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Town of AmherstBoard of SelectmenApril 3, 2006
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Chairman Bruce Bowler called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Selectmen present: George Infanti, Thomas Grella, Jay Dinkel and Reed Panasiti. Also present Acting Town Administrator Gary MacGuire and Executive Assistant Sharon Frydlo.
Dan Sadowski, 9 Sycamore Court, asked if the Town had a yearly repaving list – there were several roads he traveled a great deal and were in deplorable condition. He specifically questioned Boston Post Road and Lyndeborough Road. Mr. Bowler explained that two weeks ago, DPW Director Bruce Berry presented the Selectmen with a Road Paving Report, many of which will be paved under the Highway Block Grant this summer. He spoke about what has and has not been done and that they were working with the Ways & Means Committee and CIP Committee to come up with a plan to finance the road improvement program that would not begin until July of 2007. The Director knew Lyndeborough Road was bad as well as Boston Post Road in the vicinity of Stearns Road and was a “hot topic” two weeks ago when he was before the Board. The Town roads were in “tough shape” and he couldn’t agree more with him. The Director had some ideas of where he wants to go. Mr. Infanti could not disagree with Mr. Bowler’s statements and Mr. Dinkel added that this was a “prime topic of discussion”.
Nancy Demers – Status of Town Clerk’s Budget
As members of the Fire Department’s scheduled 7:15 p.m. appointment had not arrived, the Board asked Mrs. Demers to discuss her budget. Mr. MacGuire indicated he had asked Mrs. Demers to come in to discuss the direction they may be headed given that they know there may be a shortage in one area and may want to earmark something under their budget to make this up. There will be a shortage in the Town Clerk’s part time wages for the remaining portion of her budget, it was tight and may have an impact.
Mrs. Demers advised that her shortfall for her part time Deputy was as a result of her being out six weeks due to surgery and her former Deputy, who was retired, that returned to help. She, too, had surgery in February and was out for five days during that time. April historically is the busiest time of the year with large numbers of licenses and auto registrations. They will also be registering approximately 1500 dogs within the next two months. They will be registering Enterprise cars and have since picked up some registrations from Lowe’s and is a considerable workload. She has been coming in around 7:30 a.m. during the past three weeks to get things accomplished. She would like to have her Deputy come in for eight hours per week through the end of June and may use her from 3:00-4:00 p.m. and 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. She would like to stretch this out as much as she could, based on her particular workload. Her Deputy is currently planning a vacation at the end of the month. She worked that day and would not work any more this week. She would work eight hours the following week and maybe eight hours the next week. With the $2000 she was asking that night, it would take her to the end of June.
Mrs. Demers indicated there was a seminar that she would need to attend in May and she hoped the Board would see it clear to allow her that extra time. Mr. MacGuire advised her Deputy was budgeted at 20 hours per week and Mrs. Demers was cutting back those hours down to eight until the end of the year. They both had this conversation, ran the numbers and may be $1600 short, but decided on the $2000 number in case of sickness, Mrs. Demers recognizes this and would be more than willing to work shorthanded until the end of this fiscal year.
Mr. Infanti commented on his support. Mr. Grella moved to transfer $2000 from Contingency to the Deputy Town Clerk’s wages, the motion was duly seconded. Discussion: Mr. Dinkel spoke about his concerns relative to the busy time of year and whether they may be cutting themselves short. Mrs. Demers commented if this was something they had to deal with “they would be cutting John Q. Public short”. Mr. MacGuire advised if this was not working number wise, they may want to come up with something else. Mrs. Demers advised she did approximately 80% of registrations by mail and sometimes things “bog” her down. She has a great deal of organization to do and tries to get in around 7:00-7:30 a.m. and was trying to work around matters. Mr. Bowler remarked that if it looked tight, to come back to the Board.
Chairman of Ways & Means Linda Kaiser asked the status of Enterprise? Mr. MacGuire reported that the Town anticipates starting registering vehicles under the proposal soon. Mrs. Demers acknowledged she had the “blessing from the State”. Vote: Unanimous.
