Selectboard Meeting Minutes

Minutes of 3/15/2022

March 23rd, 2022

Carroll Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes
March 15, 2022

“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 Heather Brown, Secretary
Board Members: David Scalley, Ken Mills, and Robert Gauthier

Members of the Public: Imre Szauter, Vern Amirault, Bobbi Amirault, Mike Gooden, Rena Vecchio, Chris Pappas, Greg Hogan, Ben Jellison

The meeting was called to order at 5:00 p.m. by Chairperson Scalley.

Pledge of Allegiance.

APPROVAL of 3/1/2022 SELECT BOARD MINUTES – Selectperson Mills motioned to approve the 3/1/2022 Select Board minutes as written; Selectperson Gauthier seconded. Discussion-none. Gauthier-AYE, Mills-AYE, Scalley-AYE.

APPROVAL & SIGNING OF MANIFESTS – The Board all confirmed they had signed.

OATHS OF OFFICE – The Board reviewed the following oaths of office:
Robert Gauthier Jr. – Selectman (3-year term)
Michelle Gamache – Library Trustee (3-year term)
Annette Marquis – Treasurer (1-year term)
Roberta McGee – Cemetery Trustee (3-year term)
Lisa Gemmer – Trustee of Trust Funds (3-year term)
Annette Marquis – Supervisor of the Checklist (4-year term)
Bonnie Moroney – Supervisor of the Checklist (6-year term)
Karen Moran – Zoning Board of Adjustment (1-year term)
Bonnie Moroney – Deputy Treasurer (1-year term)

Selectperson Mills made a motion to accept and sign all the oaths presented. The motion was seconded by Selectperson Gauthier. Discussion. The Board confirmed the Deputy Treasurer is not an elected position. Mills-AYE, Gauthier-AYE to all oaths, except the oath for himself which he abstained, Scalley-AYE.

ELECT A CHAIRPERSON – Selectperson Gauthier nominated David Scalley to be the Chairperson to the Select Board. Selectperson Mills seconded. Discussion-none. Gauthier-AYE, Mills-AYE, Scalley-AYE.

COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS – Chairperson Scalley reviewed the committee assignments and the Board discussed. The following was assigned:

Planning Board – Chairperson Scalley, continue as the Select Board Rep.
Parks & Recreation – Selectperson Gauthier
Conservation –Selectpersons Mills and Gauthier will share, depending on schedules
Safety – Chairperson Scalley
Zoning Board – Selectperson Mills, continue as the Select Board Rep.
Airport – Selectperson Mills
School Withdrawal – Selectperson Gauthier

ELECTION RESULTS – Chairperson Scalley read the results. A copy of the results is attached.

Discussion regarding the wording of Article #10, noting that the article failed. Discussion that the article is for the upkeep of all town buildings and the term “new” in the warrant article is confusing. Discussion regarding the suggestion of changing the articles name to reflect its purpose (i.e., building maintenance). The Board indicated that they would communicate with legal counsel to check.

Ben Jellison wanted to thank everyone who helped on election day, noting that it went very smooth and there was a great turnout. Imre Szauter confirmed that there were 279 voters this year. Everyone thanked Imre Szauter for all of his hard work throughout the election day process.

Discussion regarding the two-sided ballot and possibly going to a one-sided ballot in the future. Imre Szauter explained that this year there was a two-sided ballot and approximately 12 voters did not fill out the other side. Ben Jellison informed the Board that he had spoken with the Town Clerk regarding the pricing difference between one-sided and two-sided, and it would cost approximately $600 more. Jellison indicated that it would be in the best interest to do a one-sided form and he would budget for it next year.

MS-232 – The Board reviewed the MS-232. Selectperson Mills motioned to approve and sign the MS-232; Selectperson Gauthier seconded. Discussion-none. Gauthier-AYE, Mills-AYE, Scalley-AYE.

VETERAN’S TOTAL & DISABLED EXEMPTION (LETOURNEAU) – The Board reviewed the exemption. Selectperson Mills motioned to approve and sign the Veteran’s Total & Disabled Exemption for Letourneau; Selectperson Gauthier seconded. Discussion-none. Gauthier-AYE, Mills-AYE, Scalley-AYE.

ELDERLY EXEMPTION (HOTCHKISS) – The Board reviewed the exemption. Selectperson Mills motioned to approve and sign the Elderly Exemption for Hotchkiss; Selectperson Gauthier seconded. Discussion-none. Gauthier-AYE, Mills-AYE, Scalley-AYE.

INTENT TO CUT (RAMSEY; 205-043-000-000) – The Board reviewed the Intent to Cut for Ramsey. Selectperson Mills motioned to approve and sign the Intent to Cut for Ramsey 205-043-000-000; Selectperson Gauthier seconded. Discussion-none. Gauthier-AYE, Mills-AYE, Scalley-AYE.

SNOWMOBILING ON OLD CHERRY MOUNTAIN RD (Jefferson Hilanders S.C.) – The Board reviewed an email that was received from the Jefferson Hilanders Snowmobile Club. The Club explained that they groom a section of Old Cherry Mountain Rd in the Town of Carroll and there has been some talk from a couple of land owners that they want the road closed to snowmobiling. The club asked where the Board stands on this matter and what their opinion may be. The Board briefly discussed, noting that there are more homes going in the area, as well that it would be indicated on the homeowner’s deed and easements. The Board indicated that there would need to me more info in regards to the issue.

2022 FOREST FIRE WARDEN/DEPUTY WARDEN REAPPOINTMENT - The Board reviewed the 2022 reappointment. Selectperson Mills motioned to approve and sign the 2022 Forest Fire Warden/Deputy Warden Reappointment; Selectperson Gauthier seconded. Discussion-none. Gauthier-AYE, Mills-AYE, Scalley-AYE.

