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Minutes of 6/18/2012 DRAFT

June 28th, 2012

Carroll Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes
June 18, 2012
DRAFT
"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: Bill Dowling, Mark Catalano, Paul Bussiere.

The meeting was called to order at 7 PM by Chairman Dowling

Members of the public present: Evan Karpf, Jane Ikasalo, Jim Covey, Andy Martel, Bonnie Moroney, Greg Hogan, Chris Pappas, Ron Turcotte, Marc Brodeur, Scott Sonia, Bill Smalley, Dave Scalley, Carmine Fabrizio, Ann Fabrizio, Monica Scales

Pledge of Allegiance

The meeting was filmed by Jane Ikasalo

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

Selectman Bussiere made a Motion To: Approve the minutes of 5/30/2012 as written. Chairman Dowling seconded and the Motion passed 2 to 0 with 1 abstention. Selectman Catalano was not in attendance.

Selectman Bussiere made a Motion To: Approve the minutes of 6/04/2012 as written. Selectman Catalano seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.

Chairman Dowling then asked Andy Martel to come to the front of the room and proceeded to present him with a Certificate of Appreciation for his leadership in the coordination and observance of Memorial Day, 2012. Mr. Martel thanked the Board but said it really should go out to the community – he had a lot of help getting it together and a lot of participation. He mentioned several names and thanked those people as well as everyone who helped. He said it is important to continue to thank those who fought and to remember those who gave all for our country. He said it is also important for the community to do things together and there should be other events as well. Again, he thanked all for their help and thanked the Board for the recognition.

Monica Scales told the Board that two weeks ago her water was shut off non-payment of her bill. She received a call from her mother when she saw Scott (Water Supervisor) there and that was the first she knew of it. She said she had not received a water bill or anything that said the water was going to be turned off – not even a phone call. She said she is always very careful about paying her bills and does not like to let them go. When she complained and asked if they could have at least made a phone call she was told no, because that could be called harassment. Mrs. Scales said she does not understand why there was no courtesy call and said that even the dentist and doctors’ offices make courtesy calls and remind people of appointments. She went on to say she had to pay a $75 reconnect fee for the brief period of time, a half hour or so, before the bill was paid. She said she saw a pamphlet that was signed in 2010 for the first time just recently and said she doesn’t know how many others even know about it. She expressed her dismay and disappointment that the Office couldn’t make phone calls to the ten or so people on the list to remind them. She also said she had called the Selectmen’s Office to apologize for the day she came into the Water Office, as she was very upset and had raised her voice much more than she should have. Chairman Dowling said a letter had been sent by Certified Mail which fulfilled the Water Department’s responsibility and if she didn’t get her mail, then she might have an issue with the Whitefield Post Office. He said the Board can look into the Policy and if changes need to be made they will be made. Chairman Dowling reiterated that the Board will look at everything and she will receive a letter of decision. He stated it may not be for a couple of weeks, however. Mrs. Scales thanked the Board.

David Scalley told the Board they were planning an outdoor party in hopes of getting something going in town and were calling it “Summer Fest 2012.” This will be held at Brenda’s Country Kitchen on Saturday, July 7, and he gave the Board plans showing the area where it will be held. He said they will have a couple of bands beginning at 2 p.m. and ending at 10 p.m. Furthermore, they have been in contact with the State Liquor Commission as well as our Fire Department. Mr. Scalley said he needs a letter from the Town for the Liquor Commission allowing the function to be held with alcohol being served, as they are asking the Commission for permission to extend the license to the outside area for the length of time. He also stated that everything will be managed from outside except arriving, and which all arrivals will be through the building. He further stated that all is governed by the State Liquor Commission. The Fire Department will inspect the area for safety and compliance. When asked if neighbors/abutters had been notified, Mr. Scalley said he planned to do so but was awaiting actually receiving approval before doing so. When asked about parking, Mr. Scalley said that has been considered and should be sufficient with the parking available on property and perhaps across the street at Smithfield (about which he will contact the landowner). He stated the Fire Department has already reviewed it as well. Jim Covey said the Chamber is trying to bring life to town and one way is with the every-other-week Saturday night concerts which are scheduled to begin on July 7. Mr. Scalley apologized for the conflict and said had they been aware of the concert they probably wouldn’t have scheduled the party for the same night. Mr. Covey proceeded to say he feels ending at 10 p.m. is unreasonable and it should end at 9 p.m. There was brief discussion of how noise carries at night and disturbing people at the motels and campgrounds in town. Discussion of a noise ordinance was brief and Chairman Dowling said we don’t have one as it has to be voted on at town meeting time in March. As there was no further discussion, Selectman Bussiere made a Motion to: Allow the outside entertainment from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. as described and as long as they follow what they say they will do. Selectman Catalano asked to amend the Motion to: Allow the outside entertainment from 2 p.m.to 10 p.m. with conditions dependent on the approval of the Liquor Commission, the Fire Department and the Police Department. Selectman Bussiere seconded the Motion as amended. The Motion passed unanimously. After discussion about the letter with the Town’s approval, Selectman Bussiere made a Motion that: the letter of approval is signed when it is written during the week. Selectman Catalano seconded and the Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Scalley advised they plan to do a 50/50 raffle with the proceeds going to a town department. Chairman Dowling said to talk with him later.

