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Warner Board of Selectmen Meeting Minutes April 8, 2008 Meeting opened at In Attendance:
Selectman Richard A. Cook Chairman Selectman
David E. Hartman Selectman
David Karrick Jr. Laura
Buono – Town Administrator Absent:
None Others Present: Gordon Nolen – Volunteer Interest
Jim McLaughlin – RSA 79:E Richard Carter – Recycle Committee
Jeni Eldridge – Recycle Committee Barbara Annis – Planning Board
Paul Violette – Planning Board Ed Mical – Maintenance Technician
Martha Thoits – Zoning Board Judith Rogers
Dick Cutting Brad Kelly – F550
Hank Duhamel – Planning Board Martha Mical
Paul DiGeronimo – Health Officer Interest Ron Wirth 1. Gordon Nolen – Zoning Board Alternate Interest Mr. Nolen is a member of the Men’s Club
and is active with zoning issues in a NH town where he has a second
home. Selectman Hartman
explained some zoning education opportunities that Mr. Nolen may wish to
attend. 2. Recycle Committee The Selectmen asked the Recycle Committee
to meet with them to discuss their current projects as well as other
projects they may be considering. Members Jeni Eldridge and Richard
Carter were able to attend (Tori Herr and Richard Senor – Chair were
absent). Chairman Cook
explained the Selectmen are concerned about the lack of communication
back to the Board, the Selectmen do not have good relations with the
Recycling Committee Chair and it is unclear on what the Chair is doing
versus what the Committee is doing.
Chairman Cook began by asking if the Recycling Committee posted
the Recycling Website. Ms.
Eldridge said no. Selectman
Cook explained at the last Selectmen’s meeting Mr. Senor presented a
Zero Waste Pledge on behalf of the Recycling Committee.
Chairman Cook said the recycling meeting minutes did not reflect
that a position was taken by the Committee only a discussion.
Chairman Cook asked Ms. Eldridge and Mr. Carter if the Committee
took a position on the pledge. Ms. Eldridge said no.
Chairman Cook then asked what the Recycling Committee is
currently working on. Mr.
Carter explained that he understands about the lack of communication and
feels the recycling meetings have not been in the correct tone or in the
correct direction that they should be going.
Mr. Carter would like to see the committee come together as a
group and work together on one issue at a time instead of everyone
working on separate projects; he feels not enough is being accomplished
this way, for example the composting bin project turned out to be a bust
due to poor planning and the lack of advertisement, he was the only one
working on the project. Mr. Carter intends to discuss his concerns at
the next Recycle Committee meeting which is scheduled for April 10th.
Ms. Eldridge added that not all members attend the Recycle
Committee meeting which adds to the problem of incomplete projects;
communication through email has been attempted but again not all members
chime in. Ms. Eldridge,
acknowledging the communication problem, was not aware of the compost
bin project, she did however make note of some of the projects the
Recycle Committee has been talking about such as signage at the Transfer
Station that would identify the bins, composting at the Transfer Station
and on an individual basis. There
has also been discussion about how to involve and promote recycling at
the local business level; the Committee members discussed having a
letter written and sent by the Selectmen to the area businesses.
Ms. Buono explained that Mr. Senor approached her with a request
for the Selectmen to send a letter to the businesses as well as a
request for grant research by the Town Administrator; she in-turn asked
Mr. Senor/Committee what the Committee would want in the letter and what
businesses they would like the letter sent to.
To date Ms. Buono has not heard back from Mr. Senor.
Chairman Cook said the Board would be happy to work with the
Recycle Committee on drafting a letter.
Selectman Karrick asked how long the Recycle Committee has been
in existence and is the Chairman elected by its members.
Ms. Eldridge explained the current committee has been formed for
about 8 months and the members elected the chair.
Ms. Eldridge continued by saying the committee has discussed
recycling receptacles within the village area.
Mr. Senor has designed a receptacle set-up similar to the one in recommends a draft from the Recycle
Committee with a list of businesses they wish the letter sent to.
Ms. Eldridge said she was not clear if the businesses actually
fall within the Recycle Ordinance; Selectman Hartman said that they do.
Chairman Cook said the Town has never enforced recycling on
people who do not take their trash to the Transfer Station.
