Selectboard Meeting Minutes

Minutes of 4/6/2020

April 9th, 2020

Carroll Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes
April 6, 2020

“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 Kelly Trammell, Secretary
Board Members: Robert Gauthier Jr., David A. Scalley, Bonnie Moroney

Participating members: Jeremy Oleson, Tadd Bailey, Imre Szauter

The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Chairman Gauthier.

Pledge of Allegiance

The Chair read the following:

“As Chair of the Select Board, I find that due to the State of Emergency declared by the Governor as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and in accordance with the Governor’s Emergency Order #12 pursuant to Executive Order 2020-04, this public body is authorized to meet electronically.

Please note that there is no physical location to observe and listen contemporaneously to this meeting, which was authorized pursuant to the Governor’s Emergency Order. However, in accordance with the Emergency Order, I am confirming that we are:

a) Providing public access to the meeting by telephone, with additional access possibilities by video or other electronic means:

We are utilizing a tele-conference for this electronic meeting. All members of the Board have the ability to communicate contemporaneously during this meeting through this platform, and the public has access to contemporaneously listen and, if necessary, participate in this meeting through dialing the following phone # 978-990-5000 and PIN 583338.

b) Providing public notice of the necessary information for accessing the meeting;

We previously gave notice to the public of the necessary information for accessing the meeting, including how to access the meeting telephonically. Instructions have also been provided on the website at www.townofcarroll.org

c) Providing a mechanism for the public to alert the public body during the meeting if there are problems with access:

If anybody has a problem please call 603-846-5754.

d) Adjourning the meeting if the public is unable to access the meeting:

In the event the public is unable to access the meeting, the meeting will be adjourned and rescheduled.

Please note that all votes that are taken during this meeting shall be done by roll call vote.

Let’s start the meeting by taking a roll call attendance. When each member states their presence, please also state whether there is anyone in the room with you during this meeting, which is required under the Right-to-Know law."

Each participant gave their name.

The Chair announced the approval and signing of the manifests.

Selectman Moroney made a motion to approve the minutes of 3/23/2020. Selectman Scalley seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

Selectman Moroney made a motion to approve the minutes of 3/30/2020. Selectman Scalley seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

Imre Szauter advised there was no Building Committee report. He did say he had provided Selectman Scalley with some questions. Selectman Scalley said he had the email with questions. The first asked who was selected for the Fire Alarm monitoring company? Scalley advised One Source was selected. Imre asked if they are doing the burglar alarm as well. Scalley advised there is none. The Secretary said she had been speaking with One Source and they stated a panel was never put in to monitor the burglar alarm. Scalley said he’d follow up with the task force on Wednesday. Imre also asked if he would be authorized to release interior pictures of the Town Hall building onto a Google Drive account for people to see. The Board agreed that would be fine. Selectman Scalley said he’d like to thank those that helped move into the new building. He said everything is moving along and there are still some finishing touches to be done.

The Board reviewed an email from Mark Elliott of Coventry Log Homes. He asked the Board to review building permits for Anthony Ianniccheri and Mark Dorsey where Elliot alleges, they both used plans from Coventry Log Homes even though they purchased and built log kits from other companies. He was also questioning if the Town required proof of grading on logs. Selectman Scalley said that in his capacity as Building Inspector, he pulled both the permits mentioned for review. Neither permit had plans or paperwork that was marked as Coventry Log Homes. Scalley said he does ask for documentation to back up the grading of logs being used and has supporting emails to show it on at least one of these permits. A short discussion followed. Chairman Gauthier said even if it did happen, the Board has no jurisdiction on the matter. He said it’s an ethical or copywrite issue.

The Board reviewed an email from Lori Hogan requesting late charges and fees from her third and fourth quarter water bills be abated. She said she didn’t receive her third quarter bill. The Board did not have further documentation to review so they decided to table it and request documentation be provided for next Monday’s meeting.

The Board reviewed a Certificate of Occupancy for Powell. Selectman Scalley advised that his company did work on the project. He asked the Board if they were comfortable with him signing off as Building Inspector or would they prefer that Dave Wiley inspect the property and sign. Selectman Moroney said Dave Wiley should inspect the job. Selectman Scalley asked if the Board would be willing to sign the C.O. that evening and let Dave Willey inspect in the next few days. Scalley said the homeowner needs this as soon as possible for a loan matter. Chairman Gauthier made a motion to approve and sign and let Dave Wiley inspect afterwards. Selectman Moroney seconded. The motion passed. Selectman Scalley abstained.

