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Board of Selectmen Minutes -- 11/07/2013
Jackson Selectmen’s Meeting
November 7, 2013

Present:        John Allen, Chairman; Bob Thompson and Bill Lockard, Selectmen

Visitors:       Office Administrator Julie Atwell, Police Chief Karl Meyers, Treasurer Warren Schomaker, Videographer Hank Benesh, EMD/HO Tom Grieg, Building Inspector Andy Chalmers, ACO Lauren Synnott, Library Trustee Denise Sachse, Engineer Burr Phillips, Bea Davis, Bob Davis, Dean Davis, Nancy Davis, Penny Miller

Chairman John Allen called the meeting to order at 4:32 p.m.

  • Amend & Approve Minutes
  • Selectmen’s Meeting – October 17, 2013  The minutes were approved as written.
  • Update on Action Items
  • False Burglar and Fire Alarms  The purpose of fines is to reduce nuisance alarms; currently folks are allowed two free false alarms; any alarm following will be fined at one-hundred dollars for each occurrence.  Police Chief Meyers proposes to continue with this fine schedule until there’s a reason not to; there have been no issues collecting the fines.
  • Dog licenses  Selectman Lockard apologized to anyone he gave wrong information to regarding what the ACO does; she is in attendance here tonight if folks need clarification.  He’s heard all kinds of opinions; he isn’t going to respond to anonymous letters anymore; he’ll accept any information, anonymous or not, to operate the process correctly; he won’t try to respond to anonymous requests but will take the information and use it properly.  Someone said Selectman Lockard didn’t answer the questions; he’d like to know what it is he didn’t do, as he’d like to try to resolve this.  Selectman Lockard noted there is a fiduciary responsibility involved here.  He read the law for the record and noted the bottom line is that people did not license their dogs.  The Town generated a list; this is no different than property taxes; the governing body has to find a way to collect it.  If a person comes to the town with six kids and says they need a place to live, they need money for groceries and utilities, the town has a responsibility to provide that.  This is the same thing; licensing of dogs is a rule of law; conceptually folks in town have agreed to these laws; if they don’t want to license their dogs then they can move.  There were two letters and two phone calls to folks with unlicensed dogs; following that the ACO contacted some folks.  The purpose of licensing is assuring dogs are vaccinated against rabies; the town doesn’t want a dog without its vaccination to bite a kid.  Additionally, it’s a matter of respect to have people pay for this; folks agreed to license their dog(s) by living here with these laws.  This may be a legal matter; it’s very emotional; Selectman Lockard is willing to wait to Town Meeting and ask the people.  If the voters don’t want to license dogs the town can make that decision.  Until that time, Jackson has a licensing requirement and Selectman Lockard took an oath to enforce it.  Theoretically, the town should go take the dogs; he doesn’t like it; he didn’t make the law but he has a fiduciary responsibility to resolve this situation.  Selectman Lockard has talked with Chief Meyers about this; it will take five-thousand dollars in warrants to resolve the twenty-eight dogs that are unlicensed.  The town has tried everything and then there was a letter written that he (Selectman Lockard) didn’t do his job.  At this point he will wait for Town Meeting for direction from the town.  
Denise Sachse asked if this is a New Hampshire state law; this was affirmed; she noted that folks then, can’t avoid licensing their dogs by leaving town; Selectman Lockard noted that is true but once these owners leave Jackson they are no longer the town’s problem.  The Selectmen are “the town”; the Board is obligated to do something; he’s trying to figure out a way to do his job.  It is concerning that the Board is talking about spending five thousand dollars to collect six-dollars and fifty cents for these twenty-eight dogs.  Selectman Lockard noted he doesn’t want to do it either but it’s a rule of law.  

Penny Miller noted many towns can’t afford an ACO and asked what they do about this issue; she asked what Jackson did before it hired an ACO.  She wants to know why Jackson got an ACO and why it didn’t stay with what was already in place.  Chairman Allen noted the issue was that Jackson was having a hard time getting the former ACO to respond to issues in a timely manner so the Board moved forward with a locally-based ACO.  

