BOS Minutes 09-05-2006

APPROVED

TOWN OF PELHAM<= /st1:place>

BOARD OF S= ELECTMEN MEETING

MINUTES

September 5, 2006

APPROVED – September 19, 2006

CALL TO ORDER

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

PRESENT:

Mr. Victor Danevich, Mr. Edmund Gleason, Mr. Harold= Lynde, Mr. Jean-Guy Bergeron, Mr. Tom Domenico, Mr. Tom Gaydos -Town Administra= tor, Ms. Janet Gallant -Town Financial Supervisor

Also present:

ABSENT:

Members of the press and general public.

None

MINUTES REVIEW

August 29, 2006

MOTION:

(Gleason/Bergeron) To approve the August 29, 2006 meeting mi= nutes as amended.

= ;

VOTE:<= /p>

(5-0-0) The motion carried.

The amendments to the minutes were as follows: page 2= -under Selectmen reports the words ‘Conservation Area’ were added to ‘Gumpas Pond Conservation Area’; the sentence reading ‘…the Board had been briefed’ was amended to read ‘…with the Board having already been briefed’.

OPEN FORUM

None.

APPOINTMENTS

Interview: Leo Thibeault – Nashua Regional Planning Commission

Mr. Leo Thibeault met with the Selectmen to discuss h= is application for appointment to the Nashua Regional Planning Commission (NRPC). He explained that he= had formerly been a commissioner with NPRC, but due to vision problems had to = step down. Since that time, Mr. Thibeault had undergone successful treatment and was seeking reappointment= to the commission. The Selectmen welcomed Mr. Thibeault back.

MOTION:

(Lynde/Gleason) To reinstate Mr. Leo Thibeault as a= Nashua Regional Planning Commission Commissioner with the term to end as origin= ally appointed on = March 31, 2008.

= ;

VOTE:<= /p>

(5-0-0) The motion carried.

Mr. Gaydos was asked by= the Selectmen to inform NRPC that Mr. Thibeault was reinstated.

Vision Appraisal: Revaluation

Ms. Monica Gordon, acting Project Manager for the Pel= ham revaluation project done by Vision Appraisal provided an overview of the findings from the revaluation process.&nb= sp; The overview included information regarding equalization ratios, sa= les, median prices, sales by size grouping, sales by house style and sales by a= ge grouping. Ms. Gordon then di= scussed the hearing process that would take place. Letters will be sent to taxpayers on September 7, 2006 notifying owners of= their new assessment. Informal hea= rings will begin Sept= ember 13, 2006 and end September 30, 2006.

The preliminary total property value was $1,758,780,6= 19 (inclusive of the old utility value).&nbs= p; This amount would be adjusted through the hearing process. Pelham had an entry rate of 92%, = which Ms. Gordon felt was phenomenal since an entry rate of 45% for small commun= ities was fairly good.

Mr. Bergeron noted that the assessed value was slight= ly higher than the amount the homes sold for. Ms. Gordon said the amounts were a median value but noted that sales prices were continuing to go up. Mr. Bergeron asked if other communities had similar numbers, or if Pelham had the highest. Ms. = Gordon said it was standard; some communities asked them to go higher so they wouldn’t be below 100% (valuation) when the Department of Revenue Ad= ministration did their analysis. Mr. Berg= eron said he wanted real numbers, not inflated numbers on the assessment. Ms. Gordon said they were trying = to show the full-market value of properties as of April 1, 2006. She believed the numbers were at = 102% and noted that the information was 2-years worth of data. She said the most recent year of = sales were at 100% and could forward a report showing such.

Mr. Gleason asked if anyone in Pelham was being asses= sed for a view tax, lake side, water view where the assessment would be higher. Ms. Gordon said the assessment wo= uldn’t be higher, but the assessment to sale ratio may be a little higher for wat= er front properties. She said t= here was no such thing as a view tax, but they did a location adjustment for the view. She said there were a = few instances in Town and had well documented to support using the adjustment.= She said water front properties i= ncreased at a higher rate than non-water front properties.

Mr. Danevich asked if there were any trends/statistic= s (i.e. % increased, %decreased, % remained the same). Ms. Gordon said each community was different and it would be based on the Town budget and school funding issues. A determination coul= d be made when the tax rate is set.

