Selectboard Meeting Minutes

Minutes of 8/6/2024

August 6th, 2024

Carroll Board of Selectmen
Meeting of the Select Board
Meeting Minutes
August 6th, 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, Jules Marquis
Members of the Public: Mike Gooden, Bobbi Amirault, Imre Szauter, Dave Scalley, Scott Sonia, Bill Vecchio, Scarlet Taylor
Meeting called to order at 5:00 p.m.
Pledge of Allegiance
Signing of bills and manifests completed prior to this meeting.
Selectperson Moroney motioned to approve the minutes of 7/23/2024, Selectman Marquis seconded this motion. All in favor none opposed. Motion to approve minutes of 7/23/2024 passed.

Selectperson Moroney motioned to approve the minutes of 7/29/2024, Selectman Marquis seconded this motion. All in favor none opposed. Motion to approve minutes of 7/29/2024 passed.

The Select Board was again presented with the Driveway Permit Application for Billbarb Road. This application was resubmitted with a corrected map. Select Board reviewed the Driveway Permit Application. Selectperson Moroney made a motion to approve and have the Chairman sign the Driveway Permit Application for Billbarb Road. Selectman Marquis seconded, all in favor, none opposed. Motion to approve and have Chairman sign the Driveway Permit Application for Billbarb Road passed.

The Select Board was presented with a Certificate of Occupancy # 2022-31 Markey. Chairman Greer made a motion to approve and sign. Selectman Marquis seconded this motion. All in favor, none opposed. Motion to approve and sign Certificate of Occupancy # 2022-31 Markey passed.

The Select Board was presented with a Certificate of Occupancy # 2023-125 Sirgany/Emond. Chairman Greer made a motion to approve and sign. Selectman Marquis seconded this motion. All in favor, none opposed. Motion to approve and sign Certificate of Occupancy # 2023-125 Sirgany/Emond passed.

The Select Board was presented with a Certificate of Occupancy # 2022-65 Dorsey. Chairman Greer made a motion to approve and sign. Selectman Marquis seconded this motion. All in favor, none opposed. Motion to approve and sign Certificate of Occupancy # 2022-65 Dorsey passed.

The Select Board was presented with a Supplementary Water Warrant for 2024. Selectperson Moroney made a motion to approve and sign. Chairman Greer seconded. All in favor, none opposed. Motion to approve and sign Supplementary Water Warrant passed.

The Select Board was presented with a letter to be signed by the Select Board and then sent to legal. Chairman Greer explained this letter. Selectperson Moroney motioned to have Chairman sign. Selectman Marquis seconded. All in favor, none opposed. Motion to have Chairman sign passed.

The Select Board was presented with a Certificate of Timber Tax # 23-075-03-T. Selectperson Moroney made a motion to approve and sign. Selectman Marquis seconded. All in favor, none opposed. Motion to approve and sign Timber Tax # 23-075-03-T passed.
The Select Board was presented with a Certificate of Timber Tax # 23-075-05-T. Chairman Greer made a motion to approve. Selectman Marquis seconded. All in favor, none opposed. Motion to approve Timber Tax # 23-075-05-T passed.

The Select Board was presented with a Certificate of Timber Tax # 23-075-04-T. Chairman Greer made a motion to approve. Selectman Marquis seconded. All in favor, none opposed. Motion to approve Timber Tax # 23-075-04-T passed.

The Select Board was presented with a Gravel Tax for Pike Industries. Chairman Greer made a motion to approve. Selectman Marquis seconded. All in favor, none opposed. Motion to approve Gravel Tax for Pike Industries passed.

The Select Board was presented with a letter regarding roadway damage to Poplar Lane to be signed by the Select Board and sent to Mr. Klaassens. Chairman Greer discussed the damage and was informed by Dave Scalley that the damage was caused by an excavator. Selectperson Moroney informed the letter from the Town is requesting the road be repaired. Moroney read the letter into the minutes. “The Select Board has become aware of damage to Poplar Lane as a result of heavy equipment utilized for construction on Tax Map/Lot Number: 207-020-037-018. The Select Board requests that the damage to Poplar Lane caused by construction on the above-mentioned property be repaired. Enclosed you will find documentation of the damage for your review. Should you have questions regarding this matter please reach out to the Select Board through the Selectman’s Assistant Meg Basnar.” Chairman Greer made a motion to approve. Selectman Marquis seconded this motion. All in favor, none opposed. Motion to approve letter regarding roadway damage to Poplar Lane and send to Mr. Klaassens approved.