Selectman Thompson noted Jackson has always had an ACO.  Penny is aware that the town contracted with Betty Holmes.  She wondered if other towns have gotten better service from Betty and if the Board asked why it was not getting a timely response from Betty.  Selectman Thompson noted Jackson was not the only town having issues; the town had the option to have someone local to do this so they took advantage of the opportunity.  Penny noted the ACO budget was five-hundred dollars and now the Board is asking for five-thousand.  She wants to know if the Board has looked at other towns and what they have done about unlicensed dogs.  

Selectman Lockard appreciates Penny’s comments but isn’t interested in what everybody else does; if other towns let their dog run around without a rabies shot doesn’t make it okay.  There are a whole lot of communities that don’t do that but the town of Jackson decided on adhering to the law and for the Board to say it is not going to enforce it is inappropriate.  

Denise wondered if a viable alternative would be to take the monies owed and add it to the owner’s tax bill; however, it was pointed out the purpose of the law is for the owner to prove the dog’s rabies vaccination status.  Selectman Lockard noted the Board has discussed all kinds of methods; there may be dogs that were never licensed; the list of twenty-eight may include dogs that have died; there could be fifty dogs out there now.  Licensure of dogs is a rule of law; the Selectmen’s job carries a fiduciary duty.  Penny noted the Selectmen also have a responsibility to watch out for the taxpayer’s money and now the town is looking at five-thousand dollars and a new town employee.  

Selectman Thompson noted the Board has knowledge of the law; if they ignore that law and something bad happens then there is liability.  There is a philosophical piece here as some people don’t want to adhere to the law; this is not an easy issue.  Penny thinks the town has clearly done its due diligence in this matter.  Selectman Thompson won’t agree due diligence has been done until he has a legal opinion from Counsel that states that is so.  Anybody can sue anybody for anything; the Board is painfully aware of that.  

Selectman Lockard noted the onus is on the dog-owner to come in and pay the fees; the town doesn’t say it’s okay if you don’t want to pay your property taxes.  Penny noted there are a lot of laws on the books that the town doesn’t adhere to.  Chairman Allen thinks a warrant article may be the best way to handle this.  

Nancy Davis wondered if the Board talked with Betty; did she realize she wasn’t meeting Jackson’s goals.  

Penny wrote a letter to the Board regarding 911 addresses; she’s wondering if that is a law the town has chosen to ignore.  This is on the agenda for tonight; the Board didn’t willfully ignore licensing but then the Town Clerk brought the law to the Board’s attention; the Selectmen have an obligation to see this through now that they know about it.  If a majority of people in town don’t want the Board to enforce licensing they will follow that directive; until then the Board has a responsibility to deal with this.  

Selectman Lockard thought this was done three meetings ago but then he got a letter saying that he hadn’t done his job so he’s trying to do his job.  

Penny asked if anyone has found out why folks are unwilling to license their dogs; she’s really concerned with the taxpayer-expense; she feels it’s excessive that this tiny town has an ACO.  Penny noted this is nothing personal against Lauren; she and ACO Synnott have spoken about this.  Penny is also concerned about the ACO approaching people’s houses and knocking on doors.  That’s a bad idea; a risk is needlessly being taken.  It’s the “Ward Bird thing”; someone wandering uninvited onto a property is a safety issue.  She was assured this is a concern to the Board as well.
        
  • Fire Ponds  Office Administrator Atwell has the list of how many fire ponds the town has; folks can get a copy if desired once Road Agent/Fire Chief Henry reviews it.  Bob Davis wants to know about Whitneys’ pond. This is listed as a very important fire pond and the town does work on it.  Bob noted it was built as a swimming pool.  Selectman Lockard noted the Fire Department can go anywhere to get water and they become the controller of the water then.  Bob noted Bill Whitney built it in the 1950’s; the property had two major fires and that pond was not used for protection.  It was clarified that the pond was used on a fire last year.  Bob is very concerned that the town is getting involved with Whitneys’ Pond; that dam is in bad shape.  Selectman Lockard noted there is no intent for money to be spent on that pond.  Bob noted surveying is being done up there.  It was clarified that the owners are working with DES on it but it’s not going to be billed to the town; this will all be paid through private fees.
 
