TOWN OF TUFTONBORO
Selectmen present: Rick Chellman and Susan Weeks. Bill Stockman was absent.
Selectmen reviewed mail, which included: Building Permits for Bald Peak Land, Gilbert A. McDonald; Sign Permit for Mark & Mary Klein; Certificate of Occupancy for Gillum & Kilkelly, Whisman, Childers; Electric for Jacobs; Inspection Report for Marriott, Poisson, Cote, Cuneo, Jacobs; Thank you from Harriman-Hale Post 18; Property transfer from Suzanne Kish Hayes to Peter Bowman McDowell, Alan B. Jr. & Joy E. Jones to Ryan B. & Dania E. Jones, Laura Lee Cuneo to Thomas P. Lafavre; Adelphia letter re: franchise fees; Conservation Commission News; Parks & Rec minutes for 1/8/04 meeting and agenda for 2/12 meeting; Supervisors of the Checklist hours; Memo re: GASB 34 seminar; Legislative Bulletin #5; The NH Engineer.
Items for Signature: Intent to Cut for Roger Williams.
At approximately 6:30, Selectmen met with Code Officer Ted Wright. Mr. Wright reported he is continuing his efforts regarding the junk cars in Hidden Valley.
At approximately 6:35, Selectmen met with Fire Chief Adam Thompson. Chief Thompson reported that he had information regarding the lease/purchase financing of the new fire truck. Two proposals were received for the new truck. A bid of $362,000.00 from HME and $352,693 from KME. The major differences between the two were in the construction and warranty. The KME is a lighter construction vehicle. The HME was found to be built better, was heavier duty and better warranty. For the first year HME will come to the station in the event of a repair. The lease financing for 7 years would be $60,095.00 per year.
Lakes Region advised they would not be able to have a truck ready by 3/1. Chief Thompson made arrangements to secure the Brindle Mountain truck currently in South Portland. Payments may be made monthly.
The Firefighters Assoc received a grant of $5250.00 from the Marriott Foundation to purchase tracks for the ATV and a semi-automatic defibrillator.
Chief Thompson advised that Engine 3 has been stripped and that Lakes Region Fire Apparatus has given the town a $4,000.00 credit in return. The Selectmen approved this.
Chief Thompson, Emergency Management Director, reported that the state inspected the proposed hook-up of the generator at the school and determined that it was not acceptable because of life safety issues. The accepted contractor, Scott Thompson, also found that the prices for materials had gone up in the five months since his initial bid. Scott said he would be able to do the job but will need to redo the numbers. He was also aware of what the state required. Selectmen requested a letter from Mr. Thompson stating that he would be able to do the job and exactly what it will cost before he cashes the previously issued check. Selectmen also need this for budget purposes.
Selectman Weeks said that Selectman Stockman had spoken to Ed Bergeron regarding the High Street Bridge. Mr. Bergeron thought that the repair could wait a year or two. This would however require a lengthy permit process because all the work is in the water. It was agreed to appropriate $10,000.00 this year to get that process started.
The County Road Bridge repair cost estimate has risen to $150,000.00
Selectman Weeks made a motion to accept the BudCom’s recommendation for the Parks and Rec of $34,050.00.
The remainder of the Utility Relocation will be a 4909 budget line item of $20,000.00 with the remaining money appropriated in 2003 being taken from the fund balance.
Selectman Weeks advised that a new compactor could be purchased for the Recycling Center. This would include a doghouse cover and there is an option to purchase a heater for winter use. There was some concern about the winter use since someone would have to stand out there to push the button to compact. The control could also be located inside the main building but then you would not be able to see what was actually in the compactor. The cost would be $10,000-$12,000 to buy. Selectman Weeks is meeting with the second manufacturer on Tuesday.
Chairman Chellman said he was able to negotiate a lesser haul rate with Waste Management. This will be discussed next week.
At approximately 7:55, Selectmen met with Police Chief Andy Shagoury. Chief Shagoury reported that the state received a grant to provide satellite-based training for Police, Fire and EMS personnel. It is free for one year but requires the installation of a satellite dish. Chief Shagoury said he would have to find out what the cost would be to continue after that year is up.
The new Tahoe has arrived but is not yet equipped.
Selectmen discussed the veterans credit increase with a recommendation to increase the basic from $100.00 to $250.00 and the disabled from $1400.00 to possibly $2000.00.
The Selectmen went over the bottom line of the budget as compared to the expected revenue. The appropriations will have to be trimmed to decrease the amount to be raised in taxes. The decision will be made next week.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Carolyn Sundquist
Administrative Assistant