APPROVED

 

TOWN OF PELHAM

BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING

MINUTES

September 9, 2003

APPROVED – September 16, 2003

 

CALL TO ORDER

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

 

PRESENT:

Mr. Harold Lynde, Mr. William McDevitt, Mr. Jean-Guy Bergeron, Mr. Richard Derby

 

Also present:

 

ABSENT:

Mr. Tom Gaydos, Town Administrator, members of the press and general public.

 

Mr. Victor Danevich

              

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

 

MINUTES REVIEW

 

Deferred to the next scheduled meeting.

 

OPEN FORUM

 

Mr. Tim Fraize, Noela Avenue asked the Selectmen for an update of the work to be done in the Honey Lane and Noela Avenue area since the last public meeting on May 15, 2003.  He said that he had requested to be present at the site walks, but was not informed of the last site walk review.  Mr. Gaydos said that there had been a meeting with TFMoran (Town Engineer), Mr. Peter Zohdi of Herbert Associates and himself went to the site and subsequently requested that the plans be reviewed.  He said since the initial plan review, the plans had some changes and an additional site walk was done with Highway Road Agent Don Foss and TFMoran.  There were some minor changes made to the plans.  Mr. Gaydos said at this point a meeting would need to occur with the property owners, the Planning Board and put the work out to bid; all of which would need to be done in the next three weeks.  Mr. Lynde informed Mr. Fraize that there was a set of plans available for review at the Selectmen’s office. 

 

Mr. Fraize cautioned if the work was not done in the next two months, the ground would be saturated.  Mr. Lynde said if there were any problems the Selectmen should be informed.  Mr. Gaydos will find out if the plan could be reviewed at the next scheduled Planning Board meeting, if not he will request to place an agenda item for the October 6, 2003 Planning Board meeting.   

 

APPOINTMENTS

 

Interview for alternate position for Conservation Commission

 

Ms. Amy Hunt met with the Selectmen to discuss her request for appointment as an alternate member of the Conservation Commission.  She said that she was looking to get involved in her community since Pelham is where she grew up, and where she wanted to raise her future family.  Ms. Hunt discussed how her current position as a Program Coordinator at the Massachusetts Environmental Trust could benefit the Conservation Commission.  She briefly discussed the impacts on the environment and water quality due to growth, which could be better protected through ‘smart growth’.  Mr. McDevitt asked Ms. Hunt if she had any matter that was recently before the Conservation Commission, or that would be brought before the Conservation Commission.  Ms. Hunt said that there was current litigation involving her property that she was not involved in.  She said that there were three acres that were primarily wetlands that could possibly be subdivided, but she reiterated she was not involved in the proceedings.  She said she would step down from the board if there were any plans presented to the Conservation Commission.     

 

MOTION:

(Derby/Bergeron) To appoint Ms. Amy Hunt to an alternate position on the Conservation Commission with a three-year term commencing as of April 1, 2003.

 

VOTE:

 

(4 - 0 - 0) The motion carried.

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

Municipal Building

 

Mr. Gaydos informed that the lobby furniture at the Municipal Center was now set up.  He said a report was being received regarding the communication wiring at the Municipal building, the Library has been completed. 

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

Budget Review -The Selectmen reviewed the line items contained within each of the following budgets:

 

Cable TV - Total amount requested $51,870, which was an increase of approximately $3200 from last year.  There was a discussion regarding how the budget for new equipment and repairs would be handled;  It was suggested that the request should be drafted as a warrant article.  The budget will be revised and reviewed further by the Selectmen before submission to the Budget Committee.     

 

Mr. Lynde left the meeting for a short time.  In Mr. Lynde’s absence, Mr. McDevitt was acting Chairman.

 

Parks and Recreation - Total amount requested $294,866; appropriation approved at 2003 Town Meeting was $269,337.  Revenue for 2003 (through September 9, 2003) $70,328.

 

Seniors - Total amount requested $62,927; appropriation approved at 2003 Town Meeting was $52,910. 

 

Retirement - Total amount requested $323,326; appropriation approved at 2003 Town Meeting was $237,566. 

 

Treasurer - Total amount requested $7500; appropriation approved at 2003 Town Meeting was $7400.

