In attendance:

Selectman Edward F. Mical – Chairman

Selectman John C. Brayshaw

Selectman Allen C. Brown

Recorder of the minutes is Mary Whalen.

Chairman Mical opened the meeting at 6:00 p.m.

Taylor & Linda Loop met with the Selectmen to address a letter that was sent to Mr. Loop regarding the status of the current-use that is listed on his property. Mr. Loop stated that he placed his land in timber stand improvement in 1972, then in current-use. Mr. Loop never intended his land to have a recreational discount. All Mr. Loop’s maps are registered, and the maps state non-recreational. Mr. Loop asked the Selectmen who had brought the recreational current-use to the Board’s attention. Mr. Loop requested to have his property card adjusted to reflect non-recreational current-use. Mr. Loop explained that he does not want his stonewalls disrupted nor have trenches dug for drainage along his property. Mr. Loop is concerned about the salt in the water. The Selectmen instructed the Assessing Clerk to change the status of the current-use from recreational to non-recreational.

• Martha Mical, Assessing Clerk, stated for the record, that the Selectmen should look at the old assessment card from 1994, which asked the question, "do you want recreational" and the statement received was "yes".

Chairman Mical received a fax from the Parks & Recreation Commission regarding their recommendation for a gazebo for the River Walk Project. Bids have been previously received and reviewed by Parks & Recreation. The Selectmen discussed whether the gazebo placement needs to go before the Planning Board. It was agreed by the Board that the gazebo does not need to go before the Planning Board. Selectman Brayshaw made a motion to accept the Parks & Recreation Commissions recommendation for a gazebo as presented. Selectman Brown seconded the motion. All were in favor. The motion passed.

The Selectmen reviewed an updated lease agreement for the Old Graded School building. The agreement is in draft form. Chairman Mical discussed having an assessment completed on the Old Graded School in order to determine operation costs. The Selectmen will review the draft, and the lease will be re-addressed at a later meeting.

Police Chief William Chandler presented the 2004 Police Department budget. The wages that are being requested are calculated from the McCausland study, 4% was added to the median to all positions except clerical and the part-time position; these two positions were calculated at 2.5%. Three factors were taken into consideration, longevity, productivity and cost of living as of August 2003; combined factors resulted in the 4% configuration. Clerical and the part-time position are still in the learning process. Budget review continued. The purchase of a digital camera was discussed. The cost for cleaning uniforms was added to the budget. The cost of the energy survey was discussed, along with the installation of the energy efficient equipment. Chief Chandler recommended paying for the installation of energy efficient lighting up front in order to see the cost savings immediately. A service contract for fire extinguishers was discussed. A service contract line was discussed for extinguishers and alarms that are town wide. Chief Chandler added a Grant line to his budget. The Selectmen discussed wages; the Board will wait for feedback from the Wage Study Committee before a definite decision is made regarding set wage increases. Selectman Brayshaw stated for the record that as history has shown, the Police Department, out of all the departments has suffered when it comes to wage increases due to the recommendation of past Selectmen.

• Ron Wirth asked what kind of lighting upgrades would there be in a three-year-old building.
• Chief Chandler explained that when the building was built there was no energy efficient lighting installed. There are currently 4 foot T12 fluorescent lighting in the building.

The Selectmen clarified the Police Departments benefit line with the Finance Director. The calculation of the dollar amount was discussed. Selectman Brayshaw made the motion to accept the 2004 Police Department budget as presented. The Selectmen discussed the Police Department wage increases. The presented wages will be adjusted down by 1.5% (accept secretarial and part-time) before being presented to the Budget Committee. Selectman Brayshaw amended the motion to accept the 2004 Police Department budget along with a 2.5% pay increase to four full time positions. Selectman Brown seconded the motion. All were in favor. The motion passed. Chairman Mical requested that the Police Chief forward a copy of the McCausland study.

Town Clerk Judith Rogers presented the 2004 Town Clerk budget. Selectman Brayshaw made a motion to accept the 2004 Town Clerk budget as presented. Selectman Brown seconded the motion. All were in favor. The motion passed. Chairman Mical inquired if the hours for the Assistant would remain at 20 hours. Mrs. Rogers commented that she would request more hours if she had support from the Board of Selectmen. The Town Clerk discussed different scenarios for open hours. The Town Clerk sees a need for more closed hours in order to complete the work that is not getting done because of the open hours. At this point the Town Clerk sees a need for three to five hours per week for office work during closed hours to the public.

The Selectmen reviewed the 2004 Election budget with the Town Clerk. There is the potential for having one extra election in 2004 for a State Representative position. The Governors Council will advise the Town Clerk. Selectman Brayshaw made a motion to accept the 2004 Election budget as presented. Selectman Brown seconded the motion. All were in favor. The motion passed.

Edward F. Mical, Emergency Management Director, presented the 2004 Emergency Management Budget. The Selectmen increased the salary line from $800.00 to $1,300.00. There is grant money available through Homeland Security; Mr. Mical would like to obtain communication equipment through grant money. Selectman Brayshaw made a motion to approve the 2004 Emergency Management budget, along with the change to the salary line. Selectman Brown seconded the motion. Motion passed 2-0.

The Selectmen discussed the Town Clerk’s salary with Judith Rogers. The Selectmen have discussed an overall 2.5% increase along with a Warrant Article that will state a set dollar amount based on the Wage Study Committee’s findings in order to compensate anyone who falls below the wage scale. The Selectmen also discussed using the median on the wage scale and adding 2.5%. Decisions on wages will be finalized after reviewing the new wage scale. An hourly wage for the Deputy Town Clerk was discussed. No firm decisions have been made, just discussions.

The Selectmen re-discussed the Fire Department budget. Selectman Brown, Budget Committee representative, asked for clarification for the salary line. Selectman Brown recommended changing the salary line for the Fire Chief by subtracting $3,402.00 from the original proposal (700-hour year). Selectman Brayshaw made the motion to adjust line 1 for the Fire Chiefs salary $19,640.00 to $23.14 x 700 hours = $16, 198.00. Selectman Brown seconded the motion. Chairman Mical amended the motion to amount to $16,200.00. Selectman Brown seconded the amendment. All were in favor. The motion passed.

The Selectmen discussed health benefits and hourly wages with the Fire Chief, Richard Brown. Selectman Brayshaw will meet with the Fire Chief to review wages for the Fire Department. Line 2 will need to be modified.

The Selectmen discussed Holiday gift certificates.

The Selectmen discussed a bonus request. The Selectmen will not grant bonus requests for the 2003 budget year.

Selectman Brayshaw made the motion to adjourn at 10:40 p.m. Selectman Brown seconded the motion. The motion passed.

Edward F. Mical – Chairman

John C. Brayshaw

Allen C. Brown