Town of New Boston
Selectmen's Meeting
December 3, 2007
PRESENT: Gordon Carlstrom Selectman
David Woodbury Selectman
Christine Quirk Selectman Absent
Burton Reynolds Town Administrator
A. CALL TO ORDER: A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was called to order by Gordon Carlstrom at 7:00PM beginning with the Pledge of Allegiance.
B. PUBLIC COMMENT:
Susan Carr from the Climate and Energy Committee was present to meet with the Selectmen and discuss the status of the committee’s projects. She provided the Selectmen with copies of a sample resolution the committee would like the town to pass, the EPA Challenge study the committee would like to join on behalf of the town and a sample of a letter used to become part of the program. She showed the Selectmen a map of surrounding towns currently participating in the EPA Challenge. The committee attended a conference this weekend and spoke to a PSNH representative who said the EPA Challenge is the best program to use and also said don’t wait for PSNH to complete a similar survey. Susan also gave the Selectmen some information on ICLEI. She spoke to Transfer Station Manager Gerry Cornett who is comfortable
with their ideas. The Selectmen will research if a vote of the town is needed to pass the resolution. The Energy Committee is meeting with the Planning Board next week. Susan said it is important to the Energy Committee to develop an energy efficiency plan. The Selectmen will review the material and determine if a town vote is necessary to join the EPA Challenge.
C. APPOINTMENTS:
1. 7:00 PM Chief Krajenka Police Department
Police Chief Chris Krajenka was present to meet with the Selectmen to discuss police department issues.
· A safe was donated from the company Mr. Remi, a Dunbarton Selectmen, works for. It is a fire/smoke rated safe worth between $3,000-5,000. Gordon moved to accept the safe pending documentation. David seconded the motion. All were in favor. Chris plans to turn cell one into an equipment storage room and put the safe in there.
· The open house was a success where the department received a lot of positive comments.
· Josh Santos started working at the police department today. He will be introduced to the Selectmen at the next meeting. He will not be sworn in until he graduates from the police academy in the spring.
· Chris will be working on the emergency budget with Fire Chief Dan MacDonald and Road Agent John Riendeau.
· The back stairway roof project has not been worked on yet but should be done before the end of the year. Chris liked the suggestions Glenn Dodge made to fix the problem. His estimate for the work was $8,000-10,000.
· All officers passed the rifle firearms qualification last month.
· The shooting range needs to be rebuilt. The Air Force also offered to help as they use it often.
· Resident Laura Robbins called the station a couple times in reference to a recent robbery that happened at her house. She was upset that it took 3 days for the department to respond to the call and that she had to pay for a copy of the report of the incident. She cancelled her appointment tonight due to the weather and road conditions.
· Chris attended a Lyndeborough Selectmen’s meeting last week regarding the mutual aid agreement. New Boston will continue the mutual aid agreement with Lyndeborough.
· Chris hasn’t had his evaluation yet. The Selectmen expect it to be completed within a week.
D. Move to enter Non-Public Session: Gordon made a motion to go into Non-Public session per RSA 91-A:3II(a) at 7:45 PM. David seconded the motion. All were in favor.
E. Move to exit Non-Public Session: Gordon made a motion to exit Non-Public Session at 8:00 PM. David seconded the motion. All were in favor.
· Chris met with the budget committee and asked for an officer and a car be included in the police department budget. Gordon was there and said it was the first he had heard about it. Chris said when he met with the budget committee last year he was told two officers and a car was too much that year and they said come back this year with the additional officer and car so he did. The Selectmen feel that the town budget shouldn’t go up a lot this year because of the increased school budget. Chris feels now is the time to get an additional officer because the economy is not getting any better so there will be no money in the budget later and the volume of
calls will increase.
2. 7:30 PM Laura Robbins
Laura cancelled her appointment tonight due to the weather and road conditions.
F. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
1. Minutes of November 19, 2007 - The Selectmen reviewed the minutes. David moved that they be accepted. Gordon seconded the motion. All were in favor.
2. Non-Public Minutes of November 19, 2007 - The Selectmen reviewed the non-public minutes. Gordon moved that they be accepted. David seconded the motion. All were in favor.
G. OLD BUSINESS:
1. Planning:
· The Fairbairn subdivision was approved.
· Eric and Gabi Van Tassell on Cochran Hill Road want to subdivide their land into three lots. One on their property across the street, the area their house is currently on and another lot next to their house. A sitewalk is scheduled for Saturday. They are meeting with the Planning Board again December 11.
· Twin Bridge subdivision approved. The off-site improvement formula was questioned but it was decided to keep it the same.
2. Survey-The longevity bonus is currently given to employees leaving part way through the year due to retirement. Gordon will report this to the committee.
3. Budget Topics-Burton is still working on it. He plans to talk to the SAU business manager about the school budget.
H. NEW BUSINESS:
1. Sick/Vacation Time Request-A request was received from Shannon Silver. She used all her sick and vacation time during the 14 day waiting period until STD kicks in. There were still some hours that she did not get paid for. The Selectmen are not ready to make a decision. Burton will get more information from Shannon and Paula and will consider paying Shannon for any time during the waiting period not covered by either sick or vacation time.
2. State Share of FEMA Approved Expense from May 2006 Event-A check for $21,000 was received. The Selectmen will schedule a hearing to allow Road Agent John Riendeau to spend it this year on improvements assuming it is allowable to use this 2006 flood event money on the 2007 flood event costs.
3.Input & Employee Review (Non-public)-
I. OTHER: None.
J. PUBLIC COMMENT: No comments at this time.
K. ADJOURNMENT: Gordon made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:35 PM. David seconded the motion. All were in favor.
Prepared by Maralyn Segien
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