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Minutes of 1/7/2013 DRAFT

January 27th, 2013

Carroll Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes
January 7, 2013
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: Bill Bochynski, Evan Karpf, Joan Karpf, Donna Foster, George Brodeur, Lori Lane, Richard Nelson, John Trammell, Greg Hogan, Carmine Fabrizio, Dave Scalley, Bill Smalley, Stephen Hilliard, Al Strasser

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 12/10/2012 as written. Selectman Bussiere seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.

Selectman Catalano said there was a typo on page 4 of the minutes for 12/17 – near the bottom of the page, the number “3” was in the word, “Sel3ectmen”. He then made a Motion To: Accept the minutes of 12/17/12 as amended. Selectman Bussiere seconded and it passed unanimously.

Selectman Bussiere made a Motion To: Accept the minutes of 12/19/12 as written. Selectman Catalano seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.

George Brodeur and Lori Lane from the White Mountains Regional School District attended to update on the CTE Center. Mr. Brodeur noted there are full-size drawings that will be left at the Town Hall and available to the public. He went on to explain the layout of the buildings as well as how they will fit together – the existing high school and the new Center. He said the last time they were here, they were hoping to bring water from the town system, but they found out they cannot provide the needed pressure. He continued about the water storage location and how they will be provided with all the necessary water.

Mr. Brodeur said they had requested the High School renovation be priced in tiers to allow parceling out the work – and that already Tier 4 has not been approved. He reiterated as at the previous meeting, that the electrical system and distribution will totally be redone as this is all the same as when it was built in 1966 and is in desperate need. He said as current technical classes move out, the replaced space will become new classroom, especially for Special Needs, which has become quite cramped.

There will be two warrant articles and the first one is devoted to the CTE Center at 18+ million dollars renovation costs with 75% at $13,500,000 to be covered by school aid and the remaining 25%, $4,573,862 , which will be bonded. Mr. Brodeur reminded all that they are also working on trying to get 56% reimbursement on the bond amount. He said they have a Bill set up with the Legislature to override the government moratorium on government school aid. As most of what needs to be done is in the CTE Center, the article must be passed or we go to the “back of the line.” We’ve already been bumped twice because the two schools which were built before our high school and because they went to the Legislature ahead of us. He continued with breakdowns of various scenarios and costs for just the Center or for both projects, the Center and the renovations combined and which included reimbursements and bonding amounts. The combined cost of $24,691,830 would require that we bond $11,191,830 and with 6.2 million dollars reimbursed, the taxpayer share would be $4,924,405. The tax impact on this would be .12/$1,000 or $24 on $200,000 value. This would be interest only for the first year and then in 2014, it would be for the entire amount at .34/$1,000 or $68 on $200,000 value. Regarding operating costs, currently at $186,149 per year, the projected cost with renovations would be $116,380. The total additional operating cost with the new Center would $26,056 or $126,056 with two additional staff. (It was later noted the staff are janitorial, not teaching.) Al Strasser asked if numbers are verified after construction and Mr. Brodeur responded his experience at Littleton Hospital was that after two years it cost $1.45/square foot and they saved $25,000 every month this year in electric costs alone. He also said he believed they will be looking at all the numbers as they get them.

Joan Karpf asked how they decide on courses and Lori Lane replied that some is based history in that they have been known for agriculture and vocational but some changes would be made for updating, giving the example of new power equipment, etc. as they will introduce a variety of skills that students can learn; and some is based on need, such as teacher education and culinary arts. When Mrs. Karpf asked if students could go to other schools for particular courses or classes, she was told they currently go between Littleton and WMRHS and they have already signed a “sister clause” with a “non-compete” clause. They said business education, accounting and business course in general, are the only courses they each have now. When asked which students this affects, Ms. Lane said that due to students’ maturity and schedule time, most are juniors and seniors, though there are some shorter courses for freshmen and sophomores. She also said with some programs there are students who leave with 14 college credits, teacher Ed being one.

