Selectboard Meeting Minutes

Minutes of 6/1/2020

June 4th, 2020

Carroll Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes
June 1, 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, David A. Scalley, Bonnie Moroney

Participating members: Imre Szauter, Jeremy Oleson, John Trammell, Greg Hogan, Tadd Bailey, Matt Fletcher

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

Pledge of Allegiance.

Chairman Gauthier announced the approval and signing of the manifests.

Selectman Scalley made a motion to approve the minutes of 5/18/2020. Selectman Moroney seconded and the motion passed unanimously. Chairman Gauthier abstained as he was not present at the meeting.

Imre Szauter spoke on behalf of the Building Committee. He stated on May 31, several Building Committee members, Library Trustees, Librarian Tom McCorkhill and members of the Historical Society were given the opportunity to tour the building. Selectman Moroney asked if Imre knew when the Library would be finished shelving the books. Imre stated he didn’t know. He said the Trustees are working on new shelving and possibly moving things around because the shelving for the children’s area didn’t turn out as the Trustees expected.

Imre Szauter presented the Board with a quote from One Source Security in the amount of $2,028.27 for a lock box system that would be integrated with the key card system. Szauter said it would generate a report of who accessed the keys. Selectman Scalley said the flaw with the system would be that it would log who entered the box but wouldn’t show what keys had been removed. The Secretary had presented the Board an alternate idea of a box that had a code to enter to access the box at a reduced cost. Discussion was held on needs. Many were in agreement that the cost from One Source was too high. The Board decided it will review options and revisit the topic.




The following items were reviewed and voted on separately:

Release of Lien – Town Aid
Tax Warrant – 1st issue
Water Warrant – Gilman
Driveway Permit – Dorsey
Yield Tax – Pisani
Web Design Contract – Notchnet

The above items were reviewed and voted on individually with Selectman Scalley making the motions to approve and sign. The motions were seconded by Selectman Moroney and all passed unanimously.

The Board reviewed an email request from New Hampshire Food Bank requesting to use a location in town for a summer program where they will be providing meals for kids. The program is scheduled to begin around June 22 and serve approximately 50 children. It was discussed that the Town Hall and Public Safety Complex is still expected to get another coat of pavement and hydro-seeded so it would not be the best location to use. There is a culvert scheduled for replacement on School Street as well as paving so that would make the Tourist Information Booth difficult to use. The Fire Chief said the Fire Department area is too busy with the traffic for the Post Office as well as the way vehicles come in from Fieldstone Lane. Selectman Gauthier suggested that the Recreation Area may be a better location. This began a discussion of the use of the playground and pond area amid the Covid-19 situation. Selectman Scalley made a motion to open the Recreation Area on June 12 and allow the program to use the location to distribute meals. Chairman Gauthier seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

Selectman Moroney stated that John Trammell had been appointed Interim Emergency Management Director. She asked the Board about appointing Trammell as the full-time EMD. John stated he’s been participating in phone calls three times a week related to the virus. He said in June, work begins on the Hazard Mitigation plan and he also anticipates working to get the new Emergency Operations Center up and running. Selectman Scalley made a motion to make John Trammell the new Emergency Operations Director. Selectman Moroney seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

The Board reviewed an email and resume from Peter Eakley requesting to be appointed Deputy Emergency Management Director. Several people participating in the meeting expressed that Eakley had been of great assistance with the grants and computer work. Selectman Scalley made a motion to nominate Peter Eakley as Deputy Emergency Management Director. Selectman Moroney seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

Follow Up:

Fire Station Bldg – Deed Restrictions – Tabled

Tax Deeded Property – Route 3 North – Selectman Moroney said she hadn’t been able to get all the information as the Tax Collector has been busy getting first issue taxes out. Moroney said she found her old notes and the State has a lien for $22,489.87. She said the Town is owed roughly $10,000. Selectman Moroney questioned the Board if it was worth the Town trying to pursue the matter with the State or if the Town should just turn the property over to them. Selectman Scalley said it’s his opinion that if the State wants it, give it to them. The Board decided to wait until the Tax Collector can get a dollar amount of the total amount owed to the Town and the Board will revisit the matter.

Other:

Selectman Moroney read a letter (attached) addressing her concerns that she feels Selectman Scalley is in constant contact with the Town’s Attorney on matters that she feels is a conflict of interest or matters where the Board did not request legal opinion. Chairman Gauthier said the Board had asked Selectman Scalley to stay in touch with the Attorney. Selectman Moroney said in the two cases she cited; the Board did not ask Selectman Scalley to bring the matters to the Attorney. Selectman Scalley said he would review Moroney’s letter and would respond in writing.

Selectman Scalley said he has been working with Greg Hogan on scheduling the replacement of the culvert on School St. It looks like the road will be closed in July and August. Selectman Moroney asked how far up the road it will go. Selectman Scalley said if things work out the way they are planning, it will go up into the parking area by the Gazebo. Jeremy Oleson questioned if the intersection of School St. and Route 3 would be changed at this time. He mentioned that during the building project planning, the State had brought up the challenge of right hand turns off of School St. Selectman Scalley said he’d speak with the State. There was discussion of closing the information booth during this time. Greg Hogan asked if it could be opened on weekends. Selectman Scalley said he is concerned about large campers trying to come through and not being able to turn around there. It was decided to ask Carol Carlson to come to the next meeting on behalf of the Chamber to establish a plan.

Selectman Scalley spoke as Building Inspector. He said the tax assessors had picked up a “bunk house” on Parker Rd. which he went to view because it had been built without a permit. Scalley showed the Selectmen pictures. He said it’s under 200 square feet and the owner is saying it’s a tree house. Scalley said because it’s under 200 square feet a permit isn’t required. It doesn’t have water or electric. Scalley said he’s dealing with people telling him that if they need a permit for a shed, they’ll build 3 smaller ones that won’t require permitting. A discussion ensued of smaller buildings being built and the challenges that the Town faces.

Greg Hogan said he has miscellaneous equipment that he no longer needs. He said he called NH Municipal Association to ask how to sell it. He said he was advised that it doesn’t need to be advertised or required bids. He said he was told that a person can make an offer and the Selectmen can decide to accept or decline it. Greg told the Board to feel free to double-check his information. Chairman Gauthier asked if NHMA had advised if there was a value limit for this process. Greg stated he didn’t know. Jeremy Oleson suggested there be a certain day that people can view the property to be disposed of and be given the opportunity to purchase items. He said if only one person is privy to the information it might cause problems. The Board agreed.

Police Chief Bailey advised the Board that the department has been saving money on gas and overtime because of the virus. He advised that things had bee quiet the past three months but would like the Board to consider the ability to use part-time officers as the 4th of July holiday approaches.

Imre Szauter stated there is a Fire Department pancake breakfast advertised for July 4. He asked if it was still going to be held. Selectman Moroney said they would have to follow the Governor’s orders. A short discussion was held on some ideas for social distancing or take-out.

At 7:20 p.m., Selectman Moroney made a motion to go into non-public session per RSA 91-A:3 for legal. The motion was seconded by Selectman Scalley and polled; Gauthier – yes, Scalley – yes, Moroney – yes.

The public phone portion of the meeting was discontinued.

At 8:28 p.m., Selectman Scalley made a motion return to public session and seal the minutes. Selectman Moroney seconded and the motion passed unanimously. Selectman Scalley made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Selectman Moroney seconded and the motion passed unanimously. Chairman Gauthier declared the meeting ended at 8:28 p.m.