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

Mr. Sapia opened the meeting with a moment of silence. Mr. Sapia next addressed the results of the special town meeting noting that the residents had spoken and the Board would act to carry out the wishes of the electorate. He also noted that every Board had always implemented voter approved warrant articles.

Chief Consentino addressed the Board relative to a withdrawal of $250 from the donation account to help a senior with oil. Public comments were solicited. Hearing none Mr. Sapia made the motion to close the public hearing. Mr. Sullivan seconded. The vote was unanimous and so moved.

Chief Consentino explained that he needed to over-expend the cruiser maintenance line by approximately $1,500 to equip the cruisers with snow tires. He explained the current overage as the insurance deductible the department paid because of an accident involving a cruiser. The Board asked several questions. Mr. Sullivan asked to review the necessary expenditures for snow tires. The Board was in agreement to allow Chief Consentino to over-expend as long as he provided the accounting details. Chief Consentino next explained that the success of the Elderly Program had led to more use by the seniors, particularly since the introduction of the new handicap van. He, therefore, asked to expend an additional $2,000 to cover the operational needs of the program for the remainder of the year. Mr. Sullivan recommended that the increased amount for the program be addressed during this year’s budget cycle. Mr. Sullivan made the motion to approve the additional $2,000 expenditure for the Elderly Program. Mr. Childs seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous and so moved.

Citizen Issue / Court Order – Dan Fredrickson

Mr. Frederickson along with Jake Collins and Dick McGoon addressed the Board relative to the approved placement of the Vietnam Panels via the special town meeting. Mr. Frederickson explained that he had asked to be placed on the agenda prior to knowing the outcome of the special town meeting. Mr. Frederickson provided a synopsis of the Vietnam Panel placement issue from the 2005 town meeting to the present. Several questions concerning the acceptance of the panels by the town and the panels present location. The Board explained that the panels had indeed been accepted, but that the Town had never received the panels. Mark Acciard and Leon Artus opined about previous litigation. Mr. Collins, a WWII veteran provided his concern over the fact that at the deliberative session veterans like him were not allowed to speak. In a voice cracking with emotion Mr. Collins wondered why veterans who had sacrificed so much for their country and volunteered so much of their time through the years on behalf of their town would be denied an opportunity to speak on the Vietnam Panels issue at Town Meeting. Mr. McGoon reminded everyone that veterans had sacrificed so that people could voice their opinions and to deny a veteran like Mr. Collins an opportunity to speak was a real slap in the face. Similar emotionally charged commentary ensued. Mr. Sullivan noted that the recent vote was a mandate for the panle’s placement. Mr. Childs reminded everyone that the Board represents all groups within the Town and that the Vietnam Panels issue proved particularly divisive and difficult. Mr. Frederickson saluted the Board for their empathy and hard work on the issue noting that it was a difficult position to be in.

The Chair called a brief recess at approximately 8:25pm. The meeting resumed at approximately 8:35.

Kaye Galloway addressed the Board relative to the Library construction project. Ms. Galloway invited the Board to a Trustees meeting to meet with the general contractor and review the cost items. The Board agreed to attend and directed the TA to post the meeting the. TA agreed to do so.

The Board chatted briefly with representatives from the Historical Society about the current court approved mediated settlement pertaining to the Vietnam Panels placement. It was noted that the current Superior Court Order called for the panels to be placed in front of the historical society building. For that order to be withdrawn both the parties to the agreement would have agree to change the order and the panels would then be placed in front of the town office. The Historical Society representatives agreed.

The TA explained that the administrative abatement associated with 5 Dogwood Court was by an agreement between the owners and a previous Board to repay taxes on a monthly basis. The Abatement was for the accumulated interest. The Tax Collector’s accounts receivable indicated that the principal owed had been paid. Mr. Childs made the motion to approve the administrative abatement in the amount of $1,195.93. Mr. Sullivan seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous and so moved.

The Board discussed the cable coordinator applications and agreed to schedule the interviews for Thursday afternoon.

The Board asked about the Road Paving schedule. The TA explained that several start dates had come and gone, but that there was a drop-dead completion date within the contract of October 31^st. The TA also noted that it was a local paving company and they had always done a good job.

Mr. Sapia made the motion to enter non-public session under RSA 91:3, A:2 (a) to discuss a personnel issue. Mr. Childs seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous and so moved at approximately 9:13pm.

The Board reconvened into public session at approximately 9:40pm. 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 9:40pm

Respectfully,

Russell McAllister

Town Administrator

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Jack Sapia, Chair

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Paul Sullivan

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Fred Childs