APPROVED
TOWN OF
BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING
MINUTES
APPROVED –
CALL TO ORDER
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
|
PRESENT: |
Mr. Harold Lynde (arrived shortly after the meeting
commenced), Mr. William McDevitt, Mr. Jean-Guy Bergeron, Mr. Richard Derby,
Mr. |
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Also present: ABSENT: |
Members of the press and general public. None. |
The Vice Chairman, William McDevitt, opened the meeting at
approximately
MINUTES REVIEW
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MOTION: |
(Danevich/Bergeron) To approve the |
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VOTE: |
(4 - 0 - 0) The motion carried. |
The amendments to the minutes were as follows: page 6, 1st
paragraph - the sentence reading ‘...it should be done expediently’ shall be
modified to read ‘...it should be “inexpedient to legislate”.’; page 7, 3rd
paragraph - the word ‘attorney’ shall be changed to ‘attorneys’. The Selectmen came back to public session at
Mr. Lynde arrived.
OPEN FORUM
None.
ANNOUNCEMENT
Public Hearing -
Laying out
Mr. Lynde informed that the public hearing would be held at
the
Public Hearing - Street
Name Changes
Mr. Lynde informed that the public hearing would be held at
the
APPOINTMENTS
Mr. Danevich stepped down.
Members from the Skateboard Park Committee presented
information to the Selectmen. Ms.
Michelle Burke reviewed the Committee’s Mission Statement, which outlined the
reasons a skate park would be beneficial to the community and its residents
(i.e. accepted and approved area, accessibility, safety, multi-aged/various
skilled, component flexibility, encourages community pride). Mr. Rob Harden informed that the Committee
was open to those who are interested in skateboarding, BMX bikes and in-line
skating. He went on to explain the
reasons Pelham needed a skate park (i.e. #1 choice of teens, reduction of
damage to public and private places, involves percentage of students who are
not involved in main stream organized sports, skater safety, organization of an
unorganized physical sport, high interest, more skate parks built in last three
years than in last twenty years). He
noted how a skate park would solve problems by containing the activity,
reducing property damage, increase safety awareness, build a stronger community
and provide the opportunity for residents to excel at the sport they enjoy
participating in. Mr. Chad Payson
reviewed the proposed location (next to the basketball courts at the
Mr. Bergeron asked where students could presently skate. Mr. Harden said there were no locations to skate in Town. Mr. Bergeron wanted to know if Pelham residents were allowed to utilize parks in other towns. Mr. Harden believed most communities allowed outside residents to utilize their parks. He noted that because not all students had their driver’s license, they were restricted due to lack of transportation.
Mr. Bergeron asked if outside residents would be allowed to
use the proposed park. Mr. Harden
answered yes. Mr. Bergeron wanted to
know if there was a park in the area that was similar to the one being
proposed. Mr. Payson believed
Mr. Bergeron asked if the park had to be certified. Mr. Danevich said the equipment would need to be certified by insurance carriers. He discussed the type of equipment being reviewed, which would have a fifteen year, parts and labor warranty.
Mr. McDevitt asked if the Police Chief was satisfied with the proposed location. Mr. Payson answered yes. Mr. Danevich noted that the Police Department was soon to receive the grant money for construction of the basketball courts, and considerable money could be saved if the work could be done to the skate park at the same time. He said the skate park would be the same configuration as the basketball courts, which enabled easy conversion (into a different type of court, such as basketball or tennis) in the future. He said many towns utilize their local Highway Departments to save the costs associated with prep work.
There was further discussion regarding the favorable reasons for a skate park in Town and why the Selectmen and voters should support for the warrant article.
Mr. Lynde asked how many students currently skateboarded. Mr. Payson said there was a minimum of forty-five students at the High School.
Mr. McDevitt asked what the long-term maintenance was for the park. Mr. Danevich said the vendor being reviewed (as part of their agreement) would perform an annual review of the equipment for safety concerns. He reiterated that there was a fifteen-year warranty on the equipment. He said one of the main reasons for the Police Chief’s endorsement of the location was that the Police could facilitate monitoring the facility (there is also a video monitoring system in place).
