APPROVED
TOWN OF PELHAM
BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING
MINUTES
January 8, 2013
APPROVED – January 22, 2013
CALL
TO ORDER – approximately 6:30pm
|
PRESENT: ABSENT: |
Mr.
William McDevitt, Mr. Edmund Gleason, Mr. Robert Haverty, Town Administrator Tom Gaydos. <= o:p> Mr.
Doug Viger, Mr. Hal Lynde |
The
Selectmen observed a moment of silence for the passing of Mr. Dennis Viger.=
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE=
MINUTES REVIEW
December 11, 2012
|
MO=
TION: |
|
|
|
VOTE: |
(3-0-0) The motion carried. |
December 18, 2012
|
MO=
TION: |
|
|
|
VOTE: |
(3-0-0) The motion carried. |
OPEN FORUM
No
one came forward to speak.
Announcement(s):
Andrew Cardwell has c=
ompleted
all necessary requirements to be licensed in the State of New Hampshire to =
work
as a Paramedic as of December 27, 2012.
APPOINTMENT(S)
Zoning Board of Adjustment Alternate Interview:<=
span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> Pauline Guay –for the period=
of
January 8, 2013 to March 31, 2016
Ms. Pauline Guay came=
forward
to discuss her volunteer application for an alternate position on the Board=
of
Adjustment. She discussed her
background and qualifications.
The Selectmen complim=
ented
and thanked Ms. Guay for volunteering.&nbs=
p;
Ms. Guay stated that she didn’t have matters that would be com=
ing
in front of the Board of Adjustment and wasn’t aware of any situations
that would be of conflict. She
noted that she would be leaving Town until March, and would attend her first
meeting in April. Mr. McDevit=
t said
there would be no problem starting later, alternates were welcome anytime. =
Mr. Gaydos welcomed M=
s. Guay
and informed her that the Local Government Center had a wealth of informati=
on
to assist with her new position.
|
MOTION: |
=
(Gleason/Haverty)
To appoint Ms. Pauline Guay to the Zoning Board of Adjustment as an alter=
nate
member effective January 8, 2013. |
|
VOTE: |
(3-0-0) The motion carried. |
The Selectmen asked that Ms. Guay go to the Town Clerk’s offi=
ce
to be sworn in.
OTHER BUSINESS
Discussion – Conservation Commission Respo=
nse to
Possible Sale of three Town-owned properties
Mr. McDevitt said the
Selectmen had been approached by two individuals interested in purchasing T=
own
owned properties. The propert=
ies
were located on 8 Little Isla=
nd
Park (coffee lot) (Tax Map 24 Lot 11-380) , 50 Jericho Road(approx.. &frac1=
2;
acre)(Tax Map 42 Lot 10-211), and off Mammoth Road (approx.. 3.3acres)(Tax =
Map 1
Lot 5-131). He commente=
d that
the Selectmen didn’t have the authority to sell Town land, it had to =
be
approved by Town Meeting. The
Selectmen have not taken a position and have asked the Conservation Commiss=
ion
and Planning Board for comments.
Mr. McDevitt read aloud the comments of the Conservation Commission
– 1) Little Island Park – recommended the lot be sold with the
restriction that it not be built upon; 2) Jericho Road – recommended =
the
lot be sold with the restriction that it never be built upon (sold without
building rights); and 3) off Mammoth Road – recommended having the pa=
rcel
remain as Town land (not sold). He
said the Planning Board had a meeting January 7th and essentially
came to the same conclusions as the Conservation Commission. He said they had gone back and for=
th
with discussion about the wisdom of imposing conditions to not build on the
lots. He believed the consens=
us of
the Planning Board was that anyone might be able to go to the Board of
Adjustment and ask for relief, so imposing conditions might not be worth
it.
Mr. Gleason concurred=
in
principle with the comments of the boards, but didn’t feel they could=
limit
or restrict building. He said=
if an
abutter went through the proper procedure through the boards, it was their
right as a citizen to do so. =
He
didn’t see the value in restricting the lot. He noted typically when land is be=
ing
conserved it has conservation value, but in this case, the (Jericho Road) l=
ot
doesn’t have conservation value and ultimately could yield tax base to
the Town. He wasn’t in =
favor
of restricting it. Mr. Gleason
discussed the Little Island Park lot.
