APPROVED

 

TOWN OF PELHAM

BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING

MINUTES

September 16, 2003

APPROVED – September 23, 2003

RECONSIDERED and APPROVED – September 30, 2003

 

 

CALL TO ORDER

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

 

PRESENT:

Mr. Harold Lynde (arrived after the meeting commenced), Mr. William McDevitt, Mr. Jean-Guy Bergeron, Mr. Richard Derby, Mr. Victor Danevich

 

Also present:

 

ABSENT:

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

 

None.

              

The acting Chairman, William McDevitt, opened the meeting at approximately 6:30 pm. 

 

MINUTES REVIEW

 

September 2, 2003

 

MOTION:

(Derby/Bergeron) To approve the September 2, 2003 meeting minutes as amended.

 

VOTE:

 

(4 - 0 - 0) The motion carried.

 

The change to the minutes was as follows: page three the word commendation shall replace the word ‘accommodation’.

 

September 9, 2003

 

MOTION:

(Derby/Bergeron) To approve the September 9, 2003 meeting minutes as written.

 

VOTE:

 

(3 - 0 - 1) The motion carried.  Mr. Danevich abstained.

 

OPEN FORUM

 

Tim and Pat Fraize, Noela Avenue/Honey Lane met with the Board to discuss the situation regarding the water problems on his property.  He didn’t feel the mitigation suggestion (loam & seeding) contained in the report dated July 23, 2003 submitted by Herbert Associates would solve the current drainage problems.  He said that he had requested to be present at the site walks; the first one he was unable to attend; the second he wasn’t called.  Mr. Gaydos said the second site walk was performed by Town Engineer, Highway Department and himself.  He believed that the loam and seeding was identified somewhere else.  He believed that the recommendation for the area in front of Mr. Fraize’s property was to clean the culvert, and flush the catch basin.  Mr. Gaydos said that Mr. Fraize had reiterated many of his initial concerns, which would be brought up at the next meeting with the engineering in the coming week.  Mr. Fraize said the situation had been reviewed during the summer, when in actuality, the problems occur in the spring.  He said since he had been meeting with the Planning Board for over three years, it was his understanding that they had made decisions to correct the problem.  He said because the Planning Board didn’t know how the corrections would be financed, or when the work could be done, the situation was presented to the Selectmen.  Mr. Fraize discussed one instance in which he had to contact the Town to bring a back-hoe because he could not get out his front door, due to the amount of water on his property.  He said if work was to be done on his property, other than what was outlined by the Planning Board on January 20, 2003, or requested of the Planning Board in May, 2003 he would like to be contacted in writing. 

 

Mr. McDevitt said when the Selectmen requested that the site be reviewed by Herbert Associates (contractor’s engineer) and the Town Engineer it was to determine the situation of the area.  He said it was unclear if the problems on Mr. Fraize’s property were due to construction, improper design or pre-existing.  Mr. Fraize noted that Herbert Associates was being asked to review work that they had originally done.  Mr. McDevitt asked Mr. Gaydos if the Town’s Engineer had an opportunity to review the report submitted to the Selectmen.  Mr. Gaydos said that he would be meeting with the Town’s Engineer next week to review Mr. Fraize’s report and subsequently they would make a presentation to the Planning Board.  Mr. McDevitt asked that Mr. Fraize be invited to the meeting with the Town’s Engineer.  Mr. Fraize said he would like the meeting to occur on his property.  Mr. Gaydos said there would be a meeting on Mr. Fraize’s property.   

 

Ms. Fraize discussed her frustration with the time (three years) it is taking to rectify the situation.  She noted that water was sitting on their leach field. 

 

There was further discussion regarding the current situation.  Mr. Gaydos will contact Mr. Fraize to set up a meeting on his property. 

 

APPOINTMENTS

 

Judge Michael Jones - Naming Policy

 

Judge Michael Jones met with the Selectmen to suggest that a committee be formed to create a policy related to naming public building/space.  He discussed recent situations in other communities.  He felt the committee should be no more than four or five people, and possibly the Librarian, since she has recently been through the naming process.  He felt it was important to have public input.  Judge Jones discussed what things the policy would possibly pertain to.  He said he had no predisposition one way or the other, but simply because he was aware it was an issue in Town and one that other communities were also facing. 

 

The Selectmen agreed to ask Judge Jones to head the committee.  Interested citizens were asked to apply at the Town Hall.  Judge Jones suggested asking the Librarian, and the Park & Recreation Director to join the committee. 

