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Minutes of 2/23/2021

March 1st, 2021

Carroll Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes
February 23, 2021

“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.”

Due to the COVID-19/Coronavirus crisis and in accordance with Governor Sununu’s Emergency Order #12 pursuant to Executive Order 2020-04, this Board is authorized to meet electronically and did so through Zoom.

Minutes recorded by Heather Brown, Secretary
Board Members: Robert Gauthier Jr., David A. Scalley, Bonnie Moroney

Members of the Public: Tadd Bailey, Jeremy Oleson, Imre Szauter, Greg Hogan, Melissa Jellison, Paul Hayes, Ken Mills

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

Pledge of Allegiance

Chairperson Gauthier announced the approval and signing of the manifests. All acknowledged that they signed.

Selectperson Moroney made a motion to approve the minutes of 2/9/2021 as written. Selectperson Scalley seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

The Board reviewed the COOS PUBLIC SAFETY AGREEMENT. Selectperson Moroney made a motion to approve and sign. Selectperson Scalley seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

The Board reviewed the COOS AMBULANCE AGREEMENT. Selectperson Moroney made a motion to approve and sign. Selectperson Scalley seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

Jeremy Oleson explained they we used to see just one package, but they changed it and split it into two (Public Safety and Ambulance). They’re each $7,000 and the two combined total $14,000.

POLICE GRANT – Chief Bailey gave a brief overview of the grant, highlighting the new technology upgrades that the Police Department is looking to do, this is round one of the E-Crash Equipment Grant (printers, scanners and receivers). The Grant is for $1,766.00 and the total cost to the Town will be $441.50, which is covered in the budget. This is a start to get everything up to date and more efficient for the officers.
Selectperson Scalley confirmed with Chief Bailey that the cost to the Town is only $441.50 and that it was in the budget. Chief Bailey explained that it would come out of the Technology & Equipment line.

Chief Bailey informed the Board that the total for the complete upgrade would be $7,341.00 more; however he is going to take incremental steps to see where we can get that money or where the money is at. He is hoping to accomplish it this year, but it may go into next year. This is the first step to get them up to date to where they need to be.

The Board reviewed the POLICE GRANT. Selectperson Moroney made a motion to approve and sign. Selectperson Scalley seconded, all in favor. Chairperson Gauthier pointed out that the grant is looking for just two signatures and asked Selectperson Moroney if she wanted to amend her motion or make a new motion. Selectperson Scalley made a motion to have Robert Gauthier and Bonnie Moroney be the two signatures. Selectperson Moroney seconded and the motion passed unanimously.


ZOOM OPERATION – Chairperson Gauthier asked if there was a way that they could have access to the operators in the event there’s a conflict with using the room. Chief Oleson explained that if the room was being used, the Zoom account would be as well. Chief Oleson explained that everyone is using the one account. Chairperson Gauthier suggested a second Zoom account in case there is a conflict and then they would be able to have a meeting at the Town Hall if needed.

Selectperson Scalley confirmed with Chief Oleson that he has meetings on the first and third Tuesday’s of each month. Chief Oleson also suggested that they should have the opportunity to be at the meetings too, but does know sometimes there is a lot of business on the agenda. Selectperson Scalley suggested the Select Board have their meetings on the second and fourth Tuesday’s of the month. Chairperson Gauthier agreed and suggested that if they had to meet another time it would be an option to have a second account and if it was needed for someone to run the Zoom he offered to do it. Chief Oleson suggested that Imre could also help.

Selectperson Scalley noted that if the Select Board kept on schedule, the second Tuesday is March 9, which is voting. Discussion regarding when the next meeting would be and the idea of another Zoom account, in the event there is a conflict. Selectperson Scalley asked about the cost of a Zoom account, Chief Oleson confirmed the cost is about $150.00 and paid per year.

Selectperson Moroney suggested that the second Zoom account would not be needed because eventually the Town Hall would be opening up again and the meetings would resume back to normal without Zoom. The Select Board all agreed that is the goal.

Discussion regarding when the next Select Board meeting would be. Since March 9 is voting a meeting would not be held that day. It was agreed that the next Select Board meeting would be Wednesday, March 10th at 7:00 p.m.