Ron Turcotte told the Board that he had applied for a tax abatement on his land value and been denied and asked the Selectmen if they were familiar with it. He said he was questioning the land value but was told they cannot separate the building and values. Mr. Turcotte said he thought the increase in value from 2006 to 2007 was much too high and he was concerned about values now, not in 2007. He wanted to know what law or RSA said that values couldn’t be separated. The Board explained this was the fifth year of a five-year contract for re-evaluating the town and that the new values will be in place for the tax rate for 2012. They also said values have to be fair and equitable overall for the town. Mr. Turcotte said he doesn’t care about that but that he is concerned about his own property and further stated that he would like to know how the value is reached. He said he was asking if the Board will personally look into his assessment and get back to him. Chairman Dowling said they will be happy to do that, but that it may take a couple of weeks. Mr. Turcotte acknowledged that and thanked the Board for their time. Chairman Dowling asked the Secretary if she would get Phil Bodwell’s email address for him in the next day or so.

The following items were approved and signed:

Oath of Office – Seigal-Bergum
Property Tax – First Issue 2012
Tax Lien Abatement – Davis
Water Warrant – Various
DRA Form Confirming Not Utilizing Taxpayer Inventory Form, PA-28

When the Oath of Office was signed, there was brief discussion of the membership and it was stated there are four regular members and one alternate. It was noted a full board consists of five members, but that a quorum is three. Bonnie Moroney said she thought that although the ZBA is an elected board, the Board of Selectmen has the right to appoint members. She said for the six years that she was on the Board all she heard was that they needed members and feels very uncomfortable that now they would vote not to appoint a volunteer. Selectman Bussiere said because they are elected, the Board of Selectmen does not have authority any longer, but both ZBA and Planning Board now vote on the appointment if a person volunteers, and that he had an issue with it, too. Mrs. Moroney went on to say she feels it’s disgusting that a volunteer would be turned down. Chairman Dowling said it was done by vote and he feels as with any election, the Board should not interfere with the votes. Evan Karpf said things aren’t always as they appear.

Selectman Catalano said he wanted to add his “two cents” which was that he doesn’t understand why someone who volunteered to give their time – and he knows the individual, and knows he is a very busy person, who would be willing to make time to work with the Zoning Board – wouldn’t be accepted. He also said he has had direct contact with this individual and he has found him to be quite respectable and virtuous. He went on to say the efforts that are needed in town to help heal some of the rifts that still exist, and he just doesn’t understand why we wouldn’t want to “embrace both sides of the fence” as that’s what a town is, different political parties, beliefs, backgrounds, etc., and the only way we’ll work well as a town is to bring everyone together and he feels it was not well-advised for the vote to go the way it did. But he said he also agrees with his colleagues that they cannot get into trying to get them to change votes, but he was a little disappointed that the Zoning Board missed an opportunity that is not gone but still exists. He feels the Zoning Board should take another look and have discussions among themselves and decide whether they care what the “outside world” thinks when they see things like this happen. He mentioned the Golden Rule and though didn’t want to “wax religious” said if everyone thought about it and acted that way, maybe everyone could get along better.

The Secretary asked to speak next. She reminded the Board they had asked at the previous meeting why the Miscellaneous Line for Financial Administration had gone so far over and she said she would look into it. She said she had forgotten they made a new line this year for tax abatement interest as it was substantial in 2011, and that accounts for $1,774.32; Horizon Engineering, $669.57; and $175 for the Food Pantry. This was a donation made out to the Town so it had to be deposited and a check written to the Food Pantry, which made it a wash. Without these expenses, the line was well within the budgeted number.

