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Minutes of 08/09/2010

August 19th, 2010

Carroll Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes
August 9, 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 7:00 PM by Chairman Hancock.

Members of the public present: Roberta McGee, Bill Dowling, Linda Dowling, Frank Maturo, Mike Gooden, Carmine Fabrizio, Ann Fabrizio, John Trammell, Kelly Trammell, Scott Sonia, Bill Smalley, Jeff Duncan, Tom Gately

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.

Stan Borkowski’s report was received and posted.

Chairman Hancock made a Motion to: Accept the minutes for July 26, 2010, as written. Selectman Moroney seconded and the Motion was approved. Chairman Hancock abstained as he did not attend the meeting.

Chairman Hancock brought up the Statewide Mosaic Parcel Map. The NH Department of Revenue Administration along with the Departments of Information Technology, Safety and Transportation are working with the UNH Technology Transfer Center to assemble this map with a linked assessment database. Chairman Hancock had asked that Fire Chief, Jeff Duncan, be contacted, as it was noted that the Fire Station has software which might be incorporated. Chief Duncan said he has been trying to get in touch with June Garneau at North Country Council as they have worked on mapping together in the past. Chairman Hancock said he felt this was of interest and would like to learn more about it. He further stated that it would be wonderful if we could bring this level of information to town. The Secretary will make contact to find out what we should do now/next.

An update on the Highway truck was given. Dick’s Truck Sales and Autobody had been asked to pull the motor to determine if it could be repaired and when found that to be possible, were requested to do the repair at a cost of $5,375.88: $1,700 for labor and $3,675.88 for parts.
The following items were approved and signed:

Water Warrant – Picconi, Boudle, St. Croix
Property Tax Abatement – Penacho
Land Use Change Tax – Perlmutter
State Water Grant Request and Certification

Under Other:

Selectman Moroney spoke of the budget showing the year-to-date figures. She asked her colleagues to look it over. There was general discussion including where the money may come from to cover the $30,000 deficit brought up at the previous meeting. Selectman Moroney went on to say it’s time to begin having the departments and committees come to the Board to prepare for the Select Board budget to go to the Budget Committee. She suggested the Board go back to weekly meetings beginning with the next meeting so the Board can finalize the budget on October 11. Selectman Moroney said she would write up the letters for the department heads and committee chairmen. Chief Duncan noted his budget is ready and Police Chief John Trammell said his is also nearly finished but he was wondering how to handle the vehicle repair line as he had little idea of how much to include. He was asked what he estimated it would cost to keep the Charger on the road and he responded $10,000. It was recommended that he use just that amount as hopefully people will realize that repairing the Tahoe is just throwing money away.

The Secretary referred to the discussion at the previous meeting when she was asked to talk with Stan Borkowski, the Building Inspector/Code Enforcement Officer about using a form when people telephone with property inquiries or complaints and about the Building Inspector calling before visiting properties. Mr. Borkowski said no form was necessary, but then said it was entirely up to the Select Board if they wanted to try using one, but he did not make any recommendations that any board approve or adopt one. As far as telephoning before visiting properties, Mr. Borkowski said absolutely not. He went on to say that anyone with a Building Permit has signed authorization that the Officer may visit at any time and he further stated that the International Building Code, which the Town of Carroll adopted several years ago, supports this as well. Mr. Borkowski had left a form as a sample and the Board suggested it be adjusted for our use and we’ll see how it goes.

Chairman Hancock read a notice from Patrolman Bailey and Detective Brown (attached) regarding news and information about the Police Department. This will also be posted on the bulletin board.

Bill Dowling said the Hazardous Household Waste day ad would be in the paper on Wednesday, August 11. The date this year is Saturday, August 14, from 8 a.m. to 12 noon. Mr. Dowling also told the Board he had sold the metal pile to Allmetal out of Vermont for $2,085.

Mr. Dowling went on to say that last year the Board changed raises from across the boards to merit raises and wondered if there were any guidelines. Selectman Moroney responded that it wasn’t changed 100%. The Budget Committee had said they should do merit raises so they implemented evaluations which had been talked about for many years but never done – now they have a start on these for using as guidelines. Mrs. Moroney said there were no raises again last this year for the second year in a row, and the process is still being worked on. Mr. Dowling said he’d like to put himself in for a raise and will give a list of his merits.

