Alexandria Board of Selectmen

February 15, 2007

 

Members Present:         Peg Reilly, Cindy Williams, Dennis Manchester

Others Present:          Christie Phelps, Frank Hinkle, George Whittaker and Jeff Cantara

 

Work Session:

 

Sue Hunt and Kristy Comarcho from Northway Bank came in to present cash management programs to the selectmen.  At the present time, the town has some funds on deposit with Northway.  The bank is working on a new program whereby checks would be scanned at the town office and deposited electronically into the account.  This will be available later in 2007.  Christie asked about the insurance on the funds now on deposit.  Sue explained that they are collateralized through the U.S. Treasury for funds in excess of $100,000.  On-line banking is available to the town at this point and monthly statements of the sweep account are provided to the treasurer.   The town has met with representatives from several banks lately as a part of their duty to oversee the security of town funds. 

 

Loren Martin, Gary Roberge and Chris Murdough from Avitar Associates came to meet with the selectmen.  The town has voted to accept their bid on the assessing work for the next 4-5 years.  They have agreed to level fund the project.  A copy of their proposal needs to be faxed to the Department of Revenue immediately in order to be reviewed.  A contract will be signed in the next two weeks.  The town would like to see the update for 2007 completed by September 1 when the MS-1 report is due to the state.  Christie outlined a number of concerns that the town has with the previous update.  It was suggested that more communication between Avitar and the town is needed.  It was requested that Avitar provide the town with a list of people to be reviewed; a list of interior inspections; a list of properties that were not able to be inspected on the interior and a list of those people who were left notices to set up appointments.  Christie explained that the new property cards were sent out the owners this week. Gary suggested that Avitar should review those changed cards before they go out in order to confirm that all information has been properly entered in the computer.  This is one more check and balance that will insure a better final product.  The selectmen did explain that the contract is being awarded to Avitar despite the protests of last week’s audience. 

 

Deliberative Session:

 

The meeting came to order at 6:00 p.m. with all members present.

 

Pledge of Allegiance: Led by George Whittaker

 

Distribution of Minutes:        Minutes of February 8 were distributed

 

Approval of Minutes: The minutes of January 18, January 25 and February 1 were approved with changes on the 18th and 1st. 

 

Department Heads & Committees:

 

Frank Hinkle, Police Chief:  With regard to the holding cell, Frank said that if the town could get the contractor to eat the cost of removing the present unit and putting in a combination, he would like one.  If it is going to cost the town money, however, he can live with what is there.  Cindy asked if the software that the police department has can generate a monthly activity report without names.  Frank said it could; Cindy said it would be nice to have this information at the end of each month.  Frank said Bob has been working on updating the incident reports in the computer.  The town was 2 ˝ years behind in this area.  NACA meetings are ongoing each month and Frank plans to include Don Gangemi and George Whittaker in these meetings as well as the CERT meetings.  NACA is Newfound Area Chiefs Association and CERT is Citizen Emergency Response Team.  Dennis Manchester would like to be informed of the meetings so he can attend on behalf of the fire department.  Frank mentioned that he and Jeff need to visit Knowles Hill Road again as it has been reported that there is activity in the same area where cars were recently hauled out.

 

George Whittaker, Emergency Management/Health Officer:  There were no flagpoles available at surplus when George was there last.  There was a 240 KW generator for $800 that supposedly works.  The selectmen requested that George find out how old the generator is and how many hours it has on it.  George said he got a call from DCYF, who is investigating a complaint in town having to do with mold in an area where children are living.  Peg asked George to keep her involved in this issue and let her know of any meetings or inspections so she can go as well.  George has scheduled a meeting for February 20 with the police, fire and highway departments.  There will be a presentation made by a representative from PSNH on how to deal with downed wires.  The town has received the CD that has to do with updating the emergency management plan in order to be able to apply for grants.  Christie will schedule a meeting soon between George, the fire, police and highway departments and the selectmen. 

 

Jeff Cantara, Road Agent:  The snow policy needs to be signed so the police department can enforce the rules regarding plowing across the road.  Jeff said people plowing across the road create a lot of extra work for the highway department and it scrapes off any road treatment that has been applied.  At the highway garage the problem of water and fluids from the trucks collecting on the floor is getting worse.  The selectmen directed Jeff to get a price on eliminating the problem.  Cindy asked if Jeff had received quotes on door remotes as yet; he has not but is working on it. 

 

Items to be Signed:

 A change order was signed for the building project that reflected the town’s portion of
the savings on the project.  The final requisition from the contractor will be approximately $3,000.  Christie reported that the expenditures to date equal $815,765.28 out of the $886,500 budget.  The only remaining expenses should be in connection with the generator.  At the present time, if the project was considered complete the total amount to be borrowed would be $82,005.  The warrant article allowed up to $166,500 to be borrowed.

An intent to cut was signed for Sandra Shea.

A yield tax warrant was signed for Maurice Plankey. Peg asked Christie to add a line that
states what road the property is located on.

A letter to Roger Bedard was signed, informing him that he has been removed as a member of the Alexandria Planning Board.

The selectmen signed the town warrant. 

A representation letter for the auditors was signed.  This states that the town has provided the town with all the information they needed to perform an audit.

 

Follow-ups:    

            Generator:

            Final Numbers: Taken care of above

Public Hearing Issues:  Larry Stickney had asked last week if the planning board was required to accept any of the suggestions for changes that were submitted during the public hearing.  Christie asked the town’s attorney and received an e-mail stating that it is not required.  The public hearing is held in order to receive comment; it does not infer that changes will be made as a result of the comments.

            Police Department Cell:  Discussed above.

 

Old Business:

            Being Worked on

 

Public Input:

            George said that he did not think it is fair to fine people for plowing across the road
            because some do not have any other place to put snow.

 

Cindy asked Christie to follow up on the phone service for the town clerk and make sure
that the new phone in the old building has limited service on it.  Peg said Barbara’s phone
here in the new building should not be limited service because she makes a lot of phone calls in response to requests from taxpayers.

 

Cindy asked Christie to find out what vests Bob and Ernie are using; if they are ones from Bristol, can Alexandria purchase them as they are fitted for these particular people.  Peg said she believed the vests are outdated.  In any case, the vests need be taken care of before the end of February, when the grant runs out.

 

Adjournment:

Cindy made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:10 p.m.; Dennis seconded the motion and it was passed by a vote of 3-0.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Christie Phelps, Admin. Assistant