Town of Atkinson
Board of Selectmen
Regular Meeting
Monday March 10, 2008
Members Present: Others Present:
J. Sapia, Chairman P. Consentino, Chief – APD
P. Sullivan H. Galloway, Trustee Chairman – KPL
F. Childs
7:30 PM – Open Public Hearing
Chairman J. Sapia opened the Public Hearing to allow the Police Chief P. Consentino to expend the amount of $1,688.00 from the Police Equipment Fund on Monday, March 10, 2008, in the Town Hall. This money is earmarked as follows:
Front brakes for Elderly Affairs vehicle $150.00
Postage 123.00
Flowers 150.00
Miscellaneous items 150.00
Projector for MS Power Point presentations (for training) 800.00
Assistance to purchase dentures 315.00
Total Withdrawal from Equipment Fund $1,688.00.
Chairman J. Sapia asked if there was any input from the audience. Hearing none, he closed the Public Hearing at 7:36 PM.
Open Regular Meeting
Chairman J. Sapia opened the Regular Meeting of the Board of Selectmen at 7:37 PM on Monday, March 10, 2008, in the Town Hall.
Chairman J. Sapia asked that the community take a moment to think of those who put themselves in harm’s way that we may meet and speak freely.
Approval of Minutes
F. Childs made the motion to approve the minutes of the following Non-Public Sessions: February 11, 2008; February 25, 2008; 7:05 PM March 3, 2008; 9:40 PM, March 3, 2008. Second: P. Sullivan. Vote: 3/0/0.
P. Sullivan made the motion to approve the minutes of March 3, 2008. Second: F. Childs. Vote: 3/0/0.
Correspondence
None read.
Department Heads
Police Department:
Since the proposed Assistant Animal Control Officers are not members of the Police Department, Chief P. Consentino said he could not run a background check on three of the candidates: Shane Murphy, Tim Murphy and Harold Makin. However, he gave the forms to Animal Control Officer D. Murphy for these individuals to complete and send directly to Concord with $10.00 each, presumably to be reimbursed by the Town upon acceptance. Since L. Cunningham, J. Dugdale and R. Serratore are currently Town employees there is no need to run background checks for them.
Referencing the March 4, 2008 memo to the Board of Selectmen (attached), Chief P. Consentino said he was prepared to get the camera for the front-line cruiser. He estimated that it should cost around $4,500.00, and could be taken from the Outside Detail Fund, as follows.
Current Balance $32,373.83
2 Cruiser Lease Payments 25,000.00
Balance $7,373.83
Cruiser Camera -4,500.00
Remainder in Outside Detail Fund $2,873,83.
The Board said it had no problem with the camera purchase as long as he got the three prices.
Chief P. Consentino said he has had several complaints during the last few days concerning political flyers being placed on mailboxes and flags. P. Sullivan asked to see the complaints. J. Sapia affirmed that two complaints were received at the Post Office. Chief P. Consentino continued, he called a postal inspector in Manchester to determine the permitted used of a rural mail receptacle. He was quoted the following (copy attached):
Domestic Mail Manual D041 Customer Mail Receptacles
"1.3 Use for Mail
…the receptacles…may be used only for matter bearing postage. …no part of a mail receptacle may be used to deliver any matter not bearing postage, including items or matter placed upon, supported by, attached to, hung from, or inserted into a mail receptacle.
2.5 Advertising
Any advertising on a mailbox or its support is prohibited."
He was told that an inspector would be sent down to discuss the matter on Wednesday, March 12. P. Sullivan asked by what authority did the Police Chief enforce postal regulations. Chief P. Consentino replied that he enforced no postal regulations. P. Sullivan then asked by what authority did Chief P. Consentino enforce anything with lights, siren and a badge today. Chief P. Consentino indicated that it was standard practice to put his blue lights on for his own protection from traffic, when stopping on a roadway. He had stopped two individuals who were putting flyers on mailboxes and shared the information he had just received from the Postal Inspector concerning this action. There was no enforcement of any kind, he said.
Chairman J. Sapia suggested that, since this issue is short-lived for this year, it would be more effective to get all interested parties together before the next Town election, and have a postal inspector come down and explain the rules.
Cpl J. Lapham was currently undergoing preparations for a bone marrow transplant on Friday, March 14. The Town has continued to pay 90% of his Family Health Insurance Plan and the remaining 10% is being deducted from Col J. Lapham’s Short-Term Disability payments. Chief P. Consentino said that the Short-Term Disability payments will end in about 14 weeks, and asks if the Selectmen will authorize continuing the health insurance payments out of Town funds, until Cpl J. Lapham’s return to duty.
