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Minutes of 12/15/2014 DRAFT

December 22nd, 2014

Carroll Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes
December 15, 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: Bonnie Moroney, Paul Bussiere and David Scalley.

The meeting was called to order at 7 p.m.by Chairman Moroney.

Members of the public present: Greg Hogan, John Warren, Jeremy Oleson, Evan Karpf, Terry Lapoint, Steve Lapoint

Pledge of Allegiance

The meeting was filmed by Evan Karpf.

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

Selectman Scalley made a Motion To: Approve the minutes of 11/12/2014 as written. Selectman Bussiere seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.

Selectman Scalley made a Motion To: Approve the minutes of 12/1/2014 as written. Selectman Bussiere seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.

Selectman Bussiere made a Motion To: Approve the minutes of 12/4/2014 as written. Selectman Scalley seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.

Chairman Moroney spoke about the email regarding funding for education which had come just prior to the last meeting. She read it and the Board tabled it so they would have a chance to look into it. Chairman Moroney again gave a bit of the history of the issue of funding saying that for years the State has supposed to have been defining the cost to educate a student and they haven’t done it yet. She iterated again her concern that we will go back to donor towns. She also stated her concern that it makes her nervous as the money has to come from somewhere. Selectman Scalley asked if this could be tabled so he might make phone calls and look into it a bit more.

Building permit process was brought up and it was decided to table this until after the middle of January when a separate meeting can be set up with the Fire Chief so this might be discussed in more detail. It should have more time given to it than people have right now. Current thinking is that perhaps this should be more focused on business/commercial, etc., but all aspects will require time to be reviewed.

Discussing remote hosting or “the cloud” was next and it was noted this is not working out. Selectman Bussiere said he had spoken with Time Warner, Certified Computer Solutions our I T Company, and BMSI, our software company, and he said there is a major issue in our internet capability. At this point, trying to make changes to help the situation would be extremely costly and not possible. It was decided the best and most economical solution is to have our own server in the office. Selectman Scalley made a Motion to: Approve the purchase of a new server at $7,425 from Certified Computer Solutions and payment to come from our Computer Technology Capital Reserve Fund. Selectman Bussiere seconded and it passed unanimously. The Secretary was asked to order the server and advise that it has to be installed as soon as possible.

Chairman Moroney brought up the sign permit for the Cog Railway. Selectman Bussiere said he had checked into and spoken with several people. He said he knows it is a replacement sign but that there is enough different about it that it should go to the Planning Board. Evan Karpf agreed that it should have a site plan review. The Secretary was asked to notify Mr. Kenison that they should contact the Planning Board Secretary.

Warrant articles were next and Chairman Moroney started with one for a new safety complex. She advised the funding will come from the New Land and Buildings Capital Reserve Fund and inasmuch as no article specifying the use could be found, a new article will have to be written to show that this is an accepted use.

Chairman Moroney went on to say that it had come up at the meeting two weeks ago about including a new town hall in the request for drawings and specifications for the safety building. However, the committee had not been working from that point of view all year, and as there are already structures in town which would need an aerial ladder, they felt the need to move ahead with the safety complex which would eventually house the ladder truck. She also said the properties they had been looking would definitely not be large enough to include a town hall. The property off Route 3 up behind the current town hall was mentioned and she said that will most likely have to include restructuring roads due to entrances and wetlands. She said they might be able to do an additional article for a town hall by itself but all the work has been done on safety only and there has been no inclusion whatsoever of a town hall, the needs, costs, etc. Both Selectmen Bussiere and Scalley said they really would like it included as if it’s going to be done at all, it should be done once and done right. She said she will speak with George Brodeur to see if they can add to the concept drawing and plans. She asked her colleagues what they would be looking for i.e. office space, storage, etc., or what, and they acknowledged they would look for an entire new town hall. This was tabled to the next meeting.

Continuing on with articles, the Secretary said they are in no particular order and therefore will not necessarily appear in the warrant in this order. Chairman Moroney read the ambulance replacement warrant article: “To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $150,000 (One Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars) to purchase a new ambulance to replace the 2006 Ford E-450 currently in use. The full amount is to be taken from the Fire Department and Ambulance Apparatus, Equipment and Personnel Special Revenue Fund.”

