Members Present: Peg Reilly, Cindy Williams and Don Gangemi

WORK SESSION:

Town Meeting Minutes: The selectmen signed the minutes from town meeting; they can now be submitted to the state.

Police Cruiser: The police cruiser purchase order was discussed. Chief Hinkle asked for approval to trade in a "sniper" rifle that is in the department’s inventory. He stated that he cannot think of a situation in which any member of his department would use such a weapon. The trade in allowance on the weapon is $800; which will reduce the cost of the new cruiser and equipment setup. Cindy asked what a data modem is that is listed on the equipment for the new cruiser. Frank explained is part of the laptop system allowing the cruiser to link up to the Grafton County network. A laptop will be provided to the town via the Car 54 program. The software has already been purchased. The only thing needed above and beyond the Car 54 program for the computer is the data modem. Ossipee Mountain Electronics has been contracted by Grafton County to install the data modem. Cindy asked a question she had from last week; are the guns a part of a duty ready cruiser. Frank explained that is policy set by the police department and the town. His argument is that the guns are assigned to a cruiser; not to an officer. Each cruiser should have a set of guns that are ready to roll when the cruiser does. If a call requires the response of two cruisers, they should both be set up with officers as well as weapons. It is another tool that goes into the cruiser like traffic cones, fingerprint machine, powder processing kit, etc. Cindy asked for an explanation of what a fourth shotgun is needed when there are three already listed on the inventory. Frank said he made a mistake; there are only two. One of the guns is about twenty years old and it will be kept as a spare. Peg said she is concerned that the department has the weapons it needs. Ed Skroback said an officer’s goal is to retire without having to every discharge his weapon. Frank stated he is not a gun nut, but this is a town where a large number of people own firearms, and where there are firearms, there is the potential for them being used. Cindy asked Frank where he stands with regard to certification. Frank said he was injured during the run with shin splints. He submitted a report of injury report to Police Standards and Training. August is the next available date for Frank to test. He has enlisted the help of a certified training instructor to help him train at Plymouth State University. Frank said that he tested in the 35-39 year old group with regard to push-ups, sit-ups and weightlifting, but by the twelfth lap of the running the shin splints started. He came in a minute and change over the allotted time. He is also in physical therapy. The sac that covers the muscle on the outside of his left leg is too small. When the muscle expands, there is pressure placed on the sack. The only solution is surgery and you can’t run for a year following surgery. Cindy asked if he can take the statutes course in the meantime. Frank stated he could not and he will have to take all sections of the physical test again, not just the one that he did not pass. He feels that since PST is recognizing his certification from 1978 from Florida for all things except the statutes course, they should give some consideration with regard to the physical fitness test. Cindy asked if even full time officers are required to qualify with the physical fitness every so many years. Frank said anybody certified after 2001 has to but anyone before that is grandfathered. Frank said that he has always had shin splits, but the trainer assures him they will get him in shape for August.

