APPROVED
TOWN OF
BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING
MINUTES
APPROVED – September 16, 2003
CALL TO ORDER
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
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PRESENT: |
Mr. Harold Lynde, Mr. William McDevitt, Mr. Jean-Guy Bergeron, Mr. Richard Derby, Mr. Victor Danevich |
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Also present: ABSENT: |
Mr. Tom Gaydos, Town Administrator, members of the press and general public. None |
The Chairman, Harold Lynde, opened the meeting at
approximately
MINUTES REVIEW
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MOTION: |
(McDevitt/Derby) To approve the |
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VOTE: |
(4 - 0 - 1) The motion
carries. Mr. Danevich abstained. |
The amendments to the minutes were as follows: page two - the word will replaced the word with in the following sentence: “...Breadloaf will work with Boyden Landscaping”; page two - the word presents shall replace the word presented “....when he presents his budget to the Selectmen”; page four - the word up was added to the following sentence “...could receive back up help until....
OPEN FORUM
Mr. Lynde informed interviews had been conducted for the Planning Director position. He said a candidate had been selected, and an offer had been made. Final confirmation was still pending. It was anticipated, if the candidate accepted the position and the background/reference check was confirmed the candidate would begin during the first week in October.
Crossroads Baptist Church, Assistant Pastor Mr. Eric Craven, 43 Atwood Road met with the Selectmen to request permission for the use of land at the Fire Station to set up a moon bounce ride for children during the Old Home Day festivities. He said donations would be accepted for the High School sports department.
Mr. Lynde stepped down; he is part of the Old Home Day Committee.
The Selectmen discussed their concerns - narrow use of space, busy intersection, traffic, liability coverage with the Town listed, late timing of request, favorable comment/review from Police and Fire Chiefs, exposed sheet metal, lack of fencing for control of minors, electrical wires.
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MOTION: |
(Danevich/Derby) To not permit the moon bounce on the
proposed location (Police Station parking lot) this year. |
|
VOTE: |
(4 - 0 - 1) The motion carries
to not permit the requested use. Mr.
Lynde had stepped down. |
Mr. Lynde returned to the Board.
APPOINTMENTS
Mr. Bill Scanzani
and Mr. Larry Hall to discuss going forward to bond fire station
Mr. Bill Scanzani, CIP Chairman and Mr. Larry Hall, CIP Co-Chairman met with the Selectmen to discuss the CIP recommendation to bond a central fire station and two fire sub-stations. Mr. Scanzani read aloud a letter submitted to the Selectmen that discussed the reasons and needs that the CIP believed additional fire station structures were needed (i.e. building not sized properly for current use, small lot with no adjacent land available, inadequate parking facilities for staff, age of building, substantial repairs needed). He said the CIP sent letters to the Selectmen and the Budget Committee indicating the broad based planning initiative to ask for joint support for funding a bond item on the March ballot for Town meeting for building a new central station, and two sub-stations to meet the long-term needs of the community. He said it was felt that Pelham had a one time opportunity to fund the entire project this year with no additional tax impact; the facts were based upon an expiring road bond, the reduction in the cost of existing bonds and reduction in other capital needs along with the use of already collected impact fees. He discussed the benefits to the Town if the bond were funded this year.
There was a discussion with Fire Chief David Fisher regarding what his priorities were. Chief Fisher said that Spring Street was his goal to straighten out. His understanding was that the presentation was strictly financial, with the stations being built over the next five years. The Selectmen discussed the possibility of bonding and what would be needed. Chief Fisher said that building plans were being worked on for design of a central station and two substations. Mr. Scanzani noted that the impact fees that were being collected were specifically for a new central station and two substations. He said once the impact fees started being collected, and the project was scheduled in the CIP, the Town was capable at that point to go out and bond the project over time. He said the CIP wanted to fund the entire project while there were low interest rates, but understood that further discussion was needed. Mr. Lynde confirmed that the impact fees were being collected for a central station, two substations and equipment for the stations. Mr. Scanzani answered yes. He discussed the current impact fee scheduled, that had been put in place two years ago.
Mr. Bergeron asked how the stations would be manned. Fire Chief Fisher said at the present time the goal was that call members would man the substation.
Mr. Gaydos said he could obtain bond counsels opinion and report back to the Selectmen. Mr. Lynde asked that information be obtained regarding a 10-year vs. 20-year note along with the projected interest.
