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Minutes of 06/01/2009

June 11th, 2009

Carroll Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes
June 1, 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: Chris Hancock, Bonnie Moroney, Ken Mills.

The meeting was called to order at 7:03 PM, by Chairman Hancock.

Members of the public present: Roberta McGee, Al Strasser, John Trammell, Mike Gooden, Bill Rines, Jeremy Oleson, Joan Karpf, Evan Karpf, Carmine Fabrizio, Ann Fabrizio, Bill Smalley, Jeff Duncan, Leslie Bergum, Tom Gately, Kelly Trammell

Pledge of Allegiance

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

Selectman Moroney made a Motion to: Accept the minutes for May 11, 2009 as written. Chairman Hancock seconded. Selectman Mills abstained as he was not in attendance. The Motion passed.

Selectman Moroney made a Motion to: Accept the minutes of May 18, 2009, as written. Selectman Mills seconded. Chairman Hancock abstained as he was not in attendance. The Motion passed.

Stan Borkowski’s report was received and posted.

Selectman Mills read RSA 31:105, Powers and Duties of Towns, Liability for Damages Limited, Indemnification, Insurance (attached). Selectman Mills attended a seminar for new Selectmen and the subject came up in a conversation he had. It was recommended that Selectmen vote to approve this. Therefore, Selectman Mills made a Motion that: the Town of Carroll Board of Selectmen vote to approve to indemnify and save harmless for loss or damage occurring any person employed by it and any member or officer of its governing board, administrative staff or agencies including but not limited to selectmen, school board members, chartered public school trustees, city councilors and aldermen, town and city managers, regional planning commissioners and superintendents of schools from personal financial loss and expense including reasonable legal fees and costs, if any, arising out of any claim, demand, suit, or judgment by reason of negligence or other act resulting in accidental injury to a person or accidental damage to or destruction of property if the indemnified person at the time of the accident resulting injury, damage, or destruction of property if the indemnified person at the time of the accident resulting in the injury, damage, or destruction was acting in the scope of employment or office. Al Strasser requested point of order, and said that this had been passed by the legislative body by warrant article some time ago. Selectman Mills chose to leave his Motion as he felt it was in keeping with the RSA. Chairman Hancock seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.

Selectmen reviewed the budget to date and were pleased that all costs are being very closely watched and all departments are keeping well within their budgets.

The following items were approved and signed:

Water Warrant – Brown; Gilman; O’Brien
Yield Tax Warrant – Bayroot, LLC; Temple
Oaths of Office, Budget Committee – Jim Covey; Beckie Pike
Thank You Letters -- Philbins, donation of freezer for Food Pantry; Woodsville
Guaranty Savings Bank; Messinas; McQueeneys; Ms. McCole –numerous
donations from each to the Food Pantry; Lt. Col. Gearhardt, WMRHS JROTC –
Memorial Day

Mount Washington Hotel Resort had requested a letter of approval for them to amend their liquor license to include two additional areas, one behind the Hotel and one adjacent to the Conference Center. Chairman Hancock made a Motion to: Sign the letter of approval. Selectman Moroney seconded and the Motion was approved unanimously.

Allen Strasser continued his discussion of tax comparisons for numerous years with a chart and material from prior meetings. He pointed out that several years in the past the default budget was used as the proposed budget had failed to be approved. It is Mr. Strasser’s opinion that it would be very easy to cut the new amended budget by $200,000. He reiterated that times are tough and said the Board refuses to look at what he said are high tax raises. He said the last crisis with real estate was in 1990 and the town did not recover for ten years. Mr. Strasser said the new subdivision in Bretton Woods, Dartmouth Brook, is not selling lots because when the people saw the taxes, they did not buy.

Selectman Mills moved to limit this discussion to five minutes more. Mr. Strasser asked what the reason was and Selectman Mills said it was the same information as presented before – with the only new information being the chart, which should not really be allowed as it had not been submitted to give the Board time to look at it for responding to – however, the exception would be made tonight. Selectman Mills went on to say this is not really the venue for this type of discussion, as it is for the Selectmen to conduct the town’s business. Chairman Hancock made the Motion; Selectman Moroney seconded, and the Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Strasser went on to discuss employee wages and raises. His information included a breakdown and percentages over several years. Selectman Mills received permission from the Chair to speak and noted that tonight’s discussion was in response to what was read at the last meeting. He requested that the information be put in a format for public perusal. Mr. Strasser said he got his data from Linda Dowling, who had kept years of records.

Mr. Strasser asked if any of the Board members planned to go to a tentative mediation in Manchester on the Bews case on June 30. He said he would go if the Board wants him to as he feels someone should go. The Board thought they were all set as both Chairman Hancock and Selectman Moroney indicated that at least one of them would be attending. Chairman Hancock thanked Mr. Strasser.

