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Board of Selectmen Minutes -- 02/06/2014
Jackson Selectmen’s Meeting
February 6, 2014

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

Visitors:       Town Office Administrator Julie Atwell, Office Administrative Assistant Julie Hoyt, Videographer Hank Benesh, Road Agent/Fire Chief Jay Henry, Police Chief Karl Meyers, Police Officer Sean Cowland, Building Inspector/Fire Inspector Bob Goudreau, Emergency Management Director/Health Officer Tom Grieg, Treasurer Warren Schomaker, Jerry Dougherty, Kathleen Dougherty, Bill Wogisch, Bea Davis, George Howard, Nancy Davis

  • Amend & approve minutes
  • Selectmen’s Meeting – January 23, 2014  The minutes were approved as written.
  • Goody – Building Inspector Interiews  Fire Chief/Road Agent Jay Henry and Building Inspector/Fire Inspector Bob Goudreau joined the Board.  Inspector Goudreau has been making headway on the last few outstanding applications as well as discovering a few others that were not known about but have been handled in-house.  He has a question on one of the last outstanding applications; he’d like to know what the process is to move the it forward.  This is the Couture application off Green Hill Road; the former building inspector made a recommendation not to issue the permit because the plan didn’t comply.  In his research Inspector Goudreau has found no reason not to issue the permit; the regulation the denial was based on pertains to the erection of homes on streets; in this case the road is the driveway up to the house; this is not a landlocked piece of property; it doesn’t have frontage but the driveway does; the driveway has a permit already issued; there is nothing in the regulation regarding the length of the driveway and nothing in the ordinances either.  It was called “landlocked” for the denial; it is accessible through a driveway; this doesn’t apply to building on streets and approval of the permit would be consistent with what Jackson has done in the past.  The owner was surprised with the denial which was issued on January 2, 2014 and stated it was because the property was landlocked; the only way to get in was a logging road.  This property is on the end of Mr. Couture’s driveway; it doesn’t sit on the street.  Road Agent/Fire Chief Henry reviewed the lot; the property is accessed via the driveway; he doesn’t see why this is defined as landlocked; the driveway’s been there longer than the owner.  The Board agrees there is no reason to deny it; Inspector Goudreau will sign it.  Chairman Allen noted the Selectmen used to sign the permits; that duty has been handed over to the Building Inspector.  
Road Agent/Fire Chief Henry would like to look at inspections from the point of fire department access and driveway permits.  He’d like to know if the building inspector is doing building and zoning enforcement because those are two different things and the job description doesn’t include zoning.  It was clarified that the duty of the building inspector is to enforce the Jackson Zonng Ordinances.  The building inspector verifies the setbacks and other things like that but is also the enforcement agent for zoning too.  

The Board has handed all of this over to the building inspector; Inspector Goudreau was thanked for taking on the outstanding applications.  Inspector Goudreau noted he’s glad to help out; the outstanding permits have quadrupled compared to what he was handed; there were definitely more than what was thought to be outstanding; it’s well beyond the five the Board thought were pending.  The town can transfer any of these to MRI if Inspector Goudreau doesn’t want to take them on; he noted most of these are minor; most of the paperwork involved in these applications is missing.  Fire Chief/Road Agent Henry would like to mention a fire department concern; over the last five years, since Jackson started dealing with an outside contractor, there has been a huge lack of paperwork and being able to access it after these contractors are gone is a problem; communication between the fire inspector and building inspector has been a huge issue.  This started way back when Jackson lost Bergeron; it is Fire Chief/Road Agent Henry’s hope these problems will be resolved with the next one; he is stressing that moving forward.  

