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Minutes of 5/21/2018
May 29th, 2018
Carroll Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes
May 21, 2018
“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 P. Mycko, Bonnie J. Moroney. David A. Scalley was excused.
Members of the public present: Jeremy Oleson, Michael Hogan, Dianne Hogan, Debbie Szauter, Imre Szauter, John Gardiner, Sue Kraabel, Judy Pappas, Chris Pappas, Rena Vecchio, Stacy Watkins, Mike Finn, Terry Penner, Lois Pesman, Geert Pesman, Patricia Lichtenwalner, June Marihugh, Linda Webb, Jack Catalano, Justin Roshak, Ed Martin
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Acting Chair Moroney.
Pledge of Allegiance
The Chair announced the approval and signing of the manifests.
Selectman Mycko made a Motion to approve the minutes of May 7, 2018. It was seconded by Selectman Moroney and passed unanimously.
Acting Chair Moroney began discussion of the building project saying that the Board wanted to get a new committee together to talk about moving forward with town buildings. The Board is hoping to get feedback about the vote and why the people who voted against it, did so. It was stated that we still have the same issues with the buildings we have and that we still have to do something. Rena Vecchio said she heard that some people didn’t vote because of the weather and that it seemed to have started getting bad around 11 o’clock. She also said that it got a lot of votes and we should be encouraged by that.
Imre Szauter said he had exchanged emails with Allan Clark and Mr. Clark had some thoughts about the project:
• Was it ill-conceived and needs to be changed
• Was it too large and should be scaled back
• Should it be only safety services
• Maybe peaked too soon; support, enthusiasm
• Supporters felt it would pass and didn’t vote
Other thoughts Mr. Clark had, were how to get feedback and that maybe we should poll voters about why they voted against it. He pointed out that prices for materials and labor will be increased and that we should apply for the USDA Grant as it could be up to $150,000. Mr. Szauter said he believes there is still time as if memory serves, the deadline is July 8. Mr. Clark also advised he would be willing to work with the town going forward if we want that.
Acting Chair Moroney asked if any among the attendees would like to be on the new Committee. Several from the previous Committee as well as several new people indicated their interest: John Gardiner, Mike Finn, Imre Szauter, Terry penner, Lois Pesman, Judy Pappas, Chris Pappas, Sue Kraabel, Rena Vecchio, Michael Hogan. The Secretary also gave the name of Bill Gemmer a resident in Tuttlebrook, who had been in the office the week before and had said he was sorry the project didn’t pass. When he was told a new committee would be formed, he expressed an interest in being on it, but because of plans already made, he would not be in town for the Selectmen’s meeting on May 21.
Speaking of the new Committee and picking a Chairman, Terry Penner had high praise for Imre Szauter when he was Chair of the previous Committee. Mr. Penner said he had been on a number of boards and committees in the past, but had never worked with a chairman as proficient, organized, and so on. Numerous others joined in, and Mr. Szauter did not respond.
Discussion of meeting time and date ensued. It was decided they would pick the date for the first meeting and at that time, they can set their schedule. Some suggestions for the first meeting are: what is wanted; where do we go from here; getting feedback. It was asked about the possibility of mailing a survey for feedback. Working on the Grant was brought up, but it was decided this wouldn’t/shouldn’t be part of the larger meeting and a smaller group should get together to do this. Jeremy Oleson, Fire Chief, suggested perhaps on online survey, such as using “Survey Monkey” might be an easier way to reach people. Selectman Mycko thought that was a good idea and they might work on that. Discussion reverted to setting a meeting for feedback and meetings in general. Michael Hogan said all the previous Building Committee meetings were public so anyone could come and listen without fear of having to join the Committee.
It was decided the first meeting of the new Building Committee will be Wednesday, June 13, at 7 p.m. This will be an organizational meeting for the Committee and to hear input, what people have heard, what they might be thinking, etc. They will also decide on their meeting schedule. The Secretary was asked to put a notice in the paper for the first meeting of the new Building Committee. Mr. Szauter will ask Allan Clark to attend and he will also get information for the Grant. Funding was briefly discussed and the Secretary reminded the Board at a previous meeting they had approved spending up to $25,000 from the New Land and Buildings Capital Reserve Fund of which they are the Agents. She also said, because they are the Agents, if they find they need additional, they may approve that also.
