NOT APPROVED

TOWN OF PELHAM

BOARD OF SELECTMEN

MINUTES

November 21, 2000

CALL TO ORDER

PLEDGE OF ALLEGAINCE

PRESENT:           Mr. William McDevitt, Ms. Deb Casey, Mr. Harold Lynde, Mr. James Hardy

Also present:       Mr. James Pitts, Town Administrator, members of the press and general public.

ABSENT:             Mr. Greg Farris

Chairman McDevitt opened the meeting at approximately 6:35 pm.

MINUTES REVIEW

None.

OPEN FORUM

No public input.

APPOINTMENTS

MR. WALTER SIKUT, PETITION WARRANT ARTICLE  

Mr. Walter Sikut, Marsh Road, appeared before the Board to enter a petition to stop the sidewalk from being added to Marsh Road.  He said there is no present danger for pedestrians.  He said a sidewalk would inhibit cars from being able to safely clear the road for emergency vehicles.  He also said in winter, the Town would have to maintain as well as add drainage.  Mr. Sikut informed that the abutters would rather not have the sidewalk.  He said the children attending the nearby school wouldn’t use the sidewalk either, they would take a school bus.   He also felt the cost was exorbitant.  He requested the Board to have their Warrant Article beside the proposed, so people could clearly find it.  He ended by reading the proposed Warrant Article, which contained 54 signatures.

INTERVIEW FOR CABLE TV POSITION

Mr. Brad Paquin appeared before the Board to interview for the available cable TV position.  He said he would be right for the position because it would allow him to work around his sports schedule. 

Mr. McDevitt asked if the position would interfere with his schoolwork.  Mr. Paquin answered no. 

MOTION:           (Hardy/Casey) To appoint Brad Paquin to the cable television position.

VOTE:                 (4 - 0 - 0) The motion carries.

OLD BUSINESS

REVIEW OF NEW HIGHWAY WARRANT ARTICLE FOR A TRUCK                 

Mr. McDevitt read the Warrant Article aloud.  The Board briefly discussed the actions being taken regarding the lease/purchase.

Mr. Pitts informed the Board of two ways in which to word the Warrant Article: 1) to ask for a lump sum to pay the lease off early (and delete the reference to the four-year lease/purchase) , or 2) list the annual cost of each of the four-years separately (and have the voters vote on each year, but have the budget divided into four years).

Mr. Lynde’s understanding was that the voters would be asked to purchase outright.  There was a brief discussion regarding the re-wording of the Warrant Article.  Mr. Pitts was asked to determine alternative wording.

TRANSFER STATION UPDATE

Ms. Casey informed that during a meeting with Waste Management.  At the conclusion of the meeting it was determined additional information would be needed.  Ms. Casey said she had been back in contact, and now had answers.  1) change the pick ups of the 30-yard containers to Friday afternoon (which has now been done and is working; 2) proposal of building modifications, equipment needs and tip & transfer still to be received (within the next 2-3 weeks).  Ms. Casey said, as expected, the tonnage is increasing.  She also said that beginning in January the cost of the compaction units is already covered and the cost per ton would drop approximately $4.  She ended by saying she would have additional information within the next two to three weeks.

Mr. Lynde asked about the space for people to enter and exit and inquired about an open-top trailer.  Ms. Casey said it was discussed and was contrary to what CMA suggested.  Mr. Hardy said the issue may be worth re-visiting.  Mr. McDevitt added that there is already a meeting set up for Monday which this subject could be discussed. 

REVIEW OF WARRANT ARTICLE WORDING

Mr. McDevitt suggested that the Board review the Warrant Articles for proper and correct wording prior to the upcoming Budget Committee meeting.  He said one of the issues was to try and simplify the Warrant Articles, but at the same time keeping within the law.

The Board discussed the following Warrant Articles as follows:

1) Town Health Insurance Fund - The cost and dispersion of premiums was discussed.  It was decided to review the numbers within the next week. Mr. Pitts asked if the Warrant Article was needed to routinely reimburse the trust fund from expenditures.  It was then decided to seek counsel’s opinion regarding the addition of a sentence to the end of the Article as well as to discuss Mr. Pitt’s inquiry. 

