SELECTMEN’S MEETING MINUTES
December 3, 2007
Call to Order
Chairman Ulcickas called the meeting to order at 6:03pm. In attendance were Chairman John P. Ulcickas, Selectman Robert S. Donovan, Jr., Selectman Trisha J. McCarthy, Town Administrator Nancy J. Wrigley and Office Manager Mary B. Winglass. Minutes were transcribed and typed by Office Manager Mary Winglass.
Introduction of Guests
Old Business
A. Review of the 2008 proposed Gale Library Budget – 6pm
Present were Gale Library Trustee members Carol Szot, Marilyn Landry and Sarah Woodman
Carol Szot passed out a spreadsheet showing the 2007 appropriations with the year to date expenditures as well as the proposed budget for 2008. The Board discussed the 2007 expenditures and Selectman Donovan questioned the over expenditure in the equipment and maintenance line item. Trustee Carol Szot responded that the Trustees have a savings account and checking account used for charges for fines collected for late return for media material and books. This account funded some much needed computers, printers and a copier.
Treasurer Carol Szot stated that the 2008 budget reflects a change from using an employee to clean the library to hiring a janitorial service.
Chairman Ulcickas motioned to accept the 2008 Gale Library budget of $98,836.00. Second by Selectman Donovan. Vote: Unanimous.
Town Administrator Wrigley asked if the Library Trustees are preparing to put in a warrant article for the 2008 Town Meeting. Treasurer Carol Szot responded that the Trustees propose to include a $10,000.00 warrant article for the Gale Library Building Fund.
B. Review of the 2008 proposed Police Department Budget – 6:30pm
Present were Police Chief Lawrence Streeter and PD Office Manager Linda Meissner.
A spreadsheet outlining the proposed medical and dental insurance was handed to the Board showing the revised figures for the 2008 budget.
Chairman Ulcickas motioned to accept the 2008 police department budget in the amount of 645,659.00. Second by Selectman Donovan. Vote: Unanimous.
C. Review of the 2008 proposed Planning Board Budget – 7pm
Present were Planning Board Chairman Kim Pettit, Administrative Assistant Lisa Babcock and Planning Board member Frank Gibbs.
Chairman Kim Pettit stated that the 2008 proposed budget has been revised and the net increase over the 2007 budget is $3,242.00 for a total budget of $55,300.00.
Chairman Ulcickas motioned to accept the 2008 Planning Board budget in the amount of $55,300.00. Second by Selectman McCarthy. Vote: Unanimous.
D. Review of the 2008 proposed Recreation Commission Budget – 7:30pm
Present were Recreation Commission Chairman Rick Bailey and Recreation Secretary Lisa Babcock.
After a discussion of the 2007 Recreation Commission year to date expenditures to include the Greenie Park construction, Halloween Party, donation to Newton Baseball, the Fall Fair and free skating at Skate land during the Winter Vacation, the Board commented that the Commission has been very busy this year. Next year the Recreation Commission proposed funding for trips for seniors as the budget has been lacking in funding for this purpose in the past few years.
Resident Ray Thayer was present and discussed that a group in town are sponsoring a Christmas Part for the elderly at Packer Meadows again this year. This was a success last year and he invited all to come by to join in the fun.
Chairman Ulcickas motioned to accept the 2008 Recreation Commission budget of $42,696.00 which is an increase of $5,000 over the 2007 Recreation budget to cover a much needed Senior Program this coming year. Second by Selectman McCarthy. Vote: Unanimous.
E. Discussion of Town Offices Holiday hours
After a discussion regarding options for the office hours at Town Hall on Christmas Eve Day and New Years’ Eve Day, the Board made the following motion;
Chairman Ulcickas motioned that the 2007 Town Hall hours for Christmas Eve Day, December 24th will be open from 8am to 12 noon and on New Years Eve Day the Town Hall will be open for the normal hours of 8am to 4pm. Second by Selectman McCarthy. Vote: Unanimous.
Chairman Ulcickas motioned to amend his previous motion to include that the employees will be paid for their time off on December 24th after twelve noon for their regularly scheduled hours. Second by Selectman McCarthy. Vote: Unanimous.
F. Review Town Report bids
The Board reviewed a spreadsheet listing the companies and a price comparison of those that bid on the 2007 Town Report.
Chairman Ulcickas motioned to accept the printing of the 2007 Town Report bid to The Yankee Printer in the amount of $3,044.00. Second by Selectman Donovan. Vote: Unanimous.
The Board briefly discussed the need to finalize what to place on the Town Report cover and the dedication.
G. LGC - Medical Insurance Plan Comparison
The Board reviewed the plan benefits of the different options available under the Matthew Thornton Blue HMO Plans and the POS (Point of Service) Plans. Selectman Donovan discussed the cost and his vote was with a HMO plan with the lowest monthly premiums. Selectman McCarthy questioned the plan benefits and her concern with the HMO restrictions. Selectman McCarthy asked to be given time to speak with a friend who is very knowledgeable with the Blue Cross plans. The Board agreed to table the discussion until tomorrow night. Office Manager Winglass stated that the Board needs to make a decision soon for the enrollment period starts on January 1st. The Board agreed to make a decision tomorrow night.
H. Review of Town Administrator’s job description
Selectman McCarthy stated that she worked on the Town Administrator’s job description with Town Administrator Nancy Wrigley this past weekend and a few minor changes were put in place. Chairman Ulcickas asked to make one change to the job description to include in the “Minimum Qualifications” that a Masters Degree is preferred and to remove the word “or” before any equivalent combination of experience…..
Chairman Ulcickas motioned to accept the job description for the Town Administrator as amended. Second by Selectman McCarthy. Discussion: The Board thanked everyone for the efforts it took to prepare the final version. Vote: Unanimous.
