Town of Carroll, New Hampshire

• Town Services
• Town Meeting Minutes
• Planning Board/ZBA
• Applications & Forms
• Town Clerk/Tax Collector
• Map
• Home

Minutes of Town Board Meetings

• Planning Board
• Board of Adjustment
• Select Board
• Budget Committee
• Building Committee
• Energy Commission

Minutes of 09/10/2007

September 14th, 2007

Carroll Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes
September 10, 2007
"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 Susan Kraabel, Secretary

Board members present: Bonnie Moroney, Allen Strasser

The meeting was called to order at 7:08 PM.

Members of the public present: Roberta McGee, Eleanor Brauns, Carmine Fabrizio, Ann Fabrizio, Jeff Duncan, Billy Rines, Sabrina Rines, Mike Gooden, Judy Cookson, Evan Karpf, Joan Karpf, Bill Smalley, John Trammell, Karen Moran, Bob Richard, Holly Richard

Pledge of Allegiance

The board announced the approval of bills and signing of checks.

Chairman Moroney moved to accept the minutes of the August 27, 2007 meeting as written. Selectman Strasser seconded and the motion was passed unanimously. Selectman Strasser asked that in the future the items discussed under “action items” be listed line by line in the minutes so they could be recognized more easily.

Stan Borkowski’s report is posted on the bulletin board.

Bob Morency, from RCAP Solutions, came before the board to discuss our progress with getting water meters up and running for use. His organization gets grant money to cover the cost of his services to the town, and he’s volunteered to help with setting rates. Chairman Moroney explained to him that we have decided to advertise for an independent contractor to work on the meters in town that aren’t working, and also that the water rates had been increased for each user by $100 to offset a portion of the water department deficit that has been building. Dr. Morency explained that you need 2 years of reading meters to get a true idea of how much water people are using. One year can be a very dry year, one a very wet one, so it takes a while to get a good average to know how much money is needed to generate enough revenue. He suggested the possibility of having a user rate of $1.00 per day, and adding an amount for capital reserves to the tax base, recognizing the asset the water system is in town. He said it adds to the value of property, and would be less than what the town has been paying for the water system. When Selectman Strasser began talking about the fixed items to be included in the base rate of a metering system, Dr. Morency said the only fixed cost is the bonding which the town is on the hook for, and possibly capital reserve money. He said we could use a percentage of the budget amount for capital reserves, 15% would be a good place to start, but we should also look at the age of the water system components in deciding how much to set aside for improvements. Discussion about the system included Billy Rines saying we had some pipe as old as 1915, and that the 1994 expansion was never completed. There are still 4” pipes feeding into 8” lines. He said each year they try to put in a stem, but the cost is high, and sometimes you find unexpected problems such as the ledge they ran into this summer on Fieldstone Lane. Selectman Strasser suggested Mr. Rines put together a list that categorizes the water lines by age so the board can do some financial planning for capital expenses. Mr. Rines said our old records are incomplete, and it’s difficult to know what kind of pipe we have everywhere. Also pipes were put in when the water system was gravity fed; now we’re pumping at a much higher pressure. He brought up the pipe on Rte. 115 that broke recently, and said it was some of the newer pipe. He said things like terrain and weather are as important as age. He stated again that we need to have one man to focus on water. Dr. Morency said there is Community Development Block Grant money available for a feasibility study of our water system – up to $12,000.