Mrs. Demers read from a prepared statement in which she thanked the members of the Fire Department for putting up with her and her Deputy for the past 2 1/2 years. She especially thanked Chief John DeSilva, Deputy Chief Matt Conley and Deputy Chief Steve Bair who assured her she was welcomed for as long as it took for the Town Hall renovations to be completed and thanked “the guys for as long as she was their guest”. She also thanked the members of the Department of Public Works - especially Fred and Ken Salisbury. She mentioned many residents’ comments on how great Town Hall looks. She also thanked the Selectmen for appointing Mr. MacGuire as Town Administrator since she worked with him for many years and held his respect. She was looking forward to working both with Mr. MacGuire and the Board of Selectmen to improve the Town’s services. Mr. Bowler also thanked the Fire Department for hosting Mrs. Demers for the past 2 ˝ years and thanked Mrs. Demers as well.
Recognition Deputy Fire Chief Steve Bair
Mr. Bowler asked that both Chief John DeSilva and Deputy Chief Steve Bair join him as he presented a Selectmen’s tribute to Mr. Bair for obtaining a “Chief Fire Officer Designation” among nine in the State of New Hampshire along with 498 worldwide. Mr. Bowler spoke of Mr. Bair’s background in the fire service. Steve Bair thanked the Board of Selectmen and the Town for this recognition – he indicated there were very few awards that could be obtained individually. Chief DeSilva commented he was very proud of Mr. Bair and his achievement. He took this opportunity to introduce to the Selectmen their new Lieutenant Todd Richard who was also their part time administrative assistant.
Mr. Bowler moved to recess the meeting at 7:26 p.m. to review the new brush fire fighting skid unit recently purchased that was put on the Department’s new truck. The Board resumed their meeting at 7:40 p.m.
Junior Women’s Club Request
Town-Wide Beautification Day
Representing the Junior Women’s Club on this project was Co-Chairmen Patricia Casey and Melissa Boyle. Mrs. Casey advised they were looking for the Selectmen’s approval in sponsoring a town-wide Beautification Day. New Hampshire the Beautiful has a program that helps in assisting communities and their idea was community involvement by outreaching to other organizations and groups in the Town to get involved in a one day one morning clean-up in the Village and main streets. They would then come back to the Common for a brown bag lunch. They would also contact Principals of the Schools prior to that day and encourage the Schools to also clean-up their areas.
Mr. Bowler commented that in the past Anne Krantz headed up an Earth Day. Mrs. Casey mentioned the day they would like to recommend was the weekend before Memorial Day when it was a bit warmer. Mr. Infanti thought it a great project and would support it and suggested a bit of publicity – he was willing to help. Mr. Grella asked if they had considered what, of the three items NH the Beautiful was offering, would be chosen? Mrs. Casey indicated that after talking to the Director of Public Works they would request the 800 daffodil bulbs that would be put around the Schools and Town Hall which wouldn’t be planted until the fall. Mr. Panasiti suggested asking the Garden Club for help regarding planting of the bulbs. He commented on a memo received by the DPW Director relative to trash. Mrs. Casey explained they would concentrate on the main areas and would get the trash to the dump themselves. There were other options she had talked to Director Berry about regarding putting bags at central locations. Mr. Panasiti was concerned about the bags being left out for several days.
Mr. Dinkel also thought it a good idea. Mr. Bowler said he would be happy on that Saturday morning to pick up bags on several roads. Mr. Infanti agreed and mentioned that the State only picked up on State roads. Mr. Bowler indicated he would be happy to work with the Juniors and heard that the majority of the Selectmen were willing to work with them. Mrs. Casey advised that the next Community Wide Beautification Day meeting would be held at the Library on April 18. Mr. Infanti moved to support the Amherst Junior Women’s Club in their Town-wide Beautification Day on Saturday, May 20th, second by Mr. Grella. Vote: Unanimous.
A question was raised about vests being worn. Mr. Panasiti commented that the Lions Club that ran the Road Races may have vests. Mr. MacGuire indicated that some can come from the Police Department and given to the one person in charge of safety – the Police Department will continue to work with the Juniors to make this a safe event.
Award Cruiser Bid
Mr. MacGuire advised bids were opened on March 24, 2006 with the high bid of $4212.00 from Police Cars Unlimited, Inc., Woodside, NY for a 2003 Ford Crown Vic, Mr. Infanti so moved to award the high bid to Police Cars Unlimited, Inc., second by Mr. Grella. Mr. Panasiti asked what else was associated with this bid? Mr. MacGuire advised that the company comes in with a car carrier or a car driver to pick up the vehicle. Vote: Unanimous.
