Town of Nottingham
Selectmen’s Meeting
February 1, 2010
6:31 PM Chair Bonser opened the meeting and asked all those present to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.
Members Present: Mary Bonser, Peter Bock, Gary Anderson
Guests: Art Jenks
Others: Charlie Brown, Town Administrator; Traci Chauvey, Recording Secretary; Heidi Seaverns; Gail Mills; Chris Mills; John Terninko
ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS
Chair Bonser inquired about department reports. Mr. Brown reported that Gene Perrault is filling in as Building Inspector while Mr. Colby is away on vacation. The decals are finished on the new fire truck; they look good. Training on the new truck is ongoing and it will be approximately three more weeks before it is put into service. All is well with the Highway Department.
Mr. Bock informed all that he had received an inquiry on broadcasting the Town Meeting. He feels that broadcasting this event is not in the best interest of the public, noting that people need to attend in order to participate. He asked the other Selectmen to speak to the issue. Chair Bonser noted that the Selectmen are just another body at Town Meeting. It is the day when Nottingham’s legislature (the residents) meets to set the course for the coming year(s). The vote of the people is extremely important and they cannot vote by watching the meeting on television. She acknowledged that there may be people who are shut in that would appreciate the broadcast, adding that broadcasting could be looked into. Mr. Anderson concurred, acknowledging the people who are shut in, and
noting that participation is key. Mr. Bock encouraged those who are shut in to make arrangements for a ride. Mr. Brown stressed the import of attending. Chair Bonser, again, noted that broadcasting could be looked into. Mr. Bock is not sure that that would be the right way to go.
Chair Bonser addressed a memo from Janet Horvath, Recreation Director. Mr. Brown informed the Selectmen that the recreation department spends $5K - $6K a year on renting a van for two months during the summer. They are looking at purchasing one out of the recreation revolving account. Chair Bonser felt that it should be a stand-alone warrant due to the lateness of its submission. Mr. Bock has questions for Ms. Horvath and he feels there are benefits to renting, which include maintenance and liability. Mr. Brown informed all that this would not go forth as a warrant as the money would come from the recreation revolving account. It does not need to be raised and there would be no effect on taxes. Chair Bonser wants to speak with the Budget Committee prior to weighing in on the
purchase.
There was discussion around single stream recycling. Chair Bonser informed all that the Selectmen had received a presentation on single stream recycling. She acknowledged some benefits, which include not having to separate as much as we currently do, which appears to bring in more participation. The Selectmen are putting forth a warrant article to allow them to enter into an inter-municipal agreement for the disposal of Nottingham’s recyclables and solid waste if they should decide that they believe it is in the best interest of the town. Chair Bonser read Article 14 of the warrant. Mr. Bock reported that he is in contact with people from two communities who are dropping out of their single stream recycling, noting that there are issues with policies and administrative costs that are
not apparent. He was
cautioned to be very careful, adding that the warrant gives the Selectmen the authority to pursue this opportunity. Chair Bonser informed all that the reason this is on the warrant this year is because the co-op needs to have a commitment to participate very soon in order to put their model together and start planning. She is not convinced that this is the avenue the Selectmen will take. Mr. Brown informed all that the co-op needs to have 25K tons guaranteed, with a maximum of 71K tons per year, in order to construct and open the single stream recycling facility. The co-op already has their primary patrons and is looking for associates. There are no up-front costs. One area that is not clear is the money that goes toward ash management. Mr. Anderson noted that in addition to
researching the single source recycling, the Selectmen also need to look at what it will mean for our current operations. Mr. Brown believes the co-op needs a commitment by May. Chair Bonser wants more information before making a commitment. The Selectmen agreed to have Attorney Teague review Article 14 to assure that it, in itself, is not a commitment. Mr. Brown informed all that there are two or three different ways to get out of the commitment but did not have the 70-page contract in front of him to provide the details. Mr. Bock inquired about single source recycling through Waste Management. Mr. Brown informed him that they have a facility in Massachusetts but he believes the hauling fees would be horrendous.
Mr. Brown asked the Selectmen to vote on Article 6, the town’s operation budget. They presented the budget to the Budget Committee last Thursday. The proposed operating budget is $3,309,095.00.
Motion: Bock, second Anderson to recommend an operating budget for the town of $3,309,095.00.
Vote: All in favor. Motion passed: 3-0.
Mr. Bock made a public plea for residents to be careful during this season while burning wood for heat.
Chair Bonser announced that a hearing was scheduled for 8:50am in Room 102 at the State House on SB 369, dealing with the expiration of large groundwater withdrawal permits upon the expiration of the building permit. A copy of the bill can be obtained at nh.gov.
There was discussion around signing of the warrant. The Selectmen will sign on Thursday, after Attorney Teague has had time to review Article 14.
Chair Bonser reminded the public that the School Deliberative Session was scheduled for Wednesday, February 3rd at 6:30 PM. She explained that the school district had adopted SB2 and all amounts set at this meeting are what will go on the ballot for vote on March 9th. The school’s proposed operating budget is $9,711,545.00. In addition, there are seven warrant articles. Ms. Bonser urged the public to attend the meeting.
Chair Bonser informed the public that the public hearing on the town budget was Thursday evening at 7:00 PM.
