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Minutes of 12/5/2016

December 15th, 2016

Carroll Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes
December 5, 2016


“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 H. Quigley, Secretary

Board members present: Paul Bussiere, David Scalley, Brian Mycko

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chairman Bussiere.

Members of the public present: Michael Hogan, Dianne Hogan, Debbie Szauter, Imre Szauter, Jeremy Oleson, Yatin Patel, Tara Bamford

Pledge of Allegiance

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

Selectman Scalley made a Motion to: Approve the minutes of 11/21//2016 as written. Selectman Mycko seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.

The Secretary noted that she read in the minutes of the last meeting that it stated the Town Emergency Services receive $5,000 from the County to compensate for our coverage in the unincorporated places. She went on to say that was increased a few years ago and we actually receive $7,000.

Tara Bamford from North Country Council came to talk about the trail projects in Coos County and fill everyone in on what’s going on. She said there is one package of funding from DRED and from the Tillotson Fund to do two separate things. One piece is a guide for future planning i.e. a decision-making framework. And the second is for on-road use. Ms. Bamford said there is not much safety data available as Towns don’t have to report issues and most of Fish & Game would be on-trail. She said had charts including hours of operation and where use is allowed and where it is not. She said they tried to gather information on any local issues of concern along with safety concerns for the ATV users as well as vehicle drivers. She said there is generally a good partnership between towns’ Select Boards and users, and that they ended up being not so much a “safety study” but a “what do we know.”

Ms. Bamford said they are hoping to form a study group and include a Selectman from each town. They want all to be included in the conversation whether ATV’s are allowed in their town or not. When asked, she said North Country Council will be facilitating conversations, but not leading in any direction other than safety. She said they’ve heard signage is an issue and will try to get the State to make it better, i.e. more or clearer understanding. Selectman Mycko volunteered to be the rep from the Board and his colleagues thanked him.

Michael Hogan spoke about ATV’s that can now have snowmobile tracks and asked if it is legal for them to go on all the trails. It was believed it is, but noted they must be registered as snowmobiles and as ATV’s for non-winter use. Ms. Bamford said it’s an advantage to having a Selectmen’s rep as it helps give one voice when dealing with the State. Discussion also ensued about whether safety accessibility is stepped up for being on roadways, using motorcycles as an example. It was stated they are looking to try to manage these types of things before they become problems. Imre Szauter said he had worked with the American Motorcycle Association on government issues and liability including insurance were main ones. He wondered about laws for these as they are not designed for running on public roadways such as concrete, asphalt, etc., whereas being on dirt is okay. Mr. Szauter said the Association was asked to take a position and they did not support them being on public roadways.

As there were no more questions, the Board thanked Ms. Bamford for coming and Chairman Bussiere thanked her for the community support from North Country Council.

Yatin Patel was in regarding a sign permit to change the existing sign for a new one at Fosters’ Crossroads. Mr. Patel noted they had modified the sign slightly from the picture included with the application in that rather than saying “Food Mart” on the bottom, it will say “Foster’s Crossroads General Store.” While the sign will be slightly larger, the post will remain the same height. When discussing lighting, it was asked if they plan to be open 24 hours for gas and the Board was told not at this time, but maybe in the future. It was stated there would not be any neon lighting and that only the numbers/prices for fuel would be lighted. A comment was made that perhaps the Board could require dimmer light if it will be on all night. After discussion about compliance with the Ordinance and the lighting, Selectman Scalley made a Motion to: Approve the application for the Sign Permit, version dated 10/19/16. Selectman Mycko seconded. Chairman Bussiere then asked for discussion. He said he would like to reserve the right that if the light is much brighter than the Select Board expects, they have the authority to request that lumination be reduced. Selectman Scalley disagreed as he said they could have differing ideas of what is too bright and the Chairman said perhaps they could make a condition that it is not brighter than what it is now. This brought forth a brief discussion about making a limit if it is not in the Ordinance. The Chairman said he wants to believe that the Town does not want to inhibit business, but wants to also believe they would protect what we do have. Selectman Scalley found the authority in the Ordinance, thus the Motion was moved, with the Condition that: the lighting is not brighter than what is there now. As all were in favor, the Motion with the Condition was approved unanimously.

Chairman Bussiere read four Warrant Articles submitted by Greg Hogan, Public Works Supervisor. After all were read, the Board went back to vote on approving and recommending them.


“To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $9,500.00 (Nine Thousand Five Hundred Dollars) to be placed in the Water Department Capital Reserve Fund, said appropriation to be offset by water user fees. No money will be raised from new taxation.”
Selectman Scalley made a Motion to approve and recommend; Selectman Mycko seconded. The Motion passed unanimously and the Article is recommended by the Selectmen 3 yeas to 0 nays.

“To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $6,000 (Six Thousand Dollars) for ground-water monitoring of the old landfill, to include paying for the engineer to take samples, produce reports and send the results to the Town and State and to pay the laboratory fees to process the samples. The total amount to come from the existing Landfill Closure Trust Fund established for this purpose. No money to be raised from new taxation.”
Selectman Scalley made a Motion to approve and recommend; Selectman Mycko seconded. The Motion passed unanimously and the Article is recommended by the Selectmen 3 yeas to 0 nays.

“To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $1,000 (One Thousand Dollars) for maintenance of the old landfill, to include actual physical maintenance, engineering and overseer expenses. The appropriation will come from the Landfill Closure Capital Reserve Fund established for this purpose. No money to be raised from new taxation.”
Selectman Scalley made a Motion to approve and recommend; Selectman Mycko seconded. The Motion passed unanimously and the Article is recommended by the Selectmen 3 yeas to 0 nays.

