APPROVED

TOWN OF PELHAM

BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING

MINUTES

June 10, 2003

APPROVED – June 24, 2003

CALL TO ORDER

PLEDGE OF ALLEGAINCE

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

MINUTES REVIEW

May 27, 2003

OPEN FORUM

Mr. Leo Doherty, 45 Robin Road, requested a status report for Robin Road and Honey Lane.  He said Mr. Gaydos had assured him that the recent resignation of Planning Director Amy Alexander would have no affect with the progress of the roads.  Mr. Gaydos said that he met with a representative of TF Moran, as well as Mr. Peter Zohdi (Herbert Associates).  A site walk was done and areas needing improvement were identified, as well as problems on individual properties.  A list of the findings will be presented to the Planning Board, public and the developer.  The indication from the developer was an open meeting would be welcomed.  The meeting will be scheduled shortly.

Mr. Doherty asked how the Town would proceed once the list was presented.  Mr. Lynde believed the intent was to first identify items that needed to be done to bring the road into compliance.  He understood that the developer wanted a list of items needing completion so that the road could be accepted by the Town.  He said the list created in connection with individual properties could also be reviewed so that recommendations could be given to the property owners of how to alleviate certain situations.  Mr. Doherty asked if the developer would fix the complete list of items.  Mr. Gaydos believed that the developer was interested in completing the development.  He said the Town’s position would be that every item on the list should be repaired.  Mr. Doherty was concerned with the winter maintenance for the road being taken care of.  Mr. Lynde suggested listing the plowing cost on the list of items to be addressed.  Mr. Gaydos felt it would be appropriate. 

Ms. Cathy Scalia, 15 Robin Road confirmed that the Town had contact with the developer.  Mr. Gaydos said the developer welcomed an amicable closure to the current situation. 

APPOINTMENTS

Fire Chief David Fisher submitted a form to the Chairman for signature, which finalized the paperwork for the Fire Department’s new tanker truck.  Mr. Lynde signed the paperwork.  Chief Fisher discussed the financing, which was obtained at a low interest rate.  He also noted that through negotiations, approximately $25,000 was saved.   

OLD BUSINESS

Municipal Building

Budget - Mr. Gaydos said that the final stages of the punch list for the Municipal side would occur Wednesday.  He said that the Police was one step ahead of the Municipal side.  He said that the contract for communications had been awarded to Rockport Technologies.  He said the ceiling tiles were being reviewed for their current condition so if there was any damage during the communications installation the tiles would be replaced/fixed. 

Mr. Lynde informed that the Selectmen held a special meeting Thursday, June 5, 2003, for the purpose of acting upon recommendations to award the bid for communications, data and phone wiring, which was awarded to Rockport Technologies ($71,456.75).  Mr. Danevich discussed what technology would need to be installed before the Police Department could move into the building.  Mr. Gaydos explained the phase process for the move into the new Municipal Building.  He said that the Planning Department may have to work at two places at one time due to the file archives. 

Mr. Lynde asked if there was a plan to remove the Police trailers.  Mr. Gaydos believed that the Police Chief would be handling the removal of the trailers.  Mr. McDevitt said he had an informal conversation with Mr. Bruce Mason, who may have a use for the Police trailers. 

Mr. Gaydos informed that the trees were planted, and the grass would now be seeded.  He said all items were being completed quickly.  He said the current projection would be to come in with $10,114 under budget.  He said there were some minor plumbing items that still needed to be addressed.  There was further discussion regarding the data and phone line implementation. 

There was a brief discussion regarding the possibilities for an opening day ceremony for the Municipal Building.  Mr. Gaydos will keep the Selectmen informed of communication technology completion dates. 

Mr. McDevitt informed that the Pelham Community Spirit group was actively working on a plan for Fourth of July festivities.  He said that fireworks would be displayed at the Pelham Elementary School. 

Raffle approval for Sherburne Hall - Mr. McDevitt said he misspoke when he said there would be raffle, which was clarified by the wording in RSA 287a.  He said by the definition of the RSA, the Town was not proposing a raffle.  He said what was being proposed was that the names of the people who donated (a minimum of $25) to Sherburne Hall would be entered into a drawing to win a week vacation at Pollard Mountain for the week of November 16 - 23rd.  He suggested that Town employees and elected/appointed officials and their families shouldn’t be eligible.  He said with the Selectmen’s agreement, he would post the drawing information on the Town Message Board.  The Selectmen did not have a problem with Mr. McDevitt posting information regarding the drawing on the Town Message Board. 

Road naming at the Municipal Center - Mr. Lynde noted that the Selectmen had previously discussed naming the access road to the Municipal Complex, and had requested that the Safety Committee review any name suggestions.  Mr. Gaydos said that the Safety Committee had not yet reviewed the name suggestion.  He said that he would bring the suggested names to the Safety Committee for review.  Mr. Bergeron asked that consideration be given to have the Municipal Building’s address on Marsh Road.  Mr. Lynde noted that there had been a majority vote to name the access for the Municipal Complex.  Mr. Derby informed that there was a mailbox blocking site distance when exiting the Municipal Complex.  He suggested moving the mailbox further down the road.  He also suggested that the Town move the mailbox for the resident, since it was a safety concern.  Mr. Bergeron pointed out that Marsh Road was also Route 111a.

