|
Warner Board of Selectmen Meeting Minutes May 29, 2008 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: Jim Hand – School Municipal Budget
Committee
Jeanne Hand – Resident Wayne Eigabroadt – Resident
Ken Klinedinst - Resident Barbara Annis – Planning Board
Richard Senor - Resident Paul Violette – Planning Board
Hugh Wilkerson – Recycle Committee Interest Chairman Cook opened the meeting at 6:00
p.m. 1. Jim Hand – School Municipal Budget Committee Mr. Hand met with the Selectmen so he
could update the Board about the first School Budget Committee meeting.
The meeting consisted of a meet and greet for the members as well
as electing Joseph Conway from Bradford as the chair.
Mr. Hand intends to update the Selectmen after every meeting; the
fall schedule runs from October to December.
The School Municipal Budget Committee is scheduled to receive the
School Board’s 2009/2010 recommendation of a budget by September 25th. 2. Jeanne Hand – Police Department Budget Ms. Hand asked the Selectmen if there is a
way the Police Department budget could be reduced.
Ms. Hand said every budget is going up never down; Ms. Hand is
suggesting budget reduction, she is not sure if it is even possible.
Chairman Cook explained the opportunity to address the budget
issues for all departments will be during the budget season; the Capital
Improvements Program is the beginning of the process which has already
begun. Ms. Hand asked if there was any discussion about not filling
the vacant police officer position before the hiring of an officer, did
the Town consider getting by without this position.
Ms. Buono said the discussion takes place when the position is
added into the budget; the position that was filled was a replacement it
was not a position added to the budget.
Ms. Hand feels the replacement could have been disapproved. Mr. Eigabroadt explained that positions within the Town
are justified by conversations between the Department Head and the Board
of Selectmen. Ms. Hand
asked about training, she did not notice any training budgeted within
the Police Department budget. Mr.
Eigabroadt explained how the Police Department has saved money in this
area; within their own core, some of the officers are instructors in the
types of trainings that are needed as well as other local departments.
The officers will meet and do the required trainings without
needing to go to Police Standards and Training or hiring an instructor. Ms.
Hand asked if there are any areas within the Police Department budget
that could be reduced. Chairman Cook explained that budgets can be reduced but there
is a certain level of services that the Town desires, the Selectmen try
to address providing those services.
Ms. Hand feels that it is very important that every service is
looked at closely. Barbara
Annis confirmed that the Police Department budget does not support 24
hour service; she also asked how long it takes the State Police to come
and cover an incident. It was explained from an audience members that it depends on
the location of the State trooper and also mutual aid from other towns
assist on calls. Mr. Senor
said to Ms. Hand that the Police Department is also under the guides of
the State. It was
recommended to Ms. Hand to begin attending the scheduled Budget
Committee meetings. 3. 347 Poverty Plains – Bids Chairman Cook said the Selectmen reserve
the right to reject any and all bids.
Mr. Eigabroadt asked how it was decided who was sent a request
for proposal. Ms. Buono
explained that a request was sent to the abutters as well as anyone who
requested a proposal as well as running an advertisement in the
Intertown Record, a notice was also placed in the Town’s April
newsletter which was mailed to each household.
Mr. Senor asked how the Town determined the worth of the
property. Ms. Buono
explained that the estate had an appraisal completed; the Town needs
only to cover all the costs incurred from back taxes, interest and the
cost to clean the property. The
estate did have an opportunity to sell the property through a realtor
but was not successful. Selectman
Hartman read the received bids as follows: Tracy Bryant bid $30,501.00 Harold French $28,300.00 Joseph Hurley $21,000.00 Florence Ball $35,000.00 asking if a
mobile home could be placed on the lot.
Chairman Cook said zoning does not allow a mobile home.
An audience member asked what is owed to
the Town, Ms. Buono said about $20K the Town is not in a position to
make a profit, and the balance will go to the estate.
Clarification is needed from the highest
bidder, does Ms. Ball’s bid stand knowing that a mobile home is not
allowed on the property. Selectman
Hartman moved to accept the $35K
bid submitted by Florence Ball.