2) Highway - It was determined to keep the wording as stated in the past.

3) Compensated Access Fund - It was considered to re-phase by adding the following words in parenthesis “accrued vacation time and sick leave, as required by law and union contract.”  It was also decided to replace the word dispersing with the word paying.

Mr. Hardy left the discussion, to return later.  (see notation below)

4) Storm Order Mapping System - No comments from the Board.

5) Police - No comments from the Board.

6) Pick-up Truck for Animal Control - No comment from the Board.

7) Copy Machine - No comment from the Board.

8) Traffic Study - It was suggested to add the words “in Pelham’s center.”

9) Fire Department Staffing Increase - It  was suggested to add the words “for the purpose of having the Fire Department providing full-time coverage in Pelham’s Center, staffed 24-hours a day, 7-days a week.” also “the above sum represents the full salaries of these positions.”

10) Handicapped Access to Library - It was suggested to add the words “to be added to the handicapped accessible trust fund.”

11) Urgent Request Requirement Fund - No comment from the Board.

12) Fire Department Ventilation System - It was suggested to add the words “vehicle exhaust ventilation system.”

13) Capital Reserves Fund - No comment from the Board.

14) Codification of Local Ordinance Policies - No comment from the Board.

15) Cemetery - No comment from the Board.

16) Municipal Capital Reserve Fund - It was suggested to delete the words “for the purpose of constructing a municipal building.”

17) Marsh Road Sidewalk -  No comment from the Board.

18) Emergency Ways - No comment from the Board.

19) Planning Code Administrative Assistant - It was suggested to add the words “due to code enforcement and planning activities.”

Mr. McDevitt then reviewed the Warrant Articles still to be voted on by the Board.

1) Capital Reserve Fund of $75,000 to be established for the purpose of accumulating funds to replace three Town bridges (Tallent Road, Willow Street and Castle Hill Road).  It was decided that the funds would be needed for construction in any case.

MOTION:           (Lynde/Casey) To approve the Warrant Article as printed.

VOTE:                 (3 - 0 - 0) The motion carries.

2) Municipal Building Committee - to raise monies to hire professional assistance to conduct review of Sherburne School as well as other existing Town buildings.  The amount discussed at the Building Committee meeting was $30,000 (based on the Town’s requirements).  There may be a slightly different number once parameters are set.

Mr. Hardy returned.

Ms. Casey asked if any of the monies from the Capital Reserve Fund could be used.  Mr. McDevitt answered no.  Ms. Casey then asked if the Board desired to reduce the $200,000 to $170,000 then add the Warrant Article for $30,000.  Mr. McDevitt believed that to be feasible. 

Mr. Lynde asked if the amount would be sufficient of what needed to be done and the uses to which the other buildings would be put to.  Mr. McDevitt said that was the intent, and if more detailed parameters were given, the proposed company would be able to provide a number that any company would be likely to charge.

MOTION:           (Lynde/Casey) To add theWarrant Article in the amount of $30,000.

VOTE:                 (4 - 0 - 0) The motion carries.

Ms. Casey revisited the amount in the Municipal Building Capital Reserve Fund.

MOTION:           (Casey/Hardy) To amend the amount in the Municipal Building Capital Reserve Fund                                     Warrant Article to be reduced to $170,000.

VOTE:                 (4 - 0 - 0) The motion carries.

3) Municipal Building Capital Reserve Fund to possibly change the purpose.  Mr. McDevitt read the Warrant Article aloud.  The Board discussed the possibility of adding a statement if it passed, then the Warrant Article for $30,000 would become moot.  The Board then discussed re-wording, for clarity, without changing the purpose.  There were a few suggestions and it was decided to refine to be reviewed next week.