As far as setting up interviews for the building inspector position, there’s one applicant so far; applicatons must be submitted by the 7th.  Goody has agreed to help go through these; Selectman Lockard will work with Goody to get the process going; Town Office Administrative Assistant Hoyt will be involved as she would be working with the successful candidate.  Huntley Allen had asked to be on the committee that interviewed applicants; Chairman Allen would like to add two more for a committee of five; he thinks one should be a contractor and the other an “at-large” resident from town.  Fire Chief/Road Agent Henry and Inspector Godreau will give the Selectmen a letter with input regarding concerns and issues with building inspectors since 2008.  The Board is happy to accept anything that will make the system better.  Inspector Godreau noted there are a lot of codes that overlap; the process doesn’t end with the Certificate of Occupancy; the building is here, from their perspective, until it burns down and it’s their job to make sure that doesn’t happpen; the building inspection process is the only  chance to make sure things are done right; documentation needs to be passed along at the time of construction because once it’s already done they can’t go in to tell folks to change it.  Fire Chief/Road Agent Henry suggests putting Inspector Goudreau on every Thursday so folks know to come and find him at the Office on Thursdays; it would be huge if the building inspector could work every Thursday too; that way the town would gain the communication between Inspector Goudreau and the Building Inspector and folks will know that they work in town on Thursdays.  It was clarified these folks may need more than just the one day and that both the Fire Inspector and the Building Inspector will be signing permits; this provides the health and safety piece, more accountability and more access to the general public.    

  • Action Items
  • Set time and date of business portion of Town Meeting  Selectman Thompson, seconded by Selectman Lockard, made a motion to set 7 p.m. Thursday March 13, 2014 at the Whitney Center for the business portion of Town Meeting.  The motion passed unanimously.    
  • CPR Training Option  Chairman Allen noted the Ambulance meeting was cancelled so he has no information; he wondered if EMD/HO Tom Grieg might know about CPR Training options.  EMD/HO Grieg asked if folks want a certification or are just looking for an education.  The Library is having its AED training on February 18th at 7:30 p.m.  There are other options if they would like the full blown certification class; EMD/HO Grieg will do some checking.  
  • Warrant  The Public Hearing for the Warrant Articles is set for February 11th  at 6 p.m.
  • Public Comments  Police Chief Karl Meyers joined the Board; he’s been informed there is going to be a complaint lodged against the Police and he’d like to present information pertaining to that concern.  On January 25th a parking ticket was written at Black Mountain; the owner of Black Mountain is claiming multiple tickets were written and Chief Meyers presented the ticket pad for the Board to verify that the previous ticket was written on January 11, 2014; on January 25th citation number 1051 was written at Black Mountain and citation number 1052 is still in the book; there were not numerous tickets written on the 25th.  Chief Meyers provided the Board with pictures of what was observed on that day; the vehicle had room to pull forward but didn’t and was out too far on a blind curve.  Chief Meyers is not sure what the complaint is about other than that a Black Mountain patron got a ticket; the car could have been towed.  The Selectmen haven’t heard anything other than Chief Meyers request to be on the agenda for tonight.  The Board agreed that’s a tough spot; if someone came around with a plow they could have clipped that car.
Jerry Dougherty noted that failing a warrant by Selectmen, the Moderator is stuck with enforcing the ten foot rule at election polls; he is sugesting that the Board come up with an ordinance and put it on the warrant to support whatever is constitutionally competent.  Chairman Allen noted the Selectmen are presenting articles for that.  The town has to rescind the old ordinance that was specific to the town hall and then there is a second one to correct the wording.  Jerry wondered about money for the article; there is no money associated with this article.  He wondered if there is a warrant article to change the amount of money being raised; this was negated.  He asked if there has been a warrant article added that would change the bottom line on the budget and Office Administrator Atwell noted not all warrant articles were in at the time the budget was reviewed; the warrant article meeting is next week.  Jerry asked if there is a warrant article going on the ballot that would adopt any RSAs that Jackson hasn’t currently adopted and Office Administrator Atwell noted the Library has requested an article based on an RSA to keep the money they earn from office equipment.

Jerry wants to  confirm that the Selectmen no longer issue or rule on building permits.  Chairman Allen noted the Selectmen oversee what the Building Inspector does however he has sole authority.  Jerry noted RSA 676.11.13 says that anyone with standing can appeal the building inspector’s decision within thirty days; he wondered if the Selectmen could overrule his decisions.  The Board has the ability to appeal the decision but can’t overrule the decision.  

