Selectboard Meeting Minutes

Minutes of 7/27/2020

July 30th, 2020

Carroll Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes
July 27, 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

Members of the Public: Jeremy Oleson, Imre Szauter, Dianne Hogan, Michael Hogan, Brian Mycko, Ben Jellison

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

Pledge of Allegiance.

The Chair announced the approval and signing of the manifests.

Selectman Scalley made a motion to approve the minutes of 7/20/2020. Selectman Moroney seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

Planning and Zoning discussion is tabled until next week.

The Chair read a letter from the Library Trustees requesting access for themselves to the building and the library. Selectman Scalley advised that the alarm system is still being worked on and asked to table the matter until next week.

The Board reviewed a Certificate of Occupancy for Soucy. Selectman Moroney made a motion to approve and sign. Selectman Scalley seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

The Board reviewed a Driveway Permit for Garin. Selectman Scalley made a motion to approve and sign. Selectman Moroney seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

The Board reviewed a Driveway Permit for McDonough. Selectman Moroney made a motion to approve and sign. Selectman Scalley seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

The Board reviewed a form from NH DRA with regards to their PA-28 form reporting. Selectman Moroney made a motion to approve and sign. Selectman Scalley seconded and the motion passed unanimously.


The Board reviewed a PA-16 from NH DRA. Selectman Moroney made a motion to approve and sign. Selectman Scalley seconded and the motion passed unanimously.



Follow Up

Fire Station Building – Deed Restrictions – Selectman Scalley said he had reached out to Ben Jellison, Town Moderator. He acknowledged that Ben was present and asked Ben if he would like to speak to the matter of holding a Special Election for the sale of the Fire Station.

Ben stated that in holding a Special Election, the Town would have to hold a Deliberative Session as well as a certain waiting period. He said he is not a big proponent of it. He stated there is a Primary to be held in September as well as a General Election in November. Ben said in the times of Covid that we are in, he is cautious about putting Election Officials into another potential exposure. He said the Selectmen make the decisions and if that’s what they decide, he will make it happen.

Ben suggested putting the sale of the Fire Station as a warrant article in March. He said there should be a separate warrant article as well for selling Town owed property so this won’t happen again in the future.

Selectman Scalley said in speaking with Greg Hogan, the building can be winterized without further damage to the building. Selectman Scalley said he thinks the Board should move forward with putting the warrant articles together and bringing the sale to Town vote. The Board agreed and decided to table the deed restriction discussion for a month.

Tax Deeded Property – Route 3 North, Little River Rd. – The Tax Collector provided the Board with amounts owed for back taxes on the tax deeded property on Little River Rd. The amount is $21,473.36. Selectman Scalley said the other tax deeded properties were sold by sealed bid. He said he has a concern on the condition of the building and will make an appointment with Greg Hogan to view it. He will advise the Board.

Sound panels – Community Room – Reuter Associates provided a written report to the Board. Selectman Scalley said he had not had the chance to look at it and asked that the matter be tabled until next week. Imre Szauter said he has requested some samples of the acoustic material and will provide it to the Board when available.

Street Light Removal – The Fire Chief stated all three lights in the area are not working when he was on site. Selectman Scalley provided pole numbers and the Secretary will contact Eversource.

Highway Pickup – Selectman Scalley said Greg Hogan had been in the week prior to ask about purchasing a pickup truck for the Highway Department. Scalley said he had asked to hold off until he could review the budget as well as revenue. Ben Jellison asked if there is a capital plan for the Highway Department purchases. He said we seem to buy an old piece of equipment, drive it a few years and then buy another piece of old equipment. He asked why we don’t buy anything new. He brought up other departments like the Police Department that have a replacement plan and put a certain amount of money aside each year.

Mike Hogan asked the Board if they had considered contracting someone to plow the roads. Selectman Scalley said he had spoken with Greg and Greg is concerned about the costs. There was a brief discussion of sub-contracting and the possible benefits of saving on overtime and broken vehicle costs.