Bob Richard said he thought the flat $100 increase to all users was unfair – it meant he and his wife got the same increase in their single family home as the motels did. He asked why the big increase and why the method. Selectman Strasser explained what had been talked about in the past several weeks, that the water system has been running at a deficit and we had to do something immediately to bill for the current year and make up part of the deficit, and no matter how they did it, someone would be dissatisfied. When Bob Richard asked why the meters that were installed in 1994 were not used right away, Selectman Strasser said he didn’t know. Karen Moran also explained that Karen Carew has been doing the first audit since 2003, and the current Budget Committee didn’t realize the bonding had to be paid by the water system. Selectman Strasser said that per Commerford Nieder Perkins LLC estimates, the tax rate should go down, as they estimate the total assessed valuation will go from $242,000,000 to $550,000,000 (he thinks it will be $500,000,000), and that should ease some of the pain of the water increase for Twin Mountain residents. He also stated that our rates were considerably lower than the state average. With regard to the issue of whether the town is responsible for the bond payments and could forgive the water department deficit, Chairman Moroney read an email from Bernie Waugh (copy attached). Basically his opinion was that there is no legal prohibition on the town’s paying some portion of the water department’s expenses even though not all taxpayers receive water service. He also stated that the town is ultimately responsible for payment of the bond. The end of his message said he was available for any questions on the matter, and Selectman Strasser said he will have questions, as he disagrees with the opinion. Ms. Moran asked if he’d have answers for his questions next week, and Selectman Strasser said he will be away next week, so it would be two weeks for answers. Roberta McGee expressed her view that the deficit should be forgiven, that people needed money for other things too, and asked who wouldn’t want to forgive the debt. Selectman Strasser said he thought the people on wells or residents of Bretton Woods would have an issue with the forgiveness. Ms. Moran stated that the Budget Committee had not been aware of the debt owed the last two years, but there was nothing that could be done about the past, and feels we need to go forward at this time. Dr. Morency said there are different models throughout the state – that in Center Ossipee where he lives, the taxpayers pay the bonding debt for water expansion. Evan Karpf repeated what he’d said last week: the whole town voted on the bond, but there were fewer Bretton Woods voters to impact the votes, and if the money comes out of the general fund, Bretton Woods owners pay twice for water. He said the board needs to be objective and equitable. Selectman Strasser said the only good thing about the hydrant fees was that there was money for line expansion in both Twin Mountain and Bretton Woods. Joan Karpf said she hopes the town learns a lesson from all this discussion, that long term neglect causes larger expenses in the end.

Dr. Karpf presented a contract from North Country Council for a Capital Improvement Program to be prepared with the Planning Board. The total cost from them would be $5,000, and the town’s portion is $2,500. While Town Meeting would have to vote on this project, he said there are things that can be started now. However, the Planning Board does not have enough money in their budget, and the selectmen had previously stated there was money in the budget elsewhere that could be used. Chairman Moroney made a motion to transfer budget funds from the Deputy Town Clerk line to the Planning Board for this purpose. Selectman Strasser seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously. Dr. Karpf reported that the Planning Board had voted to accept the contract subject to funding. John Birknes will sign the contract at the next meeting. Chairman Moroney suggested that they have something to bring to the October 20 Get To Know Your Neighbor Dinner so people are aware of what’s going on.

Selectman Strasser brought up the flyers on highway classes being held in October, and said he’d like to go to one. Mr. Rines would like to attend the one on managing highway departments (Oct. 30), and they both expressed an interest in the one on roadway materials (Oct. 11). Chairman Moroney moved to authorize these classes, Selectman Strasser seconded, and the motion was passed unanimously.

Chairman Moroney read the proposed letter to be sent from Mr. Borkowski to the bank that now owns the Paquette Circle house that has been foreclosed on. It detailed the need to bring it up to town maintenance standards. Chairman Moroney voted to send the letter, Selectman Strasser seconded, and the motion was passed unanimously.

It was reported that Mr. Rines had been advised that the shoulder work in the Elworthy subdivision should be complete by the end of the week.

The following items were approved and signed.

2007 Evaluation of National Forest land in Carroll - $62,945,551
Certificate of Occupancy – McGuinn, Carter, MWH Construction
2007 Water Warrant - $127,615.05

The Building Committee will meet September 11.

The shutters on town hall second level have not been installed because Art Savona cannot reach them with a ladder or through the upstairs windows, and the metal roof is too slippery to walk on. He’ll have to get a lift in order to complete.

The secretary will call Town Counsel regarding the Chamberlain property.

There is an ad in the paper regarding selling the Elgin sweeper.

There will be training on September 19 for town employees on GIS software. This may open an option for the LUCA program. Jeff Duncan, Becki Pederson, and Jenn Hancock will be going for additional LUCA training at North Country Council.

Ms. Karpf said the town received a letter from DES regarding the Ammonoosuc River designation and they are looking for people to serve on the Local Advisory Committee. She stated she would be interested, and handed in her Nominee Questionnaire. Selectman Strasser moved to nominate Ms. Karpf, Chairman Moroney seconded the motion, and it was passed unanimously. Ms. Karpf said she thought Leslie Bergum may also be interested.