George Howard asked if the Board is taking comments on the draft of the contract for the building inspector.  This was affirmed; the Board welcomes input.    

  • Police Report  Officer Sean Cowland noted he was unable to attend the last meeting so this report encompasses the past month.  Some items discussed included ten false burglar alarms, a domestic disturbance which resulted in a protective custody arrest and transport to County.  There were seven vehicles off the road and three motor vehicle accidents; none were serious.  There were three broken down vehicles and many parking issues that caused problems during the snow storm; there was one welfare check; one reckless operation complaint; one criminal mischief complaint; one dead animal complaint; a pair of glasses was turned in; there were five medical assistance calls and five different times at court for arraignment and/or trials.  A missing person report came in and that person was found after a couple of hours.  A Jackson resident’s oil went dry so the Police Department made calls to get that situation taken care of.  There was one request for a house check; a noise complaint came in; the complainant thought it was gun shots but it was fireworks.  One bag of unwanted prescription drugs was turned in; one harrasment complaint came in; a couple of residents were fingerprinted for employment purposes.  Chairman Allen asked what a house check is; Officer Cowland noted if residents are out of the area they can call and an Officer will check on their home.  Selectman Thompson thanked the Police for assisting the resident who ran out of oil.  He’d like to know what Jackson’s parking ban is and how folks are notified about it.  Officer Cowland noted that generally there are signs posted that list times and/or places where parking is banned.  The Highway Department needs to be able to clear out these areas without anyone in the way.  The Harvard House on Route 16 has an issue at least once a year; the State Highway wants cars five feet off the pavement so when there is any vehicle on the pavement the State calls Jackson to respond.  There was a batch of tickets written on January 11th for vehicles parked where the No Parking signs were.  Kathleen Dougherty noted the Police aren’t thanked enough; they do a wonderful job.
  • Legal Expenses  The final total is in for the two lawsuits that have been settled.  The total for the Funicella lawsuit is eight-thousand, fifteen dollars and eighty-six cents; the total for the Benesh lawsuit is seventeen-thousand, seven-hundred-fifty-seven dollars and forty-seven cents; five-thousand dollars of which was the settlement fee.  Bill Wogisch thought there were costs associated with these cases in 2012; this is an approximate total for 2013.
  • New Business
  • Scrap Metal Agreement  Selectman Thompson, seconded by Selectman Lockard, made a motion to sign the agreement to pay twelve-hundred-fifty dollars to Roger Labbee for the Scrap Metal Agreement.  The motion passed unanimously.  
  • Town Treasurer – appointed vs. elected  This is an on-going battle; Selectman Lockard believes the treasurer should be an appointed person; he feels there would be a smoother transition if the person in the position wants to resign.  Now Jackson has to move someone new in with the election.  Bea Davis thinks the treasurer should be elected; Chairman Allen noted that currently the treasurer is an elected position; if someone wants to change that then a warrant article has to be submitted.  Bea believes if this Board appoints someone another group of Selectmen would come in and it’s “off with your head”.  It was clarified that as long as someone runs or is written in this year (and accepts) then that person will be elected; if no one runs then the Selectmen have to appoint someone; the RSA already says that.    
Jerry wondered if Treasurer Schomaker has an opinion about this; Treasurer Schomaker thinks this is a large issue and he’s not ready to give an opinion as he hasn’t thought it through.  He intends to leave a report for the Board; he quiped that after nine years it will be one page double-spaced and he will include his thoughts on the subject of elected versus appointed.  There is currently a candidate for the position; if that person or any write-in declines the position then the Board has to appoint someone within six days.  Jerry thinks the treasurer should have minimal qualifications; Treasurer Schomaker will pass on what he thinks and then it will be up to the Board to see who meets those qualifications.  Jerry noted requiring qualifications is his only reason to suggest appointment by the Selectmen; they could investigate the person’s qualifications or lack thereof; the voters may not understand the qualifications needed for a treasurer.  Jerry thinks either the ZBA or the Planning Board should be elected with the other being appointed; this would provide check and balances.  Bea wants to know if qualifications have been established for those that run for Selectmen; Selectman Thompson noted there is no litmus test about who can run or not.  

