BOS Minutes 12-13-2005

APPROVED

TOWN OF PELHAM

BOARD OF SE= LECTMEN MEETING

MINUTES

December 13, 2005

APPROVED – January 10, 2006

CALL TO ORDER

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

PRESENT:

Mr. Victor Danevich, Mr. Harold Lynde, Mr. Jean-Guy Bergeron, Mr. Edmund Gleason, Mr. Tom Domenico, Mr. Tom Gaydos – To= wn Administrator

Also present:

ABSENT:

Members of the press and general public.

None

MINUTES RE= VIEW

November 15, 2005

MOTION:=

(Gleason/Lynde) To approve the November 15, 2005 meeting = minutes as amended.

VOTE:

(5-0-0) The motion carried.

Amendments to the minutes were as follows: page 2 R= 11; motion to appoint Ms. Lisa Loosigian was made by Mr. Domenico/Mr. Gleason; = page 3 – the sentence reading ‘…be for the associated departme= nt heads to meet…’ was amended to read ‘…be for the department heads associated= with the project (Park & Recreation Director and Police Chief) to meet…= ;’; page 3 – 1^st sentence of Town Administrator’s report – the word ‘of’ was added to ‘…appropriation = of $2million..’; page 4, 4^th paragraph– the word ‘it’ was added to ‘…would request it at that..̵= 7;

November 22, 2005 – deferred to the next meeting.

OPEN FORUM=

Mr. Leo Thibeault, Simpson Road, had some suggestions for the Selectmen to consider in reference to the fire station and substation. He suggested constructing the cent= ral fire station where the substation was proposed; and put the substation in t= he existing fire station. He bel= ieved the central fire station should be in the center of the entire Town, versus= in the Town center. He ask= ed the Board to consider his suggestion.

Mr. Lynde said the idea of a central fire station was = to have something centrally located to all outlying areas of the Town. He said the idea of substations wa= s to provide capability in those areas where the current response time was excessive.

APPOINTMEN= T(S)

OTHER BUSINESS

Resignatio= n (due to retirement) of Assistant Chief Raymond Cashman, Sr. <= /p>

Mr. Danevich read aloud a memo submitted by Fire Chief= David Fisher (with an attachment from Assistant Chief Raymond Cashman, Sr.) infor= ming that Assistant Chief Cashman, Sr. would be retiring from the call department effective January 31, 2006. <= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>

MOTION:=

(Lynde/Bergeron) To accept the resignation (of Assis= tant Chief Raymond Cashman, Sr.) with regret.=

VOTE:

(5-0-0) The motion carried.

Revaluatio= n Update

Mr. Danevich said it was his intention to provide a mo= nthly update of the revaluation process. Mr. Gaydos said the Assessing Team and Vision Appraisal had been out reviewing certain portions of the Town and discussed what area would be reviewed next. Mr. Gleason sa= id at this point, he was trying to establish a regimented monthly meeting with Vi= sion and Corcoran Associates and the Town to ensure there is a disciplined appro= ach and results are measured. He = said to date, there was an overall satisfaction with the progress.

E-911 Disc= ussion of Implementation

Mr. Danevich said he would like to set a schedule; aft= er discussing with the Fire Chief and the Assessing firm the draft date for implementing the E911 program was Monday, September 4, 2006 (if adopted by = the Selectmen).

Mr. Bergeron made a motion to adopt E911 for the entir= e Town to go into effect September 4, 2006. Mr. Glea= son asked if the date had been played into the work being done by Vision Appraisal. Mr. Gaydos said Vi= sion expected to be done by the end of August, 2006, which could be confirmed. Mr. Gleason said he wanted concurr= ence that Vision would not be impacted by the September 4, 2006 date. Mr. Gaydos said he would. Mr. Bergeron retracted his motion = but wanted to move forward with a draft for adoption in January, 2006. Mr. Danevich said the Fire Chief w= ould bring a formal package for review. <= /span>

There was no objection to tentatively implementing the= E911 project September= 4, 2006.

MOTION:=

(Bergeron/Gleason) To move forward to adopt, and wor= k on a draft for January, 2006.

VOTE:

(5-0-0) The motion carried.

