Town of Nottingham
Selectmen’s Workshop Minutes
August 20, 2008
8:30 AM Chair Netishen opened the workshop and asked those present to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.
Members Present: Bill Netishen, Mary Bonser, and Peter Bock
Guests: Police Chief Gunnar Foss
Others Present: Charles Brown, Town Administrator and Traci Chauvey, Recording Secretary
ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS:
Motion: Chair Netishen, second Bonser to enter into non-public session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II (a).
Roll Call Vote: Bonser – Yea, Bock – Yea, Netishen – Yea. Motion passed 3-0.
The Selectmen entered non-public session at 8:31 AM.
Motion: Chair Netishen, second Bonser to close the non-public session.
Roll Call Vote: Bonser – Yea, Bock – Yea, Netishen – Yea. Motion passed 3-0.
Public session closed at 9:05 AM.
Motion: Bonser, second Bock to seal the minutes of the August 20, 2008 non-public session.
Roll Call Vote: Bonser – Yea, Bock – Yea, Netishen – Yea. Motion passed 3-0.
The following action was taken in non-public session:
Motion: Netishen, second Bock to approve the promotion of Officer Spagna to Sergeant with an increase in salary to $45,000 per year.
Vote: All in favor. Motion passed 3-0.
Request to broadcast Nottingham Republican Party’s upcoming Meet and Greet:
Chair Netishen moved to the discussion of broadcasting the Nottingham Republican Party’s Meet & Greet which is scheduled for August 22, 2008 at the Nottingham Elementary School. Ms. Bonser excused herself from the table at 9:07 AM explaining that she had brought the request forth. Mr. Bock expressed concern for the non-partisan position of the Town, not having a policy in place, and limiting freedom of speech. He also noted that he had spoken with representatives from the Democratic Party who felt that they did not/would not have time to prepare an equal broadcast. Ms. Bonser, speaking as an audience member and acknowledging the non-partisan position of the Town, voiced concern about limiting freedom of speech and felt that if a viewer did not like what was being said they then have the
option of not watching. Mr. Brown voiced concern over the Town’s liability in the event of offensive, derogatory comments made by a candidate, noting that the broadcast system does not have an airing delay mechanism. .Ms. Bonser suggested checking with NHMA to see if a policy already exists by which the Town would be required to air such events simply because Nottingham has a public access channel. Chair Netishen believes that the better informed the community is the better choices they make when voting; however voiced serious concern over the lack of policy.
Motion: Netishen, second Bock not to broadcast the upcoming Nottingham Republican Party’s Meet and Greet scheduled for Friday, August 22, 2008.
Vote: All in favor. Motion passed 2-0.
Chair Netishen requested that this topic be placed on the September 2 agenda to allow residents to voice their opinions. Mr. Bock requested that the Nottingham representatives from both parties be invited to attend the meeting, for discussion. Ms. Chauvey will follow up on this request. Ms. Bonser will follow up with NHMA and surrounding towns to see if a policy exists. Ms. Bonser resumed her seat at the Selectmen’s table at 9:22 AM.
HCPP Grant Advisory Committee Invitation Letter:
Draft was not received. Discussion tabled.
Volunteer Nomination:
Mr. Bock informed Mr. Brown that he had submitted a draft to Chair Netishen at the meeting held on August 4. The Selectmen asked Mr. Brown to formalize it and return it to them for signature.
GENERAL BUSINESS:
Chair Netishen requested copies of the Nottingham Day flyer for posting.
Mr. Brown informed the Selectmen that Mr. Welch had come in to offer the Historical Society’s services in rearranging and setting up the Dame School for the Selectmen’s Meeting to be held on September 2, 2008. (To clarify, the ZBA will be meeting in Conference Room 1 on September 2). Ms. Chauvey informed the Selectmen that the Nottingham Day Committee would not be meeting on September 2nd in Conference Room #2 as the meeting had been moved to September 3. The Selectmen agreed that it would be more convenient to hold the Selectmen’s Meeting in Conference Room #2.
Mr. Brown reported that the Recycling Center is having success with the improved mandatory recycling efforts to reduce Nottingham’s bulk waste cost.
Having no further business,
Motion: Bonser, second Bock to adjourn.
Vote: All in favor. Motion passed 3-0.
Meeting adjourned at 9:35 AM.
Respectfully submitted,
Traci Chauvey
Recording Secretary
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