WATER WARRANT (PEASE) - The Board reviewed the water warrant for Pease. Selectperson Mills motioned to approve and sign the water warrant for Pease; Selectperson Gauthier seconded. Discussion-none. Gauthier-AYE, Mills-AYE, Scalley-AYE.

FOLLOW-UP:

SCHOOL WITHDRAWAL – The Board reviewed the results of Article #17, noting that it failed overall, however in the Town of Carroll, it was in favor (197-yes, 67-no, 15-blank). It was also noted that at least 40 voters from each town voted in favor of Carroll withdrawing from the district, totaling approx. 24%. A copy of the Article #17 result is attached.

Selectperson Gauthier read out loud a letter received from the school district today regarding a meeting to discuss the creation of a subcommittee and the apportionment formula. A copy of the letter is attached.

OTHER:

LETTER TO EDWARD JONES (TRUSTEES OF THE TRUST FUNDS) - Chairperson Scalley explained the purpose of the letter is to allow the members listed to have access, as there are new members and it’s required by Edward Jones. Selectperson Mills motioned to approve and sign the letter to Edward Jones for the Trustees of the Trust Funds; Selectperson Gauthier seconded. Discussion-none. Gauthier-AYE, Mills-AYE, Scalley-AYE.

LOCAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN UPDATE – GRANT AGREEMENT AMENDMENT - Chairperson Scalley explained the purpose of the amendment is a date change from 4/1/2022 to 4/1/2023 for project completion. Selectperson Mills motioned to approve and sign the grant agreement amendment; Selectperson Gauthier seconded. Discussion-none. Gauthier-AYE, Mills-AYE, Scalley-AYE.

ZBA MEETING FOLLOWUP – Selectperson Mills wanted to update the Board and the public, as well as address the content of the discussion from last week’s ZBA meeting on 3/10/2022. Please see the attached notes read by Selectperson Mills.

It was also noted that Selectperson Mills was in attendance at the ZBA Rep. at the ZBA meeting last Thursday, Scalley as the Building Inspector, and Gauthier as a member of the public. Mills confirmed that there were no decisions or comments made as a board at the ZBA meeting.

OTHER CONTINUED:

Discussion regarding the auctioned properties and the $21,000 that was left in the budget to Raze the Buildings. The Board all agreed that that once the property is sold (which it is still in the process), they would like to give it back to the tax payers if it does not end up being needed.

The Board agreed there would be no changes to the budget.
Chairperson Scalley asked to have the checks cut to the Trustees of the Trust Funds, the Library, and the Chamber. Selectperson Mills motioned to approve the secretary to cut the checks to the Trustees of the Trust Funds, the Library, and the Chamber; Selectperson Gauthier seconded. Discussion-none. Gauthier-AYE, Mills-AYE, Scalley-AYE. The secretary acknowledged. Chairperson Scalley reminded that the other checks would not be issued until after June.

Chairperson Scalley asked the Board to determine a date for the employee pay raises. The Board agreed the new rates would begin on April 3rd, 2022. Selectperson Mills motioned April 3, 2022 the date for the employee’s pay raises to take effect; Selectperson Gauthier seconded. Discussion-none. Gauthier-AYE, Mills-AYE, Scalley-AYE. The Secretary acknowledged.

Rena Vecchio stated that there is a 250th Anniversary meeting tomorrow night at 6:00pm, as well as on March 30th. Vecchio also mentioned a fundraiser for a canoe, which would be discussed at the meeting tomorrow night.

Greg Hogan presented bond information paperwork to Board as a handout to review for the next meeting.

Chairperson Scalley explained that previously he had worked with Greg and would like to continue working with Greg on this process, confirming the Board would be informed throughout the process. Selectperson Mills motioned Chairperson Scalley to be the Select Board Rep for the Bond work with Greg Hogan; Selectperson Gauthier seconded. Discussion-none. Gauthier-AYE, Mills-AYE, Scalley-AYE.

Greg Hogan presented the Board with a solid waste contract in handout form to review for the next meeting.

Ben Jellison inquired about the library hours, noting that before Covid, the Library was open one night a week (Monday’s) and asked if they would be changing their hour back to what they used to be. Jellison explained that his kids enjoy going there and cannot make it to the library during the day. The Board acknowledged and would reach out to the library to see if there is any indication that they would be going back to their pre-covid hours and the convenience/benefit of library being open one night a week for families.

Chairperson Scalley suggested to the Board that a joint workshop be set up between the Select Board and both Land Use Boards, to work together and all be on the same page going forward, noting the benefit to meet and discuss any gray areas that have come up with the zoning ordinance over the past years. The Board fully agreed and asked the secretary to reach out the land use secretary to get a few dates from the land use boards to schedule a workshop with a date that works for all the boards. The secretary acknowledged.

The next Select Board meeting will be Tuesday, March 22nd, 2022 starting at 5:00 p.m.

At 6:24 p.m., Chairperson Scalley made a motion to go into non-public session per RSA 91-A:3 II legal and personnel. The motion was seconded by Selectperson Mills and polled; Mills-AYE, Gauthier-AYE, Scalley-AYE.

At 7:27 p.m. Chairperson Scalley made a motion to return to public session and seal the minutes. The motion was seconded by Selectperson Mills seconded and polled; Mills-AYE, Gauthier-AYE, Scalley-AYE. The motion passed unanimously.

Chairperson Scalley made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Selectperson Mills seconded. Mills-AYE, Gauthier-AYE, Scalley-AYE; and the motion passed unanimously. Chairperson Scalley declared the meeting ended at 7:27 p.m.

RELATED DOCUMENTS:

2022 Election Results

Article 17 Vote Results, March 2022

April Meeting Notice from WMRSD

ZBA Meeting Response