Kathleen noted the treasurer is dealing with a lot of money; there are two and a half million dollars in investments; she feels if Jackson were to have someone that was not qualified to deal with those kinds of figures there would be problems.  The person who signs up might decide being the treasurer is a great job but not be qualified to deal with the money.  

Nancy Davis wondered if the appointed treasurer would be an employee; it is a paid position.  Kathleen sees no difference between the treasurer and the Office staff; Office staff had to have qualifications to be hired; she’d like to see a warrant article on the ballot to change the position to appointed (it was later noted that this could be a petitioned article or the Selectmen could present it).  Selectman Thompson noted there was a point in time when no one filed for the Treasurer and Auditor positions; those positions require expertise to perform the tasks involved.  The Board had asked Town Counsel to look at a warrant article that would allow them to change the treasurer to an appointed position.  That article would do nothing for this year’s election; the person elected would serve one year and then in March 2015 the change would go into effect.  Jerry thinks the voters should decide; he’s for appointment and in favor of allowing the legislative body to decide.  The treasurer should be the least political position; appointment removes the politics.  It was noted the treasurer doesn’t issue any policy so politics are not involved.

Treasurer Schomaker noted folks are talking about qualifications; he believes the amount of time required to do the job overshadows that; he attempted to resign in June and at that time he made the point that this is almost a salaried position because of the time required; it’s difficult to find someone to commit the necessary time. Funds collected have to be deposited within twenty-four hours; there have been well over four-hundred separate deposits that have to be made; he’s spent over two-thousand dollars in mileage going to the bank and coming back to the office.  Jerry asked if Treasurer Schomaker thinks this takes at least twenty hours a week; this was affirmed.  The Office and the Town Clerk staff both take in funds; the treasurer is in the middle; his first responsibility is to “save the cash”; there can’t be money bypassing the treasurer.  Jerry would like to know if the job involves managing cash from investments; Treasurer Schomaker noted it’s not a function of the job right now as there’s no money to be made.  Town staff help to manage funds; they pay the bills as soon as they arrive.  Jerry asked if the town has any lines of credit for slow times; the town can use a TAN if necessary; those funds are managed directly by Office Administrator Atwell and the treasurer.  It’s a rather involved position.  

George believes it is better to have government elected; he thinks it may be helpful to develop a document that shows what the job looks like.    

Chairman Allen noted there’s more discussion to be had on this; the state may be issuing more information based on the Hanover case.  Selectman Lockard was just looking for a transition plan, which he thought would be easier to develop if the position were appointed.  Selectman Thompson noted the treasurer is an elected position and will be filled on March 11th; the Board has received good input tonight.

If the elected treasurer were to die the Board has the authority to appoint someone to the position.  If the treasurer were to appoint a deputy treasurer who was a resident of Jackson then the deputy can move into the treasurer position.  If there is no deputy or if the deputy is not a resident then the Selectmen would appoint someone.  

Selectman Lockard noted folks need to seriously consider the “pay” for this; five-thousand dollars for this job is an insult; that’s the key reason no one applies.  Treasurer Schomaker noted the treasurer works for three-dollars an hour; folks don’t do the job for the money.  Kathleen asked how the town can give the treasurer a raise.  Bea noted folks shouldn’t serve for the money; they should serve because they are helping their town.  Selectman Thompson noted this is a fair question; the voters would have to propose a raise and put it in the budget.  Treasurer Schomaker will have his report by the next meeting; he’d like to point out that whether this is an elected or an appointed position, the town has to maintain the checks and balances; it’s too easy to be subject to fraud.  