“To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $128,800 (One Hundred Twenty Eight Thousand Eight Hundred Dollars) to purchase a 2017 Back Hoe-Loader for use by the Carroll Public Works Department, with $42,934 (Forty Two Thousand Nine Hundred Thirty Four Dollars) to come from the Water Fund and $85,866 (Eighty Five Thousand Eight Hundred Sixty Six Dollars) to come from the Highway Maintenance Special Revenue Fund, established in 2013 for this purpose. No money to be raised from new taxation.”
It was noted the quote says “2016” so the Board asked that “2017” be removed as one of these is not correct. It was also noted that the amount coming from the “Water Fund” should say “Water Capital Reserve Fund.”
Selectman Mycko made a Motion to approve the Article with the “2017” omitted and “Water Capital Reserve Fund” added and to recommend the corrected article. Selectman Scalley seconded. The Motion passed unanimously and the Article is recommended by the Selectmen 3 years to 0 nays.
The Secretary also brought up the Planning Fund Warrant Article regarding approval and how the Board may wish to handle this. She said if they wish to make any changes as they have talked about possibly doing during the past year, they will have to decide how to fund the Building Inspector/Code Enforcement Officer. If they increase wages and/or hours Permit/Inspection Fees will have to be increased and at least for 2017, the Operating Budget will need an increase as there would not be enough money in the Planning Special Revenue Fund to cover. Currently the Fund’s balance is slightly less than $14,000. Discussion ensued and Fire Chief, Jeremy Oleson, said he feels they need to look at it as an investment in the Town and to know that things are being built properly, etc. He said the regulations need to be looked at and someone has to show up and be accountable. It was once again reiterated that it seems no one is enforcing or checking on things. Therefore, based on discussion the Warrant Article was read using the amount that has been raised in the past:
“To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the amount of $12,000 (Twelve Thousand Dollars) to fund Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals and the Property Inspector-Code Enforcement Officer Salary. And further to authorize the withdrawal of such amount from the Planning Special Revenue Fund established in 2006 for that purpose.”
Selectman Scalley made a Motion to: Approve the Warrant Article to use $12,000 from the Planning Fund and Selectman Mycko seconded. The Article was approved unanimously. The vote to recommend was approved by 2 Yeas and 1 Nay.
The Secretary spoke about setting the dates for the 2017 Budget Public Hearing as well as the 2017 Deliberative Session. Inasmuch as the School District changed the days they traditionally have these and to assure there is no conflict, she recommended that the Budget Hearing should be scheduled for Tuesday, January 10, 2017, and that the Deliberative Session should be scheduled for Wednesday, February 8, 2017.
The Selectmen agreed with this schedule:
2017 Budget Public Hearing, Tuesday, January 10, at 6 p.m.
Deliberative Session, Wednesday, February 8, at 6:30 p.m.
The following were approved and signed:
Town Hall Use Permit Application – Parks and Recreation
Yield Tax Prepayment/Bond Certification – Timberwolf Logging, LLC
Property Tax Abatements – Hogan, G & L; Kraabel, S.K.
Water Warrant – Kelly; Stohl
Follow-Up Items:
Building Inspector/Code Enforcement Officer -- Ongoing
Report of Safety Issues to be Addressed – Chief Oleson said the Building Committee needs a plan with costs, etc. Selectman Scalley said he will speak with Greg Hogan, Supervisor for Public Works. It was noted there has been a meeting posted for the Building Committee on Tuesday, December 6, at 10 a.m.
Town Hall Assembly Permit -- Tied to Safety Report
Town Hall Permit Application – Tied to Safety Report
Water Policy Revision – In Process. Chairman Bussiere said they are meeting again on Wednes- day, December 7, at 9 a.m.
Employee Manual – Selectman Scalley said he spoke with Town Counsel today and she suggested trying to complete this and have all included so there will not be any added addenda. He asked about having a meeting this week and it was decided on Thursday, December 8, at 6 p.m.
Compensation for Employees not taking Health Insurance – Chairman Bussiere said the Board had agreed on this and that the single rate would be $72.50; two-person, $145; Family, $200; paid at the end of the month on a payroll check. As they had not had a Motion on this previously, Chairman Bussiere made a Motion To: Approve paying medical insurance compensation for fulltime employees not taking it from the Town. Selectman Mycko seconded and it passed unanimously. The Secretary confirmed this would be effective immediately and as of the end of December the first checks will be cut and the Chairman said it is.
Other:
The Secretary spoke of an email regarding “Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events Train the Trainer” (CRASE) which Selectman Scalley thought should be brought up at this meeting. She said Chief Trammell had been in the office and said we would be all set with our trainer as Jeremy Oleson would be certified. He alluded to the possibility of there being actually two certified trainers within the Police Department. Chief Oleson said he would be doing the training in the next week.
The Secretary also brought up an email from our Town appraisal company. They are requesting permission to set up a computer in our office for their use. They frequently have to update cards in our property tax files and currently do so only when there is a computer available in the Tax Collector’s Office. If there is no computer access available, they must wait which causes backlogs and delays in their offices as well as other issues in completing updates. After discussion in which security was questioned it was decided they would wait to attain more information before agreeing to allow this. Selectman Mycko asked that the email be forwarded to him and he will speak with Cheryl in the office at Commerford Nieder and Perkins.
As there was no further business, the Board was polled and went into non-public session, per RSA 91-A-3 for personnel at 9:05 p.m.

At the close of non-public session at 10:10 p.m., Chairman Bussiere moved to return to public session and seal the minutes from non-public session. Selectman Mycko seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.

There being no further discussion, Selectman Scalley made a Motion to adjourn the meeting. Selectman Mycko seconded and the Motion passed unanimously. Chairman Bussiere declared the meeting ended at 10:15 p.m. The next meeting will be Thursday, December 8, 2016.

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