Mr. Bock informed the public that the Building Committee was meeting Tuesday evening at 7:00 PM. One of the topics of discussion would be available space for the food pantry. He noted that the needs of the community continue to grow. The food pantry is currently serving over 100 families and individuals. Mr. Bock expressed deep appreciation to the community and thanked the residents for their generosity. At Chair Bonser’s inquiry, Mr. Anderson informed all that no further progress had been made on space for the public access cable equipment but that that, also, would be on tomorrow’s agenda. Chair Bonser inquired about an archive room. Mr. Anderson reported that the Building Committee has been researching information on an archive room and is quite surprised at what goes
into it. They do not want to do it haphazardly.
The Selectmen addressed the signature file. There was a brief discussion around the contract addendum contained within. The Selectmen determined that they would review the addendum and sign it Thursday.
Motion: Anderson, second Bock to sign the Addendum to Statistical Update Contract from Commerford, Neider, and Perkins on Thursday evening.
Vote: All in favor. Motion passed: 3-0
Minutes
October 26, 2009 (Meeting)
Line 152: Add the word are
Line 153: Change the word import to important
Motion: Bock, second Anderson to approve the minutes of the October 26, 2009 meeting as amended.
Vote: All in favor. Motion passed 3-0.
November 9, 2009 (Meeting)
Motion: Bock, second Anderson to approve the minutes of the November 9, 2009 meeting as written.
Vote: All in favor. Motion passed 3-0.
November 23, 2009 (Meeting)
Line 39: Identify Attorney Meyers as the Governor’s Counsel.
Line 89: Add and had the same feelings.
Motion: Anderson, second Bock to approve the minutes of the November 23, 2009 workshop as amended.
Vote: All in favor. Motion passed 3-0.
November 25, 2009 (Workshop)
Line 46: Change their to his or her.
Motion: Bock, second Anderson to approve the minutes of the November 25, 2009 workshop as amended.
Vote: All in favor. Motion passed 3-0.
December 7, 2009 (Meeting)
Line 29: Remove the second instance of a little.
Motion: Bock, second Anderson to approve the minutes of the December 7, 2009 meeting as amended.
Vote: All in favor. Motion passed 3-0.
December 14, 2009 (Workshop)
Line 37: Change achive to achieve.
Line 53: The meeting was on December 7, 2009.
Line 53: Change she to her.
Motion: Anderson, second Bock to approve the minutes of the October 29, 2009 workshop as amended.
Vote: All in favor. Motion passed 3-0.
GENERAL BUSINESS
Mr. Brown directed the Selectmen’s attention to the draft Animal Control Officer job summary he had distributed and asked them to review and mark up the draft with any changes. He reported that he is finishing up the personnel policy which he will pass on to Ms. Chauvey for formatting. Chair Bonser indicated that the ACO summary looks good upon cursory review. The Selectmen will vote on the ACO summary on Thursday. At Mr. Bock’s inquiry, Mr. Brown indicated that there will be a closer relationship between the police department and the ACO now that the animal control calls will be going through Rockingham County Dispatch. He believes dispatch will call the police department if they are unable to reach an ACO and that it is likely the policy will be called during the night.
There was discussion around proper outfitting of the new Deputy ACO. Mr. Brown is setting up training for both the ACO and the Deputy ACO.
NON-PUBLIC:
Motion: Bock, second Anderson to enter non-public under RSA 91-A:3 II (c).
Vote: Anderson – yea, Bock – yea, Bonser – yea. Passed by roll call: 3-0
The Selectmen entered a non-public session at 7:35 PM.
Motion: Bock, second Anderson to exit non-public.
Vote: Bock – yea, Anderson – yea, Bonser – yea. Passed by roll call: 3-0
The Selectmen exited the non-public session at 8:09 PM.
Motion: Bock, second Anderson to seal the minutes of the non-public session.
Vote: Bock – yea, Anderson – yea, Bonser – yea. Passed by roll call: 3-0
GENERAL BUSINESS Cont.
There was discussion around a letter of opinion received from Attorney Donovan.
Motion: Bock, second Anderson to make public a letter of opinion dated January 28, 2010, from Attorney Donovan on the water ordinance.
Vote: All in favor. Motion passed: 3-0
Chair Bonser informed all that she had received a request from a constituent for a shooting range. Mr. Brown and Mr. Bock are not in favor of this.
Chair Bonser inquired about putting the Selectmen’s Annual Report in the Community Newsletter. Mr. Bock is not in favor of this.
There was discussion around putting the letter of opinion from Attorney Donovan on the website. Chair Bonser was strongly in favor of this, however Mr. Bock is not. Mr. Bock will consider and get back to Mr. Brown tomorrow.
Chair Bonser reported that things are moving forward at the State level. She has received a call from the Governor’s Office. They want a meeting between Chair Bonser, Commissioner Burack and the Governor. There was discussion around who else should participate. The Selectmen determined that Mr. Brown will attend the meeting with Chair Bonser. Chair Bonser will see about getting a community meeting with Commissioner Burack and/or Governor Lynch while she is there.
Mr. Bock reported that he will be on vacation from Saturday, February 6th thru Tuesday, February 9th. Mr. Brown reported that he will be on vacation the week of February 22nd.
Having no further business,
Motion: Bonser, second Bock to adjourn the meeting.
Vote: All in favor. Motion passed 3-0.
Meeting adjourned at 8:32 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Traci Chauvey
Recording Secretary
Approved as written at the April 19, 2010 workshop.
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