Chairman Mical opened the meeting at 6:00 p.m.

In attendance: Selectman Edward F. Mical – Chairman, Selectman John C. Brayshaw, and Selectman Allen C. Brown

Recorder of the minutes is Mary Whalen.

Kearsarge School Superintendent Tom Brennan met with the Selectmen to speak about the annual school budget, and the school Warrant Articles. The first two articles represent the building projects, Mr. Brennan went over some highlights with the Board. The School District anticipated growth was explained and the impact it will have on the Middle and High School. Selectman Brayshaw asked if the proposed structures account for the projected growth ten years from now. Mr. Brennan confirmed that growth has been considered without trying to over build the structures. Selectman Brayshaw commented that the district will be in this bond issue for 10-15 years, and will the district be seeking another bond even greater, to secure a facility that is more adequate at that point a year after the first bond is paid off? Mr. Brennan explained that there will be other factors at that point to deal with, the education value will be there during 10-15 year period and how large of a high school do you want, also the property in New London needs to be decided upon if the Warrants pass. The Selectmen reviewed the annual operating costs that reflect 3.63% increase over last year’s budget. Mr. Brennan explained the evaluation process for the teachers, along with the pay levels. Mr. Brennan is still seeking a commitment from the Board for Article I & II. Selectman Brayshaw made the motion to support the School District and the proposed addition to the High School and the construction of the Middle School as presented. Selectman Brown seconded the motion. All were in favor. The motion passed.

Richard Cook & John Dabuliewicz from the Conservation Commission submitted a Petition Warrant Article. Article presented reads; To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $50,000.00 to add to the Conservation Fund in accordance with RSA 36-a; 5, III as the additional source of revenue appropriated for the purpose of conserving open land in Warner. Mr. Cook is asking for the Board’s support. Selectman Brayshaw made the motion to recommend the submitted Petition Article amounting to $50,000.00. Selectman Brown seconded the motion. All were in favor. The motion passed.

Richard Cook as Building Inspector informed the Selectmen that he has completed the application to join the International Code Council, which amounts to $100.00. The Selectmen approved the application fee along with $50.00 for other building information.

• Mr. Cook has called the State in reference to Map 7 lot 30, which has changed from single family to multi-family. The State recognizes the property as commercial due to the change. Being so, a septic approval from the State for operation is required prior to beginning construction. Mr. Cook will hold the building permit until such approval from the State.

The Selectmen discussed the Wage Study Warrant Article. Chairman Mical abstained from comments on the Fire Department positions. Selectman Brayshaw asked Peter St. James, Chairman of the Wage Study Committee if the numbers that were received for the Fire Chief, Lieutenant, EMT I, EMT B, and all fire positions, contained enough criteria in order to obtain an accurate salary range. Mr. St. James explained that some of the Towns did not list a salary because it was truly a volunteer position. Some of them were hourly and salary. Selectman Brayshaw commented that the Board made a previous decision on the Fire Chiefs salary based on the Chiefs recommendation prior to receiving the numbers from the Wage Study Committee. Selectman Brayshaw’s concern is that the Board is faced with the Wage Study Committees findings that are significantly less. The Board used the Committees findings for all the other positions, which would be difficult to explain at Town Meeting should the Board support a salary higher than recommended by the Wage Study Committee. Selectman Brown commented that the Wage Study Committee members also have a concern, that the credibility of the wage study would be compromised by rolling all increases into one number. What was discussed was pulling out the Fire Chiefs salary and Emergency Management Director’s salary into a separate Warrant Article that could be clearly identified as being sourced by the Selectmen. Selectman Brown explained that a normal work year is 2080 hours; we’re looking at an individual who is putting in 700 hours. The kind of responsibility the Fire Chief has, and the hours that he puts in, goes far beyond a volunteer position. Selectman Brayshaw agreed.

• Finance Director, Wendy Pinkham commented that on a financial level, to separate the articles into two would be better. The Fire Chief does receive health benefits payable by himself, which was granted by a previous Board.

• Judith Rogers thanked Selectman Brayshaw for speaking up. Personalities need to be taken out of the position.

