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Warner Board of Selectmen Meeting Minutes Meeting opened at In Attendance:
Selectman David E. Hartman – Chairman Selectman
Richard A. Cook
Selectman Wayne Eigabroadt Absent:
None Recorder of the minutes is Mary Whalen Others present: Laura Buono – Town Administrator,
Mary Hodgeman, Brad Kelly, Judith Rogers Martha Mical, Allan N. Brown, Richard Senor,
Barbara Annis 1. PUBLIC HEARING – ACCEPTANCE OF FEMA FUNDS A Public Hearing was
held to accept FEMA funds in the amount of $42,831.56 for flood work
located at Connors Mill and Bartlett Loop.
No Public Comments,
Public Hearing closed. Selectman Eigabroadt
made the motion to accept and expend FEMA funds in the amount of $42,831.56,
Federal invoice #1643DRNH. Selectman
Cook seconded the motion. All
were in favor. The motion
passed. 2. MARY HODGEMAN – REQUESTING NO BOND (TIMBER TAX) Ms. Hodgeman explained
that she logged her property in order to pay her taxes. Selectman Cook
asked what the cost of the bond is.
Martha Mical explained on the initial intent-to-cut the bond was
over $3,600, a new intent was received this evening and the bond will be
$1,360. Chairman Hartman
asked Martha Mical to review the situation.
Martha explained that State Law dictates a bond to be posted if
there are unpaid taxes, property or timber due.
Martha further explained that people are logging in order to pay
for their property taxes; Ms. Hodgeman is requesting that the Selectmen
waive the bond. Martha is
unsure if the Selectmen have the authority to do so.
The Selectmen reviewed the statute and concluded that Town
Counsel advisement is needed regarding the authority to grant a waiver.
Laura recommended a conditional motion from the Board.
A gentleman in the audience offered to post the bond.
Laura will still seek advisement regarding the authority to waive
a bond. The two
intents-to-cut were signed by the Board members. 3. ROAD PROJECTS Allan N. Brown updated
the Board on road projects. FEMA
projects; there are 3 wetland permits pending (Gore Road 2006, Joppa,
Horne/Newmarket intersection) fees were increased by the State along
with adding a report to the Natural Heritage Bureau.
Allan also explained there is a grant that was suppose to be
received by the Town for a pipe on Allan has received two
quotes for the damage to Joppa covered bridge which is also funded by
FEMA. From the 2007 flood
Allan said there is $15,000 of repair work on Allan is meeting with
Weaver Bros. for the Newmarket/Horne project plus Allan will be meeting
with the area residents on August 23 beginning at Selectman Cook asked if
work was completed on Red Chimney, Allan said yes.
Allan asked FEMA to come back and look at that area because
during the flood the brook flooded the road in two places. Allan’s crew has
recently finished the FEMA work from 2005 & 2006, and a large amount
of 2007 work. Allan just
received notice that Mitigation money has been granted for Chairman Hartman
confirmed that the Town is not in a position to lose any FEMA money.
Allan was asked if the question regarding Selectman Cook was
approached by a concerned citizen regarding the ditch at the bottom of Allan said that the
Precinct approached him about the water line on Culvert work was
completed on Laura added that Ed
Mical spoke with her about Chairman Hartman said
that the State has completed work on 4. WAGES Laura explained that
before beginning the budget process she would like to know which
direction the Board wishes to take this year.
Current wages have been requested from various Towns including
those within the Wage Study. Some
of the responses referred the Town to the Wage and Salary Survey
provided by Selectman Eigabroadt
said the original discussion in the past started around the cost of
living increase. In order to be fair and equitable to employees that do
not receive a merit increase as well as those who do is to have an
annual cola adjustment to keep the Town of Laura agreed by saying
if a cola is applied to the wage scale for example if a person is on
step 3 and the scale is adjusted for a cost of living, the step 3 level
will still receive the cost of living but may not achieve the next step
as a merit increase. Laura
is asking the Board for direction. Selectman Eigabroadt
said if the Town of Selectman Cook agrees
that the goal is to keep the wages competitive but he does not agree the
goal is necessary to keep pace with the national cost of living.