Mr. Lynde believed the tax rate (this year) would be approximately $15. He felt b= ecause the valuation more than doubled, that the tax rate would be cut in half.

Ms. Gordon showed a draft of the assessment notice th= at would be mailed to owners on September 7, 2006 and reviewed what information would contained in it. She further discussed the hearing process. She noted that prop= erty record cards would be able to be viewed on line. If residents find errors on their= tax card they should immediately participate in the hearing process. It was noted that photographs, sk= etches and the owner’s mailing address, if different than the residential address, will be suppressed for citizen privacy and safety. (The Selectmen further discussed = the information that would be suppressed…..see below)

Ms. Gordon ended her presentation by showing a small sampling of property information for vacan= t land.

The Selectmen thanked M= s. Gordon for the presentation. =

The Selectmen agreed that sketches should be included on-line. The photos and homeowner’s address, when different from the assigned assessed resid= ence, would remain suppressed. Mr.= Gaydos was asked to inform Vision Appraisal of the change.

Chief Walker: Engine 3

Fire Chief Michael Walker said several problems erupt= ed with Engine 3; the worst of which was the possibility of the brakes releasing w= hen the pump is engaged (and the rpm’s are increased). He said some of which was fixed, = however because the pump was making a horrendous amount of noise they feared it wa= s at the point of catastrophic failure. He said Mr. Ron Cote from New England Fire Operatives examined the = truck and recommended parking the vehicle because it was too dangerous to operate. Chief Walker noted = that the truck was leaking over 500 gallons of water per day. As a safety measure, Chief Walker= took the initiative to take the truck out of service. He said as one option, Goffstown = has a loaner fire engine until Pelham determined what they wanted to do. Chief Walker reviewed the possible options (pros/cons): 1) Emer= gency purchase of fire engine; 2) Emergency Town Meeting; 3) add a line item into budget; 4) rent from manufacturer; and 5) borrow from Goffstown. The negative aspect of borrowing = the truck was that Pelham would be liable for all the repairs and maintenance.= It was noted that the truck was a= 1979 American LaFrance with a 750 gallon tank.= The capacity of Engine 3 was 1500 gallons. Lieutenant Ray Cashman, = Jr. noted that Goffstown’s truck was six years older than Engine 3.

Mr. Gaydos asked if the cost was known for a rental.<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> Lt. Cashman said he contacted one manufacturer and for a 1979 certified vehicle (1000 gallon) the cost would= be $2100 per month. The Town wo= uld assume the insurance and liability on such.

Mr. Bergeron confirmed that Goffstown was offering a = truck with no rental fee, just the upkeep. Chief Walker answered yes. Mr. Bergeron reviewed the options.= Mr. Gaydos said another option was to do nothing and asked the Chie= f to explain why it couldn’t be considered. Chief Walker said to do nothing would crippl= e the tactical operations as a fire department; the Town would have to rely on outside assistance.

Mr. Gleason asked if Goffstown’s vehicle was ad= equate to serve the Town in the interim. Chief Walker said he would want the opportunity to look at the truc= k and start it before making a statement. Mr. Gleason asked if the 750 gallons would be adequate. Chief Walker said it wouldn’= ;t be as desirable as 1500 gallons, but could be used for the interim. Mr. Gleason noted that there was = money in the budget for repairs (of Engine 3), which could be used to offset the operation of the other vehicle.

Mr. Domenico questioned if public safety was impacted= by the engine being out of service. Chief Walker answered yes. Mr. Dom= enico asked if replacement of the vehicle was an emergency. Chief Walker answered yes. Mr. Domenico said the Selectmen s= hould consider the options sooner rather than later to get it in front of the vo= ters. He was in favor of lease/purchase= .

Mr. Lynde questioned what a new truck would cost. Originally, Chief Walker said the= number was $325,000; he said he was in error; the CIP listed the truck at $350,000 which he felt was adequate to purchase a fire engine that would last the community for twenty-five years or more.&= nbsp; Mr. Lynde asked how long it would take to get the truck once given = the ‘go ahead’. Chief Walker believed the Town could get a new fire engine within six months. Mr. Lynde discussed the options.<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> He favored holding a special Town meeting.

