Town of Carroll, New Hampshire

• Town Services
• Town Meeting Minutes
• Planning Board/ZBA
• Applications & Forms
• Town Clerk/Tax Collector
• Map
• Home

Minutes of Town Board Meetings

• Planning Board
• Board of Adjustment
• Select Board
• Budget Committee
• Building Committee
• Energy Commission

Minutes of 2/10/2014 DRAFT

February 23rd, 2014

Carroll Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes
February 10, 2014
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: Mike Costa, Evan Karpf, Joan Karpf, Ann Fabrizio, Mike Gooden, Greg Hogan, Michael Hogan, Chris Pappas, Jeremy Oleson, Dave Scalley, Bill Smalley, Donna Foster

Pledge of Allegiance

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

Selectman Moroney made a Motion to: Accept the minutes of 1/27/2014. Chairman Bussiere asked that the statement “Per RSA 91-A-3” be added to the paragraph about going into non-public session. Selectman Dowling seconded that the minutes be accepted as amended. The Motion passed unanimously.

White Mountains Regional High School Administrators, Mike Berry, Principal and Lisa Perras, Career Technical Education Director, gave an update of the new CTE Center. Mr. Berry said after the vote failed last March, they looked at how it was presented and decided perhaps it would be best to have people that are in the buildings be the ones to talk about it. He said he understands how people are thinking – it’s a big project, times are hard, etc., and that it’s also a tax issue. He said they are not in the business of telling people how to spend their money – they’re in the business of education and it’s these questions they want to answer.

Space is a major concern as they are very short on it and being able to fit students into areas where they should be is a big problem. Mr. Berry said it’s a good school; test results have improved, a greater percentage of graduates are going to higher education, and they have a number of programs other schools don’t offer.

Mrs. Perras said their goal is that students will be employable upon graduation or they will be ready to enter college – they have programs which they believe respond to the economic conditions of the area. But they are at a point where they cannot move forward with their programs because of the age and size of the current building. It was stated that the committees who designed the building felt the requested space is needed and they consider it as an addition to the current building. They continued by touching upon classes and use, defining daily activities, goals and direction.

Mr. Berry said the bond is 18 million dollars and 13.5 million dollars or 75% will come from the State. This was put in the budget for two years—last year and this year. It was noted the Department of Education says what and how these projects go. He also said that local businesses and vendors will be a large part of the project and thus our area will also receive revenue from it. When asked about protection on cost overruns, Mrs. Perras said the Dan Hebert, the general contractor, has given a guaranteed, certified maximum price. She also said there will be many people watching over this project. Minor discussion of cost-saving ideas took place, as far as actual school programs are concerned. Donna Foster, from experience and from a business point of view, spoke very highly of the center and said it is definitely a benefit to the area.

When asked about Adult Education, they said they have already started a number of “mini” courses, i.e. using a chainsaw, keyboarding, etc. and they were extremely popular. But this will evolve for people who need diplomas, certificates, GED’s, or want a new career path. Both Mrs. Perras and Mr. Berry said they would be more than happy to have people call them and answer any questions they may have.

Dave Scalley said he thought 4.5 million dollars among five towns is a small price to pay for education. The Administrators reiterated if this fails again, we will go to the “back of the line” and it will unknown when we might come up again. Further, if we do go back in the future, the split will never again be 75% – the next time it will be only 60%.

Chairman Bussiere spoke of the concern of the cost per pupil to the Town of Carroll. He said that is very high so it is one thing that’s of great concern. Selectman Moroney suggested that the cost per thousand should be emphasized rather than the cost per student. The Board thanked Mr. Berry and Mrs. Perras for their presentation and they thanked the Board for the opportunity. They gave the phone number to the High School – 837-2528 – and reiterated their offer to receive calls to answer questions that may come up.

Next, the Selectmen silently read their message for the Annual Report and Selectman Dowling made a Motion to: Accept it with the updates. Selectman Moroney seconded and it passed unanimously.

The Selectmen then went on to Articles 3 and 12 which had been amended at the Deliberative Session, for which they needed to vote again.

Article 3: To raise and appropriate as an operating budget, not including appropriations by special warrant articles and other appropriations voted separately, the amounts set forth on the budget posted with the warrant or as amended by vote of the First Session, for the purposes set forth therein, totaling sum of $1,511,488 (One Million Five Hundred Eleven Thousand Four Hundred Eighty Eight Dollars). Selectman Moroney made a Motion to: Recommend this article. Selectman Dowling seconded and it passed unanimously. Therefore, Selectmen recommend this by a vote of 3 to 0.

