Selectboard Meeting Minutes

Minutes of 9/14/2020

September 17th, 2020

Carroll Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes
September 14, 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: Mike Gooden, Mike Finn, Imre Szauter, Jeremy Oleson, Mike Hogan, Tadd Bailey, George Sansoucy, Derek Gauthier, Ben Jellison,

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chairman Gauthier.

Pledge of Allegiance

At 7:01 p.m., Chairman Gauthier made a motion to go into non-public session per RSA 91-A:3 II (c) reputation. The motion was seconded by Selectman Scalley and polled; Gauthier – yes, Scalley – yes, Moroney – yes.

At 7:11 p.m. Chairman Gauthier made a motion to return to public session. Selectman Scalley seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

The Chair announced the approval and signing of the manifests.

Selectman Scalley made a motion to approve the minutes of 9/9/2020 as written. Selectman Moroney seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

George “Skip” Sansoucy introduced himself and gave his background on utility assessing. He explained there has been a change in the method of utility calculation which allows for a 5-year phase in for the newly established value. He said traditionally Towns and Cities using the State value are usually only getting half the utility’s value. He spoke of utilities using book value versus market value. He said with the new calculations he finds that they are capturing approximately 87.5% of full market value when phased in. Sansoucy said the utility calculation has really gone beyond the regular assessor’s ability. He said Cindy from our assessing company, Comerford, Nieder and Perkins, suggested that we may want to use his company in setting our utility values. Sansoucy is working on behalf of Bethlehem to set the value of the portion of Bretton Woods Ski Area in their Town. Cindy suggested we may want to use Sansoucy to complete the rest of the Ski Area and Hotel for our reval in 2022. The Secretary asked what the time table would be to get the utility value established this year. Sansoucy said he could have the value by the middle of October.
Sansoucy said he has a five-year contract however he knows that it was not budgeted for this year. He said he’d waive payment this year and spread the payment over the next four years as long as it was a budget item and not a warrant article item. It would cost $6875 for the next 4 years. Selectman Moroney said she is concerned that the Board cannot enter into a multi-year contract unless there is an escape clause. Mr. Sansoucy advised that there is. The Board thanked Mr. Sansoucy and advised him they would wait until next week before making a decision.

Mike Finn spoke on behalf of the Dedication Committee. He gave his impressions of the Dedication Ceremony and some comments from those he spoke to that day. He said it was a successful event. Several were impressed that recent residents spoke and were included in the ceremony and have become involved in the community. He said the mementos were well received and several people took sections of the ribbon home as a souvenir. Finn said mostly everyone felt the ceremony was the right amount of time and the speakers were not lengthy. The Fire Auxiliary, Garden Club and 250th Celebration each received unsolicited donations. Finn said the asked the Governor’s aid to please pass on any photos that he could for the Town/Historical Society. Selectman Moroney thanked Mike Finn for his hard work and he received a round of applause.

The Board reviewed an engagement letter from Wadleigh, Starry & Peters. Ben Jellison spoke on behalf of the School District Study Committee. He said the Committee had been looking for an Attorney specializing in Educational Law. This firm came recommended by the Town’s Attorney who does not handle this type of work. Jellison stated he is looking for the Board’s approval. Selectman Scalley made a motion to approve and sign. Selectman Moroney seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

The Board reviewed requests for key access to the Town Hall for Bill Emerson and Claire Gritzer. Chairman Gauthier stated there needs to be a line on the form that allows the applicant to state the reason they need access. Chairman Gauthier made a motion to decline both Emerson and Gritzer. There was further discussion on individual needs in the building and the Chair rescinded his motion. Selectman Scalley stated he disagrees with anyone having access to the Administration Offices outside normal business hours. There was discussion about access, security, system capabilities, deficiencies and training. Selectman Scalley made a motion to sign Bill Emerson’s key access. Selectman Moroney seconded and the motion passed. The Board advised the Secretary to have Claire Gritzer submit a new form without requesting access to the Admin. office. Selectman Scalley said all people currently holding key cards need to be trained on the system by October 1 or their access will be denied. The Board agreed.

