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Minutes of 06/13/2011

June 23rd, 2011

Carroll Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes
June 13, 2011

"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: Mark Catalano, Bill Dowling. Bonnie Moroney was excused.

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

Members of the public present: Roberta McGee, Linda Dowling, Jim Covey, Lisa Covey, Joan Karpf, Evan Karpf, Mike Gooden, Joyce Charrette, Scott Sonia, Butch Garneau, Sue Kraabel, Jeff Duncan, Tadd Bailey, Frank Maturo, Bill Smalley

Pledge of Allegiance

Linda Dowling filmed the meeting.

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

Chairman Catalano made a Motion To: Accept the minutes of June 6, 2011, as written. Selectman Dowling seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.

Chairman Catalano read an email from Susan K. Kraabel, Town Treasurer, regarding opening Certificates of Deposit at the Laconia Savings Bank for some of the ambulance and recycling funds. Mrs. Kraabel went on to explain this is a special deal right now for 2 year CD’s at 1.80%. Inasmuch as the NH PDIP interest is down to .07%, she spoke with Jeff Duncan and Bill Dowling about their money needs and thus made the recommendation to do this. She provided a spreadsheet on the allocation of the money and explained that even if they found they needed to withdraw money before the maturity date, they will have earned enough money in interest to cover the early withdrawal penalty of six months’ interest, and still be ahead of where they would be if they left everything where it is now. Mrs. Kraabel said she had looked at other banks also, and this is the best out there at the time. Chairman Catalano made a Motion To: Accept Mrs. Kraabel’s proposal. Selectman Dowling seconded and it passed unanimously. Mrs. Kraabel had checks for the Selectmen to sign so she could make the deposits.

Chairman Catalano read an email from George Brodeur, Sr. (attached). It was noted that while the line for legal fees was discussed to allocate the financial review, the actual decision was to allocate to the audit line. Butch Garneau asked if the Board had any comments and was told no. Mr. Garneau said it’s just going along with what has been said all along – not because they are in a hurry to purchase it, but what was done. Chairman Catalano reiterated about the spending freeze and said they have two ambulances and don’t need to buy another one. He explained they had the meeting today with Carol Coppola for the financial review. Referring to Mr. Brodeur’s email, Chairman Catalano said an audit looks backwards not forward, so he disagrees that we have an auditor for the financial health of the town. He went on to say they are only looking part way into July for completion. Mrs. Kraabel asked how long the quote for the new ambulance is good for and the Chairman said about three and a half months. Jeff Duncan said he believes 90 days and at some point the 2011 will be sold out so it will convert to the 2012 model year, which most likely will affect the price.

The following items were approved and signed:

2011 Property Tax Warrant – First Issue
Yield Tax Warrant – Bayroot, LLC; U.S. Government
Water Warrant – Saffian (Pizza Pub)

Other

Chairman Catalano made a Motion To: Remit half of their budget to the Chamber of Commerce. Selectman Dowling seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.

Selectman Dowling brought forth a “Bid Procedure” to go along with the Bid Policy previously adopted by the Board. Chairman Catalano read the Policy (available for review in the Office). Selectman Dowling made a Motion To: Accept the Bid Procedure. Chairman Catalano seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.

Selectman Dowling brought up an email about flu vaccine. He will look into it further.

Selectman Dowling brought a letter of request from the Carroll Information Group for the funds approved at voting in March. Chairman Catalano asked Linda Dowling to speak about the request. Mrs. Dowling said they are using old equipment which keeps breaking down and they need to start replacing it. At this point the Board decided to discuss all of the so-called “feel good” articles and noted it has been customary for the Town to pay half of the amounts in June and the remainder in December, except those for $500 and less, in which case the full amount is paid in June. Chairman Catalano made a Motion To: Pay 50% of the list of “feel good” or non-profit warrant articles, except those for $500 and under which will be paid in full. Selectman Dowling seconded.