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

Gendron Junkyard Application

 

Mr. Bergeron stepped down. 

 

Mr. McDevitt said a junkyard application had been submitted, which the Selectmen needed to act upon.  Mr. Gaydos said he had compiled all the previous correspondence regarding the matter.  He felt the prudent thing to do was to request that Code Enforcement Officer Roland Soucy and Fire Chief David Fisher review the site and submit an assessment of such to the Selectmen.  Mr. Gaydos believed once the information was gathered a public hearing could be scheduled. 

 

Coombs Junkyard

 

Mr. Gaydos informed that Maynard & Paquette had completed the survey and monuments would be placed on the North side of the property.  He said once they were established a meeting would be set to delineate what was on the Town’s property; a fence would then be erected; the Raymond Park committee would then work on constructing the road. 

 

Mr. Bergeron returned to the Board.

 

Mr. Lynde arrived.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

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

 

Board of Adjustment - Total amount requested $3,418, which was an increase of approximately $230 from last year. 

 

Conservation - Total amount requested $12,959; which was an increase of approximately $2559 from last year. 

 

Trust Funds - Total amount requested $95; which was a reduction of approximately $1945 from the last year.  There was some confusion as to the accuracy of the amount requested because the trustees had not yet met to make a final decision regarding the budget.  It was suggested to add a number for book keeping, which could later be reduced if necessary. 

 

Cemetery - Total amount requested $103,255; which was an increase of approximately $11,148 from last year. 

 

Budget Committee - Total amount requested $2438; which was an increase of approximately $41 from last year.

 

Health Officer - Total amount requested $4100; which was the same amount requested last year.

 

Cable - Budget re-reviewed due to request for new equipment & repairs $46,178, which may be offset by the new Adelphia contract (amount will not exceed franchise fees). 

 

Insurance - Total amount requested $648,881; which was an increase of approximately $450,000 from last year. 

 

There was a brief discussion regarding the money needed for the municipality’s computers; an amount had previously been inserted.  The Selectmen then discussed the Town Report; it was decided that they would be mailed.

 

Appointment of Planning Director

 

Mr. Lynde asked Mr. McDevitt to Chair the meeting while he made the following motion:

 

MOTION:

(Lynde/Derby) To appoint Mr. William DeAndrea as the Town of Pelham’s Planning Director, effective October 6, 2003.

 

VOTE:

 

(5 - 0 - 0) The motion carries. 

 

Mr. Lynde resumed as Chairman. 

 

Vote on Budgets (warrant articles will be voted reviewed at another meeting).

 

Operating Budget - $6,862,090

 

Assessor - requested - $66,550 - Adelphia cable was removed - amended budget now $66,359.

MOTION:

(McDevitt/Bergeron) To approve $66,359 as the Assessor’s budget for 2004. 

 

VOTE:

 

(5 - 0 - 0) The motion carries. 

 

Mr. Gaydos noted that the estimated revenue for the Appraisal is $3000.

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Board of Adjustment - requested $3418 - An amendment was made to the line item for Salaries - amended budget now $3185.

MOTION:

(McDevitt/Bergeron) To approve $3185 as the Board of Adjustment’s budget for 2004. 

 

VOTE:

 

(5 - 0 - 0) The motion carries. 

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Budget Committee - requested $2438 - An amendment was made to the line item for Salaries - amended budget now $2397.

MOTION:

(McDevitt/Bergeron) To approve $2397 as the Budget Committee’s budget for 2004. 

 

VOTE:

 

(5 - 0 - 0) The motion carries. 

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Cable Television  - requested $100,000.

MOTION:

(McDevitt/Bergeron) To approve $100,000 as the Cable Television’s budget for 2004. 

 

VOTE:

 

(5 - 0 - 0) The motion carries. 

 

Mr. Gaydos said revenue was $105,000 - the understanding was any additional money received in conjunction with signing the Adelphia contract would be going into a separate fund strictly for ongoing purchases in future years.

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Conservation Commission - requested $12,959 - An amendment was made to the line item for Salaries  - amended budget is $12,772.  There was a question regarding the amount needed for postage/copies for mailers regarding open space; once backup information is provided the Selectmen could reconsider the budget.  Budget was further amended and reduced to $10,400 (last year’s budget); when backup information  is received the Selectmen will review further. 