The Board reviewed agreements from Eastern Fire. Selectman Scalley said this is not the final contract. He asked the Board to review it and the parts about fire extinguisher will be removed.

Chief Bailey advised that the police department had received a $1,000 donation. He advised the Board he would like to use the funds to purchase simunitions for training. The Board agreed.

Selectman Scalley announced the Town has received approximately $85,000 in payments from the EOC grant and $250,000 from the NBCR grant.

FOLLOW UP:

TAX DEEDED PROPERTY – ROUTE 3 NORTH – No new info.

SOUND PANELS – COMMUNITY ROOM – Imre Szauter stated he has received initial quotes. For the product that is 2” thick, natural color and attaches directly to the ceiling is a cost of $17,700. The same product in white is $21,200. That is material cost only and waiting for a quote for installations. The product that is 1” thick is quoted at $7,720 but it needs to be hung offset from the ceiling. They are still waiting on quotes for the additional installation materials.

STREET LIGHT REMOVAL – nothing new


Other:

Selectman Moroney said she had been notified by Ed Martin that there will be services held on Sunday, September 20 at 11:00 a.m. for Ray, Moe and Gene Lennon.

Selectman Moroney advised the Board that there are two grills at the old fire station building which were donated by Ken Mills to the Fire Auxiliary. Selectman Moroney said she is trying to sell them to offset the cost of lowering the counter at the new fire station.

Selectman Moroney asked when the culvert would be replaced on School Street. Selectman Scalley said the area has been staked out to move the sidewalk. There is a previous quote of $55,000 to grind up the roadway. Scalley said they won’t be changing out the whole culvert. It will be slip-lined instead which is a less expensive option. This has been reviewed by Heidi Lawton and left-over funds can go towards hot top.

Selectman Scalley said the Building Committee Task Force has been discussing several items. He said they’ve been speaking with an electrician for outdoor lighting at a cost of $7,500. He anticipates $30,000 for the project. Scalley also estimates $25,000 - $30,000 for sound panels. He said they are discussing a nice front entrance sign similar to the Bethlehem Library sign. Estimated cost is $30,000. He said they are working on correcting the curbing for the snowmobile trail. The Task Force will move forward with it and pursue the matter with Ricci Co. Estimated cost $5,000. They are also discussing a display board outside of the Town Hall with an estimated cost of $1,350. Scalley said stone had to be purchased and placed around the buildings for a drip edge. That matter is still being discussed with Northpoint Engineering and Ricci Construction. Selectman Scalley said he’d like the Board to consider finishing these items before the end of the year. Chairman Gauthier asked about funding. Selectman Scalley stated with the $250,000 grant received, we will be operating in the black. Selectman Scalley also showed the Board a plaque in Bethlehem mounted on a rock that has a photo of their former building. Selectman Scalley said he’ll get quotes to see about doing the same and putting it on the budget for next year.


Chief Bailey spoke about the Street Light removal. He apologized for not making notification sooner but said he has no problem with the light removal.

Mike Hogan asked about the roughly $100,000 of expenses that Selectman Scalley just spoke of. He asked if this is money that is still available or is it to be budgeted for next year. Selectman Scalley said right now he is trying to fine tune the numbers but it looks to still be available in the building budget.

Chairman Gauthier announced the next meeting will be on Monday, September 21, 2020 at 7:00 P.M.

At 8:56 p.m., Chairman Gauthier made a motion to go into non-public session per RSA 91-A:3 II (b) hiring. The motion was seconded by Selectman Scalley and polled; Gauthier – yes, Scalley – yes, Moroney – yes.

At 9:46 p.m. Chairman Gauthier made a motion to return to public session and seal the minutes. Selectman Moroney seconded and the motion passed unanimously. Chairman Gauthier declared the meeting ended at 9:46 p.m.