In attendance:

Selectman Edward F. Mical – Chairman

Selectman John C. Brayshaw

Selectman Allen C. Brown

Public attendance:

Transfer Station, Department Head, Paul Fouliard

Susan Bliss

John Healy

Marianne Howlett

Chairman Mical opened the work session at 8:30 a.m. and noted that the meeting was posted on August 7, 2003 at the Town Hall and the Post Office. The work session is open to the public but the Selectmen will not be receiving any public comment. The work session is focused on projected revenue and proposed changes at the Transfer Station.

The Selectmen reviewed sources of revenue that were projected for 2003. The Yield Tax projection was set by the Budget Committee for $45,000.00 currently it stands at $27,000.00. The Selectmen changed the projection to $27,000.00 for the year. The Tax Collector asked the Board where they received their numbers. Chairman Mical stated that the information had come from the Assessing Clerk. Mrs. Howlett confirmed that most of the Yield Tax has been billed.

Interest in Penalty on Delinquent Taxes was estimated at $25,000.00 for 2003; currently it is at $18,550.00. The Tax Collector explained that she was not aware of the work session and therefore did not have time to run a report, but there are very few delinquents at this time. The Board agreed to change the estimate to $20,000.00.

Motor Vehicle Permit Fees was set at $325,000.00 by the Budget Committee, the Selectmen estimated the fees at $300,000.00. Chairman Mical had spoken to the Town Clerk and she explained that the Budget Committees estimate is firm. The Board decided to leave the estimate at $325,000.00.

Building Permit Fees was estimated at $15,000.00 by the Budget Committee, the Selectmen estimated at $12,000.00. The Board decided to lower the estimate to $10,000.00.

Income from Departments was estimated at $50,000 by the Budget Committee. Selectmen estimated $45,000.00. The Selectmen decided to lower the estimate to $40,000.00. These estimations will be established and will remain until the end of the year.

Interest in Investments received a $5,000.00 recommendation from the Town Treasurer. The Contribution and Donation line was changed to $2,500.00. The changes will be forwarded to the Finance Director.

Selectman Brown discussed the operational changes to the Transfer Station. Both Selectman Brown and Mr. Fouliard discussed the proposed changes prior to the work session. Mr. Fouliard did not have any comments that he would like Selectman Brown to forward to the Board. Selectman Brown proceeded to read aloud the changes.

The swap area has grown substantially; the size of the swap area will be limited to sixty (60) square feet (area between the two doors and the length of the wall, plus four feet from the wall). It will include electronics along with purging the area every Wednesday, which is subject to change based on Mr. Fouliard’s schedule. Hazardous materials such as solvents, spray cans, insecticides etc. are never to be included in this area.

Mr. Fouliard commented that the Department of Environmental Services recommended that if the pesticides, insecticides and spray cans are in good shape and are a legal chemical that they be placed in the swap area to be used and returned as empty containers. Selectman Brown asked if Mr. Fouliard has written confirmation. Mr. Fouliard commented that all Transfer Station’s are recommended to do it. Selectman Brayshaw voiced a concern toward the safety of children and having a separate area for such chemicals. Selectman Brown is concerned about the disposal of chemicals that are not used by the public. Selectman Brayshaw has offered to supply the materials to build a sheltered area. Selectman Brown explained that there has been talk about a layout to look at the flow of traffic, parking requirements, areas where items would be staged, and going beyond the fence area to stock pile metal which is only in the planning stage.

The Demolition area where the shingles have been stock piled for a program that has not been approved by the State. The intended program was to turn the shingles into a sub-base material. When the material comes in from the customer as demolition material, the customer is charged $50.00 per cubic yard. (No weighing device is used) the charge is done by estimating the weight. To process the material (shingles) it would cost $69.00 per ton returned as base material. The Board was not in favor of adding additional costs. The Board discussed the need for scales. Mr. Fouliard explained to the Board that the State is nearing the approval of the program and if the Town could find its own method of grinding up the shingles, not putting shingles into the dumpster would save the Town thousands of dollars. Selectman Brown explained that the nails would need to be removed from all the shingles before processing them. Selectman Brayshaw asked Mr. Fouliard if it is unlawful to bury shingles. Mr. Fouliard explained that it would need to be a lined landfill. There is an estimated 30 – 40 tons of shingles being stockpiled at the Transfer Station at a cost of $50.00 per ton to dispose of, the same as the demolition. There is a landfill (Errco) that will take a box of shingles alone at $65.00 per ton with a $200.00 transportation fee. The shingles have been removed from the Transfer Station along with the stockpile of electronics.

The Demolition swap area will be limited to items that can be used and purged and disposed of appropriately every two weeks, compatible to the Transfer Station workload cycle. The Board discussed the many uses to this area and agreed with Mr. Fouliard that the area would be purged once a month.

Selectman Brayshaw commented on the high rating of the Transfer Station from the State, and noted there is not enough area at the Transfer Station to run it the most effectively. The Board needs to further pursue the acquiring of more area. Selectman Brown commented that the existing area needs to be freed up before trying to enlarge the Transfer Station. Selectman Brown has visited a number of Transfer Station’s in the area including the one located in Littleton., comparing the orderliness to other stations, the Warner Transfer Station needs improvement. The Board further discussed the condition and has received opinions regarding the condition of the Transfer Station along with the growth of the Town. Selectman Brown commented that changes cannot be addressed during this budget year, change needs to be addressed slowly and effectively. Chairman Mical commented that the demolition area was originally set up to be a fee generating area to relieve the burden on the taxpayer. Chairman Mical asked Mr. Fouliard for a copy of the high rating of the Transfer Station generated by the Department of Environmental Services to be filed at the Selectmen’s Office.

Beginning on September 2, 2003 demolition material, scrap metal and appliances will be accepted only on Tuesday’s 12:00 noon to 4:00 p.m. and Saturday’s, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. At all other time’s public access will be strictly prohibited. The reason behind this suggestion relates to the available manpower. The funds are not available in the current budget for more man-hours.

Mr. Fouliard appreciates the idea behind the scheduled hours, but does not feel the Transfer Station should do it. Limiting the hours could promote more dumping on back roads. Selectman Brown commented that illegal dumping is happening now with the current schedule.

Beginning September 2, 2003 water base paint in liquid condition will no longer be accepted. Selectman Brown would like to move the labor requirement from the personnel at the Transfer Station to the person who has the paint so there is less impact on Mr. Fouliard’s labor base. Currently there are a lot of man-hours spent on disposing of paint.

Mr. Fouliard commented that it is safer for the Town to contain hazardous waste at the Transfer Station. Mr. Fouliard explained that he has a source to dispose of the paint at a cost of $1,500.00.

An annual Hazardous Waste Day would be arranged on an annual basis.

Selectman Brown asked the Board for their opinion on the proposed changes. Selectman Brayshaw commented on looking at the practicality of having a Hazardous Waste Day along with a way of disposing the shingles at a reasonable cost. The Board discussed the way charges are appropriated for the disposal of demolition and should the demolition be limited to construction based solely in Warner. The Board further discussed the proposed changes that Selectman Brown has presented. Chairman Mical recommended re-looking at the proposed changes at the next Selectman’s meeting.

Chairman Mical made the motion to adjourn at 10:27 a.m. Selectman Brayshaw seconded the motion. All were in favor. The motion passed.

Selectman Edward F. Mical – Chairman

Selectman John C. Brayshaw

Selectman Allen C. Brown