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

The Chair opened the public hearing and noted that the hearing was to hear public comment about the bond issue for the construction of a new library. It was noted that the bond issue was for $1,734,000, but the total cost was $2,724,000 (gross budget) for the construction and original equipping of a new Library building, associated site work, demolition of the existing library building, and associated repairs to the Kimball House. The warrant article would authorize the issuance of not more than $1,734,000 of bonds or notes in accordance with the provisions of the Municipal Finance Act (RSA 33) and to further authorize the Selectmen to issue and negotiate such bonds or notes and to determine the rate of interest. Other available funding included the withdrawal of $890,000 from the Library Capital Reserve Fund created for the purpose and the remaining amount of $100,000 would come from the Trustees Library Building Fund. The Chair acknowledged Library Director Katie McDonough who provided a synopsis of the proposed new library via a PowerPoint presentation that highlighted the process, and provided an artists rendition of the building and site. Public comment was solicited. Receiving none Mr. Childs made the motion to close the public hearing. Mr. Sullivan seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous and so moved. The public hearing adjourned at approximately 7:50pm.

Representative George Winchell along with District 6 Engineer Doug DePorter and Traffic Engineer, Bill Lambert addressed the Board with respect to what Representative Winchell characterized as excessive speed along Main Street. Representative Winchell noted that he had contacted the Town and DOT with respect to the driving speeds in and around the Town Center. Mr. Lambert addressed the road speed issue noting that the PD’s mobile speed monitors can be used to collect speed data for the section of road near the Town Commons. It was explained that emergency responder vehicles left the fire station and accessed Main street via Academy avenue and that could well present a safety issue. Mr. Lambert explained that the department would look at signage and its location, posted speed limits in the vicinity, and compile traffic count and speed data during its review. The Board thanked Representative Winchell and Messrs DePorter and Lambert for apprising the Board of their plans and their willingness to come before the Board.

Erica Jordan addressed the Board relative to two quotes to provide audio services for the Town’s Deliberative Session on February 3^rd. The two quotes were from Mass AV and NE Audio Tech for $1,850 & $1,800 respectively and included both equipment and labor. The Board discussed the issue and determined to meet again on Wednesday to take up the issue with the intention of finding a less expensive vendor. The TA agreed to post the meeting. Ms. Jordan next addressed the Board relative to the expansion of her hours noting that the Budget Committee had approved funding for 35 hours. Ms. Jordan explained that during the busy part of the year (budget Season) she normally worked 30-35 hours per week, while during the summer the hours ranged from 25 to 30. Mr. Sullivan expressed his view that an increase of hours was necessary now that the new equipment and editing software was being used. Mr. Childs was of the opinion that Ms. Jordan should maintain her current hours of up to 30 hours per week. Mr. Sapia agreed. Mr. Childs thought it best to review the increased hours when the studio was expanded along with the Town Hall expansion.

Tim Dziechowski addressed the Board relative to the history of the Sawyer land noting that the original land purchase was with conservation and recreation money. Mr. Dziechowski went on to note that RSA 35B:6 allows conservation commissions to allow recreational use on conservation lands. Mr. Dziechowski noted that his presentation was in response to petitioned warrant articles that sought to have the Town grant recreational uses on conservation lands without the express permission of the conservation commission. Mr. Dziechowski hoped to clarify the issue of the Sawyer land by his presentation. He noted that he had walked the property with a soils scientist and explained that there were a lot of hydric soils that are indicative of wetlands. The Board thanked Mr. Dziechowski for his presentation.

Recreation Commission – Patti Mangini

Ms. Manginni presented copies of the appointment slips to the recreation commission to the Board and the membership on the master plan committee. It was noted that currently there existed no defined number of members sitting on the recreation commission. Ms. Manginni explained that there was always a problem with getting people to serve, or once people were appointed, having them continue to serve out their term, as was now the case. Mr. Sapia made the motion to appoint Delores Dooley and Joan Fettes to the recreation commission. Mr. Childs also mentioned Sue Ober as another person who had filled out a committee appointment form. Mr. Sapia amended his motion to include Sue Ober as well. Mr. Childs seconded the motion. The motion carried with Messrs Sapia and Childs voting to appoint and Mr. Sullivan voting not to appoint. The motion carried.

