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Minutes of 4/7/2014 DRAFT

April 13th, 2014

Carroll Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes
April 7, 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, Bonnie Moroney, Dave Scalley

The meeting was called to order at 6:58 PM by Chairman Bussiere.

Members of the public present:

Pledge of Allegiance

The meeting was filmed by Nancy Mitiguy.

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

Selectman Moroney made a Motion to: Accept the minutes of 3/19/2014. Selectman Scalley seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.

Selectman Moroney made a Motion to: Accept the minutes of 3/24/2014. Chairman Bussiere seconded and the Motion passed. Selectman Scalley abstained as he was not at the meeting.

The first order of business was to elect a Chairman and Selectman Bussiere nominated Selectman Moroney as the new Chairman. Selectman Scalley seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.

Next was Committee assignments and Selectman Moroney will remain as the Budget Committee representative if Selectman Scalley can retain the seat to which he had been elected the previous year. If this is not possible, they will revisit this.

The remaining assignments are:
Conservation Commission – Paul Bussiere; Master Plan/CIP – Dave Scalley; Planning Board – Bonnie Moroney; Building (Feasibility) Committee – Bonnie Moroney; Safety Committee – Paul Bussiere.

Selectman Bussiere said he had checked with Legal and two Selectmen may be on the Zoning Board as both he and Selectman Scalley were elected members and he wanted to be sure it was appropriate.

Austin Pilotte, representing Ugo’s Cucina North, attended as a follow-up to the last Selectmen’s meeting. They are interested in being able to offer entertainment at their new restaurant. Fire Chief Jeremy Oleson and Selectman Bussiere had both visited the premises as they had said they would. Chief Oleson reviewed his items; namely, that they install panic hardware on the doors and that doors are not locked from the inside. He said he was satisfied with the lighting as well as the emergency lighting. Chief Oleson noted the Assembly Permit issued previously is for a maximum of 100 people as there are no sprinklers within the two areas designated in the Permit. He requested that they have a checklist on the safety items that they should go over once a month and have it available so he can see that it’s been done. Chief Oleson reiterated that while the doors cannot be locked from the inside, they may be locked from the outside so people cannot enter. Mr. Pilotte stated they are looking for permission to have entertainment and Chief Oleson said they are approved for the “lower level” i.e. a deejay, single or duo musicians, etc., but once they try to get involved with multiple pieces, i.e.4-5, they must come back to the Town. When asked, the Select Board said they support the Chief and had nothing additional to offer. Mr. Pilotte thanked Chief Oleson and the Selectmen for the time they had all put into this.

Chairman Moroney then spoke about the Transfer Station. She said Bill Dowling handed in his keys to the Transfer Station on Tuesday, April 1, and said he was all done. The Board had no idea this was happening and they need time to figure things out. She said she had called Casella to inquire about “zero-sort” as she felt the Board needs to look into the costs of running it i.e. hours of operation, number of personnel and hours worked, etc. This is going to be looked at in and from numerous ways as to maybe cutting hours but not necessarily. Michael Hogan asked if they will pay for “zero-sort” versus making money selling recycled goods. Chairman Moroney stated it’s only a place to start as right now it’s 18 hours versus 80 hours of payroll. Eric Schloss asked where she got the 18 hours and she said it’s the number of hours they are open to the public. He said they have the AMC, the Ski Area and the Hotel that bring in cardboard, and other recyclables and they often have these delivered when they are closed to avoid issues. He said they also do the baling of all.

Leslie Bergum asked if they are trying to analyze the entire program or just Bill Dowling’s position and the Chairman said the entire place. Mr. Schloss said they are getting ready to send out 90 tons of cardboard. Selectman Bussiere said the Transfer Station is in limbo right now and they are also looking for direction. Mr. Schloss said he would like to know what’s going on as he was being trained to take over; that he and Bill had talked for two years about that. It was stated that it was too bad Bill didn’t take care of that before he left.

Michael Hogan said this might be a good time to take the opportunity to look things over and perhaps get someone who could help in numerous departments. He said he is not speaking for the Budget Committee; but as a Committee member, he would like to look at the budgets, etc., and would like the Select Board to look at them as well as the efficiency of the departments. Chairman Moroney asked Mr. Schloss for now, if any invoices come in, to please bring them to the Office for the Board to approve and allocate. When asked if he would run the department for the time-being, Mr. Schloss said he would but would need more money. Discussion ensued about making a temporary appointment and John Warren asked why they were questioning putting Eric in charge anyway as he feels he knows the job and has been training for two years. Mr. Schloss said he would be willing to do it, but he still wanted to know how long it will be before a decision is made. Much was spoken about being fair to Mr. Schloss and Selectman Bussiere said in all fairness to the Board Mr. Dowling never came to the Board to say he was trained and ready. Chairman Moroney reiterated the necessity of looking into options in fairness to the taxpayers and said they will be looking at cost, effectiveness, etc. She also reiterated that there may or may not be any changes made. Numerous comments were made that it is currently an award-winning facility and that it is held up in the State as being very clean and well-run and people would not like to see this change.

Road Agent, Greg Hogan spoke to the Board about joining the NH Public Works Mutual Aid Program. He said the cost for membership is $25 a year and he believes it is a good program. He said in times of emergency it would mean we could borrow manpower as well as equipment and likewise, our Town would also respond to another town’s needs. When asked about payroll expense, he said costs are reimbursed to the town. Selectman Bussiere made a Motion to: Sign the Public Works Mutual Aid Program Agreement for $25 per year. Selectman Scalley seconded and it passed unanimously.