Selectman Bussiere asked about carbon credits and Mr. Brodeur didn’t know, but said he would ask the engineer. He said they use LED fixtures outside, but historically there are problems inside, so not there yet. Mr. Strasser asked about the number of students as he knows they have decreased over the years. Ms. Lane said the total declined some in the last ten years, but the High School is staying pretty steady, and there are still some students not tapped in yet. She noted the teacher/student ratio is mostly done by subject area. Bill Bochynski discussed the need for public education and the need to make changes. He was advised starting with the legislature would be the way to go.

The Board thanked Ms. Lane and Mr. Brodeur for the update.

Selectman Catalano advised there is no change on the water debt.

Chairman Dowling said there are two noise ordinances brought by the Police and they need to go to a town vote. The first is regarding vehicle noise,

“To see if the Town will vote to approve the following Ordinance: No vehicle shall be operated within the Town of Carroll in such a manner as to create the spinning of tires, or an excessively noisy or disruptive manner. This shall include the over revving of a vehicle’s motor in the event of rapid and unnecessary acceleration. No person shall operate a vehicle within the Town of Carroll so that the lives and safety of any person may be at risk. a) Any violation of this ordinance shall be subject to a fine of not less than $100 and no more than $1,000.”

Selectman Catalano made a Motion to: Put this article in the Warrant and to recommend it. Selectman Bussiere seconded and it pass unanimously. The Selectmen recommend this by a vote of 3 to 0.

The next noise article was regarding construction noise, woods operation equipment, etc. Selectman Bussiere felt interpretation of this could be too vague the way it was written. He also questioned the 8 a.m. limit and that it essentially tells people when they may start work. He offered to rewrite it and send it to the attorney for review.

Following this was an article for updating the Master Plan.

“To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate $15,000 (Fifteen Thousand Dollars) to update the Town of Carroll Master Plan. This will be a non-lapsing appropriation per RSA 32:7, V and VI and will not lapse until the Master Plan is completed or by December 31, 2014, whichever is sooner. (Majority vote required).”

Chairman Dowling said that portions are to be done every five years per RSA and this has not happened here. He said North Country Council will be working with the committee on this. He explained that it is non-lapsing to keep the money intact to spend on the intended use. At the end of the year the money stays in the line and does not go to the General Fund until it is completed or unless it is not completed on time. Selectman Catalano made a Motion to: Recommend this, Selectman Bussiere seconded and it passed unanimously. The Selectmen recommend this by a vote of 3 to 0.

The Board then voted on the tax impact article: “To see if the Town will vote to adopt the provisions of RSA 32:5, V-b to require that the annual budget and all special warrant articles having a tax impact, as determined by the governing body, shall contain a notation stating the estimated tax impact of the article. The determination of the estimated impact shall be subject to approval by the governing body.”

Selectman Bussiere made a Motion to: recommend this article. Selectman Catalano seconded and it passed unanimously. The Selectmen recommend this by a vote of 3 to 0.

The Secretary said she had received several telephone calls from applicants for the position of Fire Chief and said she had told them the Board was still working on it. Chairman Dowling said they are and she should continue to say that.

Hunt Properties Bond was brought up and Chairman Dowling read the letter (attached) from the Planning Board Secretary in which the Planning Board recommended that the Selectmen accept the bond. Selectman Catalano made a Motion that: They accept the bond, Selectman Bussiere seconded and it passed unanimously.

There were several thank you letters and as Selectman Catalano asked that one be redone, the Selectmen decided they will sign them all at a future meeting.

The following items were approved and signed:

Water Warrant – Lennon
Property Tax Abatements – U.S. Government, Rines
Property Tax Warrant – Eames Partnership, Rines

The Secretary explained the new software installed in late fall, had erroneously included a bill for the Government which is exempt, and included the full year tax amount for the Rines property instead of only the second issue amount. These had to be abated and a bill issued for the correct amount to Mr. and Mrs. Rines.

