SEL20071120

APPROVED

TOWN OF PELHAM

BOARD OF SE= LECTMEN MEETING

MINUTES

November 20,= 2007

APPROVED – December 4, 2007

CALL = TO ORDER

PLEDG= E OF ALLEGIANCE

PRESENT:

Mr. Victor Danevich, Mr= . Harold Lynde, Mr. Robert Haverty, Mr. Douglas Viger, Town Administrator Tom Gayd= os

Also present:

ABSENT:

Members of the press and general public.

Mr. William McDevitt

MINUTES REVIEW<= /p>

November 6, 2007

MOTION:<= o:p>

(Haverty/Lynde) To approve the November 6, 2007 meeting mi= nutes as amended.

VOTE:

(4-0-0) The motion carri= ed.

The amendment to the minu= tes was as follows: page 2 motion under the discussion of the three way stops signs= was amended to read: ‘To authorize the installation of 3-way stop signs at the intersection of Shepard Road and Harley Road and the installation of 4-= way stop signs at Shepard Road and Mulberry Lane.’

November 13, 2007

MOTION:<= o:p>

(Haverty/Viger) To approve the November 13, 2007 meeting = minutes as written. <= /p>

VOTE:

(4-0-0) The motion carri= ed.

OPEN FORUM

None.=

APPOINTMENTS

Eagle Scout Project Presentation by William Carter, Boy Scout Tr= oop 610 – “Emergency Shelter at Newcomb Field”

Boy Scout William Carter = from Troop 601 and Scout Master Roger Patenaude met with the Selectmen to discuss Mr. Carter’s proposed Eagle Scout project. Mr. Carter reviewed his plan to construct an emergency shelter at Newcomb Field. He explained that the plans were s= ubject to minor changes.

Mr. Haverty thanked Mr. C= arter for volunteering and obtaining his Eagle Scout. He wanted to know if any brush or clearing would be done. Mr. C= arter said the area was already clear. Mr. Haverty asked if anyone from the Town (Park & Recreation) had validated the spot for the shelter. Mr. Carter said Park & Recreation informed him that they wanted a shelter at the park, but they had not informed him of the exact location. Mr. Haverty asked who designed the structure. Mr. Carter said the design contained in the information packet was one that local contractor Pa= ul Fisher had designed for Lyons Field. He said he would speak with Park & Recreation to have someone co= me down and inspect the structure to ensure its safety.

Mr. Viger asked for the structure’s height. Mr. Carter said it would be approximately ten feet in height. Mr. Viger asked if the regular Town permit process would be followed. Mr. Carter said he would.

Mr. Lynde said the inform= ation indicated that the materials would be donated by the Park & Recreation Department. Mr. Carter said p= rior to the Park & Recreation Director (Darren McCarthy) leaving, he gave hi= m the idea of the project and informed him that he would be allowed to charge the Town’s account at Pelham Lumber and Building Supply for materials to build the structure. Mr. Dane= vich said that would cause a problem. He said because it wasn’t appropriated the Selectmen couldn’t authorize an expenditure. Mr. Gaydos asked what amount was being requested. Mr. Carter said the initial budget= Mr. McCarthy gave him was $2500. = He said he reviewed the material list of what it would take to build the struc= ture and he came up with $1114 plus or minus for the unforeseen.

Mr. Lynde asked for a des= cription of how the exterior of the building would be finished. Mr. Carter described that the buil= ding would be constructed from pressure-treated wood. Mr. Lynde questioned how some of t= he tools, such as the nail guns, would be used. Mr. Patenaude said they would follow the Guide to Safe Scouting which outlined what tools could/could not be used by the boys.

Mr. Gaydos said at this p= oint the requested amount could be put through.&nbs= p; Mr. Danevich said the Town never funded Eagle projects and questione= d if doing so now would be a change in precedent. Mr. Patenaude said Park & Recr= eation had funded projects at both Muldoon and Raymond Parks. The Selectmen discussed the projec= t and the funding request. Mr. Gayd= os said money could be transferred from a number of accounts that were not spent. Mr. Lynde asked if it = would be from one of the Park & Recreation accounts. Mr. Gaydos answered no.

Mr. Danevich said a shelt= er was needed at Newcomb Field. He said he = had no objection to proceeding, but felt the Selectmen should revisit the issue. <= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> There was further discussion regard= ing the safety of the park. The Selectmen asked Mr. Gaydos, being the acting Park & Recreation Director= , to review the site. They also requested that Highway Road Agent Don Foss review the site as well since equipment was stored in the area.

MOTION:<= o:p>

(Lynde/Haverty) To authorize an expenditure not to e= xceed $1100.

