Present: Jack Sapia, Chair, Paul Sullivan, Fred Childs (Selectmen) and Russell McAllister (Town Administrator).

The Board observed a moment of silence.

7:30 pm – Meeting called to order.

School Board members Mike Mascola and Bill Baldwin addressed the Board relative to scheduled budget meetings, presentations of the school budget, the public hearing on the school budget, and the date of the deliberative session. Mr. Mascola spoke about the need of repairing the special education classroom at the middle school.

Chief Consentino announced a scheduled 1950’s sock-hop on February 14^th at the community center. He also provided a monthly stats report of department activity for both police and elderly affairs. Mr. Sullivan questioned several expenditures from the donation account. Chief Consentino provided answers and background for the expenditures. Both Chief Consentino and Lt. Baldwin asked the Board for their decision relative to hiring a full and part time police officer. They introduced the full-time candidate William Butler to the Board. Mr. Sullivan asked about hiring practices and whether or not internal candidates received first preference. Lt. Baldwin noted that it is department policy to hire from within if a candidate is qualified. Chief Consentino explained that all of the part-time officers within the department already have full-time jobs elsewhere. So, those part-time officers are not interested in a full-time position. Brief discussion ensued with respect to the issue. Mr. Sullivan made the motion to hire William Butler as a full-time officer on probationary status for one year at a starting rate of pay of $20.16 per hour. Mr. Childs seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous and so moved.

The Board next took up the issue of the part-time officer’s position with Mr. Sullivan voicing concern over the number of training hours. Chief Consentino explained that minimum training hours were a necessary requirement for an officer to maintain his certification. Mr. Sullivan made the motion to hire Patrick Nelson as a part-time officer on probationary status for one year at a starting rate of $13.79 per hour. Mr. Childs seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous and so moved.

Chief Consentino next addressed the need to begin the process of advertising for a part-time dispatcher because of illness of one of the current dispatchers. Brief discussion ensued with Mr. Sullivan asking to take the request under advisement. Mr. Childs agreed.

Discussion ensued over a request for a 6^th full-time officer for the department to address staffing issues and established ratios of full-time officer, 1.5 per 1,000 in population. The Board settled on hiring 2 part-timer officers. Mr. Childs made the motion to begin the hiring process for two part-time officers. Mr. Sullivan seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous and so moved.

Ted Stewart addressed the Board and provided a status report of current activities. He next addressed the issue of converting the current laborer’s position to the assistant road agent’s position. Much debate ensued oftentimes acrimonious. The TA cautioned about using employee names when discussing compensation or performance. The debate concluded with Mr. Sullivan making the motion to promote Josh Dougdale from laborer to the Assistant Road Agent inclusive of a one-dollar per hour raise above his current rate of pay. Mr. Sapia seconded the motion. Mr. Childs voted no. The motion carried 2 to 1.

The TA noted that the default budget was available for signature by Board members.

The TA noted that the official copy of the hazard mitigation plan for Atkinson was available for signature by Board members. Board members noted that the plan had been previously adopted.

The Board reviewed the following veterans exemptions listed in the table below.

The Board next reviewed two abatement applications listed in the table below.

The Board next addressed a request by the Town Moderator to schedule a meeting to go over the room layout and meeting rules. The Board agreed to a date of either January 29^th or 30^th at 7:00pm.

The Board discussed and arranged the order of the warrant articles.

The TA noted that department reports were in for the Town Report.

Dave Paquette, a member of the budget committee, addressed the Board by cautioning them that the Board could not provide a recommendation on any money articles that were not classified as special warrant articles. Mr. Paquette next cautioned Board members about the 10% rule and suggested that it might have an impact on the current order of warrant articles on the Town Warrant. Board members thanked Mr. Paquette for his concern.

Adele Dillon, from the Building Needs Committee, asked permission to hold an open house at the town hall for people to see why an expansion of the current facility was necessary. The Board agreed.

It was noted that the scheduled non-public session was canceled.

There being no further business to come before the Board Mr. Sullivan made the motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Childs seconded the motion. The meeting concluded at approximately 11:40pm.

Respectfully,

Russell McAllister

Town Administrator

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Jack Sapia, Chair

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Paul Sullivan

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Fred Childs