SUNAPEE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING
7:00 PM Town Hall
Monday, February 11, 2008
Present: Emma Smith – Chairman, Stephen White – Vice Chairman, Richard Leone, William Road, Frederick Gallup, Donna Nashawaty – Town Manager, David Cahill – Police Chief, Joseph Collins – Police Department, Theresa Mastin – Police Department, Mike French – Goffstown Police Chief, Christopher Connelly – Dunbarton Police Chief, Butch Burbank – NH Local Government Center
The meeting was called to order at 7:06 PM by Chairman Smith.
ITEMS FOR SIGNATURE OR REVIEW: See attached agenda
PUBLIC COMMENTS – The first 15 minutes of the Board of Selectmen meeting is reserved for comments from the public.
None.
APPOINTMENTS:
Police Department – Route 11 noise complaint update
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Dave Cahill explained that the complaint was from Mr. Garland and was about the engine brake
noise coming down Route 11 by the highway garage. He contacted the state and they will not
get involved. He stated that if the trucks do not use the engine brakes, they could have fires.
Fred Gallup advised that it is not necessary to use engine brakes to come down the hill. They
can gear down before getting to the top of the hill. The amount of time on the road will not
change by more than a minute. It revolves around the person driving the truck. He stated that
the brakes won’t burn. The only time there could be a fire would be if there was an oil leakage.
Dave stated that Mr. Garland is still concerned and Mt. Royal Academy has also been concerned
with speed on Route 11. One remedy could be to move the 30 MPH sign further up the hill. The
Highway Safety Committee could also look at it. Fred stated that there was some concern also
about the Browns Hill intersection before. Dave stated that he has also heard suggestions to
reduce the 50 MPH zone to 45 MPH. Steve White said that he does not see a problem with
reducing the speed limit. It was decided to refer the matter to the Highway Safety Committee
CALEA
Dave Cahill introduced Chief Christopher Connelly of the Dunbarton Police Department, Chief
Mike French of the Goffstown Police Department, and Mr. Butch Burbank of the NH Local
Government Center. Dunbarton is about the same size as Sunapee and Goffstown is a mid sized
town.
Chief French stated that he has been involved since 1989. It is an extremely valuable process. It
is very cost effective management tool and a blueprint for the management of an agency. The
standards tell what to do, not how to do it. There are clearly defined policies and procedures and
they are tested on them. You can do them to meet your own style of policing.
Accreditation supports the agency and can demonstrate that the officers are trained in all policies
and procedures. The recognition program has 110 standards. There are 459 in the national
program. By using this program, it is cost effective and allows the Chief to bring everything into
line. It can save on administrative costs as they move to the next level.
Chief Connelly stated that accreditation becomes a lifestyle. It provides a fantastic foundation to put police procedures into place. All offices perform tasks in the same way. It provides continuity for case prosecution much better. Everything is documented properly. The training for part time offices is the same as for full time, otherwise functions are limited with a full time officer overseeing.
Dave Cahill explained that they now have 6 part time officers. Training has been extended from 100 to 200 hours. The driver and firearms training is the same as for full time officers. These are the two areas with the most liability.
Mr. Burbank explained that if a suit is filed, the first request is for all policies and procedures, and training. The Local Government Center supports the move to CALEA. It makes for a better running agency. Nationally they see 16% less suits filed and of all those filed 50% are successful. Of those that proceed, they see a 50% less payout. There are a lot of good benefits. It is worth the time and commitment. There is a comfort level for the agency and the Board of Selectmen. If a town undertakes CALEA, the LGC has a grant of about $1,000.00 to give to towns to use for administrative purposes, office supplies, extra staff, etc., to get it going.
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Chief French advised that the New Hampshire Chiefs’ Association has a line item in their budget that allows an award of $500.00 for agencies that meet that status. There is a huge amount of support and assistance through the Tri State Coalition Group to share information. The process allows you to meet standards without changing the personality of an agency.
Steve White stated he is in favor as it is professional and cost effective. Bill Roach stated that it is good procedure to have standardized policies and procedures to work from. Fred Gallup asked how much more time would be needed to achieve, administer, and keep going. Dave explained that there may be meetings and quarterly sessions for Theresa Mastin and Joe Collins to attend. The will go to the first level and then know if they want to go on and be nationally accredited. Fred stated you have to weigh the advantages to the cost. Dave advised they know it is a commitment and a few extra hours. He doesn’t foresee the Administrative Assistant going to full time. It takes about 1 to 1 ½ years to complete. The startup fees are about $1,500.00. Dick
Leone stated that if they feel it is valuable, they should do it. However, he feels that they are already professional. Dave stated that if it goes through and they become an accredited department, they can get good candidates for officers. Emma Smith stated that accreditation is a wonderful thing and it gives a sense of pride. She is also in favor. A motion was made by Steve White to give the Chief the opportunity to enter the process. The motion was seconded by Bill Roach and approved with 4 in favor and 1 abstention (RL).
