Warner Board of Selectmen

Meeting Minutes

January 20, 2009

 

Meeting opened at 6:00 p.m.

In Attendance:   Selectman Richard A. Cook – Chairman

Selectman David E. Hartman

Selectman David Karrick, Jr.

                        Laura Buono – Town Administrator

Absent:             None                  

Others present:              Martha Mical                  Clyde Carson                 Sue Hemingway             Peter Ladd  

1. Contracts – Pick-ups & Revaluation and Refund Request: Selectman Karrick moved to approve the contract for general assessing services (pick-ups) for the period between January 1, 2009 – December 31, 2009 with Commerford Nieder Perkins and the Town of Warner , NH.  Selectman Hartman seconded the motion; all were in favor, the motion passed.  

A refund request was presented to the Selectmen for taxes paid on a building that does not exist.  Selectman Hartman moved to approve a refund in the amount of $292.94 for taxes paid by mistake on Map 16, Lot 6-3.  Selectman Karrick seconded the motion; all were in favor, the motion passed.  

The Selectmen reviewed the revaluation contract submitted by Cross Country Appraisal beginning in 2009 and completed in May 2010.  Selectman Hartman asked Martha Mical if she recommends any changes to the contract.  Martha said she has contacted Cross Country and asked them to cross off 7.1 on page 8, the Town does not use Department of Revenue’s public utilities values; another formula will be used.  Another change was in the list of payment, 10% will be held until after the Board of Selectmen approves the numbers.  Under 2009 measure and list, the April 15 date was changed to May 1 and May 1 to May 15.  The contract will now go to the Department of Revenue for review.   

Martha Mical discussed the payment process for Cross Country; once the revaluation begins, payments are made every other week.  Ms. Buono explained that the payment requests will be submitted to the Bookkeeper who will in turn at some point request the required funding from the Trustees of the Trust Funds.   

2. Administrator’s Report

Connors Mill – The contract for the work on Connors Mill has been reviewed by Town Counsel and signed.  Now the contractor can move forward and order the materials so that they will be received in time to begin the project in the spring.  

New Hampshire Municipal Association Membership Meeting – Information was received with regard to whether or not New Hampshire Municipal Association will move forward and take a position with regard to alternative revenue sources for the State of NH .  In the past, they have not taken a position with regard to this issue however, with the current economy; municipalities will more than likely be affected by a drop in revenue on the State level.  Every Town will have one vote; Ms. Buono as well as one Selectman will attend the meeting scheduled for January 30th.  

Hopkinton Ambulance – Ms. Buono recently spoke with the Hopkinton Town Administrator with regard to the invoice for ambulance services from 10/07 – 9/08 and he agreed that the changes in the charges were made without any communication to Warner.  Ms. Buono suggested that the Warner Selectmen may wish to meet with the Hopkinton Selectmen to discuss the makeup of the charge with regard to some of the fees Hopkinton is now requiring Warner to contribute toward. Ms. Buono asked Hopkinton if they could provide a copy of the original agreement.  Ms. Buono will arrange a meeting with the Hopkinton Selectmen.  

Fire Department – The Fire Department is planning on bringing some new recruits to the Selectmen for hiring and have asked if the Selectmen would be open to a meeting on Wednesday, February 4th at 7 p.m. for this purpose since most Tuesdays conflict with Department meetings.  

Budget Public Hearing – The next scheduled meeting of the Budget Committee will also be the public hearing on the budget.  That meeting is scheduled for Thursday, February 5, 2009 @ 6 p.m.   The Water Precinct will be first and then the Town.  Petition Warrant Articles are due on February 3, 2009 .  

Newsletter – The Winter 2009 newsletter will be mailed out this week and has quite a bit of information for residents.  Filing dates for public office are listed and begins January 21 running through January 30th.  

Old Graded School – Today, a letter was sent to the occupants of the Old Graded School discussing daily upkeep of the stairways and hallways due to the amount of sand tracked in.  For safety purposes, each entity has been asked to either sweep or vacuum their areas of the building since too much sand buildup can cause slips and falls.  They were also reminded to turn off lights since on various occasions the lights have been left on as well as honoring the driveway entrance and exit signs.  A letter will be sent to the landlord of the adjacent building as well regarding the parking lot entrance and exits.   

3. Energy Committee: Clyde Carson, Sue Hemingway and Peter Ladd met with the Selectmen.  The Committee has been working on a Mission Statement which reads: The mission of the Warner Energy Committee is to recommend local steps to save energy and reduce emissions to the Board of Selectmen. This will include measures which encourage and empower our citizens and community to move toward greater energy conservation, security, sustainability, and more responsible energy usage. The committee advocates protecting the natural local and global environment by supporting the development of a civic and business environment which fosters and attracts green businesses and jobs, promoting local sources of renewable energy, and proposing solutions to benefit citizens that reduce energy costs and environmental impacts.  The Mission Statement is an effort to build a structure for projects that can assist the Town, citizens as well as businesses to become more “green”.   The members are looking for the Board of Selectmen’s approval and input on the Mission Statement.

