Meeting opened at 6:00 p.m.

In attendance: Selectman Wayne Eigabroadt – Chairman, Selectman David E. Hartman, Selectman Richard A. Cook and Town Administrator Laura Buono

Recorder of the minutes is Mary Whalen

Others present:

Christopher Closs,  Wendy Pinkham – Finance Director

Pam McDonald,  Ed Mical – Emergency Management

Anthony Mento – Odd Fellows Committee Judith Rogers - Town Clerk

Stephen Brown – Odd Fellows Committee Rebecca Courser – Odd Fellows Committee

Jim McLaughlin – Odd Fellows Committee Richard Senor – resident

The Odd Fellows Committee met with the Selectmen to update the Board regarding the option agreement for the Odd Fellows building. A Parking Committee was formed; the main parking solution does not address the immediate need for parking at the Odd Fellows Building. The option agreement has a December 30^, 2005 deadline with a provision to extend the option of one-year. Mr. Closs has presented an outline on what has been completed to date. One of the issues that has slowed progress is the development of a parking solution, with escalating costs in construction and interest rates rising Mr. Closs is looking at private solutions for parking (Sugar River Bank & Simonds School). Mr. Closs would like to achieve 18 – 20 parking spaces immediately around the building to meet commercial needs; additional 25 spaces would be for employees (this will be solved in two tiers). Mr. Closs explained preliminary sketches of floor plans that include an elevator along with retaining the outside details. The plans also include a full basement, in doing so; the building would be raised at least by one-foot. Mr. Closs would like to renew the option agreement for an additional year. Mr. Closs may need to seek public assistance on the project. Mr. Closs will send a letter of intent regarding the option agreement, once received the Selectmen will act on it. Mr. Closs explained that available funding does not include the refurbishing of the clock tower. Mr. Closs asked the Selectmen if they would consider funding the restoration of the clock tower and maintained by the Town, this way funding could be sought from L.C.H.I.P. The Selectmen discussed approaching the Women’s Club, Men’s Club etc. Chairman Eigabroadt and Anthony Mento will research possible funding for the clock tower. Mr. Closs also asked the Selectmen if a T.I.F District is still a consideration, if so, this would assist in solving the drainage issue with the building and also parking. The Selectmen will seek education regarding a T.I.F District along with educating the business owners. The Town’s support in the creation of a T.I.F District would be encouraging to Mr. Closs because he would be constructing a project in an environment that would eventually receive the public approval if necessary to correct utility upgrades and parking issues in the village community. The Committee thanked Mr. Closs and his partnership for all his time and effort that has been put forth on this project, all this hinges on a parking solution. The Committee asked if the Selectmen know of any other ways to communicate with others to make agreements for parking which would be essential toward the renovation of a historical building. The Selectmen asked if any contact has been made with the owner of Foothills; Mr. Closs will contact the owner.

Ed Mical met with the Selectmen and updated the Board regarding the submittal of paperwork to F.E.M.A for flood damage; Chairman Eigabroadt signed the necessary documents. The pre-disaster mitigation projects, the State Hazard Mitigation Committee met in early December, they are selecting 10 communities to submit applications, of those, 5 will be submitted to the Federal level, the Town of Warner is one of the 10 communities. Mr. Mical also requested that the remaining funds in the Emergency Management be carried over into 2006 in order to complete the hazardous material annex of the Emergency Operation Plan, a proposal has already been submitted to Emergency Management Assistance Program. Mr. Mical is still waiting for paperwork from EMA, due to the flooding the process has been slowed. Approximately $3,868.00 will be carried over into 2006. Mr. Mical will also use part of the money to rewire the generator at the Highway Department so that there would be water available during an emergency situation. Mr. Mical will submit a formal request for the $3,868.00 to be carried over into 2006.

Wendy Pinkham Finance Director met with the Selectmen to review and clarify year-end expenditures. The year-end expenditures for the Highway Department were reviewed. The part-time spent labor for the Highway Department was discussed, a large portion was spent on Poverty Plains Road and for flooding situations, a total of $30,000.00 was spent, and only $17,000.00 was budgeted. The Board directed the Finance Director to pay all outstanding 2005 billing statements for the Highway Department.

The Finance Director explained that she included the Overseer of Welfare, Treasurer, Emergency Management, Building Inspector and Health Officer in the pay increase calculation. At a past meeting the Selectmen included these positions in a list that would not receive a pay increase. The Finance Director explained that these positions have always received an increase along with everyone else. The Finance Director asked the Selectmen for direction; also the calculated wages with the cost of living increase has increased the Highway Department budget significantly because the part-time labor was budgeted for what was used this year ($30,000.00). The Director of Public Works based this amount for part-time labor on past history. The history shows that part-time labor is consistently overspent and the full-time is consistently under spent.

Judith Rogers commented, would it be a benefit to the budget planning if the Highway Department looks at where the part-time labor was spent look at previous years and adjust accordingly.

Eligibility for wage increases was re-discussed based on the information that the Finance Director previously presented, Selectman Hartman made the motion to give all employees except the Selectmen a 2.75% wage increase for 2006. Selectman Cook seconded the motion. Motion failed. Selectman Hartman made the motion to give all employees except the Selectmen and the Town Administrator a 2.75% wage increase in 2006. Selectman Cook seconded the motion. The motion passed with two positive votes. The TA will discuss the part-time labor with the Director of Public Works. The Finance Director contacted the Department of Revenue Administration, the TA salary line cannot be encumbered, a warrant article needs to be presented to appropriate money from surplus. The Finance Director reviewed all department wages for 2006.

Judith Rogers asked if someone is over the wage scale would they still receive the 2.75% cost of living increase. The Selectmen said "yes", the increase is across the board. The TA will be re-addressing the wage scale.

Chairman Eigabroadt discussed with the Board the possibility of adding an additional part-time position at the Transfer Station. Selectman Cook would like to wait until the long sheet is complete and see how the whole budget falls together before considering another position at the Transfer Station.

The Selectmen still need to determine if the reconstruction of Mill Street will be completed in 2006, the Selectmen have learned that the Precinct is seeking funding for the project. The Selectmen also need to consider the installation of a well at Riverside Park.

Selectman Hartman explained that Canterbury Co-op has written a letter to the Regional Co-op and they are asking the Regional Co-op to reconsider their vote not to fund the Town of Canterbury to review the plans for the landfill being proposed in Canterbury.

The Finance Director will finalize 2006 revenue projections.

The Selectmen reviewed the proposed upgrades to a mobile home situated at 14 Pleasant Lane as submitted by Mr. Wyman, owner of Pleasant Lake Estates. The TA will respond back to Mr. Wyman asking for clarification and will also note that the mobile home will need to meet current HUD requirements.

Selectman Cook made the motion to refund two double payments made by Country Wide Home Loans in the total of $4,545.90. Chairman Eigabroadt seconded the motion. All were in favor. The motion passed.

Chairman Eigabroadt read into the record a letter from Mr. John Healy as follows:

Chairman Eigabroadt updated the Board regarding the mediation meeting with Market Basket that took place earlier today. A resolution was not achieved.

The Board discussed dedication and cover for the Town Report.

Motion to adjourn 10:09 p.m.

Board of Selectmen

Wayne Eigabroadt – Chairman
David E. Hartman
Richard A. Cook