Selectboard Meeting Minutes

Minutes of 10/8/2024

October 8th, 2024

Carroll Board of Selectmen
Meeting of the Select Board
Meeting Minutes
October 8th, 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: Bobbi & Vern Amirault, Imre Szauter, Dave Scalley, Chris Pappas, Mike Gooden, Brian Mycko, Crystal Bailey, Carol Carlson, Melissa Jellison.

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 10/1/2024, Selectman Marquis seconded this motion. All in favor none opposed. Motion to approve minutes of 10/1/2024 passed.

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 Utility Assessment contract from Sansoucy Associates. Selectperson Moroney made a motion to approve and sign. Selectman Marquis Seconded. All in favor, none opposed. Motion to approve and sign Utility Assessment contract from Sansoucy Associates passed.

The Select Board was presented with a Valuation contract for Omni properties from Sansoucy Associates. Selectperson Moroney made a motion to approve and sign. Selectman Marquis Seconded. All in favor, none opposed. Motion to approve and sign Valuation contract for Omni properties from Sansoucy Associates passed.

The Select Board was presented with the MS-1 for 2024. Selectperson Moroney made a motion to approve and sign. Selectman Marquis Seconded. All in favor, none opposed. Motion to approve and sign the MS-1 for 2024 passed.

Selectperson Moroney discussed the status of the sign for the Town Hall, Public Works Building and Library. Moroney informed that Granite State Sign will be completing the installation in the coming weeks and requires payment prior to services. Selectperson Moroney made a motion to move forward with the sign installation by providing payment. Selectman Marquis seconded. All in favor, none opposed. Motion to move forward with the sign installation passed.

The Select Board was presented with an agreement from Clean Harbors to do the septic for the Fire Department. Selectperson Moroney motioned to approve and have the Chairman sign. Selectman Marquis seconded. During discussion Dave Scalley requested the Fire Department wash their vehicles outside, when possible, to have the tank be less full. Selectperson Moroney informed they do this currently but it has been 3 years since the tank has been emptied. When the tank is cleaned it will provide information to assist in planning the length of time between cleanings. All in favor of signing the Clean Harbors agreement, none opposed. Motion to approve and have the Chairman sign passed.

The Select Board was presented with a Driveway Permit for Woodcrest Lane. 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 the Driveway Permit for Woodcrest Lane passed.


BUDGET PRESENTATIONS

Chairman Greer recognized Carol Cunningham who presented the proposed 2025 budget for the Chamber of Commerce. Carlson informed on the only major change to her budget which is the addition of a handicap accessible portable toilet to replace the single portable toilet by the information booth. Carlson feels the upgrade to the handicap portable toilet will save the Rec Committee from needing to order one for each of their planned summer concert events, and is the better choice for the town in terms of handicap accessibility. Selectperson Moroney made a motion to accept the $12,200 budget for the Chamber of Commerce. Selectman Marquis seconded this motion. During discussion Carlson asked about the repairs to the gazebo/info booth. Moroney informed that repairing the stairs and the roof of the structure have been included in the Public Works budget for 2025. Moroney also discussed closing off the stairs to prevent potential safety issues. Following this discussion the motion to accept the Chamber of Commerce proposed budget of $12,200 for 2025 passed.

Chairman Greer recognized Melissa Jellison who presented the proposed 2025 budget for the Recreation Committee. Jellison discussed the activities of the Recreation Committee in 2024 which included the ski program during the winter as well as the 4 concerts hosted over the summer. Jellison expressed the gratitude of the Rec Committee for those who assisted with the summer concert series. Jellison discussed the proposed budget for 2025 which included a decrease in the line for parties and field trips, and an increase in the line for transportation to assist with the ski program as she does not anticipate assistance from the Secret Sock Society in 2025. Jellison stated Rec is anticipating 2 more bands for the summer concert series in 2025. The Fishing Derby will be provided its own line in the 2025 budget and funds allocated for that event will be removed and placed in that specific line. Selectman’s Assistant will follow up with Jellison regarding which line was used to cover the 2024 Derby and adjust the lines accordingly.

Chairman Greer recognized Town Clerk/Tax Collector Crystal Bailey who presented the budget for the salaries of Town Clerk/Tax Collector and Deputy Town Clerk. Bailey reported the only change to those lines was a 3% increase for cost of living.

Chairman Greer recognized Selectperson Moroney who presented the budget for Patriotic Purposes. Moroney discussed the yearly donation to the JROTC program to assist with that program and to thank them for their assistance with Memorial Day. Moroney also informed that the cost of food has increased and reflected in the increase from 2024’s budget from $1,600 to increase to $2,000 for 2025.

Chairman Greer recognized Dave Scalley who presented the proposed 2025 budget for Building Inspector. Scalley reviewed his proposed budget which included a 9% increase in the property inspection line, no change in the lines for timber inspections and third-party reviews, and a reduction of $300 in the Property Inspector Training line due to completion of trainings in 2024. Scalley also requested an increase of $1,046 in the line for travel/mileage. Following discussion Scalley informed the travel line could be reduced to $6,500 due to not needing to travel as he completed most trainings in 2024. Total proposed budget for Property Inspector for 2025 was $73,400.