Scott Sonia, Water Supervisor, presented his budget. He noted that he had submitted copies a week previously as requested. Mr. Sonia told the Board though it’s only half way through the year they are trying to keep it at the 2012 amount. The only line items that may change are those ending in 302 and 303, telephone and electricity as he is still working on a project to get telemetry and electricity to the Little River Tank. If he is able then these will most likely increase a little. Chairman Dowling said there’s no control over electricity and this can be revisited later. Mr. Sonia said his projects are a little slow this year as he’s working more with the Highway Department to this point, so his current budget is reflective of the lower spending. He also presented his Warrant Article for $9,500 to go into the Capital Reserve Fund. It was asked if they are trying to keep a flat budget, where this money would come from. He explained it comes from their revenue so it’s not an expenditure on the budget. Mr. Sonia went on to explain further that with the meters, billing and monitoring that the Department is now doing, the outstanding amount is less than $700 and a year ago it was over $7,000.

2011 2012 2013
04-4155.10-200 Retirement 3,000 3,000 3,000
-201 FICA 1,815 2,761 2,761
-202 Medicare 425 646 646
-303 Employee Insurance 13,307 14,544 14,544
-301 Unemployment/Comp 150 150 150



04-4332.10-100 Water Sup. Salary 29,278 32,101 32,101
-101 Part Time Labor 5,000 5,000 5,000
-102 Clerical 7,500 7,436 7,436
-103 Overtime 3,000 3,000 3,000
-200 Contract Labor 6,000 6,000 6,000
-201 Contract Labor-Expansion 1 1 1
-300 Water Supplies 10,000 10,000 10,000
-301 Postage 630 750 750
-302 Telephone 1,280 1,280 1,280
-303 Electricity 12,000 14,500 14,500
-304 Propane 3,500 3,500 3,500
-305 Computer/Software 250 175 175
-306 Office Supplies 500 500 500
-400 Audit 1 1 1
-401 Generator Serv. Contract 800 800 800
-402 Equipment Repairs 5,000 4,500 4,450
-403 Water Meter Soft. Sup. 1 1 1
-404 Chemicals & Equip. 6,000 4,000 4,000
-405 Vehicle 1 1 1
-406 Vehicle Repair 5,000 4,450 4,450
-407 Gas/Diesel 3,000 3,000 3,000
-408 Equipment Purchase 3,000 3,000 3,000
-409 Tools 1,500 750 750
-500 Water Samples 1,500 1,800 1,800
-510 Licenses & Fees 1,500 300 1
-600 Water Depreciation 1 1 1
-620 Tank Inspection 1 1 1
-621 Tank Repair & Maint. 1 1 1
-630 Buildings & Grounds 500 500 500
-700 Sand,Gravel,Loam,Seed 1,000 1,000 1,000
-800 Water Expansion 1 1 1
-801 Water Expansion Piping 1 1 1
-802 Water Expansion Testing 1 1 1
-803 Water Line Repairs 5,000 5,000 5,000
-804 Hydrant Maint. & Rep. 7,000 7,000 7,000
-900 Misc 300 600 600
-901 Water Training/Travel 1,000 1,000 1,000

TOTALS 136,545 142,704 142,704


Other:

At the request of the Town Clerk’s Office, the Secretary advised that property owners are now able to make tax payments online at www.townofcarroll.org by following the property tax icon on the main page. Visa, Mastercard and Discover are accepted as well as ACH transactions (debit cards or checking account information). Additional fees that apply are:
Credit card users - $1.50 transaction fee plus 2.95% finance charge
Debit card uses - $1.50 transaction fee. (None of these fees come to the Town).
They are hoping online water payments will be available by the end of the week and the same additional fees will apply. They also remind that motor vehicle and dog licensing have been available online.

As there was no further business, the Board was polled and went into non-public session for town aid, personnel matters and legal matters at 8:10 p.m.

At the close of Non-Public Session, Chairman Dowling moved to return to Public Session and seal the minutes from Non-Public Session. Selectman Bussiere seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.

There being no further discussion, Chairman Dowling made a Motion to: adjourn the meeting. Selectman Catalano seconded and the Motion passed unanimously. Chairman Dowling declared the meeting ended at 9:30 p.m. The next meeting will be on Monday, July 2, 2012.

Town of Carroll, New Hampshire ®2024