He said he agreed that he didn’t want to see anyone build on i=
t because
it was undersized. He noted if
someone wanted to do something with the lot they would need the Zoning
Board’s permission because it was undersized. He felt people should be afforded =
remedy
though the normal procedure process.
He feared if a restriction were placed on the lot the Town would open
itself up to an appeal. Mr. G=
leason
felt the Selectmen should put those two parcels on the warrant for sale and=
to
sealed bids. He didn’t =
want
to do anything with the third parcel.
Mr. Haverty concurred=
with
Mr. Gleason.
Mr. McDevitt said the
Selectmen needed to take action regarding the warrant. He read the proposed article aloud=
.
|
MOTION: |
=
(Gleason/Haverty)
To approve the warrant article: S=
hall
the Town vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to sell, by sealed bid,=
two
separate lots of land located at 50 Jericho Road (Map 42 Lot 10-211), +/-=
.5
acres) and 8 Little Island Park (Map 24 Lot 11-380, +/- .11 acres)? |
|
VOTE: |
(3-0-0) The motion carried. |
PUBLIC HEARING: Per RSA 33:8-a Pelham Board of Selectmen to hold a
public hearing to consider the incurring of indebtedness for the following
purpose: To re=
novate
approximately 5,000SF of classroom space into office space suitable for use=
by
the Pelham School Administrative Unit (‘SAU’). The purpose of this hearing is to
receive comment on the proposal to issue bond or notes in an amount of
$1,000,000 to fund this indebtedness.
Mr. McDevitt said the=
re was a
statutory requirement that if the Town intends to borrow or bond $100,000 or
more a public hearing is to be done by specific dates. He said it was believed that the a=
mount
of $1,000,000 was included in the warrant although the actual amount may be
less. The thought was if the =
number
was too low they would create a problem for themselves if the estimate came=
in
higher. He said the $1,000,00=
0 was
not the amount they intended to borrow, but rather was the amount they were
having the hearing on. Mr. Ga=
ydos
noted at the time they had to post the public hearing they didn’t have
some of the final numbers that have since been received. It was better to put out a number =
that
could be reduced. He said the=
re
were still tests to be done, but they knew within reason what the cost would
be. He believed they had a
not-to-exceed number; the same process they used for the fire station with a
guaranteed maximum price. Mr.
McDevitt noted that the hearing was on the borrowing of the money, not
specifically on the details of the building. The hearing was to put the public =
on
notice that the Selectmen were considering the warrant.
Mr. Gleason discussed=
the
requirement for the Board to come to a decision based on date requirements =
for
submission to the Budget Committee who would be meeting in two days for bud=
get
reconsideration. He said even=
with
the number they had, the unknown was the possible asbestos in the
building. He believed it was
logical to go with the million dollar number for the warrant, which could be
later clarified. Mr. Gleason =
noted
that a five-year bond at 4% would be approximately $.15 on the tax rate.
Mr. Gaydos commented =
that the
$895,000 number accommodated the tests that had not yet been done. He felt it was fair to say that wo=
uld be
the number. They would need to
present a warrant article to the Budget Committee to bond the amount. He said they were using 4% to be
conservative. He outlined the
calculations done to determine the cost over the term.
Mr. Gaydos discussed =
the need
for the SAU office space to be at least 5000SF, which was in the plan the
school had put forward. He
discussed the reasons for renovating the space in the Municipal Building ve=
rsus
leasing space elsewhere. If t=
he school
was to lease space, at the end of the lease after making payments for years
they would have nothing to show for it.&nb=
sp;
In this case the SAU has agreed to negotiate a long term lease with =
the
Town; the school would pay as rent/lease the cost for the bond, which would=
go
away at the end of the term. =
The
school would still stay in the same place until the end of the lease term
paying only for the common area charges such as cleaning, electricity and f=
uel. Mr. Gaydos said outfitting the
unfinished classroom space (in the Municipal Building) would be the best
option. It would not take any=
land
from the school system.
The public hearing wa=
s opened
for public comment. No one ca=
me
forward.
Mr. McDevitt he spoke=
to a
local relator who told him there weren’t any 5000SF space in Town com=
parable
to what the school was looking for and that had handicap accessibility.
Mr. McDevitt said one=
of the
local newspapers incorrectly indicated that the proposed cost would pay for=
a
new roof for the entire Municipal Center, which was untrue. He said there was a problem with t=
he
roof over the proposed six classrooms.&nbs=
p;
The renovation cost would include repair/replacement of that portion=
of
the roof. Mr. Gaydos believed there was also a
misunderstanding about the windows.
