TOWN OF
Selectmen present: Chip Albee, Susan Weeks and Bill
Stockman.
Selectmen reviewed mail, which included: Building Permits for Laureen Hadley Rev. Trust; Demolition permit for Bente Craig Starble; Sign Permit for Terry Mitchell; Formal Complaint – 17 Federal Corner Road; Avitar re: copies of Appearance as representative of the town to BTLA; October Fuel Usage for Fire, Code Officer and Highway; Kingswood Youth Center 2007 request; NHDES Notice of Restriction on new service at Hidden Valley; NH BTLA re: Date of Notice of Tax 11/1/06; Permit by Notification for Monahan Family Land Pres.; E-mail from LGC re: discontinuance of Lumenos; NH Civil Engineer; Notice of NH Municipal Association Meeting; LGC re: notice of creditable coverage; Business Review.
Items for Signature: Letter to Tax Collector.
At approximately 9:10 Chairman Albee called the meeting to order, with the first order of business a review of the 11/6/06 minutes. Selectman Weeks made a correction. Selectman Stockman then made a motion to accept the minutes as amended. Seconded by Selectman Weeks with all in favor. The non-public minutes of 11/6/06 were also corrected to separate into 2 sessions. Selectman Stockman made a motion to accept as corrected. Seconded by Selectman Weeks with all in favor. Selectman Weeks made a motion to seal the minutes of the non-public meeting of 11/6/06 regarding the property issue. Seconded by Selectman Stockman with all in favor.
The Town Administrator gave the following report:
The Selectmen approved and signed the letter to the Tax Collector in response to her letter of 11/1/06.
Selectman Weeks reported on last week’s transfer station site visit. Everyone was in agreement as to what should be proposed for the 2007 budget and that included installation of double doors, rearrangement of the workflow and eliminate safety concerns. H. E. Bergeron is to be reminded about the information needed for paving estimates.
At approximately 9:20 Selectmen met with Bob Murray, Chairman of the ZBA, regarding the appeal filed by Attorney Sager on the Melvin Village Marina decision. The Selectmen advised Mr. Murray to seek the advice of an attorney as the Selectmen have done. Mr. Murray said he would be discussing the issue at the ZBA hearing on 11/15/06 and had wanted the Selectmen’s opinion. Chairman Albee said the Selectmen wanted to speak to an attorney before taking any position. The Selectmen then agreed to hire Attorney Rob Upton to represent the town in this matter. The correspondence from Attorney Sager is to be faxed to Attorney Upton.
At approximately 9:25 Selectmen met with Joe Kowalski and Scott Greenwood to review the transfer station budget. Supervisor Fred Sargent had not put in any recommendations for step increases so the budget only reflects COLA. The Selectmen did, however, approve a step increase for Scott Greenwood. Chairman Albee stated that any employee with a request for a step increase should first go to their supervisor to request an increase who in turn would present it to the Selectmen. The budget line for Tires, Freon, Metal should be changed to $4500. The budget line for Supplies was increased to $2000. There was some discussion about purchasing a snow blade for the front loader but the selectmen felt that the highway department should take over the plowing if Mr. Sargent is not able.
The Selectmen approved the drainage review proposals from H. E. Bergeron for two proposed subdivisions (Greymont & Ridgeway). The property owners would reimburse the town for any expenditure.
At approximately 10:00 Selectmen met with architects Mo Gagnon and Peter Stewart for further review of the public safety building design. Much discussion ensued regarding the site and the need for drive thru bays. Mr. Stewart said that there are more options if the drive thru bays are eliminated. Mr. Stewart was asked to provide basic site diagrams of different options for the Selectmen to look at.
The Selectmen reviewed the proposed 2007 holiday schedule for the transfer station. It was decided that the facility would be open on Veterans Day 11/11/07, which is a Sunday, but with reduced staff. The employees who worked on the holiday would then be off on Tuesday 11/13/07 so that everyone gets the benefit of a day off. This will be reviewed with Supervisor Fred Sargent before approving.
Selectman Weeks made a motion to approve the town office 2007 holiday schedule as submitted. Seconded by Selectman Stockman with all in favor.
At approximately 10:40 Selectmen met with Police Chief Shagoury regarding the Police Department budget, which has an overall increase of $75,000 from last year. The increases were in the following areas:
After much discussion the following items were removed from the budget – red dot sites ($3500), helmets & winter flotation jackets ($2900), and wire cages & storage cabinet/rental units ($4,000) for a total reduction of $10,400.00.
Chief Shagoury reported that there are 3 candidates left for the open officer position. The written test is to be given this weekend. It is hoped that an offer can be made so the candidate could attend the academy in January. Chief Shagoury is also working on a warrant article for a new cruiser to replace the 1999 car.
At approximately 11:30 Selectmen met with Town Clerk Heather Cubeddu to discuss the Election budget. Much of the discussion was on salary, which was approved at $34,458. The Deputy Town Clerk was moved to the next step. A $600 appropriation for UPC protection was removed from Town Clerk expenses as the units have already been purchased.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:00. The Selectmen left to take a tour of the Meredith transfer station.
Respectfully Submitted,
Administrative Assistant