MOTION:

(McDevitt/Bergeron) To approve $10,400 as the Conservation Commission’s budget for 2004. 

 

VOTE:

 

(4 - 1 - 0) The motion carries.  Mr. Lynde voted no. 

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Debt Service Interest (interest on long-term debt) - requested $213,690 - Mr. Gaydos noted that $8000 from the Spring Street bond would need to be appropriated in order to expend it for interest.  Amended request $221,690.

MOTION:

(McDevitt/Bergeron) To approve $221,690 as the Debt Service Interest budget for 2004. 

 

VOTE:

 

(5 - 0 - 0) The motion carries. 

 

$8000 is the anticipated 2004 revenue.

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Principal on Debt (10-year note)- requested $100,000 (road bond payment); $280,000 (municipal building bond); $20,000 (Spring Street bond); $5000 TAN note.

MOTION:

(McDevitt/Bergeron) To approve $405,000 as the Principal on Debt budget for 2004. 

 

VOTE:

 

(5 - 0 - 0) The motion carries. 

 

Mr. Gaydos noted that $20,000 was income.

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 Elections - requested $16,250

MOTION:

(McDevitt/Bergeron) To approve $22,750  as the Elections’ budget for 2004. 

 

VOTE:

 

(5 - 0 - 0) The motion carries. 

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Emergency Management- requested $942

MOTION:

(McDevitt/Bergeron) To approve $942 as the Emergency Management’s budget for 2004. 

 

VOTE:

 

(5 - 0 - 0) The motion carries. 

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Fire Department - requested $1,047,114 - Amendments were made to the line items for Telephone, Equipment Repairs (copier maintenance), Supplies - budget amended to $1,044,999

MOTION:

(McDevitt/Danevich) To approve $1,044,999 as the Fire Department’s budget for 2004. 

 

VOTE:

 

(5 - 0 - 0) The motion carries. 

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Health Officer - requested $4100

MOTION:

(Derby/Bergeron) To approve $4100 as the Health Officer’s budget for 2004. 

 

VOTE:

 

(5 - 0 - 0) The motion carries. 

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Highway Department - requested $728,702

MOTION:

To approve $728,702  as the Highway Department’s budget for 2004. 

 

VOTE:

 

(5 - 0 - 0) The motion carries. 

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Human Services - requested $35,875.

MOTION:

To approve $35,875 as the Human Service’s budget for 2004. 

 

VOTE:

 

(5 - 0 - 0) The motion carries. 

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Insurance - requested $648,881.

MOTION:

To approve $648,881 as the Budget Committee’s budget for 2004. 

 

VOTE:

 

(5 - 0 - 0) The motion carries. 

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Legal - requested $75,000.  Mr. Bergeron asked that $5000 be added to the legal budget for possible future use by the Regional Water District.  After a brief discussion the Selectmen agreed to add $5000 (which would be offset by revenue) to the budget under a separate line item for tracking purposes.. 

MOTION:

(Derby/McDevitt) To approve $80,000 as the Legal budget for 2004. 

 

VOTE:

 

(5 - 0 - 0) The motion carries. 

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Parks and Recreation - requested $294,866.  Amendments were made to the line items for Expenses and Fuel - budget amended to $291,601

MOTION:

(Derby/Bergeron) To approve $291,601 as the Park and Recreation budget for 2004. 

 

VOTE:

 

(4 - 1 - 0) The motion carries.  Mr. McDevitt voted no.

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Planning Board - requested $14,220

MOTION:

(Bergeron/Derby) To approve $14,220 as the Planning Board’s budget for 2004. 

 

VOTE:

 

(5 - 0 - 0) The motion carries. 

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Planning Department - requested $214,632. Amendments were made to the line items for Salaries, Supplies, Gasoline, Vehicle Repairs, Miscellaneous - budget amended to $182,145

MOTION:

(McDevitt/Bergeron) To approve $182,145 as the Planning Department’s budget for 2004. 

 

VOTE:

 

(5 - 0 - 0) The motion carries. 

 

Mr. Gaydos noted that the revenue was $140,000.

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Police Department - requested $1,671,891.  Amendments were made to the line items for Miscellaneous/Specials, Expenses - budget amended to $1,644,011

MOTION:

(McDevitt/Derby) To approve $1,644,011 as the Police Department’s budget for 2004. 

 

VOTE:

 

(5 - 0 - 0) The motion carries. 

