Minutes
Selectmen’s Meeting
November 27, 2006
6:30 PM Chair Bonser opened the meeting and asked all those present to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.
Members: Mary Bonser, Peter Bock, Bill Netishen, Town Administrator Charles Brown and Heidi Seaverns.
Guests: Police Chief Philip English, Donald Gates III, Robert Small, Carol Stephenson, Roy Christenson, Elizabeth Kotowski, Edward Kotowski and William Loconzolo.
Ms. Bonser recognized Chief English. The Chief introduced Donald Gates III to the Board. He stated that Mr. Gates has passed a psychological test, a polygraph test and a medical physical. He is certified as a part time police officer. He also served in Iraq from January 2004 to March 2005. Mr. Gates is scheduled to attend the 142nd Police Academy starting on January 8, 2007 through March 30, 2007. Chief English asked that the Board appoint Mr. Gates as a full time police officer to fill the vacancy in the department.
Motion: Bonser, second Netishen to appoint Donald W. Gates, III as a full time probationary police officer effective December 1, 2006.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
The Board members congratulated Officer Gates and welcomed him to the community. Chief English informed the Board that Officer Morales has graduated from the Academy and is back on duty in Town. Both Chief English and Officer Gates left at 6:40PM.
Regarding department business, Mr. Brown reported that the Building Inspector has issued the building permit for the slab for the USA Springs building. Next to be discussed was the letter from Deputy Chief Carlson in regard to the pay increase requested for Dan Elliott. When Dan was hired in December 2004, it was with the understanding that when he reached a certain level of training, he would be paid to reflect that level of training. Dan was licensed by the State as EMT-I in April 2006. The Deputy Chief & Chief are asking the Board to grant a $0.50 per hour increase in pay for Dan and they would like the Board to consider making the increase retroactive to April 1, 2006. Mr. Netishen asked if there were sufficient funds in the budget to cover this increase. Mr. Brown stated there were sufficient funds available.
Some discussion followed about an effective way to track items like this so they do not get overlooked.
Motion: Netishen, second Bonser to approve $ 0.50 per hour pay increase for Dan Elliott retroactive back to April 1, 2006.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
Mr. Brown informed the Board that the Road Agent expects the new grader to be delivered in the next couple weeks. Mr. Brown also informed the Board that he is working on the financing paperwork for the grader. He is looking into which method of payment will be most cost effective.
Regarding the outstanding minutes of November 7, 2006,
Motion: Bock, second Netishen to accept as printed the minutes of November 7, 2006.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
The Board will act on the minutes of the 11/13/06 meeting at their next meeting.
Ms. Bonser made an announcement that the Christmas Parade and Party will be held on December 2, 2006 at 1pm at the Community Center. If anyone is interested in participating in the parade, they should contact the Recreation Department at 679-3435. Ms. Bonser also stated that the Fire Department was having their annual tree sale on December 2 at the station. The Fire/Rescue Department will be giving Santa a ride around Town on a fire truck on December 16, 2006 starting around 4:00PM.
The Board next addressed two memos from the Planning Board. The first memo asked that the Selectmen hold a public hearing to change the Lot Line adjustment fees from $100 application fee plus $100 per lot line affected to $100 application fee plus $ 50 per lot affected. This request prompted the Board to discuss changing the date of their December 26th meeting. After much discussion, it was decided that the Board will meet on December 22, 2006 at 8:00AM instead of the December 26th meeting originally scheduled and hold the public hearing to change the lot line adjustment fees at 9:00AM that day.
The second memo asked the Board to contact DES in regard to Judge McHugh’s decision in regard to USA Springs. The Planning Board wants to be sure DES is aware of the decision and to verify that there is a water quality-monitoring plan in place. Much discussion followed about which board should contact DES. Since Judge McHugh’s order preempted the Planning Board from any issue relating to water quality, it was decided that the Board of Selectmen should be the Board to contact DES. Mr. Brown will work on a draft letter for the Board’s review at their next meeting.
Ms. Bonser recognized William Loconzolo who is the property owner of 16 Indian Run Road. Mr. Loconzolo stepped to the microphone to address the Board on behalf of the Indian Run property owners present (Ms. Stevenson, Mr. Christenson, and Mr. & Mrs. Kotowski). He stated that they wanted the Town to plow and maintain their road from now on. Mr. Loconzolo went on to say the road is in excellent shape and is .3 mile long and he is getting older and less able to maintain the road. Ms. Stevenson stepped forward to address the Board. She stated she has been a resident in town for 20 years and reminded the Board that the property owners of Indian Run Road have paid a large amount of taxes over the years. She went on to say that there are five houses located on Indian Run, one of which is seasonal. Much discussion followed.
Ms. Bonser told the group the Board couldn’t expend town funds on private property. More discussion about private roads followed. Mr. Brown handed out copies of RSA 231:59 that outline requirements and the procedure for a private road to be designated an emergency lane. That would be the only way the Town could consider expending public funds on private property. More discussion followed. The Board will make some inquiries and get back to the property owners as to what, if anything can be done. The Indian Run property owners thanked the Board for their time and left at 7:15PM.
Mr. Brown then proceeded to review the 2007 budget with the Board in preparation for the Budget Committee presentation on November 30th:
1) Executive-no changes since the last meeting.
2) Town Clerk/Election-no changes since the last meeting.
3) Financial Administration-Training/Support line has been decreased to reflect new quote for Tax Collect Software ($ 3500 decrease).
4) Property Appraisal-no changes since the last meeting
5) Legal- no changes since the last meeting.
