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Minutes of 9/9/2013 DRAFT

September 19th, 2013

Carroll Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes
September 9, 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: Paul Bussiere, Bill Dowling, Bonnie Moroney

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

Members of the public present: Evan Karpf, Joan Karpf, Ed Martin, Mike Gooden, Ann Fabrizio, Donna Foster, Scott Sonia, Dianne Hogan, Michael Hogan, Jeremy Oleson, Chris Pappas, Frank Maturo, Dave Scalley

Pledge of Allegiance

The meeting was filmed by Joan Karpf.

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

Selectman Moroney made a Motion to: Accept the minutes of 8/26/2013 as written. Selectman Dowling seconded and it passed unanimously.

Chairman Bussiere said there’s no change with the Water Department debt update and hopes this will be off the agenda by the end of the year.

Chairman Bussiere announced the Transfer Station had been awarded a grant for $2,000 toward the price of purchasing the glass pulverizer/crusher.

Ed Martin, Chairman of the Cemetery Trustees presented their 2014 proposed budget covering Straw, Crawford and Rosebrook Cemeteries and said this is $50 lower than the previous budget. He went on to say they have reduced it for the past seven years and they are at the point where they can’t go any lower and still maintain as they are. Mr. Martin said their mowers, the Rouillards, are holding their price which has been the same for three years. The Board will continue to maintain and repair headstones each year based on the funding and that is the last thing needed to get the cemeteries back to where they should be. They have developed a master map and plan and have also made an agreement with a person who will categorize the cemeteries and thus be able to find locations of gravesites. This is a fee-based service with the person and any who are interested in locating graves should contact the Trustees who will then go forward.
The total budget is $4,601: Salaries, 1.00; Trustees (Chair), 300.00; Trustees (2), 400.00; Maintenance, 2,300.00; Improvements, 1,600.00. It was noted that lots may be purchased for $350.00 each. This currently goes into the General Fund and Selectman Moroney suggested that maybe a special fund could be set up with the money for the cemeteries.

Paul Bussiere, Chairman of the ZBA, presented that proposed budget. He stated there is a savings of $520 from 2013, with the Secretary line down by $500 and the Board Member Salaries line down by $20. Therefore, the total is $2,172. Mr. Bussiere said he will present this to the Committee on Thursday – their first meeting in months, and feels they will all agree with it.

The Conservation Commission proposed budget was presented by Chair, Joan Karpf. She said it’s basically the same as this year and noted most of their money is spent in the fall as that is when the workshops are. Mrs. Karpf said she didn’t realize the ARLAC (Ammonoosuc River Local Advisory Committee) had been cut to $25 when they requested their annual check for $50, so this will actually add that amount to the budget. They also have a membership with the State Committee at $185 which will come due soon. Their total proposed budget is $475. Mrs. Karpf presented a draft of the town’s Natural Resources, which is a project they have been working on for the past three years. She hopes the public will look at this and let the Commission know if they find anything that should be changed or has changed.

Mrs. Karpf also included their article for this year’s Warrant, requesting that they be allowed to retain any unexpended amount from their budget.

Evan Karpf then presented the proposed 2014 Health Officer’s budget. He said he had requested $500 for a salary in 2013, despite that he had never taken a salary before, and he wasn’t going to take it this year, either. To that, he asked if it could be donated to the Fire Department. He stated he is not putting in for a salary this year so will leave only $1, but has increased the Training line from $50 to $90 because of the cost of gas. With all other lines remaining the same, the Health Officer proposed budget is $391.

Chairman Bussiere explained that he found out last year the salary would have to be paid to Dr. Karpf and then he could donate it if he wishes, but it can’t be paid directly to the Fire Department.

Michael Hogan, Chairman of the Budget Committee, present their proposed 2014 budget, which has recommended no changes from the 2013 budget. He said he would like to recommend that we look at what we’re spending and see if we could consolidate within the town on purchasing items such as paper, etc. He also asked about the various seminars and workshops and asked if it’s necessary to send everyone or should just the department head go and bring back to the department, committee, etc. Selectman Moroney said it’s worth it to the Town to have people, especially the new ones, go as they learn a lot – and there are usually new things so everybody gets something out of them. Mr. Hogan said the total 2014 budget is $429. He noted he has tried to cut back on paper by doing more electronically with the members, though once they start the budget process that will most likely change as more will have to be printed.

