Present: Fred Childs, Chair; Philip Consentino and Jack Sapia

Mr. Childs read the letter from Planning Board Chairman Susan Killam concerning removing two members who have not attended meetings and should be considered neglect of duty; Nichole Cheney and John Miller. Mr. Childs stated that letters to both members were sent from the Selectmen’s office and that the Board only heard from Nichole Cheney who sent in her letter of resignation. There was discussion among the Board and the following motion was made. Mr. Childs made a motion to remove John Miller as a member of the Planning Board per RSA 673:13; Mr. Sapia second the motion, the motion passed unanimously. Mr. Childs read Ms. Cheney-Duquette’s letter of resignation and made a motion to accept the letter with regrets; Mr. Sapia second the motion, the motion passed unanimously.

There was a short discussion and the following motion was made. Mr. Consentino made a motion to appoint Ted Stewart to the opened position as a member of the Planning Board as a full voting member; Mr. Sapia second, the motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Sapia made a motion to open this for discussion, Mr. Consentino seconded the motion. Mr. Consentino stated that the error on page to replace PAC center with high school café. Mr. Childs made a motion to accept the minutes of January 3, 2006 as amended, Mr. Consentino second the motion, the motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Childs stated that the assessing contract is from January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2006 and that the cost is $35,760, an increase of $3,260 from last year. Mr. Consentino made a motion to accept the contract from Purvis & Associates for 2006 in the amount of $35,760, Mr. Sapia second the motion, the motion passed unanimously.

After the Board reviewed the letter from the DRA, Mr. Childs suggested that the Assessor and the Assessing Clerk attend the Assessing Review Workshop.

Mr. Childs stated that the Collective Bargaining Agreement is for the period of

April 1, 2006 through April 1, 2009. The Board discussed last week’s meeting and the corrections made to the contract and the following motion was made. Mr. Sapia made a motion to accept the ratified agreement between the Board of Selectmen and the IBPOL #563 for the period from April 1, 2006 through April 1, 2009; Mr. Childs second the motion, the motion passed with two votes; Mr. Consentino abstaining.

Mr. Consentino stepped off the Board

From the guest table Chief Consentino said he would like to have a position filled as a part-time officer and would like to fill the position with Matthew Tombarello. Chief Consentino stated that Mr. Tombarello would start out as probationary for a period of time, under go physical, background check as well as physiological testing. There was a discussion between the Board members and Chief Consentino about Mr. Tobarello admittance to the Police Academy. Mr. Childs made a motion to accept Matthew Tombarello as a part-time probationary police officer; Mr. Sapia second the motion, the motion passed with two votes. Mr. Consentino having stepped off of the Board, did not vote.

Mr. Childs stated that the 2006 revised contract with Waste Management is $566,391 and that this was $10,095 less that the original proposal earlier this year. He stated that the Town got into the contract late and would stay one more year, next year going out to bid.

Mr. Consentino stepped off of the Board

Mr. Childs read the proposed warrant article for the Police’s revolving fund. He stated that this is to establish the fund, that by doing this we do not have to put money into the budget each year, and that all details get paid out of this fund.

A resident asked about the use of the funds. Mr. Consentino, addressing this from the guest table, stating that the account will be no lower than $15,000 and will be maintained year to year; this will not be part of the operating budget. He went on to describe the police-detail income and expenses for 2005. He stated that he did send the DRA a copy of the warrant article and that they were OK with the wording.

Mr. Consentino, also addressing from the guest table, state that the Police and Fire Departments are trying to rectify a communications problem in part of Town. He stated concerns of the officer’s safety in jeopardy with lack of communications have become a serious problem. We are in need for a higher antenna than the current one and we have looked at several options in the area. There was a discussion between the Board and Mr. Consentino concerning putting the antenna on High Hill or behind the Fire Station, its efficiency, options and height of the antenna. Mr. Consentino stated that the cost for a 130 foot tower is $89,000 and a 160 foot tower is $115,000 to $120,000. He mentioned that cell phone companies are always looking for places to put their antenna and renting space is a possibility. Discussion continued about who would rent space and the rental charged per year. Mr. Consentino said he would like to see a warrant for $120,000 to put an antenna behind the Fire Station. Mr. Childs stated that we could wait until we have better figures tomorrow.

Mr. Consentino returned to the Board.

