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Minutes of 11/15/2010

November 24th, 2010

Carroll Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes
November 15, 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, Mark Catalano

The public meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM by Selectman Moroney

Members of the public present: Roberta McGee, Bill Dowling, Linda Dowling, Frank Maturo, Carmine Fabrizio, Mike Gooden, Tom Gately, Mark Clark, Sue Kraabel, Scott Sonia, Joan Karpf, Evan Karpf, Melissa Jellison, Ben Jellison, Rena Vecchio, Bill Smalley

Pledge of Allegiance

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

Chairman Moroney made a Motion to: Accept the minutes for November 8, 2010 as written. Selectman Catalano seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.

Chairman Moroney read the following statement: “This meeting is being taped by a private citizen and is not done under the auspices of the town and is not an official record of the town.”
Chairman Moroney announced for all who knew longtime resident and former airport owner, Joe O’Brien, he was to be discharged from the hospital in Rochester this evening. His condition is very serious and there is nothing further that can be done for him. Mrs. Moroney suggested cards might be welcome and she will send the O’Briens’ address to the Office tomorrow.
Mark Clark was in attendance regarding the vacant seat on the Select Board. Selectman Catalano started by saying that he had spoken this day with Mr. Clark. Joan Karpf had questions about the ad that went into the paper as well as asking if time was closed for expressing interest in the vacancy. She wanted to know why there was a deadline for the seat and how it worked. Chairman Moroney explained they had hoped to have the seat filled by October 25, given the timing being so close to the end of the year. But this has not happened and it is still open for applicants.
Selectman Catalano continued saying he had spoken with a lot of people involved regarding Mr. Clark’s offer to sit on the Board for the remainder of the term. He believes he made a fair and balanced approach and based on his conversations with several people, Mark Clark is not the person for the position. He said this is not based on his opinion of Mr. Clark, but his would be a no vote and that we need to continue to look for someone.
Sue Kraabel wanted to know why, that there must be a reason that based on several other people’s opinions he felt it was better to move forward and look for someone else. Selectman Catalano said he didn’t want it to become a personality issue, and Mrs. Kraabel said she felt it already was. Selectman Catalano said he ran on transparency and had avoided any discussions with anyone about who was bad in Town Hall, etc., and had refused to speak about the existing Select Board. He said, however, that he felt the Board was remiss in its duties by not paying attention to how it was perceived by the taxpayers in town. Mrs. Kraabel responded that from her standpoint it is personal and feels if they are not appointing Linda Dowling or Mark Clark, then the Board should make the decision to not appoint anyone and let the election be held in March. The papers that were served at the request of Linda Dowling, who wants to be appointed Selectman by the Court, were briefly discussed. (Selectman Moroney was served but Selectman Catalano was not). Evan Karpf asked if a petition signed by a majority of voters were presented, would Selectman Moroney change her mind. She said she would not. A brief discussion of numbers of signatures required took place, which appeared to be about 200, but Selectman Moroney maintained that her position was still “no.” Ben Jellison pointed out that Selectman Moroney was up front about why she would not support Mrs. Dowling and it was because she had run for Selectman, won the Office and then refused to take her seat.
Joan Karpf proceeded to question Mr. Clark about why he wanted to come to the Board. He said he had been on the Board at one time and just wanted to fill in until March. He also stated that watching and listening tonight, perhaps he could bring consensus to the Board – that when it is lacking, the Board is not functioning. Rena Vecchio said if Linda Dowling wants to run in the spring and wins, that’s fine and she will be everyone’s Selectman, not just those who voted for her. But she felt he would be a good choice as having been a Selectman, he was aware of the budget process as well as being conversant with all other aspects and thus would not require the training that someone else might. She also felt it would save the town some money from having to continue with Mrs. Dowling’s court case given that all departments are being required to cut their budgets whether it is by cutting employee hours or otherwise. Mrs. Vecchio added it was a great service to offer the town when Mark Clark offered to fill in. Evan Karpf questioned Mr. Clark numerous times that during his term there were so many deficiencies and safety violations in the town. Mr. Clark assured everyone that these issues went back a long time before he was elected Selectman and that the Board addressed these as well and as quickly as they could in a financial way that was acceptable to the town. Dr. Karpf continued that it was his understanding it would have cost the town $300 a day if not taken care of and that Al Strasser was elected, he was able to negotiate these things. Chairman Moroney reminded everyone that Mr. Clark was not on the Board by himself and further that he was not running for office, he had just offered to step in and take the vacant seat on the Board until the term was up in March. Melissa Jellison referred to Selectman Catalano’s earlier statement about looking for someone else, but she said March is coming with two people awaiting a decision so they should just pick one -- she wondered what “magical person in town” would do this. Selectman Catalano said he would be happy to table the matter and discuss it at the next meeting.
Selectman Catalano referred to an earlier statement when Chairman Moroney opined the Judge might appoint Mark Clark and said while that was the first he had heard of it, it would be fine with him; likewise, if the Judge appointed Linda Dowling, that would also be fine. But after speaking with municipal lawyers and based on their experience, it would be unlikely a Judge would make the decision to appoint anyone but let it drag out to an election.
Selectman Catalano then asked Ben Jellison if he was related to Mark Clark. When Mr. Jellison responded that he is his father-in-law Selectman Catalano responded that he had not asked Mr. Jellison his opinion of Mr. Clark when he spoke to various townspeople as he chose not to speak to anybody related to either Linda Dowling when asking about her nor to Mark Clark when asking about him. He asked that personal comments at these meetings cease, as he has voted in favor of things in direct conflict with the people who put him in office. He went on to say he speaks for no one but himself and that he was elected for one reason, which was to “bridge the gap,” which he is going to do. He said he believes he and Selectman Moroney have a good relationship and work reasonably well together.
Sue Kraabel wanted to clear up a couple of things one of which was that Al Strasser did not win the election in 2005 it was a decided by a coin toss, so to imply that Mr. Clark “lost” the election was a bit dicey. The safety issues brought up by Dr. Karpf, went back a way as Mr. Clark said, but the possible fines came after Mr. Clark’s term and when Mr. Strasser was in office, which were not up to $300 a day, but $100 a day. Further, to imply that Mr. Clark did not have a part in resolving things with the state and that Mr. Strasser did it all was wrong – it was too cut and dried in that the state came in, the town resolved it, and everything was fine.
Selectman Catalano wanted to be sure Mr. Clark did not think this was a comment on him personally. He respects what he had done for five years and what was done in the past. He urged both people to run for the position in March. Mr. Clark reiterated that he needed the change after five years, and that he has no plans to run again. His whole goal was to fill a need and help if he could.
The following items were approved and signed:
2010 Property Tax Warrant – 2nd Issue
Water Warrant – Merrimack County Savings Bank, Pike Industries
Town Hall Use Permit Applications – Mason, Twin Mountain Rec Department

