In attendance:

Selectman Edward F. Mical – Chairman

Selectman John C. Brayshaw

Selectman Allen C. Brown

Recorder of the minutes is Mary Whalen.

Conservation Commission representatives Richard Cook and Brian Hotz, along with the owners of the land, met with the Selectmen to sign the Badger Easement. Brian Hotz explained the signing process to the Selectmen. Richard Cook witnessed the signings, Judith Rogers, Town Clerk, assisted as Notary. On October 25, 2003 there will be a public celebration at the property.

Richard Cook presented the Conservation Commission 2004 budget to the Selectmen. The Commission presented the same budget as for 2003. Selectman Brayshaw made a motion to accept the Conservation Commission budget with no changes for budget year 2004. Selectman Brown seconded the motion. All were in favor. Motion passed.

Robert Shoemaker presented the Trustees of Town Cemeteries 2004 budget. Selectman Brayshaw made a motion to accept the Trustee of Town Cemeteries as presented with no changes for budget year 2004. Selectman Brown seconded the motion. All were in favor. The motion passed. The Trustees will be presenting a Warrant Article for $5,000.00 toward the restoration of headstones. Mr. Shoemaker recommended that the Selectmen go look at the Parade Ground Cemetery, Mr. Gary Young has been caring for the grounds and they look exceptional.

Chairman Mical moved on to old business.

The Selectmen reviewed a letter to Evans Mart regarding signage which noted referenced a requirement for a "sign permit" per the Warner Zoning Ordinance. The Board members made minor changes to the letter. The letter will be revised for mailing on October 15, 2003.

Martha Mical and Martha Thoits presented the Zoning Board 2004 budget to the Selectmen. Increases were made to the postage and meetings line. The Zoning Board proposed a job description change. The position would be a Planning/Zoning Coordinator. The Zoning Board has approved the job description, Planning Board has yet to approve the job description, and it is still under their review. Martha Thoits explained that the Zoning Board would like to change the secretarial position to Planning/Zoning Coordinator. The job description will be forwarded to the Wage Study Committee. The Zoning Board asked the Selectmen to consider a $14.00 per hour rate, and explained that the current position has evolved into a coordinator position. The secretarial wage structures were briefly discussed. Selectman Brayshaw’s recommendation is to consider giving a cost of living increase, and wait for the results from the Wage Study Committee regarding the coordinator position.

Judith Rogers commented on the salary and title history for the Police Department Administrative Assistant. The Zoning Board is coming before the Selectmen with a change because the position requires greater responsibility than a secretary has; this position should not be compared to any of the secretarial positions. There was no discussion for the Administrative Assistant; the hourly rate was based on the recommendation of the Supervisor. The Zoning Board is asking for the position to be adequately paid.

Selectman Brayshaw commented for the record that the increase for the Administrative Assistant did not come due to the change of the job description and job title, it came after a six-month probationary period.

Selectman Brown would like to see the Coordinator position go through the Wage Study process. Martha Mical explained to the Board, that in order to complete the Zoning Board budget, a salary needs to be set and objects to only a cost of living increase. The Board agreed to increase the Zoning Board secretary’s hourly rate to $13.10 for budgeting purposes. The Zoning Board asked if the Selectmen’s hourly increase might be added to the $13.10. The Selectmen agreed. Chairman Mical stated that the increase is based on the new job description. Selectman Brown made a motion to accept the proposed job description for a Planning/Zoning Coordinator for submission to the Wage Study Committee. Selectman Brayshaw seconded the motion. All were in favor. The motion passed.

Selectman Brayshaw commented, for the record, that it is important for all Town Employees to understand that qualifications for a municipal job within the Town of Warner don’t necessarily dictate a particular hourly rate, and hourly rate is earned as time goes on.

Martha Mical commented that if the position were doing just secretarial work then she would agree with Selectman Brayshaw.

The Selectmen agreed to increase the Zoning legal line.

Selectman Brayshaw made a motion to accept the Zoning Board’s budget as presented with changes for budget year 2004. Selectman Brown seconded the motion. All were in favor. The motion passed.

Mr. Naughton met with the Board and explained that he still actively looking for land to store his commercial vehicles. Chairman Mical informed Mr. Naughton that the Selectmen are still receiving complaints from the neighbors. Their concern is, if Mr. Naughton is not running a business in Warner then why are there three or more commercial vehicles parked along the street. Mr. Naughton explained that he owns up to forty vehicles, sometimes drivers that come home late, drop them at his residence. Chairman Mical asked for a time frame. Mr. Naughton would like to have this situation squared away by this coming winter. Selectman Brayshaw commented for the record that he has been actively working with Mr. Naughton to find a place to store the commercial vehicles. Mr. Naughton clarified to the Selectman that within a month (mid November) he would be down to one vehicle on his property.

Chairman Mical moved back into old business.

Selectman Brayshaw will be reviewing a draft of a revised Site-Plan with Mr. Azmy. A professional draft will follow. Selectman Brayshaw will keep the Planning Board updated.

Selectman Brown informed the Board that Paul Fouliard, Transfer Station, Department Head, submitted a draft response to the Department of Environmental Services site visit that took place in June on 2003. Selectman Brown expanded the draft and presented it to the Board for their review. Mr. Fouliard will also review the response again. The response needs to be mailed to DES by October 20, 2003.

Chairman Mical moved into new business.

The Board reviewed letters to prospective printers for the 2004 Town Report. Letters for a bid response will be sent to Wallace Press, Town & Country and Brayshaw Printing.

Chairman Mical discussed a Home Land Security Hazard assessment for each community. At the Federal level, all communities are to revise their hazard assessment. Chairman Mical is asking the Boards permission to work with the Department Heads in order to complete the assessment.

Chairman Mical is in receipt of a survey for the National Flood Insurance. A survey needs to be completed every two years.

Selectman Brown made a motion to approve the meeting minutes from September 20 & 30, 2003 with corrections. Chairman Mical seconded the motion. All were in favor. The motion passed.

The Selectmen reviewed general correspondence.

Ron Wirth updated the Board on the status of the old generator and its running condition. (Mr. Wirth is working on an assessment of the generator, all on his own time).

Judith Rogers asked if there is any feed back on the dog forfeiture fines. Selectman Brayshaw will address with the Police Chief.

Martha Mical reminded the Board that a codicil is required on the deed for the property owned by Mr. Pond (prior to an occupancy permit) on a Class V seasonal road. (Colby Lane)

The Board signed the following:

Building permit

Town Hall rental

Warrant for the Collection of Yield Taxes

Veterans Exemption

Selectman Brayshaw made the motion to adjourn at 8:15 p.m. Chairman Mical seconded the motion. All were in favor. The motion passed.

Edward F. Mical – Chairman
John C. Brayshaw
Allen C. Brown