Mr. Childs read the Recreation’s warrant article, there was a short discussion and the following motion was made. Mr. Consentino made a motion to recommend the Recreations Capital Reserve Fund warrant article in the amount of $25,000, Mr. Sapia second the motion; the motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Childs read the warrant article for the paving of the roads, there was a short discussion and the following motion was made. Mr. Childs made a motion to recommend the warrant article for road paving in the amount of $96,483, Mr. Consintino second the motion; the motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Childs read the warrant article for the Code of Ethics. There was a discussion on the wording of the warrant article, the Board decided to discuss this with the Code of Ethics and have the wording changed.

Came forward and address the Selectmen, he stated that he has been involved with the recreational basketball program for several years getting the youths involved. The Atkinson Police Department has sponsored our basketball league and now has shirts with the players’ name on the back. Mr. Dow presented then Mr. Consentino a basketball players’ shirt. Mr. Dow stated that the final day for baseball registration is January 21st; all forms must be in at that time. Also stating that the registration forms will also be in the school shuttle.

Mr. Childs read the warrant article for the Fire Department warrant article, there was a short discussion and the following motion was made. Mr. Consentino made a motion to recommend the warrant article for adding $60,00 to the Fire Department Capital Reserve Fund, Mr. Sapia second the motion; the motion passed unanimously.

At 8:00pm Fred Childs made a motion to open the Public Hearing under RSA 33:8-a, Mr. Sapia seconded the motion, the motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Childs read the warrant article for the Library’s Bond in the amount of $2,300,000. In attendance were: Library Trustee Chair Elaine Woodbury, Library Director Katie McDonough; Children’s Library Director Carolyn Birr, and Architect Ron Lamarre.

Ms. Woodbury explained why the Library was before the board, she gave a description of the current inadequacies of the current library; list the details of the construction and associated costs.

Mr. Lamarre explained the costs involved in renovating the current library to bring it up to code, describing its current physical deficiencies. He discussed the proposed new library plans, taking only 12 months to complete, as compared to the 18 months or more needed to renovate the current library. He stated that the new library, when finished, would be completely compliant.

Ms. McDonough described how the current library is heavily used, how the library is in the top 1/3 in its category in population. She stated that 41% of the population is active users. She proceeded to the plans of the new library and described the layout of each area of the library and its use.

Ms. Birr described how when there are meetings in the Children’s Room, that it has to be closed off to the patrons. She said that when she makes arrangements for events at the Community Center, she has to make several attempts to get a date that would work for the group(s) who is doing the event.

Mr. Lamarre stated that this is only a preliminary design and this would be discussed at a public forum this Thursday January 12th for the exterior and January 26th for the interior of the library. There was discussion between the Board and the Library representatives about the costs for the library and going out to bid for a minimum guaranteed price. Mr. Lamarre stated that after the vote he would have a design and development meeting.

From the audience Ms. Dale Childs addressed her concerns; she wanted to know if the funeral procession would get access into the cemetery. Ms. Childs and Mr. Lamarre discussed the funeral vehicles and availability to the cemetery.

From the audience, Mr. David Shikes addressed how the towns of Fremont, Brentwood and Danville have now new libraries, their usage for adults, children and young adults.

Mr. Consentino stated that the library has stepped up in giving the town the land needed to build the Town garage and the fire station.

Mr. Childs stated that a second Public Hearing would be held next Tuesday January 17th at 6:00pm. Mr. Sapia asked residents to participate.

Mr. Childs read the warrant article and the following motion was made. Mr. Consentino made a motion to recommend the warrant article naming the Board of Selectmen agents to expend for Library’s Capital Reserve Fund, Mr. Sapia second the motion; the motion passed unanimously.

Ms. Dale Childs, Cemetery Trustee approached the Board and stated that the headstones and markers in the Old Cemetery are in need of repair; this section of the cemetery is the history of the Town. Mr. Childs read the warrant article, and the following motion was made. Mr. Consentino made a motion to recommend the warrant article to repair and reset historic headstone and markers in the amount of $4,500, Mr. Sapia second the motion; the motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Childs read the warrant article, there was discussion concerning its need and combining efforts with other towns; the following motion was made. Mr. Consentino made a motion to recommend the warrant article for the Mosquito Control Expendable Trust Fund, Mr. Sapia second the motion; the motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Childs read the warrant article, there was discussion concerning its need and combining efforts with other towns; the following motion was made. Mr. Consentino made a motion to recommend the warrant article to fund the Mosquito Control Expendable Trust Fund in the amount of $48,000, Mr. Sapia second the motion; the motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Consentino removed himself from the Board

Mr. Childs read the warrant article, he stated that the increases to cover salaries and benefits are as follows: 2006 is $17,225, 2007 is $12,158 and 2008 is $13,815. This warrant is to cover the first year’s costs of the agreement. Mr. Sapia made a motion to recommend the warrant article for the first year’s cost of the collective bargaining agreement in the amount of $17,225, Mr. Childs second the motion; passing with two votes. Mr. Consentino having stepped off of the Board, did not vote.