The 2010 PILOT Agreement with the AMC was approved and signed with the correction that it says “PILOT Agreement” rather than “property tax” as printed. The PILOT Agreement elicited discussion regarding the value upon which the town will pay taxes to the school and County. It was requested that DRA be consulted again for clarification as the Selectmen understood when the Agreement was signed that the value would be removed for these purposes.

Bill Dowling presented his reduced budget as requested by the Board.

2011 REDUCED BUDGET FOR TRANSFER STATION
01-4324-10-100 RECYCLE SUPERVISOR $29,238.00
01-4324-10-101 RECYCLE ATTENDANT $12,285.00
01-4324-10-102 RECYCLE SALARIES $1,260.00
01-4324-10-200 RECYCLE LICENSES $100.00
01-4324-10-202 TRAINING & MILEAGE $750.00
01-4324-10-203 RECYCLE TELEPHONE $1,200.00
01-4324-10-300 RECYCLE MSW HAUL $4,340.00
01-4324-10-301 RECYCLE BULKYWASTE HAUL $0.00
01-4324-10-302 TIRES $0.00
01-4324-10-303 REC CTR C&D TRUCKING $0.00
01-4324-10-304 REC CTR TIPPING FEES $18,220.77
01-4324-10-400 TS SITE WORK $000.00
01-4324-10-401 TS EQUIPMENT PURCHASE $0.00 (to be funded from the
Recycling Equipment Special Revenue Fund)
01-4324-10-402 TS RECYCLE EQUIP REPAIR & MAINT $0.00
Special Revenue Fund
01-4324-10-403 TS LP GAS $50.00
01-4324-10-404 RECYCLE ELECTRICITY $2469.00
01-4324-10-500 ASSOCIATION DUES $50.00
01-4324-10-505 CONTAINER LEASE $653.38
01-4324-10-515 SUPPLIES $0.00
01-4324-10-516 CLOTHING ALLOWANCE 750.00
01-4324-30-100 RECYCLE MISC $0.00

