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Minutes of 12/29/2014 APPROVED

December 31st, 2014

Carroll Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes
December 29, 2014

APPROVED

“These minutes of the Town of Carroll Select board have been recorded by its Secretary. Though believed to be accurate and correct they are subject to additions, deletions and corrections by the Select Board at its next meeting when the Board votes its final approval of the minutes. They are being made available at this time to conform to the requirements of New Hampshire RSA 91-A:2.”

Minutes recorded by Maryclare Quigley, Secretary

Board members present: Bonnie Moroney, Paul Bussiere and David Scalley.

The meeting was called to order at 7 p.m.by Chairman Moroney.

Members of the public present: Mike Gooden, Ann Fabrizio, Evan Karpf, Terry Lapoint, Steve Lapoint, Scott Sonia, Donna Foster, Chris Pappas, Jeremy Oleson, Rob Gauthier

Pledge of Allegiance

The meeting was filmed by Evan Karpf.

The Board announced the approval of bills and signing of manifests.

Selectman Bussiere made a Motion To: Approve the minutes of 12/15/2014 as written. Selectman Scalley seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.

Chairman Moroney said regarding the warrant article for using the New Land and Buildings Capital Reserve Fund that much research had been done and it could only be found that it was approved in 1975, though no one could find where it had actually been established – so she asked that the year 1975 be included. She said at the previous meeting Selectmen Bussiere and Scalley had asked about adding the Town Hall to the warrant article. She contacted all the members of the Building Committee as she had said she would and they chose not to – and she proceeded to read an email from George Brodeur, Sr., Chairman of the Committee. (Attached) Chairman Moroney said she’s like to submit the article as originally written: “To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $11,000 (Eleven Thousand Dollars) for concept drawings, and outline specifications for a Police and Fire Safety Complex, suitable for pricing by a selected design builder, including a not to exceed, maximum guaranteed price. The full amount is to be taken from the Land and Buildings Capital Reserve Fund.”

Selectman Bussiere said he still feels they should entertain the possibility of the Town Hall as he feels there are many ups and downs on renovating the existing building. The Chairman referred to the survey a year ago regarding the existing building and said there had been a high percentage of the responses wanting to keep this one. The belief was that about 19% of the surveys were returned, which apparently is a relatively high number for something of this sort, which the meeting was told that the North Country Council facilitator working with the Master Plan Committee commented. Donna Foster remarked about the meeting held in November, and that she took away from that meeting that people want what they have now and expand it. Selectman Bussiere said energy costs must be included in the guesstimates and questions the costs of 1.6 million to update versus 4 million to build new. Selectman Scalley said he still hates to see an $11,000 investment without also including the Town Hall. Chairman Moroney said they have been trying for years for the police station to become a reality and spoke of the various past attempts regarding building, cost of land, location, etc. It was stated that a previous attempt was much too extravagant and Chairman Moroney said they had been told to look to the future, and when they did, people didn’t like it. However, that is something they have to do if they do their job right. She stated this is for concept plans and that they do still have the engineering plans from the last time.

Chairman Moroney proceeded to read each of the warrant articles and votes were taken on each regarding the Board’s recommendations.

“To see if the Town will vote to expand the purpose of the (New) Land and Building Capital Reserve Fund CFD approved in 1975, to be able to use the Capital Reserve Funding for Planning, purchasing property, construction and improvements.” Selectmen recommend this by a vote of 3 to 0.

“To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $11,000 (Eleven Thousand Dollars) for concept drawings, and outline specifications for a Police and Fire Safety Complex, suitable for pricing by a selected design builder, including a not to exceed, maximum guaranteed price. The full amount is to be taken from the Land and Buildings Capital Reserve Fund.” No money to be raised from new taxation. The Selectmen do not recommend this by a vote of 2 to 1.

“To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $24,000 (Twenty Four Thousand Dollars) to be placed in the Property Revaluation Capital Reserve Fund established in 2013 for the purpose of completing a total revaluation of the Town in 2017 – as mandated by the State, at five year intervals. This is the third installment to attain the total cost of $120,000 (One Hundred Twenty Thousand Dollars) for the total process as quoted by our appraisal company.” Selectmen recommend this by a vote of 3 to 0.

