BOS Minutes 11-28-2006

APPROVED

TOWN OF PELHAM<= /st1:place>

BOARD OF S= ELECTMEN MEETING

MINUTES

November 28, 2006

APPROVED – December 12, 2006

CALL TO ORDER

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

PRESENT:

Mr. Victor Danevich, Mr. Edmund Gleason, Mr. Jean-G= uy Bergeron, Mr. Tom Domenico, Mr. Tom Gaydos – Town Administrator

Also present:

ABSENT:

Members of the press and general public.

Mr. Harold Lynde

POLICE COMMENDATIONS

Police Chief Evan Haglund read aloud the Police Commendations presented to Officer Michael Marshall and Officer Ryan Samba= taro for their actions on September 8, 2006 that lead to arrests of four suspects involved in a co= pper theft ring. The Selectmen al= so thanked the officers for their diligence.=

MINUTES REVIEW

November 8, 2006

MOTION:

(Bergeron/Gleason) To approve the November 8, 2006 meeting m= inutes as amended.

= ;

VOTE:<= /p>

(4-0-0) The motion carried.

The amendments to the minutes were as follows: page 1= , under Public Hearing for fire station – paragraph 1 – the word ‘input’ was inserted into the 4^th sentence; paragra= ph 4 - the sentence reading ‘He said he had the opportunity to speak to t= he architect and questioned them if a rendering (footprint) of the building…’ was amended to read ‘He asked the architect i= f a rendering (footprint) of the building…’.

November 14, 2006

MOTION:

(Gleason/Bergeron) To approve the November 14, 2006 meeting= minutes as amended.

= ;

VOTE:<= /p>

(4-0-0) The motion carried.

The amendments to the minutes were as follows: page 1= , under Tax Rate – the year was corrected to read 2006; page 2, under Articl= e K for Map 20 Lot 2-132-1 – 5^th sentence – the word ‘found’ was replaced with the word ‘done’; 6^t=
h sentence – the word ‘requested’ was replaced with ‘granted’; page 3 – paragraph 1 – last sentence re= ading ‘Mr. Bergeron said he was in favor of the waiver, but didn’t w= ant to do something prior to the Board of Adjustment.’ was amended to re= ad ‘Mr. Bergeron said he was in favor of the waiver, but normally didn’t want to take action until the Board of Adjustment ruled.̵= 7;; page 4 – 1^st paragraph, 1^st sentence – t= he word ‘units’ was replaced with ‘bedrooms’; 2^{nd
paragraph, last sentence – the word ‘Health’ was inserted
into the sentence reading ‘He said the Health Board
addresses…’; page 8 – under S-B – the sentence rea=
ding
‘The Selectmen requested further backup and would potentially
‘firm’…’ was amended to read ‘The Selectmen
requested further backup and expressed a desire to reduce the number and
would
‘firm’…’; page 9 – under Town
Administrator’s report – School Deliberative Session will be h=
eld
February 7, 2007’ under Mr. Gleason’s report – the sente=
nce
reading ‘Mr. Gleason said a letter had been received by Police Chief=
Evan
Haglund, representing the union, requesting that the Selectmen clarify wha=
t was
going on.’ was amended to read ‘Mr. Gleason said a letter had =
been
received from Police Chief Evan Haglund, representing the union, requesting
that the Selectmen clarify what was going on with the employees being allo=
wed
to join New Hampshire retirement.’.}

OPEN FORUM

None.

APPOINTMENTS

New Employee Intr= oduction: Anthony Chianca, Emergency Response Corps, AmeriCorps Program

Fire Chief Michael Walker provided an explanation of = what the AmeriCorps Program was and how it would benefit the community. In summary AmeriCorps is a grant = program that is part of one of the Presidential directives to create a corps of pe= ople throughout the country to serve in the communities.&= nbsp; After an interview process Mr. Anthony Chianca was chosen as the individual that would work with the Fire Department. Mr. Gaydos discussed how the posi= tion was posted and noted that there had been a number of applications. Mr. Chianca discussed his backgro= und qualifications.

Mr. Domenico understood that funding was only establi= shed for the first year and wanted to know if the Town had the opportunity to conti= nue. Chief Walker was confident that t= he Town would also receive funding for the second year; the only contribution by t= he Town is $6000.

The Selectmen welcomed = Mr. Chianca.