Sign Police Union Contract
Mr. MacGuire advised the Police Union Contract was signed by the Union Representatives and voted on by Town Meeting upon the advice of Labor Counsel as it related to language – nothing had changed with the original agreement back in December. The delay in signing was based on the approval of the voters at Town Meeting in March.
Mr. Panasiti indicated he went through the contract and questioned the SRO (School Resource Officer) insofar as the School went? Mr. MacGuire explained that the Schools are involved in the original selection or reselection if the Police Department decided that the current SRO would have a different position within the Police Department, the School would have a part in the selection as in the past. The duration was like any of their assignments to serve a role as long as the Chief deems appropriate. The Department pools from their personnel and the School picks the person from the group.
Mr. Dinkel commented on the Police Department’s Fast Day that was still a holiday in comparison to the Town’s Martin Luther King’s Day – it was not a topic this year, but one four years ago from the Town’s point of view, there was no difference and it was left up to the Union. Mr. Grella thanked the Chief and Mr. Infanti for due diligence to make everybody happy. Mr. Infanti remarked that he was glad it was as smooth as it was and they were able to move on. Mr. Bowler thanked Mr. Infanti as well as Attorney Paul Fitzgerald for their endeavors on the Police Union Contract. Mr. Infanti so moved to accept the Police Union Contract, second by Mr. Grella. Vote: Unanimous.
Discussion on Olsen Civil Matter
Mr. Bowler asked Dennis Olsen to join the Board. He commented that he knew he met with Dwight Brew, the new Chairman of the Amherst School Board the previous Tuesday and read his recent email as it related to the Amherst’s School District’s Article 35 and the Town’s Article 28. The Chairman has asked that the Town put things on hold until the issue goes before the Planning Board and ZBA for a variance. He asked that the Selectmen honor the School’s wishes. Mr. Infanti moved that they honor the request of the Amherst School District and table this matter until there is a resolution with Mr. * Mrs. Olsen, second by Mr. Grella. Discussion: Mr. Infanti had nothing further to add other than hopefully this can be resolved for everyone involved and that the Town should not do anything until the School has everything wrapped up. Both Mr. Grella and Mr. Dinkel agreed. Mr. Panasiti asked about the $275 per day penalty? Mr. Bowler advised the fines are not being incurred – the number was already fixed.
Mr. Olsen asked why the Selectmen wanted to wait since things seemed to be going in a positive direction? Mr. Bowler advised him that Mr. Brew felt that the June 30th date may be tight given what the School has to do with the Planning Board and ZBA. Mr. Dinkel added that there really wasn’t much the Selectmen can do until things were resolved with the School. Vote: Unanimous.
Approve Recommendations and Sign
Yield Tax
Mr. Dinkel moved to accept the yield tax for Ernest Mack M/L 4-121, second by Mr. Infanti. Vote: Unanimous.
Abatements
Mr. Infanti moved to approve an abatement of $50,300 for Brad & Christine Meehen M/L 1-35-4 for $1,239.90, second by Mr. Grella. Vote: Unanimous.
Mr. Dinkel moved to approve an abatement of $30,300 for William & Laura Taylor M/L 8-81 for $746.90, second by Mr. Infanti. Vote: Unanimous.
Mr. Dinkel moved to approve an abatement of $47,500 for Charles Glover & Cynthia Sears M/L 6-68-1 for $1,170.88, second by Mr. Infanti. Vote: Unanimous.
Mr. Dinkel moved to approve an abatement of $144,100 for Steve Raymond Et Al M/L 1-14-1 for $3,552.07, second by Mr. Infanti. Vote: Unanimous.
Blind Exemption
Mr. Dinkel moved to approve the Blind Exemption for Clara T. Swallow M/L 4-14-16, second by Mr. Infanti. Vote: Unanimous.
Elderly Exemptions
Mr. Dinkel moved to approve an Elderly Exemption for Joanne Shildneck M/L 3-86-27 and Ann Brisson M/L 25-81, second by Mr. Infanti. Vote: Unanimous.
Veterans Tax Credit
Mr. Dinkel moved to approve Veterans Tax Credits to Randall Hunt M/L 2-126, Scott Kent M/L 2-87-64, John Steckel M/L 3-8, Casey Morgan M/L 2-73-11-13, Cecelia Strong 6-35, Kenneth McGrath 6-70-61, Vincent Martina M/L 2-98-5, Robert Swallow M/L 4-14-16, Mark Drake M/L 4-161-4, Phillip Howe M/L 7-17-41, second by Mr. Infanti. Vote: Unanimous.