This was followed by Article 12: To see if this Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $3,113.50 (Three Thousand One Hundred Thirteen Dollars and Fifty Cents) for ground-water monitoring of the old landfill; of which approximately $1,850 (One thousand Eight Hundred Fifty Dollars) to pay for engineering services including sampling and reporting to the Town and State, and approximately $1,263.50 (One Thousand Two Hundred Sixty Three Dollars and Fifty Cents) will pay for laboratory fees; and further to authorize the withdrawal of the total amount from the existing Landfill Closure Trust Fund established for this purpose. No amount to be raised from taxation. Selectman Moroney made a Motion to: Recommend this article. Selectman Dowling seconded and it passed unanimously. Thus, Selectmen recommend this by a vote of 3 to 0.

Selectman Moroney then read the letter from Leslie Bergum to the Ammonoosuc River Local Advisory Committee advising her need to resign after many years of serving as representative from the Town. The need for volunteers had come up several months previously and as no one had come forth, the board noted there are no nominees at this time. Selectman Dowling suggested that the Secretary put an ad in the paper for this as well as for volunteers for the various boards in general, and particularly for Parks & Rec.

The following items were approved and signed:
North Country Fire Mutual Aid Agreement
Veterans’ Tax Credit – Nelson
Property Tax Abatements – Jordan, L. & T. Jellison, S. & S. Kraabel
Memorandum of Understanding, Municipal Data Sharing Pool – DRA
Town Hall Use Permit Application – Moroney, Parks & Recreation Com.
Water Warrant – Hall, Drouin Trust, Maher, III
Water Warrant, Past Due Notices – Various
Yield Tax Warrant – Roesbery
Intent to Cut – Steele

Other:

The Secretary said Attorney Waugh’s office had phoned regarding the Rines case and said Attorney Marshall was filing an “Assent to Extension.” This is basically automatic as the Courts don’t even rule on it, but they do prefer that all parties agree on it. Selectman Moroney made a Motion to: Agree to the assent. Selectman Dowling seconded and it passed unanimously.

Mike Costa came to ask about the Building Permit process. He said he wants to replace a window which cost $139 and the fee for the permit is $75. He feels this is high and had spoken with Stan Borkowski. Stan said he does need a permit, but if he is not in a hurry to do the job, that fees, etc., are going to be reviewed and some would most likely be reduced. The Board agreed this needs to be done and it had been spoken of. Michael Hogan spoke of the meeting when the gentleman from the State was here to speak about permits and “waiver-able” items. The Board asked the Secretary to have Stan review the permit process and fees. Evan Karpf said he may want to rewrite the commercial fee schedule as it can be interpreted differently.

Selectman Moroney announced the “Meet the Candidates Night” on Wednesday, February 19, at 7 p.m. at the Town Hall. She said all the candidates have been invited.

Selectman Moroney also announced the Spaghetti Dinner on Saturday, February 22, from 5 to 8 p.m. also at the Town Hall. This is a fundraiser for the Fire Department to purchase a dryer for their gear.

Donna Foster said Fosters’ are holding a raffle to celebrate their 35th Anniversary of being in business and tickets are on sale at the Store. All proceeds will also go to the Fire Department and it is being held in conjunction with the Dinner.

Sgt. Bill Smalley said when Jeff Duncan left the employ of the Town, Greg Hogan was appointed the Secondary Liaison for Emergency 911. It appears the papers were never signed and sent. He turned in a form and asked that it be signed after it was completed and signed. It was asked if this needed a Motion and felt it should. Therefore, Selectman Dowling made a Motion to: Appoint Greg Hogan as the Secondary Liaison on 911. Selectman Moroney seconded and it passed unanimously. Selectman Dowling made a Motion to: Have Chairman Bussiere sign the form. Selectman Moroney seconded and this also passed unanimously.

Sgt. Smalley said they had recently had an audit for Emergency 911 and this was how this was discovered. He went on to say during the audit, they found some numbers at a condo building at Rosebrook that have to be changed. He said they have no idea when or how this happened but it has to go back to the original numbers. They will notify the owners.

Greg Hogan brought a box containing the remainder of brake parts to show the Select Board. He said these are from the old truck; that the brakes blew out and this is what is left. Chairman Bussiere commented that it was too bad there was no one filming the meeting tonight. Joan Karpf said someone was scheduled to film but she didn’t know what happened. Dave Scalley asked if there was any thought to keeping the camera at the Town Hall. It was stated that after the meetings things have to be done with the tapes.

As there was no further business, the Board was polled and went into non-public session, per RSA 91-A-3, for Personnel and Town Aid 8:21 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 8:55 p.m. The next meeting will be Monday, February 24, 2014.

Town of Carroll, New Hampshire ®2024