TOTAL $71,367.00

Mr. Dowling explained the reductions he made from the budget he previously presented for 2011: lines Recycle Attendant, 22.5 hours at $10.50 per hour; Recycle Salaries, for vacation coverage only; Licenses, to cover only two people; Training & Mileage, only half the training now required with the reduction in licenses; Telephone, reduced but not to 2010 amount as there is a 5% increase to include internet; MSW Haul, down on trash this year; Tires, amount put in line 505 as it is actually for the container to hold the tires; C&D Trucking, removing line; Tipping Fees, 2010 less than 2009; Site Work, removing line; LP Gas, reduced; Electricity, installation fee is gone, but increased 6% as PUC approved raise to cover ice storms in the southern part of the state and 5% for possible general raise; Container Lease, amount for three months until Warrant Article passes for two containers which will then be paid by Special Revenue; Supplies, 0; Clothing Allowance line added for $750.00; and Miscellaneous, 0.
Selectman Catalano asked if the reductions will seriously expose the town anywhere which Mr. Dowling assured would not. He said he is going to stop accepting plastics 3 through 7 and plastic bags – to sell these a minimum of 40,000 pounds is required. He said he has been taking loads to Littleton as they have more storage, and the main thing behind it is it’s recycling, but he’s decided to stop that and is not going to make the effort anymore. He said to cut the budget further would require reducing the hours. Mr. Dowling noted based on town reports, the ten years from 1994 to 2004, the budget rose by $100,000 and in five years he has reduced this budget by $105,000. This year’s, at $71,366.99, is the lowest it has been since 1989, when it was $74,000. Mr. Dowling was thanked.

Selectman Catalano wanted to update everyone regarding the budgets – that he and Selectman Moroney are working with department heads and are looking for a reduction of 10% from last year’s Operating Budget, and they are all working very hard to accomplish this. He also stated he believes the amount of Unreserved Fund Balance applied to reduce taxes is probably the most ever used – though he will attempt to verify that. It was also pointed out that this will obviously not be able to be done again – as we can’t use what we don’t have. He noted he had spent some time with the Police Department and once salaries are removed, the total budget is only around $77,000 which is not a lot of money, and which follows similarly through all the budgets. Therefore, depending on which department, to significantly reduce budgets, it could require adjustments in service levels and people need to be aware of this now – they can’t have it all – there is bound to be some effect. Everyone has agreed to try to meet the 10% while keeping the impact minimal. It may come to the fact that reductions in some departments will be less due to the fact that it is not possible. Chairman Moroney said the reductions are based on the survey the Budget Committee did in which many respondents are looking for reduced spending. While there was a wide range of comments, the Selectmen feel 10% is fair. They are also trying to include raises for the employees as it is going on three years since the last one.

Sue Kraabel said though she had not studied the survey results, she had looked at the pie charts and graphs and when one compares these, the number of people who said the budget is about right added to the number of people who said too much has already been cut comes out higher than those who want the budget cut. She doesn’t want her taxes to keep going up either, but she said she’s very concerned if budgets get cut too much, that will be an error, too. Next year even if the budget stays the same, taxes will be going up because we won’t have the Unreserved Fund Balance. Selectman Catalano said he understands but believes in the current economy, people want to see the Board doing everything possible to keep costs down. Mrs. Kraabel said the budget has already been cut two years in a row and wondered how we are to get things done if we continue cutting it. She asked where the Budget Committee fit in with all this in that the Board already had presented their budget. Chairman Moroney said the Budget Committee felt they had cut only the easy items and were looking for more from the Select Board and they don’t want to be viewed as passing it on to the Budget Committee to make the hard cuts. Mrs. Moroney said as an example, the only way the Office could cut was to reduce hours and close on Fridays. The Committee was concerned they would be blamed for this and she assured them it is the Select Board who has the last word.