The Select Board was presented with information from Police Chief Bailey regarding the revision of the policies and procedures which govern the Carroll Police Department. Selectperson Moroney reported Chief Bailey could not attend this meeting and read Chief Bailey’s letter to the Board. Chief Bailey’s letter is as follows “Town of Carroll Select Board, I am very happy to announce that after almost a year of continuous work, Lt. MacMillan and I have finally been able to complete a total revision of the policy and procedures that internally govern the Carroll Police Department, along with the associated forms. This was no small task and involved thousands of pages of paperwork and countless days stuck in the office. This is the first time in the departments history that we not only meet, but in some cases exceeded state and federal guidelines /laws for police department operations. The policy and procedures manual is the foundation for all of the department's operations. When properly developed, implemented, and maintained a policy-procedure manual provides officers with the information to act decisively, consistently, and legally. It also promotes confidence, trust, and professional conduct among the officers. While the policy-procedure manual will always remain an active document, we now have a solid foundation to grow from. Attached; is the table of contents to give some insight on what the departments manual entails. The next step that we will be exploring is seeking state accreditation. Accreditation is a validation by an independent third party that agency best practices have been met and are continuously monitored to ensure compliance. New Hampshire formed their Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission in 2022 and while state accreditation is not required, it certainly is beneficial. Being accredited helps improve department proficiency, effectiveness, helps decrease liability / lawsuits, and most importantly provides better-quality ties with the community through transparency and accountability. Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions or comments you may have.” Selectperson Moroney provided the Select Board with the table of contents for their review.

Selectperson Moroney reminded all that the Recreation Area is for the town’s people and usually if someone who is not a resident of the town would like to use it, they come to the office and ask permission to use it and have a taxpayer from the Town of Carroll to sign for them. Moroney continued stating that although it is wonderful that the Recreation Area is being utilized, she requested that if it is to be used on the weekends to please carry out what trash you carry in due to bear activity. Moroney also informed that there are signs at the Recreation Area for no dogs due to previous issues with dogs. Moroney stated there was a dog recently at the Recreation Area and caused some destruction to the bathrooms. Moroney again highlighted that this is an area for the taxpayers of the Town of Carroll and requested that all respect the area. Moroney informed that if issues continue the town may have to lock the gate and she just wanted to bring this to everyone’s attention. Discussion followed with the suggestion of posting a sign regarding carrying out any trash from the Recreation Area after use, as well as an informational sign on the process for reserving the Recreation Area.

Chairman Greer discussed Boulder Mountain View. Mr. Phillips was not present. Greer informed on Phillips’ request to trench Fieldstone Lane to put in a larger water pipe for his fire suppression system. Public Works Director Scott Sonia informed on his knowledge of the work being done, stating Phillips informed him this was backup for the agreement the Town wrote up regarding the catch basin. Sonia stated no work is being done currently. Chairman Greer informed that rather than the catch basin agreement, which had been approved by the Select Board previously, Phillips dug a trench to direct the water being pumped from the basement into a stream. Greer asked for clarification on the sequence of events regarding how the water became an issue. Dave Scalley informed that the original plan was to do a slab construction, then Phillips decided to dig a foundation. It was during the blasting for the basement that Phillips hit a stream which is now causing flooding in the basement. Greer asked if Phillips was aware of the stream prior to building the remainder of the house. This was confirmed. Concerns were raised regarding water being pumped from a basement into the stream which empties into the Ammonoosuc River. Greer discussed the request made by Phillips at a previous Select Board meeting regarding trenching Fieldstone Lane and referenced the Carroll Water Use Regulations Section 2.3 Installation of Water Pipes (e) which he read into the minutes. “Whenever a feeder line must go under an existing road to connect to the main, the water line must be bored and sleeved by a company approved by the TOWN at the expense of the OWNER. The line must be inspected by the TOWN.” Based on this regulation and Mr. Phillips not being present Chairman Greer made a motion to deny Mr. Phillips’ request to trench across Fieldstone Lane and ask that he comply with the Carroll Water Use Regulations under letter e under installation of water pipe. This motion was seconded by Selectman Marquis. All in favor, none opposed. Motion to deny Mr. Phillips’ request to trench across Fieldstone Lane and ask that he comply with the Carroll Water Use Regulations under letter e under installation of water pipe passed.

FOLLOW UP:
PRIVATE ROADS
Selectperson Moroney informed the Land Use Secretary has the list of private roads and letters to residents on private roads will be going out shortly.

