TOWN OF TUFTONBORO
Selectmen present: Susan Weeks, Bill Stockman and Chip Albee.
Selectmen reviewed mail, which included: Plumbing Permits for Jeremy Schutz, Grant & Cynthia Withers; Property Transfer from Fenton Varney Jr. to Sontra Family Nominee Trust; Letter from Gary Chehames re: Personnel Committee appointment; Notice from LGC re DRAR no longer a network provider; Coalition Communities; Letter from Center Sandwich Selectmen re: bill to repeal RSA 287-G; NHDES letter re: Paul Askew; Avitar newsletter; Nutrition 101 workshop in Ossipee; Notice from GWRSD re: disposal of assets out of service; NH Civil Engineer; Business Review.
Minutes: The Selectmen’s meeting minutes of 1-24-05 were approved. The minutes of 1-27-05 were approved with minor corrections.
Items for Signature: Intent to Cut for Hodgdon.
At approximately 6:30 Chairman Weeks announced that she had received a letter from NH Highway Safety Agency regarding financial assistance. The Highway Safety Committee will meet next Monday to discuss.
The Selectmen discussed the request by Selectman Stockman to participate in the Town’s health and dental plans. A motion was made by Selectman Albee to authorize including the Selectmen in the Town’s plan with HealthTrust effective 2/1/05. Seconded by Chairman Weeks, with all in favor. Selectman Stockman will reimburse the Town for his insurance.
At approximately 6:35 Selectmen met with Gary Chehames. Mr. Chehames advised that Rick Friend has resigned from the Personnel Committee and would like to recommend Tom Young to take his place. He reported that the committee will meet to remove the addendum on the salary wage chart and any references to it. Chairman Weeks requested taking another look at it by using different methods. Mr. Chehames agreed to try. The Selectmen approved the recommendation of Tom Young to the committee. The Selectmen still have to determine if the committee is a permanent one or if the committee should be disbanded. A letter will be sent to Mr. Young.
At approximately 6:50 Selectmen met with Police Chief Shagoury. Chief Shagoury offered a suggestion to resolve the issue of the cost of insurance which would enable the Town to give employees a raise. The Selectmen were unwilling to make such a change since it is a departure from the Personnel Policy and it is only one week until the public hearing on the budget.
At approximately 7:00 Selectmen met with Skip Hurt to continue the discussion on the petitioned warrant article. Chairman Weeks advised that adding information to the Town Report is already being worked on and would include narratives of some budget line items. Mr. Hurt said he was looking for even more detailed information. After much discussion Mr. Hurt submitted the petition warrant article. The Selectmen will also draft a warrant article to clarify the intent.
The Selectmen will look over the new draft of the Cheney Farm easement in the next couple of days and any changes should be e-mailed to all parties involved. A new easement will not be drawn up until the Town approves this year’s warrant article.
At approximately 7:50 Selectmen met with Fire Chief Thompson. Chief Thompson reported a 1st alarm fire this past week at 51 Willow Ave. Three officers also accompanied the Chief to discuss the airboat. The Selectmen’s concern centered on the amount of mutual aid use by other towns along with the cost of maintenance going forward. Chief Thompson said that the department already responds to a number of these calls using either the ATV or personal snowmobiles. The airboat could be housed at the Melvin Station. The Chief submitted a breakdown of operating costs. Selectman Stockman made a motion to recommend the airboat. Seconded by Selectman Albee with all in favor. Selectman Albee requested a separate line item in the budget to track expenses.
Selectman Albee made a motion to change the polling hours on March 8th to 10:00 am to 7:00 pm. Seconded by Selectman Stockman with all in favor.
Selectmen agreed to increase the elderly exemptions. DRA will be contacted for advice on increasing income and asset limits.
The Selectmen’s meeting scheduled for Monday February 7th will be held at 9 am instead of 6:30 pm.
The Selectmen will meet on Tuesday February 1st at 4 pm to discuss several issues before the Budget Committee meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:55 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Carolyn Sundquist
Administrative Assistant