Meeting opened at 6:00 p.m.

Present: Selectman David E. Hartman – Chairman and Selectman Richard A. Cook

Absent: Selectman Wayne Eigabroadt

Town Administrator Laura Buono

Recorder of the minutes is Mary Whalen

Others present:

Barbara Annis, Jim McLaughlin, Judy Pellettieri, Martha Mical, Rebecca Courser, Brian Hotz,Clark Lindley, Stephen Brown, Judith Rogers, Anthony Mento, Pam McDonald, Christopher Closs, Karen Merrill-Antle

1. PLANNING BOARD RESIGNATION

Selectman Cook made the motion to accept the submitted resignation from Russ St. Pierre as a member of the Planning Board. Chairman Hartman seconded the motion. All were in favor. The motion passed.

2. MCDONALD’S TEMPORARY SIGN PERMIT

McDonald’s submitted a sign permit for temporary monthly banners 3’ x 20’. Laura recommends that the Planning Board address the temporary portion of the sign permit allowing it to become a policy. According to the zoning ordinance a banner the size of 3’ x 20’ is not allowed. A sign can be no more than 24 square feet. A letter will be sent to McDonald’s explaining that they may apply for a variance or submit the size required.

3. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

Brayshaw Printing - A letter was received from Brayshaw Printing with regard to their disapproval of not being awarded the Town Report contract. A response letter was drafted by Laura for the Selectmen to review and submit their input.

Transfer Station – Paul Fouliard has requested that the remainder of Ron Piroso’s probationary period be waived due to his service for the Town of Warner both at the Transfer Station and as a member of the Fire Department. Selectman Cook made the motion to waive the remaining probationary period for Ron Piroso, attendant at the Transfer Station. Chairman Hartman seconded the motion. All were in favor. The motion passed.

T.S. Wages – Paul Fouliard has requested that the wage scales for the Transfer Station be adjusted. Paul was given the new wage scales in October and used those scales for recommended increases for his staff. Laura and Paul agreed on the wage increases, Laura then sent the payroll change forms to Paul to sign; Paul returned the forms and said that he did not agree with the wage scales. Paul then sent information over on January 25^th asking that the wage scales be changed and requested higher increases for himself and his staff. Paul did contact some Towns asking what their current wages are and asked a number of questions. Laura informed Paul that he has every right to go before the Selectmen and request that they look at the information. Paul has contacted other Towns and obtained their 2007 wages. Today a petition article was received from the Transfer Station asking that the wage scales be adjusted skipping the process of meeting with the Selectmen. Laura updated the wage scale with the Local Government Center 2006 Wages & Salarys that lists all the towns in NH and the wages for all positions, Laura did not call individual towns and ask specific questions. Based on the information Paul obtained he feels the wage scales should be adjusted. Laura feels that Paul should have first discussed his findings with the Selectmen. The petition submitted is asking "To see if the Town will vote to change the pay scales for the manager and attendants at the Warner Transfer Station. Information on salaries and hourly pay were gathered from surrounding Towns with similar operations." The petition does not ask to raise or appropriate any money. The information provided with the petition explains the step requests for 2007. Selectman Cook clarified that the information page is requesting pay raises beyond what the Selectmen have approved, but the requested pay raises do not appear on the signed petition page. Laura will contact the Department of Revenue because of the way the petition was submitted (two pages, one page informational the second page asking the Town to vote…. followed by signatures). The wage information submitted with the petition requests that the manager receive a 22% pay increase in his salary above what is currently paid. Laura’s concern with something like this is that it "flies in the face of the process"; if the petition does pass to allocate money the Selectmen are then forced to throw the current process out the window. Every employee would be able to petition their salary. Laura added that there was a step offered to Paul to take and he chose not to take it. Laura and Paul have spoken about the process at the Transfer Station when comparing to other towns, Warner may take in more plastic than other towns but the process to bale the material is still the same. Chairman Hartman feels this petition offsets the accomplishments made this far with the wage scales. Chairman Hartman would like to be notified if it is learned that the petition submitted was solicited during operating hours at the Transfer Station, if it is found to be so a reprimand could be in order.