Frank Maturo asked why the property leased for the Police Department is exempt from paying taxes and was told that was the way it was. He went on to ask why the lease was renewed for another four years the same way, and was told they believe the rent is based on this. Mr. Maturo said the Whitefield Police pay $1,400, including utilities, and he’s quite sure the building owner pays taxes. He went on to talk about the building not being up to code and stated numerous times that the Police deserve better. He asked about the deficiencies and was told they are being fixed slowly: the electric (panel) has been fixed, the hole in the floor in the back has been fixed, handrails have been installed, and the door to the furnace room will be installed soon – the issues are being addressed.

Selectman Moroney reviewed the history and said at the time the then-Police Department was condemned because of mold and the Police had to move out quickly. They had three options, one being the house just beyond the Northlander, but they had been told that Evan Karpf owned the lot between the house and Little River Road and was looking at putting a bank on the property and they would need to share a driveway. The second was the Funtown building, but looked at it and saw that the back walls were rotting and needed replacing and learned that there was a big mold problem. The Hogans’ property was the best option – it had an excellent location, it was dry, the ceiling was not falling down, there was no mold, etc. While it’s true that it could be better, it was accepted as it was and was taken only as temporary location. Selectman Moroney said we still have to find a permanent home for the Police. Mr. Maturo asked about the Building Inspector’s walk-through earlier and also asked Chief Duncan who said some things are below code. Paying to bring it into compliance came up and it was stated the Hogans are making an effort to make it code/safety compatible. Selectman Moroney mentioned there is a Building Feasibility Committee meeting on Thursday night, August 12. Discussion continued and Mr. Maturo passed out a list of concerns and asked if any may be checked off. It was noted a few could be and that a contractor has been in and inspected for repairs. It was agreed to talk with Mr. Borkowski and Chief Duncan about life safety issues and if there are any to talk with the Hogans and go from there.

Mike Gooden said the Historical Society yard sale is coming up and they would like permission to have it in their usual spot up by the Information Booth, on the Saturday and Sunday of Labor Day weekend. The Board agreed it was fine. Mr. Gooden also stated if anyone has donations for the yard sale the pick-up committee is himself, John Gardiner, Phil Bell and Scott Sonia and they’ll be happy to take a call.

Selectman Catalano noted that we have reached an amiable agreement with Mr. Gadbois about the ditching that had been done a few years ago on Old Town Road. Town Counsel is sending a letter for Mr. Gadbois to sign and then we will go forth from there with DES. If approved by DES, a culvert and a ditch will be removed and the big drainage ditch will be maintained. They believe this is the least costly solution as well. Discussion turned to a large beaver dam up there and the danger for the road if it were to let go. The subject of trapping beaver came up and it was stated it might be done but with permission only, and noted that it may be part of the Johnson Motel property.

Selectman Catalano said he had a couple of concerns about the ordinances that had been brought up previously. He said he had heard it said that it’s just another way to compensate for tax revenue losses. He wanted to comment that the old Ordinance had a list similar to the current and any violations carried a $1,000 fine. The new version shows different fine amounts, and less in most cases, so that shows there is no attempt by town government to increase revenues. It was merely an attempt to update with realistic fees. He also said he had just been told regarding handicap fees that the State has upper and lower limits, so these may want to be looked at. His second concern was asking if this had been done through Town meeting vote originally. If it was, the Selectmen have the authority to set the fees, if not, perhaps we should put the new one on the Warrant to be sure it’s legal.

It was noted again that we need a representative for the local cable TV consortium. We will post a request for people to sign up to be on the committee that we are hoping to form and from which they will get a representative. This person will then go to the consortium meetings on behalf of the Town. It was thought the committee might meet once a month and the consortium meets once a year. It was decided to have volunteers sign up by August 20. Jeff Duncan asked if the Board had read the cable agreement. Mr. Duncan also reminded that the town gets pretty good income from the local cable companies.

As there was no further business, Chairman Hancock moved to go into Non-Public Session for personnel matters and town aid at 8:33 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 9:40 p.m. The next meeting will be Monday, August 23, 2010.