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

Mr. Sapia opened the meeting with a moment of silence.

$500 for graphics on the wheelchair van

The public hearing was opened at 7:30pm. Chief Consentino addressed the Board relative to the withdrawal request. The items associated with the funding withdrawal request are listed in the table below.

Public comment was solicited. Hearing none the Board closed the public hearing at approximately 7:35pm.

Chief Consentino spoke to the issue of disposing of the department’s Chrysler. Chief Consentino explained that it may well cost more to advertise for three bids than what the Town would actually receive from the sale of the Chrysler. It was recommended that the car be given to the Fire Department as a training vehicle. The Board agreed. Mr. Childs made the motion to provide the car to the fire department for training purposes. Mr. Sullivan seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous and so moved.

The Chief next expressed his concern over the frequency of unlocked doors at the town office found by officers conducting their routine building checks. The Board discussed the issue and noted that it was the responsibility of the Chairs of the various boards and committees to insure that the doors were locked after the meetings. The Board directed the TA to draft a memo reminding boards and committee’s to lock the doors after their meetings. The TA agreed to do so.

The Chief next discussed several capital improvements for the police station including the need for a second means of egress, improvements to the evidence room and records management. The Board briefly discussed these items. The Chief also spoke to lowering the speed limit from 35mph to 30mph on the Rt.121 Bridge into Atkinson from Plaistow. He also was hoping to convince the NHDOT to place their 30mph speed limit sign closer to the Town’s Common on Main Street.

The Board discussed recent customer service complaints and response times concerning the animal control office. Mr. Seckendorf apologized and explained that the Nextel phone had been down for a couple of weeks and that he had a few professional responsibilities associated with his primary job during that time as well. He further noted that those issues had now been resolved. The Board was concerned that the regular landline contact that had voicemail was not monitored for messages. The Board directed Mr. Seckendorf to arrange for the cell phone to be the primary contact rather than the unattended landline. Mr. Seckendorf agreed to do so. The Board briefly discussed a pooper-scooper law in response to complaints Mr. Sapia had received about horse poop left on the road. Mr. Childs believed that it would be more dangerous to require a horse rider, particular a young rider, to dismount, hold the horse with one hand and scoop-up the horse poop with a shovel in the other hand while also avoiding traffic.

Mr. Smith addressed the Board and handed out copies of his complaint, which were not part of the agenda package. Mr. Smith explained that he had tried contacting the ACO several times and had not received a return call. Mr. Smith’s complaints concerned a barking dog residing across the street. The dog in question belonged to Mr. Childs, who recused himself from the Board. The Board listened to and discussed the complaint. The Board reiterated the new protocol of having all calls sent to the wireless phone for prompt attention. Speaking as a member of the public Mr. Childs disagreed with Mr. Smith explaining that his dogs were kept inside and not left in a truck where they barked as the complaint alleged.

Kaye Galloway and Eleanore Feuer addressed the Board relative to the status of the Library project. It was noted that bids were due by August 30^th at 5:00pm from previously qualified General Contractors. Brief discussion ensued between Board members and Library Trustees about the Library project.

Resignation

Ms. Jordan addressed the Board relative to her resignation, which would be effective August 9^th. Board members wished Ms. Jordan the best of luck and noted that it had been delightful to watch her grow in the position. Ms. Jordan noted that she would help during the transition. The Board commended Ms. Jordan for her contributions to the Town.

Michelle Veasey and Jim Garrity addressed the Board relative to the formation of an Energy Committee as approved by Town Warrant. Mr. Garrity explained that there was no cost to the Town for having such a committee. His recommendation was to have up to 12 members. Ms. Veasey explained that the group would work to help with finding ways to make the Town more energy efficient and to reach out into the community. The TA noted that folks had been looking at an addition to Town Hall and the committee could review the project with an eye towards reducing energy consumption. Mr. Garrity also recommended that there be a sunset provision for the committee. December 31^st 2010 was agreed upon. It was noted that several applications for committee membership were in hand. Mr. Sullivan made the motion to appoint the individuals listed in the table below as members of the Energy Committee with terms to conclude on December 31^st, 2010. Mr. Childs seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous and so moved.

The Board opened the bids relative to the above captioned. The results are listed in the table below.

The Board called a short recess at 9:20.

The Board reconvened at 9:25pm. Mr. Stewart recommended that the lowest bidder. Mr. Sullivan made the motion to award the bid to Busby Construction in the amount of $310,310. Mr. Childs seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous and so moved. Mr. Stewart provided a brief synopsis of department activities.

The TA read correspondence including a letter from Mr. Latham suggesting the creation of a Veterans memorial park and a perambulation schedule with Salem.

The Board reviewed the abatements as listed in the table below.

The TA read the above abatement recommendations from the assessor. Mr. Sullivan made the motion to approve the abatements and exemption as listed in the table above. Mr. Childs seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous and so moved.

The Board reviewed the RPC’s circuit rider contract for the upcoming year. Mr. Sullivan made the motion to renew the contract with the RPC for planning services. Mr. Childs seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous and so moved.

The TA explained that this annual grant available through the RPC was a matching grant for activities like planning and master plan assistance. The Town had applied for and received such a grant last year. The TA asked for permission to apply again this year. The Board agreed.

The TA noted that the legal release associated with the settlement between Paley vs Atkinson and NHDOT was available for signature.

Mr. Sullivan extended his thanks to Jim Miller for putting-up the Lion’s sign advertising the refent special town meeting. He also thanked the TA for helping put the sign-up with Mr. Miller. Mr. Sullivan spoke briefly about a pandemic planning session that he attended on July 16^th where the speaker addressed the issues of community preparedness and the steps necessary to do so. Mr. Sullivan was one of the representatives of the six communities attending. Mr. Sullivan next provided a synopsis of the July 20^th meeting where the architect’s contract was discussed relative to insurance coverage of the Town. Mr. Sullivan directed the TA to follow-up with Primex with respect to the issue. The TA agreed to do so.

Mr. Childs thanked the anonymous Samaritan who returned his lost checkbook.

Mr. Sapia spoke about the planned wall behind the school and the need for review and dialogue with the school board. Ms. Killam suggested that the Town’s engineer review the plans for the wall.

Mr. Sapia briefly addressed the issue of the mediated settlement and court order that was signed by the opposing parties in the Vietnam War memorial noting that it was available for review at the Town Office.

Mr. Sapia made the motion to enter non-public session under RSA 91:3, A:2 (b) to discuss the possible hiring of an assistant town clerk. Mr. Sullivan seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous and so moved at approximately 10:00pm.

There being no further business to come before the Board Mr. Sullivan made the motion to adjourn. Mr. Childs seconded. The meeting adjourned at approximately 10:30pm

Respectfully,

Russell McAllister

Town Administrator

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Jack Sapia, Chair

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Paul Sullivan

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Fred Childs