6) Personnel Administration- The increase in the BC/BS line is a result of coverage required for new personnel, and a proposed additional employee. These factors were not reflected in the previous number.
7) Planning/Zoning-no changes since the last meeting.
8) THOB- no changes since the last meeting
9) Cemeteries- no changes since the last meeting.
10) Insurance/ Regional Association-no changes since the last meeting.
11) Police- changes made at the last meeting have been incorporated into the budget.
12) Fire/Rescue-the only change is to the full-time salary line to reflect the increase in pay for one of the firefighters. (increase given in 2006 had not been calculated in the 2007 salary line).
13) Building Inspector-no changes since the last meeting
14) Emergency Management-no changes since the last meeting
15) Highway/ Shim and Sealcoat-no changes since the last meeting.
16) Solid Waste & Recycling-no changes since the last meeting.
17) Animal Control-the only change is an increase of $ 140 in the stipend.
18) General Assistance- no changes since the last meeting.
19) Vendor payments- no changes since the last meeting. Mr. Brown has not received any additional information as requested from CASA-NH so their request is not in the article.
20) Recreation-There are two increases in this budget-the postage line has been increased to
$300 to more accurately reflects the usage by the department. The other is a $330 increase
in the dues/conferences line. This increase allows both the Director and Assistant Director
to attend the annual conference.
21) Library- no changes since the last meeting.
22) Conservation Commission- no changes since the last meeting.
The overall operating budget for 2007 at this time is $ 2,891,703, which is $8550 less than the 2006 operating budget ($ 2,900,254).
The Board next reviewed the draft warrant. At this time there are articles for the new fire station, the operating budget, the SUV for the Police Department, a mosquito control program, the Highway construction/reconstruction article, the capital reserve fund contributions for the highway truck and fire vehicles, and the social service agencies. All of these articles are requesting funds be appropriated. There is a draft article requesting the amount of the Land Use Change Tax that is put into the Conservation Fund be increased to 100% of revenues and an article to change the polling hours in town.
Mr. Netishen stated he was not satisfied with the amount of the operating budget. He stated he is concerned about the debt that the Town will incur in ‘07 & again in ‘08 and he wants to be able to keep tax rate increases very small. A lengthy discussion followed about the compensated absences in the budget, the additional police officer and the 4% COLA increase for employees. As a result of the discussion, the compensated absences will be removed form the budget and the 4% COLA will stay in place. The Board plans to leave the additional officer in the budget for now, a final decision is yet to be made.
Ms. Bonser asked the Board if they would be interested in sending a letter to LGC to try to get the law lecture series changed to a different time of year since this time of year is traditionally very busy for the Planning Board (zoning changes for the next year). The other Board members thought that the timeframe that the series is held was appropriate.
Mr. Brown informed the Board that the title search had been completed on the property on Rt. 152 that the Nelsons want to donate to the Town. A deed will be prepared and a letter will be prepared stating the property value for tax purposes.
The Board next addressed the items in the signature file,
Motion: Netishen, second Bock to approve the abatement for Map 4 Lot 8 in the amount of
$ 1384.57 (interest only) and the abatement for Map 23 Lot 2-143 in the amount of $186.57 (interest only).
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
Ms. Seaverns left at 8:33PM.
8:33 PM Motion: Netishen, second Bock to enter non-public session under RSA 91A: 3 II (c) & (e).
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
9:50 PM Motion: Bonser, second Bock to come out of non-public session.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
9:50 PM Motion: Bonser, second Bock to keep all discussions in non-public session sealed and all actions taken will be recorded in the public minutes.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
The Board took the following actions in regard to Tax Deed Waivers:
Ms. Bonser recused herself from any discussion or action regarding property at 24 Smoke Street.
After discussion, actual waivers may be issued for the following properties as noted.
Map 68, Lot 42, 49 Shore Drive, inspection of this property to determine if a waiver maybe required.
Map 34 Lot 1, Backland, check background and location of property to determine if waiver is required.
Map 24, Lot 139, 229 Mill Pond Road, waiver temporarily to research liability of State lien.
Map 23 Lot 2-143, CWV building only, waiver, the Town has a valid payment agreement established with the property owner.
Map 13, Lot 12, 61 Freeman Hall Road, waiver until a determination of liability is established.
Mr. Brown feels that all property owners have been properly notified, some owners go through this process every year and that additional contact should not be an issue. Some owners wait until the date deeds are to be issued before paying the overdue taxes. The Board wishes to have Mr. Brown make additional inquiries and at least one inspection of Map 68 Lot 42 to determine if there may be any underlying reasons to waive issuance of a deed. This will help confirm there are no outstanding liability issues related to these properties.
Motion: Netishen, second Bock to sign Deed Waivers per recommendation of Mr. Brown after inspections and inquiries are made.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
The Board took the following action in regard to Merit Awards:
Awards for the Highway Department, all three members, and one Fire Fighter, Dan Elliott. The Board of Selectmen feel these three individuals from the Highway Department are deserving of an acknowledgement of their efforts during the May floods. For Mr. Elliott, it is an acknowledgement of his efforts regarding P.O.D. activities, and taking into account the effort expended and the attitude toward being a team player. The following proposal was made, to award John T. Fernald Jr., $1,000, George E. Ellison Jr., $750, Jack Myers, $500, Daniel W. Elliott, $750.
Motion: Bonser, second, Netishen to approve awards as proposed.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
9:56 PM Having no further business before the Board,
Motion: Bock, second Bonser to adjourn.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
Respectfully Submitted,
Heidi Seaverns
Approved as printed
12/11/06
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