Town of Atkinson

Board of Selectmen

Regular Meeting

Monday March 3, 2008

 

 

Call to Order

Chairman J. Sapia called the Board of Selectmen to order at 7 PM on Monday, March 3, 2008, in the Atkinson Town Hall.

Members Present: Others Present:

J. Sapia, Chairman D. Childs, Resident

P. Sullivan P. Consentino, Chief – APD

F. Childs E. Feuer, Trustee – Kimball Library

H. Galloway, Trustee – Kimball Library

R. Lamarre, Architect

Non-Public Session

P. Sullivan made the motion to go into Non-Public Session under RSA 91-A:3,II(a) to discuss a personnel matter. Second: F. Childs. Vote: 3/0/0.

Open Meeting

Chairman J. Sapia opened the Regular Meeting of the Board of Selectmen at 7:35 PM on Monday, March 3, 2008, in the Atkinson Town Hall. He then asked the community to take a moment to reflect upon those who have left their families and put themselves in harm’s way to protect our right to meet and speak freely.

Chairman J. Sapia then thanked all those who helped to put the Town Report together.

Approval of Minutes

P. Sullivan made the motion to accept the minutes of the Regular Meeting of February 25, 2008, as written. Second: F. Childs. Vote: 3/0/0.

The minutes of the non-public sessions on February 11, 2008, and February 25, 2008 were unavailable.

Correspondence

None noted.

Department Heads

Police Department:

Chief P. Consentino presented Officer S. Lam’s hours worked in 2007, as requested by the Selectmen at their February 25, 2008 Regular Meeting.

Chief P. Consentino informed the Board that the background check for the individual who was proposed for the part-time Dispatch position came back fine. He added that the Police Department would perform the requested background checks for the other five candidates for the Assistant Animal Control positions. F. Childs asked that the Board approve an hourly rate for the Assistants so that the Bookkeeper could pay them for the time already worked. F. Childs had spoken with the Animal Control Officer, D. Murphy, who recommended $10.00 per hour. The members of the Board agreed.

Chief P. Consentino then told the Board that he had presented the Selectmen’s counter-offer of $15.75 per hour to the two gentlemen, Messrs Baker and Mullen, who had applied for the part-time Patrol Officer positions. Mr. Mullen accepted this rate, however Mr. Baker said he could not accept. Chief P. Consentino then asked Mr. Mullen if he would consider working up to 30 hours per week. Mr. Mullen hesitated, saying that 15 to 20 hours per week was all right, but was reluctant to agree to more. J. Sapia asked Chief P. Consentino if he could fill the 30 hours with the existing part-time officers. Chief P. Consentino answered "No", and then he asked the Board if he could make a conditional offer of employment to Mr. Mullen, to begin background and psychological testing.

P. Sullivan stated that he didn’t like the idea of a new officer earning more than officers who have been working for the Town for a while. Chief P. Consentino said Mr. Mullen brought 24 years of experience to the Town. F. Childs said that the Board reached a consensus on the rate of pay for these two officers, who had originally requested $18.00 to $20.00 per hour. P. Sullivan denied having agreed to hire a part-time officer at $15.75 per hour. J. Sapia noted that one only need look over the state border to realize how little we pay our officers, and reiterated Lt. Baldwin’s observation that it is a matter of supply and demand. He added that Chief P. Consentino would be the one to answer to 4 of his officers for the $.89 per hour difference in pay.

F. Childs made the motion to extend a conditional offer of employment to Mr. Mullen as a part-time Patrol Officer at the rate of $15.75 per hour. Second F. Childs. Vote: F. Childs, yes; J. Sapia, yes; P. Sullivan, no.

P. Sullivan noted that, from the payroll sheets, he was unable to tell which officers were working at what time. Chief P. Consentino said the Selectmen had but to ask for the time sheets and he would make them available to them, and said that they were welcome to come down to the Police Station at any time and look at any records they wished.

Kimball Public Library:

Library Trustee Chairman H. Galloway reported that Library Director K. McDonough underwent hip surgery on February 28, was released on February 29 to Physical Therapy and is doing well. Since K. McDonough is entertaining an offer from Amesbury, H. Galloway suggested that the Selectmen might want to consider increasing the Library Director’s salary, as the offer from Amesbury is in the $60,000+ range, to attempt to retain the breadth of experience brought to the Library by K. McDonough. F. Childs pointed out that the Library Trustees are responsible for hiring the Library Staff. H. Galloway agreed, however she noted that the Town is responsible for the Library’s budget, and said that increasing the Library Director’s salary would have to be a collaborative effort between the Selectmen and the Trustees in Non-Public Session.

