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Selectmen’s Board Meeting
March 20, 2014
Present: John Allen, Chairman; Bob Thompson and Bill Lockard, Selectmen
Visitors: Town Office Administrator Julie Atwell, Police Officer Sean Cowland, Videographer Hank Benesh, Jerry Doughtery, Kathleen Dougherty, Jerry Dougherty IV, George Howard, Bob Davis, Bea Davis, Gino Funicella, John Little, Mike Martin, Diane Cataldo
Chairman John Allen called the meeting to order at 4:36 p.m.
- Election of Officers Selectman Lockard, seconded by Selectman Thompson, made a motion that John Allen continue as Chairman. The motion passed 2-0-1 (Allen abstains).
- Amend & approve minutes
- Selectmen’s Meeting – March 6, 2014 The minutes were approved as written.
- Non-Public – March 6, 2014 – sign minutes envelope RSA 91-A:3, II(c) The minutes were approved and sealed at the meeting; the envelope was signed.
- Communication Protocol Selectman Thompson, seconded by Selectman Lockard, made a motion to sign the Communication Protocol. The motion passed unanimously.
- Meloon Road – Landfill This monitoring does need to continue. HEB has submitted a proposal for review (agenda item 8 b).
- Proposed changes at Transfer Station There are copies of the proposal for traffic flow at the Transfer Station for review.
- Tax Refund Request John Dunn requested a refund of his interest; the Board agreed it would not issue a refund given that John should have known his check didn’t clear. The town will send a letter to him about its decision.
- Scrap Metal Contract Manager Edgerly is going to look into scrap metal pricing for comparison to the contract rate it has currently.
- Request for probate The person Chairman Allen thought would probate Peter Hall’s property was unable to do so. Selectman Thompson wants more information about the situation; why would or should the town be involved; Maureen Soragahan will be contacted for her input.
- Michael Martin – District Ranger – Project Information (Presidential Range – Dry River Wilderness Trails Project) Ranger Martin reviewed the project; there was damage from Hurricane Irene and more from Sandy; there were washouts and landslides and thirteen miles of trail are closed. They are planning to rebuild and reroute some of those areas; they have yet to determine if they will take down the shelter at Rocky Branch. There are no roads in so materials would have to be helicoptered in; they are leaning towards replacing it with earthen tent pads. The work would start this summer and it’s in Jackson’s backyard.
- Public Comment Bob Davis would like an update on the grader; he’s heard only a new motor will cure it. So far the Board has no information on its condition or any cost estimates.
George Howard would like to know what the status is of implementing the Building Inspector position. Chairman Allen noted Selectmen met with a team from Vermont today; the firm is qualified and has ample staff. He believes the issue with hiring them will be cost but they’ve said they think they can be reasonable; the Board will see if Jackson can afford them. It was suggested the town keep space at the Office for the Building Inspector, keeping in mind how folks had to look for plans after Andy bailed. At this time Inspector Goudreau is keeping documents in the office next door; George would like to see that continue when the new Inspector comes on.
Jerry asked for clarification about Sonny Couture’s permit; he thought Goody had recommended the permit be issued. The Board determined it would not issue the permit; there was some fogged communication.
George asked if the Board had any number of hours for Goody or the new building inspector; the Board hasn’t seen the proposal from today’s team; Jackson would want to consolidate their work as they would travel a long way. The position may be reopened if this doesn’t work out.
Jerry asked if Chairman Allen would remain the ex officio to the Planning Board; Chairman Allen agreed he’d be willing to continue on that Board. Jerry asked Chairman Allen to give them a nudge to move along the Master Plan process; they have been moving painfully slow. Chairman Allen will pass on that message when the Planning Board meets tonight. Jerry Dougherty IV noted Chairman Allen should be reappointed to his seat since he is starting a new term. Selectman Thompson, seconded by Selectman Lockard, made a motion to appoint Chairman Allen as Selectmen’s Representative to the Planning Board. The motion passed 2-0-1 (Allen abstains)
- Police Report Police Officer Sean Cowland reviewed Department activities since the last meeting; some items included issuing a temporary stalking order; a rabid raccoon call; a BOLO for a motor vehicle driving erratically; three false burglar alarms; one suspicious person check; and one call to assist Troop F. The town voting and meeting went well and Officers attended training at Troop F.
The Safety Committee met and has asked the Police Department to type a letter about snow removal and parking; that letter will be turned over to the Board when it’s drafted. Selectman Lockard thinks the Selectmen should also sign it. Selectman Thompson asked what the Committee is looking for. The Committee wants the Police to have something in writing that clearly states if a vehicle is in the way the Police can tow it. That letter would go out to the Chamber of Commerce and local businesses. Hotels need to tell their customers not to park in the No Parking areas. Chairman Allen wondered if this really rises to the level of an ordinance; he thought sending a letter out first would be better. Bea reminded the Board that Route16A is a State road; Officer
Cowland noted Ken had been advised; the point is to avoid the conflict with the business owners. The RSA says if a car is in the way then plowing can’t be done so it has to be towed but that’s an issue of liability. Currently towing is enforced from 2 a.m. to 7 a.m.; downtown is too busy after that. On heavy snow days the tow truck is already tied up with accidents and it doesn’t get the car moved until it’s too late anyway. The Committee is looking for authority to tow; it’s a safety issue; they either can’t plow or chance clipping these vehicles. There needs to be consistency with signage too.