Discussion= of Possible Conservation Property Acquisition

Mr. Gaydos said the Conservation Commission had brough= t to the Selectmen the opportunity to purchase a piece of property (with their b= ond) in Pelham. An offer has been = made to the property owner; a purchase and sales agreement was expected to be received within the week. The Conservation Commission has already posted a public hearing. The ambition of the seller was to = have the property change hands prior to the end of the year. Mr. Gaydos wanted to have a public hearing posted for December 27, 2005. There w= as no objection.

Review of = Bonding Warrant Article

Mr. Domenico= said they had the opportunity to present the original article (#5) to the Budget Committee. He said the Select= men had been given a package containing four pages; 1) revised text of the warr= ant article (to be presented tonight); 2) summary of the items with more detail= ; 3) & 4) bond schedules. He s= aid the intent was for the Selectmen to vote on the Article this evening and re= turn to the Budget Committee on Thursday. Mr. Domenico read the proposed warrant aloud. He said the request had been pared= down to what was believed to be the absolute necessities and a reasonable chance= to have a positive result at the Budget Committee: 1- Fire Sub-station; 2-High= way Maintenance Garage; 3- Municipal Building completion (area 6 classrooms and storage area behind Police Station); 4- Sherburne Hall; 5- new Park and Recreation facility at Veterans Memorial Park (replacing existing camp facility); 6- replacement of restrooms at Veterans Park; 7- replacement of = life guard facility at Veterans Park; 8- widening and paving a certain portion of road at Veterans Park; and 9- Highway road improvements. Mr. Domenico said the interest rate estimates were done for both a 5% rate and a 6% rate. The current impact fee schedule (w= hich is understated) was assumed as well as the valuation.

<= /o:p>

Mr. Bergeron questioned if the items could be listed separately to give people the opportunity to vote on items they either want, or don’t want. Mr. Danevich asked if Mr. Bergeron= was okay with the current wording. Mr. Bergeron said he wanted an agreement of the Selectmen regarding the items a= nd was willing to concede (and possibly allow everything) if they were listed separately. There was a discu= ssion regarding the items listed and if they should be separated on the ballot. M= r. Gleason was not in favor of separating the items. Mr. Domenico gave a synopsis of the discussion at the Budget Committee meeting. He then addressed the reason for t= he bond timeframe.

<= /o:p>

There was fu= rther discussion regarding the items contained in the article and how the Selectmen’s constituents felt about it.

MOTION:=

(Domenico/Gleason) To reconsider Article #5 (bond article).

VOTE:

(5-0-0) The motion carried.

<= /o:p>

Mr. Lynde di= scussed his position regarding the article and in summary was not in favor of separating it out. Mr. Berger= on shared his opinion, which was to separate the items of the article to allow voters to make individual decisions. Mr. Gleason believed the article was ‘bare boned’ and ne= eded a unanimous vote of the Selectmen to succeed. He felt the article should remain = as one item to maximize the support base to the extent possible.

<= /o:p>

Mr. Domenico= read warrant article #5 aloud. In summary = the article was to see if the Town would vote to raise and appropriate the sum = of $6,767,200 to complete the following necessary capital improvements:1) sub-= fire station (Spring Street area) 2.5 million dollars; 2) Municipal Building expansion/Sherburne Hall $925,000; 3) Highway Department garage $655,000; 4) Parks & Recreation facility, life guard facility, and restroom facility= at Veterans Memorial Park $1,500,000; 5) roadway repaving and improvements $1,000,000; 6) Construction Management services $187,200. The bond shall be issued with a te= rm of maturity of ten years; additionally to see if the Town would raise and appr= opriate the sum of $70,000 for the first year’s interest and associated costs.

<= /o:p>

Mr. Gleason = made a friendly amendment to the motion based upon the latest data from Costangna amending the total value to $6,653,200 (changing the Sherburne Hall expansi= on from $925,000 down to $811,000) and to strike the term of ten years. Mr. Domenico was amenable to Mr. Gleason’s amendment.

MOTION:=

(Domenico/Gleason) To approve Article #5 (as a single item) as read aloud by Mr. Domenico and amended by Mr. Gleason.

VOTE:

(4-1-0) Mr. Danevich - Yes; Mr. Lynde - Yes; Mr. Ber= geron- No; Mr. Gleason- Yes; Mr. Domenico- Yes

Reconsider= ation of Other Warrant Articles as requested

Article B – To accept certain parcels as Town Forest and authorize the Conservation Commission to manage such parcels as Town Forest and place any proceeds from the forest management activities into the Conservation Fund to be used for stewardship of said parcels and/or land acquisitions.