  • Transfer Station Meeting  This has been set for December 5th at 3:30 p.m. to be held in Jackson just prior to the Board’s regular meeting.  
  • Meeting with DES  Office Administrator Atwell had been asked to find out when this meeting was going to be held so Chairman Allen could attend; the parties involved already had the meeting and the results have not been forwarded yet.
  • Public Comments  Bea Davis noted that most communities have a listing in the Phone Book; there used to be a listing “Jackson, town of” with a listing of the different town numbers; that is no longer in the phonebook.  She feels folks shouldn’t have to call 911 if they have a question for the Jackson Police.  
Bea would also like to know what is going on up at the Falls.  It was explained the Conservation Commission is redoing the log retaining wall and putting in stone steps in an attempt to corral people down through just a few trails instead of walking all over.  Bob noted anything over two steps requires a railing; Penny isn’t sure if the Conservation Commission has made that plan but she suggested that the AMC might be a good resource; she will be the go-between.  Selectman Thompson noted the work being done is the result of a soil environmentalist that came in to work with the Conservation Commission on ways to conserve the area around the Falls.  Later in the meeting Building Inspector Chalmers was asked if he had any input regarding the Falls work; he’ll have to look at it; there is a different code when it comes to landscaping work and he’s not sure if that code will require railings.  Chairman Allen noted this is town property so the Board wants to make sure it’s safe.  Inspector Chalmers thinks railings are a great idea.  He’ll email his liaison after he looks at this project.  

  • Engineer Burr Phillips - Evans (added)  The Evans won an appeal through the ZBA; they were required to design their bridge to state standards.  The plans have been submitted and Engineer Phillips would like to know if the bill for his design review services should go to the owner or the town.  It was noted this will be the owner’s bridge; it was countered the ZBA is requiring the bridge to carry the town’s fire truck.  Bea noted the Fire Department won’t go over that bridge, they would use the pump to get water to the residence.  The Board doesn’t feel a review of the bridge plans is the town’s responsibility.  Engineer Phillips wondered if that means the Board doesn’t want him to review the bridge specifications at all; the Board does want the bridge to meet the requirements specified by the ZBA; the plan has to be certified as meeting state standards but that is the owner’s responsibility.  Engineer Phillips noted the owners have hired a consultant that designed a bridge; he wants it clarified that the Board wants the town’s Engineer to review the plans to make sure this meets what the ZBA required.  The Board does want Engineer Phillips to officially review the plans.  Engineer Phillips noted his brief review showed there was a tremendous amount of missing information however he was only provided with one page and there were supposed to be four.  From what he saw, he has no confidence that the bridge as designed would hold a fire truck.  Selectman Thompson noted the ZBA required the bridge to meet state standards so the homeowner has to verify he meets those.  Inspector Chalmers noted if the owner has submitted a stamped, engineered drawing to the town then it is their responsibility.  Engineer Phillips noted this plan is no different than septic plans; those all bear a stamp for the design and typically the town reviews those plans as well.  He noted this makes no difference to him; he’ll do whatever the Board wants him to do.  
Bea noted the ZBA clearly spelled out what was required.

Inspector Chalmers agrees the plans bear a quick review and then after the bridge is built the town needs to make sure they built what they said they were going to build.  Selectman Thompson clarified that the Board will want to hear from someone that this plan has been constructed based on the criteria that was laid out.  

Having Engineer Phillips review the plans will add about five-hundred dollars to the owner’s tab; he’d like the Board to make that clear to the landowner.  Office Administrator Atwell has the address for the owner; the Board will send a letter letting the landowner know the town expects to have its Engineer sign-off on the plans before he’ll get a building permit.  

Bob urged the Board to put this thing to bed; the guy has wanted to buy this property for a year now and is still hesitant due to these issues; let the sale go on.    