 

Town Buildings - Total amount requested $314,322; appropriation approved at 2003 Town Meeting was $213,408. 

 

Mr. Lynde returned and resumed his position as Chairman.

 

TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT/SELECTMEN’S REPORTS

 

Mr. Gaydos said five bids had been received and opened for the work to be done on Spring Street Extension: 1) Target Construction - $212,377.80; 2) Newport Construction - $242,484.50;  3) JW Darra - $243,411.  He noted that the appropriation was $200,000.  He asked TFMoran (Town Engineer) to calculate the non-Town owned area to see if it fell beneath $200,000.  Mr. Gaydos said he received word from Maynard & Paquette (surveyor for Coombs Junkyard) that the completed survey would be completed by Friday afternoon.  Mr. Gaydos thanked Mr. William Hayes for finding needed information regarding the Forestry Account for the Department of Revenue.  He reported that Mr. Torissi had requested permission for test boring in the road (off Castle Hill Road) to determine the depth in the ledge.  He said permission was granted and the tests were done today.  He noted that a survey had been done regarding the Torissi issue, which confirmed work had been done beyond the approved 30ft.  He said the matter was now before the Planning Board for a presentation.  Mr. Gaydos informed that Congressman Bass was in Town on September 8, 2003 to tour the Municipal Building. 

 

Mr. Bergeron said that two roads had been paved at Gibson Cemetery.  He said he would be attending a meeting of the Regional Water District, September 11th.  He said there would be a Regional round table meeting on Saturday that he would attend.  He ended by saying he would be attending an NRPC Commissioner meeting on September 17th.

 

Mr. McDevitt said that the Senior Center was seeking a part-time cook (20 hours); interested parties should contact Ms. Sue Hovling at 635-3800. 

 

Mr. Derby said that the Highway Department was working on Plower Road.  He said in two weeks the start of the budget season would begin.  Mr. Gaydos noted that there were a few budgets still outstanding; major budgets had already been reviewed, but needed final review and vote by the Selectmen.

 

Mr. Lynde said that the Planning Board would meet on Monday to interview Town Engineers.  He informed that there would be an Open Space Committee meeting held Thursday to review items for warrant articles.  He noted that Fall Soccer would begin Saturday at Muldoon Park.  Mr. Lynde ended by saying that Old Home Day was successful. 

 

Mr. Gaydos said that he needed approval for Police Chief Evan Haglund the authority to take actions as he deems fit to accept New Hampshire Fish and Game OHRV Grants.

 

MOTION:

(Derby/McDevitt) To authorize Police Chief Evan Haglund the authority to take actions as he deems fit to accept New Hampshire Fish and Game OHRV Grants. 

 

VOTE:

 

(4 - 0 - 0) The motion carries. 

 

REQUEST FOR NON-PUBLIC SESSION

 

MOTION:

(Derby/Bergeron) Request for a non-public session per RSA 91-A:3,II, d (Consideration of acquisition, sale or lease of property).

 

ROLL CALL:

 

Mr. Lynde-Yes; Mr. McDevitt-Yes; Mr. Derby-Yes; Mr. Bergeron-Yes

 

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 9:20 pm.  Also present was Mr. Gaydos.

 

The Board returned to public session at approximately 9:40 pm.

 

The Selectmen then discussed the need to review other personnel matters.

 

MOTION:

(McDevitt/Bergeron) Request for a non-public session per RSA 91-A:3,II, a (Personnel)

 

ROLL CALL:

 

Mr. Lynde-Yes; Mr. McDevitt-Yes; Mr. Derby-Yes; Mr. Bergeron-Yes

 

The Board entered into a non-public session at approximately 9:43pm.  Also present was Mr. Gaydos.

 

The Board returned to public session at approximately 9:53 pm.

 

MOTION:

 

(McDevitt/Bergeron) To seal the minutes of the non-public session indefinitely.

 

VOTE:

 

(4 - 0 - 0) The motion carries.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

MOTION:

(McDevitt/Bergeron) To adjourn the meeting.

 

VOTE:

 

(4 - 0 - 0) The motion carries. 

 

The meeting was adjourned at approximately 9:53 pm.

                                                                                          Respectfully submitted,

 

                                                                                          Charity A. L. Willis

                                                                                          Recording Secretary