Holding Cell: Frank said the department is recognized by the state as having a lock-up. The department received a letter from juvenile services saying that the department is in full compliance with protocol and procedures regarding lock-up. Frank did some research to find out what the minimum standards are for a holding cell facility. CALEA states that you need adequate lighting, circulation of fresh and purified air, access to toilet and drinking water, access to a wash basin or shower for a detainee held in excess of eight hours and bedding and a bed. The American Correctional Association pretty much says the same thing, adding that hot and cold running water should be available for someone to be held twenty-four hours a day. They indicate it has to be available without staff assistance. Frank checked with Norm Wiley; OC and pepper spray are deployed on a regular basis and the requirements for flushing and decontamination would be 15-20 minutes of access to continually flush the eyes and then periodic flushing for another 90 minutes. Frank said the department does not comply with CALEA because there is no sink. We don’t comply with ACA; we don’t have the ability to allow the detainee to flush whenever need without assistance because there is no sink. Security is a problem. In order to get the detainee to the bathroom, it would require passing through the public portion of the police station. Frank feels there is the potential for a huge liability to the town. Frank stated that the toilet installed in the holding cell should be removed and a sink, toilet, fountain combination be put in its place. The $2200 it would cost would remove a lot of liability issues. A civil suit down the road could cost a lot more than that. Peg asked how much money is left in the building budget. Christie said approximately $67,000. Don asked about getting the contractor to pay for the unit. Cindy said she had a hard time finding any specifications for the holding cell and so the contractor was not held to a specific unit. The contractor said they would provide the same type of unit they had installed in another police department. Cindy has asked the contractor if they could use the unit, if removed, in another job they have and perhaps give the town a credit. The other thought she had is that the insurance carrier is coming up on the 25^th and Cindy would like their input before a decision is actually made. Frank said then we are back to asking LGC to determine policy for the Town of Alexandria. Cindy said LGC will determine whether or not they will cover the town. Frank said they will cover if the town sets forth a reasonable and well thought out policy. It’s up to the town to set the policy. Frank said CALEA is the standard and Police Standards and Training recognizes that. Cindy thought it was odd that PST said nothing of that when she called them trying to find specifications for a holding cell. Ed Skroback said it is a matter of respect for whoever may be held in the cell. They need to be able to wash their hands and get a drink of water. It’s what’s right. Peg asked who comes in to give the department a certificate. Frank said you go through an assessment process. Peg asked if PST does that process. Frank explained that it is an international accreditation process. There are 400+ standards that cover everything from your administrative procedures through operational. It is a long, involved process that would probably cost the Town of Alexandria $30-35,000 to get through. Frank does not want to go for national accreditation. He would like state, however. Don asked how long the chief would estimate having a prisoner there. Frank said realistically his procedures will call for no more than four hours. Juveniles cannot be held for more than four hours. Adults would include an occasion, due to weather conditions, etc. where they may be here for more than four hours before transporting to Grafton County Jail. If multiple agencies need to interview a detainee, they could be here for more than four hours. You need to plan for these occasions. Don’s major concern is the security of the town employees and the customers that come in. Frank said there has already been a detainee in the cell that was so violent he was not fingerprinted because it would mean bringing him out of the cell. Cindy asked if the cell is supposed to be used without a bed. Frank said they are taking a chance, but would rather use it especially in the case of a violent prisoner. We need a cost on the installation of a new toilet unit, Cindy said. The question was asked whether or not the cell has hot water going to it. Frank said he would not want hot water because a detainee could burn themselves. Frank said the CALEA standards are not set in stone; if you have a reasonable argument as to what you did not meet the fine line of standards; that does get attached to the assessing report. The argument would be that the department did not want anyone to be able to burn themselves in the cell. Mr. Nielson, who came to inspect the department for compliance with juvenile requirements, sent along some literature regarding adult lockups and explained that the town is opening itself up to liability if it does not provide a sink. Larry Stickney asked about commingling of people in the cell. Frank stated that you cannot mix juveniles and adults or male and female. There is a bar outside of the cell at which someone could be cuffed if necessary to prevent commingling. It’s not the perfect solution, but it will due in a pinch. Policies and procedures will be written to determine who has priority for the cell in the event of multiple detainees.

Budget Reports: Cindy said that the planning board is way over where they should be for this time of year. Christie told her it is because the Lakes Region Planning Comm. dues are paid for the year. Printing and advertising is over due to the copies of the master plan and land use and zoning ordinances for review prior to town meeting. Cindy asked about maintenance costs under general government buildings and was told they were to do with the septic freeze at the highway garage. Cindy asked if there was going to be enough money to paint the gable ends on the old town hall. Christie said she did not feel there was. Frank was asked if he is watching his budget; he said he is. Cindy said the problem with salary lines going over is that it hits more than the department budget, it hits payroll costs. Christie said that Jeff and Frank have both asked for their budget reports on a weekly basis, so they are keeping track of the costs. Frank gave an activity report to date and projected that he will be 20% above last year. Cindy asked if Frank is serving as an administrative chief or a working one. Frank said he is both; he investigates motor vehicle crashes and crime; he is out there. Cindy asked if he does on call. He said that now that Ernie is out, he is on call four nights a week. Cindy pointed out that if he is answering calls while he is on call, he is not accurately noting the time worked on his timecard. Frank asked if he was supposed to. Cindy said it would be nice because it would justify salary requests. Peg said she does not feel it necessary. Frank said his logs show when he is out on service, but he can put it on the timecard. Skip asked who has the authority to look at anyone’s timecard. Cindy said it is public information. Skip said what if the chief is working on an investigation; Cindy replied that it can state investigation, but the timecard does not require names from the cases being worked on. Skip stated he felt that it is micromanagement. Cindy said it was not. Several in the audience disagreed with her. Peg said it is micromanaging and it is not her personal policy. Jeff stated that the only advantage to putting all the hours on is that he can show at the end of the year that it would have cost a lot more for him to be paid on an hourly rate.

Peg declared that as it is six o’clock, the work session is over and the deliberative session will begin.

Pledge of Allegiance: Led by Ann Hall

Distribution of Minutes: April 5 was distributed for review

Approval of Minutes: March 29 minutes were approved as submitted.

