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Warner Board of Selectmen Meeting Minutes Tuesday, Chairman Karrick opened the public session
at I. Non Public Session Chairman Karrick moved to go into nonpublic session under RSA 91A:3II
(b) hiring at In attendance:
David Karrick, Chairman; David Hartman, Selectman; Clyde Carson,
Selectman; Laura Buono, Town Administrator, Tracy Hallenborg The Selectmen met with Tracy Hallenborg as
the preferred candidate for the Planning/Zoning Secretary position. Selectman Hartman moved to come out of nonpublic session at II. Public Session Chairman Karrick opened the public session
at In Attendance:
Selectman David Karrick, Jr. – Chairman, Selectman David E.
Hartman, Selectman
Town Administrator – Laura Buono Others present: Jerry Frew – School
Superintendant, Larry LeBoeuf, George Saunders – Municipal Budget
Committee, Jim Hand – MBC, Jeanne Hand, Martha Mical 1. School Superintendent Jerry Frew met with
the Board to answer questions about the proposed Energy Bond in the
amount of $3million. Mr.
Frew explained the timeline on how the bond came about.
He said in August of 2006 the School Board and Honeywell entered
into a phase II study for technology controls and upgrades throughout
the district. This was
tabled for a number of years during the transition of a new
Superintendent and the construction of the new Middle School.
Honeywell spent the better part of last year gathering their
information from the 2006 study but there was not enough time to pull
all the information together for the 2009 warrant.
Mr. Frew said in April 2009 there were conversation at a facility
meeting and then more conversation at the May facility meeting about the
energy proposal. In June
2009 Honeywell gave a presentation to the School Board, explained the
history and options after which the School Board reaffirmed their
commitment to the project. The
direction to Honeywell was to prepare a presentation, and come back to
the facilities committee in September with a more direct plan.
At the September facility committee meeting the decision was made
to bring the Honeywell project proposal to the October 2009 School Board
meeting for presentation. Mr.
Frew explained that this project, because it has been in the works since
2006 would probably qualify for State Building Aide.
He said the reason why the warrant article has so many
contingencies is because in order for the bond to be issued there has to
be a commitment for State Building Aide as well as American Resource
Recovery Act funds. If the
funds are not available the bond does not go through.
The district will still owe Honeywell $50K for services already
performed as indicated within the contract. Mr. Frew provided
information on energy cost avoidance.
Mr. Frew explained the urgency; the word from the State was
projects submitted before December 31st and voted on by the
local governing body by Selectman George Saunders heard coverage on the
radio that there is a contingent of legislatures that think Building
Aide is too expensive and needs to cease or significantly restructured;
if this prevails there will be no funding.
There is another contingent of legislatures that say that they
agree that the Building Aide needs to be restructured.
But they feel too many towns and school districts have made plans
based on the expectation that Building Aide will be available and it
would be unfair to pull the funding.
Selectman Mr. Frew said the warrant article as
written has been approved by the Department of Revenue Administration,
because of the uncertainty of the ARRA funds.
Selectman Hartman asked why the proposal
did not go out to bid. Mr.
Frew said going out to bid was considered but the decision of the School
Board was to stay with Honeywell because the current controls were
installed by Honeywell. It
was felt the cost would be more if the existing infrastructure needed to
be changed. Mr. Frew also
said that the School Board will not issue the bond if the sources of
revenue are not available. The Town Administrator contacted other
communities and as of today Martha Mical asked theoretically if only
$1 is received from both funding aides she confirmed that the taxpayers
will be paying the difference. Mr.
Frew said yes. George Saunders said in his opinion, if
the voters authorize the issuance of a bond contingent on the generally
outlined numbers and if the funding comes in significantly less.
He feels this would be difficult for the School Board to justify.
The Town Administrator said the School Board has the authority to
proceed. Selectman Jeanne Hand asked if in 1996 the school
buried the $1.1 million phase I Honeywell contract in the High School
addition bond. Ms. Hand
can’t find out where the school obtained the $1.1 million in 1996.
She is concerned about how much the school is tied into
Honeywell. Selectman Hartman said Saturday, January 9th
is the day for deliberation and offering amendments to the School Board. Jeanne Hand said she does not understand
the true relationship between the School Board, Municipal Budget
Committee and the Selectmen. George
Saunders said on the school website the charge for the MBC is listed.
He said the framework is the School Board manages the budget with
the assistance of the administration.
Jeanne Hand asked the Selectmen if they
would stand at the Deliberative Session and move to amend the motion to
include a money amount in the proposed article.
The Board said no. George
Saunders said you don’t add a number if the number is unknown. Selectmen
Hartman said a promise of reimbursement could be added to the article. Selectman 2. Energy Audit Selectman The Board discussed the proposal that was
presented at the last Selectmen’s meeting regarding the Park &
Ride, which too would be part of the same pool of money from ARRA.