Selectman Cook does not believe the Town of The Selectmen’s office
has requested current wages from 16 towns and to date have received 7
responses ( Selectman Eigabroadt
recommends using the LGC survey, collected information from solicited
towns as well as comparing positions with other towns. Laura asked the
Board if they wish to add towns with comparable budgets.
After discussion it was agreed to stay within the core group of
towns established by the Wage Study Committee except if there is a
position that does not have enough comparables.
Chairman Hartman recommends reviewing the Wage Study
Committee’s report to re-understand the philosophy.
Laura wants to make sure the comparisons are where the Board
wants them. Last year the
work was completed and increases made, but at Town Meeting there was a
change (wage petition from the Transfer Station) and would like to try
and prevent another change at Town Meeting, such a change results in a
divide between the employees. A
Department Head meeting is scheduled for September 4. Selectman Eigabroadt
feels the budgeting for wages has a good start by using the LGC Wage
Survey, collected information, and supplemental job descriptions to do
comparisons. After meeting with the Department Heads on September 4 the
Selectmen can continue discussion. Selectman
Cook asked Laura how she sees the process playing out.
Laura felt it went well this year, there is a process in place
and would like to think the Department Heads can approach her with there
recommendations and will encourage them to do so.
Laura thinks it would be a shame for another Department to go to
Town Meeting, doing so throws all the prior work out the window.
Laura is hopeful for a cooperative effort with everyone involved,
including the Budget Committee. The
goal is to complete the wages early in the budget process. This year Laura will sit
with each Department Head and go over each employee in their department
and talk about performance, longevity, education etc. and then come to
an agreement on wage increases. Selectman
Eigabroadt asked about performance evaluations.
Laura will establish a September goal for the evals. Selectman
Cook asked if an established amount of money has been set for the
Department Heads to consider when figuring wage increases.
Laura said the dollar figure will come from the created
budget,following with negotiations if necessary.
Selectman Cook clarified
that the wage scale adjustment will be completed and approved first.
Laura said yes, if the Board wants to keep the cost of living
separate from the wage adjustment, if the Board wants everything rolled
into one then no, the wage scale would be approved after.
The Board agreed to keep cost of living and merit separate.
Laura added that recently the Town has had difficulty hiring; the
Town is not only competing with municipalities but also private
entities. Laura added that
the Selectmen have been flexible allowing the Department Heads to look
at the applicant’s qualifications and what they bring to the Town.
5. PUBLIC COMMENTS REGARDING WAGES Richard Senor said for
his edification a merit increase and a cola increase are two different
things, and he doesn’t think employees should expect merit increases,
as far as the cola, Mr. Senor does not feel it should be Federal because
property taxes are different all over the country same as gas, food etc.
Richard Senor feels the cost of living should be derived from the
Town’s County. Richard
feels it a good “thing” that the Town is revisiting the wage scale. Martha Mical said one of
the points brought up this evening is the Town is having difficulty
hiring, and because the Town is having to hire more in the middle of the
scales those wages are almost as high or higher than some employees who
have been with the Town for a length of time, that is not fair.
The Board agreed with Martha’s comment and is making strides to
move forward. Allan Brown brought up
to the original Wage Study Committee throwing out any town that
doesn’t have Highway Departments or Transfer Stations.
Three of the towns that the original committee used have
contracts such as Richard Senor recommends
not throwing out the towns that do not have Road Agents etc. keep them
in for the positions you want to compare. 6. MANIFEST Selectman Cook made a motion
to authorize the Treasurer to sign payroll checks numbered 39684 through
39730 dated Selectman Cook made a motion
to authorize the Treasurer to sign accounts payable check numbers 39680
through 39683 totaling $525.40.
Selectman Eigabroadt seconded the motion.
All were in favor. The
motion passed. 7. STATE VETERINARIAN Chairman Hartman asked
Selectman Eigabroadt the status regarding the State Veterinarian.
