Minutes
Selectmen’s Meeting
November 13, 2006
6:31 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: Rhoda Capron, Laurie Legard, Joy Bicknell, Frank Case, Sue Mooney and Celia Abrams.
Ms. Capron, Ms. Legard and Ms. Bicknell stepped forward to review the 2007 Library budget with the Board. Ms. Capron provided copies of the budget and back up information to the Board. Ms. Legard informed the Board she would highlight any significant changes in the budget. The Trustees want to upgrade the alarm system. They are having trouble with three smoke detectors and want to replace them. The cleaning costs have decreased, as the new hire is less money per hour than the previous cleaning person. The library is taking the first step this year towards automating their circulation system. Once the system is fully automated, people will be able to check availability of books and reserve them from the town library and access the collection at the school library as well. It has taken the
librarians six years to go through all the books and catalog them. The first step, which the Trustees are proposing for 2007, is to have the cards converted to electronic format for a cost of $ 10,000. Once that is done, the next step is to purchase circulation system hardware and software which will be proposed in 2008. The entire package will cost about $15,000, which includes software, training and hardware to run the system. Steve Robert from the school has agreed to be the IT person for the Blaisdell Library system as well as the school’s system. The school system is automated but not web based. Their system would be upgraded to a web based system at the same time (2008). This automation has been part of the Library capital improvement plan for a number of years. Sharing resources between the Blaisdell library and the school library will enable the kids to search for the books they need with ease.
Next to be discussed was the salaries/wages for the Library staff. The Library Aide position has been filled and the new employee is at a lower rate of pay. The Trustees did not provide an increase in the rate of pay for the substitute position. There was a brief discussion about salaries and how they were arrived at. The Library building is in good shape and the Trustees feel that the building should be able to handle the growth in Town for the immediate future. Ms. Capron, Ms. Legard and Ms. Bicknell left at 6:58 PM.
Ms. Bonser made an announcement that the Christmas Parade and Party will be held on December 2, 2006 at 1pm at the Community Center.
Mr. Bock made a plea for the Food Pantry. They received a limited amount of turkeys this year and are in need of some for Thanksgiving.
Sue Mooney and Celia Abrams from the Conservation Commission stepped forward to address the Board. The Commission would like to publicly acknowledge all landowners that have put their land into conservation easements. Ms. Mooney passed around a sample of the certificate they intend to give to the landowners in appreciation of their generosity. This certificate would be given to all landowners as some who put their land into conservation many years ago have never been recognized publicly. It was suggested that the certificates could be presented at Town Meeting. Mr. Bock felt that the landowners should be contacted prior to the meeting to see if this was something they wanted to participate in.
The Commission is trying to come up with ideas for additional funding of the Conservation Fund. The only funding that they currently receive is from the Land Use Change Tax and that stands at 50% up to $100,000 of the revenue per year. This amount ($100,000) only provides funds for about 20 acres to be put into easement. The Commission is discussing different ways to increase the funds available. The first way would be to increase the amount of Land Use Change Tax (LUCT) put into the fund from 50% to 100% with a cap of $ 200,000 per year. The Board stated that this would need to be done through a warrant article to be voted on at Town Meeting. They also suggested that information about how the surrounding towns deal with this issue be made available The next idea was to remind everyone that they can make a
tax-deductible contribution to the fund. Ms. Mooney suggested that the request be put in with the tax bills. Ms. Seaverns reminded the Board there could be no enclosures in the tax bills per State law. Ms. Mooney will work on an article to be placed in the Community Newsletter. Ms. Mooney then asked if some type of levy could be issued and the funds derived from it be put into the conservation fund. This levy would be tied to insuring that Nottingham’s rural character be preserved. The Board was certain that this type of levy could not be collected. There was a brief discussion about impact fees. More discussion followed about the Town’s willingness, up to this point, to fund the acquisition of conservation lands. Ms. Mooney was glad that the Mulligan Land had been approved by the taxpayers. The Commission will work on a warrant article to change the percentage of LUCT, gather information from surrounding towns in regard to their handling of LUCT monies and draft a
submission for the newsletter in regard to making a tax-deductible contribution to the Conservation Fund. Ms. Mooney and Ms. Abrams thanked the Board for their time and left at 7:20PM.
Regarding department business, Mr. Brown reported that the Freeman Hall Bridge is open. He had a conversation with the engineer today who indicated the construction company had done an excellent job on the project. They still have to stripe and remove the power pole so there may be incidental delays as the project comes to a completion.
The Police will hopefully be at the next meeting with a new hire. The Fire Department had submitted a job description of duties for the Fire Chief as the Board requested. The Building Inspector and the Recreation department had no new issues.