3. Administrator’s Report Fisher – In order to set up a date and time to meet with
Town Counsel on Dick Fisher’s issue, the Town Administrator would like
to get some dates that work for the Board.
She will also check with the Zoning Board Chair to find out what
works for them. At the
Zoning Board Meeting of December 16th, Mr. Cronin stated that
he does not practice law however; he took the liberty of contacting Town
Counsel directly which will undoubtedly cost the taxpayers money.
In the future, perhaps the Selectmen may want to direct Town
Counsel not to take calls directly unless prior authorization has been
given. The Town
Administrator will coordinate with the Zoning Board Chair.
The Board feels Town Counsel should not be talking to anyone
outside of the town offices without first contacting the Town
Administrator, especially if the town is going to be billed.
Trustees of Trust Funds – There are two openings that will
be on the ballot for the Trustees of Trust Funds and in speaking with
one of the members, they are having a hard time finding interested
individuals. If the
Selectmen have any suggestions, the current members would love to hear
from you! Zoning Board – The Zoning Board is still looking for
volunteers to serve as alternates yet there has been no interest to
date. Overseer of Public Welfare – The Town Administrator sent
the Selectmen an email about the vacancy in the position of Overseer of
Public Welfare with a suggestion that the work be done through the Town
Administrator’s Office for the time being so that the office can get
an understanding of the workload and time expended in that role.
She mentioned in the email, at this point, there are 5
semi-active cases and one of those is about to be closed.
Currently, there is a phone set up at the Transfer Station – The glass crusher is up and running at
the Transfer Station as of today. Also,
the individual we have working for the Town through the Senior Community
Service Employment Program began working with the Foreman at the
Transfer Station this week and will be lending a helping hand with
anything that needs to be done. Selectman
Hartman recommends obtaining a letter from Department of Environmental
Services that gives the town credit for dealing with the glass
(deficiency letter from 2007) Azmy – Another request was sent to Webster with regard to
the information they were going to look into about the apartments. Dan Watts – The Board had visited Dan Watts property to
view the old road that he would like to have discontinued and Mr. Watts
has forwarded the wording for a petitioned article to Allan Brown for
review. Mr. Brown would like
to know what the Board thinks about the discontinuation of this road.
Selectman Hartman recommends giving the road back to the property
owners. Certified letters
will be sent to the abutters letting them know that discontinuing will
be on the warrant. The Town
Administrator asked the Board if they wish to place it on the warrant or
do they want it submitted by petition.
The Board agreed that Mr. Watts should petition the Town. Budget – The Town Administrator reported that worker
compensation has increase. She
also spoke with the Board about the wage increase for the Tax Collector;
the Tax Collector is adamant about not wanting the increase.
Selectman Hartman said the Board should respect the Tax
Collector’s wishes. Other
members agreed. The last
change to the budget is within the Land Use salary because of the change
in wages. 4. Motion to Hire Selectman Hartman moved
to hire Tracy Hallenborg as Land Use Secretary at $11.52 per hour, after
completing a satisfactory 6 month probation period salary would be
increased to $12.09 per hour. Employment
will begin on Monday, January 11, 2010.
Chairman Karrick seconded the motion; all were in favor, the
motion passed. 5. January 21 Area Selectmen’s Meeting Selectman Hartman reported that he has a
scheduling conflict that evening. He
will be attending the Concord Regional Co-op meeting; there will be
discussion about the single stream recycling plant.
Selectman Hartman has expressed openly that he feels the capital
reserve fund should not be lost for the sake of building a single stream
recycling plant, knowing that it will not be repaid.
The Selectmen decided to move forward with the Area Selectmen’s
meeting. One of the subjects for the Area
Selectmen’s meeting is discussing the area Road Agents.
The Town Administrator said according to 6. Manifest Selectman Hartman moved
to authorize the Selectmen to sign manifests and order the Treasurer to
sign payroll check numbers 258 (includes 0 direct deposit stubs) in the
amount of $567.82 and accounts payable check numbers 43968-43995 in the
amount of $18,821.37. Selectman
7. Meeting Minutes Selectman Hartman moved
to approve meeting minutes dated December 15 & 17, 2009.
Selectman 8. Other Business Selectman Selectman Hartman reported on the Planning
Board meeting. The Planning
Board is delaying action on proposed Amendment #5 which speaks about
adding the word structure; a question came up about fences and walls.
Amendment #7 is for the B1 district, it was decided to increase
the square of buildings from 2,000 square feet to 4,000 square feet.
Amendment #6 about height requirements was also delayed.
The Planning Board approved the Cingular Wireless Application
with conditions. Selectman At Board of Selectmen David Karrick, Jr. Respectfully submitted, Mary Whalen Recording Secretary
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