Nancy is wondering how anyone would know if they were interested in being the treasurer unless there was a detailed list of what is involved.  Selectman Thompson asked Treasurer Schomaker if there were any guidance documents for him when he took this on nine years ago; Treasurer Schomaker had only the RSAs to go by.  The Board agrees it would be nice to have a document that says “this is the way to do it”.  Nancy wondered if Treasurer Schomaker were to appoint a deputy that person could be other than a Jackson resident.  It was clarified that, just like with the deputy town clerk position, anyone can be appointed but that person can’t step into the treasurer position if s/he is not a resident.  The previous treasurer was on for twenty-three years; during that amount of time the chance for an error were out of sight; Treasurer Schomaker believes Jackson has as good a system as needed to “guard the cash”.  Bill thinks this is a big responsibility to assume for five-thousand dollars a year; Jackson is not attracting good candidates because of the money.  The Board is also disturbed to hear Treasurer Schomaker is spending two-thousand dollars on gas.  

  • Bailer Request – Bartlett/Jackson Transfer Station  The bailer can’t be repaired; the towns have to invest in a new one now.  It will be eighteen-thousand dollars for a new one; Manager Edgerly is investigating some used ones.  The plan is to use money out of the Bartlett/Jackson Transfer Station Operating Account to pay for this.  Bill wants to know what Jackson’s portion of that will be; the Board will check the contract but it is believed this would qualify as a major expense; that would be a sixty/forty (Bartlett/Jackson) split.  Bill recommends buying a new bailer; if the town buys a used one then it will spend any money it saved on fixing it.  Office Administrator Atwell will find out the account balance; it will be another twenty-five-hundred dollars to move the machines.  Bartlett Selectmen approved spending for this at their regular meeting yesterday.  The Board will leave the decision on the bailer to Manager Edgerly; he’s the expert and knows what he needs.  Since the Board needs to act on this before an actual machine has been decided on, it can move to spend the maximum amount for a new bailer and any adjustment can be made at the next meeting.  (Later in the meeting it was determined a motion was needed on this item; it is listed here for continuity).  Selectman Thompson, seconded by Selectman Lockard, made a motion to spend Jackson’s portion of the eighteen-thousand dollars for the bailer and the twenty-five-hundred dollars for moving expenses out of the Bartlett/Jackson Transfer Station Operating Account.  The motion passed unaniously.   It was reiterated Jackson’s portion is forty-percent of the total.  
  • Warren Schomaker – Budget Update  Treasurer Schomaker noted the school budget wasn’t finalized until last night.  This is FYI; there is an increase of one-hundred-eighty-five-thousand dollars in the last half of this year but it is not impacting Jackson’s cash flow; that additional requirement will be corrected when the Board sets the new tax rate to recoup that.  Selectman Thompson asked if the school was over budget; Treasurer Schomaker explained this is due to their budget cycle; the school runs July to June while the town runs January to December.  This really isn’t an issue; it’s new information the school furnished based on last night’s budget.  There was a fifteen percent increase in the school’s budget; the budget increased due to tuition; the cost of tuition goes up as does the number of students Jackson is tuitioning to Bartlett and Kennett and all the operating costs go up every year.  
  • Bridge Inspection Report – No Action Required  There were recommendations for some signage otherwise no action is required.
  • Forest Service – Request for comments from Saco Ranger District   This is all related to the damage done by Hurricane Irene; it is not an action item; the Forest Service is letting Jackson know that they are going to be decommissioning the shelter and they are requesting comments.  There are thirteen miles of hiking trails which need repair or relocation.  Selectman Thompson thinks the Conservation Commission might want to look at this information.  There will be a notice in the enews letting folks know this report is available and that the Forest Service is taking comments.  
