestown Heritage website. She answered several questions and explained the purpose of the report was to determine what was wrong with the building. Based on the structural survey the Selectboard determined that due to the liability concern they had to limit the use of the building. She continued to explain the procedure and how they have come to where they are today.
Selectmen thanked everyone for attending this meeting.
The Budget Committee and the Selectboard remained and discussed various budgetary items.
Steve Griffin invited the Selectboard to use the Old Meeting House for Town Meeting in March. Selectman Carbee motioned to accept the offer from Mr. Griffin. Seconded by Hardwick & Arnold. Voted 3-0 all in favor.
Mr. Griffin asked about the culvert cleaning schedule. Hardwick indicated she would talk to Gary about this.
Charlie Pyle asked the Selectmen what they expect of the Budget Committee going forward. Arnold recommended that the Selectboard run the meetings and that effort be made to have the meetings be more friendly and non-repetitive.
The budget portion of the meeting came to an end.
Becky Moul discussed the certifications needed for the recycling attendants and noted that the expense line for this year indicates that the fees have been paid. Davidson will look into this. The Selectmen retreated upstairs, where they briefly reviewed next weeks agenda.
ADJOURNMENT:
With no further business, Hardwick motioned to adjourn the Selectmen’s Meeting at 8:30 pm. Seconded by Arnold & all approved. The next Selectmen’s Meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 28, 2011 at 7:00 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra Davidson
| 