Poverty Plains Rd – Agreements to remove the mobile home from the lot the Town owns on Poverty Plains Road have been sent to the Estate and Bank. Atty. Upton has also changed a couple of items in the Agreement that the Estate drew up initially. A copy of both agreements is attached for the Selectmen to review.

Highway Department – As requested, the Bookkeeper looked into past payment of highway wages with regard to overtime. Although the personnel policy states that overtime will be paid on time worked, at some point in the past, policy was changed for the Highway Department and overtime was paid for all time above 40 hours regardless if vacation, sick or personal time was taken that same week. If the Board wishes to continue with this type of payment, Laura suggests a policy which addresses this department based on "emergencies". The Selectmen agreed.

4. MEETING MINUTES

Selectman Cook made the motion to approve meeting minutes dated January 2, 2007 Work Session, January 9, 2007 Meeting Minutes, January 11, 2007 Work Session, January 16, 2007 Work Session, January 16, 2007 Non Public, January 23, 2007 Meeting Minutes, January 29, 2007 Work Session and January 29, 2007 Nonpublic. Chairman Hartman seconded the motion. All were in favor. The motion passed.

5. 2007 WARRANT

Article 21

Shall the Town raise and appropriate the sum of $100,000.00 (One Hundred Thousand Dollars) to place in the already established Fire Department Equipment Capital Reserve Fund? Selectman Cook made the motion to amend Article 21 to say the Town raise and appropriate the sum of $20,000.00 (Twenty Thousand Dollars) to place in the already established Fire Department Equipment Capital Reserve Fund. Chairman Hartman seconded the motion. Martha Mical added that it was calculated that $35,000 per year should be funded until the next truck is scheduled. Selectman Cook felt that it would be wise to agree with the Budget Committee. Laura recommended the Selectmen, Budget Committee and CIP Committee members meeting, allocating a certain amount every year i.e. $300,000 and then break that amount down addressing needed issues.

Clark Lindley asked if the Town budgets for depreciation. Laura explained that the Town does not; there are rotation schedules within the Capital Improvement Plan. Clark suggests establishing a schedule of depreciation, present it before the Town and let the Town decide. Laura also explained that depreciation is part of the audit process.

Chairman Hartman took a vote on the motion. All were in favor. The motion passed.

Article 22

Shall the Town raise and appropriate the sum of $20,000.00 for the purpose of installing a sprinkler system to the main Fire Station? Of that sum, $20,000.00 (Twenty Thousand dollars) will be withdrawn from the Fire Department Renovation Capital Reserve Fund with no money being raised by taxation. (Recommended by the Board of Selectmen; Not Recommended by the Budget Committee and not included in the bottom line of the budget). Chairman Hartman may have jumped the gun knowing that the building was built with the sprinkler system ready for hook up but lacked the funds to do so, concluding that it would be a good idea to protect the equipment. Chairman Hartman asked the Fire Chief the cost to connect the sprinkler system and it was felt that the connection could be complete for $20,000. The Fire Chief did speak in favor of the sprinkler system being hooked up. Based on that information Article 22 was created.

Clark Lindley recommended that if the sprinkler system is installed to make sure the insurance coverage is properly handled

ODD FELLOWS BUILDING COMMITTEE

Anthony Mento met with the Selectmen to discuss a draft memorandum of understanding that Mr. Closs has worked out with the principal parties surrounding the Odd Fellows Building and who are important to the development of the proposed site plan. Mr. Closs along with his partner Pam McDonald explained that the MOU represents a resolution on the part of the parties involved in trying to create a central parking facility. The parties involved are SAU 65, Town of Warner, Ron & Debra Moore who own the FootHills property and Christopher Closs & Co. Part of the reason for presenting the MOU is the Odd Fellows Building cannot be redeveloped and will be demolished without solving the problem of providing adequate parking to serve the buildings needs. When the concept first began to build a multi-use parking facility, it was believed if a plan were developed to serve the Odd Fellows Building the Town of Warner, the village, the school and organizations would be more supportive of creating the parking facility. The move to redevelop the building has escalated because the deferred maintenance is causing structural problems. The MOU is non-binding financially and support is being sought. Selectman Cook asked if the OFBC supports the MOU. Anthony explained that the Committee has read the document and is in full support. Anthony also believes the MOU will provide a solid front to the community. There has been no feed back to date from SAU 65. Mr. Closs has received a communication from the SAU that they would be in contact with him about some concerns regarding an article submitted by the OFBC that was published in the Argus Champion and the Warner New Paper. Mr. Closs to date has not heard from SAU 65. Rebecca Courser added that the draft parking plan has been worked on with input from SAU 65.