Chairman Cook seconded the motion.
Mr. Eigabroadt recommended making a second choice in case Ms.
Ball turns down the purchase and sales agreement because a mobile home
is not allowed on the property. Selectman Hartman feels the Town should
go out to bid again if Ms. Ball turns down the purchase and sales
agreement, the Board members agreed.
All were in favor of the motion, the motion passed. 4. Planning Board – Resignations & Recommendation to Appoint Selectman Hartman moved
to accept the submitted resignations from Stacey Cooper and Wayne
Eigabroadt as Planning Board members.
Selectman Karrick seconded the motion.
All were in favor, the motion passed. The Planning Board has recommended moving
Dan Watts from alternate to full member as well as appointing Harold
French as an alternate member in place of Stacey Cooper.
Barbara Annis asked the Selectmen to consider appointing Mr.
French for the longer term; this would allow a new member the shorter
remaining term or it may remain vacant.
Selectman Hartman made a motion
to appoint Harold French as an alternate member to the Planning Board
expiring in 2010. Selectman
Karrick seconded the motion; all were in favor, the motion passed.
The Selectmen received a letter from the
Planning Board recommending Barbara Annis as Warner’s representative
to the Central NH Regional Transportation Advisory Committee.
Selectman Karrick moved to
appoint Barbara Annis as a representative to the Central NH Regional
Transportation Advisory Committee.
Selectman Hartman seconded the motion; all were in favor, the
motion passed. 5. Bound Tree ATV Request to use Class VI Roads Ms. Buono asked the Selectmen if they need
any additional information in order for them to make a decision on the
Bound Tree request. Chairman Cook said he received a phone call from an area
resident who had spoken with someone at the Department of Environmental
Services asking what the Town’s liability is for enabling ATV’s to
ride through wetlands and water crossings that are on Class VI roads.
The information received from DES is that the Town could be found
in violation of State wetland laws.
Chairman Cook has asked Ms. Buono to contact Local Government
Center for clarification; Chairman Cook will contact DES about the
wetland issue. Mr.
Eigabroadt asked the Board if they are aware that the snowmobile club
uses 4 wheelers in the summer time to maintain the trails.
Chairman Cook said the roads are open to vehicles; the law is
specific to OHRV’s. Paul
Violette wished to comment but Chairman Cook explained that comments
will be taken during the public hearing. Selectman Hartman feels it should be clarified that the Class
VI roads within the request are still Class VI roads, he would also like
to know what kind and size of the equipment Bound Tree Club would use to
maintain the trails. Selectman
Hartman also recommends allowing the voters to decide in March; the same
as was done with the Barn Preservation Easements.
Chairman Cook feels the Selectmen are charged by the law to make
the decision. Selectman
Hartman withdrew his recommendation to allow the voters to decide.
A citizen will still have the right to petition Town Meeting.
The Public Hearing will be scheduled for June 17th. Selectman
Karrick is hoping at the Public Hearing to get some information from the
ATV Club as to how they plan to limit the use of the trails and limit
the publicity. 6. Hugh Wilkerson – Recycle Committee Interest Mr. Wilkerson explained that he has been
involved in recycling efforts before he moved to Warner specifically
with composting. Mr.
Wilkerson has been communicating with the Recycle Committee Chair.
Mr. Wilkerson is working with a group of people developing
compost able bags and flatware. Selectman
Karrick moved to appoint Hugh Wilkerson to the Recycle Committee.
Selectman Hartman seconded the motion; all were in favor, the
motion passed. 7. Administrator’s Report SAU Drainage Study – Odd Fellows Building Committee member
Jim McLaughlin has requested that the Selectmen provide representation
at the SAU Facilities Committee Meeting which will be held on Monday,
June 2nd at 6 p.m. at their offices in New London.
The OFBC would like to request that the Simonds School drainage
be placed as a priority, yet there has been no clear answer as to
whether or not the request has been approved.
