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

Police Department Head Report: Chief Consentino thanked Jodie and Kathy Dayotis for the day of babysitting at the Atkinson Academy. The Chief also informed the public that there have been two break-ins in Town and for the residents to keep their eyes open. The Chief also gave a special thanks to those who have made donations towards the wheelchair van. $17,000 has been raised so far towards the $25,000 goal.

Chief Consentino addressed the Board regarding revenues from police special details being deposited in the special revolving account.

Mariner Tower: Peter Cook and Attorney Louis Vitali addressed the Board with respect to their request to modify the stipulation agreement. Board members expressed concern from several perspectives, noting that the modification request involved removing simple whip antennas and replacing them with grid antennas. Another issue of concern was the addition of concrete pads that would support the equipment panels for T-Mobile. Members of the Board explained that the modifications request represented an expansion to a non-conforming use that was an issue more appropriately decided by a quasi-judicial board such as the ZBA. Mr. Childs explained that advice from counsel recommended as much. Mr. Vitali informed the Board that last October there was a lengthy litigation process with the prior owner, which resulted in an agreement between the prior owner and the Town with the stipulation that any changes be submitted in writing to the Board of Selectmen. The Board expressed misgivings over their capacity to make a decision allowing the expansion of a non-conforming use when the venue for such decision-making rested with the ZBA. Mr. Vitali asked why they needed to return to the ZBA? Mr. Sullivan explained that the addendum filed in Superior Court referenced the Town’s zoning ordinances when changes to the stipulation agreement where considered and that special exceptions from the zoning ordinance are rightfully the purview of the ZBA. Representatives from Mariner Tower felt that the proposed change was not substantial. Mr. Vitali suggested that Mariner prepare a summary to present to the ZBA to save time in the process because preparation of a special exemption is both substantial and lengthy. Mr. Sapia informed Mr. Vitali that there was a process in place and that the Board will take the issue under advisement. Mr. Vitali requested a copy of Town Counsel’s opinion.

Town Clerk Budget Report: Linda Jette presented the Town Clerk budget to the Board. She is asking the Board that salaries be increased 3% for a raise of $1 per hour for each employee. She is requesting this raise due to the increase in work because of the new system, which is very convoluted and has been informed by the State that it should level off in a year. Ms. Jette is also requesting a 3% raise for herself. Ms. Jette is asking of the Board to budget for overtime or possibly close the office early. Ms. Jette and the Board both agree that they do not want to close the office early, and Ms. Jette is requesting that she be allowed to budget for overtime. She is requesting this increase due to the issues with the E-Reg system and communication with the State. Ms. Jette is requesting to a hire a part-time Assistant Clerk to work 15-20 hours per week because of the upcoming elections. Presently, there are two part-time Clerks. Ms. Jette informs the Board that an extra employee can balance out while she is working with the State on the computer/communication issues. Also, there are many absentee ballots and an additional employee can help during the elections. The work in the office is much more involved because of the new computer systems.

There has been increase in the telephone budget due to the new system. Ms. Jette feels the microfilming will have to be put off for another year. She has not been able to microfilm any of the minutes. There is microfilming that needs to be redone because they did not scan well for retrieval and need to be rescanned at a higher pixel level. Ms. Jette is requesting the Board put money in the budget for this to be accomplished. The Board suggests she microfilm at least the Board minutes and public hearing minutes. Ms. Jette requests to include the IT services in the Other Professional Services, and the Board agrees since there is not a separate line item. Office supplies and postage both increased. There will be a new process for printing decals and registrations will require the Town Clerk to buy a special printer. Ms. Jette feels the office will require two of these printers, and each printer will cost $300+. She has not budgeted for these printers this year, and feels it will be at least a year before the State puts anything into effect. Ms. Jette will need to purchase a new computer for scanning, and there is money in the budget for a new computer. The total for the Town Clerk budget is $183,576. Jack Sapia made a motion to accept the preliminary Town Clerk budget of $138,576. Paul Sullivan seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous and so moved.

