SEL20080902

APPROVED

TOWN OF PELHAM

BOARD OF SE= LECTMEN MEETING

MINUTES

September 2, 2008

APPROVED &#= 8211; September 9, 2008

CALL TO ORDER

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

PRESENT:

Mr. Douglas Viger, Mr. = Robert Haverty, Mr. Harold Lynde, Mr. Victor Danevich, Mr. William McDevitt, Town Administrator Tom Gaydos, , Financial Director Janet Gallant

Also present:

ABSENT:

Members of the press and general public.

None

MINUTES REVIEW

August 2= 6, 2008

MOTION:

(McDevitt/Have= rty) To approve the Au= gust 26, 2008 meeting minutes as written.

VOTE:

(5-0-0) The mo= tion carried.

OPEN FORUM

Police Chief Joseph Roark= and Lieutenant Mike McCarthy came forward to discuss Old Home Day and a change = in the traffic flow during the event. Lieutenant McCarthy said the proposed plan was to restrict all vehic= le traffic to the downtown area from the time the event began until it ended (approx. 8:30am-4:30pm). Police Officers and Explorers woul= d be on hand to regulate traffic so people would be able to get where they neede= d to go safely and efficiently. The Selectmen were provided with a map of the immediate area and how the traffic would be directed; people trying to access the area during the event would = also be provided with a copy of the map. In the event of extremely poor weather conditions (due to Hurricane Hannah) , the roads would not be closed.&n= bsp; Signage will be posted for normal Old Home Day parking.

There was further discuss= ion regarding the traffic flow; the plan would be altered in the event of incle= ment weather.

Chief Roark stated that s= urveys (to be mailed back) would be given to attendees asking if they liked the new traffic flow, or if they preferred last year.

MOTION:

(Danevich/Lynd= e) To approve the (Old Home Day traffic flow) plan as is; phased in at the Chief’s and Lieutenant’s discretion based on weather and traf= fic conditions.

VOTE:

(5-0-0) The mo= tion carried.

Mr. Lynde indicated if it= was raining on Old Home Day, it would be postponed to the following Saturday. If rain showers were expected for = the afternoon, the event would not be postponed.

APPOINTMENTS

2009 Overall Budget Review

Fire Department – The Selec= tmen reviewed the line items contained in the Operating Budget for the Fire Department. There was a discu= ssion regarding the charge for the Town departments to come in with the goal of having a bottom line/no-increase budget.&n= bsp; Ms. Gallant stated that she would need to meet with Ms. McNamara of = the Fire Department to correct the 2009 default budget amount because it was incorrect. The priority list = provided by the Fire Department was reviewed to see which (safety) items to replace.

Police Department – The Sel= ectmen reviewed the items contained in the Operating Budget of the Police Department. Chief Roark asked= to come back and give a presentation regarding leasing cruisers. An agenda item would be added to an upcoming meeting.

Town Buildings – Mr. Gaydos= said there had been a miscalculation in the line item for electric; the rate was locked and the Town would avoid an increase.

Mr. Danevich suggested taking mosquito control ($35,000) out of the Health Offi= cer budget and move it to a warrant article.&n= bsp; He said the $35,000 could be applied towards = Town Building repairs so there wouldn’t be an increase. Mr. Haverty was against removing mosquito control was contrary to a previous action of the Board.

Human Services – Mr. Gaydos= said they believed there would be a big a hit based on the economy. Progress was seen with the department’s new hire, however it would be a difficult year.

Cable TV – Mr. McDevitt not= ed that Legislature approved including cable in the revolving fund and asked i= f it could be done. Mr. Gaydos sai= d it could be structured similar to the Recreation Department.

The Selectmen reviewed other items contained within the Town’s budget; th= ey will vote at an upcoming meeting.

TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S / SELECTMEN’S REPORTS

Mr. Lynde discussed the events that would occur at Old Home Day.

Mr. Gaydos informed that the PERC group would be making people aware of what was available to make a difference for recycling. He noted that the Merrimack Valley= Water District conducted a meeting and he would report the outcome to the Selectmen.

Mr. Viger explained what format the Selectmen would use when voting on the department budgets.

There were no other reports given.

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION:

(Danevich/McDe= vitt) To adjourn the meeting.

VOTE:

(5-0-0) The motion carried.

The meeting was adjourned at approximately 9:00 pm.

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

= &nb= sp; = &nb= sp; = &nb= sp; = Charity A. L. Willis

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