Members Present: Bob Bacon and Peg Reilly; Cindy Williams was excused
Others Present: Ed Skroback, Merry Ruggirello, George
Whittaker, Skip Reilly, Carol Panaggio,
Maggie
LaBerge, Bill Hall, Christie Phelps, Sue Cheney
The meeting came to order at
Work Session:
Began at
Pledge of Allegiance:
Led by Merry Ruggirello
Distribution of Minutes:
The minutes of August 17 were distributed for review. Peg has requested a couple of changes.
Approval of Minutes:
Tabled until Cindy Williams returns.
Department Heads & Committees:
Maggie LaBerge: Maggie was
unable to attend and gave Christie a report to read. Items relating to the
planning board meeting of August 16:
there were no agenda items to be discussed; the following items were
discussed. Roadway Access: one application was returned as incomplete-no
sketch; spoke to
George Whittaker: George
attended a pandemic meeting in
be responsible for the viruses and the distances they will travel. Bob
suggested that the guidelines for protection should be posted at the town hall
and transfer station. Christie explained that flyers are already available
outside the town clerk’s office and George said that he would provide some to
the transfer station. George contacted Fema and found that the town should
receive flood money soon. Christie said she received a packet of information
from Fema and has some questions to present to
the person who wrote the letter as soon as they return from vacation. Bob asked if George has been back to the
Announcements:
Selectmen’s Meeting: August 31
at
Hazard
Mitigation: August 25 at
Land Use, Building, Purchase Orders, Other Items Requiring Signature:
A building permit was signed for Margaret Flynn
An intent
to cut was signed for Ernest Parmenter; John Black of
A timber tax warrant was signed for Sandra Shea
Peg made a motion to approve a
purchase order for one 40 yard container for the transfer
station in the amount of $5225; Bob seconded the motion and it passed by a vote
of 2-0. Three bids were not available on this item as it is specialized. Peg
asked how much had been budgeted for this item; Christie said $5000. The price could be lowered if the delivery
charge can be spread among containers
on one load going to several different locations.
Bob
mentioned that a building permit was approved on Monday during a posted meeting
for Everett Babcock on
Old Business:
All items under old business are
there in order to keep these items before the selectmen.
There is no update this week.
New Business:
RFP for Appraisal Service: Christie asked when the process should start on the appraisal contract.
Bob said it
should be done now. Christie will request a draft RFP from the state and a list
of
approved appraisers.
Thank you letters to the applicants for the chief’s position were
signed. A conditional letter of
employment was signed for the new chief and thank you letters were also signed
to the members
of the Police Search Committee. Bob declined to reveal the name of the new
chief until such time
as he has accepted the offer in writing.
Peg stated that the names of the other finalists should not be
identified as it may affect their present employment.
Donald Towle asked the selectmen to hold a meeting regarding the
requested updates on current use
information. Bob asked if there had been
any other such requests. Christie said
no, she and Cat have
been able to assist anyone who has had questions.
Correctional Workers: A letter was signed to Glen Libby of the Grafton County Correctional Facility thanking them for providing the workers that painted town hall and stating that the town wishes to have them back again next year to put on a second coat. A thank you letter was also sent to Mark Chevalier who loaned the town some ladders for the paint project. Bill Hall asked if there are other projects the inmates can do such as cleaning ditches, etc. Christie was asked to check with the county to determine what they are allowed to do.
Retainage on
comes out to look at the pavement crack.
is being directed by NHDES to
come back to fix the problem at no cost to the new owner.
Harold Reilly: Mr. Reilly
asked for a refund of the $100 fee on his subdivision due to an error in the
newspaper ad publicizing the hearing date.
The planning board voted not to refund the fee; the selectmen, after
conferring with town counsel, determined it would be in the best interests of
the town to allow the refund. Bob
explained that Peg Reilly has not been in on any of the discussions relative to
the refund as it would have been a conflict of interest. When Cindy returns, Bob will talk with her
about sending the planning board a letter on why they made the decision they
did and they will also make recommendations to the planning board.
Public Input:
Maggie LaBerge: Maggie
stated that even school districts announce the names of candidates for
superintendent. She doesn’t understand
why the selectmen won’t identify the applicants. Bob said once the process is
complete, the names will be made public.
With regard to the current use update requests, is there any enforcement
if the information is not submitted? Bob
said there is not. Maggie asked if the
selectmen thought they would be taking over the approval of access permits. Bob
said no, the selectmen are going to give that job to Jeff to do. Bob did say he would be talking with Jeff
tomorrow to see if there is a need for a second person to be involved in the
process. Bob said the selectmen will pay Jeff one half of the application fee
($75 is the fee) to inspect driveways on his own time. Maggie said she would
appreciate the selectmen sending a letter to the planning board on what their
decision is. She said the RSA’s are pretty clear. Maggie asked if Jeff would be allowed to give
input on driveways within subdivisions as he appears to know what he is talking
about. Bob said he would be able to. The
planning board has total control inside a subdivision. Maggie wants to make
sure that Jeff is a part of it. The road access regulations within a
subdivision are under review and hopefully will match the roadway ordinance, if
that document should ever be completed. It would be nice to have the specifications
match from one document to another.
Merry Ruggirello: Merry asked if the selectmen are aware that the $100 they are refunding is not just for advertising; it is broken down into so much for advertising, so much for other things. Bob again pointed out that town counsel recommended not spending 2-5,000 dollars to find out whether or not they are right. Merry said that the board and the attorney should be aware that there is a breakdown on that fee.
Carol Panaggio: On the
current use thing, does this mean I don’t have to come in. Christie explained why the town is requesting
the updates, but did confirm that there is nothing within the law that says the
property owner has to provide it.
Christie said it would take Carol about five minutes in the office to be
able to submit the information.
Ed Skroback: Appreciates the work of the police search committee.
Bob replied to a question regarding whether or not the new police chief has to live in the town. Bob said he does not because he is not an elected official. The selectmen have been talking about changing the policy to make a requirement that anyone who works for the town, especially the police department, lives within the school district. It is felt that is a reasonable expectation.
Harold Reilly: Stated he was sorry that Maggie left as he wanted her to hear his comments. Mr. Reilly asked the selectmen to look toward asking for the planning board chairman’s resignation because of her insulting attitude, criticizing applicants at a public meeting, demeaning also members of the board and making unnecessary remarks during a public hearing. Her actions demand her resignation. Anybody I have spoken to on the planning, they are ballistic over her attitude, her ruling attitude. Bob responded that the board is well aware of issues with many things in the town, not only the planning board. The selectmen do discuss them and what they can do about them. A letter will be sent to the board with regard to refunding Mr. Reilly’s money. There will probably be a request in there for certain things to be done. The selectmen will not demand anything from the board; they can only request. Mr. Reilly stated he does not want to indict the planning board body.
Merry Ruggirello: Merry said that enough is enough…let it go.
William Hall: Commended the selectmen on their decision to give back $100 rather than spend $5,000.
Adjournment:
Peg Reilly made a motion to adjourn
at
Respectfully submitted,
Christie Phelps
Admin. Assistant