  • Police Report  Chief Meyers (joined at 5:21 p.m.) reviewed Department activities since the last meeting; some items included seven false burglar alarms; a purse was found and turned in; officers assisted the Ambulance on a medical call; there was a fire alarm at a restaurant.  A wallet was found and returned; two loose canines on Main Street were returned to their owner as they had their dog tags.  There were three Project Good Morning calls for the same person.  There was a panic button alarm in a residence and a report of gun shots off Carter Notch Road.  The Department has been working on a case regarding harassing phone calls; it’s hard to get results with Trac and throw-away phones; the phone company won’t give up anything; the Police had to get search warrants to send to Sprint to find out who pays the bills.  Senator Ayotte visited Jackson and that went well.  There was an alarm at the Nestlenook a few days prior to the fire.  A report was taken of theft from a home-based business of eight-hundred dollars as the result of a credit card being used without permission.  Two residents were fingerprinted for employment purposed, Officers responded to two smoke detector alarms.  There was a call for an intoxicated subject by the Church; there were two residential burglaries; there was also a burglary at a hotel; the Chamber of Commerce had Treat Street that went over well.  Officers have completed their yearly Taser training.  A report of vandalism was taken for a stone through a window on Main Street; there was a report of screens cut on Main Street as well.  Everyone is aware of the fire at Nestlenook; Chief Meyers noted the Fire Department did an outstanding job.  Officers assisted the Ambulance with an older person who fell and there were two Protection Notices served.  A sex offender moved into town and registered as required however this offender living in Jackson didn’t sit well with Chief Meyers as this person committed more severe offenses and has to check in four times a year.  Chief Meyers contacted this person’s parole officer and explained that he’d prefer the individual not be in this town but that didn’t work however, the county parole officer decided to reverse the decision and this person now has two weeks to move out of town, which is a good thing.  
Chief Meyers was asked for his input regarding the ACO as there had been questions as to why Jackson changed from its previous ACO to its new ACO.  The main reason was that Jackson was getting a lot of non-response from Betty; the Police would call and every single time they got her answering machine; sometimes Jackson got a call back, sometimes not and usually the problem was already resolved when she was heard from.  The last straw happened when Jackson had a situation with a dog-owner that was letting his dog run free; fines were not working as the owner would just pay them and continue to allow his dog to run loose.  Chief Meyers called Betty and asked her to please come and meet with him to discuss possible ways to gain compliance; Betty agreed to meet with Chief Meyers, they set a time and date and Betty didn’t show; Chief Meyers made the decision that it was time to move on.  Betty’s pay rate was $20 per hour when she was on the clock for work in Jackson.

Nancy asked if Chief Meyers can answer if the sex offender is someone working in town; that had been the plan.  Information on where that person lives is public information however, this person just registered yesterday so there’s been no time for the website to be updated.  Nancy asked if Chief Meyers can let folks know where this person is living since they will presumably be here for another two weeks.  Chief Meyer’s noted this person is residing right by his house, near the covered bridge which means he has a fifteen year old daughter that can’t be outside.
   
  • Dean Davis – Land Use Change Tax  Nancy Davis noted she and Dean were quite surprised to get their twenty-two-thousand, five-hundred dollar tax bill.  From 2007 to 2012 they applied for building permits and driveway permits; they relied on the information the Selectmen’s office provided and their permits were approved and then they get a bill six years later.  The Davises were told they had three acres out and were all set for building and their driveway.  They blasted in ’08; the Office told them they were all set; in ‘09 they put the road in; they have the pictures to show the site ready.  Then in 2013 they get a bill.  The bill gives them eighteen months to come up with the money.  Nancy noted they are trying to reconcile to the figures Town Clerk/Tax Collector Heidmann has put in these forms; now both Jeannette and Diane are no longer available and Assessor Call is not in attendance tonight.  Office Administrator Atwell left this on the agenda; Assessor Call knows he needs to be here; Assessor Call hasn’t responded yet to whether he can be at the next meeting.  There is an application to give the Davises to fill out; it has been recommended that the town waive the interest.  The Davises can’t complete the application without information from Assessor Call; the Davises are unable to figure out where these figures come from.  
Selectman Thompson let the Davises know the Selectmen are just learning about this, too.  He’d like to relieve the Davises of the stress regarding the interest; there will be no interest charge on it until the whole thing is settled; until there is an understanding of what is going on up there.  Nancy noted they went online to print the booklet that applies to their work and there are three up on the site; the driveway was done in 2009 and that booklet is gone.  They want to make sure they are looking at the guidelines that apply to them.  Selectman Thompson would like to have a separate work session on this; he’d like Office Administrator Atwell to schedule a special meeting that Assessor Call and the Davises can make; he’d like to get this squared away before Thanksgiving.  He wondered if this has happened to other folks; no one can remember this happening over the past three years.  Nancy wants to know how to find out what guidelines apply to them; Office Administrator Atwell will call the DRA to see if she can get that information for them.  She’ll let them know there’s an issue with work that was started in 2007 and which version is applicable.  Nancy noted their situation isn’t precedent-setting; they have been told that others have disturbed land and not had an issue; they can provide names.  The Davises went by the information told to them by the then staff in the Selectmen’s office.  Building Inspector Chandler will be at that work session as well.  