  • Health Insurance  There have been some questions regarding “grandfathered” standing for one-hundred percent employer covered health insurance.  The Board has been advised by Town Counsel that such standing does not exist and some employees may have to make contributions toward their health insurance in the future.  Presently employees pay fifteen percent of the premium; for the family plan, that is ninety-five dollars per week.  There are two employees that don’t make any contribution at all; it was thought they were grandfathered with the old health insurance program; this is a problem to be rectified.  Jerry noted the Board has the option to ramp up their pay to cover the fifteen percent increase; it’s not fair to hit those two with fifteen percent all at once.  Bill would like to know how this discussion came about and Chairman Allen noted a year ago a question about this surfaced and it’s been kicked around and investigated; it went to Counsel and to the LGC; both agreed there’s no grandfathering.  It’s not illegal to continue paying one-hundred percent for these two employees premiums but other employees would have a basis for complaint.  The town has two employees that were employed when the town paid one-hundred percent of health insurance; it was decided to let them keep that option while the town now pays eighty-five percent for all new employees.  These two employees are both Policemen and this year the Board has focused on the Police Department as Jackson’s Officers are grossly underpaid compared to their counterparts.  The Board discussed an eight percent raise each year for the next three years to bring them up to the current average; that seemed fair while at the same time these employees’ collegues are paying fifteen percent.  If the Board agees to an incrementalized increase in pay then incrementalizing their contribution to health insurance would seem appropriate; it’s fair to look at the whole thing.  Bill thinks the Board should do five percent each year to bring them in line within five years.  Bea asked if the comparison used for police pay rates was with towns the same size as Jackson or larger ones; it was noted the information was provided by both same size and larger towns.  Some of the other towns are getting their health paid in full.  There are too many factors that affect pay including years of experience.  It was clarified that Jackson’s officers are ten-to-twenty-thousand dollars below the average.  Discussion was had about giving an eight percent raise and asking for a five percent contribution, each year for three years, toward insurance; this would result in a three percent increase and they are now paying something towards their insurance.  Bill thinks it’s not fair to give and take; Selectman Thompson noted taking their zero contribution to seven-and-a-half percent with an eight percent pay increase is still a pay raise; it creates animosity for there to be different benefits.  Jerry thinks this is foolish; these guys have been with the town for years; they should keep that benefit.  Chairman Allen noted he used to have a zero contribution to insurance and now he’s paying twenty percent due to collective bargaining.  Selectman Thompson noted the Board did get a response from the LGC and Town Counsel that benefits should be consistent across the board.  Selectman Lockard noted he’s had it brought to his attention that full benefits are being paid for some and not for others; this has not been a quiet process.  Bill thinks the town should reward people for time served; these employees are more valuable to Jackson than those just coming on.  Nancy agrees with Bill but it comes down to discrimination; if Jackson wants to reward a person then pay them more not increase their benefits; those additional benefits should be taxable too.  The town could do a part cash payment to them to allow this change to go through more smoothly but the result will be the same; the Board is trying to facilitate having these two employees participate in paying for their health care.  He is inclined to look at five percent over three years rather than seven-and-a-half over two.   
Selectman Lockard noted he and Office Administrator Atwell went to the LGC presentation on health care; health care cost is going to go straight up; it’s not going to be easy; this will be a serious discussion in a couple years and the town will need to look at how far to spread it out; will taking three percent over five years mean less tears than taking five percent over three?  The Board is going to have to address this; the purpose of Obama Care is to get everybody on the government plan; Jackson will be penalized if they don’t provide a plan; even if the town still provides a plan, the one it has is a “Cadillac” plan and there will be fines associated with this too.  Jerry noted it may be better for individuals to go into the health exchange; they are buying private insurance but the government pays a subsidy.  