Mr. Gaydos said there was already a statute for Town Forest which was clear regarding revenues from timber cutting. He said the state was very careful regarding what was allowed with revenues.&= nbsp; He believed management plans should be done through the Forestry Committee. He recommended dro= pping the last sentence of the article which authorized funds to be placed into t= he Conservation Fund. The Forest= ry Fund in not intended for land purchase, but rather for the maintenance of t= he forest.

MOTION:=

(Gleason/Bergeron) To reconsider Article B – t= o drop the last sentence.

VOTE:

(5-0-0) The motion carried.

MOTION:=

(Gleason/Bergeron) To accept the revised warrant art= icle as it was stipulated delete the last sentence completely (the remaining wording will stays as is). =

VOTE:

(5-0-0) The motion carried.

Mr. Gaydos discussed what had occurred at the Budget Committee; what passed and what failed.&nb= sp;

Article Ka (To establish an Ambulance Replacement Revo= lving Fund per RSA 31-95,h. Language defining the Selectmen as agent will be added) and if it should be kept on = the ballot, or deleted due to lack of support by the Budget Committee. The Selectmen decided not to recon= sider their position regarding Article Ka.

Article L – To raise and appropriate $136,350 to fund four new Firefighter/EMT positions. The Budget Committ= ee did not recommend the four new firefighters.&n= bsp; The Selectmen discussed the article. Mr. Domenico asked if consideration would be given to putting two firefighters forward. There was continued discussion. The Selectmen decided to continue = with the warrant as is.

Article S – To establish a Pelham Public Televis= ion Capital Reserve Fund failed at the Budget Committee. The Selectmen discussed the article. There was not a cons= ensus to make a change regarding the article.

Article T – To raise and appropriate $14,000 to establish the following positions: 1) part-time Planning

Clerk; 2) part-time maintenance worker; and 3) part-ti= me welfare case worker. Mr. Gayd= os said the Budget Committee took a ‘straw’ vote and wanted the article to be placed in separate warrant articles. He asked that the maintenance pers= on be removed from the warrant because if the warrant failed, the Town would be prohibited from hiring someone. There was a brief discussion regarding the positions and the article= . Mr. Lynde said he was in favor of removing all the positions and placing them back in the budget, or only mov= ing forward with the Planning Clerk. Mr. Bergeron questioned why the Selectmen were worried about the num= ber of articles and felt everything should be allowed to be voted on individual= ly. Mr. Domenico felt the positions sh= ould be within the operating budget and pull the article.

MOTION:=

(Lynde/Domenico) To reconsider Article T – To = raise and appropriate $14,000 to establish the following positions: 1) part-time Planning Clerk; 2) part-time maintenance worker; and 3) part-time welfare case worker.

VOTE:

(5-0-0) The motion carried.

Mr. Lynde made a motion to delete Article T. Mr. Gleason questioned how the mec= hanics were to get the items back into the operating budget since it had already b= een voted on by the Budget Committee. There were two opportunities to put the positions into the budget; reconsideration and the deliberative session. The Selectmen discussed the positi= ons further. Mr. Danevich agreed = that the positions should be dropped.

MOTION:=

(Lynde/Domenico) To remove Article T (To raise and appropriate $14,000 to establish the following positions: 1) part-time Planning Clerk; 2) part-time maintenance worker; and 3) part-time welfare case worker) from the warrant.

VOTE:

(5-0-0) The motion carried.

Mr. Gaydos said a memo had been received from Attorney Rattigan regarding a Special Revenue Article; the Selectmen were provided a copy of such. Mr. Danevich sa= id the Planning Board had forwarded two articles to the Selectmen to address; the Planning Board needed a way to collect fees (voluntary donations) and how to account for such. Mr. Gaydos = wanted it clear that they weren’t donations, but rather fees in lieu of anot= her option that the current regulations allow.= He read the proposed article aloud (to adopt the provisions of RSA 31:95,c special revenue warrant article).&= nbsp; Town Meeting approval would be required to appropriate money. Such money would only be expended = on recreational enhancement, infrastructure, construction or maintenance.

MOTION:=

(Gleason/Bergeron) To add the suggested warrant arti= cle (AI) as read aloud by Mr. Gaydos.

VOTE:

(5-0-0) The motion carried.

