SEL20090210

APPROVED

TOWN OF PELHAM

BOARD OF SE= LECTMEN MEETING

MINUTES

February 10, 2009

CALL TO ORDER – 6:3= 0pm

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

PRESENT:

Mr. Douglas Viger (arri= ved after the meeting commenced – 7:34pm), Mr. Robert Haverty, Mr. Victor Danevich, Mr. William McDevitt, Mr. Harold Lynde (arrived after the meeting commenced – 6:54pm) , Town Administrator Tom Gay= dos

Also present:

ABSENT:

Members of the press and general public.

None.

MINUTES REVIEW

January= 13, 2009 – deferred until en= ding times and motions are inserted. (Mr. Gaydos provided the information later in the meeting – see below for motion/approval.)

January= 27, 2009 - deferred approval until a quorum of members present for the meeting were in attendance. (see below for motion/approval.)

OPEN FORUM

None.

APPOINTMENTS

Introduction of New Employees:&= nbsp; Paul Fisher – Firefighter / Shawn Davis – Dispatcher

Fire Chief James Midgley = came forward to introduce the Fire Department’s new employee. Paul Fisher was introduced to the Selectmen. Chief Midgley disc= ussed Mr. Fisher’s qualifications. Mr. Fisher told the Selectmen his reasons for pursuing the position. He also noted that = he had been a call firefighter for the past two years.

The Selectmen welcomed Firefighter Fisher.

Dispatcher Shawn Davis wa= s not present for the meeting.

6:37pm

Discussion: Fire and Recreation Impact Fees – Jeff Gowan, Planning Director and Mark Fougere, Fougere Planning & Development, Inc= .

Planning Director Jeff Gowan told t= he Selectmen that the Town had an impact fee in place for fire and an effort h= ad been made to update the schedule around the former Fire Chief’s posit= ion for replacing the fire station. He said Mr. Mark Fougere had been hired to develop/update the fee that was bei= ng presented. He noted that repl= acing the existing station was contained on the CIP. A draft of the revised impact fee schedule was brought to the Planning Board and approved by them. The Town’s enabling ordinanc= e is written so that any changes adopted by the Planning Board shall be submitte= d to the Selectmen for implementation.

The draft of the new Fire= Impact Fee was provided to the Selectmen for review. Mr. Gowan told the Selectmen that = the impact fee was changed from a per square foot fee to a flat fee for residen= tial construction; and commercial/non-residential would be assessed on a per foot basis.

Mr. Mark Fougere discusse= d what standards were used for the analysis to drive the fee; one being the NFPA f= our minute response time, which was one of the driving factors for substations. He reviewed what= fees had been collected. He noted = that the growth related cost to the Town for the central fire station was $739,0= 00 and pointed out that there had been close to $600,000 already collected whi= ch was near the limit of what could be collected. Mr. Fougere then discussed the substation and what percentages would be collected. In conclusion, he stated that the = impact fees he was recommending ranged from $898 - $950 per unit (residential); $.= 44 per square foot for industrial; $.89 per square foot for commercial; and $.87 p= er square foot for institutional. He said if things changed in the future, the fee impacts could be amended to reflect those changes.

Mr. Lynde arrived.

The Selectmen discussed t= he proposed impact fee schedule.

Mr. Haverty noted that the Planning Board had a presentation at their last meeting and approved the revised fee schedule (with a vote of 5-2).= Mr. Gowan stated that the Planning Board approved the fee schedule, = it would be up to the Selectmen to enact the fee schedule.

Mr. Danevich believed tha= t the impact fee schedule needed to be posted for a public hearing. Mr. Gaydos was asked to post a pub= lic hearing in two weeks.

The Selectmen then review= ed the Recreation Impact Fee Schedule. Mr. Fougere said the last time they discussed Recreation Impact Fee he understo= od that the Selectmen wanted to separate the fee so it only dealt with the recreational needs of the Senior Center. He pulled the fee apart into two components – a single family home fee would be $620 (Senior Center Recreational needs-$306 / Recreation Building - $314).

Mr. Danevich asked what r= evenue would be generated be the fee to offset the building costs. Mr. Fougere said based on build ou= t, the fee would generate approximately $400,000.=

Mr. McDevitt asked if the= fee had been approved by the Planning Board. Mr. Gowan said it had been in front of the Planning Board prior to t= he fee being broken out into the two and they voted to approve it (on the basis that the Selectmen would enact it). He said once the Selectmen took a position on the impact fees he wou= ld take them back to the Planning Board for ratification. Mr. Haverty questioned if the Plan= ning Board should approve the fee prior to the Selectmen enacting it. Mr. Gowan was looking to find out = the Selectmen’s feeling regarding the fees being separated out.

