TOWN OF TUFTONBORO
Selectmen present: Rick Chellman, Susan Weeks and Bill Stockman.
Selectmen reviewed mail, which included: Building Permit for Peter & Susan Walker; Certificate of Occupancy for Allen B. & Joy Jones; Property Transfers from Bodine Company to David W, Crippen, Bodine Company to Alpha L. & Janet Hay Lyons, Peter C. Morrill to Greg & Barbara Tierney; Statewide Enhanced Education Tax Warrant for 2004; DES Decision re: Sauve Appeal; Boundary Line Adjustment for Brian, Gary & James Stockman; BTLA response to Poirier re: compounded interest; Dufresne-Henry Tuftonboro Landfill groundwater monitoring results; Police Dept. Gas Usage for November; Carroll County News; CEI Environmental Edge; Minimum Impact Expedited Application for Bell Family Trust; Full Circle; Notice of Adjournment Adelphia; Councilor Ray Burton annual report; Primex Risk Management Institute; The NH Civil Engineer; Business Review; Memo re: Barbara Wood and Adelphia.
Items for signature: HEB Letter Agreement for County Road Bridge Project; Lien for Berry; Deed from Town to Gould.
Minutes: The Selectmen’s meeting minutes for 12-15-03 were accepted with additions.
At approximately 6:30, Selectmen met with Rick Friend representative of the BudCom. Mr. Friend advised that the Budget Committee voted unanimously to request the Selectmen to revisit the salaries for the Fire Department. The BudCom feels the Chief is not paid commensurate with his job responsibilities. Of the 4 towns surveyed with a full time Chief, Tuftonboro is the lowest paid. The BudCom also questions the lack of raises for the firefighters. Not having yearly raises would put the Town at a disadvantage down the road when substantial raises would have to be made up. Chairman Chellman stated that Chief Thompson is doing a superb job but the request for pay increases should come from the Chief not the Board. The Selectmen thanked Mr. Friend for his time.
At approximately 6:40, Selectmen met with resident Bill Whall. Mr. Whall said he would like to petition to put the new Veterans Exemption on a warrant article or ballot. Chairman Chellman said the Selectmen would discuss with the BudCom and make a recommendation. The Selectmen thanked Mr. Whall.
At approximately 6:45, Selectmen met with Fire Chief Thompson. Chief Thompson said that he has revised his decision on salary increases for his department. The Chief said he would increase his hours to 42 at the same rate per hour and increase the firefighters $ .25 per hour. He has also increased the budget for high speed Internet access about $50.00 per month. There was much discussion on the proposed new truck due to questions from residents Bruce Pigott and Fran Laase. Chairman Chellman said that we should rely on Chief Thompson’s experience and opinion. Chief Thompson said the requests for proposals would be mailed on 12/23 and are due back on 1/19/04. Chief Thompson said he would not be able to make the decision on the electrician for the generator hookup as he is related to the two choices. The Selectmen thanked the Chief for his time.
Recycling Supervisor Fred Sargent said the gas monitor is still not working. Chairman Chellman will call Tom Sweeney.
Selectman Weeks made a motion to accept the H. E. Bergeron contract for County Road Bridge. Seconded by Selectman Stockman with all in favor.
Chairman Chellman will contact Provan & Lorber regarding long term monitoring of the closed landfill.
Selectmen discussed the formation of a Joint Loss Safety Committee. A decision is to be made at a later date.
The library budget was submitted for review. There was a substantial increase for building maintenance. The RSA’s will be checked to see if this falls under the responsibility of the Town and if so it would be moved out of the library budget and into the government buildings budget.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:50 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Carolyn Sundquist
Administrative Assistant