Selectboard Meeting Minutes

Minutes of 11/26/2024

November 26th, 2024

Carroll Board of Selectmen
Meeting of the Select Board
Meeting Minutes
November 26th, 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, Jules Marquis
Members of the Public: Brian Mycko, Scott Sonia, Imre Szauter, Bill Vecchio

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 11/12/2024, Selectman Marquis seconded this motion. All in favor, none opposed. Motion to approve minutes of 11/12/2024 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 this motion. All in favor, none opposed. Motion to approve and sign Supplementary Water Warrant for 2024 passed.

The Select Board was presented with a Property Warrant Second Issue for 2024. Selectperson Moroney informed those in attendance that the Select Board met last Thursday to set the tax rate and made a motion to approve and sign. Selectman Marquis seconded this motion. All in favor, none opposed. Motion to approve and sign Property Warrant for Second Issue for 2024 passed.

The Select Board was presented with Member Group Confirmation for Health Trust. Selectperson Moroney made a motion to approve and allow herself to sign. Selectman Marquis seconded this motion. All in favor, none opposed. Motion to approve and have Selectperson Moroney sign Member Group Confirmation for Health Trust passed. Selectperson Moroney signed the Member Group Confirmation for Health Trust.

Administrative Assistant Meg Basnar presented the Select Board with the proposed administrative budget for 2025. Basnar provided copies of the budget to the Selectmen and reviewed any changes or new information since last presenting. Basnar also addressed any major increases or decreases in each line as compared to the 2024 administrative budget.
Decreases included the lines for Administrative Assistant pay, Selectman’s Office Staff pay, Selectman’s Office overtime, legal expenses and interest and principal related to loans and bonds. The NHMBB bond for the Transfer Station matured in 2024 and will not need to be paid in 2025, resulting in a $30,000 decrease for principal and interest combined.
Increases included the lines for Land Use Secretary pay, office supplies, postage, property assessing, computer software support and employee insurance.

The Select Board was presented with the budget for Government Buildings, Highway Department, Transfer Station, Sewage Disposal and Water Department. Director of Public Works Scott Sonia and Administrative Assistant Basnar reviewed changes since last proposed 2025 budget was presented to the Select Board. The Select Board asked questions to clarify items and thanked Sonia for his presentation.

The Select Board reviewed warrant articles returned from legal.
Upgrade Town Water System
Legal Revised:
To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Eighty-Six Thousand Eight Hundred and Thirty-Six Dollars ($86,836) to upgrade the Town Water System including incorporating a SCADA System using iFix for graphics and control, upgrading the pump house, equipment repairs, VPN installation for communication with Cherry Mountain tank, the well house, and in-town tank and authorize the withdrawal of Eighty-Six Thousand Eight Hundred and Thirty-Six Dollars ($86,836) from the Water Department Capital Reserve Fund.

Short-Term Rental Registration and Life Safety Inspection
To see if the town will vote to accept a Registration and Life Safety Inspection for all Short-Term Rentals of 30 days or less. These inspections are vital to the safety of the occupants and are required by the State of New Hampshire Life Safety Code. The registrations and inspections will be done every three years, with a processing fee to be determined by the Town of Carroll Selectboard, with the fee not to exceed Two Hundred Dollars ($200) every three years. The inspections will include, but are not limited to, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, fire escape routes and emergency exits, fire suppression systems, electrical safety and general property safety.
Legal Recommendation:
Wait until 2026 to present this warrant article to the voters, as there is one town facing litigation.
The Select Board discussed legal’s recommendation and noted many other towns that are not facing litigation who have implemented registration programs for Short Term Rentals. The Select Board stated they would like to move forward with this article and asked legal to review the language of the article itself.

To Modify the Slope of the Town Hall
To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Sixty Thousand Dollars ($60,000) to remove the steepness of the grade that constitutes a danger for people mowing in front of the Carroll Town Hall. Cutting away the severity of the slopes to maintain safety by removing soil from the front and moving it to the other side of School Street in order to modify both of the slopes.
No changes.


New Lawn Tractor
To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000) for the purpose of purchasing a Gravely Pro Turn 660 Lawn Tractor.
Legal Response: No changes/corrections

To put money in the Energy Efficiency CRF
To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000) to be added to the Energy Efficiency Capital Reserve Fund previously established.
Legal Response: no changes/corrections

Modify the Totally Disabled Veteran Tax Credit Amount
Shall the town modify the Totally Disabled Veteran’s Tax Credit in accordance with RSA 72:35 from its current tax credit of Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000) to Four Thousand Dollars ($4,000). (Majority vote required)
Legal Response: no changes/corrections

The Select Board discussed a date for the Public Budget Hearing. Date of the Public Budget Hearing is set for January 21st, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. with a snow date of January 22nd, 2025 at 5:00 p.m.


FOLLOW UP
Private Roads – No updates at this time, Select Board determined to leave on agenda for the next meeting.

Selectperson Moroney discussed the resignation of Chairman Greer on 11/26/2024. Moroney informed that due to RSA 669:63 the remaining members of the Select Board will appoint a replacement for the remainder of Greer’s term, which will end March 2025. Selectperson Moroney thanked Greer for his service to the Select Board.

Selectperson Moroney asked Selectman Marquis if he would like to appoint a replacement during this meeting or if he would like to wait until the next meeting. Marquis was in favor of appointing during this meeting. Selectperson Moroney mad a motion to appoint Brian Mycko for the remainder of Chairman Greer’s term. Selectman Marquis seconded. All in favor, none opposed. Motion to appoint Brian Mycko for the remainder of Chairman Greer’s term passed. Brian Mycko accepted the appointment, and will come to the Town Clerk’s Office the following day to take his oath of office.


OTHER
The Select Board informed that the date for the next meeting of the Select Board is scheduled for December 10th, 2024, followed by a meeting on December 17th, 2024 and the last meeting of the Select Board for 2024 will be on December 31st to complete any end of the year paperwork. Select Board meetings will be held in the Town Hall Community Room at 5:00 p.m.

Selectperson Moroney informed that Carroll Water Works did not need to send the certified letters sent to residents on town water. Moroney stated the town is required to complete a service line inventory and mapping. Public Works Director Sonia informed that DES (Department of Environmental Services) needs the information from the water main to the shut-off and wants proof of lead or copper from the water stop to the water main. Sonia informed after 1989 no lead would be used, only plastic or copper, and that DES wants information on what is on the other side of the shut-off. Selectperson Moroney informed on her conversation with DES. Sonia discussed the issue posed by shipping the water testing kits through the post office. Selectperson Moroney will provide more information to residents as it becomes available.

Selectperson Moroney recognized Bill Vecchio of the Carroll Energy Commission who discussed information on the Grant application for the Solar Array to be placed on the Public Works Building. Imre Szauter informed that the LED streetlights will be installed the week of December 9th.


At 6:05 p.m. Selectperson Moroney made a motion to enter non-public for legal. Selectman Marquis seconded, roll call vote to enter non-public for legal and personnel passed unanimously.

At 6:29 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 6:30 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 at 6:31 p.m. Selectman Marquis seconded. All in favor, none opposed. Motion to adjourn passed, meeting adjourned at 6:31 p.m.

Next meeting of the Select Board is scheduled for Tuesday December 10th, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. in the Community Room of the Carroll Town Hall.