Mr. Sapia spoke to the issue of closing the transfer station on Wednesdays to help reduce costs. He also expressed his opinion that moving the transfer station would help reduce traffic in the vicinity of the playing fields.

The TA reviewed the newsletter with Board members noting that the changes in the pick-up of white goods and electronics would need to be added to the newsletter along with costs and method of payment. The Board discussed having Waste Management come to a Board meeting to discuss the details. The TA agreed to schedule a representative from Waste Management for the next meeting.

The Board reviewed an abatement application for Map 13 Lot 48. Mr. Sapia made the motion to approve the abatement for Map 13 Lot 48 (11 Woodlawn Avenue) in the amount of $272.35. Mr. Sullivan seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous and so moved.

The Board reviewed the default budget with Mr. Sullivan making the motion to approve the default budget in the amount of $3,862,088. Mr. Sapia seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous and so moved.

Lt. William Baldwin addressed the Board relative to the amount of work that he and the communications committee completed in order to bring the communications tower warrant article before the Board. Lt. Baldwin noted that changes to zoning had to be approved by the voters and the warrant article allowing the Board to enter into a lease also had to be approved by the voters for anything to proceed. Mr. Sapia spoke safety issues that the Tower would provide in the area of emergency communications for all town departments. Mr. Sapia made the motion to recommend the tower warrant article (2007-19). Mr. Childs seconded the motion. Mr. Sullivan abstained. The motion to recommend passed.

The Board next discussed recommendation of the citizen’s petition to raise 15k to study the telecommunications tower issue. Mr. Sapia expressed the opinion that the article would delay the issue with a study that had already been done. Mr. Sullivan disagreed noting that he supported the study as a means to insure that nothing was accidentally left out. Mr. Childs also supported the study and suggested that the ‘voters’ could decide. Mr. Sullivan made the motion to recommend the tower study (2007-20). Mr. Childs seconded the motion. Messrs Sullivan and Childs voted to recommend and Mr. Sapia voted against the recommendation. The motion to recommend passed.

The Board next discussed recommendation of the citizen’s petition to make the recreation director’s position full-time. Brief debate ensued. Mr. Sapia made the motion to recommend the article (2007-23). Mr. Childs seconded the motion. Messrs Sapia and Childs voted to recommend. Mr. Sullivan voted against recommending the article. The motion to recommend passed.

The Board next discussed recommendation of the citizen’s petition to raise 15k to have a professional survey completed for the Sawyer property. Mr. Sullivan spoke in favor of the recommendation. Mr. Childs spoke against recommendation of the article noting that a soils scientist had already mapped the property. Mr. Sapia made the motion to not recommend the article (2007-24). Mr. Childs seconded the motion. Messrs Sapia and Childs voted to NOT recommend the article. Mr. Sullivan voted against the non-recommendation of the article. The motion to NOT recommend passed.

The Board next discussed the placement order of the warrant articles. Mr. Sapia expressed his desire to move a citizen petition that would allow an employee to serve on the Board of Selectmen (overturning last year’s adopted article to NOT allow a part-time employee to serve of the Board of Selectmen) to the front of the citizens’ petitioned section of the town warrant. Mr. Sullivan expressed opposition to the suggested placement. Rancorous debate ensued between Messrs Sapia and Sullivan with Mr. Sullivan agreeing to place the article in question in second position for that section of the warrant. Mr. Sapia made the motion to place the article in question as 2007-20. Mr. Sullivan seconded the motion. Mr. Childs abstained from the vote. The motion carried.

Mr. Sapia spoke to the issue of bidding out the drainage work associated with the road reclamation project for Walker Road and Wood Drive. Some debate ensued with Mr. Childs noting that it was already a policy to bid out any work over $5,000.

There being no further business to come before the Board Mr. Childs made the motion adjourn the meeting. Mr. Sapia seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous and so moved. The meeting adjourned at approximately 11:00pm.

Respectfully,

Russell McAllister

Town Administrator

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Fred Childs, Chair

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Jack Sapia

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Paul Sullivan