Suggestions on how to approach this would be a good topic for the
Recycle Committee. Chairman Cook said that he will be
attending the Recycle Committee meetings for better communication
purposes. Ms. Eldridge asked
the Selectmen what the Recycle Committee is designed to do.
Chairman Cook explained the charge of the Committee was to come
up with ideas and bring them back to the Selectmen; the Recycle
Committee does not have any authority to act without the direction of
the Selectmen. The Selectmen
are looking for ideas and help in implementing any ideas that the
Selectmen feel should move forward.
There have been situations presented to the Selectmen from the
Recycle Committee that were actually not from the Recycle Committee such
as the Zero Waste Pledge and the Recycle Committee Website; the
Selectmen have since learned that these items are not from the Recycle
Committee. Chairman Cook
believes it would benefit the Recycle Committee to have a different
Chairman because of the amount of animosity between the current Recycle
Committee Chair and the Board of Selectmen which does not facilitate
good communication. Mr.
Carter agrees the animosity is a distraction to the Recycle Committee
and the Committee’s purpose. Ms. Eldridge added that it would have been
helpful to her to know how the Recycle Committee should function.
Chairman Cook is hoping his regular attendance will move the
Committee toward a more productive relationship.
Ms. Eldridge also feels Mr. Senor has many good ideas and feels
his heart is in the right place. 3. Ed Mical – Town Hall Use Fees Mr. Mical informed the Selectmen that the
electrical upgrades are near completion and recommends the Selectmen
consider establishing a deposit and training fee.
Chairman Cook asked how complicated the system is, can anyone run
it. Mr. Mical said no, he
would need to train who ever is responsible for the event i.e. plays,
recitals etc. and recommends a security deposit for using either the
lighting or sound equipment. Mr.
Mical recommends $100 deposit for the sound system and $200 deposit for
the lighting. The Board of
Selectmen agreed to the proposed deposits.
Mr. Mical mentioned that some productions have come in with their
own lights and light towers and feels that needs to be made aware of
before hand, there is a limited amount of power available.
The Selectmen recommend prior approval from Mr. Mical regarding
extra lighting. Ms. Buono
explained some new user fees for events that charge a fee or are money
makers. Fees are rarely
charged for local organizations, a new fee structure was created for the
Selectmen’s consideration. ESTABLISHED USER FEES: All locally chartered organizations using
the main hall or basement meeting room, who are charging a fee or
conducting a money making event, plus WARNER RESIDENTS using the
facility for personal reasons, will be required to pay a $50
“refundable cleaning” deposit and pay in advance the following: A.
$100 fee for the main hall per day/event (an additional
$15 per day for heating season) B.
$50 per day for the lower meeting room C.
$25 per day for the kitchen All locally chartered organizations using
the main hall or basement meeting room, who are not charging a fee or
conducting a money making event will be required to pay a $50
“refundable cleaning” deposit and pay in advance the following: A.
$50 for the main hall (an additional $15 during heating
season) B.
$25 for the lower meeting room C.
$15 for the kitchen Non-resident groups may rent the
facilities for the following fees: A.
$200 fee for the main hall per day (an additional $15 per
day for heat in the winter) B.
$100 per day for the lower meeting room C.
$50 per day for the kitchen Chairman Cook supports the fee structure
for the non-profit groups that help support Town activities. Chairman
Cook does not recommend a charge for groups that are raising funds for
the betterment of Warner. Fees
can also be waived upon request. It
was recommended to define events other than regularly scheduled
meetings. Mr. Mical recommended adding that the Town Hall is a
designated shelter any emergency takes precedence over any event being
held. Martha Mical asked if
the agreement indicates that town meetings take preference over events.
Ms. Buono will make sure it is still noted in the agreement. 4. Paul DiGeronimo – Health Officer Interest Chairman Cook thanked Mr. DiGeronimo for
his interest. Mr. DiGeronimo he has had a brief conversation with the
current Health Officer and is interested in the position.
Mr. DiGeronimo has been a firefighter/paramedic for the City of 5. Brad Kelly – Highway Department Foreman – F550 The Selectmen have before them a cost from
Grappone Ford for the cab & chassis and a cost for EW Sleeper for
the sander, body and plow. The
vehicle will have a rack body instead of a dump body.
The Selectmen asked how the sander will be mounted; Mr. Kelly
explained there will be brackets welded to the body.