ELECTION DAY ASSIGNEMENTS – Imre Szauter confirmed that Election Day is 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m on Tuesday, March 9, 2021.
Selectperson Maroney will do 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Selectperson Scalley will do 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Chairperson Gauthier will do 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

The Board reviewed the NORTH COUNTRY FIRE MUTUAL AID AGREEMENT. Selectperson Moroney made a motion to approve and sign. Selectperson Scalley seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

The Board reviewed the WATER WARRANT – DECASTRO, DODMAN. Selectperson Moroney made a motion to approve and sign. Selectperson Scalley seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

The Board reviewed the ABATEMENT – VARELA. Selectperson Moroney made a motion to approve and sign. Selectperson Scalley seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

Chairperson Gauthier wanted to bring up Zoom again, stating that knowing eventually we are going back to normalcy, but thinks that they would want to consider having the availability of another account, in the event that members of the public don’t want to attend in person or the Selectperson may not be able to attend, just to keep in mind.

AD IN NEWSPAPER – Selectperson Scalley said that the Land Use position ad has been in the Democrat for two weeks and suggests that the Board leave it in the Democrat for another two weeks. Chairperson Gauthier suggested that the ad continue until the next meeting. The secretary confirmed that no applications have been received. Selectperson Scalley confirmed with the secretary that the ad is also on social media and the Town’s website.

FOLLOW UP

TAX DEEDED PROPERY – ROUTE 3 NORTH – The secretary confirmed there was nothing new. Selectperson Scalley also confirmed that there was nothing new from Bob Carey.

SOUND PANNELS – COMMUNITY ROOM – Selectperson Scalley got confirmation last week that the sound panels are getting shipped to the Town Hall on 2/26/2021. He also potentially has a new installer, his name is Leon. When the panels arrive, Leon will look at the panels and give the Board a price on the install and what his his schedule is, but noted that Leon would make his schedule open for them. Selectperson Scalley said the panels should be arriving on Friday and he will have Leon come over Saturday or Monday to take a look.

OTHER:

Selectperson Moroney explained that she spoke to Ken Mills and gave him information on the Community Coalition Group and asked him if he would like to move forward with them. Selectperson Moroney said that Ken wanted her to ask the Community Coalition Group if it was ok for her to stay on with them as an advisor. Ken asked her to do that, since he had enough on his plate. Selectperson Moroney asked the Community Coalition Group and they were fine with her being an advisor, but Selectperson Moroney would like to have it in the minutes that the Select Board is ok with her doing so, that way she can send to them. Selectperson Scalley asked how Selectperson Moroney would be responding the information to the Select Board. Selectperson Moroney confirmed that she would do so through email or Zoom meetings and let the Board know what is going on. Selectperson Moroney stated:
• She has sat through two laws they were trying to put through this week and last week. They are really trying to push this through. Two of our representatives from the State were on this school committee and were emphasizing the SWEEP program and it shouldn’t even have been there because it was to do with low-income.
• What they want to do is, let people apply, if this goes through, if people who are at a certain amount of income and their house value is under $150,000, they can apply to get some of their money back. But the money they are using is the money that is supposed to be going to the schools.
• Another bill is in with the Senate.
• They are supposed to be getting a lobbyist next Wednesday, they’re having a meeting with the lobbyist that has been picked and the lobbyist can tell us what they need from us and what to do.
• She also sent an email to the representatives after she sat through the meeting, which was very one sided in their favor and they did not say anything one way or the other. She explained that she was upset that none of the representatives, other than the two that were pushing this, spoke for their areas or spoke for their towns that maybe would have problems with this. They’re supposed to be putting a committee together and include the people that did this study in the first place.

Chairperson Gauthier asked Selectperson Moroney if she would be a speaking representative of the Town in these meetings or making any decisions. Selectperson Moroney explained that decisions would be made by the lobbyist and currently now they are just discussing. There is a mixture of some select people, some town managers, other people and a couple of lawyers. Selectperson Moroney confirmed that it’s just representing the Town and not making any decisions.

Selectperson Scalley motioned that Bonnie Moroney can stay on as our coalition representative for the Town of Carroll. Chairperson Gauthier seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

Selectperson Moroney explained that she has been approached by a couple of people asking when the Town Hall will be open again, since the counts are down. Selectperson Scalley said that he would like to wait until after the sound panels are installed in Community Room at the Town Hall. Selectperson Scalley asked Chief Oleson about posting signs about not congregating or gathering and keeping the six-foot distance. Selectperson Moroney also agreed that the six-foot distance would still stay in effect. Chief Oleson said that it was up to the Select Board for guidelines that they want to adopt. Chairperson Gauthier suggested keeping it as is, getting the sound panels in and discussing it at the next meeting. Chairperson Gauthier said that it’s better to be safe than sorry, and the numbers are down for a reason, we’re doing something right.