Chairman Dowling then read a letter (attached) to the State DOT regarding reducing the speed on Route 302 East. Selectman Bussiere made a Motion to: Sign the letter and Selectman Catalano seconded. The Motion passed unanimously. Chief Trammell reminded all that the Town had tried this previously and been unsuccessful. Selectman Catalano said before the State said there had not been enough accidents, but this time the motivation is different as they have increased and unfortunately include two fatalities, so that should make the DOT re-look. He said now there is also involvement with the new overlook area that will be across from the hotel. Stephen Hilliard, on behalf of the Omni Mount Washington Resort, said Senator Woodburn will champion this and if he can have it by tomorrow, Executive Councilor Ray Burton who is going to Concord, will hand-deliver the letter. Mr. Hilliard was assured he would have the letter.

Road Agent, Greg Hogan told the Board he would like to add another person for on-call snow removal. This person has his CDL so Mr. Hogan wants to pay him $12 an hour and felt he should discuss it with the Selectmen. He said this should alleviate overtime and therefore save money. Mr. Hogan noted he already does other work for the Town and explained the person he’s had for a while is harder to get due to other commitments. Selectman Catalano asked if he had the money in his budget and Mr. Hogan said he did. The Selectmen all agreed it was fine with them.

Other:

Chairman Dowling announced the Deliberative Session is on Tuesday, February 5, at 7 p.m. Friday, February 8, will be the snow date if necessary as there is a Planning Board meeting on February 7. Starting time of the meeting was questioned and the Chairman said the meeting will be posted with the time and if it is different, it will be noted.

Chairman Dowling stated the Chamber of Commerce had asked about dogs being allowed at the Recreation Area if they are on a leash and he said that’s okay to do. He said it doesn’t need to go for a town vote as long as they are not making a town-wide leash law.

Al Strasser said something that used to be done but is not any more, is showing the fringe benefits where they are used and that people don’t know how much money the employees’ make anymore. Selectman Catalano said the information is all available in the budget and clarified that what Mr. Strasser was saying was that he felt each individual department should show the benefits. Mr. Strasser said yes, that is what he was saying. Chairman Dowling said there is a breakdown of everyone’s budget in the Town Report and that it’s up to the individual to read it. He said if it passes, the tax impact will also be noted in the future. Mr. Strasser said he believes the Selectmen should be doing a better job of not spending money (as they recommended all those articles last year), and also about not hiring fulltime employees. He said the town lost 87 million dollars in the 2012 revaluation and the budget should reflect that. He then asked how many people have to sign a petition for it to be accepted and after brief discussion, Chairman Dowling said 13. Mr. Strasser said he had a petition that he will be bringing to the Office tomorrow.

Evan Karpf referred to the Selectmen voting to open the road on the Hunt Property and the Chairman said they will deal with that later, it’s too cold to do the work now anyway. But he said he’s fully aware of it. He added that the developer hasn’t asked the Board for permission to do the work yet.

Selectman Catalano said he accepts full responsibility for his vote of the warrant articles and pleaded that he was non-educated and still somewhat new on the Board. But he knows more now and his vote will be much more reflective of his position.

Dave Scalley said he had an affidavit and would like to address the board in non-public and was denied. Selectman Bussiere said he would like clarification – they accepted a bond for the developer but that he cannot start his road. Chairman Dowling said that is correct. Selectman Catalano questioned what more he needs to do. The Chairman said he would be ripping up town property and the Select Board is responsible for it. The bond only covers the cost if the work is not done properly. Selectmen Catalano and Bussiere both said they thought permission was granted through the acceptance and approval of the subdivision by the Planning Board. Selectmen Catalano asked once Mr. Scalley approaches and asks for permission to do the road what else he had to do. Chairman Dowling said there is nothing else. It was stated the Road Agent has already looked at the project and the subdivision has been approved. Mr. Scalley asked for permission to start the road. Chairman Dowling told him to put it in writing and they will sign it.

As there was no further business, the Board was polled and went into non-public session legal and personnel matters at 8:30 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 Catalano seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.

There being no further discussion, Chairman Dowling made a Motion to: adjourn the meeting. Selectman Bussiere seconded and the Motion passed unanimously. Chairman Dowling declared the meeting ended at 9:18 p.m. The next meeting will be Monday, January 14, 2013.

Town of Carroll, New Hampshire ®2024