Mr. Kelly believes the vehicle is an addition not a replacement.
Chairman Cook clarified that the F350 will not be up for
replacement in the future; he was not aware of an expansion to the fleet
but understands using the F350 until it expires.
The F550 is easier to work from when cold patching, cutting brush
etc. the vehicle is intended to be used all year long.
Selectman Hartman made a motion
to purchase the F550 amounting to $68,651K.
Selectman Karrick asked for further clarification on the cost.
Selectman Hartman amended
the motion amounting to $68,434K as proposed.
Selectman Karrick seconded the motion.
Judith Rogers asked when this vehicle was
decided upon during the budget process.
Chairman Cook explained the vehicle was discussed during this
year’s budget process, the money voted upon at Town Meeting was added
to the Highway Equipment Capital Reserve Fund; this vehicle was
scheduled this year on the Capital Improvements Program. Richard Cutting pointed out to the
Selectmen that this F550 is a totally different vehicle than the F550 in
current use. The vehicle is not powered by the same engine; Ford has had
significant issues with this new engine that has been out just over a
year. There is additional
emissions equipment that requires periodic maintenance that can cost up
to $700 as well as associated fees for disposing the material cleaned
out of the emissions; it is considered hazardous material.
The fuel mileage is lower than the current vehicle.
Mr. Cutting asked if similar brands of vehicles were researched.
Mr. Kelly said he is not aware if other vehicles have been
researched, but he believes the Director of Public Works has completed
his research. The Selectmen
asked if there is a deadline, Mr. Kelly explained the current price is
good until the middle of this month.
Ms. Buono recommended a contingent approval upon speaking with
the Director of Public Works; there is also a warranty on the vehicle
that should be considered. Mr.
Cutting recommends researching other vehicles that fall within the 550
category. Selectman Hartman
withdrew his motion. Selectman
Karrick withdrew his second to the motion.
Mr. Kelly will speak with the Director of Public Works and return
next week with more information.
6. Class V Roads Selectman Karrick made a motion
to post Class V roads to a 6 ton limit.
Selectman Hartman seconded the motion.
Time limit will remain open due to weather factors.
All were in favor. The
motion passed. 7. Elderly Housing Payment in Lieu of Taxes The proposed payment amounts to $15,566.83 ($9.98 per thousand). The assessed value of the property is $1,575,585. Selectman Hartman made a motion to approve the agreement with Kearsarge Elderly Housing Inc. for the payment of $15,566.83. Payment represents the current non-school portion of the local taxes. Selectman Karrick seconded the motion. Jim McLaughlin asked if this covers the Precinct Tax. The answer was no, they do not pay Precinct Tax. All were in favor. The motion passed. Selectman Hartman moved
to approve the Sign Permit for 9. Administrators Report NH Retirement Suit – At the Local
Government Center Regional Dinner it was briefly discussed that if
necessary, New Hampshire Municipal Association would be
pursing a lawsuit with regard to what they consider to an unfunded
mandate with regard to the NH Retirement System.
The Town of Authorization to Sign – Paul
Fouliard is applying for reimbursement through the used oil grant
program for the trailers that were purchased for oil storage.
Although Paul has signed these forms in the past, they now
require a formal motion by the Selectmen authorizing him to sign.
Selectman Hartman moved
authorize the Transfer Station Manager to apply and sign grant contract
with the Department of Environmental Services.
All were in favor. The
motion passed. Grant Application – The Selectmen
were given copies of the Housing and Conservation Planning Program Grant
Application Form along with a draft copy of the authorization for the
Chairman of the Board of Selectmen to sign the application.
The grant application is for $19K with funds totaling $2,500
coming from the Planning Board and Conservation Commission.
This is part of the Master Plan Update.
Selectman Hartman asked how this grant works into the Master
Plan, the cost of the MP is $26K, this grant is for $19K, does make the
MP a $45K project or does the cost of the MP go down.
Mr. McLaughlin believes this grant will reduce the Master Plan
cost and replace what the Town may have spent otherwise on the Master
Plan. Selectman Hartman moved to authorize Chairman Cook to sign the Housing and Conservation
Planning Program Grant application on behalf of the Warner Board of
Selectmen. Selectman
Karrick seconded the motion. All
were in favor. The motion
passed. RSA 79:E – The Board of Selectmen
will need to set up the district which will be covered by RSA 79:E as
was passed at Town Meeting. Jim
McLaughlin will be happy to attend a meeting to discuss this with the
Board so that a decision can be made.
