Selectboard Meeting Minutes

Minutes of 4/2/2024

April 5th, 2024

Carroll Board of Selectmen
Meeting of the Select Board
Meeting Minutes
April 2nd, 2024

“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: Meg Basnar
Board Members: Bonnie Moroney, John Greer

Members of the Public: Imre Szauter, Jeff Duncan, Bobbi Amirault, Vern Amirault, Brian Mycko, Rena Vecchio, Bill Vecchio,

Pledge of Allegiance

Signing of bills and manifests completed prior to this meeting.

Selectperson Moroney motioned to approve the minutes of 3/19/2024 with a correction under the water warrants signed on 3/19/24. The one that was recorded as “84 Ruth Road” will be corrected to read as water warrants for the quarter of the Town. Other than that Selectperson Moroney made a motion to approve as corrected. Selectman Greer seconded this motion, all in favor none opposed. Motion to approve corrected minutes of 3/19/2024 passed.

The Select Board was presented with a Driveway Permit for Sugarloaf Drive. Selectperson Moroney made a motion to approve and sign. Selectman Greer seconded this motion. All in favor, none opposed. Motion to approve and sign Driveway Permit for Sugarloaf Drive passed.

The Select Board was presented with an Intent to Cut for Bayroot LLC. Selectperson Moroney made a motion to approve and sign. Selectman Greer seconded this motion. All in favor, none opposed. Motion to approve and sign Intent to Cut passed.


The Select Board was presented with a Supplementary Water Warrant for 38 Parker Rd. Selectman Greer made a motion to approve and sign. Selectperson Moroney seconded this motion. All in favor, none opposed. Motion to approve and sign passed.


Chaiman Greer recognized Imre Szauter of the Energy Commission. Szauter presented the Selectmen with a letter of recommendation on behalf of the Energy Commission regarding the proposed agreement with Affinity LED regarding the implementation of the LED streetlight initiative voted for by the Town’s residents in warrant article #11. Szauter informed all members of the Energy Commission agree regarding their recommendation to the Select Board to sign the contract and pay the 50% deposit of $31,701 to schedule the LED conversion project. Selectman Greer reported that he felt impressed with this contract stating he felt it was fair and favorable to the Town. Selectperson Moroney inquired when the 50% would be due. Szauter informed that following the Selectman’s signature the contract would then be sent to the contractor for Affinity LED Steven R. Lieber for his signature. Once the contract is signed by both parties and the 50% deposit is made the project can move forward. All rebates from Eversource are distinct and separate. Selectman Greer informed there is no urgency regarding when a check needs to be issued, however Szauter stated Affinity LED would like to begin the project on or before July 1st and complete it no later than September 30th. Prior to beginning work there will be an audit completed by Affinity and presented to the Energy Commission. Szauter informed at that point the energy Commission would bring Fire Chief Duncan, Police Chief Bailey, and Public Works Director Sonia to review what is presented. Following this consultation the Energy Commission would then come before the Select Board and present their findings and recommendations. Selectman Greer made a motion to approve and sign the contract for Affinity LED for $63,402 and the initial payment of 50% of $31,701. Selectperson Moroney seconded, all in favor, none opposed. Motion passed and Affinity LED contract signed by Chairman Greer.


The Select Board was presented with an application for a property tax exemption. Selectperson Moroney made a motion to approve and sign. Selectman Greer seconded this motion. All in favor, none opposed. Motion to approve and sign the application for property tax exemption passed.

Selectman Greer informed all in attendance that Echo Lake Phase 2 needs DES approval. Selectman Greer also informed on the recommendations by the Fire Chief Duncan in his letter to the Water Commission and the Planning and Select Boards regarding the fire pond for Phase 2. Selectman Greer informed it is his understanding that the project is on hold until the recommendations from Chief Duncan and the engineering report are provided to DES. Selectperson Moroney also informed that Northpoint will also be attending the Planning Board Meeting scheduled for Thursday night.

Selectman Greer went on to discuss information obtained from NHMA regarding the maintenance and up-keep of private roads. Greer stated the Town could make them an emergency lane then maintain the road at the Town’s cost. NHMA also informed that when plans for a sub division are presented there should be a clear plan outlined which determines how the private road will be managed. Since some of these private roads were not originally intended to be sub-divisions there was no plan in place when parcels of land were sold. Selectman Greer informed that in his communication with NHMA he was informed that a Town regulation on the standard to which a private road needs to be maintained is not enforceable in any way. Greer informed the second option is that the residents on the private road would agree to come together and maintain their road. The Select Board will follow up on this topic at the next meeting of the Select Board

FOLLOW UP:

Selectperson Moroney discussed the progress made with Fieldstone Lane and informed the driveway permit from the State has been approved. She will begin reaching out seeking pricing and contractors to complete the project.

