Town Clerk R. Cavalear reported that she had spoken with K. Seaver, New Hampshire Clerks Association in charge of the Certification Program, concerning the State laws concerning a Deputy Town Clerk and was told that there were no RSA’s covering that position. W. Friel added that he had spoken with the NH Deputy Secretary of State and the Legal Department of the Local Government Center (LGC), and was told by both individuals that the only requirements for a Deputy Town Clerk were the same as those to hold elected office, i.e. to be a resident of the town; to be competent; and to be over 18 years old.

Town Clerk R. Cavalear then asked the Board for approval to hire a part-time Office Assistant to fill the position vacated by Deputy Town Clerk K. Pass. It was noted that this would be a 30-hour per week position, as determined in June 2007.

Chairman P. Sullivan noted that the applications should be sent to the Selectmen’s Office, and assured Town Clerk R. Cavalear that she would be involved in the process.

Town Clerk R. Cavalear announced that a Rabies Clinic was to be held at the Atkinson Fire Station on Sunday, March 20, 2008, from 11 AM to 1 PM. She noted that she would be available there to register Atkinson residents’ dogs at $13.00 per animal.

Road Agent E. Stewart asked if the Board has had the opportunity to review the Stantec contract to determine whether or not it is necessary to use Stantec’s engineering services for all Town engineering, or if it would be all right to use an outside engineer to develop a 10-year Road Maintenance Program. Chairman P. Sullivan said that the Board has not yet had the opportunity to discuss this matter, but would do so at the workshop on March 31, 2008. F. Childs noted that, although the Previous Board of Selectmen decided to no longer use Keach-Nordstrom Associates, Inc., the Highway Department continues to use their services.

Road Agent E. Stewart then asked if the Board has decided to order the replacement highway department truck from Grappone Ford, the prime vendor for the NH State bid, or if it wishes to run an ad soliciting bids. He noted that the Town’s police vehicles were purchased off of the State Bid List. Chairman P. Sullivan said he believed that the Town could save some money by seeking competitive pricing. W. Friel added that, in light of the passage of Article #2008-32, to dispose of capital items by public auction, the current Highway Department truck, a 2005 Ford F-450 ought to be advertised for sale.

Road Agent E. Stewart said he would have both bids placed as soon as possible as there is usually a 120-day assembly period for these trucks.

Chairman P. Sullivan asked if the NPDES PP Small MS4 General Permit Annual Report is finished. Road Agent said the report would be complete by April 7, noting that it was due May 1.

Member L. Artus asked the Selectmen if they were prepared to set a date for the mediation session requested by the Board of Tax and Land Appeals (BTLA) to attempt to resolve 2006 assessment issues.

Member L. Artus asked who was responsible for the late filing of the NPDES PP Small MS4 General Permit Annual Report in 2006 and 2007, and what action has been, or will be taken to prevent this from occurring again. In addition, he inquired about incomplete materials in the Selectmen’s files.

Member L. Artus asked why all of the Selectmen were not informed of Town Counsel’s advice concerning the removal of illegal signage during the weeks prior to the March 11 election, and if and when these signs will be returned.

Member L. Artus expressed the Committee’s concern regarding the membership of the Ethics Committee.

The New Hampshire Retirement Fund (NHRF) is facing serious shortfalls, partly because of the large number of teachers retiring before July 2008 to take advantage of a medical subsidy plan. The New Hampshire Municipal Association (NHMA) is hoping to have member towns contribute to NHMA’s legal defense fund so that the organization may continue to educate towns concerning the potential liability, as members of the retirement system, over the next thirty years to deal with the $2.7 billion shortfall.

There was a discussion concerning how each town deals with plowing emergency lanes on roads that are essentially private.

The most significant item was the issue of mosquito control. Attendees were asked to bring copies of their town’s mosquito control contracts to determine whether there would be an advantage to establish a group to negotiate a better rate.