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Selectmen’s Board Meeting
October 3, 2013
Present: John Allen, Chairman; Bob Thompson and Bill Lockard, Selectmen
Visitors: Office Administrator Julie Atwell, Office Administrative Assistant Julie Hoyt, Police Chief Karl Meyers, Emergency Management Director/Health Officer Tom Grieg, Videographer Hank Benesh, Library Trustee Denise Sachse, Bea Davis, Phil Davies, Kathleen Dougherty
- Selectmen’s Meeting – September 19, 2013 The Board returned to Public Session following the Non-Public Session and a motion was made to accept Jeannette Heidmann’s resignation as, and to approve Karen Burton as, Town Clerk/Tax Collector until the next election. Jeannette was thanked for her services.
- Non-Public Meeting – September 19, 2013 The Minutes envelope was signed.
Chairman Allen introduced and welcomed Administrative Assistant Julie Hoyt.
- Fire/Burglar Alarms Selectman Lockard noted there are a number of different alarms; there are perimeter, gas, fire, entry and carbon monoxide alarms. Only fire alarms are covered by statute. He met with Fire Inspector Gaudreau who noted he needs an ordinance that the town passes to act on these. Currently there are two “free” false alarms with anything over that being fined out at one-hundred dollars. Town Office Administrator Atwell will contact the LGC about this; there are certain ordinances the Selectmen can enact while others need to be approved by the town.
- Healthcare Selectman Lockard noted this seems to be fluid; it’s important but he’s hoping for a more concrete explanation before he brings it to a meeting.
- Whitneys’ Pond This is on the agenda under Old Business.
- AFLAC Presentation The meeting with town staff and the AFLAC representative has not been set up yet; it was clarified this is a sales presentation.
- Annual Life Safety Inspections Inspector Gaudreau stopped performing Life Safety Inspections when he came on four years ago because Jackson doesn’t have an ordinance. If Jackson wants to do these, an ordinance needs to be created.
- Animal Control Officer – funding Office Administrator Atwell noted the Board has the option to move money from wherever they would like, she suggested the funds come from the Town Clerk/Tax Collector’s line or from the Legal line; the Board could also choose not to move any funds at all. Jackson used to contract with an ACO, this turned out to be a problem as that ACO wouldn’t show up when called. Jackson had the opportunity to transfer the job to a resident from Jackson who was eager to perform the duties and did so. Because there is an ACO that responds, Jackson’s involvement is now leaps and bounds above what was done before. Although Chief Meyers has cut her off due to the lack of funds, Lauren has performed duties and needs to be compensated for what
she has already done. In addition, it’s clear Jackson can’t do what needs to be done for five-hundred dollars a year; it’s probably more like five-to-six thousand. The town needs to decide how far it wants to go regarding licensing as well. The Board would like a figure for the next meeting. There are still twenty-eight unlicensed dogs and the town has a responsibility to address this. Selectman Thompson noted the primary issue is that of liability; the town has tried to enforce the law and ran out of money but the Board knows it’s their responsibility to do this. The Board would like to know what the townspeople think before funds are transferred.
- Public Comment The Library Trustees are asking to have the lights installed out by the Library; the sun is setting earlier and it is very dark out there. Chairman Allen thought this was a done-deal with Dick Bennett doing it; he will contact Dick.
- Police Report Chief Meyers reviewed Department activities since the last meeting; some items discussed included assisting the State Police with a vehicle stop by the Dana Place Inn that ended with the driver being arrested; three false burglar alarms; a town citizen dropped off unwanted prescription drugs and a set of keys were found on Carter Notch Road. A property-owner in town that is having a house built, had an issue with the contractor that got a bit heated; Officers stepped in to help out. There are several residents that are away and Officers are checking on these places. A recent court case resulted in a guilty plea; there was a report of a dead moose in the woods by the Ellis River condos; it probably got hit by a vehicle; Fish & Game was contacted to remove it. A report of a suspicious person came in; this turned out to be an artist out painting. Officers Cowland and Jette have successfully completed their agility tests. A complaint came in from a resident
regarding harassing phone calls, this has been very time-consuming to investigate. There was an accident between an exchange student on a bike and a box truck; the student had ear phones on and crossed in front of the box truck; she was just clipped. There was a disturbance at a motel where rooms were reserved several months ago and when the people showed up they were not given those rooms. Officers assisted the Fire Company with a cooking-related alarm. A dog was found left at the side of the road; leads are being pursued on this. Officers assisted the ambulance with an elderly person that was dizzy and vomiting. When asked what Officers do with old drugs that are turned in Chief Meyers noted these are taken to Conway. Jackson used to be able to take these but there are new regulations in place; Conway now has a drop box in their lobby. Chief Meyers wanted to make sure residents are aware at any point they can bring old or unwanted
prescription drugs in and the Department will make sure they are disposed of properly.
- Building Matters – Andy Chalmers, Building Inspector
- Demolition Permit – Map V01, Lot 13 – (Owner – McDevitt & McCann) – House and two apartments There were no issues; the permit has been issued.
- Phil Davies – Town Website About a year ago Phil came to the Board and let them know he’d be looking to have the town take over the website; currently Phil, his wife Joan and Helene Matesky have been volunteering their time to do this. He is looking to turn the town stuff over to the Town Office and the tax collector stuff over to the Town Clerk/Tax Collector’s Office. Given the changes at the Offices, these folks have continued to provide services but now the Library is taking over its site and Phil is looking for an understanding that the Town will do the same. It takes about an hour or two per week to update the information. The volunteers will be cleaning up the site and will train those who take over. Office Administrator Atwell is willing to take this on;
Phil noted it’s good to have two people who can work with the software. Selectman Thompson is a bit concerned about asking the Town Clerk’s office to get involved at this time given the transition. Phil noted it will be a month to six weeks before they will have the site all cleaned up; he’ll call the Office when he’s ready to set up training.