Selectman Eigabroadt had no feedback at this time, but said he
would within two days. 8. PLANNING BOARD VACANCY Selectman Eigabroadt
supported the Planning Boards recommendation, moving Henry Duhamel from
an alternate to a full position. Mr.
Duhamel has demonstrated strong participation.
Chairman Hartman has also learned of Mr. Duhamel’s active
participation. Selectman
Eigabroadt added that Mr. Duhamel voices his opinion whether he agrees
or not. Selectman Cook said
that he does not support Mr. Duhamel; no particular reason was stated
but feels Dan Watts would make a good full member.
Selectman Eigabroadt made the motion to appoint Henry Duhamel as
a full Planning Board member until 2009(Mark Lennon’s term).
Chairman Hartman seconded the motion.
Vote taken; Selectman Eigabroadt, Aye; Selectman Cook, Nay;
Chairman Hartman, Aye. Vote
passed 2-1. Selectman Cook discussed
if there are any volunteers for the vacant alternate position, there are
none, the Town will solicit for volunteers. 9. TRANSFER STATION FACILITY COMMITTEE AND ENERGY COMMITTEE Selectman Eigabroadt
asked if there is information available from the past energy audit, if
so the created energy committee could use it. Beginning with the
Transfer Station Committee; Chairman Hartman recommends the Selectmen
being involved as well as members from the current staff and a member
from the Recycling Committee. Selectmen
Eigabroadt recalls discussion having the Recycle Committee undertake the
facility study. There was a
discussion but it was agreed by Selectman Cook and Chairman Hartman that
input is needed from beyond the Recycling Committee.
Selectman Eigabroadt recommended the Recycling Committee along
with experts from the community. Selectman Cook recommends a separate
committee with a member from the Recycling Committee.
There are two members from the Budget Committee, Mark Violette
and John Warner who have expressed an interest as well as all of the
Selectmen. It is also recommended that a member from the Planning Board
and a member from the Transfer Station staff be on the committee.
Chairman Hartman recommends the Director of Public Works as
either a member or associated with the committee.
Selectman Cook recommends a person with commercial site
construction expertise, possibly Rick Davies.
Richard Senor commented
being Chairman of the Recycling Committee and referring to a couple of
members, why should another committee be set up when this could be added
to the Recycle Committee. Selectman
Cooks response is that he does not feel it is appropriate for the
Recycling Committee because other expertise is needed.
Mr. Senor feels the expertise could be added to the Recycle
Committee. Selectman Cooks
opinion is a separate committee is needed.
Richard Senor feels that establishing another committee is a
waste of manpower and feels all the Recycle Committee members should be
involved. Selectman Cook
disagrees. Martha Mical
added that the meetings will be public, anyone can go. Peter Newman asked what
the purpose of the committee is. Selectman
Cook said the committee is for the physical expansion.
Chairman Hartman added and its relationship to overall trash
disposal for the Town. Selectman
Eigabroadt added that the committee will look out another twenty years
and establish a long range plan. Pete Newman said so the
Recycling Committee will be looking at single-stream to see how that
works for the Town and the other committee will look at what is needed? Selectman Cook sees the
Recycling Committees charge, which was given to the Committee when it
was reformed, is to increase awareness and outreach about recycling in
Warner. Chairman Hartman
informed the Board that the co-op is doing a regional study in regards
to single stream recycling. Pete Newman said the
information that he received is Northeast Resource Recovery Association
is pushing for towns that do not have anything in place, if there is
something working they don’t recommend a change.
Pete asked, shouldn’t the Recycling Committee be looking at
that kind of recycling (single stream)? Chairman Hartman
explained that Concord Regional Co-p not NRRAA has hired a consultant to
put a picture together showing how the region would do by changing to
single stream recycling. Moving
in the single stream direction is a separate question. Judy Rogers asked if the
Town knows if a bigger location is needed, is someone looking into the
State. Laura explained that
the State sent out their appraiser to the Transfer Station site.