COOMBS JUNKYARD

Mr. McDevitt said the Board had requested a draft letter informing the owner of the junkyard of actions and consequences.  He then read the proposed draft aloud which included the following outstanding matters: 1) receipt of a certified plot plan; 2) several drums of unknown materials to be properly disposed of (with proof provided);  3)  junk car and other material storage. 

Mr. Hardy requested that the Code Enforcement Officer or Fire Department find out the contents of the drums. 

It was decided to send the letter.

NEW BUSINESS

The Planning Director position was discussed.  Mr. Pitts gave a breakdown of rates and informed what options surrounding Town’s had opted for.  He discussed the cost for hiring a part-time person versus long-term.  Ms. Casey asked what the definition of long-term was.  Mr. Pitts said at least one-year and further informed that he would gather more details and inform the Board.  Mr. Lynde asked if the part-time hours of twenty per week were sufficient or if the Town should have a full-time employee.  Ms. Casey felt that hiring Clay Mitchell, the interim Planning Director, long-term would benefit the Town.  She informed that Mr. Mitchell had informed he could add an additional four hours if he were allowed to telecommute.  Mr. McDevitt reiterated an earlier question, which was if the Town could get by with twenty hours per week.  Mr. Pitts felt that a three-month trial period would best provide the answer.  There was a discussion of what actions should be taken, to which the Board seemed to feel, at minimum, a six-month contract would be beneficial.  Mr. Pitts was asked to pursue a six-month contract.

TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT/SELECTMEN’S REPORT

Mr. Pitts informed of the Granite State Electric increase of 21%.  He then informed that he had been invited to a leadership conference which the topic would be business economic development.  Mr. Pitts said the new ambulance would be in service officially tomorrow.  The old one would be a trade-in.

Ms. Casey informed that at the last Planning Board meeting there were seven bond issues, which two were denied (Irene Drive and Irene Drive phase II).  She then informed that the Planning Board voted to increase the contingency fee from 10% to 30%.  She said the Open Space Development Ordinance was discussed as well as the Wetland Conservation District Ordinance.  She informed that the next public-hearing meeting would be December 18, 2000 and the proposed ordinances would be discussed, as well as the fixed-wing petition Warrant Article.  Ms. Casey then commended Pat Moulton for being the State individual champion.  She also informed that the boys came in first-place for cross-country.

Mr. Lynde informed that Conservation’s last meeting was a week ago in which they made it through half of their agenda.  The next meeting would be a week from Wednesday.  Valley Hill was site walked Saturday.  He said he felt the Wetland Ordinance discussion with the Planning Board went well.  Mr. Lynde asked about the NHMA notice regarding alternate Town Meeting dates.  Mr. McDevitt said it would be added to a future agenda.  Mr. Lynde also noted that Brenda Jensen, the newest member of Conservation attended the last meeting and site walk. 

Mr. McDevitt said that during the last Municipal Building Committee meeting the main topic was setting up parameters for the Review Company, which Mr. Pitts had previously worked with.  Mr. McDevitt  informed that the transfer station would be closed November 23 & 24, 2000.

REQUEST FOR NON-PUBLIC SESSION

MOTION:           (Lynde/Casey) Request for a non-public session per RSA 91-A:3, II,a.

ROLL CALL:     Mr. McDevitt-Yes; Ms. Casey; Mr. Lynde-Yes; Mr. Hardy-yes

Mr. McDevitt noted that when the Board returns, after the non-public session, the Board would not take any other action publicly, except to, perhaps, seal the minutes on the non-public session and adjourn the meeting.  The Board entered into a non-public session at approximately 8:20 p.m.   Also present was Mr. Pitts.

The Board returned to public session.

MOTION:           (Lynde/Casey) To seal the minutes of the non-public session indefinitely.

VOTE:                 (4 - 0 - 0) The motion carries.

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION:           (Lynde/Casey) To adjourn the meeting.

VOTE:                 (4 - 0 - 0) The motion carries.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 pm.

                                                                                          Respectfully submitted,

                                                                                          Charity A. L. Willis

                                                                                          Recording Secretary