• Judith Rogers commented that if the Board thought at the time that the proposed salary was appropriate, it was never discussed as a phase in. Also, no one has ever received a $13,000.00 raise

• Peter St. James commented that when the Board had discussions with the Fire Chief, the Wage Study Committee did not have access to the New Hampshire Municipal Association’s Wage & Salary book.

• Richard Senor commented that the position is a volunteer position. If you want to change that position to a paid position, either hourly or part-time then do it. If you change the position then you will have to open the position to other applicants.

• John Dabuliewicz commented that as the person who made the amendment that caused the wages to be addressed. Everything that has been said about the credibility of the Wage Study Committee will be thrown away if the Board treats the Fire Chief differently. He may deserve more, but he has taken a position where he knows it is considered volunteer.

Selectman Brayshaw asked if the Fire Chief position in Warner is comparable to the other Towns that were surveyed. Selectman Brayshaw recommended having the Wage Study Committee look at the position of Fire Chief again and give the Selectmen a salary range.

• Mr. St. James concern is that if the Selectmen put a salary number for the Fire Chief in the Warrant Article, the Selectmen have tied the fate of the Wage Study Committee to that number. Mr. St. James wants to make sure the number is accurate, and everyone is treated equally.

Selectman Brayshaw asked Mr. St. James, being the Wage Study Committee Chairman, for his opinion.

• Mr. St. James explained that he has dealt with positions the last seven months, not the personality. Does this person deserve more money? That argument could be made for everyone. If the Selectmen are going to change the criteria, then the Selectmen are causing all the other employees that the Committee has tried to treat equally to say "what gives?"

Selectman Brayshaw commented that the Board has made a motion to include the Fire Chief’s salary in the wage study article. The Board needs to make a motion to create a separate article. Selectman Brown clarified that the motion was in the form of a request for the Wage Study to consider the position. Mr. St. James explained that the Wage Study Committee made a motion to defer incorporating the request into their work because the number was artificially created when all other numbers were derived from NHMA, and to return the request back to the Selectmen.

Selectman Brown had a question related to the positions that there was no data for. They need to be dealt with.

• Mr. St. James explained that some of those positions, (Health Officer, Building Inspector, Welfare) were stipends and they were left that way.

Selectman Brown asked if the Wage Study Committee would be open to a range recommendation from the Selectmen for the positions that did not have adequate data. Mr. St. James will bring the request to the Committee.

Selectman Brown informed the Board that the Budget Committee did not recommend the Warrant Article for a multi-year payable term for the purchase of Perkins Hardware. The purchase was intended for the future site for the Fire Department expansion. The Budget Committee recommended that the Board come back with more supporting plans and information pertaining to the property. The owners of the property are flexible from the standpoint that the Board would bring it before the voters next year. That allows more time for the Selectmen to put together a full presentation for 2005. Selectman Brayshaw made the motion to withdraw a proposed Warrant Article asking the Town’s vision regarding the present location of the Fire Station and to follow through with a demographic study regarding the purchase of the Perkins Hardware building for a presentation at the 2005 Town Meeting. Selectman Brown seconded the motion. Selectman Mical commented that the Budget Committee is now determining where buildings should be located in Town. Selectman Brown explained that the Budget Committee was questioning the process and asked specific questions that the Board did not have answers to. Vote taken. Motion passed 3-0.

The Board will pursue the purchase of a gravel pit that is located near Pleasant Lake at Map 3 Lot 23. Selectman Brown and Selectman Brayshaw met and questioned the owner. The money that has been spent to date on gravel that was retrieved from the pit will be applied to the purchase price. The Director of Public Works will be digging test pits to determine the longevity of the pit. A bond/note for $500,000.00 will be requested to the purchase the gravel pit (approx. $215,000.00) the balance will be applied to road construction. Selectman Brayshaw made the motion to withdraw article 4 (Road Construction Project) and in favor of an article seeking a note/bond amounting to $500,000.00, to secure $215,000.00 for the purchase of Map 3 Lot 23 as the Town Gravel Pit, and to apply the balance to Highway Road Construction Projects. Selectman Brown seconded the motion. All were in favor. The motion passed. A Public Hearing will be scheduled.

