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Minutes of 9/24/2012 DRAFT

October 11th, 2012

Carroll Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes
September 24, 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: Mike Gooden, Bonnie Moroney, Evan Karpf, Joan Karpf, Lori Lane, George Brodeur, Doug Procter, Dave Scalley, Annette Marquis, Jim Covey

Pledge of Allegiance

The meeting was filmed by Joan Karpf.

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

Selectman Catalano made a Motion To: Accept the minutes of 9/10/2012 as written. Selectman Bussiere seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.

Selectman Catalano asked on page 3 of the minutes of 9/17/2012, regarding the Police budget, who the word “they” referred to in “they said…..” The Secretary said it was the Selectmen and Mr. Catalano said they didn’t say it, that it was the Police Chief. The Secretary said she would check the tape from the meeting. Selectman Bussiere the made a Motion to: Accept the minutes of 9/17/2012 as amended. Selectman Catalano seconded and it passed unanimously.

Stan Borkowski report was received and posted.

Chairman Dowling turned the meeting over to George Brodeur and other representatives from the White Mountains Regional School District and asked Mr. Brodeur to introduce his colleagues: Lori Lane, CTE Director and Doug Proctor from Warren Street Architects. Mr. Brodeur also brought Superintendent, Dr. Fensom’s, regrets at his inability to attend due to the School Board meeting at the same time.

Mrs. Lane began by introducing Annette Marquis, School Board rep from Carroll and proceeded to explain they were here to present the project they are undertaking: a new Career and Technical Center at the High School. She noted the Gallen Center at Littleton High School is their “sister” center. There are six high schools with 18 towns accessing the center daily. While formerly called Vocational Education, it focused on general job skills; Career and Technical Education:


• Focuses on job skills based on industry standards
• Integrates academics
• Prepares students for post-secondary study and career
• Hones critical thinking skills
• Provides a wide range of study area to choose from

They have program advisory committees made up of people from the communities and from whom they have gotten much information.

Mrs. Lane said the current facility was built in the 1970’s (with the original building in 1966) and needs updating as well as the fact that New Hampshire law calls for it. The project goals are to upgrade content and space, organize programs so that all groups will be brought together and to create a community resource.

There are issues that need to be addressed in the high school which include infrastructure – electrical, heating, energy, etc.; repurposing vacated space for various needs in special education and regular education; and renovating and upgrading the cafeteria and bathrooms, which have never been done.

Mr. Brodeur advised paying for this project will come from a CTE grant for 75% of the cost of construction and equipment and they are working on trying to get additional aid which could cover 58% of any renovations done as well as 58% of the remaining 25% of the CTE cost. He also advised they have a building committee with various community members on it. Mr. Brodeur said Daniel Hebert will be the contractor and his initial cost was $19,800,000 and he will be coming back to them with a guaranteed maximum price to cover everything. The original cost was to cover 96,000 square feet and Mr. Hebert has been asked to reduce that to 76,000 square feet.

It was asked what the number of students is and if they see any changes either up or down. Currently in grades 9 through 12 there are 425 and they don’t anticipate any changes. Annette Marquis said the numbers are pretty consistent and stable with research that has been done. It was stated that Littleton has seen a substantial increase in attendance since their new facility was built and noted that the new CTE could accommodate an increase up to 625 to 650 students. Mrs. Marquis said the District received tuition from other school students.

Doug Proctor explained the location and use of current space as well as future space and how it will work together for the various programs to be offered. He said a due diligence study is being done to see about locating the SAU offices in space at the new Center. Comparisons will be made with the cost of leasing space, etc. However, it was noted this space will not be eligible for school aid and this will also be taken into consideration.

Mr. Brodeur explained they have a bio-mass facility that provides heat to the existing building and will also cover the new Center at a much lower cost. There is a water main that comes to the school from the town system and it is more than sufficient for all water needs. In addition, they have a 30,000 gallon tank in the ground for water storage that may be used for fire protection.
Mr. Brodeur said they must get approval in March, 2013, for the project or they will lose the CTE funding of an estimated 13.5 million dollars plus. He reiterated that they are trying to get 58% of the remaining 25% funded and this number comes from the fact that 58% of the students are eligible for the free or reduced hot lunch program. They estimate the taxpayer burden to be about 20 cents on the dollar.

The school group had some information for people to pick up and as there were no more questions, ended their presentation. The Select Board thanked them for coming.

Chairman Dowling said they have not met with the auditors about the Water Department debt yet.