Follow Up:

Echo Lake – Selectman Scalley said he had been advised by Northpoint Engineering that Echo Lake will start the project from scratch. Selectman Scalley will follow up. The Secretary advised that the escrow funds from this account were depleted and Echo Lake now owes the Town money. Scalley said Northpoint had been advised to stop work until the money is paid.

Razing Building - Presby finished the removal of items and filled in the hole. All work on site should be complete. Selectman Scalley will do a site assessment tomorrow to confirm that everything is cleaned up.

Cleaning Companies – The Board reviewed a proposal from Trahan’s cleaning. Selectman Moroney said she had a verbal quote from Dirt Busters cleaning for roughly the same amount. Selectman Scalley said he’d like to see if Trahan’s is available to clean during the day. He reminded the Board that whichever company is hired will have to complete background checks. The Board asked the Police and Fire Chiefs if they had concerns. Chief Oleson said he’d prefer cleaners in the building during the day. Selectman Moroney will check with Trahan’s on timing and ask both companies if they have workman’s comp. and general liability insurance.

Northern Border Regional Commission Grant – Chairman Gauthier said he wasn’t able to follow through reviewing the grant like he anticipated. Time got away from him.

Other –

Selectman Moroney said she’d like the Board to come to a decision on how meetings are going to be held. She said it felt a little last minute on procedure and who was attending. Chairman Gauthier said for the next meeting he wants everyone to call in so everyone can be heard. He doesn’t think it’s working well with several people, at a distance, around a cell phone. Gauthier said his biggest concern is people participating by phone and not being able to hear. Selectman Scalley wants all department heads to phone in. Discussion continued and it was decided that Jeremy Oleson will see if he can find a tele-conference speaker device at a reasonable price.

Selectman Scalley presented the Board with a quote for cabinetry for the Selectman’s office. There would also be 3 cork boards. One for the front entrance, one outside the Town Clerk’s office and one in the Admin. office. The total was for $4,592.32. He said this is a need more than a want as it would be in the best interest of every day working capabilities. The current budget was reviewed and it was decided there was a savings on demolition of the property on Route 3 that would allow for this purchase. Selectman Moroney made a motion to move forward with the purchase. Selectman Gauthier seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

The Board reviewed four Intent to Excavate forms from Pike Industries. Selectman Scalley made a motion to approve and sign. Selectman Moroney seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

The Secretary advised the Board she received a message from Tri-County Cap but had not returned the call. The Board was advised that CAP had submitted 3 warrant articles for a total of $1570. The warrant articles are usually paid out in June but the Secretary asked if the Board felt with these strained times if it was in the best interest to support CAP now. She said CAP, in turn, is running programs that support the Town with food and assist the homeless and elders. Selectman Scalley made a motion to pay CAP now. Chairman Gauthier seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

The Board reviewed paperwork from Bretton Woods Telephone Company requesting point of contact information. It was filled out. The Board was advised that Mike Rouillard said everything is now in place and Spectrum can be cancelled now. Selectman Scalley will handle.

Selectman Gauthier asked where things are at with the new Public Safety Building and if there was an anticipated move-in date. Selectman Scalley said he feels the move should not be complete until things are 100% ready. He said there was pressure to move the Town Hall and now we’re working with challenges sub-contractors working while employees are trying to work. Imre Szauter said in addition, it had been discussed not moving in until at least a base coat of asphalt was down to access the building. Chief Oleson said it can be a slower process moving the FD as there is no rush for them to be out of their building.

Chairman Gauthier asked if the Board had any thoughts on what to do with the Fire Department building once it’s vacant. Selectman Scalley said if it’s going to be sold, he’d like to see deed restrictions on it so it won’t become and eyesore. He will bring in a copy of some paperwork for the Board to use as suggestions.

Imre Szauter said he’d like to endorse Trahan as the cleaning company for the Town to use. He feels they are a reputable company with several employees to meet our needs.

At 7:18 p.m., Chairman Gauthier made a motion to go into non-public session per RSA 91-A:3 for personnel and legal. The motion was seconded by Selectman Scalley and polled; Gauthier – yes, Scalley – yes, Moroney – yes.

The open public phone portion of the meeting was discontinued.

At 8:49 p.m., Chairman Gauthier made a motion return to public session and seal the minutes. Selectman Moroney seconded and the motion passed unanimously. Chairman Gauthier made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Selectman Moroney seconded and the motion passed unanimously. Chairman Gauthier declared the meeting ended at 8:49 p.m.