An email from Chris Closs outlines the areas they would like to
have discussed with the facilities committee: ·
Communications/developments
in 2007-08; the overall drainage picture ·
Status
of the SAU’s district-wide engineering study; scope, schedule, dates,
contact persons ·
Is
the SAU agreeable to the Town’s request in early April for giving Simonds School priority
assignment when the engineering study commences? ·
Opportunities
for collaboration among the Parking Partners; communications; next
steps” Selectman
Karrick as well as the Director of Public Works will attend the June 2nd
meeting. Transfer
Station
– While on a site visit to the Highway Department, the Department of
Environmental Services requested a site walk of the Transfer Station and
from that visit forwarded a list of items which need to be addressed.
There are a total of 13 items on the list which have deadlines
associated with them with a couple of items reflecting the need to be
cleaned up or removed immediately, two of the items are Highway
Department related. Those
items for the Transfer Station are all leaking containers of antifreeze,
used oil, gas, paint thinner, etc. as well as cleaning up the soil
contaminated by the leaked oil, etc.
The complete list was forwarded to the Selectmen.
Director of Public Works, Allan N. Brown is working on an
estimated cost of all items. Discussion
on cost, as well as payment sources will be discussed with the Selectmen
soon. DES indicated that the sheetrock pile needs to be contained.
The Director of Public Works has hauled a couple of loads out to
obtain a cost estimate on the removal of the pile.
DES explained that even though they inspected the sheet rock pile
last year there was no paperwork initiating the approval to build berms.
Paperwork had to be submitted after the berms were built, the
built berms was for a one year trial only.
So now there are berms that were built that were not approved by
DES. Ms. Buono explained
that during DES’s visit last year she feels there were mixed signals,
during the walk through Ms. Buono left with the impression that the
sheet rock material was good to use for berms.
But it was learned the paperwork was never approved. Ms. Buono explained the expense to remove the sheet rock is
beyond this year’s budget, DES is not saying to remove the sheet rock,
but the Town needs to find a way to get the material off the ground and
covered. The Foreman
position is currently being advertised with applications being accepted
until the position is filled. Mr.
Eigabroadt confirmed that he to was present during the DES inspection
with Ms. Buono and walked away with the same conclusion, he to left with
the impression that the sheet rock material was good to use for berms.
Mr. Senor also remembers Wayne Wheeler from DES saying that
the sheet rock was ok to use for berms just catch up the paperwork.
Mr. Wirth asked if anyone explained what is harmful in the
sheetrock material. Chairman
Cook explained that the Director of Public Works contacted DES and asked
if the sheetrock could be spread like lime and DES said absolutely not. During
DES’s visit to the Highway Department a drum filled with concrete
which was dumped there by an outside source as well as a couple of
pieces of painted wood needs to be removed.
The Director of Public Works is looking into installing a gate. Copy
Machine
– The copy machine in the Selectmen’s Office is requiring more and
more service calls in order to keep it functioning.
Ms. Buono will be looking into the possible purchase of a new
machine for the next budget season. CIP
–
The Chairman of the CIP Committee has sent out a memorandum to all
departments asking them to begin thinking about projects for the
2009-2014 plan. A copy has
been provided to the Selectmen. By
way of this report, Ms. Buono is asking all department heads to provide
me copies of any submissions as well.
WBA
Tree Donation
– As presented to and discussed by the Selectmen at the end of
January, the Warner Business Association has donated a Balsam Fir tree
for the front of the Town Hall. The
installation of the tree will likely take place late next week. CAP
Building Flat Roof –
Ed Mical has reported to Ms. Buono that there are a few puncture holes
in the membrane that covers the flat roof at the CAP Building.
These holes were most likely made by falling icicles.
Therrien Roofing is working on an estimate for the repair but in
the meantime, Ed will place silicone on the areas to prevent further
damage. Meeting
Policy –
Ms. Buono confirmed with the Selectmen that they wish to invite a
representative from each Board/Committee/Trustee to discuss any
concerns. 8.
Manifest Selectman Hartman made a motion
to authorize the Selectmen to sign the manifest and order the Treasurer
to sign payroll checks numbered 41587-41628 and 41630 to replace voided
check numbered 41589 totaling $39,933.92.
