Town of Carroll, New Hampshire

• Town Services
• Town Meeting Minutes
• Planning Board/ZBA
• Applications & Forms
• Town Clerk/Tax Collector
• Map
• Home

Minutes of Town Board Meetings

• Planning Board
• Board of Adjustment
• Select Board
• Budget Committee
• Building Committee
• Energy Commission

Minutes of 04/26/2010

April 30th, 2010

Carroll Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes
April 26, 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 H. Quigley

Board members present: Christopher Hancock, Bonnie Moroney. Mark Catalano was excused. It was noted that Selectman Catalano’s absence was due to a medical emergency.

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM by Chairman Hancock

Members of the public present: Roberta McGee, Bill Dowling, Linda Dowling, Ken Mills, Mike Gooden, Ann Fabrizio, Carmine Fabrizio, Tom Gately, Bill Rines, Sue Kraabel, Kelly Trammell, Lori Hogan, Devyn Hogan, Frank Maturo, Scott Sonia, John Trammell, Tadd Bailey, Jeff Duncan, Bill Smalley

Pledge of Allegiance

Linda Dowling was in attendance with video equipment and Chairman Hancock 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.

Chairman Hancock made a motion to accept the minutes from April 19, 2010, as written. Selectman Moroney seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

Stan Borkowski’s report was received and posted.

Chairman Hancock said the Officers of the Fire Department voted for a Chief as Chief Duncan’s term expired after five years. At the recommendation of the Officers, the Selectmen appointed Chief Duncan to serve as Fire Chief for two more years. Chairman Hancock explained the way the terms were set up were that the initial appointment would be for five years, with two year terms following. Because many residents believe erroneously that the Fire Chief position is full time, Chairman Hancock wanted to be sure it was pointed out that the Fire Chief is only a part time position. Chief Duncan was asked to see the Town Clerk at his convenience to be sworn into Office.

The following items were approved and signed.

Water Warrant – Pike Industries, Inc.; Holzendorf; Peckham
Abatement – Bogan
Abatement Refund – Peckham
Nomination of Linda Dowling to the Ammonoosuc River Local Advisory Committee

The lease for the Police Department had been tabled from the previous meeting as Selectman Catalano had questioned areas of responsibility regarding the building. Mrs. Hogan was in attendance and said she felt she had answered Mr. Catalano’s questions during the week. Chief Trammell recommended that the Selectmen inspect the building before signing the lease, as there are various problems that have been there since before the Police moved in and he does not want the Town to be considered responsible for them. Chief Trammell’s issue is with item 2 on the lease that basically says everything is sound and in compliance, and that is really not the case. He has compiled a list of concerns (attached) which includes both structural and maintenance/repair items. He assured everyone the Police are fine with the building and very happy to be there, it’s simply the matter of responsibility – and that the Town should not be accountable for anything in existence prior to the Police taking it over. He asked if there had been a walk-through with a check-list prior to moving in – and no one was aware that there had been.

Mrs. Hogan said that it was supposed to be a temporary solution to the lack of a police building and that they had addressed issues at the time. She also said that safety is a first priority and they will be happy to address or look at problems with the Town. Code compliance was briefly discussed, and Mrs. Hogan again said this was a temporary measure and having this as a municipal building was not their ultimate goal. Therefore, she had no intention of making significant financial changes to the building to bring it to that code. But she will be happy to work with the Town as safety issues will always be addressed. Mrs. Hogan agreed that an inspection could be done and brought back to the Town in a month. She will be away for the next two weeks. It was suggested that the Town Building Inspector be asked to also inspect the building and submit his report to the Selectmen. Chairman Hancock stated “on condition of, and with all of the foregoing in mind,” he wanted to make a Motion to: Sign the Lease Agreement for four years. Selectman Moroney seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.

The disposal of fill from street sweeping and ditch work was brought up next. Offering this to residents was tabled at the last meeting in order to check the DES guidelines. This usage is unrestricted and Chairman Hancock made a Motion to: Move forward with the Disposal Agreement to allow residents the opportunity to make use of this material. Selectman Moroney seconded and the Motion passed unanimously. It was noted that an ad will be in the paper and forms will be in the office to arrange for this by residents.

In Other Business:

The Selectmen suggested that the Highway and Water Departments be notified to start thinking about their vacations so they may be coordinated in order to avoid any conflicts of dates. They also said they would prefer that only one be on vacation at a time.

Lori Hogan said the Budget Committee will be doing a survey to get an understanding of what people are looking for in the next vote. They have asked the Moderator if he will collect these so that confidentiality may be kept. Mrs. Hogan said if the Board has any questions they may be sent to her and she will take them to the Committee.

Sgt. Smalley and Chief Trammell advised the Selectmen that from January 1, 2009, to date, the Dodge Charger police cruiser has had repairs at a cost of $23,982 and is currently in the shop for more. When the vehicle was purchased, it cost $23,087. The Tahoe has had repairs costing $12,288 during the same time period and will be going back to the shop as soon as the Charger is returned. A discussion ensued regarding these vehicles and their problems. Ken Mills said he had been asked at Town Meeting time, why the repairs are so expensive. He didn’t know and wondered if they have to go to certain shops for repairs. Sgt. Smalley said basically these are the same vehicles that individuals buy but usage is very different. For normal maintenance, tires, brakes, oil changes, etc., around $4,000 yearly, they are brought to one of the local garages, and this is determined by who can get it in the quickest and when it is most convenient for the police. Warranty work does have to be done by the dealer, but both vehicles are out of that coverage now, though they have to go for certain repairs. The Charger problems were discussed and it was noted it has practically been rebuilt. Unfortunately, municipalities do not fall under the Lemon Law, but Town Counsel is now trying to work with the manufacturer. It was stated that the Tahoe has approximately 118,000 miles and the Charger, approximately 96,000 miles. The Charger warranty was to 75,000 miles as Chrysler did not offer 100,000 miles, which most manufacturers historically offered. Sgt. Smalley said this was pretty much the same warranty as a private citizen would get – as are the vehicles. Up to now there hasn’t been any manufacturer who made purpose-built cars i.e. police cars, though there is a possibility of one starting soon. Sgt. Smalley went on to say that engineering has changed to the point that certain parts have been integrated with others, so rather than simply replacing the bad part the major part has to be totally changed. This, of course, adds to the cost also. The question was asked if there are standards for police vehicles regarding insurance underwriting, and there are not. Defending the choice of the Charger, Sgt. Smalley said the Department had had a Dodge before and had a perfect record with it – plus of all the Chargers out there – other police departments, State Police, etc., no one has had close to the problems that Carroll has – nothing anyone can foresee.

Chief Duncan went to the Town Clerk to be sworn in as Fire Chief and returned with his Oath of Office. Chairman Hancock made a Motion To: Sign Chief Duncan’s Oath of Office. Selectman Moroney seconded and it passed unanimously.

As there was no further business, Chairman Hancock moved to go into Non-Public Session for Personnel Matters, Town Aid and Legal at 7:45 p.m. 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 business, Chairman Hancock made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Selectman Moroney seconded and the motion passed unanimously. Chairman Hancock declared the meeting ended at 10:20 p.m. The next meeting will be Monday, May 3, 2010.

Town of Carroll, New Hampshire ®2024