There was a brief discussion regarding the grant requirements
(minimum 20% matching funds). It was
reiterated that the Selectmen were being asked to consider approving the use of
area at the
Officer Anne Perriello said she offered her support to the
Committee. She said that skating was an
upcoming sport and wanted to bring it to the public’s attention. She felt that the location would provide
Police with the ability to monitor the students. She discussed the current safety concerns
with students using the
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MOTION: |
(Derby/Bergeron) To authorize the location, and allow the
use of the old |
|
VOTE: |
(4 - 0 - 1) The motion
carries. Mr. Danevich stepped down. |
There was a brief discussion regarding the Skateboard Park Committee establishing an account to accept donations. Mr. Bergeron questioned if Town approval was needed prior to an account being set up. Mr. Lynde didn’t see a conflict since there were three means to collect funding of the skate park. Mr. Gaydos said the proposed was the natural progression for obtaining funding; he used the Sherburne Hall Fund as a recent example of a group seeking funds. He noted that the Selectmen would have approval of any grants being sought after.
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MOTION: |
(Bergeron/Derby) To allow the Skateboard Park Committee to
establish an account to receive donations for the purpose of constructing a
skateboard park at the Sherburne School Field. |
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VOTE: |
(4 - 0 - 1) The motion
carries. Mr. Danevich stepped
down. |
Donations would be accepted and accounted for by the Town Treasurer, using the Town’s tax i.d. number.
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MOTION: |
(McDevitt/Bergeron) To authorize the Skateboard Park
Committee to put together grant applications to seek funding for the
construction of a skate board park at the Sherburne School Field in Pelham. |
|
VOTE: |
(4 - 0 - 1) The motion
carries. Mr. Danevich stepped down. |
Any/all grant requests are to be reviewed by the
Selectmen. Mr. Lynde noted that the
warrant article would be reviewed
Mr. Danevich returned to the Board.
CTAC Interview -
Don Hornbeck
Mr. Don Hornbeck, 1 Timber Lane met with the Selectmen to interview for a position with CTAC. He discussed his qualifications and experience with television and electronic engineering.
Mr. Danevich asked if there was a limit to the number of members allowed on the CTAC committee. Mr. Jim Greenwood said nine members were allowed and currently there were five. Mr. Danevich asked what CTAC would work on now that the Adelphia contract was signed. Mr. Greenwood said there were various items to work on, such as Sherburne Hall, additional programming. He said he was impressed with Mr. Hornbeck application and felt he would be an asset to CTAC.
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MOTION: |
(Danevich/Bergeron) To appoint Mr. Don Hornbeck to CTAC
for a three-year term commencing as of |
|
VOTE: |
(5 - 0 - 0) The motion
carries. |
Janet Daigle - Use
of Sherburne Hall
Mr. McDevitt said that Ms. Daigle visited with the Sherburne Hall Committee and they suggested that she meet with the Selectmen.
Ms. Janet Daigle and other community members met with the Selectmen to discuss the possibility of organizing a Pelham Community Theatre. She said that she had extensive knowledge in all aspects of theater and had been active in the entertainment/arts community for many years. The group felt that Pelham would benefit by bringing the many talents and resources together of the citizens through a community effort to enrich the growing need for the arts. She said the community theatre would be solely funded through private donations and production of plays; any proceeds generated (after production costs) would be dispersed to Pelham community funds. Ms. Daigle said that the Pelham Community Theatre would like to use Sherburne Hall for four to five plays per year (one full week of rehearsal prior to production, Friday and Saturday evening performances and a Sunday matinee). She said she would like to see the Pelham Community Theatre preserved and regulated so there would only be one community theatre in use; thereby being supported by the community as a whole. She suggested to begin with, that the group sign a one-year contract.
Mr. McDevitt believed that some of the committee members of the Sherburne Hall Committee saw the Pelham Community Theatre as an opportunity to raise additional funds toward the hall. He said there were other considerations, such as the current state of the hall. He said the proposal could be compared to the agreement with the Pelham Men’s Softball for using Newcomb Field
Mr. Bergeron asked if the group would be private. Ms. Daigle said it would be a community group. Mr. Bergeron wanted to know what would happen after the expiration of the one-year contract. He also wanted to know what percentage would be donated to the Town. Ms. Daigle said she would like to set up a non-profit so the proceeds could be given to the Town (after production costs had been paid for). She was interested in having the group regulated by the Town. Mr. Gaydos said a division could be added under the Park & Recreation Department. There was a brief discussion regarding the how the theatre group could move forward and become integrated within the Town.
