Alexandria Board of Selectmen

August 23, 2007

The selectmen’s meeting came to order at 6:03 p.m.  The tape for this meeting broke and the minutes are taken only from notes that the AA had taken.

Members Present:     Peg Reilly and Cindy Williams

Pledge of Allegiance: Given

Appointments:            None

Distribution of Minutes:        August 16, 2007

Approval of Minutes: Cindy made a motion to approve the minutes of July 26; Peg seconded
                                                the motion and it was approved by a vote of 2-0.

                                                Cindy made a motion to approve the minutes of August 9; Peg seconded
                                                the motion and it was approved by a vote of 2-0.

                                                The minutes of August 9 will have to wait until Selectman Gangemi is
                                                present.

Department Heads:               Maggie LaBerge of the planning board was unable to attend the meeting,
                                                so no report was made.

Peg Reilly made a statement saying that she apologized for the manner in which last week’s meeting was held.  When she ran for office, one of the things she wanted to do was to make sure that the meetings were run in a professional manner.  She understood that this did not occur last week, but she did state that it would not happen again.

Frank Hinkle: Frank said that he never refused to give the number of arrests made to the board.  Between 1/1/06 and 8/23/07 there have been 31 arrests; therefore 31 times that the cell would have been used if necessary.  Frank said that he spoke with Chief French in Goffstown who was quoted as saying that Frank refused to give those numbers to the selectmen.  Cindy Williams said Frank has been asked at least four times for that information.  She asked Frank how many people have been transported to Grafton County.  She said that Vittum at NH Police Standards & Training suggested that she talk with Chief French.  Cindy said that Scott Weden of LGD is open to calls from the other selectmen with regard to the police department issues.  Bill Hall said that if the cell is not used and is not outfitted properly, the selectmen are overstepping the voters; why go against the voters.  He also said that the architect used on the building was supposed to know what he was doing.  Merry Ruggirello said that the town hall was supposed to be built for the future and the architects should have investigated the specifications.  Cindy asked that the discussion be tabled until a full board is available. 

There was a dog hit on Route 104 last night and no one seemed to know who it belonged to.  Christie said that she found out it was Dan McLaughlin’s dog and Dan had gone down to pick it up and dispose of it.

George Whittaker, the health officer, responded to a report of rats on Shem Valley Road.  He checked out the property and found nothing that would be attracting rats and did not see any.  There was one scrap paper plate only.

George was requested to check a property on Smith River Road to determine whether or not it has a properly working septic system.

Assessing:  It was commented that even minor assessing changes should not be made without interior inspections; i.e. if someone calls and says that they only have 2 bedrooms, not three.  An appointment should be made with the assessors for an interior inspection.  Sue Cheney stated that the assessing company should update their photos.  Bill Hall stated that his property keeps being visited each year and he is getting tire of it.

Unanticipated Funds: Christie was directed to check with the auditor to see if the FEMA funds require a public hearing.

Grants:              Cindy asked who signed the application for hazard mitigation grant funds.  George is supposed to get a coy of that grant application for the town’s records.

Town Car:       Jeff will check on how best to dispose of the vehicle.

#5 Truck:        The selectmen gave Jeff the authority to dispose of the truck as he sees fit.  The vote
                        was 2-0.

Shackett Pit:   Cindy met with Sudanowicz and Mezzina regarding the scope of the project.  It is ready to go out to bid at this time.  Advertise with September 13 submission date; completion of project by October 31.  Certificate of Liability and Worker’s Compensation Proof Of Coverage will be needed.  The agreement for the work should be reviewed by town council.

Items Requiring Signature:

            An extension request on the MS-1 form was signed as the assessing firm has not yet
            completed their work.

            Letters to the Sye Ali Road property owners were signed informing them of the
            reestablishment of the boundaries and giving them two weeks to review the plans before
            the town officially adopts them.

            An authorization form was signed to increase the minimum amount to be kept in the town’s
            checking account to avoid fees.

Follow-Ups:

            Flagpole:         Being worked on

            Prestige Development:          Still waiting for decision from attorney

New Business:

Flood Work Completion:  Jeff asked that the selectmen allow him to complete the flood
repairs.  If the state does not vote for the 12 ½%, Jeff will absorb that amount in his operating
budget in order to get the project done.  The selectmen agreed to this.

Jim Fredericks:          A complaint was received from Jim Fredericks on both the road agent
and the grader operator.  Copies of the complaints were given to each person in order that they
may respond.

Avitar Survey:              Christie asked the selectmen to review a survey she developed with regard to the assessing review appointments people had with Avitar.  The selectmen said the survey could be sent out with the new property cards.

Public Input:

            Jeff Cantara:  He is having problems with Lynn Kenney not explaining to her customers that
            they need to take a detour as the highway department is working on Fowler River Road. 

            Sue Cheney:  Sue said that she hears good things about Chief Hinkle—that he has integrity and
            is honest and intelligent.

            Larry Stickney:  Larry asked if you have to have a septic design to get a building permit—you
            do.  He also asked if the conservation commission is involved in the septic design process—they
            are not.  Larry requested information on the process to remove a selectman from office.

            Larry also asked about the inspection of the gravel pits and whether the owners were notified.

            Merry Ruggirello:  Merry said that several pits are not properly permitted; they had no public
            hearings held and the pits were approved without the necessary public hearings.
            Ann Hall:  Gravel pit inspection can take place on her property, but Cindy Williams is not
            allowed on her property.

Adjournment:

            The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Christie Phelps, AA