There was further discussion regarding the proposed options. The Selectmen didn&= #8217;t want to purchase without voter authority.= The Selectmen wanted further exploration of getting a loaned truck = from Goffstown. Chief Walker said= he pursued the matter up to the point where he felt he needed to come to the Selectmen. He said bid speci= fications had gone out and were due back by September 22, 2006 which would provide a price that= would be good for 60-days. The bid= s would be a starting/measuring point for any future activity. A sample copy of the loan agreeme= nt would be provided to Mr. Gaydos who would in turn have counsel review. There was a brief discussion rega= rding the impacts of holding a special Town meeting. Mr. Gaydos was asked to investiga= te the soonest date a special town meeting could be done. Mr. Gaydos said he would like to = put together a list of requirements, timeline and research certain aspects contained in= the RSA’s. Mr. Lynde said = he would like to make a motion to authorize Mr. Gaydos to proceed so the ‘window’ wouldn’t be missed for the General Election dat= e (November 7, 2006).

Mr. Lynde made a motion to authorize the Town Adminis= trator to ask Town Counsel to petition for a special Town meeting, provided that = the time line is sufficient to allow that Town meeting to occur on the same da= te as the November state-wide election, for the purpose of a single item which i= s the acquisition of a new fire truck either through purchase or a lease/purchase agreement. He felt a lease/purchase agreement was a better way to resolve any concern with rega= rd to setting the tax rate. Mr. Be= rgeron seconded the motion. Mr. Dom= enico said the most important date would be September 22, 2006 because then a number and specifications would be known. Mr. Lynde reiterated his belief that a lease/purchase approach would be best.<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> He said the Selectmen could also = discuss first down payment being the $70,000 already appropriated. Mr. Gleason said the warrant arti= cle wasn’t for that purpose. Mr. Lynde said two warrant articles could be proposed; 1) change the purpose o= f the warrant article to be applied to the purchase; and 2) use it for payment f= or the truck so there would be zero impact to the tax rate. Mr. Gaydos said the warrant artic= le could be negated thereby turning the money back into the General Fund; the= n raise the money in a second warrant article.&nb= sp;

MOTION:=

(Lynde/Domenico) To authorize the Town Administrato= r to ask Town Counsel to petition for a special Town meeting, provided that t= he time line is sufficient to allow that Town meeting to occur on the same = date as the November state-wide election, for the purpose of a single item wh= ich is the acquisition of a new fire truck either through purchase or a lease/purchase agreement.

= ;

ROLL CALL = VOTE:

(3-2-0) The motion carried.

Mr. Danevich – No=

Mr. Gleason – No<= /p>

Mr. Lynde – Yes

Mr. Bergeron – Ye= s

Mr. Domenico - Yes

Fire Depa= rtment Grant

Fire Chief Michael Walker and Fire Fighter Richard Ha= negan discussed a grant that had been submitted last Friday and had been awarded= to the Town, if the Selectmen approved. Fire Fighter Hanegan explained that the grant was for the Town to acquire an individual under the AmeriCorps program; the individual would be paid to work in the Town for 1700 hours for eleven months. There is a one-time cost of $6000= to the Town for the program. Pelham= is only one of four communities in the state to be awarded an individual. Fire Fighter Hanegan outlined how= the individual could benefit the Town. =

Mr. Danevich confirmed that the $6000 would be able t= o come from the matching grant funds. Mr. Gaydos answered yes. Mr. Dan= evich asked if there was any further obligation (beyond the eleven months) to the Town. Chief Walker answered no. He said one caveat was t= hat the individual could not take the place of a current employee. He noted that since the Town had = been awarded the grant the Town would be in a good position to be awarded the grant again.

Mr. Bergeron asked if there was a ‘pool’ = of people to fill the position. Fire Fighter Hanegan said there were several thousand people that had signed applications on-line with AmeriCorps.&nbs= p; He said the Town had the option to review people in the call depart= ment or in the community. Mr. Ber= geron confirmed that the grant ended in eleven months. Fire Fighter Hanegan said if the = Town remained in good standings (abided by the rules) the Town stood a good cha= nce of having the grant awarded again. An individual could not be used for more than two years. Mr. Bergeron questioned what would happen if the individual didn’t work out. Chief Walker said the individual = would be reporting to him.