Sherburne Hall - Mr. McDevitt said the Sherburne Hall Committee had voted to donate the school board (in the hall) to Chunky’s Cinema for display purposes.  He said if anyone was interested in the school board, they should contact the Selectmen.  Mr. Lynde said if anyone was interested in the school board they should contact the Selectmen by the next meeting. 

NEW BUSINESS

Planning Director position

Mr. Lynde informed that the Town had received a letter of resignation from the Planning Director Amy Alexander approximately a week ago.  He said Ms. Alexander’s last date of employment would be June 13, 2003.  He said the Selectmen had conducted interviews with two individuals that possessed Planning Director experience.  He discussed the decisions facing the Selectmen to fill the open Planning Director position.  He said the Selectmen would be meeting with the Planning Board to discuss the options for the open position, as well as plans for the Planning Department.  Mr. Gaydos asked for the authority to place an ad in area publications so that it could be listed in Sunday’s circulation.  He said he would place a listing in the Union Leader, Lowell Sun and Nashua Telegraph.  He said that an ad could also be placed on various web pages (i.e. Office of State Planning, NRPC, NHMA).  Mr. Gaydos discussed the importance of reviewing the objectives of the Planning Department with the Planning Board.  Mr. Danevich confirmed that the joint Selectmen/Planning Board meeting would be held in public session.  Mr. Lynde answered yes.  Mr. McDevitt suggested that the Planning Department have temporary assistance until a new Planning Director was hired.

Mr. Gaydos pointed out that one of the largest obstacles of the Planning Department was the consolidation of files.  Mr. Lynde asked Mr. Gaydos to formulate a couple proposals for the Selectmen to consider.  Mr. Gaydos said he was prepared to discuss proposals, but did not want to discuss individuals.  He went on to briefly discuss some of the options the Planning Department was facing.             

NEW BUSINESS

None.

TOWN ADMNISTRATOR’S REPORT/SELECTMEN’S REPORTS

Mr. Gaydos said that he would be attending the New Hampshire Municipal Manager’s Conference next Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.  He said that he would address his responsibilities with Breadloaf before leaving.  He noted that the phase one contract (design) with Breadloaf was paid to 93% (with approximately $36,000 remaining).  He said once the agreement was acceptable, the remaining payment would be released. 

Mr. Derby said after reviewing the Town, he noticed telephone poles that needed replacement.  He said a letter could be written to Granite State, or Verizon for removal.  He said that the CIP met and discussed bridges (Castle Hill and Tallant Road).  He said CIP discussed building all three fire sub-stations at the same time since interest rates were low.  He said CIP also discussed refinancing the new school and the Municipal Building with lower rates.  He said the Cemetery garage on the Mills property was discussed by the CIP and the possible use of the old Fire house.  He said another discussion was the possible uses for the Town Hall Annex.  Mr. Derby ended by acknowledging Mr. Bruce Mason for his forward looking approach in the way he runs the Transfer Station.  Mr. Gaydos discussed the Municipal Center bond and didn’t feel that the annual rates would change very much after the third and fourth year. 

Mr. McDevitt said that a letter had been received from Mr. Bruce Mason regarding the light iron, aluminum, brass and copper, which reinforced the fact that the market place fluctuated.  He said that a compliance inspector from the Department of Environmental Services reviewed the Transfer Station and gave the Town a grade of ‘5’, which was the highest possible compliance grading. 

Mr. Bergeron said that the Regional Water District Charter meeting would be held Thursday, June 12, 2003.  He said that NRPC meeting would be held June 18, 2003, which he planned to attend.  He ended by congratulating Mr. Bruce Mason for his hard work.

Mr. Danevich requested that during the next meeting he be allowed to provide an update regarding the Technology plan.  He said that Park and Recreation would meet next Monday.  He requested that a legal brief (marked client confidential) that was sent to the Zoning Board of Adjustment be released to the Planning Board and the Conservation Commission, which involved a court decision and opinion.  He felt the attorney’s comments could be valuable to the boards as a learning experience.  He said that the document would still remain client confidential.  The Selectmen granted Mr. Danevich permission to release the correspondence to the Planning Board and the Conservation Commission, with the understanding that the document would remain client confidential.  Mr. Danevich ended by informing that the Fire Chief was in the process of drafting a plan for fire substations, which would be brought forward in the near future. 

Mr. Lynde asked for an update regarding the Torrisi easement situation.  Mr. Gaydos said that he had been in contact with Attorney Peter Bronstein (Town’s Attorney).  He said that Mr. Torrisi’s attorney had contacted him and would be forwarding written response to him.  Mr. Lynde asked if the residents of Maple Drive had contacted Mr. Gaydos.  Mr. Gaydos said the residents had not yet contacted him.  Mr. Lynde said that the Police Chief had informed that he was in contact with the NHDOT regarding the Mammoth Road/Keyes Hill Road intersection, who agreed there was a problem.  The intersection will now be addressed.  He informed that the Old Home Day Committee had decided to invite the members of the Municipal Building Committee to be the parade marshals for 2003.  He said Old Home Day would be held Saturday, September 6, 2003. 

REQUEST FOR NON-PUBLIC SESSION

Mr. Lynde 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 7:55 pm.  Also present was Mr. Gaydos.

The Board returned to public session at approximately 8:45 pm.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at approximately 8:45 pm.

                                                                                          Respectfully submitted,

                                                                                          Charity A. L. Willis

                                                                                          Recording Secretary