Selectboard Meeting Minutes

Minutes of 8/22/2023

August 23rd, 2023

Carroll Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes
August 22, 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: Brian Mycko, Vern Amirault, Tadd Bailey, Mike Hogan, Bobbi Amirault, Rena Vecchio, Jeff Duncan, Chris Pappas, Mike Gooden, Dianne Hogan, Ian MacMillan

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

Pledge of Allegiance

The Board reviewed the minutes from the August 8, 2023 meeting. Selectperson Moroney said toward the end of the minutes is a paragraph talking about tax rate setting was not properly reflected as it had nothing to do with school tax rates. Moroney made a motion to correct the minutes to reflect that “Kelly Trammell stated the office had a conversation with the Department of Revenue and schools were expected to receive money again this year. The schools can roll the money to next year’s budget or can hold a special meeting to spend it this year. This same event happened last year and the school held a late meeting which held up the Town’s tax rate setting process. As a result, it created a revenue pinch for the Town and departments had to “pump the brakes” on their spending. Trammell wanted the Board to be aware it could happen again this year.” John Greer seconded the motion and all were in favor.

The Board reviewed a Certificate of Occupancy for Digesse. Selectperson Moroney made a motion to approve and sign. Selectperson Greer seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

The Board reviewed an Oath of Office for Dianne Hogan. Selectperson Moroney made a motion to approve and sign. Selectperson Greer seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

The Secretary advised the Board she had an abatement form to sign for housekeeping purposes. They were tax abatements that the Board had approved and signed on each individual paper but the tax collector had forgotten to include the formal abatement form. Selectperson Moroney made a motion to sign. Selectperson Greer seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

Selectperson Moroney sated she had been contacted by Ken Mills who volunteered to be a Deputy Health Officer. His wife currently holds the Health Officer position and he would like to be able to help her in the matter of research and paperwork. Selectperson Greer said Mills had done a great job with handling the Boulder Motor Court letter and thinks he would be an asset. Selectperson Moroney made a motion to approve Ken Mills as Deputy Health Officer. Selectperson Greer seconded and them motion passed unanimously.

Fire Chief Jeff Duncan advised the Board that a company had been in to do required pump testing on the trucks. In moving one of them, someone from the company backed Engine 1 into a marker post and did some damage. The company will be taking care of the cost of repair to the truck.

The Secretary stated she received a phone call from Dave Scalley, Building Inspector. He was not able to make the meeting but requested the Board extend two building permits that were now more than two years old. One is for the gentleman across the street from the Town Hall who is doing the work himself and anticipates being done in about six months. The other is on Dartmouth Ridge and had fired his builder. It took another year to find a new builder and anticipates a year to completion. Selectperson Moroney made a motion to extend these permits another year. Selectperson Greer seconded. Mike Hogan said he is concerned of the Town’s cost of extending permits. He said if this is requiring more inspections, there should be a cost of extending and it should be looked into further. The Secretary advised that the building inspector only goes on inspections when called for such as completion of footings or framing. Extra inspections were not being performed. Selectperson Greer said we are coming off the tail end of the pandemic and it has been tough getting work done. He does not see an issue with extensions. Chairperson Marquis said he does not see this as problematic and in fact there have been very few extensions. Chief Duncan said inspections are done based on when certain items are complete and he does not see it as extra work for himself or the Building Inspector. A vote was taken and all were in favor.

The Secretary relayed to the Board that Dave Scalley was meeting the following day with a representative to work on the Town’s ISO rating. Zoning ordinances, building permits and processes are all evaluated to get an ISO rating which effects insurance ratings on individual’s homes.

Other:

Selectperson Greer asked if the Board is having private meetings and non-public meetings that aren’t posted. Chairperson Marquis stated no. Greer asked if the Board got together the week prior without him. Chairperson Marquis said yes; it was a continuation of a previous non-public meeting decision. Selectperson Greer said he still had not received a message as to what happened. Greer said Marquis ran on transparency and Selectperson Moroney had been on the Board long enough that they should have posted a meeting. There was discussion that the matter was a continuation of a prior non-public session and there was a need to act. Chairperson Marquis said the matter would be continued in non-public due to personnel and information from a prior non-public meeting.

Rena Vecchio asked if the Town closed the entrance to the Post Office. She was advised the property owner put up devices to assist in parking for Post Office patrons. There have been problems of trucks with trailers and RVs parking and blocking the Post Office as well as the building next door. Vecchio asked about Fieldstone Lane being closed by the Town. She said the Town has to vote to approve taking over a road and now it seems we have closed a road without a Town vote. Selectperson Moroney said the Town had closed it in the past. Vecchio replied that if it was wrong then, it’s wrong now. Mike Hogan said the road ends at the stop sign. He was cautioned by several people that statement isn’t true. Chairperson Marquis said we will have to find out if the section in front of the old fire station is a Town road or not. Vecchio said she wants to know if it’s legal to close a road without a vote. Marquis said it will be looked into.

Bobbi Amirault asked to the status of the Rec. Committee. She said the Garden Club comes under that budget and wants to know if they will have to present a budget again. Selectperson Moroney told her to have the Garden Club put together a budget and present it at the appropriate time. She was advised budget season will begin in October.

At 5:34 p.m. Selectperson Moroney made a motion to go into non-public for legal and personnel. Selectperson Greer seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

At 6:28 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.

At 6:28 p.m. Selectperson Moroney made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Selectperson Greer seconded and the motion passed unanimously.