Board of Selectmen’s
Meeting Minutes
February 2, 2010
Present: Selectmen Robert Buker and Lou Ann Rousseau, Town Administrator John Stetser, Alan Urquhart, Nicolas Hodgen, Sandy Burrows, Iris Campbell, Captain David Roarick, Luke Levesque, David Hurlbut, Robert Beard, Rory Bohanan, Chris McGillicuddy, Lauralee LoMonaco, Kevin Belanger, Robert McAllister, Ian Donovan, Brian Reopel, Peter Brigham, Denise DeForest, Dennis DeForest, Dana Brien, Ernest Butler, Robert Charron and Administrative Assistant Wendy Brien.
Meeting was opened at 6:05 p.m. by Robert Buker.
Mr. Charron informed the Board that the Water and Sewer Commissioners have approached him to consider, once properties go to lien for water and sewer, that they receive payment from the Town. This will allow the Town to collect and keep the interest. He explained that the Town will have to borrow the extra money through the TAN in order to pay Water and Sewer.
The Board agreed with Mr. Charron and thanked him for bringing the information to their attention.
Alan Urquhart suggested the Board consider hiring a consultant to do a human resource study.
6:13 p.m. Joseph Collins entered the meeting
Mr. Stetser pointed out, to the Board, a new budget comparison he is in favor of where he has asked the Police and Dispatch to cut more out of their budget.
Mrs. Campbell asked Mr. Buker to clarify his health insurance memo. She asked if he was asking for a 5% or 15% employee contribution. Mr. Buker stated that the present plan is a 10% employee contribution and 0% on HMO. His proposal was to up the contribution 5% to 15% and HMO 0% to 15% but all negotiable. With a 2% COLA to offset the increase. Eliminate the buyout. If an employee chooses not to take the insurance then they would keep the employee contribution portion and the 2% COLA. Mr. Buker also explained that his memo was a starting point to have discussions for the budget and not what was set in stone. It was also stated that compromises would have to made in this economy.
Captain Roarick stated that the employees have made compromises when they decreased their insurance coverage from Blue Choice to HMO and they have not gotten full COLA raises in many years with some years no COLA’s at all. He feels preserving the benefits is a better choice.
A discussion continued regarding COLA raises and benefits.
Officer Donovan asked why they were considering eliminating the buyout totally.
Mr. Buker stated most companies have done away with buyouts and it was never meant to be a guarantee every year.
Mr. Collins has looked at statewide buyouts and has seen the statewide average amounts to be around $1,800. He feels decreasing the buyout over time is an option.
Mr. Belanger asked why money had been spent on moving expenses and floors being resurfaced in offices when they were trying to cut budgets and therefore looking at cutting employee benefits.
Mr. Stetser gave a suggestion of starting any new employees as of July 2010 and after with an employee health insurance contribution, no COLA for current employees and dividing the current buyout in half.
6:50 p.m. Larry Baker entered the meeting.
Mrs. Campbell asked Mr. Buker when the health insurance contribution would begin. Mr. Buker said starting July 1st.
7:05 p.m. Mr. Stetser read a memo from the Herman Weigelman regarding the Planning Board’s request to start receiving a yearly stipend.
It was the Board’s position that Planning Board positions are volunteer. If it is felt that a yearly stipend is necessary, then a petitioned warrant article could be put forth at a future town meeting.
Mr. Collins made a motion to deny the Planning Board’s request for a yearly stipend. Mr. Buker seconded the motion. The Board voted: Mr. Collins - yes, Mrs. Rousseau - yes and Mr. Buker - yes.
The Board discussed the police budget with Captain Roarick and asked that he come back to the Board on Thursday, February 4th with $50,000.00 in cuts.
Mr. Buker asked Captain Roarick if the new uniforms the officers were now wearing were in the 2010 budget. Captain Roarick explained that uniforms are a regular line item in the budget whether it goes for dress uniforms or cargo pants and polo shirts.
Captain Roarick stated that he should be able to cut a total of approximately $65,000.00 from his 4 departments (Animal Control, Police Department, Police Building and Dispatch).
Mr. Collins asked Captain Roarick if we could do without the $12,000 truck. Captain Roarick answered that maintenance costs on the current vehicle are way up. He plans on having the used truck bought at auction and paid for out of the revolving detail account.
Mr. Collins asked Captain Roarick to look into and propose a salary scale for the Captain’s position.
Captain Roarick agreed to do this, but stated that he is not in agreement with this and he feels you should get paid for what you do.
It was decided that Mr. Stetser and Captain Roarick would meet in the next two days to finalize proposed cuts and will present them to the Board on Thursday, February 4th .
Mr. Collins made a motion to commit $500.00 to CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate Center) to be taken out of police investigative aids raising that budget item to $3,000.00. Mrs. Rousseau seconded the motion. The Board voted: Mr. Collins - yes, Mrs. Rousseau - yes and Mr. Buker - yes.
7:50 p.m. James Bailey III entered the meeting.
Mr. Stetser explained he met with Attorney Doug Hatfield and the Trustees are all set to release the $60,000.00 out of the Manahan Trust for the pavilion at Manahan Park and it will need to go before the town as a warrant article.
Mr. Collins made a motion to remove $60,000.00 out of the parks and recreation budget under line item 4520.50-72 and that it be placed as a warrant article at town meeting. Mrs. Rousseau seconded the motion. The Board voted: Mr. Collins - yes, Mrs. Rousseau - yes and Mr. Buker - yes.
Mr. Collins made a motion to enter a non-public session under RSA 91-A:3 II a, b, & c hiring a public employee, personnel matters and reputation of an employee.
Mr. Buker seconded the motion. The Board voted in a roll call vote: Mr. Collins - yes, Mrs. Rousseau - yes and Mr. Buker - yes.
The Board entered into a non-public session at 8:00 p.m.
The Board returned to a public session at 9:55 p.m.
Mr. Collins made a motion to seal the minutes under RSA 91-A:3 III. Mr. Buker seconded the motion. The Board voted in a roll call vote: Mr. Collins - yes, Mrs. Rousseau - yes and Mr. Buker - yes.
Mr. Collins stated the Board will present an idea of a personnel committee to be formed to discuss and come up with updates to the personnel policy, and to study wage scales and benefits packages. They have also discussed and will take their position on the budget, including benefits, COLA’s and the decision on the buyout very soon. He went on to say that the Board is close to finalizing negotiations with Captain Roarick regarding the Police Chief’s position. It will be finalized on Thursday, February 4th at which time the minutes of the non-public session will be unsealed.
Mr. Collins made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mrs. Rousseau seconded the motion. The Board voted: Mr. Collins - yes, Mrs. Rousseau - yes and Mr. Buker - yes.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Wendy Brien
Administrative Assistant
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