  • Building Matters – Andy Chalmers, Building Inspector
  • Building Permit 2013000054 – Map R17, Lot 31A-E08 (Owner – Emmerich) – Remodel Bathroom  This permit has been issued.
  • Building Permit 2013000055 – Void
  • Building Permit 2013000056 – Map V03, Lot 23 (Owner – Donoghue) – Extend Building Permit #2012000053 to build a 24 ft. x 60 ft. 2 bedroom house  This permit has been issued.
  • Demolition Permit issued for Wentworth (added)  Inspector Chalmers issued a demolition permit for work at Wentworth; asbestos was found around the old boiler room.  Couture is the contractor; he has to submit the information to the state for abatement and the state has a ten-day window to respond.  The state could say they have concerns however it is a small area and Inspector Chalmers doesn’t anticipate any issues with the state.  Inspector Chalmers met with Couture; this is in the design stage and he made it clear the town needs a stamped plan for Inspector Chalmers and Fire Chief Henry to review before it will be approved.  The application is in process; work will begin shortly and Inspector Chalmers wanted to make sure folks were aware. He will get a copy of the EPA information to Office Administrator Atwell.
  • Nestlenook Inn (added)  Inspector Chalmers noted there was a structure fire at the Nestlenook; there was work being done and there were no permits for that work.  He’s received several calls about inspections; none have been done.  The Board can issue fines for work being done without a permit; the work did potentially put the firefighters in harm’s way.  Selectman Thompson thought Robert was living there; Inspector Chalmers believed the building to be uninhabited.  There is a lesson here to always have a building permit.    
  • Job Description – Building Inspector (added)   George Howard has expressed concern about the lack of progress on this Job Description.  Inspector Chalmers will get it done; it’s been on the back-burner for him.  This week Selectman Thompson asked Office Administrator Atwell to round up a template for the job description as it seemed clear what the Board would want in that kind of contract.  Office Administrator Atwell also has a request out to other towns that contract the Building Inspector out.  He believes with these several documents the Board can craft something.  The Board is not at this time posting this position.  
Penny noted she paid over one-thousand dollars for her Building Permit; the intent of that fee is to go towards inspections; she’d like to know how that fee will be reduced now that the permit fee has been reduced to twenty-five dollars.  It was explained the twenty-five dollar fee is for the permit only; the application process costs the same for a mansion or a shed.  The inspection fee structure remains the same.