Selectperson Moroney said she was asked by Kelly Trammell to find out about the buyouts for the first of March and said that the employees do not have a copy of the new policies that should be signed. Selectperson Moroney said the employees should have had a copy and signed it and put in their file. Selectperson Scalley questioned the reasoning for asking. Selectperson Moroney said it was not about Kelly. Kelly was concerned for Heather, so Heather knows when and what she needs to do. Selectperson Scalley stated that the employee manual has already been distributed to the department heads, which should have been distributed to the employees. Chief Oleson stated that it was not the way he took it and thought that it still said ‘draft’ on it. Chairperson Gauthier stated that he would check with Meredith to make sure it was finalized. Selectperson Moroney confirmed with the other Selectpersons that Heather would get some confirmation when she is definitely moving forward.

Selectperson Scalley stated that the Board got an email from NH Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) regarding recommendations to the Water Department and pointed out a few things that are in the report that are repetitive from previous Boards, such as tank stirrers, that we should do and think about putting into our future budgets. Selectperson Scalley would like to bring in Greg Hogan and Scott Sonia and have a discussion on Zoom one night so they’re part of it at the next meeting. Selectperson Scalley also pointed out that there are a couple suggestions in the email that the Town should put in our ordinance and make ordinance, like, the Town should have an ordinance which identifies when a backflow device is required and responsibility for maintaining those devices. Selectperson Scalley reiterated again, the importance of having Greg and Scott present at the next meeting to plan ahead, whether it be in person or on Zoom to discuss the findings and the resolutions. Selectperson Scalley confirmed with Greg Hogan that the report is done every three years. Greg Hogan stated that they are currently speaking with DES now, nothing finalized, but it’s being worked on and should have more information soon.

Selectperson Scalley also wanted to mention that the report commended Greg and Scott for knowing their job, water, pumps, tanks, stirrers, and information, and that they both were a great help when the survey was being done. Selectperson Scalley also thanked Greg and Scott.

Selectperson Scalley stated that Judy Ramsdell is currently helping Heather with doing the minutes for Planning and Zoning Boards, while Heather is doing both positions in the office until the Land Use position is filled. Selectperson Scalley asked the Board to consider letting Heather have the authorization to reach out to anyone for help or training as long as she needs to until the position is filled and let it be her decision, that way it does not need the Board’s review every time. Selectperson Scalley motioned to give Heather the authorization to reach out to anyone for help or training as long as she needs until further notice. Selectperson Moroney seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

Selectperson Scalley confirmed with the Board that they would be discussing the ZBA appeal in legal. Chairperson Gauthier confirmed.

Chairperson Gauthier made a public announcement that there is a corrected Treasurer’s report. It is available upon request by contacting the Selectmen’s Office. A copy of the corrected Treasure’s report will also be given to Ben Jellison to be displayed at voting on March 9th.

Melissa Jellison asked the Board and Greg Hogan what the routines and protocols are for snow removal off the sidewalks. Greg Hogan replied that they take care of it as much as they can, but they are behind right now because of the ice storm. They cannot cut through the stuff and they are waiting for it to soften up. Melissa Jellison explained that she is currently running in the road and is concerned for safety. She understands the ice is hard to break through, but is inquiring if there are protocols in place to keep on top of it so it doesn’t get to the situation that it’s at now. Greg Hogan replied that unfortunately the storm came and the state threw all that stuff on there and there’s no way they can get through it. It is what it is, it’s Mother Nature. He hates to have that answer, but that’s all he has, it’s frozen tundra and he can’t get to it. Melissa Jellison acknowledged and will continue running in the road, but is concerned for safety.

Chairperson Gauthier announced the next meeting will be Wednesday, March 10, 2021 at 7:00 p.m.

At 7:36 p.m., Chairperson Gauthier made a motion to go into non-public session per RSA 91-A:3 II (l) legal. The motion was seconded by Selectperson Scalley and polled; Gauthier – yes, Scalley – yes, Moroney – yes.

At 8:47 p.m. Selectperson Scalley made a motion to return to public session and seal the minutes. The motion was seconded by Selectperson Moroney and polled; Gauthier – yes, Scalley – yes, Moroney – yes.

At 8:47 p.m. Chairperson Gauthier made a motion to adjourn. Selectperson Scalley seconded and the motion passed unanimously. Chairperson Gauthier declared the meeting ended at 8:47 p.m.