MOTION:=

(Lynde/Bergeron) To accept the grant as written wit= h the understanding that the $6000 would come from the matching funds.

= ;

VOTE:

(5-0-0) The motion carr= ied.

Fire Chief Michael Walker said Lieutenant Robert Chat= el had worked very hard and therefore he was proud to re-announce that Pelham was= a state designated point of distribution site should there be a need for imm= unization or vaccination. He said Lieu= tenant Chatel had also worked hard to secure 250 flu vaccinations. With the Selectmen’s permis= sion the Fire Department would like to set up a flu immunization site to provide citizens with free flu vaccinations and to exercise the point of distribut= ion and see how it flowed. Lieut= enant Chatel said two small flu clinics had been conducted in the past and now t= hat Pelham will be a distribution site, he wanted to set up a flu clinic (dril= l) in November. He said if somethi= ng were to break out the distribution site was expected to administer 12,000 shots= in forty-eight hours. He said t= hey needed approval from the Selectmen to solicit people to help/volunteer wit= h the program so background checks could be done. The possible sites were being rev= iewed. Chief Walker said a draft of the emergency operations plan had been done, but a draft of the communication = and transportation plan still needed to be done. The emergency support functions w= ould be reviewed at the next meeting on September 18, 2006. Lieute= nant Chatel said they needed to start securing Memorandums of Understanding for= Town facilities.

MOTION:=

(Domenico/Bergeron) To authorize the Fire Departmen= t to continue planning the pod site for sometime in November, 2006.

= ;

VOTE:

(5-0-0) The motion carr= ied.

OTHER BUSINESS

2007 BUDGET REVIEW / VOTE

Emergency= Management – request: $183,224. Fire Chief Michael Walker said they were requesting an increase of $65,670 to allow for supplies for immediate use in the event of a disaster. Lieutenant Robert = Chatel explained what equipment/medicine would be acquired with the funds. There was an additional request f= or $112,100 for communications equipment.&nb= sp; Lieutenant James Midgley explained the first step would be to fix t= he critical infrastructure (for interoperability and communications). The Selectmen asked that the $112= ,100 be moved to the Fire Department budget. The new request for Emergency Management would be $72,176.

MOTION:=

(Gleason/Domenico) To approve the Emergency Managem= ent budget of $72,176.

= ;

VOTE:

(5-0-0) The motion carr= ied.

Fire Depa= rtment - request: $1,314,173 (representing = an increase of 4.61%). A new line item was added for the radio communication = infrastructure ($112,000). The new request = was $1,426,173. There was a brief discussion regarding why the $112,000 would be placed into the budget, ver= sus being submitted as a warrant article.&nbs= p; It was explained that the equipment was necessary for the departmen= t to run effectively and have interoperability with the Police Department. It was agreed that this request f= ell under the Emergency Safety category and should be in the Operating Budget = rather than a warrant article. Base= d on the increase to the budget, Mr. Gleason recommended that the SUV ($41,585)= be cut from the budget this year and try putting it in next year. The new request was $1,384,588 (representing an increase of 10%, driven by the $112,000). There was further discussion rega= rding the SUV (and its use as a mobile command center); taking it out of the bud= get doesn’t preclude a warrant article being requested. It was noted that the recommendat= ion from the joint board sub-committee recommendation was to have vehicles pla= ced into the appropriate operating budgets.&n= bsp;

MOTION:=

(Gleason/Domenico) To approve the Fire Department b= udget in the amount of $1,384,588.

= ;

VOTE:

(5-0-0) The motion carr= ied.

Police Depa= rtment-<= /span> request $2,076,149 (representing a decrease of $12,889). Mr. Lynde recommended an increase= of 60 hours to OHRV patrol. Police= Chief Evan Haglund explained that the initial budget draft requested 120 hours a= nd in an effort to trim the budget they brought the request down to 60 hours. He said with the expansion and po= tential growth of conservation lands, he would like to see additional patrols. He said they were approved for a = $3300 grant and had submitted a supplemental grant with the state, but there was no guarantee the Town would get it.

MOTION:=

(Lynde/Domenico) To increase the Salary account (it= em #20) from 60 hours to 120 hours to a cost of $3931.20.

= ;

VOTE:

(5-0-0) The motion carr= ied.

