Town of Nottingham
Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes
February 2, 2009
6:36 M Acting Chair Bonser opened the meeting and asked all those present to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.
Members Present: Mary Bonser and Peter Bock
Members Absent: Bill Netishen
Others: Chelli Tennis, Brian Stucker, Communications Policy Committee; Charles Brown, Town Administrator; Traci Chauvey, Recording Secretary
ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS:
Acting Chair Bonser inquired about department reports.
Mr. Brown informed the Selectmen that Police Chief Gunnar Foss accepted the position of Emergency Management Director and Investigator Ross Oberlin will be Assistant Emergency Management Director. The Selectmen thanked Mr. Colby for his work as EMD and acknowledged the need for an Assistant EMD since emergencies require oversight 24/7 until they’re over. An Assistant EMD will allow for the splitting of shifts and periods of rest.
Motion: Bock, second Bonser to appoint Gunnar Foss as Nottingham’s Emergency Management Director and Ross Oberlin as the Assistant Emergency Management Director.
Vote: All in favor. Motion passed 2-0.
The Selectmen signed the appointment forms.
Mr. Brown reported that Mr. Colby will not know until February 6th when he will be able to return to work.
Mr. Brown informed the Selectmen that he has received a request from a resident that snow not be plowed back into his driveway after it had been cleared. The Selectmen empathized with the individual but see no solution.
The grader is back in service. The repairs were covered under the warranty.
Mr. Brown reported that Ms. Horvath and Ms. Chauvey had been working diligently on the Town Report but were still waiting for some items. At Mr. Bock’s inquiry, Ms. Chauvey indicated that the report was coming along, acknowledging that they were still waiting on some items from the SAU and others.
Mr. Bock announced that the deadline for elected position sign-ups had passed. He thanked those who have signed up for their interest in their community and acknowledged, with gratitude, Mr. Netishen’s, generosity, commitment, and years of service.
Ms. Bonser announced the following meetings:
Planning Board Tuesday, February 3, 2009 @7PM Public Hearing – Proposed Zoning Ordinance Changes
School Board Wednesday, February 4, 2009 @ 7PM School Deliberative Session
Budget Committee Thursday, February 5, 2009 @ 7PM Public Hearing – Town Budget
The Selectmen encouraged the public to attend meetings and have their voices heard.
There was discussion around SB110 which would remove the ability to elect Town Clerks and, instead, have them appointed by the Selectmen. The Town Clerk’s Association is highly opposed to this. Ms. Weston has requested that a letter be sent to the author(s) of the bill in support of her and the Association. The Selectmen feel that the election process provides a needed autonomy of the Town Clerk position. They support Ms. Weston and the Association.
Motion: Bock, second Bonser to have Mr. Brown send a letter of opposition to the author(s).
Vote: All in favor. Motion passed 2-0.
Mr. Bock announced that the Nottingham Day Committee had held its first meeting. Nottingham Day is tentatively set for Saturday, September 19th. The Committee meets once a month and all volunteers are welcome.
Ms. Bonser inquired about bids for the loader. Mr. Brown reported that Mr. Fernald had received bids and his recommendation was R.C. Hazelton.
The Selectmen informed the public that they had met with Kent Nolan, Senator Gregg’s Senior Representative, for about an hour, voicing concerns and providing information around Nottingham’s infrastructure needs. They have, also, been in contact with Senator Shaheen’s and Carol Shea-Porter’s offices. Mr. Brown has been in touch with NHMA (LGC) and put together a list of CIP items that could be completed immediately if the funds were available. Mr. Bock publicly thanked Mr. Brown for his help and support.
APPOINTMENTS
7:00 PM – Communications Policy Committee – Communications Policies
At 7:01 Acting Chair Bonser acknowledged Chelli Tennis and Brian Stucker and invited them to the mic.
Nottingham Community Newsletter
Ms. Tennis informed the Selectmen that she had received a correction from Rhoda Capron earlier that day. Ms. Capron wants to insert the words ‘that are contested’inserted between “…for Nottingham offices” and “…are invited to submit.” Since the Newsletter is a volunteer effort, and there is great concern over an inundation of articles being submitted this time of year, everyone agreed that the draft policy (see official file), with the amendment, was acceptable.
There was discussion about getting help for the Newsletter at this time of year. The Selectmen will address this with the volunteers after the March election.
Cablecasting on Channel 22
Mr. Stucker explained that the Committee had viewed several policies while drafting this one (see official file). It is very close to the policy in Bedford.
Ms. Bonser questioned the reference to three stations (13, 22, and 98). Mr. Stucker stated that the Town technically has three stations. He does not know if we could call Comcast and get them up and running for use under the current contract.
Mr. Bock asked the Committee to change Town Manager to Town Administrator on Page 6, first paragraph and in 3.1.4. He, also, asked that they clear up the wording of the second sentence. Mr. Brown suggested it be changed to, “If the producer is going to be late, contact the Town Administrator or other designated contact.”
There was discussion around the steps to take when someone wants to broadcast. Ms. Bonser asked the Committee to put in clear steps regarding how to go about it and who to contact.