Selectman McCarthy congratulated the Town Administrator Nancy Wrigley and Office Manager Mary Winglass for they were both accepted into the Local Government Center Foundation of Local Government Leadership: Level I Certification Program. This program begins on January 2, 2008 and includes six one-day leadership courses throughout the year.
New Business
A. Recommendation to accept Felicia Drive as a Town Road
The Board received a recommendation from the Planning Board to accept Felicia Drive as a Town Road.
Chairman Ulcickas motioned to accept Felicia Drive as a Town Road effective immediately. Second by Selectman McCarthy. Vote: Unanimous.
B. Recommendation to accept Grebenstein Drive as a Town Road
The Board received a recommendation from the Planning Board to accept Grebenstein Drive as a Town Road.
Chairman Ulcickas motioned to accept Grebenstein Drive as a Town Road effective immediately. Second by Selectman Donovan. Vote: Unanimous.
C. Recommendation to accept Philip Way as a Town Road
The Board reviewed a recommendation from the Planning Board to accept Philip Way as a Town Road.
Chairman Ulcickas motioned to accept Philip Way as a Town Road effective immediately. Second by Selectman McCarthy. Vote: Unanimous.
The Board reviewed a memo from the Planning Board Administrative Assistant Lisa Babcock stating that on June 12, 2007, the Planning Board voted 6-0 with Gibbs abstaining to recommend that the Board of Selectmen accept George’s Way as a Town Road.
Chairman Ulcickas motioned that we accept on the recommendation of the Planning Board memo dated December 3, 2007 George’s Way phases I, II and III effective immediately. Second by Selectman Donovan. Vote: Unanimous.
The Board then contacted Road Agent Frank Gibbs via cell phone at 6:50pm and instructed him to maintain Felicia Drive, Grebenstein Drive, Philip Way and George’s Way effective immediately. Mr. Gibbs stated that he would take care of it.
Announcements
· Selectman McCarthy announced that she attended a briefing from the State Dept of Environmental Services with Town Administrator Nancy Wrigley which was very informative on budgeting for mosquito control and reimbursement from the State. Town Administrator Wrigley prepared a 2007 cost breakdown totaling $29,400. The State will reimburse the Town approximately $7,000 and the Selectmen signed the application request for reimbursement.
· The Board reviewed a proposal from M. Cote Home Improvements from Kingston, NH outlining a list of construction updates to the Selectmen’s Office at a cost of $800.00.
Chairman Ulcickas motioned to accept proposal #1256 from M. Cote Home Improvements for a total of $800.00 for the renovations to better utilize the space in the Town Hall Selectmen’s Office. Second Selectman McCarthy. Vote: Unanimous.
Other electrical repairs need to be made in the Selectmen’s Office and Electrical Inspector Charlie Kennedy stated that he would be willing to do the work and the cost would be no more than $300.00. Another upgrade to the office is hiring to have the office painted after the improvements are made to the office but before everything is put back in place. The Board gave the authority to the Town Administrator to work out the details for the remainder of the work to be completed in the Selectmen’s Office.
Selectman McCarthy discussed the option of moving the Town Administrator into the back conference room and moving the conference table into the Selectmen’s Office. With the current renovations taking place, now is a good time to move the TA out back so that she has a quieter work environment to work in. TA, Wrigley stated that it is difficult to concentrate in the front office with the telephones and inquiries at the window. This would also allow room for the part time Secretary that the Board is looking to hire. Selectman Donovan was not in favor of moving the Town Administrator out back for he felt that it would keep her out of the loop.
Accept Minutes of Selectmen Meetings
· Selectmen’s Public Meeting minutes of October 1, 2007, October 9, 2007, October 15, 2007, October 22, 2007, October 29, 2007 and November 5, 2007
Chairman Ulcickas motioned to accept the Selectmen’s Public Meeting minutes of October 1, 2007, October 15, 2007, October 29, 2007 and November 5, 2007 as written. Second by Selectman McCarthy. Vote: Unanimous.
Chairman Ulcickas motioned to accept Selectmen’s Public Meeting minutes of October 9, 2007 as written. Second by Selectman Donovan. Vote: Chairman Ulcickas – yes, Selectman Donovan – yes, Selectman McCarthy abstained for she was not at the meeting. Vote: Unanimous.
The Board discussed revising the October 22nd minutes per the recommendation from Town Administrator Nancy Wrigley for it did not reflect all the changes made to the Town Administrators job description. Selectman McCarthy and Town Administrator Wrigley stated that after reviewing the job description together this past weekend and with the Board accepting the revised job description tonight, the minutes are okay to accept as written.
Chairman Ulcickas motioned to accept the Selectmen’s Public Meeting minutes of October 22, 2007 as written. Second by Selectman Donovan. Vote: Unanimous.
· Selectmen’s Non-Public Meeting minutes of October 1, 2007, October 9, 2007, October 15, 2007, October 22, 2007 and October 29, 2007
Chairman Ulcickas motioned to accept the Non-Public Meeting minutes of October 1, 2007, October 15, 2007, October 22, 2007 and October 29, 2007. Second by Selectman Donovan. Vote: Unanimous.
Chairman Ulcickas motioned to accept the Non-Public Meeting minutes of October 9, 2007 as written. Second by Selectman Donovan. Vote: Unanimous.
Reports from Department Heads
Review of Action Items
The Board asked that we advertise under help wanted for a person to work for the Cable Committee to tape the Selectmen’s and Planning Board meetings.
Adjourn
Chairman Ulcickas motioned to adjourn at 8:10pm. Second by Selectman McCarthy. Vote: Unanimous.
Respectfully Submitted,
Mary B. Winglass
Office Manager
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