MAY 30, 2000

The meeting was opened at 6:30 pm by Selectman Nogues, all Selectmen were present.

Dick White gave his update on the construction of the police facility, the roof trusses should be up this week. He is still talking to MCT on the phone system and looking into different locking systems. Selectman Brayshaw asked about grants for police equipment, he had talked to Newport and Henniker about grants and feels that we could get some help with equipment costs. Because of wall height changes and the change in what kind of fire system is to be used Dick figured a reduction in the cost of that item, which will help with the overall cost coming in closer to projection.

Dick Brown, Fire Chief, came to see the Selectmen at their request to discuss putting in writing an agreement for the on-call Rescue personal. Wendy Pinkham had attended a conference on labor laws at which it was stated that if you restrict a person to an area you must pay minimum wage, if you restrict them by a time frame you may pay what we are currently paying. Martha will do up a draft agreement to be looked at by the people involved.

Jay Rosenfield, our State Representative, came to take public input. He stated that there is talk in Concord about a possible rise of $2 in the State Property Tax to meet the shortfall that will happen in June of 2001. Questions were asked and opinions given about income tax, sales tax, consumption tax, and gambling. One idea was a ½ cent tax on gas, this could be done only with a constitutional amendment. Mr. Rosenfield did say he would oppose an income tax without the repeal of the State Property Tax. Mr. Rosenfield did go on to discuss the tower on Kearsarge and health care in this State. The Board thanked Mr. Rosenfield for coming .

The Board went on to other business starting with discussion of bills that need to be seen by the Board. The Board agreed that the bill that comes every month and is not a cost to the Town doesn’t need to be seen by the Board.

It was brought to the attention of the Board that information given to the Police Department liaison needs to be passed on to the other Board members. This did not happen in the case of the information that the Police Departments’ secretary was leaving for another position at the end of May. The Chief of Police was directed to go back to the previous applications for possible available applicants. Officer Lewis will be filling in the secretary position at $10.50 per hour until the position can be filled.

Selectman Brayshaw made the motion to return to the policy of having the Town pay for the family plan health insurance for full-time Town employees. Selectman O’Connor seconded it and the motion carried.

Selectman O’Connor made the motion to make an exception to the section of the RFP for the Police Facility that states a contractor can not hire a Town employee to work for him on the job. Selectman Brayshaw seconded and the motion carried.

The applicant for the Board of Selectman secretary withdrew her application since she has taken another job.

Selectman O’Connor made the motion to hire Ed Mical as the building maintenance person . Selectman Brayshaw seconded and the motion carried.

The subject of all employees getting paid for doing jobs outside their job descriptions was discussed. Selectman O’Connor stated that when Martha fills in for the secretary to the Board that she gets paid the secretary’s rate so why should Wendy not get paid when she fills in for the secretary. The Board will discuss this at the next meeting.

The Board was presented with a list of items that the CAP Building tenants requested some are things that need to be done others are supplies so that they may do painting. Selectman Nogues stated that Headstart can get their requested items from the Belknap-Merrimack County Community Action Program. The Kearsarge Child Care Center will be provided with the paint and supplies. Selectman Brayshaw made the motion to have Ed Mical pick up the paint for the Child Care Center. Selectman O’Connor seconded and the motion carried.

Selectman Brayshaw brought up the subject of evaluation of employees. Selectman Nogues said he would get the evaluation sheets made up by next meeting for approval of the Board. Selectman Brayshaw is going to meet with Fred Arnold, who has expertise in this field, for input before next meeting.

Selectman Brayshaw wants to see the policies put into a 3 ring binder so they are available for the public to see. It was discussed that if the Board would write up the policies that Martha would type them to go into the book. A selectman needs to write up the policy for building on a Class VI road and the new policy of insurance coverage for full time employees.

Barbara Maki requested the Board reconsider her request to lower the current use penalty that has been assigned to several lots in the Highlawn sub-division. The Board discussed that the purpose of the penalty was so the Towns could recover some of the lost taxes at the time the change took place. It was stated that the Board would look at the penalties as they came up. It was also brought to the Boards attention that we have done the lower rate in cases where the penalty seemed extreme. Selectman Brayshaw made the motion NOT to reduce the recommended penalties on these lots, Selectman O’Connor seconded and the motion carried.

The Board signed 5 Intents-To-Cut.

Selectman O’Connor stated he needed to write a letter to the landowner at Pleasant Pond Road that is having a property line disagreement.

The Police have found a vehicle for Animal Control it has been checked over by C&M Auto Repair and found to be a good vehicle for this use. Selectman Brayshaw made the motion to approve $1800. for the vehicle, Selectman O’Connor seconded and the motion carried. The Board stated that they wanted to see the estimate for painting the truck before it was approved.

The Board requested that the Trustees of the Trust Funds come to the next Board meeting.

Meeting adjourned at 9:00 P.M.