Selectboard Meeting Minutes

Minutes of 7/11/2023

July 14th, 2023

Carroll Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes
July 11, 2023

“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 Kelly Trammell, Secretary Pro Tem
Board Members: Jules Marquis, John Greer, Bonnie Moroney

Members of the Public: Tadd Bailey, Brian Mycko, Imre Szauter, Mike Gooden, Bob Hayes, Geri Hayes, Joan Karpf, Dave Scalley, John Gardiner, Bobbi Amirault, Rena Vecchio, Jeff Duncan, Greg Hogan, Chris Pappas, Ian MacMillan, Jim Murphy, June Rogier

The meeting was called to order at 5:00 p.m. by Chairperson Marquis

Pledge of Allegiance

APPROVAL OF 6/27/2023 SELECT BOARD MINUTES – Selectperson Greer made a motion approve the minutes as written. Chairperson Marquis seconded. The motion passed with Greer – aye, Marquis -aye and Moroney abstained as she was not a Board member at the time.

APPROVAL OF 6/28/2023 SELECT BOARD MINUTES – Selectperson Greer made a motion to approve the minute as written. Chairperson Marquis seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

Selectperson Greer stated before the presentation, he would like to welcome Bonnie Moroney to the Board.

TREBEL ENERGY – Scott Belcastro – Mr. Belcastro gave a presentation of his company and lowering energy supply costs. He said there are options to purchase power at a lower cost than Eversource however, transmission and distribution costs would have to remain with Eversource. Discussion was held on rates, billing cycles, additional costs as well as the effect on residents that already use a different provider. The Board thanked Mr. Belcastro for his time.

CORRECTED WATER WARRANT 2ND QTR BILLING – The Secretary advised that there had been a billing error on the warrant the Board signed the week prior. This warrant was a correction. Selectperson Moroney made a motion to approve and sign. Selectperson Greer seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

SUPPLEMENTAL WATER WARRANT (ECHO LAKE, HAVENER) – Selectperson Moroney made a motion to approve and sign. Selectperson Greer seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

OATHS OF OFFICE (MORONEY, MORAN, BUSHWAY) - The Board reviewed Oaths taken by Moroney for Selectperson, Moran for Deputy Treasurer and Bushway for Police Officer. Selectperson Greer made a motion to approve the Oath for Moroney. Chairperson Marquis seconded and the motion passed, Greer – aye, Marquis – aye and Moroney abstained. Selectperson Moroney made a motion to approve the Oaths for Moran and Bushway. Selectperson Greer seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

DRA PA-28 FORM - Selectperson Moroney made a motion to approve and sign the form. Selectperson Greer seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

DRA PA-16 FORM – Selectperson Moroney made a motion to approve and sign the form. Selectperson Greer seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

ABATEMENT – FALVEY-VANTANGOLI – Selectperson Moroney made a motion to approve the denial and sign the form. Selectperson Greer seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

ABATEMENT – RIVERSIDE TRUST – Selectperson Moroney made a motion to approve the denial and sign the form. Selectperson Greer seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

ABATEMENT – COOKSON – Selectperson Moroney made a motion to approve the abatement and sign the form. Chairperson Marquis seconded and the motion passed, Marquis – aye, Moroney – aye, Greer abstained as he said he is an abutter and friend of the applicant.

ABATEMENT – MOORE – Selectperson Moroney made a motion to approve the abatement and sign the form. Selectperson Greer seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

ABATEMENT – ROBIE – Selectperson Moroney made a motion to approve the abatement and sign the form. Selectperson Greer seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

NORTH COUNTRY FIRE MUTUAL AID CONTRACT – Selectperson Moroney made a motion to approve and sign the form. Selectperson Greer seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

SAMS ENTITIY ADMINISTRATOR - Fire Chief Duncan advised this is to make him administrator to assist in collecting ambulance billing when a Veteran is involved. Selectperson Greer asked if there is billing that is not collected. Duncan responded that there is $5,000 - $7,000 outstanding for veteran billing. Selectperson Moroney made a motion to approve and sign the form. Selectperson Greer seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