Mr. Danevich noted that Sherburne Hall was the only public meeting space. Ms. Daigle said the theatre group could work around the Town’s meeting schedule, but would want confirmation of hall use for the performances. Mr. Lynde said that the Selectmen and land-use board meetings would have priority. He said reservations for use could be taken, but there may be cases in which the scheduled changed. He didn’t see a problem with a schedule being brought forward for review. It was understood that there were certain ambiguities to be answered. Mr. Gaydos suggested discussing the Town’s relationship with the theatre group, and then moving forward with scheduling and working out the other issues.
Mr. McDevitt suggested having the Pelham Community Theatre under Park & Recreation to begin with. He said he would continue working with Ms. Daigle to present additional information to the Selectmen. It was also suggested that Ms. Daigle bring forward desired dates for use of the hall. Mr. Gaydos said he would work with Ms. Daigle.
Charlie Mooskian -
VFW Use of Town Hall/flag donation
Mr. Charlie Mooskian met with the Selectmen as a follow up to a previous meeting in which the VFW requested the use of the Town Hall. He provided a brief history of the VFW’s objective, which was to find a home and a permanent meeting place that could be used to display the history of the VFW. He said the members were in favor of using the Town Hall building and believed through an annual fund raiser would be able to fund the building’s maintenance. He noted that the by-laws prohibited the VFW from jointly owning a building as well as prohibited money being spent on a building not owned by the VFW. Mr. Mooskian ended by saying if the Town sold the building it would receive a one-time profit, but if the building were donated to the VFW, there would be a life-time profit to the Town through community involvement. He noted that the Town had donated the American Legion a building in the past.
Mr. Bergeron said that the Selectmen had recently begun discussion regarding the use of the Town Hall and Annex. He wanted to let the Selectmen know that the Lions Club was also interested in the use of the building and would be discussing it with their members. He said the building was still in use and wanted the VFW to know that other groups may want to have discussions as well. Mr. Lynde said the Selectmen were in the process of discovery to determine what the potential uses were for the building.
Mr. Herman Hanson met with the Selectmen to discuss the
flags on display throughout the
Mr. Bergeron asked if the $1000 would be requested annually. Mr. Hanson suggested that $1000 be allotted each year, and if it was not used, it would be reverted back to the Town.
Mr. Danevich supported the money, but wanted to ensure that
the funds would be used for maintenance, and not for expansion of the
program. Mr. Hanson discussed the
process taken to initially to install flags.
He said there was a desire to continue the flags further down
Mr. Bergeron asked for an explanation of how the fund was currently used. Mr. Hanson said the original fund was set up through donations. Over the years the funds had run out. Mr. Bergeron asked if funds and flags would be accepted as donations in memory of loved a one. Mr. Hanson answered yes. He noted that other towns put flags up, took them down and stored them.
Donations are accepted by sending funds to: Pelham Flag
Program P.O. Box 104, Pelham, NH 03076
The Selectmen continued their discussion and made the following motion:
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MOTION: |
(McDevitt/Bergeron) To reconsider the Town Celebration
Budget. |
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VOTE: |
(5 - 0 - 0) The motion
carries. |
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MOTION: |
(McDevitt/Bergeron) To increase the bottom line figure of
the Town Celebration Budget by $1000 (from $7030 to now read $8030) for the
purpose of having funds available in case its needed to help defray the cost
of flag maintenance, which includes flags, poles and brackets. |
|
VOTE: |
(5 - 0 - 0) The motion
carries. |
OLD BUSINESS
Firefighter
resignation
Mr. Danevich noted that the backup information had been received with regard to a firefighter resignation.
