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Minutes of 06/14/2010

June 21st, 2010

Carroll Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes
June 14, 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: Chris Hancock, Bonnie Moroney, Mark Catalano.

The meeting was called to order at 7:02 PM by Chairman Hancock.

Members of the public present: Jeff Duncan, Frank Maturo, Linda Dowling, Jim Covey, Evan Karpf, Tom Gately, Carmine Fabrizio, Mike Gooden, Chuck Jellison, Bill Smalley, Scott Sonia, Tadd Bailey, Ben Jellison, Dan Garneau, DJ Garneau

Pledge of Allegiance

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.

Selectman Moroney made a Motion to: Accept the minutes for June 7, 2010, as written. Selectman Catalano seconded and the Motion was approved. Chairman Hancock abstained as he did not attend that meeting.

Stan Borkowski’s report was received and posted.

Jeff Duncan, Fire Chief, gave a presentation of the Department i.e. where it is and where it is going. Currently there are 2 fulltime firefighters, 14 call firefighters, 3 call EMT’s and 2 Explorers (school students). The average age for firefighters is 42.4 years and for EMT’s, 48.6 years. The average years of service among firefighters are 13.3 years and for EMT’s, 12.8 years.
Chief Duncan said their year goes from December through November, which allows them to get everything done by the end of the year.

Chief Duncan said this has been a typical year for the Ambulance in that the volume is heavier when the ski area is in operation, levels off and then increases when the ski area resumes operation in the late fall.

The Chief went on to explain what they do: They respond to fires, including vehicles, houses, grass, snow machines; to vehicle accidents and to rescue missions. They also participate in mutual aid for fires and EMS calls. He said most people aren’t aware of what goes on and that much happens in the nighttime – by the time people are up and going in the morning, accidents, fires, etc., are all cleaned up and hardly noticeable.

Chief Duncan noted again, as he has in the past that volunteer levels are decreasing. It’s not just in our community, as it has been seen all over the country – but he added something must be done to get more people involved. From this he went on to mention the Comprehensive Improvement Plan (CIP ) which is a great tool for planning ahead. He said in 2004 his department presented a five-year plan and for the most part have been able to accomplish what they needed to. He said this works very well for a vehicle replacement schedule as it helps to spread out cost, etc. He used the example of a forestry truck which is of great importance such as this past spring for the grass fire above the Recreation Center. They are in need of one and though called for in 2012, they are bumping their shift up a year to next year. Having the plan in place shows a clear picture for needs, etc.

Chief Duncan said his department is at or below their budget to date except in two areas which are slightly over. One is the department maintenance line as they built an electric hose dryer – a contraption that allows them to drape hose to dry thus extending the life of the hose as if a hose is put away wet, it promotes rot. If that happens, then they must be replaced much more frequently and they are very expensive. The second area over budget is the miscellaneous line and they had two gentlemen retire with a combined total in excess of forty years – and they wanted to give them recognition plaques.

Chairman Hancock thanked Chief Duncan for the very well done presentation.

Dan and D. J. Garneau were in to speak with the Board as they will be cutting trees in the town right-of-way on Twin View Drive and want to be certain that it is all right for them to do so. They are starting to work on a project for Mr. Sophis who plans to build a house next year, and this work will be for the water line and hopefully, underground electric lines. Road Agent, Bill Rines, had given them a letter of permission to do the cutting and they had also been given a plan showing the width of the road as 50 feet. Scott Sonia, Water Dept. Superintendent, confirmed the plan showing the width. It was stated the work will be done in front of the properties on either side of Mr. Sophis and the Board asked if the neighbors had been notified of the work to be done.

Selectmen Moroney made a Motion to: Send registered letters to the two property owners on either side of Mr. Sophis about the trees that are going to be cut. Chairman Hancock seconded and it passed unanimously.

Selectman Catalano said he would like to look at the plan and made a Motion that: they look at the plan before signing the letter from the Road Agent to the Garneaus. Chairman Hancock seconded and it passed unanimously. It was asked who would be responsible for any damage to the driveways during this phase and it would be the contractors, the Garneaus. The Board asked that the letter be rewritten to include that any repair work will be the responsibility of the contractor and the driveways will be returned to the condition they were in before the project started. It was also stated the letter should come from the Selectmen rather than the Road Agent. D.J. and Dan will see the Secretary to be sure she has the correct names and properties affected. A brief discussion ensued about the length of the ditches that will eventually be dug – about 320 feet starting at the hydrant by Art Savona’s house for the water line and 320 feet to 330 feet from the further corner of the property on the other side, for the electric.