The warr= ant doesn’t need to go to the Budget Committee because money is not being appropriated.

Mr. Danevich said the Planning Board had made an addit= ional request for a special reserve fund for a senior center. Mr. Gaydos said impact fees were specifically for construction of a facility or infrastructure. He said in order for an impact fee= there had to be a study for what was needed (including a cost estimate); at this point the Town could then have an impact fee. Mr. Danevich said if the Planning = Board chose to implement a Seni= or Center impact fee i= n 2006; it would just go into an impact fee fund.&= nbsp;

Supervisor= ’s Union Contract Discussion and Possible Ratification Vote=

Mr. Gaydos provided the Selectmen with an update regar= ding negotiations of the Supervisor’s Union Contract. He provided a summary of what the contract focused on and the costs contained therein. He asked if the Board wanted to ra= tify the contract. The Selectmen d= ecided to proceed with discussion. M= r. Gaydos went on to discuss certain points of the contract; 1) health insuran= ce; 2) calculation of earned (sick) time. He said the added cost of the contract for 2006 was $55,234; 2007 co= st $45,954; and the 2008 cost $48,209 – total increase (over the three years) $149,397.

MOTION:=

(Lynde/Gleason) To ratify the Supervisor’s Uni= on Contract.

VOTE:

(5-0-0) The motion carried.

Mr. Gaydos will prepare the documents.

TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S / SELECTMEN’S REPORTS

Mr. Gleason said the Budget Committee was ‘windi= ng down’. He said to date = the Budget Committee had eliminated $228,000 from the Selectmen’s request= for warrant articles. He noted th= at the Budget Committee didn’t approve $836,586 for the school. The current impact to the Town wou= ld be $.92 (from the Town) and approximately $1.64 (from the school).

Mr. Lynde read aloud a memo indicating that the Annual Firefighter’s Ball would be held January 28, 2006 at Harris’ Inn (cocktails 6pm &#= 8211; dinner 7pm); tick= ets are $30 each and can be obtained at the Fire Department.

Mr. Bergeron said he had attended a ‘kick-off= 217; meeting December 1, 2005= for the Community Technical Assistant Program Committee with Planning Direc= tor Jeff Gowan. He said DOT was w= orking together with all the communities with the hope of planning together as a region. He said the next meet= ing was January 19, = 2006; there would be three more plans and then a ‘wrap-up’. Mr. Bergeron then read aloud the NH Transportation Vision Statement. He then discussed the Town center and noted that a draft of the state’s 10-year plan would be moving to the Legislature in January, 2006 (and possi= bly completed by July, 2006). He = said the Selectmen had to make a decision if the Town or the state would oversee= the project; which would have to be discussed at public hearings. Mr. Gaydos said no decisions had b= een made; the public hearing process would probably start late in 2006.

Mr. Domenico had no report.

Mr. Danevich noted that the Planning Board would hold a public hearing = December 19, 2005 to discuss possible zoning changes.

Mr. Gaydos provided the Selectmen with an update regar= ding the number of on-going welfare cases. He noted that the plow truck had arrived and was available for the m= ost recent storm. He said costs w= ere being reviewed to better predict actual costs.&n= bsp;

REQUEST FOR NON-PUBLIC SESSION

MOTION:=

(Gleason/Lynde) Request for a non-public session per= RSA 91-A:3,II,c (Matters which, if discussed publicly, would affect adversely= the reputation of any person)

ROLL CALL:<= /b>

Mr. Danevich-Yes; Mr. Lynde-Yes; Mr. Bergeron-Yes; M= r. Gleason-Yes; Mr. Domenico-Yes

Mr. Danevich noted that when the Board returned, after= the non-public session, the Board would not take any other action publicly, exc= ept to possibly seal the minutes of the non-public session and to adjourn the meeting. The Board entered in= to a non-public session at approximately 9:00 pm.

The Board returned to public session at approximately = 9:25 pm.

MOTION:=

(Gleason/Bergeron) To seal the minutes of the non-pu= blic session.

VOTE:

(5-0-0) The motion carried.

ADJOURNMEN= T

MOTION:<= o:p>

(Gleason/Bergeron) To adjourn the meeting.

VOTE:

(5-0-0) The motion carri= ed.

The meeting was adjourned at approximately 9:25 pm.

&nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Respe= ctfully submitted,

&nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Chari= ty A. L. Willis

&nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Recor= ding Secretary