Mr. Brown reported that the Treasurer has a goal to accrue $140,000 in interest this year. It was estimated that we would accrue $60,000 in revenue so she will exceed the estimated amount. The Trustees of the Trust Funds took Ms. Travis’ advice and contacted the bank (Citizen’s) in regard to 2 funds they are in charge of and the bank has agreed to go back to the beginning of the year for interest. Board members and Mr. Brown thanked Ms. Travis for her efforts on behalf of the Town.
Regarding the outstanding minutes of October 30, 2006,
Motion: Bock, second Netishen to accept as printed the minutes of October 30, 2006.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
Regarding the outstanding minutes of October 31, 2006,
Motion: Bock, second Netishen to accept as corrected the minutes of October 31, 2006.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
The Board next addressed the items in the signature file,
Motion: Netishen, second Bock to sign certification for Equalized Ratio Study. This study will be filed on-line this year.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
Motion: Netishen, second Bock to approve the abatement for Map 26 Lot 6 in the amount of
$ 107.00.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
Motion: Netishen, second Bock to approve abatement for Map 43 Lot 25 in the amount of
$ 25.00.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
Next to be discussed was the 2007 budget. Mr. Brown informed the Board that the Town has received a request for funding in 2007 from CASA of NH in the amount of $ 500.00. The Board would like some additional information about the organization and whether or not they have served any children in Nottingham before they make a decision. Mr. Brown will contact the agency for more information. Mr. Brown has requested a narrative from the Conservation Commission via e-mail. As presented this evening, the 2007 budget is $ 21,887 less than the 2006 budget. Mr. Brown reported he had a conversation with the Moderator today and as a result; the printing line in the election budget will be reduced from $2190 to $1500. The training/support line will be reduced from $1650 down to $1275. Ms. Seaverns informed the Board that the software
support for the appraisal software had been changed from $1950 to $2165 based on the invoice received today from Avitar. Mr. Netishen asked if the insurance numbers and the personnel administration numbers had been changed to reflect the salary/wage adjustments done at the last meeting. Mr. Brown stated the numbers reflect the changes made by the Board. Mr. Brown informed the Board that all requests for 2006 funding have been received from the social service agencies. The personnel administration budget reflects the 14% increase in health insurance for full-time employees. Mr. Bock informed the Board that he had contacted the members of the Economic Development committee and they would like to keep the committee going even though the direction the committee should take is unclear. Much discussion followed about the whole economic development concept and how it fits Nottingham.
Motion: Netishen, second Bock to add expense line of $ 1000 to Economic Development budget.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
Mr. Brown informed the Board that the Fire department might have an additional request for funds to pay for physical agility testing for department members. The issue has just come up and information is being compiled. The only outstanding issues at this time are funding amounts for Capital Reserve Funds (CRF) and the SUV warrant article. After some discussion, the Highway CRF article will be for the amount of $ 50,000 and the Fire/Rescue CRF article will be for the amount of $ 50,000. The Board elects not to put any money into the Fire Station CRF since there will be an article for a new station. In the event that the new station does not pass, there are sufficient funds in the account now to do any site work etc. that can be done. The Police Chief has requested that an article be put on the warrant for a 4 X 4 vehicle.
Much discussion followed about the pros and cons of this purchase. The Board finally decided to put the article on the warrant and let the people decide if they want to fund the purchase. The Board will have another opportunity to discuss the budget at their next meeting on November 27th before they meet with the budget committee on the 30th.
Representative Elect Frank Case stepped forward to address the Board. He started by thanking everyone who supported him in his campaign. He stated he has no personal agenda, he wants to participate in the legislative process and vote on bills based on what the impact would be to the 4 towns he represents. The Board members reminded him that LCHIP is a valuable program that should have continued funding. The Board also made the plea for some type of funding from the State for host towns for state parks. Mr. Case reminded the Board he is fully aware of the Park and its drain on town services. The Board informed Mr. Case that the State had only funded one weekend of special duty at the Park this year because of limited funds. Mr. Case said he would try to get some information about the situation and hopefully get more
coverage funded next year. Mr. Case told the Board he would like to meet with them on a regular basis and he will contact Mr. Brown to be put on the agenda as needed. Mr. Case thanked the Board for their time and he left at 8:50PM. Ms. Seaverns left at 8:50PM as well.
8:50 PM Motion: Netishen, second Bock to enter non-public session under RSA 91A: 3 II (a).
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
10:05 PM Motion: Netishen, second Bock to come out of non-public session.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
10:06 PM Motion: Netishen, second Bock to keep all discussions in non-public session sealed.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
10:06 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 corrected
12/11/06
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