Town of Lyme
Board of Selectmen
Minutes for October 31, 2007
1. The regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen convened at 8:00 AM in the Fire Station training room. The following attended the entire meeting: Simon Carr, Dick Jones, Charles Ragan, Bookkeeper/Secretary Dina Cutting, and Administrative Assistant Carole Bont. The following attended parts of the meeting: Treasurer Andrea Colgan, State Senator Deborah Reynolds and Town Clerk Patty Jenks.
2. The following administrative matters were discussed and actions taken:
a. The minutes for October 24 were approved with minor amendments.
b. The manifest was approved and signed.
c. Simon will follow up with the Keanes regarding their conservation easement.
d. The Board approved and signed tax warrant before the tax bills were sent out.
3. Nancy Papademas had complained that the town was encroaching on her land on Baker Hill Road, while undertaking road maintenance. Dick had researched the issue, including the previous times when she had complained. On the basis of this the Board approved his draft letter and will sign it, once prepared and reviewed by Town counsel.
4. Andrea came in to discuss a merit raise for Dina, based on the changes in Dina’s workload. She gave the Board a letter outlining the changes in operation that Dina has undertaken and also a letter from Luane Cole, emphasizing Dina’s level of commitment. The Board noted Andrea’s advise for when they prepare the revised payroll proposals.
5. Deb Reynolds came in to introduce herself and to offer assistance in any way that she could. The issues discussed were:
a. Emergency Preparedness: during the April storm, Lyme had had no problems with the State, but found dealing with FEMA difficult.
b. Mapping Data: the State maintains several different GIS systems often with subtly different data. We have to co-ordinate these with our own systems and find that we have to enter similar data several times.
c. Broadband Issues: the State is working with a consultant on developing a strategy for broadband communications. The Governor is planning on creating a telecoms director.
d. Right-to-know Law: Senator Margaret Hassan of Exeter is sponsoring a revision of the right-to-know law, which should address the issues of electronic communications.
6. Dina reported on the switch to the new insurance, through the Local Government Center, which means significant savings. Regular safety training courses are offered and there is a requirement that town employees undertake these, for the town to stay within the conditions of the insurance. The Board signed the contract.
7. The Emergency Action Plan was briefly discussed. The present structure as an ordinance was inappropriate. We should develop a very brief Emergency Action ordinance and accept the executive details in a separate Action plan.
8. Planning and Zoning: There was a discussion on how to handle planning and zoning issues with Vickie’s departure.
a. It was agreed that zoning and building permits and decisions would be made by the full Selectboard.
b. Selectboard staff will be able to give any enquirers the necessary paperwork but will refer enquirers to the Selectboard. Dick or Simon will be available every Friday 9:00 AM to 12 Noon for any walk-in queries.
c. Walk-in enquiries will not be accepted at the regular Selectboard meetings.
d. Carole will do a notice confirming these details, for the notice boards, web site and listserv.
9. At 9:55 AM Simon moved and Dick seconded a motion to go into non-public session under the authority of RSA 91-A:3 II(c) – “matters which, if discussed in public, would likely affect adversely the reputation of any person”. The motion carried by unanimous roll-call vote. Simon Carr, Dick Jones, Charles Ragan, Carole Bont, Dina Cutting and Patty Jenks attended the non-public session. No decisions were taken. During the non-public session Dick moved and Simon seconded that the minutes of the non-public session be sealed, which was carried by unanimous roll-call vote. The Board returned to public session at 10:05 AM.
10. The Meeting adjourned at 10:07 AM.
Simon Carr
Recorder
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