AUGUST 12 RECREATION EVENT – Selectperson Greer announced the event to be held at the Recreation Area to include lawn games, swimming, a food truck and a band. Selectperson Greer discussed buying plywood to build a stage. Selectperson Moroney asked why doesn’t the band set up on the basketball court. Greg Hogan said he spoke with a band member who said being on the basketball court is actually what they prefer. Selectperson Greer made a motion to approve the party. Selectperson Moroney seconded and the motion passed unanimously. Selectperson Greer made a motion to approve an alcohol waiver at the Recreation Area for the event from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Chairperson Marquis seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

EASEMENT LOT 408-014 – The Secretary advised the Board this was in reference to an email that was previously forwarded to them where a gentleman is looking to buy the property but there is a Conservation Easement on it. This person is looking for the Board to advise him how the Conservation Easement will affect his proposed project if he purchased the property. Joan Karpf advised that she is on the Conservation Commission which is tasked with reporting if the land is being used as per the Easement. After a brief discussion it was determined that this request is not a function of the Select Board and the email author should obtain direction from his own legal counsel.

FOLLOW UP

PIKE ACCESS AGREEMENT – Public Works Supervisor Greg Hogan advised the Board that the sand we get is not screened. It is bank run sand. Hogan stated the additional cost of screened sand is $5,000. Selectperson Greer asked Police Chief Bailey if he had mentioned they are getting flat tires. Bailey said yes, we are getting beach sand and boulders. Chairperson Marquis asked about getting material from a different pit. Hogan said screened sand would have to come from Dalton for an increase in cost and trucking. After a brief discussion, Chairperson Marquis made a motion to table the topic indefinitely. Selectperson Greer seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT VACANCY – The Secretary advised there was one applicant and the topic is on the agenda for non-public for discussion. Selectperson Moroney said Franconia had a similar situation with their position being open. Moroney asked permission to go to Franconia to obtain a copy of their job description. She said with the information they used, this Board may be able to make better decisions. Selectperson Greer made a motion for Moroney to go to Franconia to obtain information. Chairperson Marquis seconded and the motion passed unanimously. Rena Vecchio stated we should do exit interview to find out why people leave. Bob Hayes mentioned that the Town should find other way to advertise such as signs or in our local stores. He said nobody reads the newspaper anymore. Moroney will check with Franconia on how they advertised.

TOWN SIGN – LIBRARY – June Rogier stated the library was not included in the original sign order. She said the Library Trustees would like to pursue adding the Library to the sign but she does not want to hold up the sign installation any further. Chairperson Marquis asked about the timing of the sign. Greg Hogan said he needs to put the whole thing up at once. The rider for the library changes the installation of the sign. Chairperson Marquis made a motion to purchase the sign as long as the library is paying for it. Selectperson Greer seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

John Gardiner gave the Board photo examples and pricing of another sign option from a company in Jefferson. June Rogier said we need better markings of what is in each building. She said it is confusing when you drive in and actually the whole campus could use better markings.

Chairman Marquis made a motion to put the sign on, acknowledge there will be a time delay and the cost will be paid by the library. Selectperson Greer seconded and the motion passed unanimously. Selectperson Moroney made a motion for the Chair to sign the contract. Selectperson Greer seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

1800 ROUTE 302 BLDG PERMIT – Selectperson Greer said he researched the Supreme Court Decision Conway v. Cutter. The Court voted in favor of the homeowner in the case but did say the matter depends on the zoning in each town. Selectperson Greer said our zoning is ambiguous. Greer said the Carroll Planning Board has made a ruling that it is residential. He said there is a variance that exists allowing more than one residence on the property.

Dave Scalley said, as Building Inspector, he put a commercial price on it because there are multiple houses on one property and creating income. He said one property is used as a wedding venue.

Chairperson Marquis said the difference is $150. He would like to let it go as residential and move on. Selectperson Moroney said you are opening a can of worms for just letting it go. It will make others want the same treatment.

