Warner Board of Selectmen

Meeting Minutes

Monday, February 17, 2009  

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

In Attendance:   Selectman Richard A. Cook – Chairman

Selectman David E. Hartman

Selectman David Karrick, Jr.

                        Town Administrator – Laura Buono

Absent:             None                  

Others present:

JD Colcord – County Commissioner

Ronald R. White – Superintendent – Department of Corrections

Richard G. Doucet – Assistant Superintendent – DOC

Daniel P. Ward – Captain – Chief of Operations - DOC       

Martha Mical

Jan Dynment  

1. Department of Corrections Work Program

Mr. White explained only minimum custody inmates are used for the work program off site from the corrections facility.  The local police chief would be contacted first who would then check the list of inmates that is scheduled to work in the community to see if there could be any potential problems.  The program for the inmates is vocational.  Services are provided for government, sub-governmental or not for profit organizations.  The work program does not compete against private interests.  

Mr. Doucet explained some of the projects that have been completed such as clearing brush at O’dell Park in Franklin as well as installing playground equipment.  The projects that are sought after are typically ones that need extra hands.  The program has cleared snowmobile trails, parks, and built a community center in Northfield . An officer is sent with the work crew, meals are provided as well as transportation.  Ms. Buono asked if there are any work restrictions for the inmates.  Mr. White said as long as the work is ethical and moral; the belief is most of the inmates have skills; it’s the correction facilities responsibility to make sure the inmates are properly trained and prepared for the work.  The program is vocational and there is a process the inmates go through.  The inmates apply for, interview and complete a classification process.  The only restriction is the inmate cannot operate a vehicle that is licensed to be on the highway, parameters are also established.  

JD Colcord feels this program will be very popular in the spring and advises the town to get on the work list as soon as possible.

Selectman Hartman asked if an officer accompanies the inmates on every assignment.  Mr. White said yes.   

Chairman Cook asked if the Town needs to focus on jobs that will require 9-10 people.  Mr. White said no.  It was suggested that it would be cost effective to coordinate multiple small projects.   

2. Revaluation Contract

The Board of Selectmen signed the revaluation contract with Cross Country.  One change required by the Department of Revenue is the contracted company will complete the 2010 pick-ups.   

3. Manifest

Selectman Hartman moved to authorize the Selectmen to sign manifests and order the Treasurer to sign payroll check numbers 1574-1607 (includes 10 direct deposit stubs) in the amount of $32,763.98 and accounts payable check numbers 42727-42772 in the amount of $151,579.48.  Selectman Karrick seconded the motion; all were in favor, the motion carries.  

4. Resignation

The Board of Selectmen received a letter of resignation submitted by Cheryl Eastman who is the Town’s Bookkeeper.  With regret the Selectmen accept her letter of resignation.  

5. Warrant

The Board of Selectmen signed the 2009 Warrant.  Jan Dynment from the Intertown Record asked about a petition that was not included on the warrant.  Ms. Dyment said that the Town determined that two petitions were not valid due to the lack of registered voters’ signatures.  She then said she understands the petitions were sent to the Attorney General’s office which said the petitions must be included on the warrant because they are valid.  Ms. Buono said the Attorney General’s office has not contacted the Selectmen’s office regarding the petitions.  Ms. Buono also asked Ms. Dyment if she spoke with the Attorney General’s office. Ms. Dynment said she did not.  Ms. Buono also explained that the author of the petitions, John Healy, was contacted prior to this Selectmen’s meeting on February 3 about the differences in the petition, no action was taken by Mr. Healy regarding the petitions.   

6. Selectmen’s Other Business

Selectman Hartman reported there is a proposed reduction in the Rooms & Meals Tax and Revenue Sharing resulting in Warner losing $159,206 in revenue.  This change has been proposed by the State in efforts toward balancing the State’s budget.  There is also a proposal regarding employee and police retirement resulting in $1,540 negative to the Town of Warner .  Chairman Cook recommends that Ms. Buono drafting a letter to the House Delegation and Senator stating it is not fair to balance the State’s budget on the Town’s shoulders.  This would be a direct impact to the taxpayers.   

Jan Dynment asked about the upcoming property revaluation.  Ms. Mical explained that a different reval company was chosen because of the lower cost.   

Candidates Night will be held on Thursday, March 5 at 7:00 p.m. located at the Town Hall in the lower meeting room.  

There is a follow up meeting scheduled at the Local Government Center on the State budget.  The meeting is planned for Monday, March 2nd at 9:30 a.m.    

Jan Dynment said that she will be contacting the Attorney General’s office regarding the petitions that were not placed on the warrant.  She said she wrote an article that is on the front page of the Intertown Record.  Ms. Buono asked Ms. Dynment why she wrote about something that was not verified.  Ms. Dynment felt her sources were verified, but did not wish to reveal her sources.  Ms. Dynment said if she finds otherwise, the article will be published the right way.   

7. Meeting Minutes

Selectman Hartman moved to approve meeting minutes dated January 20, 2009 non public session and February 3, 4 & 5, 2009 meeting minutes.  Selectman Karrick seconded the motion; all were in favor, the motion passed.  

8. Motion to adjourn

Selectman Hartman made a motion to adjourn at 7:06 p.m. motion was seconded; all were in favor, the motion passed.

Board of Selectmen    

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

 

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Whalen

Recording Secretary