  • A/P Manifest to be signed   The A/P Manifest was signed; Office Administrator Atwell has found out the Board no longer needs to sign these in a meeting and that only two signatures are needed.
  • 2012 Audit (Prepared by Dave Mason) – To be Approved  Selectman Thompson, seconded by Selectman Lockard, made a motion to approve the 2012 Audit.  The motion passed unanimously.  
  • Legal Expenses  There are two cases; Benesh is at seven-thousand-nine-hundred dollars while the Funicella case is at eight-thousand-two-hundred dollars.  It was explained the total spent is about sixteen-thousand dollars; the line item is twenty-thousand dollars.  While it is near the end of year, this line will probably go over budget.
  • New Business
  • ADP – Power of Attorney for Taxes – FYI
  • Hastings Law Office – NNE Telephone – FYI  This is regarding Fairpoint suing to get a date for their tax status; Jackson is one of many.
  • McGee Company – Boiler – FYI  Selectman Thompson noted the boiler has failed in the town garage; it’s new but has been laying out in pieces since July.  Lyman went in to figure out the issue; McGee & Company, the contractor for the install, came out; they found drywall dust in there.  That’s an indication that it was run during construction and it shouldn’t have been.  WMOP now has the contract.  The town had WMOP, Lyman, McGee & Co and Elite Boiler all look at this boiler and all of them are saying it’s not their fault the boiler failed after two-and-a-half years as the boiler was run when it shouldn’t have.  Someone said the boiler was set up to run on natural not bottled gas.  WMOP got back to Selectman Thompson; they contacted Lewis Cassidy at McGee who did the installation and WMOP said they’d stand behind it; their position was clear; Elite was able to verify that it hadn’t been set up to run on natural gas, that wasn’t the issue.  The resolution is that McGee offered to install a new boiler for two-thousand-dollars.  Selectman Thompson feels that is a fair offer; the town has a new boiler for around five-thousand dollars.  He noted the town should look at this as a one-point-two million dollar project that the town had to spend another five-thousand dollars on.
  • National Flood Insurance Program – FYI  The town is compliant.
  • Department of Revenue – Carroll County Apportionments 2013 – FYI
  • Administrative Assistant Hours – FYI  Office Administrator Atwell had spoken with Selectman Thompson about this; she’d like to move Administrative Assistant Hoyt up to thirty-five hours instead of thirty-two because there is a need for the extra hours.  When asked if this was a request for a permanent change or to work on a project, Office Administrator Atwell noted it is a request for a permanent increase; after having Administrative Assistant Hoyt in here, Office Administrator Atwell feel it’s appropriate.  The Office is still coming in under budget for this year and having the extra three hours per week is still five hours less than the Office was operating with last year.  Selectman Thompson thinks this is okay; the Office needs the extra hours to catch up.  Office Administrator Atwell was reminded to reflect this in the budget for next year and to make sure the cost of living increase is tacked on, too.  
  • Map R12, Lot 130 – Update   A letter from Lucy Bellen has been received; Inspector Chalmers thinks it’s a good resolution; she’s been given a little extra time; she has secured the hole in the front area; Inspector Chalmers would love to see the trash cleaned up and he has confirmed there is no electricity to the house.  Selectman Thompson noted the letter doesn’t spell out a plan; Inspector Chalmers will respond.  He hasn’t spoken with her; he’s handled this just through correspondence.  The power was taken care of right away; Inspector Chalmers was pleased with that; the Board thinks it would be nice to get community folks to volunteer to help her out.
  • MS1 – to be signed  Selectman Thompson, seconded by Selectman Lockard, made a motion to approve and sign the MS1.  The motion passed unanimously.  
  • Library – Handicapped Parking Space  The Library would like this to be done before winter; Road Agent/Fire Chief Henry has indicated it’s not a problem with the space being moved as long as he has an area available for a fire lane.  Denise noted the Library needs that spot to be closer to the door as it’s icy out there.  The Board wants to know if the plan is to leave it as two handicapped parking spaces or one handicapped parking space and one fire lane. There are three spaces total; the Board is going to keep that total and move one.  Selectman Thompson will work with Road Agent/Fire Chief Henry to make sure the spot doesn’t impact his ability to meet fire safety obligations.  
  • Workforce housing – Survey  The Board is being asked if it does or does not want to support work force housing legislation.  Selectman Lockard is not a big regulation guy; he doesn’t want any more regulation so he’d say repeal it but he’s concerned it will bring in another issue.  It was clarified that the state didn’t send this to Jackson and it’s not from Theresa Kennett’s coalition.  This is asking to support repeal; Selectman Thompson is not inclined to support it unless someone wants to come in and explain it.  Chairman Allen and Selectman Lockard agree there is no action necessary.
  • Public Restrooms  An e-mail came in regarding public restrooms; a suggestion was made regarding allowing use of the one in the equipment shed; this is opened during sanctioned sporting events so they can have a restroom.  If other sanctioned events want access to it the Board is all ears but the Board is not sure the town has funding resources to open and/or maintain a public restroom.  Denise pointed out the Library and Town Offices have public restrooms available when these buildings are open.
 