VOTE:

(4-0-0) The motion carri= ed.

CIP Presentation – Co-Chairm= en Bill Scanzani and Andy Ducharme

CIP Co-Chairmen Bill Scan= zani and Andy Ducharme met with the Selectmen to present the 2008-2014 Capital Improvements Plan. The plan contained recommendations for the Selectmen and the = School District. The Pl= anning Board had previously received a presentation and approved the new CIP plan.=

OTHER BUSINESS<= /p>

Confirm Operating Budget

Mr. Danevich said the Sel= ectmen hadn’t voted on the Operating Budget or default but, but as a result = of the last Budget Committee meeting got a better sense of what should be incl= uded and/or excluded. Mr. Gaydos r= ead aloud the proposed warrant article for the Operating Budget (Article B) whi= ch set the budget at 10,842,184 with a default budget of 10,583,535. The difference between the default budget and the proposed budget was $258,649 (2.4%).

MOTION:<= o:p>

(Lynde/Viger) To place the Operating Budget on the b= allot in the amount of $10,842,184 with a default of $10,583,535.

VOTE:

(4-0-0) The motion carri= ed.

Warrant Article Review<= /u>

Mr. Gaydos said the Fire Chief’s command car and the Highway pickup truck had been discussed at the Budget Committee and chose not to approve those going into the Operating Budget. The Fire Chief’= s command car would cost $35,328. The S= electmen revisited article AB.

MOTION:<= o:p>

(Viger/Haverty) To place article AB on the warrant &= #8211; Fire Command vehicle - $35,328.

VOTE:

(4-0-0) The motion carri= ed.

-------------------------= ------------------------------------

Mr. Gaydos said the Budget Committee requested that the Highway Department pick up truck be placed in a warrant article. The Selectmen revisited article AD. Mr. Vig= er said the one-ton pick up truck (including the plow) was listed at $39,500.<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>

MOTION:<= o:p>

(Viger/Lynde) To place article AD on the warrant = 211; Highway Department (one-ton) pickup truck (with plow) - $39,500.

VOTE:

(4-0-0) The motion carri= ed.

-------------------------= ------------------------------------

Mr. Gaydos said the Selec= tmen had considered different option regarding article X – cycled property assessments. He said they dis= cussed the options with the Budget Committee and asked the Selectmen how they want= ed to proceed. Mr. Viger said the Budget Committee suggested placing the first year of funding in a warrant article and in future years have it be contained in the operating budget. The Selectmen discussed the options.

MOTION:<= o:p>

(Viger/Haverty) To place article X on the warrant &#= 8211; cycled revaluations $55,000 (for the first year).

VOTE:

(4-0-0) The motion carri= ed.

-------------------------= --------------------------------

Mr. Viger asked the Selec= tmen to review the information handed out regarding the Vehicle Replacement Plan. Certain vehicles were highlighted = because they weren’t included in the budgets this year. For the year 2011 the amount for t= he replacement plan would be $300,000 which is where the big capital purchases would be for replacement vehicles. Mr. Viger felt the capital reserve should be funded for 75,000 in th= e first year and let it build up till 2011. He said the Selectmen could reevaluate it every year and fund it as needed; warrant articles would be created to expend money as needed.

MOTION:<= o:p>

(Viger/Lynde) To place article I on the warrant R= 11; create a Vehicle Replacement Capital Reserve Fund and fund it with $75,000.

VOTE:

(4-0-0) The motion carri= ed.

-------------------------= ---------------------------------

Mr. Gaydos brought up art= icle J – Deputy Fire Chief which during the last discussion the Selectmen ha= d a 2-2 vote. Mr. Danevich said Selectman McDevitt had the opportunity to review and given the current load= on the ballot this year did not support placing the warrant on the ballot. He said with that input, Article J failed to be placed on the ballot this year with a 2-3 vote.

-------------------------= -------------------------------

Mr. Gaydos said he had a conversation with the Fire Chief regarding Article L – Ambulance Capi= tal Reserve. In keeping with the = CIP, the ambulance was due next year. The Selectmen reconsidered their motion placing the article on the ballot.

MOTION:<= o:p>

(Haverty/Viger) To not place Article L (Ambulance) on the ballot.

VOTE:

(4-0-0) The motion carri= ed.

-------------------------= ------------------------------

The Selectmen then addres= sed Article M – $150,000 to erect a communication tower on Jeremy Hill for town wide communications. Mr. Gaydos said the Selectmen had deferred the article and requested additional information, which had not been received.&= nbsp; It was unknown where the exact location of the tower would be or the exact cost.