OTHER:
Chairman Greer discussed the emergency Select Board meeting on 7/29/2024 due to the application for a solar grant and the need for Select Board approval of a representative and signature on the application. Greer informed the application has been submitted and accepted, the town is waiting to be notified of approval. Greer commended Imre Szauter and Bill Vecchio of the Energy Commission for their hard work during the grant application process and expressed his gratitude.

Selectperson Moroney handed out the Short Term Rental Regulations as well as a copy of the warrant article to the other members of the Select Board for their review. Moroney informed on a conversation with the Fire Chief due to an issue with a short term rental over the weekend, and encouraged the Board to review the regulations and move forward with implementing this warrant article. Moroney informed on her work on this initiative and asked the Board to review and be prepared to discuss at the next Select Board meeting. Chairman Greer recognized Dave Scalley who informed on the building the Fire Chief was referring to in regards to permits for the work being done, but stated that the building is in foreclosure and should not be rented out.

Selectperson Moroney affirmed that the other members of the Select Board had copies of the budget presentation schedule which will be starting the 17th of September.
Selectperson Moroney informed on an additional letter as part of the 2023 audit process which needed to be signed affirming that all information was provided to the auditors. Moroney informed due to the multiple employees working on the audit that year who are no longer with the town she requested permission to sign as a Selectperson.

Chairman Greer made a motion to allow Selectperson Moroney permission to sign the Non-Attest Services Draft Approval. Selectman Marquis seconded. All in favor, none opposed. Motion to allow Selectperson Moroney to sign the Non-Attest Services Draft Approval passed.

Chairman Greer recognized Bill Vecchio who clarified that the Solar Grant Application was submitted to the New Hampshire Department of Energy (NHDOE). Mr. Vecchio continued and informed on the progress regarding the LED street light warrant article. Vecchio stated the Energy Commission is expecting a copy of the audit and will meet with Affinity Lighting who is the contractor for the project and will move forward from there. Vecchio informed that the installation is expected to take two to three days and should be done by September 30th 2024. He continued, stating that New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDOE) is providing a free energy audit at no cost to the town. Information has been submitted and recommendations from the NHDOE are expected. Vecchio informed that at the June 12th 2024 Energy Commission meeting was attended by Community Power Coalition of New Hampshire who held a presentation. During the presentation the possibility of application for the Solar Grant was made known to the Energy Commission. November 30th 2024 is when the grant determination will be announced. Vecchio also discussed battery storage for the solar project on the Public Safety Building and the ability to provide power to the generator through the battery should the need arise. Vecchio informed Clean Energy NH offers a free no obligation study to determine which type of battery would best suit the needs of the town should the solar project move forward and answered questions from the Board regarding this project.

Selectperson Moroney informed on the new cell tower and the Land Use Secretary looking into the updated price of a security bond to remove the cell tower when no longer in use.

Chairman Greer recognized Dave Scalley asked the Select Board about their thoughts regarding making Fieldstone Rd a one way road to avoid the implementation of the speed hump previously agreed on by the Select Board due to concerns from the Director of Public Works regarding plowing. Scalley discussed chapter 265 Rules of the Road section 265:23 “The Commissioners of Transportation may designate any way in any separate roadway under his jurisdiction one way traffic and shall direct appropriate signs giving notice there” as well as noted RSA 41:11. Chairman Greer asked the Director of Public Works who was in favor of a one way over speed humps. Selectperson Moroney suggested putting the matter to a town vote to allow the voters to determine the outcome and stated the Select Board would think about this matter further.

Chairman Greer asked for any additional matters. Dave Scalley requested being permitted to enter non-public for personnel as well as legal, the Select Board did not object.

Chairman Greer made a motion to enter non-public for legal and personnel at 6:00 p.m., Selectman Marquis seconded. All in favor, none opposed. Motion to enter non-public for personnel and legal passed.

At 7:07 p.m. Selectperson Moroney made a motion to return to public session and seal the minutes. The motion was seconded by Chairman Greer. Motion to return to public session and seal the minutes passed. Roll Call Vote to seal the minutes passed unanimously.

Selectperson Moroney made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:08 p.m. Chairman Greer seconded this motion. All in favor, none opposed. Motion to adjourn passed, meeting adjourned at 7:08 p.m.

The next meeting of the Select Board is scheduled for Tuesday August 20th at 5 p.m. at the Carroll Town Hall Community Room.