Selectboard Meeting Minutes

Minutes of 9/17/2024

September 17th, 2024

Carroll Board of Selectmen
Meeting of the Select Board
Meeting Minutes
September 17TH, 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: Ed Martin, Mike Gooden, Scott Sonia, Imre Szauter, Bobbi & Vern Amirault, John Foster, John Gardiner, June Rogier, Ben & Melissa Jellison, and Greg Smith of Wright-Pierce.

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 9/3/2024, Selectman Marquis seconded this motion. All in favor none opposed. Motion to approve minutes of 9/3/2024 passed.

The Select Board was presented with two Property Tax Abatements for 2024 for Wolf and McKeough related to campers. Selectperson Moroney made a motion to approve and sign. Selectman Marquis seconded this motion. All in favor, none opposed. Motion to approve and sign Property Tax Abatements for 2024 for Wolf and McKeough.

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

The Select Board was presented with a Land Use Change Tax. Selectperson Moroney made a motion to approve and sign. Selectman Marquis seconded. All in favor, none opposed. Motion to approve and sign Land Use Change Tax for Lewis passed.

The Select Board was presented with a warrant for Land Use Change Tax for T & S Foster Excavation. Selectperson Moroney made a motion to approve and sign. Selectman Marquis seconded. All in favor, none opposed. Motion to approve and sign Land Use Change Tax for T & S Foster Excavation passed.

The Select Board was presented with an application from White Mountain Regional High School (WMRHS) School Board for use of the Town Hall Community Room on November 21st, 2024 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Ben Jellison provided information to the Select Board regarding the size and scope of the School Board meeting, stating the School Board would like to host meetings in the community to increase involvement. Selectperson Moroney made a motion to approve the Community Room Use Application. Selectman Marquis seconded. All in favor, none opposed. Motion to approve the Community Room Use Application for WMRHS School Board on November 21st, 2024 passed. Application signed by Chairman Greer.

The Select Board was presented with A Management Representation Letter from Plodzik & Sanderson for the Town of Carroll’s 2023 financial audit. Selectperson Moroney made a motion to approve and have the Chairman sign. Selectman Marquis seconded. All in favor, none opposed. Motion to approve and have the Chairman sign passed. Selectperson Moroney made a motion to allow herself to sign since the employee who was in the office and involved in the audit process for 2023 has retired. Selectman Marquis seconded. All in favor, none opposed. Motion to approve and allow Selectperson Moroney to sign the Management Representation Letter passed.

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

Chairman Greer recognized Greg Smith of Wright-Pierce. Smith informed he had completed a tour of the town’s water infrastructure with Department Head Scott Sonia earlier in the afternoon and would return to Wright-Pierce and discuss with colleagues before finalizing his recommendations to the town. Smith discussed potential issues for the town’s water infrastructure which included the proximity of the town’s wells. Should the wells need to be cleaned both would need to be shut down and would result in the town going without water for approximately one week. Smith also discussed the need to increase the town’s water storage as well as address valve issues. Smith informed that Wright-Pierce has a grant funding department and can work with the town in application for grant funding to assist with the cost of improvements. Smith recommended application for smaller grants over several years to address improvements in stages. Smith informed the valve issue could be resolved rapidly and will discuss his recommendations with his colleagues and provide options to the Select Board. Smith and Sonia left the meeting at 5:36 p.m.

BUDGET PRESENTATIONS

Chairman Greer recognized John Gardiner of the Library Trustees who presented the Twin Mountain Public Library budget for 2025 to the Select Board. Gardiner informed on the activities of the Library over the last year and presented the Library Trustees’ recommendation of a 5% raise for the Librarian. June Rogier, also a Library Trustee, highlighted the importance of having a qualified Librarian and paying an appropriate wage for the region. The Trustees recommended no change from 2024, aside from the 5% raise for the Librarian, which would bring the budget from $17,266 in 2024 to $18,150 for 2025.

Chairman Greer recognized Selectperson Moroney who reviewed the Conservation Commission budget for 2025. The total requested budget for the Conservation Commission is $440, with no changes from 2024.

