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Warner Board of Selectmen Meeting Minutes September 30, 2003
In attendance: Selectman Edward F. Mical – Chairman Selectman John C. Brayshaw – absent Selectman Allen C. Brown Recorder of the minutes is Mary Whalen. Chairman Mical opened the meeting at 6:00 p.m. First order of business is the opening of the bids for cemetery maintenance. Mr. Robert Shoemaker, Trustee of Town Cemeteries, opened the one bid that was received from Russell Von Baron for $6500.00. No other bidders responded. The Cemetery Trustees will address the received bid on October 1, 2003. Mr. Charles Albano from Parks & Recreation opened the received bids for a gazebo that will be located at Riverside Park.
Parks & Recreation on October 1, 2003 will review all bids. Department budgets were passed out to all Departments. All budgets will be reviewed with the Selectmen prior to the Budget Committee presentation. Chairman Mical explained the Wage Study Committee will be working on a wage scale. Chairman Mical explained that the Selectmen have not discussed wage increases yet. Comments: Allan N. Brown clarified that there will be something to take to the bank this year, not like it’s been the last four years. Martha Mical asked if it is the Selectmen’s intent not to do a cost of living increase. Chairman Mical explained that the Board has not discussed cost of living increases. Chairman Mical is waiting for the Wage Study Committee’s wage scale. Chief Chandler commented that if the Wage Study Committee comes back with a large number overall, he hopes it can be worked in over a course of two to three years, or something of that nature, so it can continue to push forward. Allan N. Brown understands that the Selectmen will have accepted the Wage Study Committee’s recommendation before November 24, 2003 when he meets with the Budget Committee. A labor budget is required. Chairman Mical explained that the Department Heads, from the department standpoint, would put something together. Chief Chandler asked if there was a time frame. Chairman Mical explained that the Wage Study Committee is hoping to have something in October. Chief Chandler commented that figures could then be adjusted prior to final presentation to the Budget Committee. Martha Mical stated that, if it was felt that an individual should have a pay increase should it be included in the working budget? Chairman Mical said yes with a justification for the increase. Allan N. Brown stated that he feels that everything is back the way it was last year and this isn’t going to work. Everyone is going to use a different scale. Chairman Mical explained that the Wage Study Committee is aware that a scale needs to be in place because the budget process is beginning. Chairman Mical will pass the concerns on to the Wage Study Committee. Police Chief William Chandler explained that the energy survey on the police station is complete. The cost for the energy efficient equipment and installation is $2,337.30, the estimated cost savings will be about $100.00 per month. Chief Chandler would like to further discuss the cost along with the budget process. Presently the preparation for the Fall Foliage Festival is underway. Paul Fouliard, Transfer Station Department Head will be sending ash from the burn pit out for testing. The testing will cost $406.00. Disposal of the ash will be determined from the results of the testing. RAD Recycling from Massachusetts will be picking up the propane bottles at a cost of $2.00 per bottle. This same company may be picking up appliances at $5.00 a unit. Mr. Fouliard discussed lighting at the Transfer Station now that it is getting dark earlier. Selectman Brown will contact Public Service. Mr. Fouliard will be drafting a response letter to Department of Environmental Services regarding the inspection that took place. Allan N. Brown, Director of Public Works will start implementing the Hazard Mitigation Plan, which includes culvert work, into the budget. Three hundred tons of salt has been purchased. The Director of Public Works asked the Selectmen for permission to sell the sidewalk sander. The Selectmen will draft a letter of permission to sell the sander. The new truck is built, waiting for a ship date. The Director of Public Works cannot locate a contractor for the curbing on Church Street. Paving is on going. Chairman Mical informed that the generator that was achieved through a grant is on site and in place at the highway shed. Zoning Board Martha Mical explained that she is in receipt of a fax from Town Counsel explaining that a Judge refused reconsideration toward Harrington vs. Town of Warner, which still leaves a budget issue. Cemeteries The current mowing is going well. Headstone restoration is still underway in various cemeteries. Conservation Commission October 14, 2003 will be the closing on the Badger Easement. Monies will need to be available prior to closing. Currently the commission is working on a conservation easement priority list. Parks & Recreation Construction has begun on the trail, and the girl’s softball field. Conduit has been laid in the Babe Ruth field. Press box construction has begun. Volunteer labor is still greatly needed, work is scheduled for every Saturday and Sunday at 10:00 until snow flies. Planning Board Planning Board is already meeting twice a month and may be looking at a third night. Meetings may be held to a 10:00 p.m. deadline, postponing unaddressed agenda items to the next meeting. The length of the meetings and ways to shorten them, was further discussed along with upcoming issues expected to come before the Planning Board. Driveway placement in the Exit 9 area was discussed, along with the current development that is pending approval at Exit 9. Linda Mueller met with the Selectmen to see if there is any further progress regarding the Naughton property regarding the removal of vehicles that are being parked along Poverty Plains Road. The vehicles are a nuisance to the neighbors with the noise and the smell. There was discussion regarding a home business. The neighbors are looking for closure to this ongoing issue. Mrs. Mueller commented that the original intent was to give Mr. Naughton time to find land, and that was back in June. The Selectmen will address this issue at the next Selectmen’s meeting. Chairman Mical will finalize a security system procedure. On September 24, 2003 Emergency Management conducted a functional exercise with the Town Hall. The Police Department and Fire Department were both involved. Chairman Mical thanked all that participated. Public Comments: Richard Senor commented that it would be a good idea to take the old generator and locate it at the Transfer Station. Also Mr. Senor commented about a rumor that the on call EMT may not be receiving wages anymore. Chairman Mical responded to the comment stating that the position still receives wages and the Selectmen’s Office is in receipt of a response from the State and Federal Department of Labor regarding on-call time. Judith Rogers asked what will become of the old generator. Could the generator help the lighting issue at the Transfer Station? Chairman Mical responded to the comment stating that PSNH will be contacted. Judith Rogers asked what does the Transfer Station personnel do in the mean time. Selectman Brown commented that PSNH has already completed a survey at the Transfer Station and the requirements that were given were not acceptable by PSNH (not the type of system they put in) since that time, PSNH has been contacted again to do another survey under normal guidelines. Judith Rogers, Town Clerk, addressed department issues with the Selectmen. Mrs. Rogers attended an election workshop, updates are extensive, and Mrs. Rogers encouraged the Selectmen to attend one of these workshops. Voters with disabilities will be addressed with a special voting booth that can deal with a variety of disabilities, which will be implemented by 2006. Mrs. Rogers noted that a rate of pay was not noted in the minutes of a Selectmen’s meeting. The Selectmen signed the following: Building permits Letters regarding an address change Warrant for yield taxes Martha Mical asked the Board if 12 assessing hours could be used to file old septic designs into the property folders, the Assessing Clerk would use 6 hours and 6 hours would be used by the Selectmen’s Office. The Selectmen reviewed the long sheet. Selectman Brown made a motion to allow 12 hours from the appraisal line too properly file stored septic designs. Chairman Mical seconded the motion. Motion passed. Chairman Mical made a motion to auction the sidewalk sander through the State. Selectman Brown seconded the motion. Motion passed. Selectman Brown made a motion to adjourn at 8:25 p.m. Chairman Mical seconded the motion.
John C. Brayshaw Absent Edward F. Mical – Chairman
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