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Minutes of 7/31/2017

August 10th, 2017

Carroll Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes
July 31, 2017


“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: Brian Mycko, Paul Bussiere, David Scalley

Members of the public present: Imre Szauter, Debbie Szauter, Jeremy Oleson, Tadd Bailey, Evan Karpf

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

Pledge of Allegiance

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

Selectman Bussiere made a Motion to: Accept and approve the minutes of 07/17/2017 as written. Chairman Mycko seconded and the Motion passed. Selectman Scalley abstained as he was not at that meeting.

Imre Szauter, Chair of the Building Committee, gave his report to the Board and said they welcomed new member, Terry Penner to his first meeting. Mr. Szauter noted they had sent out four Requests for Proposals (RFP’s); two firms of which submitted proposals and one firm who said they could not do so. He said they reviewed the two proposals and the Committee voted unanimously to recommend to the Select Board that they approve the Agreement for Architectural Services from Steward Associates Architects, LLC in the amount of $11,500. Mr. Szauter said there is a statement on the Agreement that the Town will own all plans, etc. produced by the Architect. He said a copy of the firm’s Certificate of Liability Insurance has also been provided. He went on to say they reviewed the updated land survey completed by Gardner Kellogg Surveying & Mapping of Littleton for the land next to the Town Hall. He said it included elevation and wetlands highlights, etc., all the things asked for by Allan Clark (Project Manager). The map is currently posted on the chalkboard in the meeting room at the Town Hall. He said they have the information from the test pits. He also reminded all that the Informational Meeting on June 22, is on the Town website. Mr. Szauter noted the Committee has $1,948 remaining in their line in the budget and $57,743.75 of their money in the warrant article. He cautioned this does not include the last invoice from the Project Manager, and that would be under $1,900 and he reminded all that minutes, agendas, etc. are posted on the Town of Carroll website. He said the next meeting will be Thursday, August 3, at 9 a.m. and that Peter Stewart will be in attendance if the Selectmen approve the agreement tonight. Selectman Bussiere asked if the fee was inclusive of everything and also inquired about Buckley Engineering, referred to in the Stewart agreement. Mr. Szauter said that is the firm the Architectural Firm works with and that yes, everything is included in the fee. Selectman Scalley asked about the invoice from Kellogg Surveying and Mr. Szauter noted that additional tasks had been included after the initial estimate. It was stated they would discuss this more later. Selectman Scalley then made a Motion That: the Board approve and sign the Stewart agreement. Selectman Bussiere seconded and the Motion passed unanimously. The Board thanked Mr. Szauter for his report and the great job he and the Committee are doing.

Sgt. Tadd Bailey of the Carroll Police Department brought forth a Drug Paraphernalia Ordinance. Sgt. Bailey explained this is based on the Governor having signed the Bill decriminalizing marijuana possession and with a Town Ordinance, any stops the PD make which result in fines being issued, the money comes to the Town rather than the State. Sgt. Bailey said last year that amount was in excess of $16,000. Discussion ensued regarding amounts of substances found which may be as little as a trace to less than ¾ of an ounce. Once it reaches that amount or more, Sgt. Bailey said the offender would be ticketed and cited for Court. He reminded everyone that this Bill is decriminalizing possession of pot, not legalizing it. The Sergeant said the Bill takes effect sixty days from the date the Governor signed it, and though he couldn’t remember the exact date, believed it would be fairly soon. Sgt. Bailey said there should be a notice in the newspaper about the new ordinance and that those updated several years ago should also be included as there had been no notice for them at the time. During discussion, he said this ordinance was based on those already in effect in Woodstock and Greenland and it didn’t make sense to spend a lot of time re-doing something that is already approved, etc. When the medical aspect came up, Sgt. Bailey said once there is a valid medical card and the weight is less than ¾ of an ounce, the PD won’t touch it. It was also noted, if the State ever legalizes it, this ordinance goes away. After further brief discussion, Selectman Bussiere made a Motion To: Approve and sign this Ordinance to be in force when the State Law goes into effect. Selectman Scalley seconded and it passed unanimously.

The following items were approved and signed:

Certificate of Occupancy – Stohl (Selectman Scalley abstained because he inspected the
house as Building Inspector)
Driveway Permits – Chartrand; Simonelli
Driveway Permits – Hunt Properties (2) (Selectman Scalley abstained as he is involved in
the project)
Credit Application Update – Caron Building Center, Inc.
Yield Tax Certificate – Timberwolf Logging (Housekeeping item only)
Veterans’ Exemptions – Various (Housekeeping items Per DRA, New Form)
Elderly Exemption – Lemieux (Housekeeping item Per DRA, New Form)
Oath of Office – John Gardiner, PL BD Alternate
Water Warrant – Various




Follow-Up Items:

Town Credit Cards – Annette Marquis, Treasurer – Tabled
The Secretary was asked to speak with the Treasurer about this.