Mr. McDevitt said he was enthusiastic about the Se= nior Center portion and = less enthusiastic about the Recreation portion.= He felt the Fire Station and the Senior Center were pressing needs. He felt = the likelihood of creating the recreation building, given the capital backlog of the Town, was very small. He believed the threat of having to return the fee loomed large compared to ha= ving it built.

The Selectmen were amenab= le to splitting the impact fees into two portions. Mr. Gowan would bring the fee sche= dule back to the Planning Board. T= he Selectmen would schedule a public hearing.=

MINUTES REVIEW

Janua= ry 13, 2009

MOTION:

(McDevitt/Dane= vich) To approve the Ja= nuary 13, 2009 Selectmen meeting minutes as amended.

VOTE:

(3-0-1) The mo= tion carried. Mr. Lynde abstaine= d.

Janua= ry 27, 2009

MOTION:

(Lynde/McDevit= t) To approve the Ja= nuary 13, 2009 Selectmen meeting minutes as written.

VOTE:

(3-0-1) The mo= tion carried. Mr. Danevich absta= ined.

7:13pm

Discussion with Border Riders Club: Regarding Trail Access & Parking

Border Riders Club Presid= ent Bob Lamoureux came forward to discuss trail access and parking within the Town. He said some members weren’t able to get from their back yards to the trails so he was loo= king to find an area for those members of the club to park. He suggested plowing the area behi= nd the gate at Pelham Veteran’s Memorial Park to use for parking. He wanted to know what procedure to follow to do so.

Mr. Haverty questioned if= they were looking for the Town to plow the area. Mr. Lamoureux said the club members would plow the area.

Mr. Gaydos felt the Selec= tmen should seek the input of the Police and Park & Recreation. He said a concern was how to regul= ate the area once it was opened for parking.&n= bsp; He suggested possibly creating an overall policy for parking that wo= uld note other areas too.

Mr. Danevich stated that = he was a member of Border Riders, but was not an active member. He said the season for riding in P= elham was small. He discussed the a= reas where he had seen people park. He said the problem may be solved by moving the gate to the other side of the turn-around (after this season). He would rather have the Town plow the area versus private citizens. He noted that the Fish and Game had guidelines for signage. Mr. Danevich stated that the Border Riders had been a hidden gem in Town with t= heir generosity given to the Town at no cost.&n= bsp; He recommended continuing the Selectmen’s strong working relationship with the club. <= /p>

Mr. McDevitt felt the Sel= ectmen should allow use, have the Town plow the parking area and add signage.

Mr. Danevich said the dis= cussion was prompted by the fact that people were found parked in the area after hours. He said they were look= ing for an exception to the new park policy.&n= bsp; He suggested having a sign indicating ‘no further access’ into the park. He said they w= ere only a couple weeks away from the Pelham trails being unusable.

Mr. Gaydos confirmed that= they would work with Mr. Lamoureux to decide what area would be plowed. He asked if the park closure hours= would remain dusk to dawn. He said = they would need to be certain to emphasize that alcohol wouldn’t be permitted.

Park & Recreation Dir= ector Brian Johnson, who was seated in the audience, came forward for the discussion. He was in favor of activities that would allow the parks to be used during the four seasons.

Mr. Viger arrived.

Mr. Danevich said he want= ed it clear that they didn’t want to publicize the parking area on any maps (local or state). It would be spread by word of mouth to Pelham residents.

Mr. Haverty stated that t= he issue before the Selectmen was solely a parking policy. After a brief discussion, Mr. Dane= vich offered the following motion: To permit parking at Pelham Veteran= 217;s Memorial Park up to the rotary from dawn until 10pm. = To instruct Mr. Gaydos to have the Highway Department plow the rotary (approximately 1000 feet). To= have the Park & Recreation Director create a sign that indicates “No further travel beyond this point” until a permanent sign can be put in place. Reemphasize “No Alcohol” per ordinance. Instruct the Park & Recreation Director to leave the gate open

Mr. McDevitt felt the par= king should be restricted to parking for snowmobiling.= Mr. Danevich agreed. <= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>

Mr. Danevich reviewed the= wording of his motion as follows. Mr. Johnson indicated that he knew what needed to be done.

MOTION:

(Danevich/McDe= vitt) Effective through April 1, 2009 (at Pelham Veteran’s Memorial Park)– To allow parking until 10pm for those who are sn= owmobiling on the trails. To direct th= e Town Administrator to have the Highway Department plow through the rotary. To direct the Park & Recreat= ion Director to create a 4ftx8ft sign with rules indicating (park hours to be) dusk until 10pm= ; no alcohol; parking for snowmobiles only; no further travel beyond the rotary.

VOTE:

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

There was a brief discuss= ion regarding the gate. It was no= ted that the gate was closed, but never locked.

Mr. Lamoureux thanked the= Town agencies for the support. He = said they would continue to do as much as they could for the Town.

