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Minutes of 12/13/2010

December 17th, 2010

Carroll Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes
December 13, 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 7:02 PM by Chairman Moroney

Members of the public present: Roberta McGee, Bill Dowling, Linda Dowling, Frank Maturo, Mike Gooden, Evan Karpf, Joan Karpf, Jim Covey, Lisa Covey, Lori Hogan, Scott Sonia, Bill Smalley, Tadd Bailey, Jeff Duncan, Jerry Palmer, Chris Hancock

Pledge of Allegiance

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

Chairman Moroney made a Motion to: Accept the minutes for December 6, 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 sponsorship of the town and is not an official record of the town.”

Chairman Moroney announced that word had been received that Bill Wright, former longtime Selectman, was in very critical condition.

The following items were approved and signed:

Thank you letters – Georgia Courchaine, Diane Talotta, Vincent Spiotti/AMC
(For Thanksgiving dinners)
Tucker Library Interiors, L.L.C. Contract
PPACA Amendment to Medical Insurance
Town Hall Use Permit Applications – Monahan, Gilman
Veteran’s Exemption – Power
Workers Comp, Unemployment, property Liability Insurance
Letter to Palmer Group Re: Acceptance of Road in River’s Edge 2 Subdivision

Chairman Moroney said she sits on the Budget Committee and stated the various departments and department heads are always asked to do, take away, etc., but seem to never be thanked for all they do. She read a copy of a letter of thanks which she wrote and asked Selectman Catalano to sign with her. Chairman Moroney made a Motion To: Sign the letter of thanks from the Selectmen. Selectman Catalano seconded and the Motion passed.

In that vein, Selectman Catalano said he wanted to reiterate something he has said in the past. He had the misfortune to deal with the Police Department in another town, and wanted to express again his “deep gratitude for the professionalism displayed by the Police in this town.” He is “proud to be associated with this Police force.” He was careful to explain that he was not excluding the Fire Department intentionally he hasn’t had to deal with another town’s fire department yet!

It was explained by signing the contract with Tucker Library Interiors, L.L.C., that the shelving may be ordered and we can encumber the funds from this year to pay in January or February when they are ready for installation. Chairman Moroney said she has asked the Library Trustees to look into the price of carpet also. She added that the Jr. ROTC class at White Mountains Regional High School has been approached to help with putting the books in boxes and painting the Library, which they said they would. All arrangements will be confirmed with the class instructor by Lori Hogan, whose son is in the program.

Gerald Warren attended regarding the acceptance of the road(s) in the River’s Edge 2 subdivision and with reference to the letter for the Palmer Group. Mr. Warren said the shoulder work that had been requested was completed last week. He said he didn’t understand that roads had to be completed and used for a minimum of a year before they can be accepted by the town. Discussion took place regarding requirements for roads and more information will be checked on and forthcoming. Mr. Warren referred to the “as built” plans mentioned in the letter and said it is not usual to request those at the beginning of the process. He said because of the cost of getting these, if the road is voted on and approved, the plans will be completed and turned in. It was stated that Bill Rines will be asked to take a look at the work on the road.

Under Other:

The Secretary said she is working on the revisions of the Employee Manual and will have them ready for the next meeting. Selectman Catalano asked if the Selectmen could have copies if they are ready prior to the meeting so they can review them.

Chairman Moroney said there will not be a meeting next week, December 20, as Selectman Catalano must be away on that day and may not be back in time. Therefore, the next meeting will be on Monday, December 27.

Selectman Catalano said he wanted to make a comment to correct a perception that’s “out there.” There is an email circulating giving 100% credit to him for using the large amount of unreserved fund balance to help reduce taxes when setting the tax rate. He said that is untrue and stated for various reasons, he wasn’t even at the meeting when the tax rate was set. He went on to say that Chairman Moroney was the “heavy hitter” on it and actually suggested a higher amount than he was originally thinking of suggesting they use. He said he was a contributor, but he was not the one who made it happen.

Selectman Catalano then asked Mike Gooden starting in the New Year, if he would be willing to give a 5 or 10 minute “history lesson” at the beginning of the Selectmen’s meeting, maybe a couple of times a month. It doesn’t have to be every meeting, but he would like it to be on a regular basis. Mr. Gooden said he’d be happy to give it a try.

Bill Dowling said he had been going through past years’ annual reports and noticed in 2008 that a transfer had been made of about $25,000 from the planning fund without a warrant article and wondered if it was a mistake or what. Chairman Moroney said it was a mistake, that when it came to light early in the year that it should be transferred, no one knew there had to be a warrant article, so it was just transferred. It was assured that it was put into the General Fund and there is documentation to show it. Discussion about special revenue funds took place with Mr. Dowling explaining how he uses his and the process for doing so. It was noted the intent of the planning fund is to help cover the cost of the Code Enforcement Officer/Building Inspector. This money is raised in the Operating Budget, but when money is approved for transfer, it is reflected in the MS-4 which shows town revenues. This is used for setting the tax rate – the amount is deducted from the amount of money needed to be raised by taxation. The merits of special revenue funds were discussed, as these are funds usually raised outside of taxation, by fees, and particularly as they relate to the necessity of purchasing a large piece of equipment, as an example. Mr. Dowling pointed out that when the baler was purchased in 2004 or 2005, the cost was $53,000; in 2010, it was $98,000. Selectman Catalano directed the discussion back to the planning fund as he said they got off a bit, and in further discussion it was noted the warrant article for transferring funds from planning to the General Fund was defeated. Selectman Catalano wondered why that might have been and several suggestions were made, but no one could answer specifically. It was noted that people can disagree but it should be done respectfully and it was also suggested that maybe a better job of explaining needed to be done, when it comes to the warrant articles.

Jim Covey told the Board the Chamber is adopting soldiers from Carroll who are in fighting zones around the world and sending care packages to them. He asked if anyone knew of a soldier from town to please let them know the name and address of that soldier. He said they have one who is the son of Valerie Balch and Chairman Moroney suggested his name and address be put on the bulletin board as there may be people who would like to send him a card.

There being no further business, Selectman Moroney made a Motion to: adjourn the meeting. Selectman Catalano seconded and the Motion passed unanimously. Selectman Moroney declared the meeting ended at 8:15 p.m. The next meeting will be Monday, December 27, 2010.

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