  • Rental properties (added)  An enquiry has been made about using the park for receptions; the town doesn’t have an ordinance about alcohol use but Inspector Chalmers noted whoever uses it would have to get a permit of assembly issued by the Fire Department.  Office Administrator Atwell will contact the LGC about this as well as the Chamber to see what they do when they hold the Wild Quack Race.
  • Old Business
  • ACO – Response Letter from Lauren Synnott  ACO Synnott would like her response read into the record just as the anonymous letter was.  
October 17, 2013

Lauren Synott
PO Box 705
Jackson, NH 03846

Dear Jackson Board of Selectmen,

This letter is a response to the anonymous letter that was included in the minutes from your last meeting regarding my position as the animal control officer for the town of Jackson.  I feel that it is only fair for you to read and include this response in the next minutes like (the) anonymous letter was.

I take my position as the animal control officer very seriously and am extremely dedicated to it.  I am on call 24 hours a day seven days a week to respond to animal related calls (in) town   I do not get paid to be on call and have a budget of only $500 annually.  This amount covers my driving expenses at best.  The writer’s concern that the job is going in the direction of full time is completely unfounded.  The writer also asked why Jackson needs an animal control officer while Bartlett doesn’t have one.  This is completely false.  Bartlett does have an animal control officer, and her budget is three times what mine is.  The state requires that every town has someone to deal with animal related calls for public safety.  It can be an animal control officer, an agent of the local humane society or a police officer who has special equipment (and hopefully training) to do the job.  

I am highly qualified to be an animal control officer due to my education and past work experience, which is why Chief Karl Myers hired me to do the job.  I have a degree in wildlife biology and have worked in many jobs that involved working with animals of all types.  I am also certified to be an animal control officer by the State of Maine (NH does not have a program) and am a certified part time police officer by the state of New Hampshire.  I use my own vehicle for animal control work.

The writer questioned my ability and authority to deal with bears and other wild animals.  Assisting NH Fish and Game is listed in my job description as part of my responsibilities.  I also have a Bachelor of Science degree in wildlife biology from Colorado State University (one of the most respected programs in the country).  I have worked as a wildlife biologist, wildlife rehabilitation assistant, took a licensing course from NH Fish and Game called Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator and took another course at UNH through New England Animal Control Humane Academy called Identifying and Handling Wildlife and Potentially Dangerous Reptiles.  In addition to all this training, every time I deal with wild animals, I call NH Fish and Game to ask for direction and then call back after I have handled the situation to report the outcome.  I also have all my rabies vaccinations in case I am bitten or scratched.  I am oftentimes able to respond to wildlife calls quicker than Fish and Game because I am right in town and available on any day and time.  They have always been very appreciative of my assistance.

As far as my following up on the people who have not renewed their dogs’ licenses in town, that effort was directed to me by the board of selectmen and is in accordance with state law.  The town makes no money on this project at all, and the concern was public safety.

I strongly encourage anybody who has questions or concerns about the animal control officer to approach me or the police department directly.

Sincerely,

Lauren Synnott

Chairman Allen noted the Board appreciates everything ACO Synnott does; the position at five-hundred dollars is woefully underfunded; the Board went with what was in the line to start with; at budget time the Board will discuss what the town wants to do.  Selectman Thompson noted ACO Synnott makes a number of points in her letter; the town is required to have someone to respond to animal-related incidents, ACO Synnott is highly qualified to do the work and she was following-up on the licenses at the direction of the Board.  Continuing to pursue unlicensed dogs has to do with the Board and state laws, not ACO Synnott or Chief Meyers.
        
