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Minutes of 12/21/2009

December 30th, 2009

Carroll Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes
December 21, 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 7:00 PM by Chairman Hancock who thanked Selectman Mills for running the last meeting during his absence due to illness.

Members of the public present: Steve LaFrance, Bill Dowling, Roberta McGee, Carmine Fabrizio, Ann Fabrizio, Bill Smalley, Scott Sonia, Evan Karpf, Frank Maturo, Tom Gately, John Trammell, Kelly Trammell

Pledge of Allegiance

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

Chairman Hancock made a Motion to: Accept the minutes for November 30, 2009, as written. Selectman Moroney seconded and the Motion passed. Selectman Mills abstained as he was not in attendance at that meeting. Selectman Moroney made a Motion to: Accept the minutes for December 14, 2009, as written. Selectman Mills seconded and the Motion passed. Chairman Hancock abstained as he was not in attendance at that meeting.

Steve LaFrance from Horizons Engineering returned to follow up on his original presentation and to give the Board a proposal for a well supply source development and to outline the scope of services. Mr. LaFrance said this is a step-by-step process which can be taken to a certain level and stopped, if that is preferred. He reiterated his previous discussion of sand and gravel wells or one of bedrock and spoke again of the pros and cons of each. Mr. LaFrance recommended the steps as:

1. Kick-off meeting with the Board and any people in town interested in the project.
2. Site screening for favorable sources such as geophysics, available land, etc.
3. Getting together again about available land, and ranking the sites based on priorities – if
water is close, if there is enough undeveloped land available, etc.
4. ID the site – talk with the land owner and get permission to test drill, draw up an agreement
for access and ultimate purchase of land before spending any money.
5. Test drill – decide which kind of well is desired and begin the program for
a. Sand and gravel
b. Bedrock (In this case, the test hole may possibly become the well)
6. Summary report – the results of the various stages, as well as an estimate of costs, prepared
by Horizons Engineering.

Mr. LaFrance estimates slightly over $14,000 to complete the tasks to this point. In addition, he recommends the Town budget about $5,000 for site access preparation by a contractor and about $15,000 for drilling, construction of the test well and testing for short-term yield. Though he did advise these latter amounts could be substantially or totally reduced if the Town crew can do them. Discussion ensued as to variables; that the site does not need a road because of its location, not to pick a site that we can’t get to, and to avoid sites where wetlands will have to be crossed. A brief discussion took place regarding a possible site on Route 115 – another town has a well in that vicinity and it was wondered about any impact. Mr. LaFrance said there would be very little if any impact, and it can be checked very easily. He estimated 90 to 120 days to do the proposed scope of work – and the entire project would be the better part of two years – as it would also require a new pump station for controls, chemicals, etc. The Board thanked Mr. LaFrance for his presentation and upon departing, he left copies of the Proposal for review.

The following items were approved and signed:

Intents to Cut -- Royle, Young/Word, Pronovost
Property Tax Abatement -- Cedrone

Discussed next was the Employee Life Insurance Benefit, costs for which had been requested by the Selectmen for $100,000 across the boards. Currently, the benefit is 1.5 times the employee’s annual salary at a total monthly premium of $205; the new premium would be $234 or a difference of $29 per month, of which the employees pay 20%. It was decided to maintain the 80/20 split and increase the benefit to $100,000 for all employees. Selectman Moroney made a Motion to: increase the benefit to $100,000. Selectman Mills seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.

Next, the Selectmen began a review of the Employee Handbook with Article 30, Life Insurance. 30.1 will be changed to reflect and clarify the life benefit and the 20/80 split. Therefore, it shall read, 30.1, “The Town shall provide for each member of the police department, group term life insurance coverage in the amount of $100,000.00. Employees will pay a rate of 20% of the total cost of the plan while the Town covers 80%. Such employees’ life insurance plan contributions shall be made through the weekly payroll deductions, and to the extent permitted pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code or other applicable laws, such payroll deductions shall be made on a “pre-tax” basis. The Town shall make every effort to include accidental death or dismember-ment insurance for each member, in the group term insurance coverage.” Selectman Moroney made a Motion to: Amend Article 30.1 to read as noted, in which it clarifies that the 20/80 split shall apply. Selectman Mills seconded and the Motion was unanimously approved.

The Board advised they voted during the week by email to purchase the Cub Cadet Yanmar tractor mower for $10,000, as quoted from Bartlett Service Center in Bartlett, NH. Correspondence attached. This machine contains the requested mowing deck, roll-over protection, 4-wheel drive and diesel-fuel engine. Chairman Hancock stated he had called this dealership and after his conversation and having questions answered, believes this is very good quality and it is a very good choice. Chairman Hancock also noted that by purchasing it now, the Town saved $3,000.

Kelly Trammell spoke about the water billing, etc. She said there is a capital reserve fund with $2,000 in it, though she didn’t know where it had come from, and that Selectmen were the agents. Mrs. Trammell also brought a hand-out on information about the new water rates. She said this shows the new meter prices versus the former flat rate based on various types of water users – single resident, family residence of various numbers, and various businesses such as campgrounds and stores, etc. Evan Karpf asked if all the numbers were included i.e., running the department, putting some money away, usage, and Mrs. Trammell said it does. Dr. Karpf commented that people will be paying for what they use and this is what everyone has been asking for. Brief discussion of warrant articles ensued and it was noted that we must be careful with the wording and the suggestion was made to check with DRA, which will be done. Mrs. Trammell asked to recognize Ed Martin. His help during the past year was greatly appreciated when everything was being put into place to get to this point. The Selectmen thanked Mr. Martin as well.

Dr. Karpf spoke of the need for new members for the Planning Board and asked that the Selectmen nominate Frank Maturo for an appointment to the Board. Mr. Maturo has recently moved to town and is interested in helping and becoming involved. Chairman Hancock made a Motion to: Nominate Frank Maturo to the Town of Carroll Planning Board. Selectman Moroney seconded, and the Motion was approved unanimously. Dr. Karpf said he will give Mr. Maturo a copy of the Regulations and will explain the process to him. Mr. Maturo was asked to go to the Town Clerk at his convenience to be sworn into office. The Selectman thanked Mr. Maturo for sitting on the Board.

Discussion returned to the water rates and Chairman Hancock made a Motion to: Adopt the rates presented by Kelly Trammell. Selectman Moroney seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.

The Secretary brought up that Town Moderator, Ben Jellison, would like to set the date for the Deliberative Session as Tuesday, February 2, if possible. The Town Clerk is checking with the Secretary of State, as there is a primary set for that date to vote for a State Rep, for the seat Scott Merrick recent resigned from. It was noted if this date can be set, it would leave February 4, as a possible storm date, if needed. The Secretary noted the White Mountains Regional School District Deliberative Session is scheduled for Monday, February 1, with a storm date of Wednesday, February 3.

As there was no further business, Chairman Hancock declared the meeting ended at 8:12 p.m. and moved to go into Non-Public Session for Personnel Matters and Town Aid requests. 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. Selectman Moroney seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.

There being no further discussion, Selectman Mills made a Motion to: adjourn the meeting. Selectman Moroney seconded and the Motion passed unanimously. Chairman Hancock declared the meeting ended at 10:00 p.m. There will not be a meeting on December 28, so the next meeting will be Monday, January 4, 2010.