7:44pm

Discussion: Sherburne Hall Use Policy

Mr. McDevitt said now tha= t Sherburne Hall was open to the public, a use policy should be drafted/approved. He said a tentative (work in progr= ess) policy was made for the hall use. There would be a fee for use of $150 which would cover moving all the tables, chairs, cables and cleaning of the hall. The $150 would not be charged if o= nly the front of the hall (portion at the stage) would be used. Mr. McDevitt said there was a need= for a site supervisor to open/lock up the building and ensure the facility was us= ed properly. He said the thought= was that the Town would charge a fee of $15 per hour for the time that the pers= on would have to be at the hall. They would be a person subject to Mr. Gaydos/Selectmen approval. He said the hall and building couldn’t be used without someone being in charge.

Mr. McDevitt said a local= singing group, The New Greeley Singers, was interested in using the hall. They also needed one night for rehearsal; they would be charged for the site supervisor, but not the hall = fee of $150 for the rehearsal.

There was a brief discuss= ion regarding the use of the hall and it was agreed that a more specific policy would need to be developed. T= he Selectmen agreed to let The New Greeley Singers use the hall using the Town permit application. Mr. McDev= itt will work with committee members to draft a more detailed policy.

Mr. Gaydos noted that The= New Greeley Singers rehearsal would be March 22, 2009; the concert would be held March 28, 2009.=

OTHER BUSINESS

Miscellaneous Discussion

Mr. Gaydos discussed with= the Selectmen a correspondence he received regarding the Fire Station Project a= nd federal money. He attended a meeting with Congressman Hodes and since had correspondence with Senator Shaheen’s office. He sa= id it appears that the Rural Development Association will be handling grants thro= ugh any of the funds that come from the federal government. He told the Selectmen that both the Senate and House both approved different plans for the stimulus and would n= ow have to meet and come to some sort of negotiated conclusion which was anticipated to happen by the end of the month. Mr. Gaydos reviewed the costs and a timeline that could be followed and asked the Selectmen if they wanted to g= et ‘shovel ready’. T= o get the project to the bid process, the cost was $220,000 and would take approximately sixteen weeks; this would get the Town in a better position f= or ‘stimulus money’ if/when it became available.

Mr. Haverty said the only= thing currently on the warrant was a petition article for a fire station. He questioned what plan would be b= uilt if that article failed. Mr. G= aydos said they were building to the plan presented to the tax payers last year.<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>

Mr. McDevitt was unsure i= f local ‘shovel ready’ municipal projects had a high or low likelihood = of being funded. He said it seem= ed like the broader infrastructure was being funded. Mr. Gaydos commented that the Hous= e version was heavy on construction projects and the Senate version was heavy on tax breaks and aid to state governments. He said now the negotiations would start and the Town would find out where it would end up; there was still money for distribution, the question= was how much.

Mr. Viger asked if the $2= 20,000 would fall under the impact fees. Mr. Gaydos said it would. &nbs= p;

Mr. Lynde believed there = were other features that should enhance the building because of the position Pel= ham was in relative to the region, such as being designated as a disaster center. Mr. Gaydos answered y= es. He said they would put a ‘sales’ package together to show how the project would work.

The Board was in favor of= moving forward; a public hearing would be scheduled. Mr. Gaydos would let people know w= hat was coming forward.

Acting Fire Chief Discussion

This was not addressed du= ring public session.

TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S / SELECTMEN’S RE= PORTS

Mr. Lynde and Mr. McDevit= t had no reports.

Mr. Danevich said a Counc= il on Aging meeting was held. Reappointments to the committee would be occurring soon. The Building Committee is still ac= tive; the focus is at the Senio= r Center expansion, t= he secondary focus is on the six classrooms in the Town Hall.

Mr. Viger reported that t= he Budget Committee held a special meeting to vote on changes made at the Deli= berative Session. All changes were approved.

Mr. Haverty had no report= .

REQUEST FOR NON-PUBLIC SESSION

MOTION:

(Danevich/Lynd= e) Request for a non-public session per RSA 91-A:3,II, a (personnel)

ROLL CALL:

Mr. Viger-Yes;= Mr. Haverty-Yes; Mr. Danevich-Yes; Mr. McDevitt-Yes; Mr. Lynde-Yes

It was noted tha= t when the Board returned, after the non-public session, the Board would take furt= her action publicly. The minutes = of the non-public session would be sealed and the non-public meeting would be adjo= urned. The Board then entered into a non-= public session at approximately 8:= 11 pm. Also present was Mr. Gaydos.

The Board returned to public session at approximately 9:05 pm.

MOTION:

(Danevich/McDe= vitt) To appoint Lieutenant James Midgley as acting Fire Chief through the intervi= ew process until a new Chief will be named, at a pay rate of $1507 per week, plus any additional, should a FEMA event occur.

VOTE:

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

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION:

(Danevich/Have= rty) To adjourn the meeting.

VOTE:

(5-0-0) The motion carried.

The meeting was adjourned at approximately 9:05 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