Clark Lindley asked for clarification regarding non-binding for the purposes of funding. Is the agreement binding, agreeing to move forward with the project but non-binding when it comes to public funds? Mr. Closs explained that the Selectmen recommended this non-binding financial agreement conditioned upon committing no funds or no Town budgeted monies without prior consent from Town Meeting. Mr. Closs continues to spend money on this project weekly for survey work and design work; estimates to build the parking area all have accumulated to several thousands of dollars. The reasoning behind the MOU is we (Mr. Closs) do not want to proceed investing in this project if it isn’t something the Town feels is right. The non-binding aspect of the agreement obligates none of the parties to a financial commitment, which is in the MOU in order to proceed researching outside funding either Federal or State that could be used with a local match to fund the project. The MOU would help move the project to the next step called a Project Inducement Resolution; if funds could be secured on a tentative basis then the Town can be approached with the cost and local match. Clark Lindley clarified that the MOU is saying we are supporting the concept of the parking facility but we are not binding ourselves to being obligated financially. Mr. Closs said phrased in that manner, yes, but it is not just "our" parking lot nor have any arrangements been formally worked out with SAU 65 as to what the leasing of the spaces would be or for how long. Mr. Closs continued by saying that the MOU seems to be the best approach now to try to get everyone together in order to continue to develop this idea and explore it further. This is not set in stone, this is only the first draft to the site plan, and within that plan there is not enough parking to support the Odd Fellows Building. Selectman Cook believes the parking concept presented is the best alternative that has been achieved thus far. The school plays a large role in the parking concept as well as the owners of FootHills. Selectman Cook added with this parking concept and the potential redevelopment of the Odd Fellows Building is an added plus to the downtown area. Karen Merrill-Antle asked for clarification purposes if the proposed parking is a first draft, the most desirable draft to date but continues to be a draft in process? Karen also asked who exactly has Mr. Closs been working with at the SAU. Mr. Closs explained that he has had initial contact with School Superintendent Tom Brennan about 14-months ago, has met with Mr. Brennan and the Facilities Committee outlining a concept. There was interest enough to continue pursuit and Mr. Closs has developed a relationship with the new owners of FootHills. Mr. Closs over the summer continued communications with the school Facility Committee that led to a couple of meetings in September followed by public information meeting at Simonds School followed by a TIF District meeting. Mr. Closs continued to explain the development of the current parking concept; from that concept 48 spaces are needed for the Odd Fellows Building. Judy Pellettieri Principal of Simonds School agrees with the schools involvement in the parking concept. Anthony Mento added the MOU and the parking plan work in partnership because Mr. Closs and the OFBC need to then secure federal funding. Both Chairman Hartman and Selectman Cook agreed that the MOU should be signed. Karen Merrill-Antle offered her role as school board representative to help facilitate support. Selectman Cook made a motion that the Board of Selectmen approve the Memorandum of Understanding and joint agreement enabling exploration and feasibility for engineering, design and funding for the central parking facility in Warner NH presented by the Odd Fellows Block Partnership. Chairman Hartman seconded the motion. Martha Mical asked if the Selectmen would like to amend the section that says Warner School District to Kearsarge School District. Selectman Cook amended the motion to include the change from Warner School District to Kearsarge School District. All were in favor. The motion passed. Mr. Closs added that Pellettieri Associates prepared the parking plan, and in doing so donated more than half of the fee.

7. CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Brian Hotz met with the Selectmen to present the corrected Courser easement. The document will be left for review and signatures.

8. 2007 WARRANT (CONT.)

