Members Present: Cindy Williams and Don Gangemi
The meeting was called to order at
Pledge of Allegiance: Led by Carol Panaggio
Distribution of
Minutes:
Approval of Minutes: August 23 and 30 must remain in
draft form as Peg Reilly was
one
of two selectmen present at each of those meetings, and she
has
since resigned. The minutes of August 16
will be reviewed
next
week.
Merry
Ruggirello wished to make a clarification on the minutes of
August
23. When she referred
to pits not being properly permitted, she
referring
to the years 2003-2004.
Department Heads:
Frank Hinkle: Christie said that Frank would not be here this evening as he is in class at the part-time academy.
George Whittaker: A
complaint was turned in to the health officer, and George determined that
it was a landlord/tenant dispute, not a health complaint. George said that he hung up on the caller as
he was using very bad language. George
received a complaint of a bookcase being dropped off on
Announcements: As listed on the agenda.
Items Requiring Signature:
A thank you
card was signed for Al Bean. He replaced
the blades on the mower and worked
on the mower deck.
A letter was signed requesting that the cable hookup for AVS remain with Metrocast as the district is changing cable providers.
An abatement was signed for Sandra Piper
A purchase order for Cargill Salt was signed in the amount of $17,457
The nomination papers were signed
for George Whittaker to once again be primary health
officer for the town, with the selectmen becoming deputy health officers.
George said that the town will bill the
town for the special meeting expenses. There
may
also be a primary vote prior
to the end of this year that was not anticipated. The SOC
budget will be way over
budget.
Barbara Emery said that the state audited her motor vehicles
records recently and did not
find any deficiencies. George West, a
Plodzik & Sanderson representative, dropped in for a visit and looked at
the way Barbara is doing things. He was
pleased. She is considering mailing
notices to people letting them know what vehicles they have coming up for
renewal and what it will cost. In August
of 2008 the town can begin deeding properties that have outstanding taxes from
2005 and before.
Cindy stated that the county commissioners held a meeting here on Tuesday. There were not a lot of residents present, probably due to the fact that it was a daytime meeting. The meeting was very informative; they had all of the department heads here. Each one of them gave a synopsis of their department. Because there has been such a question on the correctional facility, they have put together a newsletter that will be updated with the project’s progress. Also available is a prescription card that county residents can use. Cards are available in the lobby. Cindy thanked Cat and Christie for providing food for the meeting.
Follow-ups: Rock has been picked out; should be
delivered soon. Flagpole being ordered this
week.
Old Business:
Building Issues: Cindy
called Gove Electric to see if they would be willing to change out the smoke
detectors and give the town a credit toward combination smoke/heat detectors
per the recommendation of the insurance company. She is waiting to hear back from Gove. Several
audience members asked about going after the architect for specifying the wrong
units. Don pointed out that the
insurance company is not requiring the combination, merely recommending
them. If they had been required and not
provided, then perhaps the town could go back to the architect. Chris Rhude registered a complaint that the
doors are such that the building is not handicapped accessible. Cindy reminded George that he was going to
look up the requirements of
A copy will also be sent to NHDOT for their records.
New Business:
The resignation of Peg Reilly was accepted with regret. An advertisement will be placed
in the paper requesting letters of interest.
Chris Rhude said that with the last road agent, the person who was
elected didn’t want it, so the person who got the next most votes took it. Christie said that it doesn’t work that
way. The law states that a vacancy on
the board of selectmen shall be filled by appointment of the remaining
members. She got the law book out for
Cindy to read to the audience.
Don Gangemi agreed to be the selectmen’s representative to the budget committee.
Cindy asked to change the night that the selectmen meeting, but Don stated that at the present time, he has commitments on Monday and Tuesday. The meeting will stay on Thursday for the time being.
Light Duty Policy: Christie gave the selectmen two versions
of a light duty policy to review.
The issue will be placed on
the agenda for next week.
Dubois & King Contract: Send to town counsel for review.
The Emery settlement agreement was signed by the selectmen and will be
given to the Emery’s’
for their signature. This will settle
the BTLA case on file. Due to comments
from the audience regarding Avitar’s services for assessing, Christie explained
that the NHDRA has been monitoring Avitar’s work. They found ten mobile homes that needed to be
changed from Crawl Space to Piers and one neighborhood code that was inconsistent with the houses around it. Other than that, there are no problems to
note and a report will be forthcoming to the selectmen. Cindy said that Avitar
has also been requested to meet with each person that applies for abatement.
Chris Rhude: Chris discussed her Land Use Change Tax with
the selectmen and they voted to abate
the remainder of the LUCT,
$1,500. Christie made out the abatement
form and it was signed.
Public Input:
Sue Cheney: Sue asked Don
Gangemi if he would work with the school committee; he said
he would try to make meetings. Sue asked
the selectmen to get an opinion from town counsel as to whether or not the
school committee could use some of the Perkins Trust money for legal fees.
The selectmen agreed, and Christie will send out the question in the
morning. Cindy asked if Sue had gone to
the facilities meeting. She said she did not.
Maggie LaBerge: Outside lights are not working. As a citizen she is unable to come to the meetings on Thursday evening, but will continue to send e-mails on issues she is concerned about. Maggie said that she understand the chief has acquired a part-time job and she wondered where the cruiser is parked during that part-time job. Christie said that Frank’s part-time job is located in the neighborhood in which he lives and consists of foot patrol around the college housing units. The cruiser is parked at his house. Don said that last week the chief was asked why he is using the new cruiser and not the other officers. The chief said that once the cruiser is certified, it will be turned over to be used as the patrol vehicle. Maggie stated that the town should look into having a contract with the chief and that she is really opposed to his using a cruiser.
Chris Rhude: Chris asked if
the chief has his own vehicle as was discussed a few months ago.
Christie explained that the chief does have his own vehicle. Cindy said that decisions were made by others
to allow the chief to use the cruiser and not to have a contract for his employment. She was against this.
Larry Stickney: Larry said
the chief explained that he does a lot of his legal work in
Is he going to do that with his own vehicle; do state police take their own
vehicle back and forth? No. They keep it
where they can use it.
Don Gangemi: Don explained that the chief is paying for the gas he uses in the cruiser and has also stated that he will still be available to respond to calls, whether he has the second job or not.
Cindy said that she would prefer that these questions be raised
when Frank is here so he can
address them. She asked Christie about
the school that Frank is at. Christie
said that he has enrolled in the part-time academy as a show of good faith. He is out Tuesday and Thursday evenings and
Saturday mornings. Cindy said that she
is disappointed that they were not told that Frank would be attending school as
all he has to take is the law package.
Maggie LaBerge: Maggie said the planning board is working on some comprises for Eastman Hill. She asked the selectmen not to issue any building permits until they come to some decisions regarding the roads in that subdivision. There will be no planning board meeting on October 3. Maggie made a comment against the firing range at the Bedard pit.
Ernie Lamos: Expressed concerns about police department.
Bill Hall: Give Frank a break—he is not that bad a guy.
Larry Stickney: Asked about
the status of
Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at
Respectfully submitted,
Christie Phelps, AA