Selectman Thompson feels the two employees need to have this explained to them; Selectman Lockard will speak with them and he hopes to come back with a solution that is fair and reasonable.  These folks should have an opportunity to comment as well as being informed of tonight’s discussion; that would be the fair next step; he’ll provide a summary for the Board to review at the next meeting.  The Board likes five percent over three years.  It was decided that all of the Police Officers will be involved in this discussion as it impacts them all.  There might be some adjustments to Officer Jette’s raise so it doesn’t seem disproportionate.  It’s scary to see the predicted increases; the LGC predicts eighteen percent in 2015 and twenty-seven percent in 2016; the town needs to come to grips with this now; it is going to be a driving force for employees.  Kathleen noted insurance for their employees has gone up eighteen to twenty-five percent every year; these increases are nothing new.  

  • Communications Protocol  Selectman Thompson asked to have this on the agenda; he has been interested in how the individuals in this town communicate with staff, boards, committees, etc.  There are key stakeholders in town that have business with the town; he wants to look at what Jackson has in its personnel policy about communications and how we communicate.  He plans to make it a project over the next six months to audit protocols and analyze what we do; he’ll set up focus groups within departments and put together a communications audit.  This could be a project related to a class he is taking.  Bill would like Selectman Thompson to start this tomorrow; it’s what this town needs.  Selectman Lockard thinks the Board would find this of value; while it’s Selectman Thompson’s proposal it would behoove the Board to put together a letter of support from the Selectmen.  The town doesn’t have good communication and that’s why people don’t sign up for commissions and boards.  Jerry would like to see a protocol.  Selectman Thompson will create a draft letter of support and have the Board sign it.
  • Town Boards – Letters of interest Office Administrator Atwell would like to know how the Board wants to review these; reappointments would be after March.  The Board does need to fill Joan Aubrey’s seat on the ZBA; there is one letter of interest from Alternate Dave Matesky to be appointed as a Member.  The ZBA meets as needed whenever there is an application; it could be once a month; currently there is nothing pending.  There are five Members and three Alternates with two terms up this year.  Jerry doesn’t know how accurate that is; Gino Funicella is an Alternate; if he becomes Treasurer then he can’t sit on the ZBA so there would be another Alternate seat.  That’s for the next Selectboard to decide; this Board has been asked to fill this seat and an Alternate has expressed interest and he is the only interested candiate.  Selectman Thompson, seconded by Selectman Lockard, made a motion to approve Dave Matesky for the Member seat on the ZBA.  The motion passed unanimously.  Dave will be completing Joan’s term which runs until 2015.  The Board will send a letter to Dave to advise him of his appointment and to be sworn in as a Member.  
  • Trustees of the Trust Funds – Transfer   Selectman Thompson, seconded by Selectman Lockard, made a motion to withdraw seventy-five dollars from the Old Library Capital Reserve Fund to pay the invoice from Bruce Campbell for Electrical work.  The motion passed unanimously.    
  • Old Business  There is no Old Business.  
  • Public Comment  Bill noted it’s scary to see the empty seats on boards and complete disinterest from the public; this needs to be addressed; folks need to be enticed to serve; he suggests having a night where people could ask questions. He thinks folks are scared to come in to a Selectmen’s meeting to ask questions; he thinks the town should have an information night so people can learn what is involved in these boards.  He noted the Conservation Commission and Planning Board are full; that’s a good indication those are working.  He’d like to get some young people involved; this is their town; the Board needs to entice them to get involved.  While noting that older folks often have more time to be on boards, Selectman Thompson thinks it might be a good idea to hold an informational meeting.    
Bill thinks the Office should be open more and later hours; Office Administrator Atwell has put forward a proposal for 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and until 1 p.m. on Fridays.  

Bea had requested having salaries listed individually; the Board is not keen on that; this is all public information that anybody can find if they want to and it could produce some anxiety among employees.  Chairman Allen noted the information is out there regarding teachers but their salaries are based on steps while Jackson’s pay is performance based; he’s not interested in posting names and salaries.  Bill wants to know how folks can find this information; Office Administrator Atwell can provide it upon request.  There was a request to print this information in the Annual Report; the Board declines this request.    

Jerry has heard that the Town Clerk has asked for a specific salary increase; Office Administrator Atwell noted the budget amount was decided at the Budget Hearing; there are two warrant articles for Health Insurance and Retirement; both have not been done before.  Bill noted if the Selectmen are going to support this they should have set parameters regarding the hours of operation; the Town Clerk’s Office hours now stink.  The plan is for the Town Clerk to absorb the Deputy Clerk’s hours to allow for hours that would be more amenable but nothing can be done until after the vote.  Jerry feels if the Board is going to recommend something parameters should also be recommended.  

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:47 p.m.

        
                                                Respectfully submitted by:

                                                Martha D. Tobin

                                                Recording Secretary