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Minutes of 03/01/21010

March 5th, 2010

Carroll Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes
March 1, 2010

"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, Ken Mills. Chris Hancock was excused.

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM by Acting Chairman Mills.

Members of the public present: Roberta McGee, Carmine Fabrizio, Ann Fabrizio, Mike Gooden, Bill Dowling, Linda Dowling, Scott Sonia, Bill Smalley, John Trammell, Tom Gately, Bill Rines, Evan Karpf, Joan Karpf, Frank Maturo, Mark Catalano, Andy Martel

Pledge of Allegiance

As with previous meetings, Linda Dowling was in attendance with video equipment. Thus Acting Chairman Mills read the following statement: “This meeting is being taped by a private citizen. It is not done under the auspices of the town and is not an official record of the town.”

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

Selectman Mills made a Motion to: Accept the minutes for February 22, 2010 as written, and Selectman Moroney seconded. The Motion passed unanimously.

The following items were approved and signed:

Water Warrant – Four Roche Brothers, LLC
Veteran’s Exemption – Brad Willey
Sweeper Contract – Avery’s Sweeping

Pay adjustments were then discussed as brought up at the previous meeting. Selectman Moroney read an email from Selectman Hancock that he agrees with adjusting Greg Hogan’s pay in that at the time he was hired, he was promised an increase when he got his CDL. After discussion, Selectman Moroney made a Motion To: Increase Greg Hogan’s wage by $1.00 to $14.79 an hour as a result of his getting his CDL. Selectman Mills seconded and the Motion passed unanimously. In further discussions, the Selectmen decided the circumstances between Mr. Hogan and Bill Dowling were not the same, as Mr. Dowling is receiving the wage as established at the time of his hiring, so they will not increase his wage at this time.

Scott Sonia, Water Department Superintendent, updated the Selectmen on water usage. Mostly as a result of the Paquette Drive repair this past fall, there is a difference of 1,813,921 gallons less than what was used last year at this time, which was in excess of four million gallons. This is even taking into consideration places that have to run water all the time to keep it from freezing, such as the fish hatchery. The Selectman thanked Mr. Sonia.

Selectman Mills read a letter from DES for informational purposes only. Apparently there has been monitoring at the Foster Crossroads property regarding the release of petroleum products. DES is closing this project as it has been determined that any release was a manifestation of residual contamination from the site’s previous underground storage tank facility and the Fosters are not responsible. The Fosters have been released from further monitoring and payment of a $5,000 deductible. (copy attached).

Selectman Mills spoke briefly about the statement made by Jim Covey at the previous meeting that he believed all of the warrant articles will be voted down this year just like last year. He just wanted to go on record as saying that voting “no” is not a good strategy. If the voter researches the information and still wants to vote “no” that is one thing, but at least the voter knows what he or she is voting down. Last year the town lost out on a lot of grant money because by voting “no” on all the articles, it precluded the town from even looking.

Bill Rines said he had called Presby Contracting last week and again today, but had not received a response or any paperwork since Mr. Presby came to inspect the roads a couple of weeks previously. Selectman Moroney reiterated that she was concerned once he saw the layout and what the job of sweeping the roads actually consisted of, it would make a significant difference in price and time. Further, it was again established that the town is very happy with the job Avery has done in the past two years. Therefore, Selectman Moroney made a Motion to: Go with the Avery Sweeping Company. Selectman Mills seconded and the Motion passed unanimously. Selectman Mills said there was substantial deliberation by the Board and they had given the Presby company opportunity to bid.

Joan Karpf asked to clarify the agenda policy and asked if there was an actual policy as regards allowing the public to speak. Selectman Mills stated that the public comment part had been eliminated because of the bloviating that too many people chose to do when they spoke at the meeting. The Selectmen stated that a policy had been set several years about people calling to be put on the agenda if they wish to speak. That sort of fell by the wayside and this Board revived it around April or so, mostly as a means for getting information that might be brought up which would give them time to familiarize themselves and be able to answer to it. As it was, people would bring material that they just couldn’t speak to. It was stated that we will look for an agenda policy so the Board will be following protocol. If it doesn’t appear to be as definite as it should be, it will be adjusted for clarity. As Mrs. Karpf noted in her address, the other Boards are expected to follow procedure policies and she would expect the Select Board to as well.

Mrs. Karpf also asked about email voting. Selectman Mills said at meetings in December discussion took place about purchasing a tractor with a mower deck and Chairman Hancock was not in attendance when they had to decide about making the purchase. It was a special purchase and would save the town $3,000, so they took a vote by email. Mrs. Karpf said apparently discussions and meetings took place among the Selectmen by email for them to make a decision. Selectman Mills assured her that all deliberations had been done in their Monday night meetings and that it was only the vote that was done by email. Selectman Mills went on to say they inquired of town counsel about the email vote and were told they should not have done it. They were advised to ratify the vote at this meeting. Selectman Mills said they would do that and they will not do an email vote again. He noted it was done only to save the town money as they were running out of time. Selectman Moroney made a Motion to: Purchase the tractor and mower from Bartlett Service at a cost of $10,000. Selectman Mills seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.

As there was no further business, Selectman Moroney moved to go into Non-Public Session for Personnel Matters and Town Aid 7:30 p.m. The Board was polled and went into Non-Public Session.

At the close of Non-Public Session, Selectman Moroney moved to return to Public Session and seal the minutes from Non-Public Session. Selectman Mills seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.

It was noted since it was forgotten earlier, that Greg Hogan’s wage increase should be retroactive to January 1, 2010.

There being no further discussion, Selectman Moroney made a Motion to: adjourn the meeting. Selectman Mills seconded and the Motion passed unanimously. Acting Chairman Mills declared the meeting ended at 9:30 p.m. The next meeting will be Monday, March 8, 2010.

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