Selectboard Meeting Minutes

Minutes of 4/3/2023

April 5th, 2023

Carroll Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes
April 3, 2023

“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: Jules Marquis, John Greer, Ken Mills

Members of the Public: Imre Szauter, Bobbi Amirault, Vern Amirault, Chris Pappas, Dave Scalley, Jeff Duncan, Greg Hogan, June Rogier, John Gardiner

The meeting was called to order at 5:01 p.m. by Chairperson Marquis.

Pledge of Allegiance.

APPROVAL OF 3/27/2023 SELECT BOARD MINUTES – Selectperson Mills motioned to approve the 3/27/2023 Select Board minutes as written; Selectperson Greer seconded. Discussion – none. All in Favor: Mills-AYE, Greer-AYE, Marquis-AYE.

APPROVAL & SIGNING OF MANIFESTS – All Board members confirmed that they had signed the manifests.

FISHING DERBY (AMIRAULT) – Vern Amirault explained that the Fishing Derby this year is scheduled for June 24, 2023 at the Town Recreation area. Amirault also gave the Board a brief history of the event and reasoning for the need to be included in the budget for the fishing derby. Amirault explained that his purpose tonight was to get the Board’s approval to use the Town Recreation Area and the approval to expend $347.50 for the purchase of fish. A copy of the request received from Vern and Bobbi Amirault is attached. Selectperson Mills made a motion to approve the use of the Town Recreation property for the fishing derby and to expend $347.50 for the purchase of fish for the derby; Selectperson Greer seconded. Discussion – Bobbi Amirault wanted to note that the fishing derby is not a competition and is for ages 15 and under. All in Favor: Mills-AYE, Greer-AYE, Marquis-AYE.

SUPPLEMENTAL WATER WARRANT – The Board reviewed the supplemental water warrant for Twin Mountain Plaza LLC and Furney, totaling $210.00. Selectperson Mills made a motion to approve and sign the supplemental water warrant; Selectperson Greer seconded. Discussion – none. All in Favor: Mills-AYE, Greer-AYE, Marquis-AYE.

AMBULANCE PURCHASE – Fire Chief Duncan spoke on behalf of this topic and explained to the Board that the department had gotten several quotes for the new ambulance and he is here tonight to get approval from the Board to purchase the new ambulance from American Emergency Vehicles (AEV). Chief Duncan highlighted that this is the lowest quote with the best price, as well as the same designer of the last three ambulances the town has purchased. Chief Duncan noted that the proposal is for a Ford chassis-equipped ambulance costing approx. $254,000, however it is anticipated to ultimately cost between $260,000-$270,000 with expected increases. Chief Duncan also estimates the arrival date for the new ambulance to be the end of 2024. Chief Duncan explained to the Board that the life expectancy of an ambulance is about 10 years, however, as they get older they usually require more maintenance. Chief Duncan also explained that the trade-in value is not ideal and suggested that when the time comes, it might be a better option to sell the ambulance to Littleton Regional Hospital for the same price as trade-in value, which would allow for a spare to be available if something ever happened. Chief Duncan also confirmed that all reusable equipment and supplies would be removed from the old ambulance and utilized on the new ambulance. Discussion regarding revenue generated from ambulance calls. Chief Duncan explained that the money received from calls goes into the Fire Department and Ambulance Apparatus, Equipment, and Personnel Special Revenue Fund, which in turn allows the Town to help offset the cost of purchasing things, like an ambulance. Chief Duncan estimated that the town receives approx. $80,000 generated each year in calls with two ambulances. Selectperson Mills made a motion to approve and sign the AEV proposal; Selectperson Greer seconded. Discussion – Selectperson Mills inquired about the equipment on the old ambulance being used on the new. Chief Duncan confirmed that the equipment is transferrable. Selectperson Mills retracted his previous motion.

Selectperson Mills made a motion to approve and have the chairperson sign the AEV proposal; Selectperson Greer seconded. Discussion – none. All in Favor: Mills-AYE, Greer-AYE, Marquis-AYE.

LIBRARY REQUEST (BOOKSHELF, DROP BOX, & SIGN) – June Rogier and John Gardiner spoke on behalf of the request, noting their reasonings for each item. Discussion regarding the same requests addressed by the previous Select Board in November of 2022. Discussion regarding each topic tonight is below. A copy of the request from the Library is attached.

