Alexandria Board of Selectmen
November 1, 2007
Approved December 6, 2007
WORK SESSION
The selectmen met with the police chief to discuss his 2008 budget request. No votes were taken, no decisions made. Christie will check into the revolving account bookkeeping to make sure she has the entries correct. Grant money will be removed from the operating budget. A question was asked about ammunition and why the expenditures are so high. Frank explained that the department must qualify two times per year at approximately 400 rounds/officer.
DELIBERATIVE SESSION
Pledge of Allegiance
Distribution of Minutes: The minutes of October 25 were distributed.
Approval of Minutes: None
Department Heads:
Jeff Cantara: The drainage issue at the Tourangeau property has been taken care of as well as an issue at Cole Hill Road, that portion that the town maintains. Jeff has no stock pipe left and may be ordering some before the end of the year if the budget allows. Fall grading has been done on all roads at least one. Trucks are in good shape. Jeff asked if he can dispose of the old sander at the shed or do we need to bid it out. The selectmen will get back to him on that. Jeff asked for authorization to complete the flood work. It will impact his operating budget by some $1500 dollars due to the fact that FEMA money has not been received from the state. We will be checking with the state to find out when those funds are anticipated. Jeff did say that he wants to send items out to bid right after town meeting next year in order to be able to do blanket purchase orders for the year. He was told that the bid specifications cannot be written in such a way as to favor any one vendor.
Don Gagnon: The conservation commission has adopted by-laws to be signed at their next meeting. Members will be attending classes on Saturday.
6:15
Public Hearing on the acceptance and expenditure of unanticipated
revenues; $174,030.59 from Fema for the 2007 flood and $30,000 from the
Shapiros, who wish to have a bandstand built in memory of her parents. No
objections were raised. The public
hearing ended at 6:30 p.m. Frank Sabbio has offered to be the project manager;
Jim Ransom has offered his services for sitework. The selectmen asked the
committee to move slowly so no mistakes are made. It may be that any work is
put off until next year, but planning can be done this winter. Christie will
supply Frank with a copy of the plans that show where septic system components
are in the area between the two buildings.
Cindy made a motion to accept the FEMA funds and the donation by the Shapiros. Don seconded the motion and it was approved by a vote of 2-0.
Items Approved for Signature:
Letter to NHDES regarding Indeck Energy. The selectmen are requesting a public hearing to be held in Alexandria.
An additional work order for H.E. Bergeron in reference to the fuel tank project. Further requirements from NHDES are the reason for the additional expense. This will need to be taken out of Jeff’s operating budget.
Building permits were approved for Warren Corcoran and Michael McCarron.
The selectmen signed an agreement with Paul Brown to review the financial in accordance with GASB directives.
The contract for Dubois and King’s preliminary engineering work on Washburn Road was approved. Letters to abutters to the bridge were signed requesting entry to those properties if necessary in order to perform survey work on the bridge relocation.
A letter was signed to Cub Scout Pack #59 for their work in planting crocus bulbs in the friendship garden at tow hall.
Purchase orders were signed for Circle 3 Gravel (7500), GMI Asphalt for paving Solar Acres Road (13000); GMI Asphalt for shimming Berry Road (9100) and GMI Asphalt to pave the ditchline on a portion of Mt. Cardigan Road (6000).
Old Business:
Cole Hill Road-completed
Transfer Station Lane-Cindy working on and purchase and sales agreement being
developed.
Prestige Development-waiting for association signature
Volunteer Policy-will be ready next week
Reclamation-Mr. Ransom gave an updated figure on the reclamation project after talking with the road agent regarding the true scope of work to be done. Christie will check with Mr. Morrison to see if he wishes to review the area with the road agent in order to submit an updated figure.
New Business:
Don Gangemi explained that he had developed a job description for Town
Administrator
and wished for the selectmen to change the Administrative Assistant position to
Town Administrator. Cindy said that she just wanted to be kept informed of what
is going on in town with regard to building permits, purchase orders, etc. She
also asked for a couple of minor changes. There will be no wage consideration
made until town meeting. Cindy made a motion to change the position; Don
Gangemi seconded the motion and it was passed by a vote of 2-0. The change
takes effect immediately.
Don announced that a third selectman has been chosen; it is Tom McGowan. He explained that the reason for his hesitancy in choosing someone is he feels this is a matter for the voters, not for the remaining selectmen. However, in light of the fact that a certain number of signatures or votes are needed in order to conduct business, he understood the need to make a decision on the candidates.
Attorney Contact: Christie asked if it is acceptable for town funds to be spent on researching an alternative to the Alexandria Village School with town counsel. Christie will pose the question to the attorney.
A retainer agreement was signed with Donahue, Tucker and Ciandella. In 2008 they wish to raise the retainer to $1200 and in July of 2009 to $1500 which is more representative of the costs involved with the town.
A building permit checklist that Christie developed was approved by the selectmen.
Christie was directed to contact the attorney to authorize him to go forward with the Bedard issue as it relates to the planning board.
Cindy suggested a work session on the 15th to discuss recommendations on the budgets.
Don stated that a Harvest Day will be held this Sunday, sponsored by Friends of AVS. The time is 11:30 until 2:00.
Don asked people to take a copy of the meeting protocol in order to make themselves familiar with how the meeting should go.
Public Input
Carol Panaggio thinks the meeting protocol list is ridiculous .
Bill Russell talked with Jeff today outlining the work he would like to do on Welton Falls Road. They want to repair the road surface and redeck the bridge. He will contact the state to find out if once it is done, would they inspect the work to make sure they feel it is alright and what they suggest for a weight limit and other posting requirements. He will be using 6x6 cribbing under the one beam the state has a problem with. Cindy pointed out that once the road is repaired, Mr. Russell cannot prevent others from using it. A gate can be put up, but it cannot be locked. Don asked if Mr. Russell had gotten an extension on the time limit to remove the wolf hybrids from their present location. Bill said they have an extra fifteen days; until November 15. Frank stated he has had some questions from citizens concerned about the potential noise. Mr. Russell feels they are far enough back in the woods. Frank asked about licenses for the animals. Mr. Russell said once the “dogs” are here, they will need to provide the town with vaccination records and will need to obtain a kennel license. Cindy asked if there is a noise law; Frank said there is. Cindy would like a copy of it, so would Bonnie O’Brien. Jeff said he was up at the site today on his own time. He said it looks like they are doing what they are supposed to with regard to the fencing. His issue is going to be access of emergency services. Jeff feels Mr. Russell should be allowed to improve the road.
Frank asked about hiring Angela Lyford for the police department. Don explained that Frank has not been given approval by the selectmen to hire another person. He must first justify the position.
Adjournment:
Cindy Williams made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:00 p.m.; the motion was seconded by Don Gangemi and passed by a vote of 2-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Christie Phelps, TA