- Highway Department – Update Chairman Allen reviewed Road Agent Henry’s report; the paving is completed; painting in the Office has been done; ditching is being done on Dundee and gravel maintenance is being done in preparation for winter.
- A/P Manifest to be signed The manifest was signed.
- Legal Expenses Chairman Allen noted the Shaw/Chase case is finalized and can be removed from the list; the case with former employee Diane Falcey is off the list as well since it is being handled by the LGC. There are currently two cases in progress; Gino Funicella’s case is at twenty-five-hundred while Frank Benesh’s case is at thirty-seven-hundred.
- State of New Hampshire – FEMA income The town has received the check from FEMA and needs to document that all work is one-hundred-percent completed. Selectman Thompson, seconded by Selectman Lockard, made a motion to give Chairman Allen authority to sign the document. The motion passed unanimously.
- New Business
- Tax abatement Selectman Thompson, seconded by Selectman Lockard, made a motion to approve the tax abatement for the two lots as recommended by Assessor Jason Call. The motion passed unanimously.
- Christmas Can Cure Chairman Allen noted the Wounded Warriors are coming to Jackson for the sixth Christmas Can Cure. Selectman Thompson, seconded by Selectman Lockard, made a motion to host Christmas Can Cure 2013. The motion passed unanimously.
- Department of Safety Communications The town needs to appoint two residents as contact persons should there be an emergency; these folks act as the go-between for the town and the Department of Safety. Selectman Thompson, seconded by Selectman Lockard, made a motion to appoint Emergency Management Director/Health Officer Grieg and Police Chief Meyers as the contact persons to confirm an emergency and determine the content of the emergency message. The Board recognizes that Chief Meyers is not in attendance to accept or decline; the Board will find someone else if Chief Meyers declines. The motion passed unanimously.
- Letter to Trash Haulers Bartlett asked for Jackson’s input regarding a letter the Bartlett Selectmen have generated that is addressed to trash haulers reminding them they have to recycle; they should be on the lookout for inspections and the town may revoke their ability to use the Transfer Station. The Board isn’t sure if this is for all folks who use the Station or just trash hauling businesses. Selectman Lockard noted this depends on what Bartlett is planning to do about it; he doesn’t want to hire people to open trash bags. Jackson doesn’t have any commercial haulers. Office Administrator Atwell will confirm who the letter is going out to; the Board doesn’t have an issue with the letter but doesn’t see how trash haulers are going to adhere
to it. Chairman Allen will also take this to Manager Edgerly for his input.
- Move funds from Capital Reserve Funds
- Old Library Selectman Thompson, seconded by Selectman Lockard, made a motion to withdraw Two-thousand-two-hundred-ninety-seven dollars and fifty cents from the Old Library Capital Reserve Fund to pay two invoices (Civil Solutions for $2175.00 and North Country Soil Services for $122.50). The motion passed unanimously.
- Road Construction Selectman Thompson, seconded by Selectman Lockard, made a motion to withdraw One-hundred-ninety-four-thousand, eight-hundred-twenty dollars and thirty-nine cents from the Road Construction Capital Reserve Fund to pay Pike Industries Invoice #29507 for Three-hundred-fifty-four-thousand, eight-hundred-forty-seven dollars and thirteen cents. The motion passed unanimously.
- Bill from Transfer Station The Board has received the bill from Bartlett for Jackson’s share of expenses to operate the Transfer Station. Jackson’s share (twenty-five percent) is eleven-thousand, six-hundred-seventy-seven dollars and sixteen cents.
- Payroll Office Administrator Atwell is asking to switch payroll services from In Addition to ADP; their services are online and the cost is about the same except the year-end reports are two-hundred dollars more. This is a minimal increase and the town will get a lot more; staff can even access the information online. Selectman Thompson, seconded by Selectman Lockard, made a motion to switch payroll services to ADP when the timing works for Office Staff. The motion passed unanimously.
- Black Mountain – follow up on Whitneys’ Pond The Board has received a letter from John Fichera regarding the pond; Office Administrator Atwell has also talked to Jeff; one party is hiring a consultant; they were to meet in October some time. Selectman Thompson wants to make sure the parties involved update the Board once they have their meeting. Mary Howe will be kept apprised as well.
- Sound System Sean came through with the information on this; it will be budgeted into the Wish List for the next annual meeting.
- Transfer Station Meeting The Office has a call in to Bartlett Selectmen’s Chair Chandler to set up an end of the year meeting for the Transfer Station.
- Public Comment There were none.
Selectman Thompson, seconded by Selectman Lockard, made a motion to go into Non-Public Session in accordance with RSA 91-A:3, II(a) at 5:32 p.m. The motion passed unanimously.
- RSA 91-A:3, II(a) The dismissal, promotion, or compensation of any public employee or the disciplining of such employee, or the investigation of any charges against him or her, unless the employee affected (1) has a right to a public meeting, and (2) requests that the meeting be open, in which case the request shall be granted.
Selectman Thompson, seconded by Selectman Lockard, made a motion to return to Public Session at 5:45 p.m. The motion passed unanimously.
Selectman Thompson, seconded by Selectman Lockard, made a motion to hire Julie Hoyt as the Town Office Administrative Assistant. The motion passed unanimously.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:46 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by:
Martha D. Tobin
Recording Secretary
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