TOWN OF
Selectmen present:
Chip Albee, Susan Weeks and Bill Stockman.
Selectmen reviewed mail, which included: Building Permits for J. Mike Ingells, J. W. Marriott Jr., Kirsten Lundberg; Conservation Easement/Stewardship Report on Chandler property; Meredith Planning Board Abutter Notification; Invoice from H. E. Bergeron for Public Safety Building site work; LGC re: eMember Services developments; Letter form Upton & Hatfield re: compensation options; NH Department of Resources & Economic Development announcement of 2007 Grant Round of the federal Land & Water Conservation Fund program; Primex Prime Times; Police Dept. Press Release;
Items for Signature:
At 9:00 Chairman Albee called the meeting to order, with the first order of business a review of the 11/20/06 minutes. Selectman Weeks offered several corrections and additions. Selectman Weeks made a motion to accept the minutes as amended. Seconded by Selectman Stockman with all in favor. The non-public minutes of 11/20/06 were also reviewed. Selectman Weeks made a motion to accept the minutes as written. Seconded by Selectman Stockman with all in favor.
Selectman Weeks announced that after last weeks non-public meeting the Selectmen forgot to announce they had approved an increase for Code Officer Jack Parsons going from step 6 to step 7 for the 2007 budget.
The Town Administrator reported that she had reviewed the ambulance contracts that had been submitted by Lord/Lakeside and Stewart’s to be discussed at today’s meeting.
Chairman Albee reviewed the mail, which included:
At approximately 9:15 Selectmen met with Road Agent Steve Hunter to review his proposed budget for 2007. Mr. Hunter advised that he was meeting with Pike Industries to discuss the paving for next year and that it would include the transfer station paving. Mr. Hunter had been asked by Transfer Station supervisor to handle more of the snow plowing at the transfer station. A discussion ensued about which roads to work on in 2007. Several were suggested – Lang Pond Road, County Road, Federal Corner Road and Eaglemere Road. There was also some discussion as to whether all of County Road was a Class V or if part of it is a Class VI road. There was also much discussion about further breakdown of the different line items. It was decided to track the information in 2007 and incorporate into the 2008 budget. Suggested categories were – sanding, plowing, grading, fuel, etc. The Selectmen approved the Road Agent budget in the amount of $336,250.
At approximately 9:45 Selectmen met with Tax Collector Jackie Rollins regarding the 2007 tax collector budget. The budget was approved as submitted. Ms. Rollins mentioned that the door at the town house has about a 3” gap. Selectman Weeks will contact Wes Flierl for his advice.
At approximately 10:00 Selectmen met with architects Mo Gagnon and Peter Stewart. Mr. Stewart stated that he was confident that they were presenting the 2 best solutions for the public safety building. The first option with 4 drive thru bays had office space in the front of the building and the bays at the rear. This option would require a large retaining wall and the vehicles would not be as easy to get out onto Middle Road. The second option had 4 back in bays; office space to the side and the parking would be separate from the bays. The backing in of the vehicles would be awkward. After much discussion it was determined that option 1 with drive-thru bays was the preferred option. A one-way loop driveway would also be included. Preliminary numbers are needed before December 19th.
At approximately 10:30 Selectmen met with Brian Lord of Lord/Lakeside and Michelle Willette of Stewarts Ambulance to review the ambulance contract bids. The difference in cost was $6500 for a one-year contract but more substantial for a three-year contract, with Stewarts offering a discount for their 3-year contract. After some discussion the selectmen said that they thought it was premature to get into a 3-year contract at this time. Selectman Weeks felt it should be presented to the Budget Committee before making a decision.
At approximately 11:00 Selectmen met with Chief Thompson to discuss the Emergency Management budget. The $6500 increase in the Operations line was due to a state required hazard mitigation plan. The next item discussed was the $3000 for a photo id system in the Equipment line. The Selectmen asked if there was a less expensive way to address this need, perhaps by contracting it out on an as needed basis. Chairman Albee made a motion to reduce the Equipment line by $3500 to $500. Seconded by Selectman Weeks with all in favor. There was also a brief discussion about the road sign replacement line. Chief Thompson said that sign changes made in 2006 for 911 purposes would not be needed in 2007, thus the reduced figure. Chief Thompson added $1000 to the 2007 budget for a yearly maintenance contract for the generator. The budget was approved for $15,850 and will be presented to the Budget Committee.
Chief Thompson advised that he had made the following changes to the Fire Department budget:
· Fire officers - $76,000
· Firefighters Allowance - $48,000
· Office Assistant - $2,600
· Training - $7,000
At approximately 11:15 Selectmen met with Ralph Kirschner to discuss the assessment on 2 of his properties on Whortleberry Island. The properties in question are 26-1-16 and 26-1-17. Mr. Kirschner related several issues and after some discussion the Selectmen advised that he had 2 options to decrease the assessments – put one of the properties in current use because it is all wet or do a voluntary merger. Any change to the lake frontage would require documentation. Mr. Kirschner also claimed that the state owned a one-rod strip around the island. MRI will be contacted to give an opinion on this issue. Mr. Kirshner was also informed he could file for an abatement.
At approximately 11:45 Selectmen met with Ted Bense. Mr.
Bense mentioned that there is no sign at the beach parking lot saying that
trailers are not allowed to park in that lot. This is an issue in the winter
when the snowmobilers and fisherman use the lot. There was also some discussion
regarding the Mirror Lake boat launch, which is town property and the use of
the abutting lot, which is privately owned, for parking. Several suggestions
were made but Chairman Albee stated that the property owner should meet with
the selectmen first before they make a decision.
Selectman Weeks advised that the new transfer station sign is ready and just has to be picked up. The Selectmen will meet at the transfer station on Tuesday morning at 8 am to determine the placement of the sign. Supervisor Fred Sargent will be notified of the meeting so he can attend.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:55.
Respectfully Submitted,
Administrative Assistant