H. Galloway then showed those present some of the materials to be used in the new building, and added that they were on display in the old Library. J. Sapia asked if there was going to be padding under the carpeting. R. Lamarre answered that the carpet would be glued to the cement. H. Galloway added that, to be in keeping with the architectural nature of the Town, the windows are of the same design as those of the Kimball House, and are currently being installed.

R. Lamarre gave a memo (attached) outlining the roofing procedures and materials to the Board, discussing it in detail. He noted that, until the roof is finished, it must be protected from moisture with a "poly-iso…" covering each night. This cover may not be reapplied, and is therefore disposed of each day. J. Sapia noted that this seemed to be wasteful, and asked how the Bauen Corporation is dealing with the winter conditions. Perhaps Bauen might consider stopping until we have better weather. R. Lamarre replied that, although the contract called for a September 1 completion date, Bauen wanted to finish the job by July 31. He added that all roofing materials were from W.R. Grace so that the Town would only have to deal with one vendor if there were a problem. He also said that this roofing process represented no additional cost to the Town, as reflected in several of the meeting minutes, all minutes and notes have been given to P. Sullivan. R. Lamarre went on to say that this roofing system was about $1.00 per square foot more than a conventional system, representing about $12,000.00 more in the cost of the building. The utility company specified this type of roofing system in order to be eligible for rebates not only for the lighting, but also for the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment, as well as representing an ongoing energy savings for the Town. P. Sullivan asked what protection was incorporated for the valley areas of the roof. R. Lamarre said that the ice and water shield has the 1" air space to keep the heat from escaping.

J. Sapia said there have been many questions concerning heating the attic. R. Lamarre explained that the heating and water pipes go through the attic, so the attic must stay above 40° to protect the pipes. He added, however, that, since the entire building is so well insulated, the outside temperature would have to be around -11° to cause the temperature in the attic to go down that low, and there is an automatic temperature control installed in the attic. J. Sapia asked if the sprinkler system made it necessary to heat the attic. R. Lamarre said that they were using a "wet" sprinkler system, rather than the more expensive "dry" one that would have to have the water pumped up to charge it. J. Sapia said there had been a question about the screws being used in the sheathing. R. Lamarre replied that they were using 50 7" screws for each sheet of plywood: 25 screws around the perimeter, and the other 25 in the field of the sheet.

F. Childs asked how one would get into the attic to work on the HVAC equipment. R. Lamarre said a 30° steel "ship’s ladder" and door are planned. He went on to explain that he wanted to see the whole boiler system and other units installed in one piece straight from the factory, but they can be put in and taken out in pieces for repair or replacement. J. Sapia asked how loud the overhead machines might be, considering that libraries are noted for quiet. R. Lamarre responded that there should be no noise because of the acoustic system and the HVAC units are located over the Meeting Room, adding that the Meeting Room has its own section of the system, apart from the rest of the Library, therefore, if there were a meeting after the Library had closed, the main system could be shut down for the night, while keeping those in the Meeting Room comfortable with a small unit.

H. Galloway gave the Board an update on the construction through this morning from the Site Supervisor:

1. Most of the footing drains are complete, except for those along the back that will be installed and connected into the main drainage system when the existing library is demolished;

2. HVAC supply and returns are installed;

3. The conduit for the underground electrical supply has been installed;

4. The large equipment on the Mechanical Mezzanine have been installed;

5. Floor drains on the mezzanine are being installed;

6. Beginning to install the fire alarm system.

J. Sapia asked why AIA forms are not being used for requisitions. R. Lamarre replied that, even as an AIA member, he has to pay for forms. The requisitions he uses are a duplicate of the AIA forms without the AIA logo. J. Sapia asked how to identify additions and/or deletions to the bid price. R. Lamarre said there had been no additions or deletions to date. In fact, he said, as of today is appeared as though the project would finish under budget in excess of $22,700, through efficiencies on "up front" costs such as using propane instead of oil, and water instead of air to heat and cool.