He said the cost would include the replacement of the windows for the
classrooms consistent with those already installed in the Municipal
Building. There was a brief
discussion regarding current commercial construction costs.
There was a brief dis=
cussion
regarding the wording of the proposed warrant article. Mr. Gaydos said it was specified by
statute. Mr. Gaydos stepped o=
ut of
the room to retrieve the wording for the article.
Mr. McDevitt recessed=
the
public hearing. (see below for
conclusion of the public hearing).
PUBLIC HEARING:&=
nbsp;
To accept $1000 Anonymous Cash Donation to be used for the Removal a=
nd
Relocation of Trees in the Area of the New Roundabouts.
Mr. McDevitt said the=
person
making the donation wished to remain anonymous and without publicity. The Selectmen know who it is. The person doesn’t conduct a=
ny
businesses in the Town.
The public hearing wa=
s opened
for public comment. No one ca=
me
forward.
The Selectmen commend=
ed the
donor for coming forward to preserve the trees and assisting the Town in th=
ose
endeavors.
|
MOTION: |
=
(Haverty/Gleason)
To accept the $1000 anonymous cash donation to be used for the removal and
relocation of trees in the area of the new roundabouts. |
|
VOTE: |
(3-0-0) The motion carried. |
APPOINTMENT(S) Con’t…
New Employee Introduction: Transfer Station Director Stanley
Walczak
The
Selectmen welcomed the new Transfer Station Director Stanley Walczak. Mr. Walczak came forward and discu=
ssed
the facility, his background and thirty-five years of experience in the sol=
id
waste industry.
|
MOTION: |
(Gleason/Haverty) To appoint Stanley Walczak a=
s the
Transfer Station Director and to ratify the contract as provided. |
|
VOTE: |
(3-0-0) The motion carried. |
CONTINUED –PUBLIC HEARING=
: Per =
RSA
33:8-a Pelham Board of Select=
men to
hold a public hearing to consider the incurring of indebtedness for the
following purpose: To re=
novate
approximately 5,000SF of classroom space into office space suitable for use=
by
the Pelham School Administrative Unit (‘SAU’). The purpose of this hearing is to
receive comment on the proposal to issue bond or notes in an amount of
$1,000,000 to fund this indebtedness.
Mr.
Gaydos told the Selectmen he received a text message from Larry Hall, Budget
Committee Chairman. It indica=
ted
that the School Board announced last night that they had a deal for a 5500SF
space; the cost of the base lease (not including cost for improvements or
utilities) was $88,000 per year.
Mr. Gaydos stood by his original statement that being able to pay for
something and own it in five years was better than paying a lease and having
nothing to show for it. The t=
ext
representing a base reference for leasing; it was not believed the school w=
as
seeking a different approach.
The
wording for the proposed warrant article was as follows: Shall
the Town of Pelham raise and appropriate the sum of $895,000 gross budget f=
or
the renovation of six classrooms into office space suitable for use by the
Pelham School Administrative Unit. And to authorize the issuance of no=
t more
than $895,000 in bonds or notes in accordance with the provisions of the
Municipal Finance Act, RSA 33. And
to authorize Municipal Officials to issue and negotiate the terms of such b=
onds
or notes and determine the rates thereon.&=
nbsp;
(3/5 majority required)
Mr.
Gleason felt it was important for people to realize that after July, 2013 t=
he
SAU had no facility. He belie=
ved on
the surface the proposal offered the most cost effective solution for the t=
ax
payers.
|
MO=
TION: |
(Gleason/Haverty) To move the article as
presented. |
|
VOTE: |
(3-0-0) The motion carried. |
OTHER BUSINESS
Discussion: Updated Senior Cent=
er
Hall Usage/Rental Forms and Policy – deferred to next meeting.
Discussion: Flood Study RFP Rev=
iew – deferred to next meeting
2013 Budget Reconsideration
Mr.
McDevitt said the Budget Committee would be holding a public hearing for bu=
dget
reconsideration which was a forum for the Selectmen or member of public to
reconsider actions already taken.