It was noted that there would be no money raised from taxation so there should be a phrase which should be added to this. Chief Jeremy Oleson said there will be a $10,000 trade on the 2006 ambulance and they will remove from the old one any items they will be able to use in the new one. Chairman Moroney made a Motion to: Accept the warrant article with the added phrase. Selectman Bussiere seconded and the motion passed unanimously. Chairman Moroney also made a Motion to: Recommend the article. Selectman Bussiere seconded and the count will be 3 yes and 0 no.

Chairman Moroney then read an article for SCBA replacement cylinders: “To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $2,500 (Two Thousand Five Hundred Dollars) to purchase used certified 2216 SCBA cylinders. The full amount is to be taken from the Fire Truck & Equipment Capital Reserve Fund. This should also contain the phrase about no money from taxation. Selectman Bussiere made a Motion to: Accept and recommend this article with the additional statement. Chairman Moroney seconded and each Selectman voted yes.

The Chairman read the article regarding hose replacement: “To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $2,500 (Two Thousand Five Hundred Dollars) to purchase 800 feet of 1 3/4” fire hose. The full amount is to be taken from the Fire Truck & Equipment Capital Reserve Fund. This should also have the phrase that no money will be raised from taxation. Chairman Moroney made a Motion to: Accept and recommend this article with the added phrase. Selectman Bussiere seconded and all Selectmen voted yes.

Chairman Moroney then proceeded to read the so-called “feel good” articles received to date.
To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $923 (Nine Hundred Twenty Three Dollars) as the Town's contribution to the Northern Human Services - White Mountain Mental Health and Common Ground, a non-profit mental health and development service center.

To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $1,167 (One Thousand One Hundred Sixty Seven Dollars) as the Town’s contribution to the Northwoods Home Health & Hospice Services, a division of Weeks Medical Center. The monies are used to provide home health care services to the residents of Carroll.

To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $1,250 (One Thousand Two Hundred Fifty Dollars) as the Town’s contribution to help offset the support of preventative and primary health care services of Ammonoosuc Community Health Services, Inc. for the residents of Carroll.

To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $1,000 (One Thousand Dollars) as the Town’s contribution to the American Red Cross.


To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $500 (Five Hundred Dollars) for Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of NH for recruiting, training and supervising volunteers who advocate in NH’s courts for the best interests of abused and neglected children.

To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $830 (Eight Hundred Thirty Dollars) as the Town’s contribution for Tri County Community Action Program in support of their services for residents in our community.

To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $350 (Three Hundred Fifty Dollars) as the Town’s contribution to help offset the costs of the Senior Meals Program run by Tri-County CAP, Inc., North Country Elder Programs for elderly residents in our community.

The Selectmen agreed they could vote on all of them together when the Chair asked if they’d like to do that or vote on each individually. Chairman Moroney made a Motion to: accept and recommend these articles as read. Selectman Scalley seconded and the vote was 2 yes to 1 no.

The HealthTrust renewal was then brought forth for vote. Chairman Moroney explained the Board needed to sign the forms as existing, but they may change plans at any time with a sixty day notice. She said she had been looking at the different plans and was thinking about adding a line to the budget to help offset employees’ deductibles if they change to a plan with higher ones. She said it looks as though one plan would save the employees about $1,200 in their contributions which could in essence, help them with the first thousand dollars in deductibles. However, she said she wants to continue to work up numbers for the next meeting and then they can vote on the options. She said handling it this way will give them the opportunity to meet with the employees so everyone understands if they do make a change.

Therefore, Selectman Scalley made a Motion to: Approve the Dental portion of the plan. Selectman Bussiere seconded and it passed unanimously. Selectman Scalley made a motion to: Approve the Medical portion of the plan and Selectman Bussiere seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Chairman Moroney signed each agreement.

The following items were approved and signed:

Annual Payroll – Rates of Pay
Water Warrant – Late Fees, Various
Water Warrant – Burt, Messina

It was noted the Annual Payroll includes all who are on boards, work on elections, etc., i.e. Selectmen, Planning and Zoning Boards, Trustees of the Trust Funds, Moderator, Cemetery Trustees, etc.