Jeff Cantara: Jeff stated he is watching his budget and will do everything necessary to stay within bounds. The roads may need to be unposted for a couple of minutes, and then posted once again due to the conditions. Jeff said that he should be able to complete a mile of Fowler River Road. He is asking the selectmen to understand that sometimes it is hard for him to get three quotes. He also stated that the selectmen work on a weekly basis, while he works on a daily basis. He is requesting that they place trust in him that he is researching and getting the best price possible for the town. Purchase orders may come in for Thursday signing that have products or services on them that have already been ordered because of time restraints. Peg said she felt local companies should be used as much as possible. Don asked about publishing a request to bid and if only one bid comes back, the town can go with that price. Jeff said every time you have to publish a bid that is money that comes out of his budget. Don said the town could do a preferred vendor listing. GI is coming back to fix a crack in Bailey Road. They are being very good to the town and Jeff would like to continue to work with them. Jeff said he likes using local contractors. Right now there is an issue with one supplier in town. Jeff prefers to use Circle 3 right now for gravel, etc. because they can supply paperwork proving that they meet state specs and they test every three months. It is good material even though it costs a little more. Jeff explained that the fact that they will not have to put it down again because of quality justifies the cost. Jeff said he will use the local provider for what he can. Cindy said she had a conversation with Boake and he said he is getting a better grade of gravel right now. Boake said the state is going to come in to test soon. Jeff said that Boake’s gravel can be very sandy and it does not hold. Peg told Jeff that he is the administrator of his department and as far as she is concerned, he is more expert in those types of decisions than the selectmen are. Peg said the selectmen trust his judgment. Don said that he has seen the job the department is doing, and it is good. From his standpoint, if Jeff comes in with a bid and says this is what I need; the selectmen are going to support him. The new trucks have been moved to Tenco for plows, etc. Jeff is working with Dennis Manchester on signage for the trucks. The artwork will be similar to that of the police department. Three of the highway crew passed Advanced CPR training through the fire department. John Emery and Dan Milligan have both joined the fire department. Jeff will determine protocol for the highway crew responding to emergency calls.

Ken & Beverly Hall Permit: Jeff was asked to review the road where Ken and Beverly Hall would like to build on Gale Road. He has done so and said the road meets the Class VI minimum standards.

Hardwick Timber: Jeff’s recommendation is to restrict them from using the Washburn Road Bridge as an access to their timber operation.

Skip Reilly, Budget Committee Chairman, opened a public hearing on the issuance of a bond in excess of $100,000 at 6:30 p.m. There were five members of the budget committee present; Ginny Duggan, Skip Reilly, Harold Platts, Fred Platts and Art Barron. Skip read an opening statement that referred to the RSA requiring a public hearing for the purpose listed above. This hearing should have been held prior to the town meeting and is considered a procedural error. The bond issue was discussed at the public hearing on the proposed budget and warrant articles; however, the newspaper ad did not specifically note the issuance of a bond. The floor was opened for discussion. Christie explained that she had spoken to a representative of the NH Department of Revenue and they stated that the approval for the purchase of the trucks could not be overturned. Fred Platts said that the bond could be voted down, however, and the town would have to figure out how to pay for that portion. Cindy said it would have to be raised by taxation or from unreserved fund balance. The merits of having to purchase the trucks in one year rather than bonding it over a period of time were discussed. The issue does need to be passed by a 2/3 ballot vote at the special town meeting. Purchasing the trucks in one year will increase the tax rate by approximately $.73. Cindy said other areas of the budget may have to be reduced. Christie thought that perhaps all you would be doing is revising the anticipated revenues rather than reducing the remainder of the budget. The special town meeting will be held at the old town hall to accommodate anyone who wishes to attend. The public hearing was adjourned at 6:53 p.m.

New Business:

A building permit was signed for Frank Sabbio on McMurphy Road.

An invoice from 1-2-3 Lock & Key was approved.

The town meeting minutes were signed

The police cruiser purchase order was signed

A timber warrant for Sandra Shea was signed

An elderly exemption was approved for Hughes

Thank you letters to Michelle McCarthy and Lilla Sharp were signed for donations they had
made to the town

Waiting for breakdown

New Business:

Holding cell issues were discussed during the work session; see that section

An inventory of firearms was received from the police chief

A request to trade in one of the town-owned firearms was approved

Cindy asked for a limit to be put on the purchase of steel toe boots.

Merry gave an update on Lynn Avenue

None

Respectfully submitted,

Christie Phelps, AA