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

Mr. Sapia opened the meeting with a moment of silence. Mr. Sapia thanked all those who helped erect the new playground jungle gym. It was also noted that the Lion’s golf tournament was scheduled for June 23^rd. Folks were also reminded that Citizen of the Year festivities honoring Fred Childs were scheduled for May 20^th from 2-4:00pm at the community center.

The TA noted that the Town’s application to the NHMBB was approved and that he was also contacting other banks for quotes on the library bond. The TA also provided a copy of an RFP for Pope field fertilization and grooming. The TA also read a thank you note from a resident complimenting Mr. Stewart for his assistance. The TA next addressed a mandatory FEMA workshop he attended concerning flood assistance. He explained that there are two programs; the 404 and 406 programs. The TA explained that the 406 program was designed as a funding mechanism for mitigation projects. However, eligibility for participation was contingent upon the Town’s participation in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and the Town’s adoption of a Hazard Mitigation Plan (required by the State). The town was not currently a participant in the NFIP, nor had it adopted a Hazard Mitigation plan though it was working towards the completion of it.

Mr. Sullivan made the motion to approve the minutes of the May 7^th meeting as amended. Mr. Childs seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous and so moved. Mr. Childs made the motion to approve the non-public meeting minutes of May 11^th. Mr. Sullivan seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous and so moved.

Mr. Sullivan provided a synopsis of a brief Selectmen’s meeting held at Pope Field on May 12^th at 3:30pm. He explained that the Board met with the Little League President Mr. Polichetti to discuss changing the fence on baseball field one to meet Little League regulations for field size. They also discussed placement of the bleachers and fence that would bound the spectator area from the road and parking lot. Mr. Sullivan made the motion to approve the verbal minutes as presented. Mr. Childs seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous and so moved.

The Board discussed the issue of staff hiring with Ms. Jette. They noted that they had been unaware that a member of the Clerk’s office had left. They noted that the first knowledge that they had about the vacancy came while watching cable and seeing the vacant position advertised. Ms. Jette explained that she thought she had informed them and apologized for the oversight. She explained that she had always advertised when there was a staff vacancy. She then conducted the interviews and brought her recommendation to the Board for approval and that is how things have been done for many years. The Board explained that they are responsible party in the hiring process and that in the future they wished to be informed of all staff vacancies. The Board directed Ms. Jette to make all applications for the current vacancy available to the TA. Ms. Jette agreed to do so. The position and its necessity were discussed. It was noted that the currently advertised position was part-time 20 hour per week.

Mr. Kirsch brought a code enforcement issue before the Board concerning the selling of cars in the right of way (ROW). He explained the situation and noted that a policy of a previous Board was to not allow this type of activity. Discussion ensued over what the ROW was in this case and whether or not selling a car in a driveway, which was also in the ROW, constituted a similar offense under the policy. There was disagreement among members with Mr. Sapia expressing his opinion that the policy addressed more the commercial selling of vehicles and that the current circumstance posed no line of sight or safety issues. Other members expressed the need for uniformity of application. Mr. Sullivan voted to enforce the ROW policy. Mr. Childs seconded the motion. The vote was approved with Mr. Sapia representing the dissenting vote.

The TA explained that the tax warrant was prepared and ready for signatures and that the tax bills would be prepared and sent out. He also explained that the first tax bill represented one half of last year’s commitment and that the tax rate, represented by the second bill, would be established in the September / October timeframe.

The TA called attention to the agenda packet item highlighting the results for the well drilling bids. In the bid it was requested that the bidders have the international geothermal heat pump association certification. Only Ogden Well & Pump provided a qualifications statement and recent projects list. The TA noted that an item not addressed in the bid was the removal and disposal of the spoils. Only Smith Pump did not address the issue. An onsite weir tank will be necessary to allow the solids and dust particles to settle out. Skillings and Sons price for a 5,000-gallon weir is $3,250 inclusive of filters. Ogden Well will bring two 20,000-gallon weir tanks on site, but the cost is not indicated. An important caveat is the weight of such weirs. Water weighs approximately 8 pounds per gallon. Also, that water and its solids will next need to be sucked-up by a VAC truck and disposed of and this activity represents an additional cost. Skillings seem to offer the best price on this component of the bid. Follow-up phone conversations with Ogden indicated that this component of cost would range between $5,000-$20,000.

The table above represents costs that are defined and estimated. The estimated component common to each bidder is the VAC truck estimate. There are only 3 components of cost illustrated in the table above. Only Skillings & Sons has defined costs in 2 of the three components. Subsequent contact with Smith Pump concerning the issue revealed that temporary containment was not considered. The Board further discussed the issue noting that Skillings & Sons was the lowest bidder. The Board directed the TA to schedule a meeting during the week with Skillings & Sons to review the bid. The TA agreed.

The Board next discussed and debated the appointments listed in the table below, which outlines their decisions.

Board members debated the renewal of Mr. Early’s appointment to the planning board. There was disagreement on this appointment.

Mr. Sullivan addressed several old business items including the AMR contract, which the TA noted had been approved by AMR Corporate. The Town was waiting for the signed copy to arrive. Several road issues were discussed.

Mr. Childs spoke to the issue of emergency egress for the Community Center parking lot.

There being no further business to come before the Board Mr. Sullivan made the motion to adjourn. Mr. Childs seconded. The meeting adjourned at approximately 9:35pm

Respectfully,

Russell McAllister

Town Administrator

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Jack Sapia, Chair

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Paul Sullivan

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Fred Childs