National Incident Management System

Mr. Danevich said the Selectmen had reviewed the info= rmation and had questions answered regarding the National Incident Management Syst= em (‘NIMS’). He ask= ed Fire Chief Michael Walker to discuss what NIMS was and why it should be adopted. Chief Walker said N= IMS was developed cooperatively through the Federal Government and was based on wh= at the fire service had been using for years. NIMS is a management system for emergencies and mandatory to adopt = if the Town wanted to be eligible for future grants after 2007. He discussed the importance of us= ing the same system as surrounding communities.&n= bsp;

= ;

MOTION:

(Domenico/Gleason) To adopt the National Incident Management System as prescribed in the memo dated November 28, 2006 by Fir= e Chief Michael Walker.

= ;

VOTE:<= /p>

(4-0-0) The motion carried.

The Selectmen then sign= ed the document and provided it to Chief Walker.=

Transfer Station Superintendent Bruce Mason – Update=

Mr. Danevich said the Selectmen periodically ask for = updates from the various departments. Transfer Station Superintendent Bruce Mason was asked to discuss ce= rtain items such as: 1) Coupon System (pay as you go); 2) Construction Debris Collection Container; and 3) Revolving Funds Opportunities.

Mr. Gleason wanted to know the recommendations for a = coupon system for disposal of construction materials. Mr. Mason said people were curren= tly allowed to dispose of a limited amount of demolition material and discusse= d the problems associated with such. He said if a small container were set up to accept demolition material, and parameters would need to be set up to accept the items. Mr. Gleason questioned if there w= as a need to accept construction material.&nbs= p; He wanted to know if complaints had been received. Mr. Mason said if the Transfer St= ation were to begin accepting truck loads of demolition materials he would sugge= st using a coupon system. Mr. G= leason asked if a need had been identified for receipt of construction materials.= Mr. Mason said when residents com= e in with a truck load they are directed to go to Salem where they pay for disposal. Problems were handled as they came up.

Mr. Bergeron discussed some of the items that would be allowed and noted that some of the items would still have nails, broken gl= ass and wires attached. He said = there were facilities that accepted the items so workers didn’t have to ha= ndle them. Mr. Mason said if a co= ntainer were added, a four-foot container would be easier to monitor (and easier f= or people to put their own items in) than a six-foot container. Mr. Bergeron didn’t support= having a container because more employees would be needed and the items would be hazardous to handle. Mr. Mas= on said he would like to accommodate people with their small quantities.

Mr. Danevich said he simply wanted the Selectmen to r= evisit the items; they weren’t looking for any action. He said the Selectmen wanted back= up data if the current activities were expanded.&= nbsp; Mr. Mason said if demolition materials were going to be accepted in larger quantities a coupon system should be implemented instead of going t= o Salem. He would also like to implement a= coupon system to accept items such as tires, computer monitors, refrigerators etc. He said even though it = was a posted policy to not accept cash, it happens (they see several hundred dol= lars per week in cash). He said h= e would like to get away from the cash aspect of business and felt the coupon syst= em would be the way to do it. M= r. Domenico said he agrees that people should pay to dispose of items such as= refrigerators, tires and some demolition debris because it cost an additional amount for = the Town to remove. He felt the = coupon system was an onerous way to try and solve the problem. He believed having a credit card = machine at the Transfer Station may provide the flexibility of handling coupons. He felt the option of using a che= ck or a credit card would be helpful. Mr. Mason said furniture would be included in the coupon system. He provided photographs showing an example of furniture that had been collected.

Mr. Gaydos understood part of the dilemma was selling coupons and said in other communities local businesses had pre-purchased coupons and made them available to residents on the weekend when town halls were closed. This option wou= ld take handling money out of the duties of the Transfer Station.

Mr. Danevich questioned if out-sourcing had been revi= ewed versus a coupon system. Mr. = Mason said he would have to check into it. He noted there were people that could discuss the coupon system. Mr. Danevich said the Selectmen w= ere looking for the most cost-effective way to handle solid waste disposal. Mr. Mason submitted information f= rom communities that use the pay-as-you-go system and have reduced their opera= ting budget.

Mr. Bergeron asked for further explanation regarding = the pay-as-you-go program for household trash. Mr. Mason provided a brief explanation and believed the resident tr= ash bill would decrease because there would be less of the recyclables in the trash. There was further dis= cussion regarding the program. Mr. D= anevich suggested, and there was no objection, to have Mr. Mason work with Mr. Gay= dos to provide the Selectmen with additional information. Mr. Gleason also wanted to addres= s the issue of streamlining the facility. Mr. Danevich also wanted additional information regarding using cre= dit cards and if /how the Town was allowed to implement such.

Mr. Danevich summarized the discussion/action items: = 1) construction container – to remain as is; 2) coupon system, versus s= tatus quo, versus pay-as-you-go – Mr. Gaydos to work with Mr. Mason in the= next three months; 3) determine how to comply with the auditor report regarding handling cash – possibly introduce credit card use; 4) revolving fund – research.