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MOTION: |
(Danevich/Derby) To regretfully accept the resignation of
Mr. Michael Jones, Call Firefighter effective |
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VOTE: |
(5 - 0 - 0) The motion
carries. |
Stop sign
installation requests
Mr. Danevich said stop sign requests had been received and reviewed by the Technical Review Committee as follows:
Stop sign installation request for
Stop sign installation request for
Stop sign installation request for
Stop sign installation request for
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MOTION: |
(Danevich/Bergeron) To direct the Highway Department to
install stop signs on |
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VOTE: |
(5 - 0 - 0) The motion
carries. |
Mr. Danevich said there was a request from a resident to
install a no outlet sign on
NEW BUSINESS
Mr. McDevitt said there had been several ideas regarding the
Mr. Bergeron believed that the NRPC were continuing their
study on the
Mr. Leo Thibeault,
Review Budget
Committee action on Town Budget
Mr. Gaydos informed that the Budget Committee had reviewed the Town’s budget and approved it with the exception of approximately 3%. He discussed the items that the Budget Committee indicated they wanted to see as warrant articles (Technical plan, Police cruisers, additional personnel in the Assessing Department).
There was a brief discussion as to the reason that the Police cruisers had been included in the budget and the importance of replacing cruisers. Mr. Gaydos asked to address each item at the next meeting.
2003 year-to-date
budget review
The Selectmen reviewed the 2003 year-to-date budget and
noted the projected surplus and deficit amounts. Based upon the projected figures, the
Selectmen agreed that Mr. Bergeron could give $5000 to the Regional Water
District in connection with legal review of the charter agreement.
SELECTMEN’S
REPORTS
Mr. Gaydos said the wetlands application had been signed in
connection with the
Mr. Gaydos said that Citizens Bank was offering a seminar which would highlight the acquisition of property for conservation purposes. He said he would be attending the meeting. The Selectmen suggested that Mr. Paul Gagnon, Open Space Committee member also be invited to attend. Mr. Gaydos discussed RSA 41:14a &c which, if approved at Town Meeting would enable the Selectmen to acquire property through a public hearing (the RSA worked outside the Conservation Fund).
Mr. Danevich said correspondence had been received from a
resident of Town thanking the Fire Department for their assistance. He noted that the Selectmen’s Office and Park
and Recreation had successfully moved into the
Mr. Bergeron informed that he had attended the Eagle Court of Honor on Sunday and congratulated Mr. Michael J. Crooker for achieving Eagle Scout. He said at the last meeting of the Regional Water District two attorneys were present and made many recommendations for the charter, which were adopted and voted on unanimously. He said the next scheduled meetings would be held November 6th, 13th and possibly the 20th. Mr. Bergeron said that Cemetery Trustee Richard Jensen informed that two push mowers and a snow blower had been stolen.
Mr. Derby said that the Budget Committee had started review of the School Budget. He felt that the Town should consider curbing dealership parking similar to the action taken in an area town.
Mr. McDevitt thanked Jackie and Phil Blanchette for their
donation of two Norfolk Island Pine Trees for the
Mr. Lynde informed that the Police placed third in the state in the recent seatbelt enforcement campaign by NH Highway Safety Agency. He said the Police would receive forty-two hours of state funded overtime for seatbelt enforcement. Mr. Lynde discussed the items reviewed by the Planning Board. He said per the review by a consultant of the Planning Department, consideration should be given to adding an additional person to the Planning Department by means of a warrant article; the cost would be paid by Planning Board fees. Mr. D’Andrea will present a warrant article to the Selectmen. Mr. Lynde ended by saying the Selectmen needed to address the Code Enforcement Officer position that was currently vacant.
REQUEST FOR NON-PUBLIC SESSION
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MOTION: |
(Bergeron/McDevitt) Request for a non-public session per RSA 91-A:3,II, a (personnel) |
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ROLL CALL: |
Mr. Lynde-Yes; Mr. McDevitt-Yes; Mr. Bergeron-Yes; Mr. Derby-Yes; Mr. Danevich-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
The Board returned to public session at approximately
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MOTION: |
(McDevitt/Bergeron) To seal the minutes of the non-public session indefinitely. |
|
VOTE: |
(5 - 0 - 0) The motion carries. |
ADJOURNMENT
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MOTION: |
(McDevitt/Bergeron) To adjourn the meeting. |
|
VOTE: |
(5 - 0 - 0) The motion
carries. |
The meeting was adjourned at approximately
Respectfully submitted,
Charity A. L. Willis
Recording Secretary