Chairman Greer recognized Imre Szauter who presented the 2025 proposed budget for the Energy Commission. Szauter reported the Energy Commission is requesting the same amount as was budgeted in 2024. Szauter informed on expenses for the Energy Commission thus far in 2024 as well as expected expenses for the remainder of the year. Szauter informed that 4 members of the Energy Commission will be attending the Local Energy Solutions Conference in Concord on November 1st, and while attendance is free to members of Clean Energy New Hampshire, he does anticipate incurring expenses for mileage. The Energy Commission will come in under budget for 2024 and the total proposed budget for 2025 is $2650.00

Chairman Greer added he felt the fee for Clean Energy New Hampshire was well worth the cost of membership and expressed his appreciation to Melissa Elander of Clean Energy NH for all the assistance provided to the Energy Commission and the Town of Carroll.

Selectperson Moroney asked to recognize the budget line regarding the White Mountain Regional Airport (WMRA) and recommended leaving that line in place until the letter comes from the WMRA that indicates the amount requested form the town. Selectman’s Assistant informed the amount for 2024 was $496.

FOLLOW UP

OTHER

Chairman Greer recognized Selectperson Moroney who suggested the Water Commission consider the possibility of limiting the water hook-ups for any new building permit applications going forward until improvements to the town’s water infrastructure can be addressed. Greer stated his understanding is that the pumps can pump 600,000 gallons per day (GPD) and the town’s usage is under 200,000 GPD. Moroney informed this recommendation stemmed from a conversation with Fire Chief Duncan who had expressed concern. Selectman Marquis stated if Chief Duncan feels the Water Commission should limit new hook-ups to town water he is inclined to listen to that recommendation. Dave Scalley asked how many house fires have happened in the last 10 years, and stated there have been 3 in the last 7 years. Scalley stated that no matter how many connections are added or not added there is only an 8” line that can only produce as many gallons as it is able to produce. Brian Mycko asked the Select Board to consider potential legal issues which could arise from continuing to allow water connections while knowing of the need to improve the infrastructure. Mycko suggested a lottery system as has been implemented in other towns, such as York Maine, with similar issues regarding water infrastructure. Moroney stated she simply wanted the Water Commission to consider this option, and asked how many buildings are currently in motion to build or are already built and would be impacted by a decision to limit water connections. Building Inspector Scalley informed there are approximately 85 permits pulled in 2024 and another 8 homes worth $500,000 to $750,000 going up right now for permitting. Chairman Greer states he is not currently concerned with water supply being an issue. This topic was discussed with no decisions made regarding limiting water connections.

Chairman Greer recognized Imre Szauter who informed that New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NH DES) will be meeting at the Town Hall on Wednesday October 16th at 9:30am to perform a free audit of the town’s water system, and will be touring the facilities. This meeting is open to all who would like to attend.

Selectperson Moroney asked about the LED streetlight project. Szauter informed that the last contact with Affinity LED Lighting the concern was not being able to meet the September 30 deadline for installation, which was required for the $12,500 Eversource rebate. Szauter informed that Affinity reached out to Eversource, and because it took Eversource nearly 3 months to complete the audit reconciliation, Affinity would be unable to meet the September 30 deadline. Eversource then extended the deadline for the rebate application, so the town is not in danger of losing that rebate. Currently Affinity is building the lights and are waiting on other preparations.

Chairman Greer recognized Dave Scalley who informed that he had reached out to Presidential Pest Control on business unrelated to the town and stated he had been asked if the town had made a decision regarding his services. Imre Szauter informed the town has been waiting for him to obtain bait boxes and that has been the hold up.

Dave Scalley followed up with an RSA he had discussed at the last meeting in reference to Poplar Lane and the damages to that road. Scalley referenced RSA 236:14 which he read states “Any person who violates any provision of this subdivision or the rules and regulations made under authority thereof shall be guilty of a violation if a natural person, or guilty of a misdemeanor if any other person; and, in addition, shall be liable for the cost of restoration of the highway to a condition satisfactory to the person empowered to give such written permission.” Scalley informed Stone has spoken with him regarding this issue, Selectman’s Assistant informed on communication with contractor and property owner so far.

At 5:47 p.m. Chairman Greer made a motion to enter non-public for legal. Selectman’s Assistant reminded of the need to address personnel as well. Selectman Marquis seconded, roll call vote to enter non-public for legal and personnel passed unanimously.

At 6:25 p.m. Selectperson Moroney made a motion to leave non-public and return to public. Selectman Marquis seconded. All in favor, none opposed. Motion to return to public session passed.

At 6:25 p.m. Selectperson Moroney made a motion to seal the minutes. Selectman Marquis seconded. Roll call vote to seal the minutes passed unanimously.

Selectperson Moroney made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Selectman Marquis seconded. All in favor, none opposed. Motion to adjourn passed, meeting adjourned at 6:25 p.m.

Next meeting of the Select Board is scheduled for Tuesday October 15th, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. in the Community Room of the Carroll Town Hall.