OTHER BUSINESS

Truck Bid Award

Mr. Bergeron recused hi= mself from the discussion.

Mr. Gaydos informed that two trucks and two cars were initially put out to bid for a three week period and received bids for a f= ew pieces; the bid was put out again for two weeks and an additional bid was received. There were two bid= s for the 1994 Ford F-150 dump truck with plow (149,000 miles) – the high = bid ($325) was Mr. Gerald Walker. Mr. G= aydos said for the last two weeks the attempts to contact Mr. Walker were unsuccessful. Mr. Gleason recommended that Mr. Gaydos document the unsuccessful attempts to contact = the low bidder.

= ;

MOTION:

(Domenico/Gleason) To accept the $300 bid for the 1= 994 Ford F-150 dump truck submitted by Jack Tirrell.

= ;

VOTE:<= /p>

(3-0-1) The motion carried. Mr. Bergeron had previously rec= used himself from the discussion.

Mr. Gaydos read the next bid description – 1991= Ford F-800 dump truck with 10-foot plow (unknown mileage) – one bid from Jean-Guy’s Used Cars and Parts $101.

= ;

MOTION:

(Domenico/Gleason) To award the bid for the 1991 Fo= rd F-800 dump truck with 10-foot plow, mileage unknown, to Jean-Guy’s= Used Cars and Parts for the amount of $101.&= nbsp;

= ;

VOTE:<= /p>

(3-0-1) The motion carried. Mr. Bergeron had previously rec= used himself from the discussion.

Mr. Gaydos then read the following bid description &#= 8211; 1994 Ford Crown Victoria Sedan (157,000 miles) – only bidder Jean-GuyR= 17;s Used Cars and Parts $101.

= ;

MOTION:

(Domenico/Gleason) To award the bid for the 1994 Fo= rd Crown Victoria Sedan (157,000 miles) to Jean-Guy’s Used Cars and P= arts for the amount of $101.

= ;

VOTE:<= /p>

(3-0-1) The motion carried. Mr. Bergeron had previously rec= used himself from the discussion.

Mr. Gaydos read the last bid description – 1994= Ford Crown Victoria Sedan (190,000 miles) – only bidder Jean-Guy’s = Used Cars and Parts $101.

= ;

MOTION:

(Domenico/Gleason) To award the bid for the 1994 Fo= rd Crown Victoria Sedan (190,223 miles) to Jean-Guy’s Used Cars and P= arts for the amount of $101.

= ;

VOTE:<= /p>

(3-0-1) The motion carried. Mr. Bergeron had previously rec= used himself from the discussion.

The Selectmen asked tha= t the vehicles be removed as expeditiously as possible.

Mr. Danevich noted when the new Senior Center bus was delivered, the current bus would be added to the obsolete equipment sale list.

Mr. Bergeron returned t= o the Board.

Resolutio= n RSA 72:37a – allows exemptions of assessed values to dwellings for physi= cal features constructed to accommodate handicapped occupants

Mr. Danevich said at the last meeting, the Selectmen = did a public reading of the exemptions of improvement for disabilities pursuant = to RSA 72:37a. He said the memo= was meant to gain the Selectmen’s approval/denial of an official policy = set up to address the RSA. Throu= gh the revaluation process the Selectmen became aware that the Town had not taken= a position regarding RSA 72:37a which specifically dealt with how assessors = deal with improvements to a home of those with handicaps. Mr. Danevich said the resolution = was consistent with state law.

= ;

MOTION:

(Gleason/Bergeron) To approve the memo from Wil Cor= coran with respect to RSA 72:37a.

= ;

VOTE:<= /p>

(4-0-0) The motion carried.

Mr. Gaydos said the res= olution was a draft and would now be prepared for the Selectmen’s signature.=

Recap of Warrant Article vote by Budget Committee

Mr. Gaydos reviewed the Budget Committee votes regard= ing the proposed Warrant Articles as follows:

FA – <= /b>Enter into a 5-year lease/purchase agreement for $345,000 for a Fire Truck Pumper – Budget Committee approved by vote of 11-0

FC – <= /b>To raise and appropriate $138,901 to hire and equip four new Firefighter/EMT positions. The number was re= vised at the Budget Committee by the Fire Chief. Budget Committee approved by vo= te

of 9-2.

= ;

MOTION:

(Gleason/Domenico) To approve Warrant Article FC in= the amount of $138,901 for four new Firefighters/EMT positions (July – December)

= ;

VOTE:<= /p>

(4-0-0) The motion carried.