The Selectmen discussed t= he article. Fire Chief Michael W= alker (who was seated in the public) came forward and explained the situation. He said they identified that they = could not use the forestry tower on top of Jeremy Hill. He said William Bartlett of Two-Way Communication indicated they had found a separate spot where he could erect= a higher tower. He said it woul= d be better to bring in power and back up power and put a tower in there. He said they were having difficulty identifying exactly who owned the property. Once the owner is identified, they= had to determine that there wasn’t rare plant life that would be disturbe= d by them coming in. The general p= rice (which was not a quote) was indicated to be approximately $150,000. Chief Walker said he didn’t = have any details. The project had = been postponed because they ran into ‘snags’ while trying to determi= ne who owned the property.

Mr. L= ynde asked what the projected height of the tower was. Chief Walker was unsure.

Mr. Danevich asked the im= pact if the item was deferred. Chief = Walker said they would have to survive the way they were. He said they had spoken to the own= ers of the property and had a better understanding of their needs and how to gain access to the facility. Mr. Danevich said the challenge was having a lot of unknowns.

Mr. Haverty asked if ther= e was an immanent need to relocate. Ch= ief Walker answered no. Mr. Haver= ty asked if the current radio infrastructure would be compromised by not doing= the tower. Chief Walker said not = at the moment. He said the need woul= d be rather urgent, but not immediate and dire.

MOTION:<= o:p>

(Haverty/Lynde) To not include Article M (communication tower) on the ballot. =

VOTE:

(4-0-0) The motion carri= ed.

Mr. Gaydos said the only = pending item was the Police contract which he would bring in front of the Selectmen at t= he next meeting.

ADMINISTRATIVE<= /p>

Quail Run Lane Acceptance<= /b>

Mr. Gaydos had a communic= ation from Planning Director Jeff Gowan regarding the acceptance of Quail Run Lane. The Planning Board asked Mr. Gowan= to request, per their November 5, 2007 meeting, that the Selectmen accept Quail Run Lane as authorized by the March 2007 Town Meeting. Mr. Gaydos reviewed Mr. Gowan̵= 7;s letter describing the work that had been done. In summary Mr. Gowan and Highway R= oad Agent Don Foss had reviewed the work and were satisfied with the result. Mr. Gaydos didn’t feel a pub= lic hearing was needed because Town Meeting gave the Selectmen the authority and the Planning Board had indicated that all their requirements were met.

MOTION:<= o:p>

(Haverty/Lynde) To accept Quail Run Lane in conjunction wit= h the 2007 Town vote now that the ‘subject to’ portion had been completed.

=

VOTE:

(4-0-0) The motion carri= ed.

Bond Schedules<= /p>

Mr. Gaydos provided the S= electmen with information comparing the proposed Fire Station bond schedule if it we= re done in five, ten, fifteen or twenty years. He said the interest rates increas= ed with the length of term. The Selectmen discussed their views regarding the term of the bond. There appeared to be a consensus of having the bond be between 10 and 15 years.

TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S   / SELECTMEN’S REPORTS

Mr. G= aydos, Mr. Viger and Mr. Lynde had no reports.&nb= sp;

Mr. Haverty said the Fire= Station Committee gave their presentation to the Budget Committee for the new centr= al fire station which he felt went well.   The Budget Commi= ttee will vote on the fire station on November 26, 2007.&= nbsp; He then reported that he attended a Context Sensitive Solution meeti= ng. There would be two options coming forward. Mr. Haverty provided= the dates for the upcoming meetings and said they expected to come forward in September, 2008 with a final design.

Mr. D= anevich said he hoped everyone had a safe and happy holiday.

REQUEST FOR NON-PUBLIC S= ESSION

MOTION:=

(Viger/Lynde) Request for a non-public session per R= SA 91-A:3,II,a,b&e (personnel; hiring of any person as an employee; consideration or negotiation of pending claims or litigation)

=

ROLL CALL:<= /b>

Mr. Danevich-Yes; Mr. Lynde-Yes; Mr. Haverty-Yes; Mr. Viger-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 8:15 pm. Also present = was Mr. Gaydos.

The Board returned to pu= blic session at approximately 9:= 30pm.

=

MOTION:=

(Lynde/Haverty) To seal the minutes of the non-public session indefinitely.

=

VOTE:

(4-0-0) The motion carried.

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION:<= o:p>

(Lynde/Haverty) To adjourn the meeting.

=

VOTE:

(4-0-0) The motion carri= ed.

The meeting was adjourne= d at approximately 9:30pm.

   &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;    Respectfully submitted,

   &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;    Charity A. L. Willis

   &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;    Recording Secretary