Chairman Moroney stated that she had permission from Mr. Rines to read and talk about an email received from Selectman Strasser. In it he states that Mr. Rines does not have the ability to manage his departments. She pointed out that this message was sent not just to other selectmen, but also to another resident, and if Selectman Strasser had employment issues with Mr. Rines, they should have been dealt with at a private session between Mr. Rines and the three selectmen. Mr. Rines stated he’s been asking for help and Selectman Strasser said they’ve hired 3 men since he’s been there. The two men traded comments until Chairman Moroney said the selectmen should have a private meeting with Mr. Rines.

Dr. Karpf mentioned he’d been to the Northlander in anticipation of the car rally on the 15th and 16th, and there are no unresolved health issues. He reminded everyone that the Planning Board would be holding a meeting September 25th to accept an application and hold a public hearing on the Bretton Woods Alpine Club building. On October 6th they will be doing the same for an amendment to the previously approved site plan for the Mt. Washington Spa & Conference Center addition. The resort is seeking to move the addition 15 feet to the east.

Selectman Strasser brought up the state law banning smoking in public buildings, and it is his hope that the town spends no money enforcing this law.

Dr. Karpf also mentioned that Celebration Assoc. will be paying for an economic impact study for the whole town. This study will be done by UNH and will help with our own CIP.

The 2008 budget requests for police and fire were presented next.

John Trammell stated first that they would be putting up a warrant article for an additional police officer. They will be applying for new grant money to fund 75% of the officer’s salary for 3-4 years. They anticipate there would be 6 months of increased salary and benefit expense by the time someone is hired. He explained that since they have expanded hours and work later into the night, there have been more arrests and activity which results in increased spending; thus the budget numbers are higher for 2008. Chief Trammell also explained that the overtime budget was increased in the event the town turned down the article for another officer. The overtime had been used early in 2007 largely because of the increased activity – if someone is arrested at the end of a shift, as often happens, there is overtime involved to complete the processing. Chief Trammell has also added a line item for police detail work. The resort has already requested detail shifts during the ski season and for several special events next year. They will be paying for these details, but they must be included in the budget appropriations. The police currently have 3 computers, only one of which is new. They have added money to their budget request for 2 new computers to replace the 7-9 year old models. The bottom line is that the police department request is $305,504 as compared to 2007’s budget of $212,000.

Jeff Duncan presented the 2008 budget request for the fire department in the amount of $165,970. This is compared to the 2007 budget of $128,175. Chief Duncan has added another full time officer to his budget, and is proposing that he and the new man would work four 10-hour days. There would be 7 day coverage with 1 overlap day. This additional man accounts for almost $27,000 of the increase in the budget. Chief Duncan stated that our staffing levels are too low for the number of calls made, and presented charts to outline call statistics (copy attached). He also presented a list of duties and functions performed by the fire department (copy attached), including inspections, emergency calls, and additional duties. The total hours, not including attendance at various Town Board meetings add up to 2,542 hours per person per year. He pointed out that an average calendar work year (40 hours per week less vacation and holiday hours) is 1,912 hours. Thus the need for a second officer. Most of the department line items were consistent with 2007, but as the equipment is aging, there will be increased dollars needed for repairs and maintenance. There is also a 5% increase in salary for officers, firefighters, and EMT’s. Chief Duncan also presented a draft of a proposed warrant article for a new fire engine. The 1986 truck has had failed pump tests and will need new brakes. It holds only 2 people, and a crew is 5 people. Chief Duncan is proposing a 5 year lease purchase agreement for a new truck, with initial payments to come from the ambulance special revenue fund ($90,000) and from new taxation ($65,000). The final payment of the lease would be made from the existing Capital Reserve Fund.

At 10:00 PM, as there was no additional business, Chairman Moroney declared the meeting ended.

Action Items:

Response letter to Bretton Woods land offer
Property tax exemptions – increase limits
Industrial Park land use - CEDC
Term Limits for Planning & Zoning
Fix sign on town hall
Chamberlain property
Paquette Circle house
Website
Local ordinances
LUCA Program
Elworthy subdivision

Town of Carroll, New Hampshire ®2024