Parking on Route 11
Donna Nashawaty advised that she received a complaint regarding large truck parked, blocking views of the road on Route 11 in Georges Mills. There are quite a few no parking signs from Jobs Creek Road to the New London Town Line. There are 8, with 6 before Otter Hill Road. On the other side there are no signs from Springfield Road to Otter Hill Road. She contacted DOT and was advised that Chief Fitch had made a request to omit signs in front of the store. They will review it if more signs are requested. Dave Cahill stated that it is a potential hazard. Tony paints the crosswalk because the State doesn’t want the responsibility. He stated that there should be 2 signs before the store in the westerly direction. Donna suggested that they go to the Highway Safety
Committee. Dave stated that they need to identify the no parking area.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes of January 28, 2008 were reviewed. A motion was made by Steve White to
approve the minutes. The motion was seconded by Bill Roach and approved unanimously.
SELECTMEN ACTION
None
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
Emma reported that Charles Smith made a motion at the Water & Sewer Commissioners’
meeting that the Commission contribute $50,000.00 toward the Treatment Plant Road bridge.
The motion was defeated as the Commission felt it is the town’s responsibility. Donna stated
that it is a town road.
Dick Leone questioned if the agenda and minutes are on the internet. Donna advised that as of
today the web site is updated. It is still a work in process. You can select and then items will be
emailed as they are put on the website.
TOWN MANAGER REPORTS
Staff - Donna reported that a payroll clerk has been hired. Jenny Dodd will be working 2 days a
week. A new Administrative Assistant has also been hired. Barbara Vaughn will start on
Tuesday, February 19, 2008 and will work Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday on the front
desk.
Audit – Donna reported that she has a bid for the audit from Frank Byron, Melanson, Heath &
Co. for a $20,000.00 one year contract. We were paying $15,000.00 previously. She will be
doing an RFP for a three year contract.
Town Manager’s Contingency - Donna reported that they are on target with the insurance
plans. However, if they have two people leave that had 2 person plans and they are replaced
with people with family plans, they do not have the funds. Steve White stated that they may
have to compare what is provided with what is provided by other businesses. Donna stated that
they need to look at what the school provides. They will need to up the contingency to
$10,000.00 to $12,000.00 for the next budget season. She also advised that the Water & Sewer
Department voted to change the job descriptions for Operators 1 and 2 to add another
requirement. They are part of the town’s organizational chart and job descriptions.
Contracts - Donna reported that she has the contracts for Newport Ambulance, New London
Dispatch, and Community Alliance.
Town Report - The town report is at the printer and will be at Town Hall on February 25th.
Coalition Communities - Steve White will go if the weather is not bad. If he cannot attend, he
will email the Chair in support of the legislation. The meeting is Tuesday, February 12th . It
starts at 2:00 PM and should be over around 4:00 – 4:30 PM. Donna advised that they can also
send a letter from the Board to Bob O’Dell and it will then go to the House. Steve White
volunteered to write a letter. The Board members agreed. Steve will email a copy of the letter to
the Board members. The letter will go to the Judicial Committee and to Bob O’Dell. Dick
Leone stated that a copy should also go to Sue Gottling. Steve will send her a copy.
MISCELLANEOUS
Bill Roach advised that they need to talk about trailer parking on River Rd. after town meeting
if the warrant article is approved. Donna stated that they should have Tony check with his
engineer as a guide for a plan.
Bill Roach questioned Channel 8 being the Sunapee Channel. Channel 10 now has the Newport
School Board and Channel 8 show the Newport Selectmen, Newport Planning & Zoning and
Town Meetings. Donna explained that Newport owns up to the Sunapee Town Line and
Sunapee owns from the Newport/Sunapee Town Line into Sunapee. Sunapee will see the
Sunapee meetings and Newport will see the Newport meetings.
The meeting adjourned at 9:25 PM.
Submitted by,
Joan Bleau Approved______________________
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Emma M. Smith, Chairman Stephen W. White, Vice Chairman
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William Roach Richard Leone
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Frederick Gallup
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