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Minutes of 01/12/2009

January 23rd, 2009

Carroll Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes
January 12, 2009

"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, Christopher Hancock

The meeting was called to order at 7:10 PM.

Members of the public present: Ann Fabrizio, Carmine Fabrizio, Roberta McGee, Linda Dowling, Bill Dowling, Tom Gately, Dave “Ike” Ikasalo, Walter Elander, Leslie Bergum, Jeff Duncan, Kelly Trammell, John Trammell, Mike Gooden, Bill Rines, Bill Smalley

Pledge of Allegiance

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

Chairman Moroney made a Motion to: accept the minutes of January 5, 2009 as written. Selectman Hancock seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.

Stan Borkowski’s report was not received, though it was noted that it had come the week before and was on the board.

Chairman Moroney called on David Ikasalo who introduced himself as he saw some new faces. He went on to say that he wanted to address the invitation to sit on the Board and wondered about a response from the LGC which the Board had been awaiting. Mr. Ikasalo said he believed the residents of Carroll should be represented by a full Board rather than just a quorum. He also stated that a precedent had been set in 2003 or 2004 when the Board at that time appointed Mark Clark. Chairman Moroney pointed out that it was nothing to do with whether they wanted to appoint a Selectman or not. It was due to the fact that an RSA had been looked at and that it stated a Selectman could not be appointed within ninety days of the next annual meeting. As that is March 10, it was deduced that Mr. Ikasalo would have had to have been appointed by December 10. Inasmuch as December 8 was the first meeting he had attended, when the subject first arose, and as he had said he would need time to think about it, the Board deferred to the RSA and said that it was too late for him to join the Board. Mr. Ikasalo felt that the Board should go back to his first meeting which would have been timely, and appoint him – but it was pointed out that it was about two more weeks before he decided he wanted to try it.
Mr. Ikasalo requested some time to go over the minutes from the previous meeting, which he was granted, and the Board moved on to the next agenda item.

Chairman Moroney addressed John Goodney’s resignation as of January 31, 2009, as Emergency Management Director. Mr. Goodney had submitted a letter which Mrs. Moroney read at his request. Mr. Goodney explained that it had been a difficult decision but that while everyone had worked hard and have accomplished putting together documentation to outline and support a center and an all hazards plan, there is still much, much work to be done, and he gave a brief synopsis. He thanked all who participated and particularly the Select Board rep., the Fire and Police Chiefs, the Road Agent, residents Joan and Evan Karpf and Leslie Bergum and the Forest Services, the State Emergency Management rep and the North County Council. Mr. Goodney said the amount of work necessary is really more than one person can do. He also expressed his frustration that such an important need is receiving support from so few people and pointed out three emergencies in the past year alone that required shelter for large numbers of people. Along with his concerns about the progress of the program, he also explained that he has health issues which must take his highest priority at this time. He offered to contact the State EM rep so she might advise the Town of their next steps in filling the position. Chairman Moroney asked Mr. Goodney if he had any ideas about who that person might be to which he said he did not. He did say it should be someone up to speed on the training and who would view the EOP (Emergency Operation Plan) as their own. Chairman Moroney and Selectman Hancock both expressed their sincere gratitude to Mr. Goodney for all his help and hard work in establishing an emergency management system. Chairman Moroney made a Motion to: Accept with regret John Goodney’s resignation as Emergency Management Director. Selectman Hancock seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.

Discussion returned to Mr. Ikasalo who asked the Selectmen if they could not or would not appoint him – Chairman Moroney said it was because they could not due to the RSA. At this point, Mr. Ikasalo excused himself, explaining that he had requested being on the agenda early as he would be unable to stay for the full meeting.

Next was the updated Employee Handbook. Chairman Moroney explained when she first came on the Board there was nothing in place. They used generic copy so they’d have something and now that has been updated. The Chairman explained this is being put in place for a year and we’ll see how it goes. It will be reviewed near the end of the year. Chairman Moroney made a Motion: That the Select Board sign the Employee Handbook and Selectman Hancock seconded. The Motion passed unanimously.

The following items were approved and signed:

Letter for Reduction of CNL Letter of Credit – to further reduce the amount of money their Bank is holding to cover the cost of construction for the road and infrastructure related to the new Conference Center and Spa at the Mount Washington Hotel. As it reaches total completion the cost of any work remaining is diminishing, thus requiring less money to insure the project’s completion.

Letters to Bretton Woods property owners -- Letters and/or emails of complaint have been received from several people in Bretton Woods regarding their taxes for 2008. They feel their taxes are too high and that they are being very poorly treated by the Town. They pointed out that these are second homes for most and thus are unable to attend the weekly meetings. The Selectmen responded to their letters and explained: 1) The Town had been mandated by the State to be revalued because: a) it had been so long since the last valuation, (it’s supposed to be done every five years) b) property values were very low compared to the rest of the State, and c) prices that people were paying for property here; 2) The Town’s taxes to the County, State School and School, over which they have no control, are based on property assessments; and 3) What is voted on in March – all affect the tax rate, thus taxes. Also included with the letters were several graphs and charts comparing Carroll to other towns in the area.

During discussion, it was pointed out several times that everyone in the Town of Carroll pays the same tax rate – it does not matter if the property is in Twin Mountain or in Bretton Woods; and many times again, it was how the people voted. Letters and/or emails were signed and sent to: Edward and Carol Mulcahy, Kim Taylor, Susan Atlas, Daniel and Janice Jacob, P. Davies, Gloria and Marty Martin, Joseph and Mary Lou Sousa, and David Morton.