Bldg Permit Application and Process including Fees – Tabled.
Selectman Scalley said he would like Board approval for him to meet with the
Fire Chief and office personnel to try to finish this and get ready to put it on the
Warrant in March so it may be voted on at that time. Selectmen Mycko and
Bussiere said they had no issue with this happening; and Selectman Bussiere
said he would like to participate but didn’t think he could. The Secretary said it
would be fine as long as they have 24 hours to post a meeting since two Selectmen
would be in attendance. They agreed to have a meeting on Wednesday morning,
August 2, at 9 a.m. as that would more than allow the appropriate time for posting.

Building Inspector – Tabled. Tied in with above

Fire Department Pick Up Truck Status – Repair, Payment – Chief Oleson said the truck has
been repaired, is back, and seems to be working fine. He will follow up with the oil filter
company, but in the meantime, it will payment must be made so it will come out of his
budget at this point. A letter to the filter company will be sent from the Board if the Chief
feels it is necessary.

It was noted because of the extremely high legal bills with the Planning Board and the Zoning Board of Adjustment, which were not anticipated, that all department heads should talk with the Board before spending money beyond normal expenses, i.e., payroll, etc. The Board said all are aware of this and they know they are being mindful of their spending. Evan Karpf said there are seminars and classes that he didn’t think any Planning Board or ZBA members attended, but they are very good and could help avoid these problems in the future. It was stated that the problems these Boards are dealing with now are from years’ past and not anything having to do with the current Boards.

Other:

The Secretary told the Board that the State had a surplus in Highway funds and were making a one-time appropriation to all the towns and cities outside of the usual funds sent each year. In order to determine the amount, they were using the same formula which they use for the annual funds, so for the Town of Carroll, this means an extra $22,623.63. She said she was waiting to find out if we need to hold a public hearing for this unanticipated income and will set it up if we do.

The Secretary advised the Board that she would not be in the office on Monday, August 7, as she would be attending a funeral in the southern part of the State. She said she will come in and do the payroll on Sunday and that Becki will be in her office and will be able to cover as may be necessary. She also advised the Board that there is a workshop by DRA on the morning of Tuesday, August 15, in Lancaster, which both she and the Town Clerk should attend as it’s on excavation and timber tax. On that morning, the offices will both be closed. However, both will open by 12:45 p.m. or so. She explained the reason for both days is because it’s vacation time and we are short-staffed right now.

Discussion took place regarding the Kellogg Surveying invoice recently received, which was substantially higher than the quote of $2,200 originally submitted. The original quote was for work including partial topography, but as time went on, it became clear that complete topography was required as requested by the Allen Clark, the Project Manager. It was stated the Building Committee had requested authority to complete the survey. Selectman Scalley said he would speak with Mr. Kellogg about the invoice.

Imre Szauter, Building Committee Chair, advised the Board that at 9 a.m. the next morning, the Town will be flow testing the hydrant on School Street, as requested by Mr. Clark.

Mr. Szauter, referring to the credit card item, said with a strong credit card policy that includes unauthorized charges and disciplinary action he believes there is no reason why the Town should not have credit cards. He further stated that if department heads are not trusted, perhaps they should not be in those positions.

Selectman Scalley said he was not in attendance at the last meeting, and there were questions brought up by Evan Karpf about which he would like to respond. When the Board appeared reluctant to allow this, he said he feels from the minutes that Evan insinuated he is being treated differently than others and he, David Scalley as the Building Inspector, wants to make sure it is known that all are treated the same. He said it was important for people to know that and that’s all he would say. When Mr. Karpf asked to respond, he was asked to wait until the next meeting and it would be on the agenda.

As there was no further business, the Board was polled at 8:26 p.m. to go into non-public session, per RSA 91-A-3 for personnel: Selectman Bussiere, yes; Selectman Scalley, yes; Chairman Mycko, yes

At the close of non-public session at 8:35 p.m., Selectman Bussiere moved to return to public session and seal the minutes from non-public session. Chairman Mycko seconded and the Motion passed.

There being no further discussion, Selectman Bussiere made a Motion to adjourn the meeting. Chairman Mycko seconded and the Motion passed. Chairman Mycko declared the meeting ended at 8:36 p.m.

The next meeting is Monday, August 14, 2017.

Town of Carroll, New Hampshire ®2024