Ben asked if a pickup was being purchased with surplus in the Highway budget. Selectman Scalley said at budget time, he brought up purchasing a third truck such as a pickup with a plow to assist in plowing. The warrant article deadline had been missed so the money was put in the Highway budget. Ben said his point is that a new vehicle would last for many years instead of two.

Other:

The Chair read a letter written to the Board by Mike Perlmutter. (attached)

The Secretary advised the Board that the prior Right to Know Request by Clara Weloth had been rescinded.

The Secretary also advised the Board that Eversource had sent the first energy rebate for the new buildings project in the amount of approximately $12,300. She anticipates the remaining amount will be in the mail shortly.

Selectman Moroney said she reviewed a prior cell tower site plan review packet and found that the Town does have the right to have an applicant pay for a third-party review. She also advised she had found the firm that was used in the last application. Selectman Scalley said he thought the Planning Board should make the decision of who they want to hire. Selectman Moroney offered to find out if they were still in business and to get prices.

Selectman Moroney said she was confused last meeting on the discussion of the Homeland Security Grant. She said she spoke with Deputy EMD Eakley and she understands it better now. Selectman Scalley said he plans on discussing the Grant a little further. Selectman Moroney brought up that in a prior meeting the Select Board had discussed having the library pay for their furniture. Selectman Scalley said their furniture cost is $3,539.47. A discussion ensued about having the library pay for all or half of the cost. There were questions on timing and where the funds would come from. The Board decided to leave the cost all together with the rest of the Homeland Security Grant.

Selectman Scalley said he’s been speaking with Olivia from Homeland Security. We have been awarded a grant of $241,000 of which $120,500 is our matching portion. Scalley said we have met our match portion with the construction of rooms built by Ricci Construction. He said our in-kind match is the per square foot price. We can spend $120,500 on furniture and we will be reimbursed 100%. Selectman Moroney asked if Selectman Scalley asked how long we will have to wait for payment. He said he will put a complete package together with cancelled checks and submit everything together. He was told 30 – 45 days for payment.

Selectman Scalley said the building project went over on the anticipated time frame. He said last month, we paid the bank interest only because that is what was showing on the statement. He said the loan should have included principal. He said they cannot create a statement to fix the prior month so they will send a separate letter requesting payment on the principal. He said there was also an error in our favor with the amortization schedule which will be adjusted. Selectman Scalley made a motion to allow the office to pay the bill from the letter. Chairman Gauthier seconded and all were in favor.

Selectman Scalley said he’d like to hire Kevin from Northpoint Engineering to do a final check on the whole new buildings projects to make sure everything is as stated on our final drawings. He anticipates the cost will be $500 - $700. Selectman Moroney asked what happens if he discovers something is wrong. Selectman Scalley said we haven’t made the final payments to Ricci Construction yet. Adjustments could be made there. The Board agreed to hire Northpoint Engineering.

Mike Hogan spoke on behalf of the Dedication Subcommittee. He found a company that will make an ornament or coin. Mike passed around examples and discussed pricing. He said it was mentioned at their meeting of presenting a gift to the speakers and this was one of the ideas. Mike said he attended the 250th anniversary meeting and presented the idea to them. He said they are stalled now on making several decisions. He also asked the Board about choosing ribbon types and ceremonial scissors. The Board advised that there is a $5,000 budget line for the Building Committee and it’s their decision on how they spend it and what items they choose.

Chairman Gauthier announced the next meeting will be on Monday, August 3, 2020 at 7:00 P.M.

At 7:03 p.m., Chairman Gauthier made a motion to go into non-public session per RSA 91-A:3 II (l) for legal and 91-A:3, II (b) hiring personnel. The motion was seconded by Selectman Scalley and polled; Gauthier – yes, Scalley – yes, Moroney – yes.

At 7:26 p.m. Chairman Gauthier made a motion to return to public session and seal the minutes. Selectman Scalley seconded and the motion passed unanimously. Chairman Gauthier declared the meeting ended at 7:26 p.m.