Chairman Dowling said the State had adopted the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act about overtime, but when he called them they wouldn’t answer questions. He said he then called the Federal office and is waiting to hear from someone. He said they’ll hold off contacting legal counsel until they can find something out otherwise. Selectman Catalano said basically they are checking to find out whether the law says should not or may not, which is if the exemption is mandatory or a choice.

Chairman Dowling answered questions posed by Bonnie Moroney (attached) at the meeting on September 10.

1. Who wrote the ad that was to be put in the newspaper?
A. The Board of Selectmen with advice from the Fire Department (the 2 running the department now).

2. Where was this ad run and for how long?
A. The Union Leader for one day.

Mrs. Moroney asked why only the Union Leader and not in a local paper and Chairman Dowling said the Union Leader goes all the way to the Canadian border. She questioned the one day to run it and Selectman Catalano said no decision had been made to run once and never to run it again – they will look at what came in and go further as necessary.

3. Question was for Mark Catalano who answered it: You did a lot of hiring and firing where you worked before – how long would you have run an ad for an important position such as this one and in how many newspapers?
A. In whatever paper(s) they may have felt necessary, most likely the largest, and they would run for one cycle – one cycle, one week – and if not a good response they would run it again.

4. Have you put together a committee of firefighters, EMT, and one Select Board member as we did when Jeremy was hired?
A. The committee consisted of 1 Select Person, 3 or 4 Fire Department personnel, and 2 or 3 from the Fire Academy will sit in on interviews.

5. I would like to know how the board feels that they should be combining the full time firefighter position and the Chief position into one, when the people of the Town of Carroll voted not to allow this to happen.

A. As you know from education you received at the Selectmen’s Institute, No means no for one year only. The position does not have to go to Town meeting.

Mrs. Moroney said she understands but feels the people should be given the choice. Selectman Catalano said they asked Fire Department people who felt there was no reason the position should not be changed. He went on to ask Mrs. Moroney if there is anything in particular that the Board should know about whether it’s combined or separated. Mrs. Moroney said she feels only a few were expressing their opinions and she believes the cost is greater for a Fire Chief. She said her opinion is also based on what the Boards she was on received when they decided to make decisions without asking.

6. What is the status of the purchase of the new utility truck for the Fire Department?

A. The Fire Department is putting it out to bid.

Mrs. Moroney said she had spoken with some members who said they were given an amount from the Chairman and felt they could only get a second-hand truck. Chairman Dowling said that’s not the case, they can get a new truck. He said he had given them a copy of the capital reserve statement about 2 or 3 weeks previously. He also gave them information about the company the Police Department used as well as two or three other companies and Greg Hogan gave them information on the company he used to purchase the new Highway truck.

7. What is the status on releasing the minutes from the non-public meetings?

A. Again, when you went to the Selectmen’s Institute, they covered non-public sessions. Sealed minutes can only be viewed by the most current Board members. Also, it takes a vote of the Board of Selectmen to view non-public session minutes. None have been released.

Mrs. Moroney said she only asked as it was one of the first policies they made. Chairman Dowling said as she knows, steps must be taken to view the minutes and they must be very careful about what is released.

Chairman Dowling read several articles that he was submitting for the Warrant on behalf of the Transfer Station.

“To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $9,171 (Nine Thousand One Hundred Seventy One Dollars) for ground-water monitoring of the old landfill. $2,937 (Two Thousand Nine Hundred Thirty Seven Dollars) to pay for the engineer to take samples, produce reports and send the results to the Town and State, $6,234 (Six Thousand Two Hundred Thirty Four Dollars) 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 amount raised from taxation.”

This is a requirement of the town and Mr. Dowling said it had increased 5%, because of the contract, but it was the first time the contract had gone up.

“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 will be raised from taxation.”

This is specified by RSA 149 M:9 and required of the town.

Mr. Dowling noted the next one is a new article.

“To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $12,375 (Twelve Thousand Three Hundred Seventy Five Dollars) to purchase three (3) storage trailers for the Transfer Station/Recycling Center. This appropriation will be raised from the Recycling Special Revenue Fund. No money raised from taxation.”

Mr. Dowling explained the reason they need these is they’re getting to the point where they have to store the plastics they are recycling now, as they deteriorate if they stay in the sun, even if they’re under a tarp. The trailers will be put at the old landfill and they can be loaded from there. They can be set up at no extra cost as they have the blocks and anything else needed. They will eventually sell these.