Selectman Hartman said the Board encourages the Energy Committee to advise the Selectmen on anything that is practical and wise for energy efficiency.  Selectman Karrick added anything that encourages energy efficiency as well as helpful to the environment.  Chairman Cook is most interested in ways the municipality can become more energy efficient as well as facilitating the ability of Warner citizens to be able to improve their use of energy.

Clyde Carson recommended that a Selectman’s representative could begin attending the meetings; this would be a way of communicating the projects they are working on.

Selectman Karrick moved to appoint Clyde Carson and Sue Hemingway to the Warner Energy Committee.  Selectman Hartman seconded the motion; all were in favor, the motion passed.

4. Manifest: Selectman Hartman moved to authorize the Selectmen to sign manifests and order the Treasurer to sign payroll check numbers 1511-1546 in the amount of $35,899.11 and accounts payable check numbers 42606-42632 in the amount of $42,227.19.  Selectman Karrick seconded the motion; all were in favor, the motion passed.

5. Meeting Minutes: Selectman Hartman moved to approve meeting minutes dated January 6, 2009 .  Selectman Karrick seconded the motion; all were in favor, the motion passed.

6. Selectmen’s Other Business: Martha Mical asked if the 2007 audit report is available.  Ms. Buono said no, she has been in contact with the auditors.  Documents were requested and forwarded to the auditors so they may complete the audit report.

Selectman Karrick reported that he and the Director of Public Works attended a meeting at Simonds School regarding safe routes to school.  A representative from Central NH Regional Planning Commission prepared a map showing where school children in Warner lived.  There is money available through the State ($1 million) with $100K going to Towns that request funds relating to school safety issues.  In the immediate, Simonds School could request up to $15K for a feasibility study.  Discussed was vehicles traveling down from Kearsarge Mountain Road toward the school, signage and monitoring equipment is available.  There was discussion on bike safety and a proposal for bike helmets as well as training for volunteer crossing guards.  The principal of Simonds School has sent home a survey with the students asking how the students arrive and depart from school each day, problems getting to and from school as well as distances to school. 

Sue Hemingway noted that a bike path could overlap with efforts from the Energy Committee who is looking into Federal funding; the bike/foot path could be utilized by everyone in the downtown area. 

Selectman Karrick also met with the Director of Public Works, Pellettieri Associates and Neil Nevins.  Drainage issues from Simonds school down to Main Street were discussed and also the effects of drainage to the Mitchell Memorial Park .  Mr. Nevins is willing to install drainage through the property which could possibly be tied in with revised drainage.  Sue Hemingway recommended keeping the Library updated.

Chairman Cook asked if there was any discussion regarding the Davis property located on Retreat Road .  Selectman Hartman said he would follow up.

Selectman Hartman reported that the Transfer Station Facility Committee had a follow-up meeting and it has been decided to hold back on activity.  The last report from the TSFC was a summary of what the committee worked on during the year. 

Chairman Cook said the Recycle Committee met and the Transfer Station Foreman, Varick Proper explained the new bin process which separates the public from the processing. 

7. Single Stream Warrant: Selectman Hartman reported that he and Varick Proper will attend the Concord Regional Co-op Joint Board meeting on January 22nd.  There will be further discussion on the proposed single stream recycling.   Selectman Hartman asked the Board if they wish to present a warrant article to the voters asking if they wish the Selectmen to pursue any options which may be feasible for the disposal of recycle materials. An alternate question would be asking if the voters would like Warner’s recyclable goods handled by the proposed single stream recycling facility.  Chairman Cook asked if there is enough information to provide the town to make an informed decision.  The Town of Henniker has created a committee that is looking into the single stream financial impact; they plan on presenting a warrant article in 2010. Martha Mical said it is important for the voters to understand that the single steam facility is with the Concord Regional Co-op.  Clyde Carson said he favors Henniker’s approach.

Chairman Cook said the voters are going to want to know the cost impact and he feels the Town is not ready with that information.  Ms. Buono recommends waiting for the Co-op’s final vote before moving forward with a warrant or even a committee.

8. Non Public Session: In Attendance:  Chairman Cook; Selectman Hartman; Selectman Karrick; Town Administrator Laura Buono

Selectman Hartman moved to go into non public session at 7:25 p.m. under RSA 91A:3 II (e) legal.  Selectman Karrick seconded the motion.  Roll call vote: Chairman Cook, yes; Selectman Hartman, yes; Selectman Karrick, yes.  The motion passed.

Selectman Hartman moved to come out of Nonpublic Session at 8:07 p.m.   Selectman Karrick seconded the motion.  A roll call vote was taken: Chairman Cook, yes; Selectman Karrick, yes; Selectman Hartman, yes.  The motion passed unanimously.  

Selectman Hartman moved to seal and restrict the minutes of the Nonpublic Session pursuant to the authority granted in RSA 91-A:3 III.  Selectman Karrick seconded the motion.  A roll call vote was taken: Chairman Cook, Yes; Selectman Karrick, yes; Selectman Hartman, yes.  The motion passed.  

9. Motion to adjourn: Motion was made and seconded to adjourn at 8:08 p.m.

Board of Selectmen    

Richard A. Cook – Chairman
David E. Hartman
David Karrick, Jr.  

Respectfully submitted, Mary Whalen, Recording Secretary