The new Police Departme= nt request was $2,078,115

MOTION:=

(Domenico/Lynde) To approve the Police Department b= udget in the amount of $2,078,115.=

= ;

VOTE:

(5-0-0) The motion carr= ied.

Planning Department – request $268,221 (represent= ing an increase of 17.6%)

MOTION:=

(Gleason/Bergeron) To approve the Planning Departme= nt budget in the amount of $268,221.

= ;

VOTE:

(5-0-0) The motion carr= ied.

Conservat= ion Commission – request $9698 (representing an increase of 26% primarily for a prime wetland study)

MOTION:=

(Gleason/Domenico) To approve the Conservation Comm= ission budget in the amount of $9698

= ;

VOTE:

(5-0-0) The motion carr= ied.

Assessor – request $94,052 (representing an incre= ase of 3.81%).

MOTION:=

(Gleason/Domenico) To approve the Assessor budget i= n the amount of $94,052

= ;

VOTE:

(5-0-0) The motion carr= ied.

Budget Committee- request $2469 (representing a decreas= e of 2.02% - mostly due to supplies).

MOTION:=

(Domenico/Bergeron) To approve the Budget Committee= budget in the amount of $2469.

= ;

VOTE:

(5-0-0) The motion carr= ied.

Cable Television/PTV – request $84,816 (representing an increase of 40.27% - increase due to new equipment).&= nbsp; Mr. Gleason requested a $2000 decrease in repairs based on the fact= that they weren’t defined. = Under new equipment, Mr. Gleason proposed eliminating two robotic cameras. He said if the robotic cameras we= re needed, he recommended taking the funds from the reserve (grant fund $14,000). The total reduction suggested by Mr. Gleason was $10,712, which would bring the requested amou= nt to $74,104. Mr. Gaydos noted th= at Mr. Greenwood wanted to leave the grant fund reserve in the event of a major breakdown. There was further discussion regarding the requested equipment. Mr. Jim Greenwood arrived at the = meeting to address the Selectmen. He= said he sent a letter (as part of the backup information) which explained the u= se of the equipment. Mr. Gleason m= ade a motion to approve the budget at $74,104; Mr. Bergeron seconded the motion.= Mr. Lynde noted that Board tried = to give $75,000 for new equipment last year, it was ‘shot’ down, but it didn’t change the need. Mr. Domenico offered a friendly amendment revising the number upward by $4356 = to $78,460 to include one robotic camera.&nb= sp; Mr. Gleason and Mr. Bergeron agreed to entertain the amendment.

MOTION:=

(Gleason/Bergeron) To approve Cable Television budg= et in the amount of $78,460. =

= ;

VOTE:

(5-0-0) The motion carr= ied.

Debt Service Interest – request $243,734 (represe= nting a decrease of 19.36%).

MOTION:=

(Bergeron/Domenico) To approve the Debt Service Int= erest budget in the amount of $243,734.

= ;

VOTE:

(5-0-0) The motion carr= ied.

Debt Service Principal – request $440,746 (representing an increase of 1.72%).

MOTION:=

(Bergeron/Domenico) To approve the Debt Service Pri= ncipal budget in the amount of $440,746.

= ;

VOTE:

(5-0-0) The motion carr= ied.

Elections- request $14,112 (representing a decrease of 34.24% - due to fewer elections).

MOTION:=

(Gleason/Domenico) To approve the Elections budget = in the amount of $14,112.

= ;

VOTE:

(5-0-0) The motion carr= ied.

Health Officer – request $4250 (flat line budget = 0% increase).

MOTION:=

(Bergeron/Gleason) To approve the Health Officer bu= dget in the amount of $4250.

= ;

VOTE:

(5-0-0) The motion carr= ied.

Health Services - $50,050 (representing an increase of 11.31%).

MOTION:=

(Bergeron/Gleason) To approve the Debt Service Inte= rest budget in the amount of $50,050=

= ;

VOTE:

(5-0-0) The motion carr= ied.