The only time limitation designated in this current policy is 30 minutes for individuals running for office. Due to the current set up of the system, the producer is responsible for staying for the duration of the broadcast.
Mr. Bock, acknowledging concern over ensuring community standards and expectations, inquired about recourse for inappropriate material. Mr. Stucker noted sections in the policy where this issue is addressed and directed Mr. Bock to the appendices.
There was discussion about the references which relate to the future.
Ms. Chauvey inquired about the Equipment Sign Out form referenced in 3.1.5, noting that it was not included in the appendices. Mr. Stucker thought one has been included with the interim policy. Ms. Chauvey is currently using a Cablecasting and Key Agreement form she created when all this began. Mr. Stucker believes these should be included in the appendices.
Ms. Chauvey asked for clarification of 3.1.2. Mr. Brown suggested that it be stated that a broadcast cannot be scheduled anymore than 2 weeks in advance of the broadcast date and that a broadcast cannot be scheduled to run for any longer than 2 weeks. The producer is welcome to come in at the end of the two week run time to schedule more time. Ms. Bonser asked the Committee to include wording that a producer cannot schedule a show to run for more than two hours per day. Mr. Bock asked to have examples of reasons a producer may get bumped included. Ms. Chauvey, acknowledging the current set up/situation, inquired about blocks of time that people cannot broadcast. She voiced concern over not being able to update the bulletin board and not having the bulletin board available to those who
use it for information. Mr. Stucker felt those were technical questions and did not have an answer. Ms. Chauvey voiced concern over not having a policy that addressed the Town’s current situation with broadcasting. There was discussion around a schedule with periods of time blocked out. Ms. Chauvey felt this would be very helpful. The Committee will reference a schedule in the policy. Mr. Brown voiced concern over the amount of time Ms. Chauvey spends on updating the bulletin board, noting that this is a very busy time of year and the bulletin board is not a priority.
The Selectmen agreed to keep using the Interim Policy until the final policy was updated. They thanked the Committee for their hard work.
Mr. Stucker and Ms. Tennis left the meeting. There was a break from 8:07PM until 8:12PM.
OTHER BUSINESS
Ms. Bonser and Mr. Brown updated Mr. Bock on the NHMA meeting they attended regarding alternative measures to generate revenue. One source being talked about is a gas tax, generated at the State level, for five cents in 2009, five cents in 2010, and five cents in 2011, for a total of 0.15¢ in the third year. There was also talk of increasing gambling opportunities in the State. Although NHMA has not, in the past, become involved with the State’s handling of revenues funds, they are looking to their member base for input on which measures to support.
Mr. Brown informed the Selectmen that they had received a letter from Higher Grounds Baptist Church requesting a full abatement. He read from NH RSA 72:23-c I, which states that no exemption or abatement may be granted after the tax rate has been set for that year. The Selectmen asked Mr. Brown to follow up with Town Council to see if there is anything that can be done for this situation.
Mr. Brown read a letter received from Diane Kirkwood, a Nottingham resident. She referenced the social service agencies that are included in the Warrant and asked that they include donations for the New England Hemophilia Association and the American Heart Association. There was discussion around the agencies that request funds, which are local and provide services to Nottingham residents. The budget is finalized, at this time, and the Selectmen do not feel that these two organizations meet the criteria of providing direct services to Nottingham residents. The Selectmen requested that Mr. Brown write a letter to Ms. Kirkwood
The Warrant has been reviewed by Town Council and is appropriate as written, so far. Mr. Bock inquired about a hard figure for the fire truck. Mr. Brown reported that he had not obtained a hard number but that Chief Vilchock wanted to keep it at $360,000. Mr. Brown is to check if the $360,000 included the decals.
Mr. Brown reported that 20-25 contractors showed up for the Mill Pond Bridge pre-construction meeting. He also received many visits and inquiries on the generator but had only received 4 bids ranging from $18,000 to $65,000. Obviously, they were not for the same exact specs. Now that Mr. Brown has more information, he may do a more detailed RFP. Mr. Bock wants to meet with Mr. Brown to review the proposals. The Selectmen will discuss the issue further with Mr. Brown at the meeting on the 17th to see which direction he plans to take.
Nottingham has received an offer from the Accu-Vote company to buy a memory card, which normally costs $250, for $125. The Selectmen want Mr. Brown to move forward and purchase the memory card.
The Selectmen addressed the signature file signing and Intent to Cut for M 53 L 6-2 and several Veteran’s Tax Credits
Motion: Bock, second Bonser to deny an Abatement Request for M 39 L 23 because the request missed the deadline.
Vote: All in favor. Motion passed 2-0.
The Selectmen reviewed the SPCA contract and asked Mr. Brown to sign it on behalf of the town.
Having no further business,
Motion: Bock, second Bonser to adjourn the meeting.
Vote: All in favor. Motion passed 2-0.
Meeting adjourned at 8:47 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Traci Chauvey
Recording Secretary
Approved as amended at the March 4, 2009 meeting
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