Bookshelf: Discussion regarding egress obstruction issues in the Town Hall lobby where the proposed bookshelf would be mounted and the current table that is set up, noting the current folding table itself should not be there. The Board deferred this topic to Fire Chief Duncan who would meet with the Library to review placement and verify egress requirements before anything is put up.

Drop Box: Discussion regarding the shared use of the Town Office’s drop box. Rogier and Gardiner explained the necessity of the Library having their own drop box, which they would like placed parallel to the Town Office drop box on the opposite side of the entrance. It was also confirmed that the Library would be responsible for their own drop box. The Board deferred this topic to Greg Hogan.

Sign: Discussion regarding no signage currently for the Library. Discussion regarding the Library having a “moose” sign made similarly to the Police Department’s to indicate where the Library is located. Discussion regarding the possibility of having a shingle added to the new Town Hall/Public Safety roadside sign that is planned to be put up sometime this Spring. Discussion regarding if there is room on the sign for the additional shingle and/or if the sign can be modified to include a shingle. The Board would like this topic added to the next agenda under “Follow Up.”

FOLLOW UP:

LAND USE SECRETARY POSITION – The Board indicated that they would be conducting interviews tomorrow.

CLEANER/MAINTENANCE POSITION – The Board indicated that they would be conducting interviews tomorrow.

OTHER:

TOWN HALL THERMOSTATS (SZAUTER) – Imre Szauter explained to the Board that he has met and communicated with VHV Company regarding consolidating thermostats at the Town Hall building, noting that there are areas in the building where there are two thermostats. Szauter expressed that the consolidation would reduce electricity and propane usage, allow the system to be accessed remotely, and the ability to set up schedules, most notably during the “shoulder season”. Szauter explained to the Board that the quote for installation by VHV Company is $622 and the Town would need to purchase the thermostats, which are currently estimated to cost $200 each. Szauter explained that tonight is only to make the Board aware and would like it to be considered in the future. The Board expressed their interest in touring the buildings with Szauter before the next meeting. The Board would like this topic added to the next agenda under “Follow Up.”


LOCAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN UPDATE GRANT EXTENSION – The Board reviewed the grant extension paperwork submitted by Emergency Management. Selectperson Mills made a motion to approve and sign the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update Grant Extension; Selectperson Greer seconded. Discussion – none. All in Favor: Mills-AYE, Greer-AYE, Marquis-AYE.

Vern Amirault expressed his concern for the cell tower on Route 3 North, noting he does not believe there is a carrier on the tower and noted that when the tower was approved the company agreed to have a carrier on it within a certain timeframe, as well as the lack of reliable service currently. Brief discussion regarding 4G/5G and previous conversations with the cell tower company regarding the higher traffic of data usage in the area causing service reliability issues. The Board requested that the Secretary reach out to Industrial Communications regarding the concern. The Board would like this topic added to the next agenda under “Follow Up.”

David Scalley brought to the Board’s attention previous conversations regarding the Building Inspector’s compensation, noting it was discussed that the previous contracted cleaner was making more than the Building Inspector. Scalley reiterated that he previously requested that the compensation be increased to $40 per hour if he was going to be an employee or $50 per hour to continue as a contractor. Scalley indicated that he was not looking for a decision tonight, but wanted a response at the next Select Board meeting. The Board would like this topic added to the next agenda under “Follow Up.”

Chairperson Marquis announced that the next Select Board meeting is on Monday, April 17, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. in the Community Room.

At 6:01 p.m., Selectperson Mills made a motion to go into non-public session per RSA 91-A:3 II. The motion was seconded by Selectperson Greer and polled; All in Favor: Mills-AYE, Greer-AYE, Marquis-AYE.

At 7:03 p.m., Selectperson Mills made a motion to return to public session and seal the minutes. The motion was seconded by Selectperson Greer and polled; All in Favor: Mills-AYE, Greer-AYE, Marquis-AYE. The motion passed unanimously.

Selectperson Mills made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Selectperson Greer seconded. All in Favor: Mills-AYE, Greer-AYE, Marquis-AYE; and the motion passed unanimously. Chairperson Marquis declared the meeting ended at 7:04 p.m.

ATTACHMENTS TO 4/3/2023 MINUTES:

Fishing Derby Request

Library Request