Highway D= epartment – request $891,310 (representing a 6.07% increase). Mr. Domenico wanted to make a mot= ion to approve the budget amount cognizant of the fact that he and Mr. Lynde were working with the Highway Road Agent to come up with the estimated costs associated with the road maintenance plan. The estimated cost at this point was $300,000, with a plan for the = next three years. The funds= would supplement the Highway Block Grant. Mr. Gaydos discussed the methods some towns used. There was a discussion whether to include the estimated $300,000, or to approve the budget as is. Mr. Domenico suggested adding a l= ine item with the amount to be determined at a later date. Mr. Lynde believed the goal was t= o get enough information together when the budget was presented to the Budget Co= mmittee. This would show/address the needs= on a continuous basis with a fixed level in the budget every year.

MOTION:=

(Domenico/Gleason) To add a line item to the Highway Department budget (under expenses 625 category) called Roadway Maintenan= ce totaling $1 and modify the bottom line request to $891,311.

= ;

VOTE:

(5-0-0) The motion carr= ied.

Human Services <= /span>- request $80,905 (representing an increase of 102.14% - increase in general assistance).

MOTION:=

(Bergeron/Gleason) To approve the Human Services bu= dget in the amount of $80,905.<= /o:p>

= ;

VOTE:

(5-0-0) The motion carr= ied.

Insurance= – request $1,248,075 (representing an increase of 1.33%). The requested amount was an estim= ated figure; the latest figure will be available in October/November.

MOTION:=

(Gleason/Domenico) To approve the Insurance budget = in the amount of $1,248,075.

= ;

VOTE:

(5-0-0) The motion carr= ied.

Legal= - request $90,000 (representing an increase of 5.88%). Mr. Gleason recommended removing = $5000 for the Merrimack Valley Regional Water District because the Town was part= of Pennichuck East, not Pennichuck Water.&nb= sp; Mr. Bergeron disagreed with removing the funds and discussed the importance of being part of the water district. There was further discussion rega= rding the Pennichuck Water services. = ;

MOTION:=

(Gleason/Domenico) To remove $5000 (Merrimack Valle= y Regional Water District).<= /u>

= ;

ROLL CALL = VOTE:

(2-3-0) The motion failed. Mr. Domenico-Yes; Mr. Bergeron-= No; Mr. Gleason-Yes;

Mr. Lynde-No; Mr. Danev= ich-No.

MOTION:=

(Lynde/Bergeron) To approve the Legal budget in the= amount of $90,000.

= ;

ROLL CALL = VOTE:

(3-2-0) The motion carried. Mr. Domenico-No; Mr. Bergeron-Y= es; Mr. Gleason-No;

Mr. Lynde-Yes; Mr. Dane= vich-Yes

Park & Recreation- request $232,296 (representing a decrease of 36.25% - through the revolving account passed by voters last year). Mr. Gleason recommended removing = $5000 for the skating rink. Mr. Ly= nde felt there was interest and the proposal was decent. Mr. Domenico agreed that there ha= d been interest, but felt it was a low cost item that could be funded through pri= vate donations. The new request w= ould be $227,296.

MOTION:=

(Gleason/Domenico) To approve the Park & Recrea= tion budget in the amount of $227,296

= ;

VOTE:

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

Retiremen= t – request $644,619 (representing a 55% increase- mainly due to New Hampshire retirement funding as approved by the voters).

MOTION:=

(Gleason/Domenico) To approve the Retirement budget= in the amount of $644,619.

= ;

VOTE:

(5-0-0) The motion carr= ied.

Selectmen – request $354,750 (representing an inc= rease of 9.76%).

MOTION:=

(Gleason/Domenico) To approve the Selectmen budget = in the amount of $354,750.

= ;

VOTE:

(5-0-0) The motion carr= ied.

Senior Cent= er-<= /span> request $69,757 (representing a 5.81% increase). Mr. Danevich asked if the amount included the additional telephone lines (two telephone and one fax line).<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> He requested that a line be added= for an alarm. The budget request was increased to $70,285.

MOTION:=

(Domenico/Bergeron) To approve the Senior Center budget in the amount of $70,285.

= ;

VOTE:

(5-0-0) The motion carr= ied.