“To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $16,450 (Sixteen Thousand Four Hundred Fifty Dollars) to purchase a glass crusher for the Transfer and Recycling Center. This appropriation will be raised from the Recycling Special Revenue Fund. The costs are as follows: $12,000 (Twelve Thousand Dollars) for the glass crusher, $1,000 (One Thousand Dollars) for shipping, $3,450 (Three Thousand Four Hundred Fifty) for materials and labor for the enclosure of the glass crusher and glass table. No money raised from taxation.”

Mr. Dowling said he found a company that has sold two up here in the North Country and he went to visit them – one in Lancaster and one in Colebrook. They worked well all winter with no problems and maintenance is mainly grease and the knives that cut the glass. The road department can use the aggregate for drainage, etc. and cover it with gravel. The purpose is to use it as trucking is $250 a trip. This year, he said he’ll do 89.23 tons and started out at $8 a ton and the price increases substantially. He has worked out that payback would be less than 3 ½ years and maybe even quicker as the price increases. There was a brief discussion about sending to DRA for format and Chairman Dowling said he had received an email from Jamie Dow, our DRA rep, that they aren’t doing this anymore. He will give the Secretary a copy of the email.

The next article was “To see if the Town of Carroll will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $1,500 (Fifteen 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.”

Mr. Dowling said they had one last Saturday and 9 people participated. This is the same amount as last year and Mr. Dowling said he may have to modify it when he sees the bill. The cost is for the company to come in and set up and do the collection.

The last article was “To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate $20,000 (Twenty Thousand Dollars) for the 2013 tipping of bulky waste and construction debris, the removal of tires, Freon, propane tanks, electronics, florescent light bulbs and antifreeze, container lease, equipment repair and equipment purchase and further to authorize the withdrawal as needed from the Recycling Equipment Special Revenue Fund established at the 2001 Town Meeting for this purpose. No money raised from taxation.

Mr. Dowling said he had taken equipment repair off the budget and put it here, mainly the Bobcat, Bailer, Trash Compactor and lawn mowers maintenance including motor oil, grease, filters, etc. and purchase of gloves for winter and summer, hand wipes, etc., and the lease is for the bulky waste container and the C & D container at $122.97, tire container, $700 lease and $700 for tipping for tires. Selectman Catalano asked about tipping fees in the budget and Mr. Dowling said that was for garbage, that’s not the same as these tipping fees.

There were no other questions at this time, and he said to contact him if anyone had any. He also said he’d email these to the Secretary.

The following items were approved and signed:

Oaths of Office Parks & Rec Commission – L. Hogan, D. Scalley
Driveway Permit – Wesoloski
It was noted as this is on a private road, there should be a disclaimer from the Town that there
are no town services. Evan Karpf advised the driveway regulations are now in place.
Property Tax Abatement – CNL Income, Bretton Woods

The Avery Sweeping contract was tabled to the next meeting.

Other:

The lease for the Kiosk project brought up several meetings ago has been received. This will be on land leased from the Town up near the Information Booth and will enhance the services by the Information Booth. Selectman Catalano said we should move forward on this but he feels they should get 3 or 4 people to work on the exact location; one from the Select Board, one from Chamber and Scott Sonia and Greg Hogan should be the group. Thus, Selectman Catalano made a Motion to: Sign the lease and create the group for the location of the Kiosk. Selectman Bussiere seconded and it passed unanimously. Chairman Dowling made a Motion that: Selectman Catalano would be the Selectman to contact about the project. Selectman Bussiere seconded and this passed unanimously.

Selectman Catalano said he couldn’t open the file for the draft of the preliminary values for CNL. It was suggested the Secretary print these out and put them in the Selectmen boxes. No official number yet for values.

Selectman Bussiere asked who he would speak with about School Street as it’s in rather bad condition and now we’re bringing more people to it with the kiosk. He was told Greg Hogan would be the person.

Chairman Dowling said he’s been hearing that we need a good way to inform the public of what’s going on in town and he believes the best way is to have the town’s Cable Committee to pursue a regional site at the Town Hall and wants a request sent to the Committee to come back with what they find. He asked that they be contacted during the week.

Chairman Dowling spoke about the amount of money we pay to the County and said he’d like to see if we could find a person to attend the meetings and bring information back to us. He said if the Board agrees, he’d like it posted and to get back to the Board by October 1. They agreed it is a good idea.

As there was no further business, the Board was polled and went into non-public session for personnel matters at 8:51 p.m.

At the close of Non-Public Session, Selectman Bussiere moved to return to Public Session and seal the minutes from Non-Public Session. Selectman Catalano 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 p.m.

Town of Carroll, New Hampshire ®2024