Accounts payable checks numbered 41629-41631 dated 05/21/08
totaling $1,060.00 and checks numbered 41632-41694 dated 05/27/08
totaling $430,840.11. Selectman Karrick seconded the motion; all were in favor,
the motion passed. Mr. Klinedinst asked the reason for the
voided check. Ms. Buono explained that the check was for payroll and it was
incorrect that’s why it was voided.
9. Meeting Minutes Selectman
Hartman made the motion to
approve meeting minutes dated April 15, April 29 and May 13 as well as
Non Public Sealed minutes dated April 15 and May 13. Selectman
Karrick seconded the motion. Mr.
Klinedinst interrupted by saying “point of order” he did not feel
the Selectmen approved the manifest.
Chairman Cook explained the manifest was approved.
All were in favor of approving the meeting minutes as listed, the
motion passed. 10.
General Business Selectman
Hartman explained that he and the remaining Board members as well as the
Director of Public Works attended the Joint Co-op meeting that was held
on May 20th. At
this meeting there was a unanimous vote to move forward and develop a
single stream recycle project for the co-op. The
Board of Selectmen, Town Administrator Laura Buono, and the Director of
Public Works as well as Christine Hamm attended the meeting of the
State’s Long Range Planning Committee on May 27th to
discuss the purchase of the Transfer Station site from the State.
There is reason to believe the State is willing to negotiate the
selling price. The Town
obtained two estimates and presented the information to the State; the
State is considering the information presented and tabled any action
until June 18th. Mr.
Senor asked if the appraisal was obtained from real estate agents or an
appraiser. Selectman
Hartman explained the estimates came from Brown Realty and Colby Realty.
Selectman
Hartman said on June 6 he will meet with Jim Gallagher to look at the
Blackwater dam and the possible impact the operation may have had on the
wash out of the Connors Mill Bridge.
Selectman
Hartman will be attending the Northeast Resource Recovery Association
annual meeting on June 9 & 10.
Jeanne Hand asked if it is found the
Blackwater dam affected Connors Mill what will be the impact to the
Town. Selectman Hartman
said right now he does not know. 11. Veterans Tax Credit Selectman Hartman moved
to approve a Veterans Tax Credit for Map ON-3-Lot 24-39PLE in the amount
of $500. Selectman Karrick seconded the motion; all were in favor, the
motion passed. 12. General Business Chairman Cook thanked the Fire Department
for controlling traffic during the Memorial Day parade in the absence of
the Police Department. Ken Klinedinst asked Co-op representative
Selectman Hartman why the co-op being a non-profit organization has not
filed to the IRS (990 form). Selectman
Hartman explained that the Co-op is a governmental entity and advised
Mr. Klinedinst to contact Jim Presher at the Co-op.
Selectman Hartman offered to take Mr. Klinedinst’s question to
the Co-op. Mr. Klinedinst
believes the last Co-op audit was in 2007 and he asked why the audit was
never presented in the Warner Board of Selectmen’s minutes.
Selectman Hartman said it never has been included since 1987.
Mr. Klinedinst feels because the taxpayers pay into the Co-op the
audit should be presented to the public.
The Town Administrator said she could add the Co-op audit to her
report once it is received. Mr. Eigabroadt reminded Ms. Buono that she
was going to put something together for him regarding a meeting he
attended as Selectman with Selectman Hartman, Chairman Cook and the Town
Administrator. Ms. Buono
asked if he meant the meeting with Town Counsel.
Mr. Eigabroadt said it’s the part that did not involve Town
Counsel because it was with the Board, as Selectman he said he is not
entitled non public protections. As far as Mr. Eigabroadt is concerned
Ms. Buono can delete the part with Town Counsel, and he reminded Ms.
Buono that she said she would put something together based on her
memory. Mr. Eigabroadt also added that if there is compensation due him from January to April as Health Officer he would like to donate his salary to the Warner Beautification Fund. Ms. Buono explained that when he receives his compensation he can in turn donate the money himself. Motion to adjourn at 7:50 p.m. Board of Selectmen Richard A. Cook – Chairman |