Laura understands the State will present a cost to extend the
lease and the value of the property for purchase.
It has been concluded that the State is not interested in
removing the Town from the property but it was concluded that there will
be a substantial amount of money to either lease or purchase the
property. In conclusion Chairman
Hartman said a committee needs to be formed and a list has been created.
Selectman Cook recommends asking individuals first.
Selectman Eigabroadt reiterated, he thinks Mr. Senor’s
suggestion of having the Recycle Committee members joined by the other
resources makes more sense. Selectman
Cook is still opposed, the meetings will be public and anyone can
attend. Selectman Eigabroadt
made a motion to establish a study committee for the purposes of looking into
the next twenty years of Transfer Station adequacy to support the needs
of the Town of Selectman Cook
recommended asking Ed Bender to sit on the Energy Committee, David Bates
has volunteered plus Neil Nevins who has previously volunteered.
Selectman Cook recommended looking at the signed petition.
Selectman Eigabroadt recommended Ron Wirth.
Selectman Cook also volunteered. Laura will send letters
to above recommendations asking for their participation.
10. SIGN
PERMIT Selectman Eigabroadt
made a motion to approve a temporary sign permit with provisos for Michael
& Gatia McChesney and for Dianna Jamieson and Joe Mendola for Map 26
11. OTHER BUSINESS Martha Mical inquired
about the meeting agenda now closing Selectman Cook asked
what the next step is for Gugliotti/Fletcher.
Laura will send a letter explaining that the complaint has been
found to be of civil nature. Selectman Cook asked about the salary status for Pete Savlen. Laura explained the agreed hourly rate was decided to be $12.23. Selectman Cook received
a phone call regarding logging activity on Melvin Mills.
Different uses for the property have been surfacing.
There is concern about a Public Service right-of-way.
Selectman Cook would like Laura to contact Local Government
Center and ask is a Public Service right-of-way transferable for other
purposes other than the transmission of electricity (could the
right-of-way be given to the next property owner to be used as a
driveway). Judith Rogers brought
the Selectmen up to date in regards to the dog licensing process.
There were 251 outstanding dog licenses as of June 21, since then
contacts have been made resulting in 20 forfeiture fines being mailed.
Judith also informed the Selectmen that the Town Clerk’s office
has been on-line for 2 weeks with DMV and overall the transition went
well. 12. MEETING MINUTES Selectman Eigabroadt
made the motion to approve July 2, 2007 work session meeting minutes.
Chairman Hartman seconded the motion.
Selectman Cook abstained, he was absent during the meeting.
The motion passed. Selectman Cook made the motion to approve meeting minutes dated August 7, 2007.
Chairman Hartman seconded the motion.
Selectman Eigabroadt abstained, he was absent during the meeting.
The motion passed. 13. Selectman Cook made the motion to sign the State application requesting bridge-aide located on 14. NON PUBLIC SESSION Selectman Cook made a motion to go into nonpublic session
as allowed by RSA 91-A: 3 II (e) consideration of pending claims.
Selectman Eigabroadt seconded the motion.
Roll call vote was taken. Selectman
Cook, Aye; Selectman Eigabroadt, Aye; and Chairman Hartman, Aye.
The motion passed. Selectman
Eigabroadt moved that the Board of Selectmen come out of Nonpublic
Session. Selectman Cook
seconded the motion. A roll
call vote was taken. Selectman
Cook – Aye; Selectman Eigabroadt, Aye; and Chairman Hartman – Aye.
The motion passed unanimously. Selectman
Eigabroadt moved to seal and restrict the minutes of the Nonpublic
Session pursuant to the authority granted in RSA 91-A:3 III.
Selectman Cook seconded the motion.
A roll call vote was taken. Selectman
Cook – Aye; Selectman Eigabroadt, Aye; Chairman Hartman – Aye.
The motion passed unanimously. Motion to adjourn 10:01
p.m. Board of Selectmen David E. Hartman – Chairman
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