- Building Matters – on hold
- Driveway Permit – Daryl Brown This was tabled.
- Barn Tax – Do we want to submit application Office Administrator Atwell followed up on this; the town doesn’t need to do anything until a barn-owner submits an application. These are due April 15th then the town has thirty days. This is a tax-relief incentive for barns seventy-five years old or older.
- Meloon Road – Landfill Jackson has to continue monitoring the wells but the restrictions have been lowered; voters put money away at Town Meeting. Selectman Thompson, seconded by Selectman Lockard, made a motion to approve the contract with HEB to monitor the Meloon Road Landfill wells. The motion passed unanimously.
Selectman Thompson, seconded by Selectman Lockard, made a motion to authorize Chairman Allen to sign the contract. The motion passed unanimously.
- Gazebo Rental – Insurance Office Administrator Atwell found out that because Jackson charges for the gazebo’s use, that use is not covered under recreation insurance. Folks either need to take out their own insurance or the town could leave it as recreational and not charge for its use; if the town doesn’t charge then folks using it are under Jackson’s insurance. Currently the town charges twenty-five dollars so the renter needs to buy insurance and then the town has to assure they have insurance. This is tabled until Office Administrator Atwell checks on the cost for a Tenants’ and Users’ Liability Insurance Policy.
- Saco River Conference – FYI This meeting is April 23rd should a Selectman want to attend.
- Warrant Article – Having a representative present The Board would like to have someone attend the Town Meeting to speak about requests for funding. Office Administrator Atwell will let folks know that will be expected when an article is sumitted.
- Board Appointments – Review Chairman Allen asked the Board to review the list of open positions and applicants, along with Committee Chair recommendations, and to make a decision at the next meeting. Selectman Thompson feels these positions should continue to be publically posted; there are some positions still not filled. He’d like to hold an informational night to drum up interest in these positions; the process needs to be open and transparent. Chairman Allen is concerned that the Boards will be short members; Selectman Thompson pointed out that the Board didn’t appoint these seats until May last year. Chairman Allen agrees about continuing to advertise openings but he’s not sure about holding an informational night. Jerry noted if the Board only
looks at what the Chairs are recommending then the Board is allowing that Chair to pick his committee; it is the Selectmen’s responsibility to appoint folks to these seats; he supports holding a forum. Selectman Lockard noted the presumption is the advertising has been done; members and Chairs have done their begging; no one signed up. The Board agreed to schedule an informational night; Selectman Thompson will be the Selectmen’s representative; he asked that a representative from each Committee/Board attend if possible. Jerry suggested the members of the various boards whip up interest. It was noted this is a very rural area; what if the town schedules this event and no one shows? Selectman Thompson noted it would still be a healthy process. John Little suggested using a Facebook page as a simple way to reach out; it’s easy and cheap. There could be a link from the town’s website to Facebook and there needs to
be someone to push out the messages.
- Sign – Updating Authorized Signer – TD Bank The document was signed.
- Class action municipal derivatives, partial settlement – FYI This is FYI only; there are two proposed partial settlements that are in the process of mediation.
- Sign – MS2 and MS6 Selectman Thompson, seconded by Selectman Lockard, made a motion to sign the MS2. The motion passed unanimously. The MS6 requires only Selectman Lockard’s signature, which was done.
- Sign – Crane and Bell Agreement These folks will be checking Jackson’s books quarterly; it’s a service recommended by the DRA. They also review all the MS forms. The cost is four thousand dollars for the whole service and they will make sure the town’s records conform with DRA standards. Selectman Thompson, seconded by Selectman Lockard, made a motion to authorize Chairman Allen to sign the agreement. The motion passed unanimously.
- Town Assessor contract The only change to this contract is a suggestion to follow the DRA due dates; normally Assessor Jason Call asks for an extension and that delays the setting of the tax rate. No action is needed; it’s an FYI.
- 2013 Ratio – FYI The DRA determined Jackson’s assessed value to sale value for 2013 is one-hundred-eight-point-one percent; that’s down from a high of one-hundred-seventeen percent in 2011. This is FYI only; the town has no control over it.
- Town Investment Policy – 2014 – Signatures required Selectman Thompson, seconded by Selectman Lockard, made a motion to approve the 2014 Town Investment Policy. The motion passed unanimously.
- Bob Temple Selectman Thompson asked for a moment of silence to recognize the passing of Bob Temple; he was a fixture in town and will be missed.
- Kathleen Dougherty, Treasurer The Selectmen welcomed the town’s new Treasurer, Kathleen Dougherty. She is seeking a deputy at this time if anyone is interested. The Board is available to assist her as she takes on this new role.
- Health Insurance This is on-going with nothing new to add tonight.
- List of Town-owned property Bea was thanked for asking about this.
- 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(c) at 5:50 p.m.
- RSA 91-A:3, II(c) Matters which, if discussed in public, would likely affect adversely the reputation of any person, other than a member of this board, unless such person requests an open meeting. This exemption shall extend to include any application for assistance or tax abatement or waiver of a fee, fine or other levy, if based on inability to pay or poverty of the applicant.
- RSA 91-A:3, II(c) Matters which, if discussed in public, would likely affect adversely the reputation of any person, other than a member of this board, unless such person requests an open meeting. This exemption shall extend to include any application for assistance or tax abatement or waiver of a fee, fine or other levy, if based on inability to pay or poverty of the applicant.
Respectfully submitted by:
Martha D. Tobin
Recording Secretary
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