Mr. Gaydos said there were no items from the departments for
reconsideration. He said ther=
e were
a few items that were being brought forward: 1) propane heat cost $1680
increase due to unknown increase of fuel cost; 2) increase in legal budget =
of
$25,000 due to on-going issues and law suits; and 3) increase of insurance
$271,166 because of dental, workman’s comp., fire station improvement=
s,
and health insurance increases.
Mr.
Gleason asked what the Town spent the past year for the Legal budget. Mr. Gaydos believed they would be
approximately $40,000 over budget due to unexpected expenses. He based the proposed increase bas=
ed on
the currently open cases.
|
MO=
TION: |
(Gleason/Haverty) To approve the request for
reconsideration in the amount of $297,846. |
|
VOTE: |
(3-0-0) The motion carried. |
2013 Petition Warrant Article
Mr.
McDevitt stated that the Selectmen received one petition warrant article.
There
was a brief discussion regarding the wording and how it complied with the
statutes.
2013 Highway Bids Recommendatio=
ns
Mr.
Gleason said he had the opportunity to review the list submitted by Highway
Road Agent Don Foss. He belie=
ved
there was a list of twenty-nine bids being recommended for acceptance. He believed Mr. Foss did an in dep=
th
analysis in his recommendations submitted.=
Mr. Gleason recommended that the Selectmen approved Mr. Foss’
recommendations as submitted.
If
members of the public were interested in reviewing the bids, they were welc=
ome
to contact the Selectmen’s office.&n=
bsp;
|
MOTION: |
(Gleason/Haverty) The Board of Selectmen appro=
ve the
2013 Highway Department bids as provided by Highway Road Agent Don Foss, =
memo
dated January 4, 2013 comprised of twenty-seven different awards. |
|
VOTE: |
(3-0-0) The motion carried. |
New Fire Station Update
Mr.
Gaydos reported that things were moving rapidly; the number of issues were =
very
small. They had looked at hav=
ing a
base price and were lucky to have some savings in areas that the costs came=
in
lower. The project is on time=
and
under budget.
SELECTMEN’S /=
TOWN ADMINISTRATOR REPORTS
Mr. Gaydos commented that they were working on the Library roof (slightly pitch= ed area in the back). There had = been a tear in the rubber seam. The Building Inspector met with Rondo Roofing who = indicated that there was a quick solution and the roof looked fine. He said the Building Inspector hel= ped him locate a vendor to replace some of the siding on the building at the Transfer Station. He be= lieved the work could be done for under $5000; as soon as bids are received he wan= ted to have the work done. Mr. Gl= eason noted there was a trust fund containing money (approximately $50,925) for t= he recycling facility. He recomm= ended any work done for the specified nature should come out of that trust fund.<= o:p>
There
were no other reports.
REQUEST FOR NON-PUBLIC SESSION =
|
MO=
TION: |
(Gleason/Haverty) Request for a non-public ses=
sion
per RSA 91-A:3,II, c & e (Matters,
which if discussed publicly, would affect adversely the reputation of any
person; Consideration or negotiation of pending claims or litigation) |
|
ROLL CALL: |
Mr. McDevitt-Yes; Mr. Gleason-Yes; Mr. Haverty=
-Yes |
It was noted that when the Board returned, after the non-public
session, the Board would not take any other action publicly, except to poss=
ibly
seal the minutes of the non-public session and to adjourn the meeting. The Board entered into a non-public
session at approximately 7:55 pm.
The Board returned to public session at approximately 8:12 pm.
|
MOTION: |
=
(Haverty/Gleason)
To seal the minutes of the non-public session indefinitely. |
|
VOTE: |
(3-0-0) The motion carried. |
ADJOURNMENT
|
MO=
TION: |
(Haverty/Gleason) To adjourn the meeting. |
|
VOTE: |
(3-0-0) The motion carried. |
The meeting was adjourned at approximately 8:12 pm.
=
; &n=
bsp; =
; &n=
bsp; =
; &n=
bsp; Respectfully
submitted,
=
; &n=
bsp; =
; &n=
bsp; =
; &n=
bsp; Charity
A. Landry
=
; &n=
bsp; =
; &n=
bsp; =
; &n=
bsp; Recording
Secretary
BOARD OF SELECTMEN ACTION ITEMS=
March 29, 2011
May 10, 2011
May 24, 2011
July 5, 2011
August 2, 2011
August 16, 2011
April 10, 2012
April 24, 2012
July 17, 2012
November 13, 2012
BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING/January 8, 2013