The Selectmen discussed the article presentation for the Planning Board. The Budget Committee recommended separating the article into two. One for the charrette study by Plan NH for $2,500.00 and one for the corridor study by NH D.O.T. amounting to $5,000.00. The Selectmen agreed to separate the articles.

The Selectmen approved a draft for the Town Report cover.

Judith Rogers asked the Board if employees would be allowed to see the wage increase amounts, there is a Warrant Article being presented with a lump sum not a breakdown.

• Selectman Brown explained that the numbers are preliminary; the next step is to work with the Department Heads.

Judith Rogers would like to see her wage. Chairman Mical also stated that there would be minutes available from a work-session that was held on January 27, 2004.

Richard Senor presented a Petition (beyond the legal submittal date) for the Selectmen’s information. The Petition asks Selectman Brown to resign prior to Town Meeting so that the voters would have an opportunity to choose the next Selectman. There were 158 signatures on the Petition. Mr. Senor asked if there would be a Warrant Article for the Martin/Odd Fellows building. The Board stated that there would be an Article created asking for the Town’s position.

Selectman Brown made the motion to continue the February 3, 2004 Selectmen’s meeting until 8:00 a.m. on February 4, 2004. Chairman Mical seconded the motion. The motion passed. Recessed at 9:10 p.m.

Chairman Mical opened the meeting at 8:02 a.m.

In attendance: Selectman Edward F. Mical – Chairman, Selectman John C. Brayshaw, and Selectman Allen C. Brown.

Recorder of the minutes is Mary Whalen.

Chairman Mical re-addressed the Warrant Article for the Planning Board. Chairman Mical commented that it is the Board of Selectmen who are in charge of writing the Warrants and it seems that the Board is being dictated to by the Budget Committee in that regard. Chairman Mical recommended presenting the Warrant Article for the Planning Board as originally intended. There is enough information explaining the article. The Board agreed.

Fire Chief, Richard Brown, met with the Board to discuss the proposed salary ($16,200.00) that was not recommended by the Budget Committee. Chairman Mical abstained from the discussion. Chief Brown stated that he would be open to the salary of $16,200.00 only, and would forfeit compensation for fire calls. Selectman Brown explained that the towns that were used as a comparison in the wage study do not support the salary request amounting to $16,200.00. Selectman Brayshaw explained that when the Board originally agreed to the proposed salary for the Fire Chief position there were no numbers available from the Wage Study Committee. When the numbers were finally received the numbers came in at a salary amounting to an average high of $4,200.00 and average hourly rate of $9.79. The Fire Chief’s position is that he cannot afford to continue to do the work for nothing.

Comment: Mr. Mical recommended that the responsibilities of a Fire Chief should be reviewed, as stated in the RSA’s and considering that the Fire Department is the largest department in the town.

Chief Brown would like to be compensated consistently along with other Department Heads. Selectman Brayshaw took the average of the Department Heads, then took 1/3 of 2080 hours and resulted in an amount of $12,580.00 without the 3% proposed increase. With the 3%, it would be $12,957.00. The Selectmen will draft an article including the $12,957.00 for the Fire Chief salary.

The Selectmen discussed the Warrant Article presentation for the Fire Chief salary with no on-call compensation.

Salary for the Emergency Management Director was also discussed. There was no information available from the wage study. In 2003, there were 240 hours worked. The Selectmen proposed and agreed to $1,000.00 as an annual salary.

Selectman Brown will draft a Warrant Article that will include the Fire Chief and Emergency Management Director salaries due to the lack of information for those positions.

Chairman Mical made a motion to recess at 9:20 a.m. Selectman Brown seconded the motion.

The Selectmen recessed until 11:52 a.m. in order to obtain information from New Hampshire Municipal and the Department of Revenue for the writing of the Warrant Article in reference to the $500,000.00 bond/note. The Warrant needs to be the first considered and a 2/3 vote is required and the bond must remain open for one hour.

Motion to adjourn at 11:59 a.m.

Board of Selectmen

Edward F. Mical – Chairman

John C. Brayshaw

Allen C. Brown