PRESENT:
Rodney Towne, Selectman
Dwight Lovejoy, Selectman
Christine Quirk, Selectman
Burton Reynolds, Town Administrator
Recreation Commissioner Lee Brown and Architect David Ely were also present.
A. CALL TO ORDER:
A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was called to order by Christine Quirk at 6:00PM beginning with the Pledge of Allegiance.
B. PUBLIC COMMENT:
None
C. APPOINTMENTS:
1. 6:00 PM Lee Brown Groundskeeping
Recreation Commissioner Lee Brown was present to meet with the Selectmen to discuss the proposed town groundskeeping budget for 2011. The 2010 groundskeeping statistics were reviewed. A part time position over 24 weeks is expected for next year with two part time employees possibly consisting of the part time summer Highway Department employee and the part time Transfer Station employee. Lee would oversee the positions for a while then prepare a groundskeeping schedule to be followed. The cost estimate for the town portion is $10,000. A truck would need to be available for these positions. The Recreation Department presented a proposal to acquire equipment last year but never purchased it, instead they rented equipment. It would cost approximately $8,000 to purchase.
Burton and Lee have been discussing how to buy the equipment this year and thought the town could pay half and the Recreation revolving account could pay half. Solutions to the farmers market damage issue on the town common were discussed. The Finance Committee asked the Recreation Department to raise fees and contribute more from the revolving fund last year. They did that. The Recreation Department is asking the town to pay a portion towards the ballfield and downtown facility maintenance of areas that don’t charge fees such as the tennis court and playground. The Selectmen decided to contribute $4,500 toward this.
2. 7:00 PM David Ely/Ellen Kambol Town Hall Renovations
Lee Brown and David Ely were present to meet with the Selectmen to discuss the planned Town Hall Renovations. They reviewed a handout including items that will possibly be included in the Town Hall Renovation plan. The Town Hall Renovation CRF will be used to pay for the renovations if the voters approve it at voting in March. There is $180,000 in the CRF and the suggested renovations total $170,000. The town will plan to begin putting money back into the CRF beginning in 2012 for renovations to take place approximately 15 years from now, with $50,000 to be used for the Grange Hall windows at some point. The plan will be e-mailed to the Finance Committee in preparation for their January 8 meeting.
D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
1. Minutes of December 3, 2010 - The Selectmen reviewed the minutes. Corrections were noted. Rodney moved that they be accepted as amended. Dwight seconded the motion. All were in favor.
2. Minutes of December 6, 2010 - The Selectmen reviewed the non-public minutes. Rodney moved that they be accepted as presented. Dwight seconded the motion. All were in favor.
E. OLD BUSINESS:
1. Planning including Cul-De-Sac letter):
Building Inspector Ed Hunter met with the Planning Board to review the new sign ordinance.
The Planning Board appointed Dean Mehlhorn as a voting member of the Planning Board.
The Planning Board approved their minutes of their previous two meetings.
Twin Bridge Land Management offered the town as much sand as it wants from their new development once it is under construction. The roads in the development are designed for 30 miles per hour but the town uses 35 mile per hour roads so they were told to redesign their roads for 35 miles per hour. Catch basins in the development were discussed.
The roads at the new development near Susan Road are gated and the town is unable to check the area for erosion. The Planning Board will write to the developer to ask them to open the roads.
The Selectmen approved a letter containing their opinion on cul-de-sacs that will be signed and sent to the Planning Board.
2. Health Plan for 2011
The Selectmen sent a letter to the employees and retirees participating in the health plan informing them of the change that is planned for the copay portion of their coverage. Three participants indicated they would be affected by the change. The Selectmen did not make a decision to change the health plan at this meeting but plan to make the change by January or February 1.
F. NEW BUSINESS:
1. Holiday Schedule for 2011-The Selectmen reviewed and approved the 2011 Holiday Schedule.
2. Selectmen Meeting Schedule for 2011-The Selectmen revised and approved their 2011 Meeting Schedule.
3. Encumbrances for 2010-The Selectmen reviewed the current list of encumbrances that will be finalized in January.
4. 2010 Budget Status-The Selectmen reviewed the status of the 2010 budget and Burton noted he expects $230,000 to be left. This can be put toward the unreserved fund balance or a portion used toward the following items: $6,000-9,500 to be used to complete piping from the downtown cisterns to a hydrant behind the Town Hall, $8,000-9,000 to replace the thirty year old Highway Department furnace, replace the Town Hall server at approximately $4,000, pay $4,000 for half of the Recreation Department groundskeeping equipment and purchase the following items for the Transfer Station: four batteries for the tractor $800, backhoe tires $500, fire panel replacement $1500 and monitor in the office $1500. The Selectmen approved making these purchases.
5. 2010 Revenues Status-The town has received more revenues than predicted.
6. Lyndeborough Road Bridge Financials-The Selectmen reviewed the Lyndeborough Road Bridge financials noting no new taxpayer money was used for this project.
7. NE Grassroots Grant for School Recycle Truck ($1,750)-The New Boston Energy Commission was pleased to be awarded a grant from NE Grassroots in the amount of $1,750 in support of recycling. The money will be placed in the gifts and grants account to be used to reimburse the town for expenses related to the New Boston Central School’s new recycling truck. Rodney moved to accept $1,750 from the NE Grassroots Environmental Fund. Dwight seconded the motion. All were in favor.
G. OTHER:
1. The Road Agent position has been advertised on the town website and the application period closes January 28. Terry Gordon and Dwight have agreed to cover the position in the interim.
2. A resident recently fell on the steps of the Town Hall and was injured. Burton filed a claim with the insurance company notifying them of the accident. Building Inspector Ed Hunter looked at the stairs and noted a post is not required in the area but the Selectmen would like to install them on each side of the Town Hall steps.
3. $11 million was due in property taxes this year. 7% is now outstanding which is typical for any year.
4. The Selectmen approved vacation holdover requests from Planning Coordinator Nic Strong, Acting Road Agent Terry Gordon, Town Clerk Irene Baudreau and Library Manager Sarah Chapman. Deputy Town Clerk Cathy Strausbaugh and Burton may also have vacation holdover requests.
I. Move to enter Non-Public Session: Dwight made a motion to go into Non-Public session per RSA 91-A:3II(a) at 8:44 PM. Rodney seconded the motion. All were in favor.
J. Move to exit Non-Public Session: Rodney made a motion to exit Non-Public Session at 9:00 PM. Dwight seconded the motion. All were in favor.
K. ADJOURNMENT: Rodney made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:00 PM. Dwight seconded the motion. All were in favor.
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