Town Buil= dings – request 480,473 (representing an increase of 24.93% - increase due= to fuel). Mr. Gleason recommend= ed removing $20,000 under facilities equipment/repairs to the Annex repairs.<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> The air conditions had been repai= red and the door has been installed. The request would then be $460,473. Mr. Domenico seconded the motion. Mr. Danevich asked if the budget had enough in it to cover the basic minimum requirement to cover the recommended safety items from the Joint Safety Committee. Mr. Gaydos discus= sed what had been done and what had already been budgeted for this year. He believed there was $500 in the original budget to do minor items; the additional request was for other it= ems that needed to be addressed. There was further discussion regarding the recommended reduction, what needed to= be done at the Annex and where PTV could be located. Mr. Gleason offered a friendly am= endment to his motion - to reduce the $20,000 to $500 (under facilities equipment/repairs) as originally proposed. Mr. Domenico secon= ded the amendment motion. The new re= quest would be $460,973.

MOTION:=

(Gleason/Domenico) To modify/reduce (the facilities equipment/repairs for Annex) $19,500 and leave the $500 originally proposed.

= ;

VOTE:

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

* motion for Town Buildings budget request below.

Town Celebrations- request $9550 (representing an incre= ase of 11%).

MOTION:=

(Gleason/Domenico) To approve the Town Celebrations= budget in the amount of $9550.=

= ;

VOTE:

(5-0-0) The motion carr= ied.

Town Clerk/Tax Collector- request $184,829 (representin= g a 2.72% increase).

MOTION:=

(Bergeron/Domenico) To approve the Town Clerk/Tax Collector budget in the amount of $184,829.

= ;

VOTE:

(5-0-0) The motion carr= ied.

Transfer = Station- request $537,181. Mr. Lynde believed the Superintendent was going to come back in because one of the i= tems was under funded. The Superi= ntendent was on vacation at this time.

MOTION:=

(Gleason/Bergeron) To approve the Transfer Station = budget in the amount of $537,181.

= ;

VOTE:

(5-0-0) The motion carr= ied.

Treasurer- request $7829.96

MOTION:=

(Gleason/Bergeron) To approve the Treasurer budget = in the amount of $7830.<= /u>

= ;

VOTE:

(5-0-0) The motion carr= ied.

Trust Funds – request $50 (no increase)

MOTION:=

(Bergeron/Gleason) To approve the Trust Funds budge= t in the amount of $50.

= ;

VOTE:

(5-0-0) The motion carr= ied.

Town Buildings – motion for new budget request.

MOTION:=

(Gleason/Domenico) To approve the Town Buildings bu= dget in the amount of $460,973.=

= ;

VOTE:

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

The new bottom line 2007 Budget (including the Librar= y and Cemetery) will be $9,897,171. (represe= nting an increase of 5.49%)

Discussion of Joint BOS/PSB/BUDCOM/CIP Sub Committee Memo of August 28, 2006

Mr. Domenico strongly recommended that the Selectmen = take the recommendation from the joint committee (comprised of members from the Selectmen, School Board, Budget Committee and CIP); a lot of work had gone= into the information. He said the= re was unanimous agreement regarding the recommendations. The committee would like to conti= nue and could be the ‘birth’ of a communication committee.

Mr. Gleason felt the Selectmen should record that the= y were in favor of the memo; it should be endorsed as a group. Mr. Bergeron understood the memo = would be presented, but didn’t know the Selectmen would vote on such. He discussed vehicles being place= d into the department budgets. He s= aid if bigger (more expensive) items were placed in the budget, he would hate to = see the Town budget fail because of such.&nbs= p; It would be different if an item was an emergency. Mr. Domenico said the more expens= ive equipment was discussed (at length) and language included in the memo that indicated it was recognized/recommended that more expensive vehicles (i.e.= fire apparatus, dump trucks, plows) be procured through lease/purchase agreemen= ts funded through the Town Operating Budget.= He said the overall goal was to focus on the more costly, much need= ed capital improvements. Mr. Be= rgeron was glad the Selectmen received the memo and were able to discuss it; however,= he had a problem with trying to approve the memo at the present meeting. He noted that the committee would= meet on September 13= , 2006 and felt the Selectmen needed a presentation to support the memo because t= here was still a lot of information to come in. He asked that the Selectmen not approve the memo at the present meeting. Mr. Domenico said t= he Budget Committee wanted to know ahead of the budget cycle what the anticip= ated capital expenses were. Mr. G= leason noted that the committee hoped that the Governing Boards would follow the recommendations. He felt the Selectmen should agree to follow the recommendations of the findings/conclusions.

