Select Board Meeting called to order at 6:00 pm
Roll Call – Andrew Pinard (Chair), Marlene Freyler, Mel Pfeifle (joined via Zoom at 6:02) and Karen Hambleton, Town Administrator, were in attendance.
The Board reviewed the minutes of the November 22 meeting.
Motion: Marlene Freyler motioned to accept the minutes.
Second: Andrew Pinard
Decision: 2-0
Appearances:
Lois Kilnapp – Transfer Station – Lois was present to discuss an upcharge for the disposal of mattresses, chairs, and couches. The increase will be mattresses from $10 – $20, overstuffed chairs from $5 – $10, recliners to $15 and couches from $10 – $20. Karen asked Lois to put all this in writing so they can post it. Lois will write down all the prices and present them at the December 27 meeting.
Jim Raymond – Fire Department – There were six applications submitted for a new Fire Chief. The Select Board and the Fire Department have agreed to interview three of the candidates. The Fire Chief will submit the Fire Department’s top three candidates to Karen. The Board and Fire Chief will meet again on Thursday, December 16, 2021, at 5:30 pm to discuss the interview process further. Andrew mentioned that he would like to have a member of the Police Department and Highway Department involved in the interview process as well.
Jim said they got the pumper back and it was the wheel bearing that needed to be replaced. That work has been done. And the truck is back in service.
Jim said the department’s turnout gear has a life expectancy of 10 years and much of the gear is beyond its life expectancy. He estimates it will probably be $30,000 – $40,000 to replace it. It should take about 90 days to get the equipment once it has been ordered. Mel said she would like to wait for the new chief to come in, but Jim disagreed and thinks this needs to be addressed ASAP in case there is an event. He said if there was an issue, the Town could be held liable. Andrew asked Jim to make an inventory of all the current gear and when it expired. Jim will create a list and come back to the Board.
Steve Hall – Highway Department – There was discussion about parking on the street located at 175 and 200 Breezy Hill Road. Steve said there is a no parking ban on this street. Andrew thinks they should educate the public by sending out a flyer.
There was discussion about a house on East Shore Drive in which there is a building permit in with a 50’ setback and Steve said that is not the case and the septic is right on the road. Steve said he and the Code Enforcement Officer (CEO) has spoken to the property owner and the CEO does not think this is a problem. Andrew said they will do research on this and revisit at a future meeting. Andrew asked Mel if the CEO has ever been to a Planning Board meeting and Mel said he has never attended a Planning Board meeting.
Karen reported that the budget for the Highway Department is $25,000 in the red.
Steve said there was an accident with the 1995 plow truck, and it has been deemed totaled. He is waiting to hear from the insurance company.
Public Input:
Sandra Bravo from the Energy Committee asked the Select Board to sign a letter addressed to the Governor regarding cutbacks for energy incentives. Andrew is in support of signing the letter, once the word “Selectman” is changed to “Select Board Representative”. Mel and Karen made minor corrections to the letter. The Select Board will sign the letter.
Laurie Colburn asked if the Budget Committee has received all budget information. Karen said that everything has been sent to the Committee. Laurie asked about a salary change information and Karen said that the change just occurred, and she will get the information to her as soon as possible.
Regular and Old Business
- The Accounts Payable and Payroll Manifest were reviewed and signed.
- Covid Protocol Update – The Select Board decided to reinstate the mask mandate to conduct face-to-face business in all Town buildings.
Motion: Andrew Pinard motioned that effective immediately there will be a mask requirement of the public when conducting face-to-face business, and when in the public space of any Town building. Andrew also recommends that any group holding a big upcoming event to also wear masks.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0
- Town Hall Update – Karen gave an update of a recent conversation with Jay Barrett, Architect for the project.
Motion: Marlene Freyler motioned to approve $5,000 from the Town Hall Restoration from 2017 for the purposes of establishing a new cost estimate and updated historical structures report.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0
- Moderator Position – There are two resumes to review for this position.
Motion: Andrew Pinard motioned to accept Bruce Edward Storm for the moderator position for the remainder of the term.
Second: Marlene Freyler
Decision: 3-0
- Budget/Expenses Review – Andrew reviewed the expense as of 11/30/21. There was some discussion regarding the salary rate of increase for Town employees. It was decided to look at a 7.9 % increase. There will be a review of the numbers on Thursday, December 16, 2021.
New Business:
- Town Hall Bond to Refinance Loan
Motion: Marlene Freyler motioned to enter into the loan agreement with the Bond Bank and to sell its bond to the Bond Bank.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0
- Sign Town Hall Bond Loan Agreement – Signed and certified.
- Sign Town Hall Bond Certificate of Vote – Signed and certified.
- Sign Abatement Map 3 Lot 09-C – Signed.
- Sign Tax Refund/Overpayment – Signed.
- Return of Surplus Memo to Employees – Signed.
- Sign Land Use Change Tax Map 2 Lot 4 – Signed.
- Sign Land Use Change Tax Correction Map 5 Lots 18 & 21- Signed.
- Personnel Action Form – Signed.
- Correspondence from Eastern Star thanking for the use of the front porch of the Masonic Lodge for their wreath pick-up.
Upcoming Meetings:
- December 16, 2021
- December 27, 2021
Motion: Marlene Freyler motioned to adjourn to non-public session per RSA 91-A:3II (c) & (l) at 8:11 p.m.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0
Motion: Marlene Freyler motioned to return to public session at 8:38 p.m.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0 in favor
Motion: Mel Pfeifle motioned to adjourn the meeting at 8:38 p.m.
Second: Marlene Freyler
Vote: 3-0 in favor
Minutes submitted by Donna Long, Recording Secretary.