Mr. Bergeron asked what would happen if approval was granted for two of the stations, and the third were not approved. Mr. Scanzani discussed the fact that if the impact fees were collected and the third station was not approved, the impact fees would need to be returned. He said that the fees had started being collected two years ago. Mr. Bergeron asked if there were any plans to spend money to fix the existing station. Mr. Scanzani said the CIP didn’t feel spending money to fix up a station would make sense because of the existing site constraints.
Mr. Derby said that bond counsel’s opinion should be obtained and then the center station location would need to be determined.
OLD BUSINESS
Technology Update - Mr.
Gaydos said that cabling and fiber was currently being done to connect the
buildings. Mr. Danevich said that fiber
had been run; testing was still needed and would possibly being lit up within
the next day, or so. He said that the
internet and e-mail was running.
NEW BUSINESS
Budget Review -The
Selectmen reviewed the line items contained within each of the following
budgets:
Fire Chief David Fisher informed that the Federal Government
had informed that a grant was awarded to the Fire Department in the amount of
$31,986, which would put a new air compression system in the fire station.
Emergency Management - Total amount requested $942, which was the same request from last year.
Fire - Total amount
requested $1,051,022; appropriation approved at 2003 Town Meeting was
$776,478.
It was noted that the majority of the increase was due to salaries. The following warrant articles were submitted:
1) To raise and appropriate $10,000 to be placed in the Ambulance Capital Reserve Fund.
2) To raise and appropriate $52,000 for the purchase of two manual defibrillators.
3) To raise and appropriate $130,000 for the purpose of funding four new firefighters/EMT positions.
Mr. Danevich read aloud a letter of commendation sent by the Southern New Hampshire Medical Center with regard to the fine work of the Pelham Fire Department when providing assistance to those affected by the lightening storm in August.
Police - Total amount requested $1,671,891, which was an $87,468 increase from the 2003 budget. There was a brief discussion and it was agreed to by the Selectmen to place the cost of two cruisers in the Police budget, rather than submit a warrant article. The following warrant article was submitted:
To raise and appropriate $32,426 to hire and equip one additional Police Officer.
Mr. McDevitt asked that Chief Haglund provide year-to-date statistics on calls received and responded to by the Police Department.
Planning Board - Total
amount requested $14,220, and increase of approximately $1600 from 2003.
Planning Department -
Total amount requested $214,632, which was an increase of approximately
$42,560 from the 2003 budget.
Selectmen’s Office - The Selectmen reviewed the budget. Mr. Gaydos will research certain items and provide further information for further review by the Selectmen.
TOWN
ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT/SELECTMEN’S REPORTS
Mr. Gaydos said the term length for NRPC Commissioners was reviewed and said it was recommended to stagger the appointment dates. The following motions were made:
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MOTION: |
(Bergeron/Derby) To appoint Mr. Leo Thibeault as an NRPC Commissioner
with a two-year term, effective as of |
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VOTE: |
(5 - 0 - 0) The motion
carries. |
It was noted that Mr. Tom Collins appointment as an NRPC Commissioner will be a three-year term effective as of April 1, 2003; Mr. Jean-Guy Bergeron’s appointment as an NRPC Commissioner will be a four-year term effective April 1, 2003.
Mr. Gaydos said that one bid had been received for the removal of the Police trailer.
Mr. Bergeron stepped down.
Mr. Lynde opened the bid for removal of the Police trailer, which had been submitted by Mr. Jean-Guy Bergeron with a bid amount of $1,771.
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MOTION: |
(Danevich/McDevitt) To accept, and award Mr. Jean-Guy
Bergeron the bid for removal of the Police trailer in the amount of $1,771. |
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VOTE: |
(4 - 0 - 1) The motion
carries. Mr. Bergeron had stepped
down. |
Mr. Bergeron returned.
Mr. Derby had no report.
Mr. McDevitt read aloud a letter sent by the DES which
informed there would be a hearing on
Mr. Danevich had no report.
Mr. Bergeron had no report.
Mr. Lynde said Hillsborough Attorney John Coughlin had sent
a letter thanking the Town for inviting him to participate in the dedication
ceremony of the
ADJOURNMENT
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MOTION: |
(Bergeron/McDevitt) To adjourn the meeting. |
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VOTE: |
(5 - 0 - 0) The motion
carries. |
The meeting was adjourned at approximately
Respectfully submitted,
Charity A. L. Willis
Recording Secretary