SELECTMEN’S MEETING
March 7, 2005
Call to Order
Chairman Cushing called the meeting to order at 7:05pm. In attendance were Selectman Gary F. Nelson, Selectman Norman P. Harding, Chairman Stephen M. Cushing and Town Administrator, Nancy J. Wrigley. Minutes were recorded by TA, Nancy Wrigley and transcribed and typed by Office Manager, Mary B. Winglass.
Chairman Cushing motioned to go into non-public session under RSA 91-A:3 II (c) – Personnel at 7:05pm. Second by Selectman Harding. Roll Call Vote: Selectman Harding – yes, Selectman Nelson – yes, Chairman Cushing – yes. Vote: Unanimous.
Chairman Cushing closed the non-public session at 7:37pm. Per unanimous roll call vote, the minutes of the meeting will remain confidential except to announce that the Board has agreed to revisions made to the Police Officers agreement/contract and approved a Police Department 2 ½% third shift differential pay effective April 1, 2005.
Introduction of Guests
Old Business
A. Discussion of internal accounting procedures with Treasurer, Elizabeth Standing
Chairman Cushing explained that the Board has been working with the Treasurer to determine the town’s money accounts and whether the town would benefit by switching our accounts to Merrimac Savings Bank. Some issues were brought to light during this process; one issue is the town tax ID number is used on some accounts that are through a town association; therefore they are not a true town account. Chairman Cushing added that one of the accounts is a food pantry bank account for cash donations; if this is a town account then all donations need to be accepted through the public hearing process under RSA 31:95-b. The Board requested that we run this account by the State of New Hampshire Department of Revenue to find out the best way to handle the funds. There are also two fire and rescue accounts using the town’s tax ID number and it looks like this was an innocent and convenient way of handling donated funds; Chief Ingalls and Lt. Putnam are looking into why the town’s ID was used
and future options for these accounts.
Town Treasurer, Elizabeth Standing met with the Board and discussed the accounts at the Merrimac Savings Bank and closing out the Citizen’s account. Betty stated that she closed out an account at Merrimac Savings Bank as it was used to make the school payment only and she is looking into which bank, Merrimac Savings or Banknorth, will give her the best interest rate before transferring the Citizen’s account.
Selectman Nelson stated that he has been working on a form for a bond or letter or credit reduction request from the Planning Board. It was discussed that Betty needs to hold the original paperwork and all reduction requests need to be signed by the Chairman of the Planning Board on a separate form; a copy of the minutes are not adequate for the Treasurer or the bank. Selectman Harding discussed setting up a meeting with the Planning Board, Treasurer and the Selectmen in the near future to discuss internal procedures and to get the Planning Board’s thoughts on the subject.
It was decided that Selectman Harding, Town Administrator, Nancy Wrigley and Treasurer, Betty Standing will go to Merrimac Savings Bank this Thursday around 3:30 – 4:00pm to meet with Danielle Corbin, Bank Manager to go over banking procedures and signature cards. The Board then discussed interest rates and the importance of meeting with Merrimac Savings Bank to discuss the town’s current interest rates and to find out if they can match Banknorth rates.
New Business
Road Agent notification of inclement weather
Road Agent, Frank Gibbs was present to discuss with the Selectmen that he was not called out by the Police Department on the last snow storm. This was due to the fact that there was no third shift Police Officer coverage that evening and Rockingham County Dispatch did not receive a request from regional communities.
Frank requested that Police Chief Streeter notify him when there is no third shift coverage and the Chief does not want this as part of the procedure. Chairman Cushing stated that the problem lies only when there is no officer on duty for the third shift to notify the Road Agent of inclement weather, which is a random situation and dispatch was not contacted by any of the surrounding communities. Frank stated that he does not want to have to watch the weather report every night but would rather have the Police Department notify him. Frank responded that in the past he has put in for two hours per night for a snow watch; this was denied by the Selectmen last winter.
Selectman Harding responded that he does not want the Selectmen micromanaging the town departments, they need to figure out a way to make it work. Watching for the snow every night does not make sense as we are not expecting snow every night. Frank responded that he does not want an accident to happen and the blame to come back to him. Chairman Cushing stated that weather monitoring is just part of the road agent’s job.
It was discussed that the system in place is the Police Department calls out the Road Agent when the roads need attention due to inclement weather. A letter was sent to Rockingham County Dispatch on November 22, 2004 requesting that they notify the town’s road agent of inclement weather situations affecting the roadways when they receive requests from regional communities. The Board decided that to reinforce the importance of notifying the road agent, the Selectmen would send a letter to Rockingham County Dispatch to help strengthen and assure the contact between dispatch and the road agent.
Estimate for electrical repairs at Town Hall
Chairman Cushing explained that the Building Inspector helped us to determine some electrical issues that need to be addressed at Town Hall. The Board decided to wait until we know if the budget passes or if we are dealing with a default budget.
Announcements
· Chairman Cushing announced that tomorrow is the Annual Town Meeting vote from 8am to 8pm at the Memorial School.
Accept Minutes of Selectmen Meetings
Selectmen’s Public meeting minutes of February 22, 2005
Selectman Harding motioned to accept the Selectmen’s Public meeting minutes of February 22, 2005. Second by Chairman Cushing. Vote: Unanimous.
Reports from Department Heads
Review of Action Items
Adjourn
Chairman Cushing motioned to adjourn at 8:40pm. Second by Selectman Nelson. Vote: Unanimous.
Respectfully Submitted,
Mary B. Winglass
Office Manager
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