R. Lamarre asked if the Board wanted to replace the septic system. He added that the original bid contained a septic system as an alternate item, and received a proposal for $14,000. He noted that there would be new piping, outside separator and tank. J. Sapia asked if the architect had spoken with the Town’s inspectors. R. Lamarre said he had a conversation with them, and advised (but not required) them to put in a new septic system. J. Sapia asked what condition the existing field was in. F. Childs said that, in the 20 years he was responsible for maintenance, he had the tank pumped every year, and had to replace the pump once. P. Sullivan suggested there would be more usage than the old building. R. Lamarre responded that the people who use the old Library will be the ones to use the new Library, and a low-flow water system has been built in. P. Sullivan then asked where a new septic system would go. R. Lamarre said that the new system would go where the old system is, adding that this would have to be done after the old building is vacated.

R. Lamarre observed that there seemed to be the direction of the Board that a new septic system should be installed. P. Sullivan said it would be the prudent thing to do. J. Sapia it was better than risking failure in a few years. Since the Board reached consensus, R. Lamarre said he would notify Bauen to plan on installing a new septic system.

Chairman J. Sapia expressed concern about the lack of contingency. R. Lamarre replied that there was $200,000 budgeted for furniture and equipment. Whatever was left over from the furniture would be the contingency.

Trustee H. Galloway said that it was fascinating to watch the building evolve, and invited the Selectmen to walk through occasionally with her or D. Weymouth. R. Lamarre asked if officials could "tour" on Saturdays, so not to be in the workmen’s way.

Old Business

Recording Secretary:

Chairman J. Sapia announced that the Board had interviewed a candidate this evening, and will likely make her an offer to take the minutes of the Planning Board and Board of Selectmen.

Town Administrator Search:

P. Sullivan made the motion to engage the Local Government Center (LGC) Personnel Services to assist the Town in the search for a new Town Administrator. Second: F. Childs. Vote: 3/0/0.

Town Clerk’s Audit:

P. Sullivan took this opportunity to wish the former Town Clerk, Linda Jette, the very best of luck and health in retirement. J. Sapia and F. Childs added their best wishes as well.

P. Sullivan then said the Town’s auditor, Mason + Rich, P.A. has received L. Jette’s financial reports, and will perform the audit for $1,500 to $2,000.

Acting Town Clerk Rose Cavalear, asking that the locks on the Town Clerk’s Office be changed since there is one key unaccounted for, approached Chairman J. Sapia. In addition he said that this would be a good time to reconfigure the office to provide extra security.

New Business

Back Door:

P. Sullivan reminded the Board that, at the April 19, 2006 meeting of the Joint Loss Management Committee (JLMC), he had requested that the back door to the Town Hall be locked during business hours, which has been forgotten lately. He asked that all departments receive a reminder to keep the back door to the Town Hall locked. F. Childs suggested looking into alternate entrance security for employees when the addition is scheduled for Town Hall.

Tent:

P. Sullivan said he was approached by a candidate who wished to set up a tent for the candidates, and was seeking the opinion of the Board. Both Chairman J. Sapia and P. Sullivan agreed, subject to the approval and placement by the Town Moderator.

Questions from the Audience

D. Childs, 53 East Road, said she had arrived home on Saturday night, to find an anonymous sign lying in the driveway. These signs were not political in nature and had no identification. Subsequently, she has seen them all over Town, and would like to return hers to the owner. P. Sullivan said the Town should become pro-active and remove the signs. J. Sapia said that these signs were illegal and would ask Building Inspector R. Jones to pick them up and dispose of them. P. Sullivan agreed.

Non-Public Session

At 9:20 PM F. Childs made the motion to go into Non-Public Session under RSA 91-A:3,II(a) to discuss personnel issues. Second: J. Sapia. Vote: 3/0/0.

Future Agenda:

F. Childs – advise Building Needs of the security needs with the expansion

P. Consentino – provide time slips for all officers

R. Lamarre – notify Bauen to provide new septic system

J. Sapia – notify D. Weymouth to change locks on the Town Clerk’s Office;

Who is to reconfigure Town Clerk’s Office?

Notify R. Jones to pick up signs

B. Snicer – memo RE: locking back door

P. Sullivan – Non-public minutes 2/11/08, 2/25/08, 7 PM 3/3/08 & 9:20 PM 3/3/08