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

The Board observed a moment of silence.

Withdrawal from PD Donation Account

The Chair opened the public hearing at approximately 7:30pm. Chief Consentino addressed the Board relative to the withdrawal of funds from the PD Donation Account in the amount of $2,700 for stamps, utility payment for a senior, fuel assistance Senior Transport drivers Christmas party, and a senior dinner function. Public comments were solicited. Hearing none the public hearing adjourned at approximately 7:37pm.

Mr. Sapia praised the Veteran’s Day celebrations and the installation of the panels for the Vietnam Memorial in front of Town Hall. Mr. Sapia thanked Mr. Paige Brown for his address at the installation ceremony. Mr. Sapia read from repared remarks previously made at the Veterans Breakfast Celebration.

The Board agreed that the issue required more research and documentation.

Historic Society – Fred Kulik

Donation for the Repair of the Hearse House

Mr. Kulik addressed the Board explaining that the Historic Society wished to make a donation of $500 to the Town to help offset repairs to the Hears House. He explained that the biggest fundraiser the Historic Society has is the Antique Car Show during the Memorial Day weekend. The Board thanked Mr. Kulik and noted that a public hearing to accept the donation would be scheduled for December 3^rd.

King Information Systems – Records Management

Lindsay Eisan from King Information Systems addressed the Board relative to his company’s 2005 records management proposal. Mr. Eisan explained that the proposal was designed to provide an inventory of records that would provide the basis of a master plan for records management. The inventory would also define space requirements for current and future records. Board members commented that there was a planned expansion of the current office space and that having a good idea of space needs now might prove beneficial to the planned expansion.

Board members spoke about the currently established rate of $14.10 noting that while the overall tax rate had increased .30 cents, the Town’s portion of the rate remained the same at $1.94. Mr. Sapia provided a brief presentation about historic tax rates listed in the table below.

Mr. Sullivan noted that the Board had balanced the needs of keeping the undesignated fund balanced healthy while also maintaining the stability of the rate as much as possible. Mr. Childs noted that the Town’s rate had remained pretty consistent over time.

The Board reviewed the documentation associated with a veteran’s exemption noting that the applicant did not qualify under the statute. Mr. Sullivan made the motion to deny the application for Map 9 Lot 61 under RSA 72:28 for not meeting the service period as defined under the statute. Mr. Childs seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous and so moved.

Paul Busby and Ted Stewart addressed the Board with the request and recommendation to extend the paving contract. Mr. Stewart explained that the current contract allowed for the extension of the contract if deemed beneficial to the Town by the Board. Mr. Busby explained that Pike agreed to keep the current paving costs per ton at the same price as this year (2007) until the end of June 2008. Mr. Stewart also explained that Busby Construction would supply the necessary engineering at the same cost as proposed by KNA engineering as defined in the contract. The Board reviewed and discussed the pros and cons of the extension with Messer’s Busby and Stewart. Mr. Childs made the motion to extend the current contract for engineering services, drainage and paving into 2008. Mr. Sullivan seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous and so moved.

Noriko Travers presented the above captioned budgets to the Board noting that there was little change in the budgeted numbers from last year. The staffing costs for camp counselors employed during the summer increased because of the increase in the federal minimum wage. Mr. Travers also noted that she was requesting additional funding for the senior luncheons. She noted that the averaged participation in the program has swelled from 60 to almost 100. The additional $600 will be enough to fund the additional participation in the program. The Board reviewed and discussed the budgets. Mr. Sullivan made the motion to preliminarily approve the Community Center budget in the amount of $45,346, the Recreation budget in the amount of $81,669, Memorial Day budget in the amount of $2,100 and the Flags budget in the amount of $1,000. Mr. Childs seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous and so moved.

The Board opened and reviewed the bids for Care of Grounds. The results are listed in the table below.

The Board agreed to have Mr. Stewart review the bids for compliance with the bid specifications.

The TA explained that because applications for subdivision and building permits originate in the Building office, Ms. Galvin is the initial contact that processes the application. Therefore, the TA’s recommendation was to have Shirley Galvin as the primary contact and Barbara Snicer as the secondary contact. Mr. Sullivan made the motion to appoint Ms. Galvin as the primary contact and Ms. Snicer as the secondary contact. Mr. Childs seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous and so moved.

The TA reported that he had drafted language to include a longevity pay increase within the current personnel policy as directed by the TA . The language is listed below.

The Board discussed the issue and decided to revisit after the holiday.

The TA read a letter of resignation from Warren Seckendorf from the position of Animal Control Officer. Mr. Sullivan made the motion to accept the resignation. Mr. Childs seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous and so moved. The Board discussed the position and agreed to advertise the position. The Board also discussed the viability of having complaints sent to PD dispatch and then having dispatch call out the ACO.

The Board reviewed a recommendation from the Road Agent concerning items brought to the recycling center which left it up to the discretion of the Transfer Station employee to determine whether the amount of metal and construction debris required a permit. This was for cases where people brought a few 2x4’s and not for people who brought a truckload of debris. Those bringing a truckload would still be required to pay the $25 fee. The same would hold true for metal as well. Mr. Sullivan made the motion to allow the Transfer Station to use discretion when determining minimal amounts of material to be recycled versus paying the required fees. Mr. Childs seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous and so moved.

The Board reviewed the recommendation of the planning board, noted that a deed addendum had been included that indemnified the town from any liability for building on a Class VI Road. The Board also noted that this was the process to be followed, as it was followed several weeks back. Mr. Sullivan made the motion to issue a building permit for 11 Lipold Road, a property located on a Class VI Road. Mr. Childs seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous and so moved.

The TA discussed the costs associated with the NH Municipal Bond Bank’s issuance of the library construction bond and noted the following fees:

NH Municipal Bond Bank $9,000.00

Bond Counsel $2,819.35

The above costs have been expensed to the Library CRF. After discussion with the DRA it has been determined that those costs cannot be expensed to the library CRF. Those costs must be expensed to the operating budget. The most appropriate line item is under the Selectmen’s budget for Professional & Technical Services (40.41301.390). Funding under this line is $4,500 and is currently over expended by $186.95.

Remember that the Town has saved $20,000 for the bond issuance because of the premium paid for the bond. Therefore, while the Town receives the full bonded amount of 1,734,000 it is only paying back 1,714,000. The Town also saves on the interest charges that would accrue on the additional 20,000 (interest pmts on 1,714,000 versus 1,734,000). Also, the interest accruing on the bond is well over the total cost associated with the bond.

Mr. Childs noted that the performance reviews were complete and needed to be reviewed by the Board. He also thanked the Morelli’s for their work at the cemetery.

Mr. Sapia asked about the work between conservation and recreation on the easement transfer. The TA agreed to set up a schedule with the attorney for the two parties to meet and discuss the language

Mr. Sullivan reminded Board members to sign the library construction project invoices for equipment purchases. Mr. Sapia addressed the need to incorporate guidelines pertaining to employee training and notice of attendance at conferences. Board members debated the issue and asked that the TA draft language for Board review that incorporated their concerns. The TA agreed to do so.

The Board re-entered the public session of the meeting at approximately 10:20pm. Mr. Childs made the motion to accept the resignation of Officer Fardella from the Police Department and the recommendation from Chief Consentino to continue Mr. Fardella’s health insurance and wages until December 31^st. Mr. Sullivan seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous and so moved. There being no further business to come before the Board Mr. Childs made the motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Sullivan seconded the motion. The meeting concluded at approximately 10:25pm.

Respectfully,

Russell McAllister

Town Administrator

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Jack Sapia, Chair

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Paul Sullivan

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Fred Childs