Mr. Sapia opened the meeting with a moment of silence for the students and families of Virginia Tech and the troops abroad.

Mr. Sapia read a letter from the Fire Department noting that the town office building was without sprinklers, but the issue had been addressed at Town Meeting and an RFP for a well was being issued. A letter from the Red Cross was read highlighting the Red Crosses response to a home fire in February. Mr. Childs announced a scheduled hearing for a large groundwater withdrawal permit at the community center on 4/18 at 7:00pm.

Mr. Sullivan made the motion to approve the non-public minutes of the April 12^th meeting. Mr. Childs seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous and so moved.

Patti Mangini and Noriko Travers addressed the Board relative to appointments to the recreation commission. Ms. Mangini explained that her son had been a member, but because he was in college he had only assisted at events and did not attend commission meetings. Given his schedule he had resigned. This would leave 5 members on the commission and if necessary they could have alternates as well. The website was mentioned www.atkinsonrecreation.org and she reported that the Easter egg hunt had gone well.

Chief Consentino addressed the Board asking whether or not the Board had yet determined the composition of the Tower Committee. The Board explained that they were in the process of doing so. Chief Consentino next asked about replacing the station’s water conditioned. He explained that he had received several quotes ranging from $1,300 to $1,600. The Board agreed to go with the lowest quote that included installation. Chief Consentino addressed the issue of the ongoing roof leaks. Mr. Sapia agreed to visit the PD to look at the issue. Chief Consentino inquired about a new copier explaining that the current lease had expired. Previously the copier was purchased for one dollar. This lease required payment of $1,800 for the purchase of the copier. The Chief explained that the copier had about 45k copies and that the department had the opportunity to lease another copier and that funding in the budget existed in the amount of $3,200, but the new copier was $2,500. The Board agreed to go with the new copier for the department.

Mr. Stewart briefed the Board on the recent flood reporting that much of the mitigation work completed in the past had held during this flood. He noted that a 150-foot section of road on one side of Millstream was affected. Mr. Stewart noted that he was looking at culvert design work for about 10-13k. He also noted that some damage to the community center dam had been sustained but felt confident that the damage could be repaired for about $500. Some shoulders needed repair, but funding in the budget was available. Mr. Sullivan explained that he had driven around with Ted and could see that past projects had held up very well. Mr. Stewart inquired whether or not the Board would be re-advertising the assistant road agent position. Heated debate ensued with Mr. Childs explaining that he had asked the TA to write a letter of reprimand, but the TA had not. The TA explained that he had no authority to do so and that the issue required 2 Board members. Mr. Childs made the motion to place a written reprimand in Mr. Stewarts personnel file for insubordination. Mr. Sapia noted that it was a personnel issue and would be discussed only in executive session. A rather raucous few moments ensued where many sharp words were exchanged ending with Mr. Sapia making the motion to recess for five minutes. Mr. Childs seconded the motion. The motion carried with Mr. Sullivan abstaining. The meeting recessed at approximately 8:15pm. The meeting resumed at approximately 8:20pm followed by more acrimonious debate surrounding the issue. Mr. Childs made the motion to enter into non-public session under RSA 91-A:3 II (a) to discuss personnel issues. Mr. Sapia seconded the motion. Mr. Sullivan voted no. The TA explained that under the statute the employee could request that such a meeting be public. Mr. Stewart requested that the meeting be public. Mr. Sapia explained that he wanted to emphasize team building but took exception to Mr. Stewart’s disrespect for the Board. He explained that if people disagreed that it was OK, but disrespect and insubordination was not. Mr. Sapia explained that he did not know whether or not he would sign the letter of reprimand. Mr. Sapia made the motion to move the meeting to the next topic. Mr. Childs seconded the motion. Mr. Sullivan opposed. Mr. Stewart explained that he was not trying to be difficult but that the department had always had an assistant road agent and if the Board was of a mind to continue the practice then now was the time to re-advertise, or make a decision not to. Mr. Sapia was of the view to look at the issue next week. Mr. Sullivan had no comment. Mr. Childs did not think it necessary to have one.

Mr. Sapia opened the bids for road striping. The results are listed in the table below.

Mr. Stewart recommended the low bidder with the oil based paint product. The Board agreed

The Board reviewed two abatements for the Conservation Commission purchase of the Busby property and a correction to a previously granted abatement.

The Board reviewed the personnel policy and made minor editing changes. Mr. Sullivan asked for a clean copy for next week. The TA agreed to have the clean copy for the next meeting.

The TA reported that the proposed lease agreement with modifications as suggested by Primex included the increased coverage as recommended and Sumner’s changes that included the tenant paying the $1,000 security deposit to the Town and not the Atkinson Fire Association. Also the lease length now corresponded to the length of the contract for services with AMR. The TA reported that AMR had added some environmental provisions within the agreement. The memo included comments from Primex with respect to AMR’s environmental language. The TA had yet to hear from Sumner.

The Board asked about the status of the Fire Station lease. The TA reported that the inclusion of the new environmental language by AMR and the associated insurance was still under review by AMR Corporate.

Mr. Sullivan spoke to his attendance at the tabletop exercise for pandemic flu planning. He noted that representation from the PD & FD was also at the exercise.

The Board spoke to the issue of traffic speed by the community center as it entered from Plaistow over the Route 121 bridge. Mr. Sapia asked if the Board was interested in sponsoring little league t-shirts. Board members agreed to see what they could do individually. Mr. Sapia provided a brief synopsis of issues discussed with the Town engineers, Stantec (previously Vollmer Associates), and noted that it was a productive meeting which covered the issues of concern raised by the planning board and Selectmen. The development of a position description for Shirley’s replacement was discussed. The Board thought that input from the RPC and Stantec would be helpful. The Board also addressed the issue of vetting volunteers who had access to confidential information, money, auto registrations and so on. The Board directed the TA to look into a vetting policy for volunteers. The TA agreed to do so.

There being no further business to come before the Board Mr. Sullivan made the motion adjourn the meeting. Mr. Childs seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous and so moved. The meeting adjourned at approximately 9:45pm.

Respectfully,

Russell McAllister

Town Administrator

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Jack Sapia, Chair

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Paul Sullivan

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Fred Childs