The Road Agent then referred to Warrant Article 4, regarding the purchase of a new town highway dump truck and said in compliance with town bid policy, that he had information and prices on three vehicles. One, which is the State Bid at $133,000, is for an International, the second is West Star at $101,000, and the third is Freightliner at $89,000. He also has $12,000 trade-in for the old truck with Freightliner. During discussion, Mr. Hogan said the quotes are for cab and chassis only; the truck then must go elsewhere for completion. He said after the order is confirmed, there’s about a 90-day build period, during which time he will get prices to finish it. He told the Board he had researched total cost prior to initiating the warrant article and that is how he arrived at $149,000 figure. Mr. Hogan went on to say he had spoken with Agents in several towns including Bethlehem, Franconia and Sugar Hill, all of whom had purchased new vehicles, which included the three he had prices for, in the past two years and all of whom were very happy with their vehicles. Mr. Hogan said his preference is for the Freightliner and it happens that this is also the best price. Selectman Scalley said he would like to look over the information so the Board tabled this item to the next meeting.

The following items were approved and signed:

Oaths of Office – J. Nelson, Parks & Rec; B. Amirault, Parks & Rec; R. Vecchio, Budget Com;
R. Gauthier, ZBA; J. Connell-Pearce, Supervisor of the Checklist (It was noted that R.
Gauthier was on the original list as Budget Committee and it should have been ZBA)
Town Hall Use Permit Application – Parks & Recreation Commission; NH Cooperative Electric
Co/Bill Vecchio; Gilman; and a fourth which is for a surprise party
Yield Tax Certificate and Warrant – Crowley
Excavation Tax Warrant -- Pike Industries, Inc.
Intent to Excavate -- Pike Industries, Inc.
Certification of Date of Final Tax Bill, 2013 NH BTLA – Tax Collector
Letter of Support for Naming RT. 302 Overlook, “Raymond S. Burton Scenic Overlook”

Other:

The Secretary said she had been notified by the ladies who walk in the gym, that the old front double doors were wide open when they arrived at 6:30 that morning. They noted they had been propped to remain that way. The Secretary said they were very upset about the building being open to anyone or anything and the cost of the wasted heating fuel. While we have a list of people who have keys, we do not know specifically who is opening the door and when. However, it was noted that there has been rather long, though sporadic, tradition of adult men playing basketball in the gym on Sunday nights. There were numerous suggestions including recalling all keys, changing locks, having sign-in sheets, having yearly sign-ups for keys, and having a key pad. Selectman Scalley said he would look into the cost, etc., of having a key pad.

The Building Inspector had submitted a proposed new Fee Schedule pertaining to Building Permits. Discussion ensued regarding the complexity of it compared to the current which has far fewer items. Michael Hogan questioned the need for even having a permit fee. Points were made that there is a life safety code which must be followed and inspections must be made. The impetus for this discussion was that Mike Costa, a resident, has been to numerous meetings of the Board over a period of several months because he is hoping to replace a small window and the fees need to be reviewed and changed. Namely, that the fee for doing this job is $75 and the cost of his new window is only $130 or so; thus the fee seemed quite disproportionate. Though the Select Board wants more time to review the entire list, they wanted to move on at least that which affects Mr. Costa’s project so it is not held up any longer. Therefore, Chairman Moroney made a Motion to: Approve modification of the Building Permit Fee structure pertaining to minor replacement, etc. Selectman Scalley seconded this and it passed unanimously. Mr. Costa was assured the Secretary would be in early the next morning so he could leave his Permit application and fee for the Building Inspector who comes to Carroll on Tuesday mornings. Brief discussion took place regarding other Boards reviewing fees, etc., and it was said only the Select Board has the authority to set fees and further noted that the Building Inspector works for the Select Board.

Selectman Bussiere said that he had spoken with Scott Sonia about getting a list of tasks to work on this summer and about looking for possible grants. As it happened, he had also been contacted by a representative from North Country Council as they had received a call from a resident about grants, etc. Evan Karpf said he could speak to that as Joan was the resident who made the contact and she had found information about one for matching the money that the town just voted on reimbursing the Water Department. He said this would be good if the town is interested in having the $90 or so thousand become $180 thousand. Selectman Bussiere said he had already set up a meeting and they would be getting information on many things.

Evan Karpf then said he had started working for a community clean-up day and he had a meeting scheduled for April 16, with Megan and Bobbi from the Parks and Rec Committee as well as someone from the Hotel and the AMC. He is hoping to set this for May 18, and will give an update after their meeting.

Bob Warren spoke about the water freeze-up on Route 3 North, and said he was here with an update on his previous letter. He said if the Town can certify the dates of the loss of water due to the freeze-up, his insurance may reimburse the time they couldn’t charge rent to the tenants when the house was uninhabitable. He gave copies of a sample letter to the Board and the Board requested that the Secretary send this to legal counsel.

Chief Oleson said there are posters on various bulletin boards around town about a seminar being held on Wednesday, April 16, at the Town Hall for people to learn how to make and help their homes be more energy and cost efficient. He said this is a good program and hopes people will be able to take advantage of it. He noted also that it is free.

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 at 8:31 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. Chairman Moroney seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.

There being no further discussion, Selectman Bussiere made a Motion to: adjourn the meeting. Chairman Moroney seconded and the Motion passed unanimously. Chairman Moroney declared the meeting ended at 9:54 p.m. The next meeting will be Monday, April 21, 2014.

Town of Carroll, New Hampshire ®2024