“To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the amount of $12,000 (Twelve Thousand Dollars) to fund Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals and the Property Inspector-Code Enforcement Officer Salary. And further to authorize the withdrawal of such amount from the Planning Special Revenue Fund established in 2006 for that purpose.” No money to be raised from new taxation. Selectmen recommend this by a vote of 3 to 0.

“To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $9,500 (Nine Thousand Five Hundred Dollars) from water revenues to be placed in the Water Department Capital Reserve Fund.” No new money will be raised from taxation. Selectmen recommend this by a vote of 3 to 0.

“To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate $20,000 (Twenty Thousand Dollars) to help offset the recycling costs of the 2015 operating budget of the Transfer Station and further to authorize the withdrawal of this amount from the Recycling Special Revenue Fund established at the 2001 Town Meeting for this purpose.” No money to be raised from taxation. Selectmen recommend this by a vote of 3 to 0.

“To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $4,000 (Four Thousand Dollars) for ground-water monitoring of the old landfill; including to pay for the engineer to take samples, produce reports and send the results to the Town and State and to pay the laboratory fees to process the samples. The total amount to come from the existing Landfill Closure Trust Fund established for this purpose.” No money to be raised from taxation. Selectmen recommend this by a vote of 3 to 0.

“To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $1,000 (One Thousand Dollars) for maintenance of the old landfill. This includes needs for actual physical maintenance, engineering and overseer expenses. The appropriation will come from the Landfill Closure Capital Reserve Fund established for this purpose.” No money to be raised from taxation. Selectmen recommend this by a vote of 3 to 0.

“To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $2,500 (Two Thousand Five Hundred Dollars) to hold a Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program. The Program will provide residents’ access to a Household Hazardous Waste Collection of household generated hazardous waste such as oil based paints, paint thinners, solvents, pesticides, gasoline and household cleaners.” Selectmen recommend this by a vote of 2 to 1.

“To see if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of $2,000 (Two Thousand Dollars) to donate to the Tyler Blain House, Lancaster, NH, one of the only homeless shelters in northern NH.” Selectmen recommend this by a vote of 2 to 1.

“To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $875 (Eight Hundred Seventy Five Dollars) as the Town’s contribution to Littleton Regional Healthcare, to help offset the cost of charity care and community benefit programs that Littleton Hospital provides.” Selectmen recommend this by a vote of 2 to 1.

“To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $1,797 (One Thousand Seven Hundred Ninety Seven Dollars) payable to North Country Home Health & Hospice Agency, Inc. to help offset the support of the home health care, supportive care, medical hospice and community health programs and services of North Country Home Health & Hospice Agency, Inc. and Hospice of the Littleton Area for the residents of Carroll.” Selectmen recommend this by a vote of 2 to 1.

“To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $2,000 (Two Thousand Dollars) as the Town’s contribution to help offset the costs for the Caleb Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers that serves the needs of elderly people in our community.” Selectmen recommend this by a vote of 2 to 1.

“To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $2,000 (Two Thousand Dollars) for the Coalition Communities in Portsmouth, New Hampshire; which group consists of and represents 36 towns, including the Town of Carroll, in a solution to our educational funding crisis by opposing the re-establishment of donor towns and by keeping the statewide property tax so that it can be used locally to fund our own education assessment from the White Mountains Regional School District.” Selectmen recommend this by a vote of 3 to 0.

Selectman Bussiere said as previously, he is not opposed to these charitable organizations as they are very good and worthy. He just feels people should be making donations on their own and not “being forced” to do so through the Town.

“To see if the Town will vote to accept Deer Path and Black Bear Road as Town roads and assume cost associated with such acceptance of these roads to include plowing and repair, etc.” (By Petition) Selectmen recommend this by a vote of 3 to 0.

There was brief discussion about the last article if they were built according to town specs, etc. and how long they have existed as they cannot be taken over by the Town before three years and it was determined they meet that criteria. It was also pointed out that the people who own property on these do pay property taxes. Donna Foster said articles such as this are usually amended at Deliberative Session to include a statement about being approved by the Road Agent later in the year when the roads can be looked at, etc.

The next item was to encumber funds for payment of 2014 invoices after January 1. The requests were: Police, $2,374; Ambulance, 525; Fire, 525; Water, 1,820; highway, 460; Recycling, 1,200; Offices, 2,000; Master Plan Com., $8,340; New Highway Truck, 149,000; UFB, $150,000. Chairman Moroney made a Motion to: Encumber these funds and Selectman Bussiere seconded. It passed unanimously.

