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Minutes of 01/26/2009

February 1st, 2009

Carroll Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes
January 26, 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 7:07 PM.

Members of the public present: Linda Dowling, Bill Dowling, Tom Gately, David Ikasalo, Steve Messina, Mike Gooden, Bill Rines, Jeff Duncan

Pledge of Allegiance

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

Chairman Moroney made a Motion to: Accept the minutes for January 12, 2009, as written. Selectman Hancock seconded and the Motion was passed unanimously. Chairman Moroney brought up the minutes for January 19, and asked to approve them. Linda Dowling mentioned that the warrant articles were to have been attached and they weren’t online, at least—the Secretary said she was having a time attaching them, got interrupted and didn’t get back to it. She said she would put them online somehow. Mrs. Dowling also asked about the work on New Straw Road. Chairman Moroney said between learning about it at a conference she had attended and confirming it with LGC, as long as we have a signed contract, we are able to encumber funds for the following year. Mrs. Dowling asked if she could have a copy of the contract and was told she could pick one up the next day. Lastly, Mrs. Dowling said at the meeting on the 19th, she said she would check to see what years were involved that had warrant articles for completing an audit, not that she would check to see if an article is required to have an audit done, as written in the minutes.

Chairman Moroney made a Motion to: Accept the minutes as corrected. Selectman Hancock seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.

Stan Borkowski’s report was received during last week and posted.

Steve Messina came to talk about his petition article for a right-of-way on the Bretton Woods property that may be donated to the Town for a fire substation. It was noted that acceptance of this donation will be determined by the voters in March. Mr. Messina said that he is only looking for 20 to 30 feet west of where he believes the new building will be. Discussion ensued and Mr. Messina said he felt it couldn’t be compared to Fieldstone Lane near the existing fire station, as that area has much more traffic, with the store and the Post Office being there, as well as the fact that Fieldstone Lane connects to Route 302. He suggested that an “exit only” sign could be put on the east side to not jeopardize emergency traffic. Mrs. Dowling said she had talked with the former Police Chief and in his twenty five years there had never been an accident at the existing station site. Jeff Duncan, Fire Chief, said while that was true, there have been any number of “near-misses.” Mr. Messina had originally spoken of putting in a business, but is now thinking of only putting in a house. Discussion turned to liability and it is the Board’s opinion that the Town would be fully liable for any accident that may occur – in spite of Mr. Messina’s offer to sign that he would be responsible and in spite of the fact that State law says emergency vehicles have the right of way; there could be an accident with two private vehicles—if it’s town property, the town is responsible.

Mr. Messina said he wants to remove the old dilapidated building that is currently there and put a building up that would bring in more tax revenue for the Town. He also reiterated that he feels it is not a dangerous situation and that it cannot be compared to Fieldstone Lane, however, if he’s not going to change the Selectmen’s minds, he’ll just have to leave it up to the voters.

Signing the Blaktop Company proposal was brought up. Bill Rines explained this was the lowest amount and it came in at about $117,000. If the warrant article passes, this would be the firm price. David “Ike” Ikasalo asked about the others. Mr. Rines responded the highest was $230,000, Blaktop was the lowest, and that which was in the middle wouldn’t guarantee the price. Mr. Rines explained the way the pricing came in based on the work being done on the road. He was asked to request a written breakdown of the costs, which he agreed to and will bring that in for signing upon its receipt. Tom Gately said there could be a difference in the price of asphalt with the cost of oil dropping. He asked if the price were down would that be reflected, and Mr. Rines said it would; he also asked about if the price were to go up what would happen, and Mr. Rines said the price was locked in. Mr. Ikasalo thought all the quotes should be together and Chairman Moroney explained normally they are but this was different wherein we needed the quote to put the warrant article together and to enable us to encumber the funds. The cost of the entire project came up and it was noted that the warrant article was written as both DRA and Town Counsel said it should be for only the funds that needed to be raised. The remainder of the money was coming from the 2008 budget (encumbered funds) together with the same line from the 2009 budget.

The following items were approved and signed:

Property Tax Abatement – Santy
Yield Tax Warrant – Timber Resource Group
Certificate of Occupancy – Bretton Woods Resort Management and CNL, Conference Center &
Spa
Thank You Letter to John Goodney -- For his service as Emergency Management Director
Town Hall Use Application – Williams
Recreational Trails Program Forms – For reimbursement of $30,000, secured by Harold
Garneau, for the new recreational bridge installed with the new vehicular bridge across the
Ammonoosuc River.
Chairman Moroney announced that she is going to the NHMA Municipal Advocacy Committee (MAC) meeting on Friday, January 30. Mrs. Moroney read the email received which told the purpose of this meeting is to discuss state revenue sources as they relate to highway funding and the gas tax. At a meeting in September, MAC members had decided not to take a position on increasing the gas tax at that time. However, circumstances surrounding it warrant revisiting the issue. Additionally, the deficit in the state’s budget threatens the sharing of the state’s revenues which could have an effect on the towns and cities of New Hampshire. Each municipality will be allowed one vote. Mrs. Moroney explained the Town received about $65,000 in 2008 and these revenues would be affected. Discussion ensued about ways money could be raised and it was stated that no matter what is done, people will be impacted. Mrs. Moroney stated that we don’t really have control over much, in spite of all the various suggestions. Tom Gately suggested that she go down, listen to what is said and vote for the things she thinks are reasonable and against those which she thinks are not, which met with approval from all.

Chairman Moroney explained that our current auditors, Carew and Company will not be doing municipal auditing any longer and recommended other companies to us. We have had responses from two and are set to meet with one on January 28, weather permitting, and are waiting to hear back from the other. Mrs. Moroney explained that the staff is also taking advantage of any courses being offered by LGC which may help with the whole process.

Chairman Moroney also wanted to make it known that over the recent weekend the realization came to her, when the Budget Committee had the public hearing for the warrant articles, she voted on the request from North Country Home Health, and being currently employed there, she feels she should have abstained. Therefore, she would like the record to show that she withdrew her vote on that article.

Chairman Moroney then made a Motion to: Sign the Police Handbook. She explained this contains policy and procedure strictly for the Police Department. Selectman Hancock seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.

Renewing the police station lease was then brought up. Mrs. Moroney stated that the owner sends or brings the updated lease for the Selectmen to sign, which will probably be within the next month or so.

Chairman Moroney then read the Warrant and made a Motion to: Sign the Warrant. Selectman Hancock seconded and it passed unanimously.

Mr. Ikasalo spoke of the water bills which had been brought up at a previous meeting. He noted that it was stated the $100 added was to pay down the debt, but last year the budget was increased and the water charges were not. So he wondered if any of it had helped. It was stated the first year it did help, by about $30,000. Discussion ensued and it was reiterated that once the meters are online, there will be a base rate that everyone will pay and after that the rate will be based on consumption. It was further explained that the comparative readings have been nearly completed. Once this happens, the water company will come and review usage and expenditures, including any and all costs connected to running the department, and set the rates. Everyone is working to have this ready for the April billing.

Steve Messina asked what the amount of liability insurance on town property is. He was asked to stop in the office sometime and get the information. He said it used to be that people or groups could hold events on any town property and it was never an issue. It was noted that this is changing and that it is going to be required to have an insurance rider when events are held on town property.

There being no further business, Chairman Moroney made a Motion to: adjourn the meeting. Selectman Hancock seconded and the Motion passed unanimously. Chairman Moroney declared the meeting ended at 8:07 p.m.