Mr. Consentino came back to the Board.

Ms. Erica Jordan, Cable Coordinator and Cable Committee Chairman Mike Torris came before the Board. Mr. Childs read the warrant article. Mr. Torris explained where the money was coming from and the excess money that was put into the capital reserve over the last 15-20 years. He stated that last year’s vote to withdraw money for new equipment failed by one vote. He explained that the Cable Capital Reserve Fund has over $333,000 balance and that the 2006 warrant article for $90,000 is to withdraw from this balance. He stated that we couldn’t go out and buy new cameras, as it would not work with the current system. He continued to explain how the franchise fee from Adelphia works and how much the Town receives.

Mr. Childs pointed out that the taxes would not be raised if this warrant article passes and that we need to get this out to the public. Mr. Consentino suggested that we put "not raised by taxes" in the warrant article and will check with the DRA for wording. Mr. Torres stated that we need the voters to understand that when money is put into the capital reserve fund we the voters to take it out.

There was discussion about whether or not to add the $40,000 (excess money from Adelphia) to the capital reserve by Mr. Torres, didn’t want to confuse the voters. The Board strongly suggested that one be written up and presented to the Board next week for recommendation.

Ms. Jette said that she cared about her office and staff and wanted to thank the Board for the well earned COLA raise and she is now looking for a well deserved fair pay raise for her staff. She requested an Executive Session with the Selectmen soon, where she can discuss the pay raise. Mr. Childs said that the Board would get back to her.

Mr. Childs read the memo the Road Agent handed out in which it stated that Pike Industries was the lowest bidder for the 2006 road paving at $43.80 per ton. There was a short discussion and the following motion was made. Mr. Consentino made a motion to award the 2006 road paving to Pike Industries at $43.80 per ton, Mr. Sapia second the motion; the motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Stewart explained to the Board the current procedure of how a road is accepted and a need for a change. He explained how it took 5 years before Coventry Road before the voters accepted the road, and nothing was done between those years. The Board discussed the procedure and how much they rely on his input and expertise in this area. Mr. Consentino asked Mr. Stewart to get the verbiage to the Town Administrator by tomorrow.

There was discussion about complaints on the snow plowing and recently why 2 people were in the Town truck. Mr. Stewart responded that they were picking up Christmas trees. The Board suggested that Mr. Stewart follow through on all complaints in writing whether or not they are going to be happy with the results.

There was discussion in which a resident complained about the plow hitting his railroad ties. Mr. Stewart explained that he and the Town Administrator went to the site and later the Town Administrator responded to the resident when he came to the Town Hall.

Mr. Carl Fredrickson of 7 Devonshire Road came forward to address the Board. He has come before the Board to address the plowing on Devonshire Road this week in which there was no snow in the road. Mr. Stewart explained that he has the plow out to remove the snow on the edge of the road to eliminate any compacting of the snow or the water runs down the road during the day and freezing at night; eliminated the need to salt the roads. Mr. Stewart explained the process of how the State of NH, specifically Mr. Dick Wood, plows 3 feet off the road; the Town only plows one foot off the road.

Mr. Stewart explained that although his highway budget is over expended, the trash and recycle budget was under expended.

Mr. Consentino stated that he would like to go over the final draft of the Employee Handbook, make any changes, vote it in and give to the employees.

Mr. Sapia asked the Board if they would approve the recommendation made last week for the code of conduct during a meeting. There was a discussion about the Code of Conduct and the following motion was made. Mr. Consentino made a motion to approve Roberts Rules of Order as it pertains to a Code of Conduct and how the Selectmen would conduct themselves or people coming before the Board, Mr. Sapia second the motion, the motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Sapia said that he had talked to the Electrical Inspector, Dave Pallaria and asked him about installing computerized thermostats in the Town buildings. The Board discussed the temperature in the buildings day and night and the savings if incorporated. Mr. Childs stated that this could go into the Maintenance Supervisor’s budget.

Mr. Childs stated that the Town Hall would be closed Monday due to Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. The next scheduled meeting will be Tuesday January 17^th.

Respectfully submitted

Elaine Woodbury