Other:

Chairman Moroney read a memo from Chief Oleson regarding Ambulance 2, the 2006 slated for replacement. While responding to a call on December 13, the ambulance was unable to maintain power and had to return to the station for replacement by the second ambulance. Chief Oleson wanted the Selectmen made aware of arrangements which were made to have this problem diagnosed and fixed and how calls will be handled while it is down. These plans have been made with the responders as well as with mutual aid partners. Selectman Scalley asked how many miles are on the ambulance and Chief Oleson told him there are 39,000. Selectman Scalley further commented that he knows there are big issues with these engines as his company has this same engine in one of their trucks and they are trading the one they have. When asked, the Chief said to repair would be between $1,000 and $3,000, in a long-going effort to keep it on the road. He also said we are going into the time of season when we especially need both ambulances, though due to our location, there is a great need in all seasons. He was thanked for his update.

Chairman Moroney read the thank you letter to Lee Hallquist for hosting the family, from Route 3 at no charge, when they had a fire at their house. Selectman Bussiere made a Motion to: Sign the letter. Selectman Scalley seconded and it passed unanimously.

Selectman Scalley asked Greg Hogan for updates on the water boring for the leak near Route 302. Mr. Hogan said the company will be here tomorrow and while it’s all new to us, he said it sounds like they will move quickly once they start. He estimated completion in a few days rather than weeks.

When asked about delivery of the new dump truck, Mr. Hogan said he still expects it December 29. He went on to say they had done many repairs in-house on the old one, and it still cost at least $10,000 to keep it going last year. He said if there is anything to be said for this, it is that we need to rotate vehicles on a regular schedule or big money gets spent on repairs and we still have an old vehicle. We can’t continue to vote no every time it’s time to purchase a vehicle as the costs just keep going up – to repair as well as to purchase.

Selectman Bussiere asked Mr. Hogan about the sand spreader. He said a new one is going to be brought for us to try, but as the company just get them in, he said we won’t see it this week, which is all right as water is taking the priority.

Chairman Moroney said at the last meeting she touched on the Bid Policy voted by a previous Select Board. Again, she said, the concept had been voted down twice by the public and it’s not always feasible to work with it. She said she would like to vote to remove this one and work on one that is less stringent. She said department heads can continue to come to the Board in the future and they can look at options as they do now anyway. Selectman Bussiere said as long as the public is protected, he is fine. Selectman Scalley made a Motion to: Write up a new bid policy and Selectman Bussiere seconded. The Motion passed unanimously.

Evan Karpf read a letter and asked that it be part of the minutes, please find it attached.

Selectman Bussiere ascertained that the Carroll Information Group has a board and that its membership is secret for fear of retaliation or something and Evan Karpf said that was right. He then asked Mr. Karpf if he could ask him a question regarding the Group to which Dr. Karpf said he would answer if he could. Selectman Bussiere said he had been asking for almost six months to start filming the Conservation Commission meetings and he has been told no. He wanted to know why that is. He said he knows it is a private group and has been told one reason is there are not enough people to film and wondered what else. Dr. Karpf said he is not privy to this, however, he will look into it. Selectman Scalley asked if anyone can become a member in this and Dr. Karpf said no. They must first be approved by the Board. When asked, he said the number on the board is five people.

Terry Lapoint commented on new buildings and said she had attended the meeting with North Country Council and they talked about the town hall. She said they spoke of rehabbing it and wondered how this fit in with the discussions being held now about the buildings. Chairman Moroney said a survey had been done and the majority of respondents wanted to keep this building. It was noted this would require an amount of money just to make it somewhat energy efficient and then there is the issue of space which is at a premium now as there is not enough for all the needs. Chairman Moroney said she will try to see if it’s feasible to do a concept plan. It was reiterated that no one is necessarily saying to get rid of the Town Hall.

Selectman Scalley asked again if the Carroll Information Group chooses which meetings to video and not. Evan Karpf responded they try to get most of the meetings so the people can see what is going on and to protect them as minutes of meetings had been altered. It was stated that the equipment is to be returned to the Town if the group disbands.

As there was no further business, the Board was polled again to go into non-public session, per RSA 91-A-3 for personnel at 8:33 p.m. Chairman Moroney, yes; Selectman Scalley, yes; Selectman Bussiere, yes.

At the close of non-public session at 9:08 p.m., Chairman Moroney moved to return to public session and seal the minutes from non-public session. Selectman Scalley seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.

Chairman Moroney made a Motion to adjourn the meeting. Selectman Bussiere seconded and the Motion passed unanimously. Chairman Moroney declared the meeting ended at 9:10 p.m. The next meeting will be Monday, December 29, 2014.

Town of Carroll, New Hampshire ®2024