Setting the date for the Deliberative Session followed and as it has been on the Tuesday night in the past, February 3, 2015, was determined to be the date. It was noted that petition warrant articles must be received by January 13, 2015. It was also noted that previously the Board was asked to revisit the Highway (Municipal) Truck Capital Reserve Fund, however, no action was taken.

Chairman Moroney announced the Budget Committee had set the date for the Budget Public Hearing as Tuesday, January 13, 2015. If necessary, it will be continued to Wednesday, January 14, 2015.

The following items were approved and signed:

CNP General Assessing Services Contract, 2015
CNP Data Verification Services (1st Cycle Revaluation) Contract
Auditor Option – NH Department of Revenue Administration
Water Warrant – Fourth Issue, Water Bills

It was noted the only change in CNP General Assessing Services was that parcels went up $1 from $67 to $68. All other rates remain the same as the last two years.

The Auditor Option is that the Town has again chosen Melanson Heath & Company, PC.

Other:

Selectman Scalley said he was to have called about the education funding question but didn’t get to it. He will do so before the next meeting. Chairman Moroney asked if he could also ask how it impacts the towns and if it means we will go back to donor towns.

Chairman Moroney said she did a spreadsheet on the medical insurance comparisons and it appears that the co-pay is the biggest change/difference. Currently the town has no singles coverage. She recommended setting up a budget line to help offset the individual co-pay amounts, which will help the employees and still save the town money. She noted this does not include dental or any other insurance. She said she would like to set up a meeting with the employees around mid-January.

Selectman Scalley asked for an update on the water line on Route 302. Scott Sonia thanked the Select Board for moving so quickly as this could have been a much worse problem. He also thanked DBU, Danny Garneau, Butch Garneau and DJ Garneau as well as Greg and Sean for all the help when it was greatly needed. He said it’s already showing about 30,000 gallon savings a day which also increases the pressure. Unfortunately, however, higher pressure means the possibility of another leak, but he has lowered the pressure hoping to avoid future problems.

Donna Foster referred to the new building discussion and said she felt, from the meeting on November 6, that people are looking for numbers; i.e., the cost of building a new town hall versus the cost of building a safety complex plus a new town hall and asked if there is any way to show this. It was noted if they could get the numbers to show what is best for the town that would be a good thing.

Evan Karpf said to get back to questions by Selectmen Bussiere and Scalley, that the Carroll Information Group has no affiliation with anyone in town. It is all volunteer and they only tape meetings that impact the town. He said the Conservation Commission is only advisory and there is no financial impact to the town. He said the equipment is basically owned by the CGI and that anyone can video any meeting at any time. He went on to say the camera is very antiquated. Chairman Moroney said she realizes the Conservation Commission is only advisory, but it may be of interest to people who may wish to donate land. Selectman Scalley asked how to become a member and Evan said to send a letter of interest and the Board will vote.

Steve Lapoint asked for clarification on the Select Board vote for the warrant article on the concept plan. He wanted to know if it will still go on the warrant and he was assured it will. It will just show the vote by the Board.

Evan said if anyone wants to donate money to the group, they will take it.

Jeremy Oleson, Fire Chief, said the spirit of the article for the safety complex was part of it. They were thinking of possibly using the Mooseland property to decrease the ISO rating for Bretton Woods and that was the only reason the Fire Department got on board – as they were also looking at future expansion. He said he feels the Town Hall is less of a priority at this point. As Chief, he said he is not opposed to all three, but he sees no big benefit to build all at the same time. Selectman Scalley said he sees a financial benefit. When suggested, it was stated the Board may put in a warrant article.

Chairman Moroney wished everyone a Happy New Year.

As there was no further business, the Board was polled to go into non-public session, per RSA 91-A-3 for personnel and town aid at 8:12 p.m. Chairman Moroney, yes; Selectman Scalley, yes; Selectman Bussiere, yes.

At the close of non-public session at 9:20 p.m., Chairman Moroney moved to return to public session and seal the minutes from non-public session. Selectman Scalley seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.

Chairman Moroney made a Motion to adjourn the meeting. Selectman Bussiere seconded and the Motion passed unanimously. Chairman Moroney declared the meeting ended at 9:23 p.m. The next meeting will be Monday, January 12, 2015.