  • 911 – Numbering System  Selectman Thompson asked for the Board to have a discussion about the 911 numbering system; all towns are required to have the 911 system in place; the town started it by purchasing street signs then the homeowners were responsible to make sure their houses were numbered in accordance with the stipulations.  Those stipulations are on the website; they are very specific as to what is required; it’s been a long time and the town doesn’t have compliance.  Selectman Lockard noted the federal government let Jackson know that in order to get federal funds the town had to get signs.  How to resolve this issue is another question.  It may be easier to buy the signs for folks to put up.  Nancy asked if there is a resource in town or on the website about this.  EMD/HO Grieg noted the Bartlett Fire Department has them for fifteen dollars; they are highly visible to those who have to try to find folks in the middle of the night.  It was queried as to being able to purchase a sign even if one was not a resident; Bartlett is using this as a fundraising effort so anyone can get one.  EMD/HO Grieg noted, to Chief Meyer’s credit, he acts as a lighthouse as he goes in and finds most of the locations for first-responders.  Office Administrator Atwell will get the information out to e-news.  Inspector Chalmers suggested Jackson Fire Department might want to use this as a fundraising opportunity as well.  EMD/HO Grieg noted in Rhode Island folks had to comply when they sold their house; it was a fire safety issue; the sale couldn’t close unless the smoke detectors work and 911 numbering is in place.  Selectman Thompson feels it would be appropriate to have a compliant sign verified before issuing a Certificate of Occupancy.  Inspector Chalmers agreed that would be perfect; this is life safety stuff; smoke detectors are already part of the permit; it would be easy to add the 911 numbering to the application; that would be pretty easy to enforce.  The Board would like to see the information on the website too.  
  • Avatar – FYI  This was discussed at the last meeting; the contract has been signed.
  • Electioneering – Jackson School Board  Selectman Thompson attended the last School Board meeting; the Board had a sketch presented that showed the School Board had altered the area that was agreed upon for electioneering.  The School Board never approved that area in front of the school on their electioneering policy; they only approved the side area only, they did not approve the area in front.  They had their second reading of this policy that shows the area; that’s their decision.  
Office Administrator Atwell noted she has another item that should have been included under New Business; the Police Department can hear every move that is made in the Office.  A suggestion was made that carpet with foam padding would help with that and an estimate for that came in at nine-hundred-ninety-five dollars.  There are funds available in the line item for Equipment Repairs and Purchases and Office Administrator Atwell would like to pursue this.  Officer Jette has confirmed he can hear their chairs moving around; he said it sounds like a train down there.  There is no insulation in the floor system; Inspector Chalmers suggested adding insulation above the Police Station.  Office Administrator Atwell would like to pursue installation of carpeting; Selectman Lockard is not against it, he’s just curious if this is the answer.   Inspector Chalmers is not sure that a carpet is going to do it; commercial carpet is not usually padded well; it might make more sense to look at what can be done underneath.  A dropped ceiling would be easy to insulate.  ACO Synnott noted carpeting would help with the sound of chairs overhead.  Selectman Thompson is concerned that the town could have carpeting installed without addressing the sound issue; he would prefer to appropriate an amount of money to also cover the cost of a couple of rolls of insulation up to twelve-hundred dollars total for both; he’d like to try the insulation first.  Selectman Lockard agrees that should be the first step; if it doesn’t work then put the carpet in.  While Road Agent Henry would be capable of putting in the insulation between the floors, Inspector Chalmers suggested calling Superior Insulation for an estimate; he’s pretty sure they can install the insulation faster and cheaper than Road Agent Henry can buy the insulation for.  Selectman Thompson has the measurements and will contact Quality Insulation to get an estimate.

  • Public Comment  There were no comments from the public at this time however, EMD/HO Tom Grieg let the Board know the Hazard Mitigation Plan is ready to be reviewed prior to submission to FEMA.  Selectman Lockard hasn’t seen it; Office Administrator Atwell will forward it; Road Agent/Fire Chief Henry and Police Chief Meyers need to review this also.  An emergency drill was held on Black Mountain which went really well; it opened some eyes.  The MCI trailer is back at Gray’s Inn Garage; after ten years the pens are dried up and there are a few other issues to be fixed.  He’d like to thank the Fire Department for the great job they did last week at Nestlenook; the town appreciates the work they do; it was very dangerous over there and luckily no one got hurt.  
Selectman Thompson, seconded by Selectman Lockard, made a motion to go into Non-Public Session in accordance with RSA 91-A:3, II (a), matters involving the dismissal, promotion, compensation or disciplining of any public employee at 6:44 p.m.  The motion passed unanimously.  

  • Non-Public Session
  • 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.
Respectfully submitted by:

Martha D. Tobin

Recording Secretary