Minutes
Mr. Infanti moved to approve the minutes of March 30, 2006, second by Mr. Grella amended as follows: Line 14 – Change “articles” to “article”; Line 64 – Change “co-chairmen” to “co-directors”; Line 130 – Strike “conjunction with” replace with “addition to”; Line 131 – Strike “which gives the Town” replace with “in the budget given the Town”; Line 140 – Strike “this” replace with “the dip”.
Vote: Unanimous.
Other Business
In response to Mr. Panasiti’s comment, Mr. Bowler advised that Mr. MacGuire will be giving the Board a weekly update on the things he has done and other things they do as Board members. Mr. Panasiti mentioned the emails that he had seen about spraying Lindabury Orchard. Mr. MacGuire briefed the Board on the current status. Mr. Infanti explained that in the past if a Board member attended a Historic District Meeting for example, the Liaison would report on it at the Selectmen’s next meeting rather than writing a report. If time was of the essence, he should notify the Town Administrator or Selectmen’s Chairman as he saw fit.
Mr. Dinkel thanked Mr. MacGuire for bringing back the Joint Loss Committee. Primex has a program called the Prime Program that might be of interest. Mrs. Frydlo advised that Dave Witham will be invited to come to the Committee’s next meeting.
Mr. Grella reported that the Souhegan High School Hockey Team had a conflict and will join the Board at their Tuesday, May 9th meeting at 7:00 p.m. Mr. Grella mentioned that the Heritage Commission talked about having a secretary take minutes. Mr. MacGuire advised this was a budget issue and there was no money appropriated for this. Over the course of a year, this figure could be approximately $1200 and he would encourage groups to take their own minutes. Mr. Grella talked about once again having a Tree Committee. Mr. Dinkel advised that both Anne Krantz and Mike Hennas had shown interest. Mr. Grella will talk to them both. He also reported he talked to Bruce Berry about some bridge repairs and he has a list of all bridges in Town and an analysis of each one. He will be meeting with him at some point to discuss any future bridge repairs.
Mr. Infanti had nothing to report.
Mr. Dinkel reported that 2 ˝ years ago CIC had a hearing on the Town’s franchise agreement with Adelphia. It has been advised by the Committee and legal counsel to hold another public hearing. CIC Chairman Doug McAllister explained they were looking to have the hearing on May 22 at 7:00 p.m. The purpose is because of contract negotiations, they need to determine the community’s needs. Mrs. Frydlo will take care of advertising for the hearing.
Mr. Bowler mentioned that the Joint Loss Committee was back in operation, but his only concern was that he believed it has to be weighted on the employee side. He asked that Mr. MacGuire check with the State. Mr. MacGuire indicated that everything he read said it was to be equal. They have three on each side along with the Chairman (who was not management) and thought having an odd number of members would be good in case of a tie vote. He, however, will look into the matter further.
Mr. Bowler reported three Selectmen attended a recent Conservation Commission meeting and by a vote of 5-3 they will look into having a one year contract with a farmer from Brookline for the Lindabury Orchard. Mr. MacGuire advised he spoke with Town Counsel who had referred to this as a “lease in concept” and something very simple could be done with less than a year being the “key”. They were talking about a season and something the Selectmen can agree to. He will continue to work with Graham Hankey over the details of spraying. He informed Town Counsel about the concerns of the 5-3 vote as well as the legal issues of a private individual spraying on Town property. Mr. Bowler believed the intent that if things go according to plan, Ben would be looking towards a longer term lease, if it was cost effective. Mr. MacGuire reported this had not been presented to him about a multiple lease. It was his understanding this was based on a seasonal product produced the end of each season’s harvest. Mr. Dinkel commented that there was a strong feeling among Conservation Commission members that there may not be noticeable benefits after the first year and would be reviewed after the first year to see if it was worthwhile maintaining the apple trees. Mr. MacGuire believed production would be part of the lease proposal.
Non-Public Session
Upon a unanimous roll call vote, the Board entered non-public session at 8:30 p.m. under RSA 91-A:3 II (d) Consideration of Lease Property.
The Board exited non-public session at 9:05 p.m. after discussing a lease proposal for the Public Safety site. No decisions were made at this time.
Mr. Infanti moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:05 p.m., second by Mr. Grella. Vote: Unanimous.
Respectfully submitted,
Sharon L. Frydlo
Executive Assistant