APPROVED

TOWN OF PELHAM

BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING

MINUTES

April 23, 2002

APPROVED – May 7, 2002

CALL TO ORDER

PLEDGE OF ALLEGAINCE

Chairman Farris opened the meeting at approximately 6:30 pm. 

MINUTES REVIEW

None.

OPEN FORUM

None.

APPOINTMENTS

Interview for Planning Board Alternate position

Mr. Ray Brunelle met with the Selectmen, seeking an appointment as an alternate to the Planning Board.  He said that he had lived in Town for awhile, and would like to be involved with the development.  He said he would like to make the Town a good place for his future family to reside. 

Mr. McDevitt asked how the Planning Board’s case would be handled that Mr. Brunelle was an abutter to.  Mr. Brunelle said he would abstain from the proceedings.  Mr. McDevitt asked if he had any other interests in Town, other than his home.  Mr. Brunelle said he did not own any additional land, other than his single-family dwelling. 

Mr. Farris wanted to know how Mr. Brunelle would handle open space.   Mr. Brunelle felt that open space preservation was a good idea.  He believed that good planning would prevail and that the developers and the Planning Board should work together and create developments that were in the best interest of the Town.  Mr. Farris asked how waivers would be handled.  Mr. Brunelle believed they should be handled on a case by case basis. 

Mr. Lynde arrived.

OLD BUSINESS

Municipal Project - Bread Loaf Agreement

Mr. McDevitt informed that Town Counsel and Breadloaf had agreed to the wording the contract, which was now ready for signature.  Mr. Farris noted that the contract was for the design phase and that the construction management phase still needed to be discussed. 

Mr. McDevitt said he was still concerned with Senate Bill Two, but had read an article that made him believe that a delay may cost more money.  He realized that the Town would need to wait on the bond, but felt that the Town should move forward with bid specs. 

Mr. Lynde said that he had heard of a company that offered a note for a low interest rate.  He will research further.  He suggested that an impact of the new building should be assessed so that the Town could decide whether to wait or take a higher interest.  There was a brief discussion regarding bids and how long they were valid.

Mr. McDevitt noted that he had spoken with Mr. Tom Sommers of CLD Engineering (Town Engineer) who would be forwarding a proposed rough schedule of when CLD and Mr. Roland Soucy Town Building Inspector should review the project. 

NEW BUSINESS

Highway Safety Committee recommendation - Wedding request

Mr. Farris said a request had been received to hold a wedding in the gazebo (at the Town common) in June, with seventeen people in attendance.  He said the request had been reviewed and approved by the Safety Committee, provided that a Police Officer be present and paid for by the participants.

MISCELLANEOUS

Town surplus

Mr. McDevitt suggested that the Library be contacted regarding surplus items contained in their attic.  He believed there may be items to be added to the surplus list.  He also suggested that certain items in the Town Hall upstairs meeting room be considered for the surplus list as well. 

Town center traffic study

Mr. Farris noted that a decision had not been made regarding the traffic study in the Town Center.  Mr. Lynde said that it had been suggested that the Master Plan Committee review.  Mr. Bergeron said that the possibility of matching funds still needed to be researched, which he felt would be key in making a decision.  Mr. Farris said that Mr. MacQueen would be reviewing the possibility of matching funds with NRPC. 

There was a brief discussion regarding the possibility of placing stop signs and the differences of placing a three-way or four-way stop.  Mr. Farris suggested that the Selectmen wait for NRPC to inform what money, if any, were available.  He said then the Fire Chief should provide comments.  Mr. McDevitt said he would also like to receive public input. 

Mr. Derby said that due to the new development, he did not want to procrastinate making a decision.  Mr. Farris suggested sending a request to the state for the placement of a stop sign on Route 111a.

Mr. Lynde favored the roundabout proposal.  He felt that it would be a better long time solution, but was also in favor of an interim solution of the placement of stop signs.  Mr. Bergeron suggested conducting a survey of how long people waited at a stop sign before entering the flow of traffic.  Mr. Farris said he would discuss the issue with the Chief and find out what process should be taken to approach the state regarding the placement of a stop sign on Route 111a.  He said that NRPC would also be contacted regarding any available funds. 

NEW BUSINESS CON’T........

Town Clerk pay

Mr. McDevitt felt that the Town Clerk/Tax Collector pay should be reviewed.  He wanted to be clear that Ms. Dorothy Marsden, the person currently holding the position, did not ask him to discuss her salary with the Selectmen.  He felt she should be paid more than the minimum salary ($41,200) for the position since she had a lot of experience.  He suggested crafting a document so that it was clear that if Ms. Marsden did not continue the position, her pay would go back to her normal salary (allotting for the annual increases). 

There was a brief discussion regarding the past and current salary.  Mr. McDevitt will ask Mr. MacQueen for a salary history of the position. 

TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT/SELECTMEN’S REPORT

Mr. Lynde had no report.

Mr. Derby said that he spoke with the assessor about submitting a CIP plan for Town reevaluation. 

Mr. Bergeron said that he had a conversation with Mr. Bruce Mason at the Transfer Station.  Mr. Mason said that the trailer company had been contacted regarding the parts needed for the trailers.  He said they would provide all parts necessary to repair the standing legs for the trailers.  He said that no leaves, grass or stumps would be allowed at the brush pile.  Mr. Bergeron informed that ambulance #1 was out of service, mutual aid had been notified and it would not be a major expense to repair. 

Mr. McDevitt said he received an e-mail from Mr. Darrell Gagne and met with him and Mr. Bob Tryon, Park & Recreation.  He said there were no major issues and the rules were in place for the softball club.  He didn’t expect any problems in the future.  Mr. McDevitt said that certain members of the Garden Club would like to prune some trees at Muldoon Park.  The Selectmen did not have a problem with the trees being pruned. 

Mr. Farris said that there had been a misquote in a local paper regarding pets at Town parks.  He clarified by saying that pets would not be allowed on the playing fields or playgrounds at Town parks. 

Mr. Farris ended by discussing the fire stairs at the Town Hall, which had been deemed unsafe by the Fire Chief.  The Selectmen discussed the stairs and decided that they should be replaced with what was currently there.  Since sending the job to bid would be too time consuming, it was decided to seek the recommendation of the Building Inspector, seek bids, and Mr. Lynde would place a note on the message board.  Mr. Farris asked if the Annex stairs should also be reviewed.  No one disagreed. 

Mr. Farris reminded the Selectmen that the Muldoon Park ball field would be opening at 9:00am on Saturday.

REQUEST FOR NON-PUBLIC SESSION

Mr. Farris noted that when the Board returned, after the non-public session, the Board would not take any other action publicly, except to seal the minutes of the non-public session and to adjourn the meeting.  The Board entered into a non-public session at approximately 7:30 pm.

The Board returned to public session at approximately     pm.

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION:           (              ) To adjourn the meeting.

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

The meeting was adjourned at approximately    pm.

                                                                                          Respectfully submitted,

                                                                                          Charity A. L. Willis

                                                                                          Recording Secretary