Chairman O’Connor opened the meeting at 6:30 p.m., in attendance was Selectman Robert C. O’Connor-Chairman, Selectman John C. Brayshaw, Selectman Edward F. Mical and recording secretary Mary Whalen along with members of the public.

Mr. Fairfield Whiting, Mr. Justin Whiting and Mr. Matt Traffie met with the Selectmen regarding the redemption of the property located on Route 103. Mr. Whiting exceeded the time limit to prevent the property from being deeded by the Town and would like another opportunity to purchase the property back. Proper paperwork was submitted to Mr. Whiting that explained the time lines that he must meet, along with the Revised Statue Annotated (on file). Mr. Whiting did not have full understanding of the process and the time lines that were set. The Assessing Clerk figured the dollar amount that is required to redeem the property along with the cost to remove the barn ($17,210.00). The Selectmen drafted a letter of commitment that stated a 12:00 p.m. (noon) deadline on November 14, 2002 for either full payment or a letter of commitment from a bank.

Judith Rogers, Town Clerk, met with the Board to review the 2003 budget for the Town Clerks Office. The Board reviewed any increases in the budget and appropriate changes were made. The Town Clerk will be attending a workshop regarding bookbinding and the storage of records, in turn a representative will evaluate the present conditions for storing Town records. Mrs. Rogers is anticipating extra funding may be required for the restoration of records. Selectman Mical will obtain information regarding a security system at the Clerks office. Mrs. Rogers presented information to the Board about a voting machine costing $6,250.00. The machine will tally the votes as the ballots are completed, it also gives the voter a chance to correct any errors if the ballot is not readable. Chairman O’Connor and Selectman Brayshaw are in favor of the voting machine. Selectman Mical stated that the voting machine is an added cost to the Election budget. Chairman O’Connor will present the costs for the voting machine ($6,250.00 plus $725.00 for supplies) at the upcoming Budget Committee meeting. Mrs. Rogers then presented a format of wage salaries and where each employee falls based on the Wage Study Committee recommendations. The Board would like more time to review the format before formally discussing wage salaries. The Selectmen will be holding a work session on November 18, 2002 at noontime to discuss salaries.

Paul Fouliard, Transfer Station Supervisor, met with the Board to review the 2003 budget for the Transfer Station. Presently the Transfer Station has spent 84% of the 2002 budget. Mr. Fouliard noted that not only is the Transfer Station at the right percentage but have also made the money up for Mr. Newman’s benefits, the extra hours for Mr. Roberts and extra money for the volunteer help. The increase for Concord Regional, Mr. Fouliard does not expect to use all that is appropriated with the upcoming changes with dumpsters and changing to clear plastic bags. When clear plastic bags go into effect the impact will be in man-hours and increased recyclable material. More than 50% of the total tonnage sent to Concord Regional is from dumpsters. Man hours for the Transfer Station was reviewed. Retirement benefits were discussed. Judith Rogers commented to the Selectmen that a form is available for denying or accepting the retirement program, which in turn needs to be on file for auditing purposes. There was an increase of 20 man-hours for 2002, Mr. Fouliard is presenting an additional 30 man hour increase for 2003, 10 of those man-hours is slated for a work program. Selectman Brayshaw questioned the savings with the increase of 50 man-hours from 2002 up to the current request for 2003. Mr. Fouliard explained that part of the problem is that there was not enough man-hours slated to begin with. Selectman Mical asked what would be done with the 30 hours. Mr. Fouliard explained that there would be three men on Wednesday’s, additional hours on Tuesday morning, and hours for Thursday and Saturday, along with hours for a work program (grass cutting, grounds keeping etc.). The Board discussed the need to keep the work program continuing. Selectman Mical still has concerns about the increase of man-hours. Selectman Mical made a motion to reduce the man-hour increase from 20 hours to 16 hours. Selectman Brayshaw seconded the motion. Chairman O’Connor opposed the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Ed Mical discussed the Emergency Management budget with the Selectmen. The first item discussed was the increase of the Director and Deputy Director’s combined salary, from $650.00 to $800.00. No decisions on salaries have been made at this time. Salaries will be discussed at the scheduled work session on November 18, 2002. The Board recommended that any money not spent in 2002 be encumbered of 2003.

The Board discussed the vacant alternate positions. Chairman O’Connor made a motion to appoint Linda Milisci as an alternate to the Zoning Board for a three-year term. Selectman Mical seconded the motion. All were in favor. The motion passed.

Selectman Mical made a motion to appoint John Howe as an alternate member to the Zoning Board for a three-year term. Chairman O’Connor seconded the motion. Selectman Brayshaw abstained. The motion passed unanimously.

Internet connection in the Town Hall was discussed. Selectman Brayshaw made a motion to secure Internet service for the Town Hall. Selectman Mical seconded the motion. All were in favor. The motion passed. Selectman Mical clarified that a phone line that already receives Internet service will be disconnected and a policy for usage needs to be written. Selectman Mical will draft the policy.

The Selectmen reviewed bids for the printing of the Town Report:

Town & Country Reprographics, $3,893.00 plus set-up @ $50.00 per hour.

Wallace Press, $4,400.00, no set up cost stated.

R. C. Brayshaw Co., Inc., $4, 499.00 plus set-up @ $50.00 per hour.

Mary Whalen recommended to the Board to accept the quote from R. C. Brayshaw due to past working history and Mrs. Whalen feels that their quote is a factual quote. Selectman Mical made a motion to accept the bid from R. C. Brayshaw & Co. to print the 2002 Town Report. Chairman O’Connor seconded the motion. Selectman Brayshaw abstained. The motion passed unanimously.

The Board received only one bid for the Town Auditor. Chairman O’Connor made a motion to accept the bid from David Connors as the Town Auditor for 2002 records. Selectman Mical seconded the motion. All were in favor. The motion passed.

The December 17, 2002 Growth meeting has been canceled.

A request from residents on New Market Road to lower the speed limit was submitted to the Board. The request will be submitted to the Highway Safety Committee.

Selectman Brayshaw informed the Board that the Bond for Exit 9 from Mr. Wentzel was received by fax to Selectman Brayshaw.

The Board signed two intents-to-cut and a building permit.

Judith Rogers voiced some concerns regarding the retirement program. Records should be on hand stating who and who is not on the program, and clarification needs to be made on who can join the retirement program and what makes up the retirement line, who has it and what people have. Chairman O’Connor will gather information on process and procedure.

Selectman Brayshaw made the motion to adjourn at 10:30 p.m. Selectman Mical seconded the motion. All were in favor. The motion passed.

The Board received a request from a ATV Club in Contoocook to use trails that cross over Town property. The Board is not in favor of this request and will inform the club of their decision.

Robert C. O’Connor – Chairman

John C. Brayshaw

Edward F. Mical