Mr. Lynde believed the basic concept was to try to bu= ild into the budget those costs that are on-going; once they are in there woul= dn’t be any more ‘bump ups’ in the tax rate because the amounts were already in the base budget. =

Mr. Bergeron said by voting on the recommendations, h= e hoped that the Town priority would be separated from the school. Mr. Danevich suggested that the S= electmen vote to accept the findings and conclusions of the joint BOS/PSB/BUDCOM/CI= P as written. Mr. Bergeron didn&#= 8217;t want to mislead the voters. = Mr. Gleason said ultimately, everything on the list would have to be decided b= y the voters. He didn’t thin= k the memo committed the Selectmen to back the items contained in it; the memo w= as a change in the way business was approached. Mr. Bergeron said he would vote no solely because the school items = were contained in the memo; if the items had been separated, he would have vote= d in the affirmative.

= ;

MOTION:

(Gleason/Domenico) To accept the findings of the jo= int committees as presented.

= ;

VOTE:<= /p>

(4-1-0) The motion carried. Mr. Be= rgeron voted no.

Yield tax for logging operation

Mr. Lynde said at the last meeting he requested the Selectmen vote regarding waiving the yield tax for the logging operations = at Muldoon, Gumpas Pond Conservation Area and Nature’s Way. Mr. Gaydos informed this would be acceptable. There was no obj= ection by the Selectmen.

= ;

MOTION:

(Lynde/Gleason) To waive the yield tax on the loggi= ng operation in accordance with the Forestry Management Plan for Muldoon, G= umpas Pond Conservation Area and Nature’s Way.

= ;

VOTE:<= /p>

(5-0-0) The motion carried.

TOWN ADMINISTRATOR/SELECTMEN REPORTS

Mr. Gaydos provided the status of the work at Muldoon= as well as the Tallant Road Bridge project. He said the Local Government Center (fka New Ha= mpshire Municipal Association – which Mr. Lynde has been a voting delegate o= n the Policy Committee) would be taking a vote on September 29, 2006 9:30am and wanted to know who the delegate authoriz= ation would be.

= ;

MOTION:

(Domenico/Gleason) To authorize Mr. Lynde to vote o= n the Selectmen’s behalf. =

= ;

VOTE:<= /p>

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

Mr. Domenico had no rep= ort.

Mr. Bergeron informed that the CIP met last Thursday = and informed that there was certain information they needed, which Mr. Gaydos = would provide. He thanked Mr. Glea= son for his work on the Revaluation process.

Mr. Gleason said he and Ms. Gallant were drafting a c= over memo for the budget and asked that the Selectmen review and give permissio= n to move forward with it.

Mr. Lynde discussed the= upcoming community events.

Mr. Danevich said the Annual Sticker Check was coming= up at the Transfer Station and asked for the Selectmen to participate as they ha= d in prior years.

REQUEST FOR NON-PUBLIC = SESSION

MOTION:

(Gleason/Bergeron) Request for a non-public session= per RSA 91-A:3,II, b & e (Hiring of any person as an employee; Considera= tion or negotiation of pending claims or litigation).

= ;

ROLL CALL:=

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

Mr. Danevich noted that when the Board returned, afte= r the non-public session, the Board would not take any other action publicly, ex= cept to possibly seal the minutes of the non-public session and to adjourn the meeting. The Board entered i= nto a non-public session at approximately 11:11 pm.

The Board returned to p= ublic session at approximately 1= 1:40pm.

= ;

MOTION:

(Bergeron/Gleason) To seal the minutes of the non-p= ublic session indefinitely.

= ;

VOTE:<= /p>

(5-0-0) The motion carried.

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION:=

(Bergeron/Gleason) To adjourn the meeting.

= ;

VOTE:

(5-0-0) The motion carr= ied.

The meeting was adjourned at approximately 11:40 pm.<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>

&nb= sp; = ; &= nbsp; &nb= sp; = ; &= nbsp; &nb= sp; = ; Respectfully submitted,

= ; &= nbsp; &nb= sp; = ; &= nbsp; &nb= sp; = ; Chari= ty A. L. Willis

&nb= sp; = ; &= nbsp; &nb= sp; = ; &= nbsp; &nb= sp; = ; Recording Secretary