Tom Gately asked what the tax savings on a $200,000 house using the new tax rate might be, but no one had figured it out. He reiterated that even with all the cuts, next year’s tax rate can’t help but go up because of using such a large amount of the Unreserved Fund Balance. During his discussion, he spoke of the anonymous letters that have been circulated around town for the past year and a half and called them disgusting. He said they shouldn’t be sent if people don’t have the courage to sign them. He also stated that instead of putting anyone else through what Mr. Clark was put through tonight, the Board should say no to another Selectman until March. He repeated his concerns about subsequent tax rates unless we “slash and burn services;” expressed his concerns about no funding for CIP and not funding Capital Reserves; it is his belief that previous Boards stuck their heads in the sand – as in “can’t see it, it doesn’t exist” and he worries that we’re going backwards again. He referred again to the anonymous letters that “crucify and rip people to shreds” and said somehow this has to stop. He said as a result, the town is getting mean and nasty. Mr. Gately further iterated his concerns about voting against spending money in the Capital Reserves to allow Highway and Police to purchase new badly needed vehicles.

Selectman Catalano responded that he would work with Selectman Moroney and bring an article forward for a new police cruiser and would be willing to encourage that it be voted in, in light of his feeling confident that two things are accomplished. He added that this would also include his encouraging a 3% increase in wages. Ben Jellison asked Selectman Catalano what the two things are to which he replied that the Selectmen listen to what is being told to them through the surveys which are a reduction in taxes and a reduction in spending/operating budget. While budgets are still being crafted, he is cautiously optimistic that we will be able to at least get very close to the 10% reduction and, of course, the amount that was used from the Unreserved Fund Balance has already reduced taxes this year.

Sue Kraabel referred to Mr. Gately’s earlier question about the tax savings on a $200,000 home and said it was $242 as she had just worked it out. Mrs. Kraabel then inquired if anyone had asked Dan Walker or Jeff Duncan about generator grants or if they have looked to see if any are available. Chairman Moroney said not that she was aware of, and in fact she was pretty sure after last year’s article was defeated, in which the town’s cost was very small, that they’ve both washed their hands of it – the attitude being portrayed seems to be that we don’t need it. Mrs. Kraabel wanted to know if it would okay for her to talk with someone and the Board said it was fine.

Under other business, Chairman Moroney said when the Library budget was before the Budget Committee, the Trustees said they need new shelves and have some money in their fund, but need $24,000 for the reconfiguration based on the plans that have been drawn up for them. Mrs. Moroney said she knew the Safety Committee was meeting and contacted them to do an inspection of the shelving only. They completed this and said they were very concerned about the shelves, especially the two center sets which appear to be quite dangerous – wobbly, coming apart, etc. Chairman Moroney said she wondered if the town could put some money in this year to allow them to get this taken care of before someone gets hurt. It was decided to ask someone from the Library to come to a future meeting to discuss their plans, etc. Joan Karpf asked if these were special or if they could be made. It was stated these would probably be portable so they may be moved if something else is done about the Library in the future. Tom Gately said they want to make the Library ADA accessible, which a new configuration would.

Chairman Moroney said with Thanksgiving coming next week, she would like to make a Motion that: There not be a meeting on November 22. Selectman Catalano seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.

Evan Karpf spoke of several items including bringing up the Industrial Park again. He said he would like the Board to reconsider looking into it as he’s concerned there may be a missed opportunity of having a business come if we are not prepared. He also mentioned that there will come a time when the town will have to have areas designated for workforce and senior housing.
Rena Vecchio suggested putting a committee together to look into using the property. It was stated that discussions also need to be held with Jay Ouellette who has been involved with this from its inception.

Brief discussion was held about a warrant article the Library had brought earlier regarding a fund for improvements. Chairman Moroney said we need to check about this as they already have a Capital Reserve fund set up that may be for the same thing.

There being no further discussion, Selectman Moroney made a Motion to: adjourn the meeting. Selectman Catalano seconded and the Motion passed unanimously. Selectman Moroney declared the meeting ended at 8:40 p.m. The next meeting will be Monday, November 29, 2010.

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