Mr. McLaughlin has suggested the downtown area and will discuss
this on April 15th. Welcome to Warner Signs – The
Men’s Club is planning on doing some landscaping around the Welcome to
Warner signs as well as possibly replacing the signs because of wear.
They wanted to make sure there was no objection by the Selectmen.
They have already cleared the work with the NH Department of
Transportation. The Warner
Business Association is also interested in adding a slat onto those
signs which will be suggested that they coordinate with the Men’s
Club. The Selectmen would
like to review the proposed ideas for the signs. Zero Waste – Paul Fouliard will
be coming before the Selectmen to discuss the concept of zero waste.
There is a demonstration for a machine on April 18th
called the cyclone; the cost to attend the demonstration could be
absorbed through the Transfer Station budget. Mr.
Fouliard would like to send his foreman to this demonstration which is
located in The Selectmen commended Mr. Fouliard for
thinking outside the box, but feel it would be wise to first listen to
Mr. Fouliard’s presentation, the Selectmen are confident there will be
other demonstrations and are even willing to visit a local site in
Nantucket that is using a similar system. There may also be one in Chairman Cook asked how the Board felt
about fronting the money for the trip and allowing payment through a
payroll deduction. Judith
Rogers made the point that there is time and other alternatives to be
considered. The Selectman
agreed, and did not approve the expenditure but encourages Mr. Fouliard
to come before the Board and discuss the zero waste concept.
10. Board Appointments Selectman Hartman moved
to nominate Chairman Cook as Alternate Representative to the Planning
Board. Selectman Karrick
seconded the motion. All were in favor.
The motion passed. Chairman Cook read into record the
Planning Board’s recommendations for appointments which are Barbara
Annis, Wayne Eigabroadt and Harold French.
Other interests submitted by volunteer forms are Rick Davies,
Robert Ricard. Selectman Hartman moved to nominate Stacey
Cooper as a full member to the Planning Board. Selectman Hartman said
Ms. Cooper has expressed an interest to be moved to full member and he
feels she has been a positive active member as an alternate.
Selectman Karrick asked why Ms. Cooper was not recommended to be
elevated by the Planning Board. Both
the Chair and the Vice Chair of Planning Board said the Planning Board
discussed nominations last evening and submitted their recommendations.
Martha Mical asked if Ms. Cooper specifically asked to be moved
to a full member last evening. Paul
Violette said Ms. Copper was at the meeting and did not convey that
message. Mr. Duhamel and Ms.
Thoits asked the Selectmen to consider appointing the individuals that
have tenure to the full status (Barbara Annis & Wayne Eigabroadt).
Selectman Hartman felt that Ms. Cooper is a constructive person
on the Planning Board that is why he nominated her.
The motion was not seconded, motion dies. Selectman Hartman moved
to nominate Barbara Annis as a full member to the Planning Board.
Selectman Karrick seconded the motion.
No discussion, all were in favor.
The motion passed. Chairman
Cook moved to nominate Rick
Davies as alternate member to the Planning Board.
Selectman Karrick seconded the motion.
Mr. Duhamel asked if there is a conflict, Mr. Davies also sits as
a Zoning Board alternate. Chairman
Cook said no, there is no conflict.
Ms. Annis said she worked with Mr. Davies on the corridor study
and a lot was accomplished but was greatly offended by one of his
comments that he wrote on his resume to the Selectmen.
He said he would encourage and assist in full implementation of
existing ordinances that can sometimes be overlooked.
Ms. Annis is not sure how the Planning Board will react to such a
comment. Selectman Hartman
has worked with Mr. Davies on the Transfer Facility Committee and finds
him to be constructive, thoughtful and brings positive energy.
Mr. McLaughlin seconds Selectman Hartman’s comments and feels
Mr. Davies would be an asset to the Planning Board.
Mr. Duhamel feels Mr. Davies is already involved in too many
other commitments. Chairman
Cook took a vote on the motion; all were in favor, the motion passed. Chairman
Cook moved to nominate Wayne
Eigabroadt as a full member to the Planning Board.
Selectman Karrick seconded the motion.
