Select Board Meeting was called to order at 2:00 pm
Roll Call – Andrew Pinard (Chair), Marlene Freyler, Mel Pfeifle and Karen Hambleton, Town Administrator, were in attendance.
Appearances:
Marilyn Goldberg – Bank Changes – Marilyn reported that Bar Harbor is changing the way it secures our accounts. Instead of pledging securities to collateralize our deposits, the bank will issue a Letter of Credit from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston. Marilyn will make any necessary changes.
Devin Pendleton – Devin said that Northstar Fireworks, the group that set off the display on September 25th, did a great job. Andrew said he had heard positive things about the fireworks. Devin said that she would like to have a house decorating contest throughout Town this year for Christmas. There will be one prize for residences and one for businesses. Devin also talked about Halloween. She asked if the Town could close down West Main Street for Trick or Treating again. Andrew asked what the times would be. Devin thinks it would be 5 – 8 p.m. Devin will talk to the Police Department and the Highway Department as well. Devin said there was a lot of support from the community for the September 25th event. She said the Fire Department did not show up to support the community and be present in the parade. She thinks there should be more involvement and she is concerned about the number and level of involvement with these Fire Department volunteers. Mel thinks this is something we need to work on. Mel wants to know if the celebration will continue in September. Devin said they would like to change the celebration to September instead of holding the traditional July 4th celebration.
Public Input:
None
Regular and Old Business
- The Board reviewed the minutes of the September 13th meeting.
Motion: Marlene Freyler motioned to accept the minutes.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0
- The Accounts Payable and Payroll Manifest were reviewed and signed.
- 340 Fairgrounds Update – Karen said the Code Enforcement Officer has had no luck getting onto the property to conduct an investigation regarding it being an unlicensed junkyard. He has recommended moving forward and obtaining an administrative warrant for inspection. Marlene thinks we should move forward with taking legal action. Mel wished we did not have to resort to this, but if nothing has been done yet, we should move forward. Andrew agreed to take the next step and move forward as well. The Board members were in agreement to move forward with the process of obtaining an administrative warrant for inspection.
- Depreciation of Town Vehicles – Mel said she would like to know the expenses related to the operation of Town vehicles. She would like the Town to make a spreadsheet on all of the expenses on vehicles. Karen said there will be additional labor for tracking in the office. Andrew thinks inventory of vehicle expenditures is important and they should know what percentage is being used toward expenses. Andrew would like to see the Department Heads keeping track of these expenses.
- COVID Protocol Update – Karen said the Senior Center wants to start up congregate meals again. The rules they have outlined are that people will need to sign up for the meal a day prior, they will be asked Covid prescreening questions and there will be a limit of 20 people indoors. Tables and chairs will be cleaned after use. Servers will use masks. Silverware and condiments will be prepackaged. Andrew thinks 20 people seem like a lot for that room. Karen will make sure they will be meeting the capacity requirements. The Board members approved this request by consensus with the mentioned protocols.
- Fire Department – Process going forward – Andrew said he met with the members of the Fire Department and recommended that before the Fire Department considers any candidate, they need to create an inventory of qualities they are looking for in a candidate. The interim chief will come in to speak with the Select Board with a timeline and a job description for the search.
- Police Department – Andrew informed the public that in accordance with the work of previous Select Boards, they are moving forward with a full-time Police Chief position as of January 1, 2022. The job will be posted internally within the next couple of weeks.
New Business:
- 2021 Budget Requests – CAP, CASA – Karen said these two organizations have submitted their annual funding requests (CAP – $10,500 and CASA – $750).
- Sign Intents to Cut (2) – Map 3 Lot 73 and Map 13 Lots 19 & 22 – Signed.
- Karen brought up selling Town properties. She’s working on the five properties that are to be offered to abutters. The Select Board would accept offers via sealed bids. Karen has a spread sheet of abutters and will try to determine minimum bids on these properties.
- Karen distributed a letter from the Department of Transportation with a list of upcoming meetings asking for public input on the State of New Hampshire Transportation Ten Year Plan. Andrew said they will review it.
Motion: Marlene Freyler motioned to adjourn to non-public session per RSA 91-A:3II (c) at 3:02 p.m.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0
Motion: Marlene Freyler motioned to return to public session at 3:17 p.m.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0 in favor
Mel mentioned that she would like to decorate Town Buildings and locations for the Holidays. She shared some ideas and will bring a list of what she plans to decorate to the October 5th meeting.
Motion: Marlene Freyler motioned to adjourn the meeting at 3:24 p.m.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Vote: 3-0 in favor
Upcoming Meetings:
- October 5, 2021
- October 25, 2021
Minutes submitted by Donna Long, Recording Secretary.