Fire Chief Duncan reported on the status of the new fire engine. Jeremy Oleson had been to Pennsylvania where it was built, to do a final inspection and he said they expect delivery in two to three weeks. Chief Duncan also asked the Board for their input on getting rid of the old truck. They discussed several options and decided on putting it out to bid and putting a time limit on it. Chief Duncan will advertise it in the media as well as fire trade magazines. He recommended that it be kept inside until it is disposed of.

Chief Duncan and Police Chief Trammell also spoke to the Board about the fireworks display that the Chamber of Commerce has been talking about doing for the Fourth of July weekend. It is not a town-sponsored event, so they wanted some direction on how the Police and Fire Departments should deal with it. In the past, it was put on by a private entity, which hired police and fire, and therefore brought money into the town. They feel it could be an extra cost that the town hasn’t been able to plan for. The time involved would depend on whether it’s a day-long event or just the display. There is also the issue of clean-up, which the Resort took care of in the past. The question of permits arose and it was thought as long as there is landowner permission, it should be all right; and we’ve been advised the person/company putting on the display has insurance. The secretary was asked to check about the town’s possible liability if responders are not actually present. She was also requested to ask Jim Covey to come to the next meeting, on June 15, with information regarding the Chamber’s plans and the fireworks display. It was stated that we must make sure there is no misrepresentation of this being a town-sponsored event. It was noted that this would be similar to the Music Series the Chamber sponsors, except the Series is on town property.

It was called to the Board’s attention that the Employee Manual approved in January, 2009, did not include several individual policies i.e. Sexual Harassment Policy, Americans with Disabilities Act, etc. Town Counsel recommended that we amend the Manual now and at a later time, rewrite it or write a separate policies manual. Chairman Hancock made a Motion to: Amend the Employee Manual approved January 12, 2009, to include any policies that may have been omitted from the previous Personnel Policies Manual. Selectman Moroney seconded, and the Motion passed unanimously.

In Other Business

Heating oil was brought up and the Secretary was asked to call to inquire with Our Town. Dr. Karpf said they had already assigned Gorham Oil and explained a bit how it works to be part of the group.

The Selectmen asked that the Floodplain Management Plan be on the agenda for the next meeting so it may be approved prior to the Hazard Mitigation Plan.

Bill Rines was asked if he had received any bids for the roof. He was asked to get three bids and try to get some from commercial roofing companies. This work should be done by fall.

Joan Karpf, Chairman of the ZBA, was responding to an email regarding members of the ZBA whose terms have expired. She said she wanted to recommend Leslie Bergum for another three-year term. Ms. Bergum is a valuable member of the Committee and had agreed to remain. Mrs. Karpf still had to speak with Jim Early, who is an alternate. Selectman Moroney made a Motion to: Accept Mrs. Karpf’s recommendation of Leslie Bergum. Chairman Hancock seconded, and it passed unanimously.

Mrs. Karpf, who is also Chairman of the Conservation Commission said they were in need of members and Linda Dowling had indicated she would like to join the Commission. Therefore, Mrs. Karpf recommended that Mrs. Dowling be appointed. Chairman Hancock made a Motion to: Accept Mrs. Karpf’s recommendation of Linda Dowling for the Conservation Commission. Selectman Moroney seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.

Dr. Karpf asked about the Health Officer budget and was told it was $526. He explained there had been many tele-conferences and seminars regarding the Swine Flu. He went on to say he had spent a large amount of time on this as the State has taken it very seriously. They are concerned that come fall, a very virulent form may take hold and they are working toward everyone being as prepared as possible. Dr. Karpf is only submitting mileage for reimbursement, but wants to be sure to stay within his budget.

Dr. Karpf also said he had attended a North Country Council meeting on behalf of the town but there was no business conducted.

As an added note, Dr. Karpf said that as a state, New Hampshire is one of the best prepared in the Nation for any emergency. The Board thanked Dr. Karpf for all of his efforts.

As there was no further business, Chairman Hancock declared the meeting ended at 8:13 p.m. and moved to go into Non-Public Session for legal. The Board was polled and went into Non-Public Session.

At the close of Non-Public session, Chairman Hancock moved to return to public session and seal the minutes from Non-Public Session. At this point, Chairman Hancock moved to return to Non-Public Session for personnel. The Board was polled and went into Non-Public Session.

At the close of Non-Public Session, Chairman Hancock moved to return to public session. Selectman Moroney made a Motion to: Seal the minutes from Non-Public Session. Selectman Mills seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.

There being no further discussion, Selectman Moroney made a Motion to: adjourn the meeting. Selectman Mills seconded and the Motion passed unanimously. Chairman Hancock declared the meeting ended at 9:15 p.m.

Town of Carroll, New Hampshire ®2024