FD – To raise and appropriate $57,770 to fund and equip a Full-time Deputy Fire Chief. Budget Committee defeated by vote of 2-9 R= 11; the most predominant reason being the number of Fire Department items.

H-B – To raise and appropriate $252,000 (estimated number until state provides actual) for repair, maintenance and upgrading Town ro= ads, to be offset by the State Highway Grant.&= nbsp; Budget Committee approved by vote of 11-0.

P-A – To raise and appropriate $45,651 to hire and equip= one new Police Officer (from June to December, 2007). Budget Committee approved by vote= of 9-2.

R-A – To raise and appropriate $40,000 for refurbishment= of the current bathroom facility at Pelham Veteran’s Memorial Park. Budget Committee defeated by vote= of 4-7. The Budget Committee co= mmented about the lack of an overall plan for the park; they also didn’t fee= l the amount was adequate to renovate the building; the Selectmen were applauded= for trying to take a lower cost approach.&nbs= p; Mr. Danevich felt it would be unfortunate to not do anything at the= park for another year. There was = further discussion regarding the proposed article.

R-E – To discontinue the E.G. Raymond Park Capital Reser= ve Fund and transfer the funds/interest into the General Fund. Budget Committee defeated by vote= of 2-9 primarily because they felt it was part of a bigger scheme set up in the 1980’s; until there was a better understanding, the Budget Committee= was hesitant to discontinue the fund. Mr. Domenico suggested removing the article from the warrant

MOTION:             (Domenico/Gleason) To remove warrant article R-E that discontinues the E.G. Raymond Park Capi= tal Reserve Fund with the intent of doing more research and placing it on the ballot next year.

VOTE:     &nbs= p;            = (4-0-0) The motion carried.

R-F – To raise and appropriate $195,000 to construct two soccer fields at Raymond Park and correct drainage issues. Budget Committee defeated by vote= of 2-9. Mr. Gaydos felt there w= as a lack of appreciation for the permits the Town had and a feeling that there should be an overall plan for the entire park; there were also questions regarding the parade field. = Mr. Gleason sensed willingness for reconsideration if a plan was presented. Mr. Domenico felt more information (number of children, scheduling etc) should be provided. Mr. Danevich said the Selectmen s= hould put a plan together as an action item. Mr. Bergeron wanted Mr. Lynde to have the opportunity to discuss. Mr. Gleason noted that the Park &= amp; Recreation Director wasn’t in attendance of the Budget Committee mee= ting to discuss. There was further discussion regarding the proposed overview plan for the park. Mr. Danevich said the course of a= ction was to provide the Budget Committee with information at reconsideration.

S-A – To establish a Capital Reserve Fund to enable safe= ty measures to protect against pandemics and outbreaks such as West Nile Viru= s and EEE and appoint the Selectmen as agents to expend and raise and appropriate $40,000. Budget Committee ap= proved by vote of 11-0.

S-B – To raise and appropriate $198,000 to correct code issues with electrical and sprinkler systems in Sherburne Hall and install heating, ventilation and air conditioning. Budget Committee approved by vote of 9-2.

MOTION:             (Domenico/Gleason) To decrease the amount listed in article S-B from $250,000 to now read $198,000.

VOTE:     &nbs= p;            = (4-0-0) The motion carried.

S-J – To raise and appropriate $175,000 to be placed in = the compensated absence fund. Bu= dget Committee approved by vote of 11-0. The Budget Committee questioned if the amount was adequate; however, Mr. Gaydos felt that amount would be adequate. The Selectmen decided to keep the number but to make sure next year’s budget had an adequate amount allocated for the people leaving. Mr. Gaydos wanted it understood that he would like to raise the whole $642,000but the $175,000 = would get the Town through the next year; it would be a ‘break-even’ situation. Mr. Gleason felt = that in the 2007 budget the $175,000 should be put into the default budget in the = event the budget was defeated. Mr.= Gaydos said there was further discussion by the Budget Committee regarding the issue. Mr. Gleason recommend= ed that the amount be placed in the operating budget so it would also be in the de= fault budget. Mr. Danevich suggest= ed having the item discussed further during reconsideration. Mr. Gaydos said if the Selectmen = would vote on the approach, it could be brought up with the Budget Committee again. Mr. Gleason said he w= ould discuss at the next Budget Committee meeting (Thursday – November 30, 2006).

S-K – To withdraw not more than $35,000 from the Forestry Fund. Mr. Gaydos didn’t recall the Selectmen voting on this item.= Mr. Danevich said this item was deferred by the Selectmen. Mr. Gaydos said the Budget Commit= tee recommended this item by a vote of 11-0.&= nbsp; Mr. Danevich read the actual article aloud (summary provided below).