There was further discussion that in the Conway decision the owner had multiple properties throughout Town and not multiple buildings on one lot.

The Secretary advised she spoke with the Assessor. The indication of the marking on the tax card is based on the type of structure the assessors are looking at when on site. They do not check with our zoning ordinances as to labeling. If we asked it to be changed, they would. She said in reference to a situation like this, other Towns have looked at if the pieces that the houses are on could be subdivided per the Town’s ordinances. If they can, then it is looked at as more residential. If it cannot, then it could be commercial. She said in the end though, like already mentioned, we must look at our zoning.

The Board tabled the matter until there is more information.

OTHER

Dave Scalley said he owns one building on Fieldstone Lane and has recently bought the Post Office building. He said people are cutting through Fieldstone to beat the traffic light. There are also parking issues with people, trucks and trailers parking in front of both buildings to access the store next door. Scalley asked the Board to consider closing Fieldstone Lane on that end and proposed that in front of 104 Fieldstone Lane he will change the entrance to be a 24 ft entrance way.

Police Chief Tadd Bailey acknowledged the cut through to beat the lights and stated he would be ok with closing the road. He said the next problem will be that the trucks and trailers will park on Route 3 and this will be hazardous. He would like to see it addressed with the State.

Scalley said in the past, when addressed with the State, it was pushed back. He said the State wanted the Town of Carroll to take care of the signage and the enforcement. Scalley said the Town’s insurance company did not want us getting involved with that.

Selectperson Moroney made a motion to close Fieldstone Ln. Selectperson Greer seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

Selectperson Moroney advised the Board she did a worksheet on the budget and proposed expenses which she provided to the Board. She said she hoped she did not offend them but knew they are new and it may help. Moroney said she wanted to correct herself from a prior zoom meeting and the warrant article did not pass to offset costs of the Building Inspector. It will now be paid by taxation instead of permit money. Selectperson Greer said he just wants to recap but it looks like we are doing well with the existing budget.

Fire Chief Duncan asked the Board about budgeting for next year. He said in 2023 there were discrepancies the way holidays were paid and budgeted for and he wanted to clarify where to put it next year. There was brief discussion and the Board agreed it should be budgeted in the salary lines.

Police Chief Bailey asked about pay for next year. There was discussion of hourly versus salary. Both he and the Fire Chief stated the put in for salary pay last year and the previous Board decided they would remain hourly. There was no decision made.

Joan Karpf asked about the Wetland Conservation Overlay District in the Zoning Ordinance. She said an ordinance is only as good as can be enforced. She said our GIS has a layer for it and wants to know how it applies to the ordinance. Dave Scalley advised her to be cautious as the map lines are not exact in our GIS system. The Town looked at updating it at a cost of about $40,000. Karpf was advised the Board is looking at dates to have a workshop with the Planning and Zoning Boards.

Bob Hayes stated Franconia requires short term rentals to register. When they sign up, they are agreeing to enforce certain things. One of them is paying rooms and meals tax. Hayes would like the Town to investigate it here. He said it will improve the life of people who live in town and bring in more revenue.

Brian Mycko said if they are registered as Air BNB, that company takes out the tax. It is a mandatory deduction. Dave Scalley said the problem is people use Air BNB for the first reservation and then book directly with the homeowner if they want to rent again and circumvent Air BNB. Selectperson Moroney said she will ask Franconia for a copy of their policy. Chairperson Marquis said he has a copy. The Board agreed this is something worth looking into further.

At 7:16 p.m. Selectperson Greer made a motion to go into non-public for legal and personnel. Selectperson Moroney seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

At 8:06 p.m. Selectperson Moroney made a motion to return to public session and seal the minutes. The motion was seconded by Selectperson Greer and all were in favor. Motion passed unanimously.

Selectperson Moroney made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Selectperson Greer seconded and the motion passed unanimously. Chairperson Marquis declared the meeting ended at 8:06.