Chairman Greer recognized Ed Martin who informed on the expenses of the Cemetery Trustees for 2024, as well as plans for 2025, stating that in 2024 the Trustees oversaw the repairs of all broken and damaged stones in three cemeteries, oversaw 3 burials, and sold 2 plots. Martin reported a projected income of $1,500 for 2024. Martin also reported on the mowing done by Briggs Contracting with one more cut scheduled for the middle of September and the Cemetery Trustee's work with John Hanks of Littleton Monument to clean old stones in Straw Cemetery, the spreading of loam and seed and replacement of the present fence at Rosebrook Cemetery with new split rail fencing. Martin requested a total budget of $5,101 for 2025, with no increase from 2024’s budget.

Chairman Greer recognized Ben Jellison who presented the Moderator budget for 2025. Jellison discussed the requested budget for 2025, indicating a decrease in the requested budget from $19,487.50 in 2024 to $8,437.50 in 2025. Jellison informed this is due to no State/Presidential election in 2025 only local. Jellison reported the increase in the Supervisor Expenses line is to replace old laptops for the Supervisors, and the cost of ballot counting equipment and voting equipment supplies for the new device is unknown at this time so he utilized the numbers from the old device to project these lines of the 2025 Moderator budget. Jellison also reported on election participation for the State Election and the new tabulator for the March election.

Chairman Greer recognized John Foster the Chairman of the Trustees of the Trust Fund who presented his revised budget for 2025. Foster informed this is due to office supplies totaling $325 to come from the Selectman’s Office, and presented his total budget of $1,425.

Chairman Greer recognized Imre Szauter who presented the Select Board with the results from the energy audit review as part of the warrant article related to replacement of the town streetlights with LED lights. Szauter presented the Select Board with a revised budget from the Energy Commission for the LED Streetlight project voted on by residents in March of 2024. These revisions were to reduce the cost related to safety stock for this project and decrease the cost from $64,211.60 to come in under budget at a cost of $63,245.60 and replace the streetlights by September 30th. Chairman Greer made a motion to approve the revised budget as recommended by the Energy Commission. Selectman Marquis seconded. All in favor, none opposed. Motion to approve the revised budget as recommended by the Energy Commission passed.

Chairman Greer recognized Selectperson Moroney who informed on attending a meeting at White Mountain Regional High School regarding school funding and property taxes. Moroney reported on her attendance and informed she did not see where the funds projected by the school would come from and stated she strongly advocated against the return of “doner towns” related to school funding. Moroney also reported on the work of Coalition Communities regarding school funding and provided copies of the information she was given at the meeting to anyone interested.

Chairman Greer took a moment to express his thanks to Lutenant MacMillian for his service and reported he is going to serve the United States Air Force for the next year and will be overseas. Greer expressed his gratitude and wished MacMillian a safe and speedy return.

Chairman Greer reported that while attending a meeting of the Zoning Board last week he became aware of the town zoning regulation 84.6 on page 68 of the zoning regulations that states the Select Board appoints alternates on the Zoning Board. Greer continued referencing RSA 673.6 which he informed states “the zoning board appoints alternates, not the Select Board”. Greer stated a revision of the regulations would be needed to address this. Selectperson Moroney informed Chairman Greer that the Zoning Board approves their own alternates, the alternate is then sworn in by the Town Clerk, and then the Select Board approves the fact that the alternate has been sworn in by reviewing the oath of office and making a motion to approve and sign. Moroney continued by informing that the Select Board does not have a part in the selection of alternates, they simply recognize, approve, and sign the oath of office.

Chairman Greer recognized Melissa Jellison who asked if there would be funds allocated to repair the info booth in the 2025 budget. Selectperson Moroney informed she has been working with Public Works Director Scott Sonia on the 2025 budget and assured her there will be funds allocated in the budget to address repairs to the info booth/gazebo as well as the needed repairs to the roof of the recreation building.

Selectperson Moroney made a motion to enter non-public for legal and personnel at 6:03 p.m., Selectman Marquis seconded. All in favor, none opposed. Motion to enter non-public for personnel and legal passed.

At 6:46 p.m. Selectperson Moroney made a motion to return to public session. The motion was seconded by Selectman Marquis. Motion to return to public session and passed.

Selectperson Moroney made a motion to seal the non-public minutes. Selectman Marquis seconded this motion. Roll Call Vote to seal the minutes passed unanimously.

Selectperson Moroney made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:47 p.m. Selectman Marquis seconded this motion. All in favor, none opposed. Motion to adjourn passed, meeting adjourned at 6:47 p.m.

The next meeting of the Select Board is scheduled for Tuesday September 24th at 5 p.m. at the Carroll Town Hall Community Room.