Jeremy Oleson, Fire and EMS Chief, had been requested at the previous meeting to get another quote for the Defibrillators, which he received from Your Safety Company, of $72,654 for the two machines. During discussion regarding using Capital Reserve Funds for payment, Michael Hogan asked if it would make more sense to borrow against our money if ours is invested and earning interest. Selectman Dowling said he would look into it. Chief Oleson said it would be worth looking into but he felt any savings would be negligible. Ann Fabrizio thought the Trustees may meet next week, when asked. Selectman Moroney noted that they had decided a couple of years ago to use the money from the Emergency Van CRF and close that Fund, so this with the balance from their other Fund, will be used to cover the cost. Chief Oleson asked if he could order the two machines from Zoll at $53,000. Joan Karpf asked if they will be able to do tests with the new equipment and Chief Oleson said their diagnostic capabilities will be much greater and will be more compatible with the hospital, as additional capabilities are increased with technology. Mrs. Karpf asked if the EMT’s from the hospital will know how to use these and Chief Oleson said they do. He went on to say this will move them ahead rather than behind as they have been. He said training is included at no extra fee and the support will be better and in place. Life expectancy of these machines is ten to 15 years with upgrades and software included.

Selectman Moroney made a Motion to: Move forward and use the funds from the Emergency Van CRF and the balance from their other fund to purchase the Defibrillators from Zoll at $53,000. Selectman Dowling seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.

Police Department request for a new computer took place at the last meeting and Chief Trammell was asked to get a quote to preplace all four in his Department. Because he was scheduled to be away for the week, Chief Trammell left information that the cost to replace all four would be $2,156, or $539 each. After brief discussion, Selectman Moroney made a Motion to: Go forward and have the Chief purchase the four computers and pay for them from the Technology Capital Reserve Fund. Selectman Dowling seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.

The Secretary asked the Select Board to hold off on discussion regarding the Town Clerk’s computer to allow them to review quotes, etc. She said the other computer in that office is overdue for replacement and the town server must be replaced this year as it is now more than a year beyond its life expectancy. Michael Hogan asked if the State has its own server and Chairman Bussiere said he would look into it.

The following items were approved and signed:

Oath of Office – R. Vecchio, Budget Committee
Property Tax Abatement – Thomas/Town of Carroll
Water Warrant – Mohr
Water Warrant – Various

Other:

Selectman Moroney spoke about the recent Planning Board meeting and said there had been a lot of controversy, etc., with it. She said Donna Foster, Chairman, did a very good job and wanted to remind people that the Select Board asked Mrs. Foster to request the lawyer be in attendance, and that it was not Mrs. Foster who had the lawyer come to the meeting.

Chairman Bussiere asked if there had been any word regarding the excavation issue or payment from Navares, owner of the tour bus which burned early in the year. These are both still pending.

Chairman Bussiere also spoke about the Zoning Ordinance and fees regarding RSA 702.8. He said fees differ between it and schedules on the forms and he’s just trying to get them not to conflict. During the brief discussion, Selectman Dowling was able to find that the Select Board has the authority over fees. They will work on this in the future.

Scott Sonia, Water Superintendent, spoke about needing to replace the pump on well #3. He said he does not know how old it is as there are no records, but it was before he came to work for the Town. He said the life is five years. He said he has received three quotes, and the Carr quote, with control, at $9,865.46 is what he chooses. He said he the replacement is one that is downsized to pump 250 gallons/minute as he doesn’t need one that will pump 350 gallons/minutes. Mr. Sonia noted that when a pump is larger than needed, it places extra stress on all the equipment as well as increases the electric costs. He stated that in case of fire and the need for more water, he can turn on both pumps. Evan Karpf said it’s a lot of electricity use to save $9,000, but if the age is unknown it would be understandable. Scott said the last time a pump was installed was 2009, and life expectancy is 5 to ten years depending on the number of gallons pumped. Selectman Moroney made a Motion to: Move forward with the purchase from Carr Well Services. Selectman Dowling seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.

Donna Foster said there had been talk of purchasing another file cabinet for Planning Board but she feels it isn’t necessary to spend the money, plus she said there’s no space for another one. She said she is going to clean out the drawers in the one they have and put the files in storage.

Mrs. Foster also spoke about a “bulb termination” program for fluorescent bulbs that her store received which she wanted to give to Mr. Dowling. She asked if he had this program at the Transfer Station and he said when they send out televisions, they also send these bulbs at no additional cost. Apparently this is a promotion for hardware stores and supposed to be easy to work with; it was noted that Lowes takes them at no cost.

Evan Karpf said the Commander in Rhode Island called him to let him know that large aircraft would be flying over for practice and it will be periodically and ongoing. He passed the word along in case people started inquiring, so it would be known. Michael Hogan concurred and said there would be some F16’s as well.

As there was no further business, the Board was polled and went into non-public session for personnel matters at 8:15 p.m.

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

There being no further discussion, Selectman Dowling made a Motion to: adjourn the meeting. Selectman Moroney seconded and the Motion passed unanimously. Chairman Bussiere declared the meeting ended at 8:32 p.m. The next meeting will be Monday, September 16, 2013.

Town of Carroll, New Hampshire ®2024