Discussion about the railroad car and coal car from the Cog Railroad was next. Jim Covey said he marked the tentative location after Saturday, as Chairman Hancock said he couldn’t find it on Saturday. In answer to questions asked, Mr. Covey stated: he had called to get the maximum height of the cars, about 14 feet; the track is 4 feet 8 inches wide; he has allowed plenty of space for landscaping which will add a lot; the height will not interfere with the power lines – though Chairman Hancock asked about an easement; town liability extends the same as playground equipment, etc., the Cog is working on making sure there are no protrusions that might hurt someone, and the landscaping will assist in the safety factor. When asked about the responsibility of keeping it presentable, Mr. Covey said this is a partnership between the Cog and the Chamber and the town is not liable for maintaining it.

Concerns regarding the view were raised as well as what should happen in the future if the Cog gets new owners who are not as concerned as its current owners. Mr. Covey said they would be amendable if the town wants to draft an agreement with the Chamber for future responsibility for the display. He reiterated because the roads were built with Federal funds, locating the display closer to the roads would be on state property, and permits for historic preservation, and DES among them, would be required which could take years and years to get approvals. Relocation of the monument arose and Mr. Covey said there are various locations where it could go. Its current location is near a water line and Scott Sonia said he’d like to see it to verify that it is discontinued. Power lines and easement also came up and Mr. Covey said he will check but has already spoken with PSNH about it and he does not think there will be a problem. The smokestack is the highest point and it is actually shorter than the flagpole which is there now.
It was summarized to check on the power line, the view from the top of the hill and the water line.

Discussion of alternate locations for the railroad car which might eliminate all the issues took place. However, Mr. Covey stated that Mr. Presby prefers the location already discussed. It was wondered how to get public input and one suggestion was the town sign. Another suggestion was to do a test similar to the balloon test that was done when discussions about putting a cell tower in town were taking place. Others included placing signs around town as well as the fact that this meeting is being taped. Mr. Covey said he has no personal stake in where it goes he just wants to see it placed where it will have its biggest impact. It was noted there should be a timeline so it doesn’t get lost in paperwork. Mr. Covey said he will check with Mr. Presby about the location. He also said he will talk with Edith Tucker (of the Democrat) on what will be done when it’s decided. The balloon idea while a good one for placing them at 75’ at various measurements to show the outline of the display wouldn’t give the full perception because it would be “see through.” Ben Jellison said he thought he could get a couple of school buses as they would seem to be the approximate dimensions and would definitely be solid, to give a more realistic idea of location. This was appreciated and well received. Mr. Covey said he will come back to the next scheduled meeting, June 28, with information.

Selectmen spoke about the bid process for the glass crusher that was approved in March. Bill Dowling, Superintendent of the Transfer Station, had previously solicited prices – one from a company in New York which came in at $90,000 and one from Stephen St. Laurence in Henniker, New Hampshire which came in at $13,500, and which is the one Mr. Dowling preferred. The newspaper ads didn’t bring in any bids. After brief discussion, Chairman Hancock made a Motion to: Accept the bid from Stephen St. Laurence for the Glass Crusher. Selectman Moroney seconded and it passed unanimously.
The following item was approved and signed:

Water Warrant – Saffian (Pizza Pub)

A reminder was made that the office has the forms for Low and Moderate Income Homeowners Property Tax Relief. These must be mailed by June 30, 2010, and if the property owner qualifies, it could mean a small refund on their school taxes.

Under Other Business:

Chairman Hancock read a letter to Chief Trammell from Lt. Douglas J. Gralenski, District One Chief, NH Fish and Game Dept, in gratitude and appreciation of the efforts of Officers Tadd Bailey and Rick Brown. (Letter attached).

A form was received by the Town Clerk from DRA regarding the use of the Property Inventory Form. As the Town of Carroll uses Building Permits and does not use this form, it had to be verified by their signatures. Accordingly, Chairman Hancock mad a Motion to: Sign the form certifying that the Town of Carroll does not use the Property Inventory form. Selectman Moroney seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.

Selectman Catalano asked where we are regarding the Old Town Road issue with Mr. Gadbois. After briefly going over Mr. LaFrance’s recommendations, it was requested that the Secretary telephone Town Counsel, Jae Whitelaw as she was going to send a letter to Mr. Gadbois.

As there was no further business, Chairman Hancock moved to go into Non-Public Session for Personnel Matters and Town Aid at 8:21 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. Acting Chairman Hancock declared the meeting ended at 9:20 p.m. The next meeting will be Monday, June 28, 2010.

Town of Carroll, New Hampshire ®2024