Acting Chair Moroney then opened the Sealed Bid for the Fire Department pick-up truck. As it was just the one, Selectman Moroney made a Motion to: Accept the bid of $1,501 for the truck. Selectman Mycko seconded and it passed, “Sold as Is.” Mr. Mccusker will be notified.
Thank you letters to the members of the previous Building Committee were brought forth. Selectman Moroney made a Motion to: Sign the letters. Selectman Mycko seconded,this passed and the letters were signed for: Imre Szauter, Tadd Bailey, Michael Finn, John Gardiner, Wayne Garneau, Greg Hogan, Michael Hogan, Bradley Houston, Susan K. Kraabel, Bonnie J. Moroney, Janet Nelson, Jeremy Oleson, Michelle Palys, Terry Penner, Lois Pesman, David Scalley, John Trammell, Rena Vecchio.
Next on the agenda was the request from Weston Geophysical to place seismometers on land at the Town Hall and the Transfer Station, as they had done the previous year. The Secretary said everything would be the same and that we have received their Insurance Certificate. Selectman Moroney made a Motion to: Approve the request to place seismometers on town land. Selectman Mycko seconded and the Motion passed.
The following was approved and signed:
Planning Service Agreement, Zoning Amendments Phase 2
Certificate of Yield Taxes and yield Tax Warrant – Keziah
Water Warrant – Palys Rev. Trust; Riverside Trust; Wesolowski
Water Warrant – Hacquebord
Water Warrant – Del Solia Estate
Water Warrant – Strickland
Water Warrant – Helal
Acting Chair Moroney brought up Employee Manual Re: Pay Day. The Secretary said at the meeting when the Board was advised that Pay Day was changed from Tuesday to Friday, it was felt an Amendment to the Manual would be necessary. Upon reviewing the Manual, the Secretary discovered that the actual payday was not stated, rather it was the law that employees be paid within so many days of having performed the duties, so an Amendment is not required.
Follow Up:
Tax Deeded Property – Tabled to the next meeting.
Fire Station Kitchen -- It was noted the heat shield was in place and done.
PLB/ZBA Office – Chief Oleson said he advised Greg Hogan what he felt needed to happen
to do this project in the Front Hallway. He went on to say that the Front Hallway was not
closed off with the gym and other areas, as it was still a means of egress, so using it for this
would be all right. This still needs Follow-Up.
Gravel Pit—Shooting – Acting Chair Moroney said we had received an email from a
resident supporting closing it. She also said we had received emails from legal counsel
which gave different RSA’s. Legal had also asked if we had talked with our insurance
company. The Secretary said she had not because she hadn’t been given permission by the
Board to do so. Selectman Moroney asked her to contact Insurance and find out what the
impacts on the Town might be. She went on to say the Town is looking at both sides and they want to be fair to all sides. Jack Catalano asked what “all sides” meant and Selectman Moroney said the Board had received letters defending using it as a safe place to teach children the proper use of guns; it’s a good place for siting guns for getting ready to hunt; etc. She also said the town has never said it’s a “shooting range.” Mr. Catalano said Chief Trammell doesn’t have the right to tell people they can’t be there, but that the Select Board could.
Mr. Catalano asked that the following specifically be reflected in the Minutes: that the Board feels it’s all right for the “Unauthorized use of town property,” and “Unsupervised use of lethal weapons,” and the Chief said they don’t let people shoot when kids are there, at the Rec Area. “What he is hearing is that they act in good regard for kids, but not for businesses which are close by.”
Rena Vecchio told of a time when she and her husband were in their yard and they were approached by two young women going by. They were staying at the Campground and didn’t know what the noise was – she said they were so frightened they were shaking. (She said she knew by their accents and speaking that they were not from this country). Mrs. Vecchio said they tried to assure them they were all right and that it was the Police doing practice. She said she subsequently found out that it’s other people as the Police don’t tend to use that area. She said she defends Mr. Catalano’s stance and also disagrees with unsupervised shooting. She said she feels it leaves the Town wide open to problems.