Article 23

Shall the Town raise and appropriate the sum of $10,000.00 (Ten Thousand Dollars) for the purpose of engineering and/or implementing plans to expand the Transfer Station? (Recommended by the Selectmen)

Article 24

Shall the Town raise and appropriate the sum of $ 3,330,919.14 (Three Million Three Hundred Thirty Thousand Nine Hundred Nineteen Dollars and Fourteen Cents) which represents the bottom line of the posted budget as recommended by the Budget Committee? The Selectmen’s budget does not match the Budget Committees sum because the Selectmen chose to keep $10,000 in the Fire Departments budget for on-call medical services. Selectman Cook suggests that the Board of Selectmen agree with the Budget Committee. Selectman Cook made the motion to reduce the Fire Departments 2007 wage budget by $10,000. Chairman Hartman seconded the motion. The motion passed.

Article 25

Shall the Town go on record in support of effective actions by the President and the Congress to address the issue of climate change which is increasingly harmful to the future well being of the people of Warner? These actions include:

1. Establishment of a national program requiring reductions of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions while protecting the U.S. economy.

2. Creation of a major national research initiative to foster rapid development of sustainable energy technologies thereby stimulating new jobs and investment.

In addition, the Town of Warner encourages New Hampshire citizens to work for emission reductions within their communities, and we ask our Selectmen to consider the appointment of a voluntary energy committee to recommend local steps to save energy and reduce emissions. The record of the vote on this article shall be transmitted to the New Hampshire Congressional Delegation, to the President of the United States and to declared candidates for those offices. No discussion

Article 26

Shall the Town vote to discontinue and revert to the abutters for any costs involved in the survey and transfer, a portion of Old Davisville Road running from Route 103 in Davisville 151’ to the Webster Town line between Warner Tax Map 3 Lot 74 and Tax Map 3 Lot 75 or to take any other action in relation thereto? No discussion.

Article 27

To see if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of $182,000.00 (One Hundred Eighty Two Thousand Dollars) for the purpose of assisting the Warner Village Water District to construct a 200,000 gallon water storage tank on Latting Lane and connecting water main. (By Petition) Selectman Cook made the motion not to support the submitted petition article. Chairman Hartman seconded the motion. Selectman Cook feels that it is premature for the Precinct to move forward with this, there are other options that could be explored before asking the taxpayers to take on this debt. This amount does not complete the project; the well will be completed at a later time. Chairman Hartman feels that the Precinct should have approached the Selectman sooner about this proposal. Also, originally a 300,000 gallon was supposed to be installed at the Carroll State Forest location for fire protection purposes, instead, due to the lack of funds a 95,000 gallon tank was installed and is adequate to provide pressure for the district and development at exit 9. Chairman Hartman would like to know why the storage could not be added to the current tank located at Carroll State Forest at a reduced cost. Chairman Hartman asked one of Commissioners that question and the answer was that particular scenario was never discussed. Barbara Annis added that the Planning Board is meeting with Town Counsel on February 19^th regarding exaction fees, the Precinct Commissioners will be in attendance. Chairman Hartman is not convinced the Town should invest $182,000. A vote was taken on the motion. All were in favor of not recommending. The motion passed.

Article 28

To see if the Town will vote to change the pay scale for the Manager and Attendants at the Warner Transfer Station. Information, salaries and hourly pay were gathered from surrounding towns with similar operations. (By Petition) Selectman Cook made the motion not to support Article 28. Chairman Hartman seconded the motion. Chairman Hartman added that the Selectmen and the administration of the Town have wage scales which have been generated and are current and comparable to surrounding Towns and beyond. Selectman Cook agreed that the wage scales have been updated this year and believes that all Town employees have been treated fairly and equitably. The wage scales will be updated on a regular basis based on what happens within the State. Vote was taken on the motion. All were in favor. The motion passed.

Article 29

To transact any other business that may legally come before the meeting.

9. GENERAL BUSINESS

The Selectmen will review information obtained by State representatives regarding 911 concerns. There is concern regarding shared driveways, and some road names. Laura added that the concerns submitted are important and should be considered especially roads that are named the same as another road (i.e. Pumpkin Hill Road, Old Pumpkin Hill Road). These recommendations should be looked from a non-familiar perspective, especially when mutual aid is involved. The Selectmen will forward their concerns to the 911 Coordinator.

Selectman Cook made the motion to not apply the 1.5% COLA to the Selectmen’s salary in 2007. Seconded by Chairman Hartman. All were in favor, the motion passed.

Motion to adjourn 8:30 p.m.

Board of Selectmen

David E. Hartman – Chairman
Wayne Eigabroadt
Richard A. Cook