All were in favor, the motion passed. Chairman
Cook read into record the Zoning Board’s recommendation which is to
consider moving Mike Holt and Janice Loz to full membership.
Chairman Cook has some concerns about moving Ms. Loz to a full
member and has chosen to discuss those concerns with her.
Selectman Hartman made a motion
to appoint Mike Holt as a full member to the Zoning Board.
Selectman Karrick seconded the motion.
All were in favor, the motion passed. Selectman
Hartman moved to appoint Janice Loz as a full member to the Zoning Board.
Selectman Karrick seconded the motion.
All were in favor, the motion passed. Selectman
Karrick moved to nominate Gordon Nolen as an alternate to the Zoning Board until 2011.
Selectman Hartman seconded the motion.
All were in favor, the motion passed. Conservation
Commission forwarded their recommendation to reappoint Brian Hotz and
Nancy Martin. Ted Young
declined. In review of the
volunteer forms the Selectmen asked to meet with Adrian Henderson at the
next Selectmen’s meeting regarding her interest for the Conservation
Commission. Selectman
Hartman moved to re-appoint Brian Hotz as a full member to the Conservation
Commission. Selectman
Karrick seconded the motion; all were in favor, the motion passed.
Selectman Hartman moved to re-appoint Nancy Martin as a full member to the Conservation
Commission. Selectman
Karrick seconded the motion; all were in favor, the motion passed.
The Selectmen will request a recommendation from the Conservation
Commission for the remaining full member vacancy. Selectman
Hartman made a motion to appoint Janice Cutting as Deputy Tax Collector until 2011.
Selectman Karrick seconded the motion; all were in favor, the
motion passed. Paul
Violette asked about terms that expire but are not filled.
Chairman Cook explained that the position serves until it is
filled. Judith Rogers said
there is no consistent term procedure year after year. 11.
Tax Collector The
Tax Collector explained that Map 30 Lot 45 was billed for the Taxable
Inventory Penalty and when the property was re-billed it now has a new
due date, the old bill is still outstanding so she asked the Selectmen
abate the late bill. The
Tax Collector reminded the Selectmen the deeding date is closing in for
unpaid 2005 taxes that were lien in 2006, a list was provided.
The Tax Collector explained if a property is in bankruptcy the
Selectmen can lien but cannot move to deed them.
All properties have been properly noticed. The
Tax Collector explained in regards to mobile home parks, the Town has
the ability to sell a lien to the mobile park owner. 12.
Manifest Selectman Hartman made a motion
to authorize the Selectmen to sign the manifest and order the Treasurer
to sign payroll checks numbered 41247-41293 dated 03/25/08 in the amount
of $51,181.16 and accounts payable check number 41294 in the amount of
$254.53, check numbers 41295-41326 date 04/01/08 in the amount
$46,100.66. To further
authorize the Selectmen to sign the manifest and order the Treasurer to
sign payroll checks numbered 41327-41375 dated Judith Rogers commented about the way the
motion is stated, she asked how a member of the Board can authorize the
same Board to do something. Ms.
Buono explained by voting in the budget that authorizes the Selectmen to
spend the money, the motion is for the Selectmen to sign the manifest
the same as making a motion to sign a grant. 13. Meeting Minutes Selectman Hartman moved
to approve the 14. General Business Selectman Hartman noted that the hauling
from the Transfer Station has been minimized by increased tonnage in the
box. For 2 months the trips
average out to 4 trips a month. Selectman Hartman will be attending the
NRRA marketing meeting on April 9th. Selectman Karrick has signed up for the
Selectmen’s Institute. Richard Cutting summarized a meeting that was held in regards to the audio versions of Selectmen’s meeting being posted on the website. It was determined that the files will need to be formatted to an mp3 file, in order to do this the Selectmen’s secretary’s computer needs an audio conversion program. Once this program is installed the audio version can be downloaded to the website. Without this conversion it would be a significant download as a wave file. The next step is to create a policy. Mr. Cutting also commented that he doesn’t understand why the Recycle Committee made their own website using the logo off the Towns website. Chairman Cook explained that the Recycle Committee did not create that website; it was created by the Chairman of the Recycling Committee without consultation neither with the Recycle Committee nor with the Selectmen. Meeting adjourned at 9:20 p.m. Board of Selectmen Richard A. Cook – Chairman
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