Butch Garneau asked if this includes buying a new camera and what happened to the freeze on spending only if necessary. Chairman Catalano stated that he feels it is important to have meetings filmed. Discussion of funds took place and it was asked what the total amount for these articles is. The amount was not available but some thought it was around $10,000 and the Secretary thought around $12,000. It was noted the following will be paid at 50%: Tri County CAP, North Country Home Health & Hospice, Littleton Regional Hospital, Northern Human Services-White Mountain Mental Health/Common Ground, Caleb Interfaith Volunteer Program, Ammonoosuc Community Health Services, Northwoods Home Health & Hospice Services (division of Weeks Medical Center), Coalition Communities, Tyler Blain House, and Carroll Information Group. The American Red Cross and CASA will be paid in full as they are $500 or less.

The Motion passed unanimously.

Selectman Dowling brought up an email from North Country Council about a free building energy assessment. He said he will speak with Greg when he returns next week.

Selectman Dowling brought up “Numeric Tallies” regarding recommendations on warrant articles. He said he would like to adopt this. Chairman Catalano read the section from “The Basic Law of Budgeting – 2010 Edition: that Selectman Dowling brought in. Selectman Dowling made a Motion To: Accept Numeric Tallies. Chairman Catalano seconded and discussion began. Jeff Duncan asked if the Board would vote on it in the case of a petition warrant article. He believes it should be all or none. Joan Karpf and Sue Kraabel both thought they should check to find out if the Board can vote on them before they vote on this Motion. Linda Dowling said in the past the Select Board has voted only on money articles. It was decided to table this until the next meeting, when they can find out what they may vote on or not.

Selectman Dowling brought up the “Citizen Complaint/Inquiry Form”. He spoke with Mount Washington Graphics and received a quote of $75 plus $10 shipping and handling for 250 3-part forms. Chairman Catalano made a Motion To: Accept this quote, Selectman Dowling seconded and the Motion passed unanimously. Maryclare will call Wednesday to place the order.

Butch Garneau asked if the Board will respond to George Brodeur’s email. Chairman Catalano said he will make that an action item and will draft a response for June 27.

Jim Covey said he had called Mike Perry who owns Naturally New Hampshire and he doesn’t have a problem with moving the signs away from the road. Mr. Covey said he would be happy to do it, but he needs a truck do so. He went on to say that Mr. Perry told him there had been a lot of vandalism at the motel. Mr. Covey said there has also been vandalism at the Information Booth and after discussion about it in general, it was stated that the word needs to get out. If people see anyone in places where they shouldn’t be, night or day, they should call the police.

The discussion turned to signs and one in particular at the Northern Zermatt. Ownership was questioned and it will be looked into. It was also questioned if Don Gadbois is aware of the sign on his post for Skeet’s/Brenda’s Country Kitchen. He will be contacted.

Discussion then turned to a possible blight ordinance in town. It was said that Stan Borkowski is the code enforcer and the Select Board as enforcers should express what they want from him and follow up. Further, a comment was made that the Select Board could take a look around town and send letters to individual owners.

Mrs. Kraabel noted a previous Select Board decided not to do anything unless someone wrote a letter to the town and/or filed a complaint. It was stated that Stan should be asked to note issues of “blight type” around town and notify the Board. Jim Covey said then he is “filing a Formal Complaint.” He said he has heard from any number of people that Route 3 is a mess. He said he is willing to help do whatever he can – he said we need to get serious about this. There could also be a safety issue if emergency personnel have to enter some of the buildings. Mr. Covey went on to say there needs to be some beautification done – that perhaps a group of people might get together. It was agreed that Chairman Catalano and Mr. Covey would meet Thursday or Friday to put some ideas together. It was also decided it might be better to address the blight issue first for safety, health, etc., reasons. The possibility of one-time waiving Transfer Station fees was also brought up. They decided to try setting up a day to get a group together.

As there was no further business, the Board was polled and went into non-public session for town aid matters at 8:30 p.m.

At the close of Non-Public Session, Chairman Catalano moved to return to Public Session and seal the minutes from Non-Public Session. Selectman Dowling seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.

There being no further discussion, Chairman Catalano made a Motion to: adjourn the meeting. Selectman Dowling seconded and the Motion passed unanimously. Chairman Catalano declared the meeting ended at 8:41 p.m. The next meeting will be Monday, June 27, 2011.

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