Alexandria Selectmen’s Meeting

August 30, 2007

 

 

NOTE:  Once again we experience a broken cassette tape, so the only notes of the meeting are those handwritten by the AA.  The remainder of that package of tapes has been disposed of.

 

 

Members Present:     Don Gangemi and Peg Reilly

 

Meeting came to order at 6:00 p.m.

 

Pledge of Allegiance: Given

 

Distribution of Minutes:        None

 

Approval of Minutes:             None

 

Department Heads:  

            George Whittaker:     Should invite the forest fire warden to the emergency mgt.
            meeting.  Christie will do so.  George said that the Smith River Road property has a
            1,000 gallon septic tank in working order. 

 

            Frank Hinkle: Frank said an e-mail was received from Maggie LaBerge regarding
            the police department.  Frank explained that the police department does do patrols,
            contrary to what Maggie believes.  As far as his being in the office, there are times
            when he is out on patrol, responding to calls, at meetings or at court in Plymouth.
            With regard to his requesting a waiver of a failed application, he stated that Ms.
            LaBerge should get her facts straight before she talks.  He has no intention of requesting
            a waiver of his application.  The testing procedures allow for an alternative to the
            running portion of the physical fitness testing, which is bicycling.  He is considering
            requesting this alternative. 

 

Don Gangemi:  Don gave an overview of a meeting of selectmen within Grafton County
that he and Peg attended yesterday.  A $50 million dollar bond is being sought by the county to construct a new correctional facility.  This came as a shock to selectboards within the county and they decided to form an association to facilitate a better flow of information to the towns.  Don has agreed to be on the bylaws committee.  The group agrees that a new correctional facility is needed, but does not agree with the scope of the project or the financing method.  Don said that
Alexandria was the only two with two representatives at the meeting.  Frank asked if there is any plan to centralize the new facility rather than have it at the top of the county.  Don said there is one million dollars available for planning and site choice.  The group would like the commissioners to do more to solicit opinions from those who are going to pay for such items. 

 

Martha Richards:       Commissioner Richards came to give the town an update on the goings on at the county level.  On September 18 Alexandria is hosting a meeting of the commissioners and county department heads are required to attend.  She invited any who wish to meet some of the county personnel to attend the meeting.  From 2007 to 2008 the amount of money to be raised by taxes to support the county has increased from 29 to 32 million dollars.  The county is attempting to catch up on some much needed maintenance projects such as a barn roof replacement and a roof over the courthouse which is now leaking.  There is a plan to hire three new correctional officers as well as medical care personnel.  There are some 400 employees who work out of the complex in N. Haverhill.  She did say that the new correctional facility is planned for construction at the present county site and is slated for a January 2010 opening.  One of the other big increases in the budget is the change in the employers contribution rates to the NH Retirement System.  In comparison to other towns, Alexandria is 1.6% of the county total, Hanover is 15, Lebanon is 12 and Holderness is 6, to name a few.  What services does Alexandria receive from the county?  There is the sheriff’s department, social services, the correctional facility and the nursing home.  There is a drug court program, one of two counties in the state using them, as an alternative to jail.  The county farm, which raises vegetables, cows and also sells hay is one of three remaining in the state.  The county nursing home is five years old and the bond will be paid off in four years.  Comm. Richards is researching to find a way for more of the farm’s veggies and milk to be used in the nursing home.  There are 130 beds in the home and they are usually full. County employees hired before July of 2003 are required to pay 13% of their health insurance costs; those hired after that time are required to pay 20%.  Mrs. Richards left a supply of prescription cards that can be used by anyone who does not have prescription drug coverage.  The new correctional facility will be 122,000 SF with varying housing units for minimum/maximum and mental health areas.  There will be an infirmary, laundry and kitchen facilities.  At the present time, meals are provided by the nursing home facility at a high cost to the jail.  The facility will have up to date electronics and will have the ability to do video visits and perhaps video arraignment which will reduce the need for travel.  Skip Reilly asked if the county has considered self insuring for health insurance. Martha said she did not know, but directed Skip to Joanne Mann who is the Dir. Of Human Resources. Bonnie O’Brien asked how many prisoners there are—the number is 98 at present.  Another question was where does food grown by the farm go.  What is not sold at the farm stand is donated to food pantries and other programs.  The farm manager is Don Kimball.  The county does have a Capital Improvement Plans.  There is a health and human services satellite office at the Whole Village Area in Plymouth.  Martha will find out what days and hours. 

 

Items Requiring Signature or Vote:

            Don made a motion to authorize the installation of the sink, toilet, fountain unit for the
            police cell as well as the video monitoring equipment.  The motion was seconded by Peg
            and passed by a motion of 2-0.

 

Donald made a motion to abate interest and penalties for Prestige Development for the years 1989, 1990 and 1991 as long as the taxes are paid by November 1.  Peg seconded the motion and it was approved by a vote of 2-0.

 

A letter will be sent to Andrew DeRoma asking for information on his Town Pound Road project.

 

            A letter was signed to Jim Fredericks indicating that the town has completed its review of
            the incident he was involved in and considers the issue closed.

 

The MS-5 financial report was signed and will be sent to the NH Dept. of Revenue Admin. as required.  An unreserved fund balance of $522,000 was reported on the form. 

 

Purchase orders were signed for Circle 3, GMI Asphalt, JAF Industries and Owens Leasing.
These purchase orders were all presented by the highway department.

 

A personnel action request was signed for one of the highway employees.

 

A check missed on Wednesday was signed.

 

Public Input:

            Larry Stickney:  Is the discussion that was table last week going to be held this week?  It was
            determined that the matter should wait until all three selectmen are present.

 

            Ed Skroback:  Will hold his issue until full board is present.

            Bill Hall:          Fowler River Road looks good, but somebody should go up and check the
            hot top.  It should be sealed-lots of divets.  According to Don Gangemi, it was felt that the road
            should sit for one year before it is sealed. 

 

Larry Stickney:  Is the road closed?  No, it has been closed on a temporary basis as needed while work was being done.

The school district asked if the field in back of town hall could be used as a football field for
home games.  George Whittaker said it is not flat enough.  The selectmen said that Mr. Day
hays the field and has not yet done his second crop cutting. 

Skip Reilly encouraged people to attend the school district meetings, especially the ones coming
up that have to do with the teacher’s contract.

 

            George Whittaker said that the Supervisors of the Checklist could incur further costs this year if
            primary gets moved up and will incur costs associated with the school special meeting.

 

Don Gangemi:  Are repairs for the town-owned buildings all under General Government Buildings.  He was told that they are, but can be broken down by each building.

 

Adjournment:

            Meeting adjourned at 8:15 by motion of Don Gangemi, second of Peg Reilly and vote of 2-0.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Christie Phelps,

Admin. Assistant

 

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