Select Board Meeting called to order at 6:00 pm
Roll Call – Andrew Pinard (Chair), Marlene Freyler, Mel Pfeifle and Karen Hambleton, Town Administrator, were in attendance.
Public Hearing – ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) Funds:
Andrew opened the public hearing. Karen indicated the NH Municipal Association had recommended we accept the unanticipated funds in this fiscal year. There were no public comments.
Motion: Andrew Pinard motioned to accept up to $178,705 in ARPA funds.
Second: Marlene Freyler
Decision: 3-0
Andrew closed the public hearing at 6:07 pm.
Appearances:
Marilyn Goldberg – Police Department ACH Withdrawal – Marilyn said the Police Department has been getting a $75 late fee charged because checks have been received late. The department now wants to use automatic withdrawal to pay for these invoices. Karen explained this is for their gas card with WEX Bank. Lieutenant Shaughnessy said they use the gas cards when officers need to fill up their tanks while out of town. He would like to make this an automatic withdrawal to avoid the late charges. Marilyn does not think the town should do automatic withdrawals. Andrew thinks automatic withdrawal is fine if they are monitored.
Motion: Mel Pfeifle motioned to approve automatic withdrawal for this use as long as it continues to be monitored.
Second: Marlene Freyler
Decision: 3-0
Matt Monahan – Economic Revitalization Zones – Matt gave an update on the project. He said it was great working with the Planning Board and the Select Board on this project. He is looking for the Board to sign the East and West resolutions which give authority to the Town Administrator to submit the applications.
Motion: Marlene Freyler motioned to approve the East resolution.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0
Motion: Marlene Freyler motioned to approve the West resolution.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0
Motion: Marlene Freyler motioned to authorize both of the resolutions.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0
There was a discussion regarding the dissolution of the TIF District. Karen will look into our options further.
Lois Kilnapp – Transfer Station – Lois asked if the Board wanted to hold off a bit before putting out the Transfer Station brochure. She distributed it to the Board members. Andrew would like to see a list of items with the current prices, the new prices and demolition costs and savings. He would like Lois to create a spreadsheet. Lois asked Karen if she can get her the tipping fees. Karen said she would and that she already sent Lois a template that she can use.
Steve Hall – Highway Department – Steve said the old truck is totaled and there are two options to move forward. 1. Buy the snowplow and the sander for $2,500 (less the $1,000 deductible – net cost $1500); 2. Buy the whole truck for $2,800 (less the $1,000 deductible – $1,800 net) with the idea to make minimal repairs and resell. The insurance company is going to give $25,708 which is market value for the totaled truck. Steve thinks we should collect the insurance money and put it toward a 2007 10-wheeler truck currently in Vermont. He thinks the Town should buy this truck and also purchase a snowplow and sander to put onto this truck. He suggests leasing the vehicle until the Town approves the purchase at Town Meeting. Mel asked what he thought the life of the truck would be and what the cost would be to fix it. She thinks this could replace the truck currently in the CIP for 2022. Steve said it would probably last about 7 years and has no idea what costs would be incurred until he takes a closer look at it. Karen asked if he could wait another year for the new truck. Steve said it depends on how much they want to spend on old trucks. Jason Allen pointed out that it would be $7,000/month in rental fees if the Town decides not to purchase this vehicle.
Motion: Marlene Freyler motioned to move forward with this lease/purchase idea and authorize Steve to explore this option further.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0
Jim Raymond – Fire Department – Andrew went over the Fire Department gear inventory, what is needed for first responders, and a quote for new gear. Andrew asked a few questions regarding the gear. Andrew would like to see the individual response to events in a spreadsheet. Andrew asked how much is left in the Fire Department budget for 2021. Karen said there is approximately $35,000 left in their budget, but noted there are still invoices against 2021 we haven’t yet received. Andrew asked if they can go directly to Globe and Jim said that is not an option. Andrew and Mel expressed frustration with the unplanned nature of this expense.
Motion: Andrew Pinard motioned to approve the purchase of fire gear in the amount of $35,079.
Second: Marlene Freyler
Decision: 3-0
Jim said the other two candidates for the Fire Chief will be coming in for a tour of the Fire Station on January 10th.
Public Input:
None
Regular and Old Business
- The Board reviewed the minutes of the December 13th meeting.
Motion: Marlene Freyler motioned to accept the minutes.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0
- The Board reviewed the minutes of the December 16th meeting.
Motion: Marlene Freyler motioned to accept the minutes.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0
- The Board revisited the minutes of the November 22nd meeting. Andrew amended the minutes under Budget 2022 to add a sentence that said “It was the consensus of the Board to move forward with a 7.9 percent salary increase…”
Motion: Andrew Pinard motioned to amend the minutes with the suggested change.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0
- The Accounts Payable and Payroll Manifest were reviewed and signed.
- Covid Protocol Update – People are complying with the mask mandate.
New Business:
- The next meeting will take place on January 10 and by consensus it was decided that the meeting will begin at 7:00 p.m. so the Board can attend Chief Valiquet’s farewell party.
- Dissolution of TIF District – This was discussed earlier in the meeting.
- Town Records, Correspondence, Deliveries to Town Office – Any official communication should be directed to a Town address such as bids, letters, bank statements, deliveries etc.
Motion: Andrew Pinard motioned to have all records, correspondence and deliveries go to a Town Office.
Second: Marlene Freyler
Decision: 3-0
- Request to Extend Deadline for Mediation of Abatement Appeal – Karen said there is a resident who has appealed the Town’s ruling on his abatement applications. He is asking the Board extend the February 7th deadline to meet together until June 30 due to his ill health.
Motion: Andrew Pinard motioned to give this resident an extension until June 30 to discuss his appeals.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0
- Mileage Rate for 2022 – Andrew said there are only a few people that use mileage reimbursement. The current rate is 54 cents/mile. Karen said the IRS rate for 2022 is 58.5 cents/mile.
Motion: Marlene Freyler motioned to adjust the mileage reimbursement rate to 58.5 cents/mile.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0
- Accept Donation to Scholarship Fund
Motion: Marlene Freyler motioned accept a donation in the amount of $200 for the Scholarship Fund.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0
- Sign Letter to Trustees regarding end of year Trust Fund Deposits
- Sign Personnel Action Form – Signed. The appointment will be announced at the next meeting.
- Andrew thanked Parks and Recreation for the Holiday light competition and for the jingle bus. It was a great success.
Upcoming Meetings:
- January 6, 2022 – with Budget Committee
- January 10, 2022, at 7:00 p.m.
- January 24, 2022
Motion: Marlene Freylermotioned to adjourn to non-public session per RSA 91-A:3II (c)
at 8:05 p.m.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0
Motion: Marlene Freyler motioned to return to public session at 8:31 p.m.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0 in favor
The Board voted to pay retroactive merit wages and approved a limited pay out of unused vacation time.
Motion: Marlene Freyler motioned to adjourn the meeting at 8:32 p.m.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Vote: 3-0 in favor
Minutes submitted by Donna Long, Recording Secretary.