Commerford Nieder Perkins, LLC:
2009 Contract for General Assessing Services
2009 Contract for Cyclical Revaluation Services
Agreement for Outline of Second Year of 5-Year Services

Ambulance Agreement with Coos County for 2009 – Linda Dowling asked if the $5,000 they
pay will go into a special revenue fund, and Jeff Duncan replied that it will go directly to
the Ambulance Fund. Mrs. Dowling also asked if the ambulance would be used to
transport and Mr. Duncan said it is for emergencies only.

Letter to Bernie Waugh -- Termination of Services

Mitchell Municipal Group, P.A
Letter to begin representing the Town as of February 1
Agreement of service

Devine Milliment Attorneys at Law
Letter of Engagement regarding Bond Counsel Services (required for Bond)

Thank You Letters
Attleboro Ski Club – The makings for Thanksgiving Dinner for six families
Gift Cards for $25 each to Walmart for Christmas
American Legion, Whitefield -- Gift Cards for $25 each to Mac’s for two families
at Thanksgiving
VFW, Whitefield -- Gift Cards for $25 each to Mac’s for two families at Thanksgiving
Woodsville Guaranty Savings Bank – Food Drive with Staff and Customers -- Carroll
Food Pantry was a recipient of a very large amount of food
Steve Messina – Organized a collection of food for our food pantry
Organized a collection of money for Gift Cards to Shaw’s of $25 and $40
for eight families for Christmas

Next was the Warrant Article by Petition from Steve Messina which Chairman Moroney read.

“To see if the Town will vote to grant a driveway access easement on the Land Donation Property in Bretton Woods known as Map 419 Lot 18 to abutting property known as Map 419 Lot 16 if the Warrant Article for the Land Donation Property is passed. This easement will be granted on the day of transfer of the land donation property. This would give Steve Messina access to a portion of his property which currently does not have a driveway access. Mr. Messina would then have the opportunity to beautify his property located on national Scenic Byway 6, Route 302 east which currently has an existing dilapidated house that is an eyesore in our town. Any and all liabilities within the easement will be the sole responsibility of the owner of Map 419 Lot 16. This easement would be no cost to the taxpayers of Carroll but may increase tax revenue to the town once improvements of the property are completed.”

Chairman Moroney explained there will be an article to see if the Town will accept a donation of land from Bretton Woods on which a fire substation will be built, and the land includes a U-shaped driveway. This petition article is asking for a right-of-way onto the driveway. The Selectmen discussed the article and Chairman Moroney said in principal it’s the same thing that they attempted to close Fieldstone Lane for several years ago. The liability of traffic in the area when there is an emergency being responded to is too great. Selectman Hancock agreed and as a volunteer firefighter he said watching for cars and traffic is a problem they shouldn’t have to deal with. Chairman Moroney made a Motion: That the Select Board does not recommend this article. Selectman Hancock seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.

It was then noted that the Deliberative Session had been tentatively scheduled for February 4, and we just discovered that the School District had set theirs for February 2, with a snow date of February 4. As we do not want to have the possibility of a conflict, the Selectmen set Tuesday, February 3, as the date for the Town Deliberative Session.

Leslie Bergum came to the meeting to say that the Ammonoosuc River Local Advisory Committee had been awarded a 2008 Spirit of New Hampshire Award for exemplary volunteer service. Because this Board is made up of representatives of local advisories from individual towns, the Committee Chairman Charlie Ryan, felt each town should receive a copy of the award. Therefore, as representatives from the Town of Carroll, Leslie Bergum and Joan Karpf presented the framed award to the Town. The Selectmen thanked them and expressed appreciation to them for their part in receiving the award. It will be hung in the Town Hall.

Bill Dowling advised that Mr. Normandeau from Normandeau Trucking was in and said we have a good set up now and they really couldn’t do any better for us. Mr. Dowling said he will address any issues of concern at the Deliberative Session. He noted the AMC contacted him regarding recyclables and he gave them the rules which they didn’t have a problem with. He also said there will be a North Country Council meeting and he’ll find out if we will be a host site. He was also approached about having a storage container brought for paint disposal, etc. Other than the space for the unit, we will have nothing to do with the program. And, he announced he has found a buyer for cardboard at $15 a ton—which is much better than a lot of places that have to pay to get rid of it. Mr. Dowling did note if the Highland Center/AMC comes back, he will be asking for four more hours and asked when the best time to do this would be. Tom Gately said at the Budget Committee hearing or the Deliberative Session.

Jeff Duncan referred to the letter received from Terry Penner regarding Unit 42 at Rosebrook and said someone from the State Fire Marshall’s Office will be coming to look at the condo on Thursday.

Chairman Moroney referred to the new Handbook and wanted to clarify payment for firefighters and EMT’S. Chairman Moroney made a Motion that: When firefighters and EMT’S are called to come out, they will be paid a minimum of three hours. Selectman Hancock seconded and the Motion passed.

Chairman Moroney noted that there had been an effort by Steve Messina to locate a freezer for the Town. He had found one that was deemed too large and a bit too old (because of cost of running). However, as this search was made known, Maureen and Tim Philbin said they have a small front opening freezer they would like to donate, we only have to pick it up. The Selectmen expressed their appreciation to the Philbins for their donation and to Mr. Messina for his efforts.

As there was no further business, Chairman Moroney declared the meeting ended at
8:10 p.m. and moved to go into Executive Session for personnel and town aid matters. The Board was polled and went into executive session.

At the close of executive session, Chairman Moroney made a Motion to: return to public session and seal the minutes from executive session. Selectman Hancock seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

There being no further discussion, Chairman Moroney made a Motion to: adjourn the meeting. Selectman Hancock seconded and the Motion passed unanimously. Chairman Moroney declared the meeting ended at 9:20 p.m.

Town of Carroll, New Hampshire ®2024