Checklist Supervisor Budget Report: Last year there was 50 hours put in for the budget, but this year they are requesting 500 hours due to having to program in the voters. The total for the elections budget is $6,190. Mr. Sullivan made a motion to accept the final Checklist Supervisor budget of $6,190. Mr. Sapia seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous and so moved.

Building Department Budget: Robert Jones presented to the Board the Building Department budget. He informed the Board that the budget decreased by $2,000 and Code Enforcement decreased by $1,000. Gas inspection, electrical insurance, and office supplies were all under budget. The professional services and equipment budgets were not used and telephone and postage are right on target and only mileage increased. The total budget for the Building Department is $59,575. Mr. Sullivan made a motion to accept the final Building Department budget of $59,575. Mr. Sapia seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous and so moved.

Planning Board Budget: Sue Killam presented the Planning Board budget to the Board. There was an increase in the telephone, Recording Clerk and Professional Services line items. She will need to increase the Professional Services item due to printing and binding the Master Plan and use books. There was also an increase in postage and public notices, but there is a revenue source to supplement the notices from the developers. Frank Polito was not present to review the Zoning Board budget, but Ms. Killam informed the Board that there were no significant changes to the Zoning Board budget. Mr. Sullivan made a motion to accept the final Planning Board budget of $31,046. Mr. Sapia seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous and so moved. Mr. Sapia made a motion to accept the preliminary Zoning Board budget of $35,365. Mr. Sullivan seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous and so moved. Mr. Sapia made a motion to amend the preliminary Zoning Board budget of $35,365, which is the total budget of Planning and Zoning, and accept the final Zoning Board budget of $4,318. Mr. Sullivan seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous and so moved.

Conservation Commission Land Purchase: Mr. Dziechowski requested of the Board to expend $14,000 from the Conservation Commission budget to purchase land, Tax Map 18, Lot 85. The land was appraised at $14,000, Mr. Dziechowski made an offer of $14,000 and it was accepted. He anticipates closing costs to be approximately $500. Mr. Sapia made a motion to allow the purchase of the property in the amount of $14,000 with closing costs not to exceed $1,000 for Tax Map 18, Lot 85. Mr. Sullivan seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous and so moved.

General Discussion: Paul Sullivan asks of the Board what qualifies as a nonpublic session. Any issues regarding personnel are to go into nonpublic session. The Board is not requesting the nonpublic session, Jim is requesting it and officially requests his discussion of personnel matters be held in a nonpublic session.

Noriko Travers has written a letter to the Board regarding the issue of paying for the Town trips with her personal credit card. She is requesting the Board obtain a Town credit card to be used in booking the Town trips. The Board agrees with Mrs. Travers, and the TA is working on obtaining a credit card for the Town. Mrs. Travers has purchased Red Sox tickets for the 2007 season at a cost of $9,900 and there is only $4,500 left in the budget. She is requesting that the remainder of the money be taken from another line item. Mr. Sapia would like Mrs. Travers to appear before the Board to discuss what trips, etc. she has left for the year. Mr. Sullivan informs the Board that there is $6,300 accessible. The Board requests that a meeting be posted for Wednesday with Mrs. Travers and Sandra and a decision will be made then. The Board authorizes the TA to obtain a credit card for the Town. The Board would feels American Express would be the best option, but will also discuss this issue at Wednesday’s meeting.

Old Business: Mr. Sapia thanks the Atkinson Country Club for the Christmas Tree Lighting held on November 30, 2006. Over 3000 people were in attendance.

The TA gave copies of the Waste Management bid to the Board for their review.

The Board addressed the residents that they are working to keep the operating budget down. There have been concerns due to the property taxes. The Board informed the residents that the Town is operating at $.98 on the dollar.

There was discussion regarding the model flood plain ordinance. Mr. Sapia feels that someone should come in and speak about it and present it to the Planning Board. Mr. Sullivan requests that it be presented to the Planning Board at their Wednesday night meeting.

The veterans are requesting the veterans special exemptions be increased from $250 to $400. The TA will get a valuation and possible warrant article from the Board. The Board will get the figures together and review this request.

Respectfully

Raelene McBride

Recording Secretary

Fred Childs, Chair

Jack Sapia

Paul Sullivan