Mr. Catalano reiterated that it’s also a safety factor to disallow shooting as they have a 360 degree radius and the sandbank is only about 45 degrees. He said if the Town does not halt the shooting, they will have destroyed his business. He said when guns go off—there is fear and window-rattling. He also said he does not see where there must be so much thought about protecting unauthorized use and which could be a safety issue. Susan Kraabel said she hears it at her house, though it is muffled, and that if she were a camper, she would not go to the campground because of this. Mrs. Kraabel also said she had talked with a town employee who said they spend quite a lot of time cleaning the area up as the users don’t pick up after themselves.
Stacy Watkins from Boulder Motor Court said it’s not only troublesome and annoying to her when she is trying to work in her office, but that she has had several guests who have said the same thing – that they won’t come back if they have to listen to that. She said she supports closing.
Mr. Catalano said everyone here seems to be support stopping the shooting and he believes action should be taken now. Acting Chair Moroney said they have to get all their ducks in a row before they tell people they can’t do it and they have to be very careful how it is handled.
It was also questioned if the Town is responsible if something happens. Mr. Catalano asked if the Town could do a temporary closure until they get all the information and notify the Police Department. He said the last time he was here, Chief Trammell stated they shut it down when people are at the Park, so the Town has recognized and has acted. But, he said, his campground does not get the same reaction. Because the Town Crew occasionally takes sand from the pit, Ed Martin suggested doing it from a safety point, as it would be dangerous for them to try to work out of there if firearms are being discharged. Michael Hogan asked if we could legally shut it down. Mr. Catalano said he feels we have all the authority needed and understands there is a gate before the pit which could be closed. With little more discussion, and because the long, Memorial Day Holiday weekend is coming and could be a big weekend at the Campground, the Board agreed to a temporary closure. They requested that the Secretary ask Greg Hogan to close and lock the gate and that a sign be made and posted, “Temporary Closure – No Discharge of Firearms Per RSA 644:13” “Authorized by Carroll Board of Selectmen”. As it was noted there should be a deadline to have this completed, it was stated it would be done by noon the following day, Tuesday, May 22, 2018. The Police will be notified of the same and that they should respond if there are calls of complaints there.
Acting Chair Moroney said this will be in effect until the Board makes a final decision.
Other:
Reminder: Kids’ Fishing Derby at the Town Recreation Area, Monday, May 28, registration begins at 7:30 a.m. and the Derby is from 8 to 10 a.m.
Following the Fishing Derby there will be a fly-casting and fly-fishing demonstration for veterans and disabled veterans. All are invited to this.
Selectman Mycko asked if the Secretary could send a letter to the State requesting a temporary sign on Route 3, coming north from Interstate 93, out of Franconia Notch. He said there have been many, many moose in that area.
Acting Chair Moroney reminded everyone of the Parade on Memorial Day, Monday, May 28, starting at 11 a.m. at the Fire Station and the Barbecue at the Fire Station following the Parade.
Ed Martin, Chair of the Cemetery Board of Trustees, gave the Select Board updated lists of Veterans in the various cemeteries. He said he knows they will be needed this week as they’ll be putting the flags on the graves. Acting Chair Moroney thanked Mr. Martin for these lists.
Acting Chair Moroney said the next meeting will be Monday, June 4, 2018.
As there was no further business, the Board was polled and went into non-public session, per RSA 91-A-3 for personnel at 8:10 p.m. Selectman Mycko, yes; Vice Chair Moroney, yes.
At the close of non-public session at 8:44 p.m., Selectman Mycko moved to return to public session and seal the minutes from non-public session. Vice Chair Moroney seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.
There being no further discussion, Vice Chair Moroney made a Motion to adjourn the meeting. Selectman Mycko seconded and the Motion passed unanimously. Vice Chair Moroney declared the meeting ended at 8:45 p.m.