 

Police Chief Evan Haglund asked if the part-time dispatch salary had been adjusted.  An analysis was done in area towns, and those with similar population size and on a departmental average the part-time dispatch salary was approximately $12.07 per hour.  He said the $9.00 per hour outlined in the back up material would need to be adjusted. 

 

MOTION:

(McDevitt/Bergeron) To reconsider the Police Department budget.

 

VOTE:

 

(5 - 0 - 0) The motion carries. 

 

After a brief discussion regarding how the adjusted amounts should read, the budget was amended to $1,650,000.

 

MOTION:

(McDevitt/Bergeron) To approve $1,650,000 as the Police Department’s budget for 2004.

 

VOTE:

 

(5 - 0 - 0) The motion carries. 

 

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Retirement - requested $323,326

MOTION:

(McDevitt/Derby) To approve $323,326 as Retirement’s budget for 2004. 

 

VOTE:

 

(5 - 0 - 0) The motion carries. 

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Selectmen - requested $327,847.

 

MOTION:

(Derby/Bergeron) To approve $327,847 as the Selectmen’s budget for 2004. 

 

VOTE:

 

(5 - 0 - 0) The motion carries. 

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Senior Citizens - requested $62,297. An amendment was made to the line item for Salaries.  There was a brief discussion regarding the condition of the Senior Citizen’s bus and if a new vehicle should be purchased; there may be some obligations if the bus was purchased using grant monies.  The line item for bus maintenance was increased. Budget was amended to $64,927.

MOTION:

(McDevitt/Danevich) To approve $64,297 as the Senior Citizen’s budget for 2004. 

 

VOTE:

 

(5 - 0 - 0) The motion carries. 

 

Offsetting revenue of $9444.

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Tax Collector - requested $65,871.  There was a brief discussion regarding hiring additional staff; further information is needed; the Tax Collector will meet with the Selectmen to discuss the issue.  An amendment was made to the line item for computer supplies - Budget was amended to $65,446.

MOTION:

(McDevitt/Derby) To approve $65,446 as the Tax Collector’s budget for 2004. 

 

VOTE:

 

(5 - 0 - 0) The motion carries. 

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Town Buildings - requested $314,223.  The line item for maintenance was amended - Budget amended to $313,655

MOTION:

(McDevitt/Bergeron) To approve $313,655 as the Town Building’s budget for 2004. 

 

VOTE:

 

(5 - 0 - 0) The motion carries. 

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Town Celebrations - requested $7030.

MOTION:

To approve $7030 as the Town Celebration’s budget for 2004. 

 

VOTE:

 

(5 - 0 - 0) The motion carries. 

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Town Clerk - requested $93,226.

MOTION:

To approve $93,226 as theTown Clerk’s budget for 2004. 

 

VOTE:

 

(5 - 0 - 0) The motion carries. 

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Transfer Station - requested $485,692.

MOTION:

To approve $485,692 as the Transfer Station’s budget for 2004. 

 

VOTE:

 

(5 - 0 - 0) The motion carries. 

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Treasurer - requested $7500.

MOTION:

(McDevitt/Derby) To approve $7500 as the Treasurer’s budget for 2004. 

 

VOTE:

 

(4 - 0 - 1) The motion carries.  Mr. Lynde abstained.

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Trust Funds - requested $2095.

MOTION:

(McDevitt/Derby) To approve $2095 as the Trust Fund’s budget for 2004. 

 

VOTE:

 

(5 - 0 - 0) The motion carries. 

 

TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT/SELECTMEN’S REPORTS

 

Mr. Gaydos had no report.

 

Mr. Danevich said he had been researching issues surrounding a skateboard park and was going to organize a committee to find out what was allowed. 

 

Mr. Bergeron said he had attended the Regional Water District meeting September 11th as well as the round table meeting September 13th.  He said he would be attending the NRPC meeting September 17th. 

 

Mr. Derby had no report.

 

Mr. McDevitt had no report.

 

Mr. Lynde informed that the Planning Board interviewed five engineering firms; no decision has been made, but will be meeting to make a recommendation.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

MOTION:

(Bergeron/Derby) To adjourn the meeting.

 

VOTE:

 

(5 - 0 - 0) The motion carries. 

 

The meeting was adjourned at approximately 11:20 pm.

                                                                                          Respectfully submitted,

 

                                                                                          Charity A. L. Willis

                                                                                          Recording Secretary