Selectman Greer made a point to recognize Selectperson Moroney for her continued work with projects such as Fieldstone Lane and her time spent working closely with Town employees to assist in training and sharing her knowledge.

Selectperson Moroney informed she has been looking at building permits from various towns as well as requested the Selectmen familiarize themselves with the current building permit. She stated that she felt Bethlehem and Lincoln had good material to use. Selectperson Moroney discussed adjusting the building permit application so if the applicant is making under $3,000 of improvements to an existing structure with no water, sewer, fixtures, no new bedrooms, or no new heated spaces without changing the footprint. She stated she would also have s regulation related to changing any current means of egress. Selectperson Moroney informed that the warrant article related to building permits is similar to an article implemented in Littleton and they are experiencing difficulties. Selectperson Moroney stated she is trying to appease to a point within reason feeling that most of the frustration comes from needing a building permit for relatively small improvements. Moroney stated she is working on this issue and will continue to do so. Voters and residents are welcome to come before the Select Board with suggestions or concerns to discuss them. Moroney explained the need for having a dollar amount related to the building permit and its impact on the assessing process.
Fire Chief Duncan was asked to provide his input and he informed that he is fine with anything below $3,000 not needing a permit. He followed by reading the suggestions he brought stating “Any alterations involving changes in style, size, or location of a primary or secondary means of egress shall require a building permit and inspection.” He continued with his second recommendation “The addition of, or conversion to, any habitable space, living area, or bedroom shall require a building permit and inspection.” Chief Duncan explained to Selectman Greer why he would like these additions to be included in changes to the building permit going forward. He informed his concern is for safety and maintaining dual means of egress as homeowners make changes.


OTHER:

Selectperson Moroney informed she has ordered 3 porta-potties for the expected influx of tourists related to the eclipse. These will be delivered to the information booth Friday the 5th and will be picked up Tuesday the 9th. Moroney informed she will keep an eye on them and stock them if needed. Moroney informed that Bobbi Amirault will put this information on the sign by the Post Office, as well as putting another sign down by the Vecchio residence with the same information.

Selectperson Moroney informed the refrigerator in the employee breakroom died over the weekend and was removed. She would like to move forward with getting that replaced. The recommendation was made to get an energy star rating due to the rebate from Eversource and savings down the road. Imre Szauter recommended checking the State website NH Saves for the rebate forms. Selectman Greer made a motion purchase another refrigerator for the break room for under $800. Selectperson Moroney seconded, all in favor, none opposed. Motion to get a new refrigerator for the breakroom for under $800 passed.

Bill Vecchio discussed the upcoming Button Up workshop, advertising done and the attending representatives from Eversource. He informed the Energy Commission has been working diligently and welcomes all to attend.

Fire Chief Duncan provided a quarterly update for fire and EMS. As of March the call numbers were 94 ambulance calls and 31 fire calls, which is where the department was in the middle of Jule last year. He informed staffing is good, budget is good, but wanted to remind the Select Board on the high number of calls at this point in the year. Chief Duncan informed much of this is due to an increase in travel and tourism.

Vern Amirault presented the Select Board with a NH State flag and would like to display it at the Town Hall permanently. Amirault informed all that would be needed is a stand. Selectman Greer made a motion to buy a stand for the NH flag. Selectperson Moroney seconded, all in favor, none opposed, motion passed. Selectman Greer made a motion to display the NH flag in the left corner of the Community Room of the Town Hall. Selectperson Moroney seconded, all in favor, none opposed, motion passed.

Chief Duncan informed the Fire Department now has possession of the original Twin Mountain Fire Engine 1 made in 1964. They will be working to restore this engine hopefully for next year.

Imre Szauter discussed the Affinity project and informed they need a main person to act as the point of contact. This person would be responsible for bringing information to the Select Board and working with the Administrative Assistant if needed. Selectman Greer made a motion to appoint Imre Szauter as the is the official point of contact for Affinity LED. Selectperson Moroney seconded, all in favor, none opposed, motion passed.

Administrative Assistant Meg Basnar informed the Select Board that neighboring towns of Lancaster and Littleton will have their Town Offices closed in observation of the eclipse and increased traffic due to tourism. Basnar requested on behalf of the other Town Office workers that the Town Hall be closed on Monday the 8th and will resume normal office hours on Tuesday the 9th at 8:30 a.m.

The next meeting of the Select Board will be held on Tuesday April 16th, 2024 at 5 p.m.

At 6:06 p.m. Selectman Greer made a motion to go into non-public for legal. Selectperson Moroney seconded the motion. Motion to go non-public for legal and personnel passed.

At 7:35 p.m. Selectman Greer made a motion to return to public session and seal the minutes. The motion was seconded Selectperson Moroney. Motion to return to public session and seal non-public minutes passed unanimously.

Selectman Greer made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:36 p.m. Selectperson Moroney seconded this motion. Motion to adjourn passed, meeting adjourned at 7:36 p.m.