P. Sullivan made the motion to take the request to continue Cpl J. Lapham’s family health insurance plan until he returns to active duty under advisement. The motion dies for lack of a second.
F. Childs made the motion for the Town to continue funding Cpl J. Lapham’s family health insurance plan until he returns to active duty. Second: J. Sapia. Vote: 3/0/0.
Chairman J. Sapia asked the Board to consider continuing to pay Cpl J. Lapham $400.00 per week after his short-term disability ends, until he either returns to duty, or December 31, 2008, whichever comes first. P. Sullivan said he would like to give Cpl J. Lapham at least that much and maybe more, however he wished to put off the discussion until a later date.
Library:
Library Trustee Chairman H. Galloway thanked Chairman J. Sapia for forming and spurring along the Library building committee, resulting in a new design that is coming to fruition.
Trustee H. Galloway told the Board that Library Director has accepted a position at the Amesbury library, and her last day in Atkinson will be Tuesday, April 8. She added that the Trustees and staff will miss the experience and high standards she brought to the Library, and all wish her well in her new position.
The Trustees are setting up the process for finding a new Library Director, as well as reconsidering what salary would bring the best candidates for Atkinson in today’s market.
Old Business
Area Selectmen’s Meeting:
Both F. Childs and P. Sullivan said they would attend the Area Selectmen’s Meeting on Wednesday, March 19, at 7 PM in the Hampstead Library.
Recording Secretary:
Chairman J. Sapia reported that he had telephoned the candidate selected by the Board, however she was on vacation. She is expected to return the call later this week.
Town Administrator’s Search:
P. Sullivan announced that B. Cox, Personnel Services Consultant for the Local Government Center (LGC) will attending the Board’s March 17 meeting at 8 PM to refine the job description of the Town Administrator.
Town Clerk:
Chairman J. Sapia said the Board must decide on a pay plan for Acting Town Clerk R. Cavalear. She is currently earning $38,000 per year on an hourly basis, and the Board proposed to go to a salary of $42,500 for assuming all of the duties of the position vacated by L. Jette on February 29, 2008. F. Childs cautioned that, by setting a new rate, it would then apply as a starting rate for whomever won the election for Town Clerk in 2009, whether or not they were fully qualified. He added that he expected the Town Clerk would work 40 hours per week for that salary.
P. Sullivan made the motion to increase the Town Clerk’s pay to an annual salary of $42,500, for 40 hours per week. Second: J. Sapia. Vote: 3/0/0.
New Business
B. Boyle Non-Candidacy:
Former Selectman B. Boyle came before the Board of Selectmen to make his position in this election clear. While he was honored to have people consider writing him in for an elected office, he is not seeking any elected position, and, if elected, will not serve.
Rabies’ Clinic:
The Atkinson Firefighters’ Association is once again hosting the Atkinson Rabies’ Clinic Sunday, March 30 from 11 AM until 1 PM at the Atkinson Fire Station. Atkinson residents may register their pets with the Town.
J. Sapia Farewell:
Chairman J. Sapia gave a heartfelt thank you to the Town for the privilege of serving as a Selectman during the last three years (copy attached).
Future Agenda
F. Childs – Open the polls at 7 AM Tuesday March 11
3/17/08 – 9 AM Mediation (Concord)
7:30 PM Reorganization/Regular Meeting
3/19/08 – Area Selectmen 7PM Hampstead Library
P. Consentino – 3/17/08 – 9 AM Mediation (Concord)
J. Sapia – 3/17/08 – 9 AM Mediation (Concord)
P. Sullivan – 3/17/08 – 7:30 PM Reorganization/Regular Meeting
3/19/08 – Area Selectmen 7 PM Hampstead Library
3/12/08 – Board of Adjustment Public Hearing
3/18 & 19/08 – Auditors Here
3/19/08 – Planning Board Public Hearing
3/22/08 – 11 AM Easter Egg Hunt (Pope Road)
3/26/08 – Mardi Party (Community Center)
3/30/08 – 11 AM to 1 PM Rabies’ Clinic (Fire Station)
Adjournment
J. Sapia made the motion to adjourn at 8:35 PM. Second: F. Childs. Vote: 3/0/0.