MOTION:             (Gleason/Bergeron) To authorize the Forestry Committ= ee to withdraw not more than $35,000 from the Forestry Trust Fund for the purpos= e of stewardship, signage, trail maps, parking etc., forest management, tree ca= re, security, public education, other costs associated with the maintenance and care of = Town Forest land – this sum includes repayment of $6000 to the Conservati= on Commission for costs incurred in 2006.&nb= sp;

VOTE: (4-0-0) The motion carried.

SR-A – Plan/concept for expanding the Senior Center - $1= 00,000 to be placed in a Capital Reserve Fund – presentation next year with= implementation in the proceeding two/three years. Budget Committee approved by a vote of 7-4.

MOTION:             (Gleason/Bergeron) To place $100,000 into a Capital Reserve Fund for the plan/concept for expanding the Senior Center.

VOTE:     = ;            &= nbsp; (4-0-0) The motion carried.

H-C -Tallant Road/Willow Street Bridge project – Mr. Gaydos said there was approximately $79,000 remain= ing in this account after the expenses for the Tallant Road Bridge project are accounted for. He said the $= 79,000 would be eligible for Wi= llow Street Bridge. He said the recommendation of the= Budget Committee was to leave the wording the same and continue to add funds to it. The Budget Committee agr= eed funding was required and approved the article by a vote of 11-0. The Selectmen discussed how the a= rticle should read. The wording wil= l be revised to raise and appropriate $35,000 into the Tallant Road/Willow Stre= et Capital Reserve Fund for the purposes of reconstruction of the Willow Street Bridge.

MOTION:             (Gleason/Bergeron) To revise the wording of article = H-C to raise and appropriate $35= ,000 into the Tallant Road/Willow Street Capital Reserve Fund for the purposes = of reconstruction of the Wi= llow Street Bridge.

VOTE:     &nbs= p;            = (4-0-0) The motion carried.

Mr. Danevich discussed the manner in wh= ich the Selectmen reviewed the warrant articles.

TOWN ADMINISTRATOR/SELECTMEN’S REPORTS

Mr. Gaydos said corresponde= nce had been received from the Pelham Historical Society because they had been approached by individuals requesting to decorate the 70-foot spruce locate= d in front of the their building to memorialize soldiers killed in Iraq. The Historical Society felt grant= ing the request was outside their scope due to insurance liability. There was no objection by the Sel= ectmen to allow the 70-foot spruce to be decorated.

Mr. Domenico provided the Selectmen with highlights of the latest Planning Board meeting at which proposed zoning changes were discussed.&n= bsp;

Mr. Bergeron read aloud an e-mail received by Planning Director Jeff Gowan that informed the next mee= ting of the Context Sensitive Solution will be Thursday, December 21, 2006 at 6pm at the Police Station = Training Room. Mr. Bergeron said he h= ad a resident ask him what the total budget was for the Town last year. He asked if the Selectmen could h= ave a report for the next meeting. He said this may help people understand why their taxes went up. Mr. Gleason said he had explained= to people that there was not a ‘wind fall’ for the Selectmen or t= he Town to go and spend money, it was just a different distribution of the tax burden of taxpayers based upon the value of their property. He said he would provide the amou= nts from 2005 and 2006 provide the delta costs with the corresponding tax rates.

Mr. Gleason said he spoke w= ith the Treasurer Charlene Takesian who asked him to report that she didn̵= 7;t feel TAN needed to be pulled to pay the tax bills. He still felt the need to revisit= the TAN line item in the budget. Mr. Gleason said the Budget Committee took $10,000 out of the Pennichuck money which the Selectmen needed to discuss prior to reconsideration with the Bu= dget Committee. He ended by infor= ming that he sent a letter out to the members of the Budget Committee for their spirit of cooperation when reviewing the budget.

Mr. Danevich had no report.

REQU= EST FOR NON-PUBLIC SESSION

MOTION:

(Gleason/Domenico) Request for a non-public session= per RSA 91-A:3,II, d (Consideration of acquisition, sale or lease of propert= y)

= ;

ROLL CALL:=

Mr. Danevich-Yes; Mr. Gleason-Yes; Mr. 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 8:45 pm.

The Board returned to p= ublic session at approximately 9:= 05 pm.

= ;

MOTION:

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

= ;

VOTE:<= /p>

(4-0-0) The motion carried.

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION:=

(Domenico/Bergeron) To adjourn the meeting.

= ;

VOTE:

(4-0-0) The motion carr= ied.

The meeting was adjourned at approximately 9:05 pm.

   &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