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Town of AmherstBoard of SelectmenJanuary 22, 2007
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Chairman Bruce Bowler called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. Selectmen present: George Infanti, Reed Panasiti, Thomas Grella and Jay Dinkel. Also present Town Administrator Gary MacGuire and Executive Assistant Sharon Frydlo.
Citizens’ Forum
Ann Logan, 20 Oak Hill, representing her husband J. Clark Logan, read a letter to the Selectmen regarding his concerns as it pertained to Article 20 – the discontinuance of a section of Jones Road. Mr. Dinkel advised for the record DPW had nothing to do with the request. Mr. Grella explained this had been reviewed by Highway Safety and they recommended this take place. Mrs. Logan remarked that Clark felt they really have a problem if this happens. The Board thanked them for their concern.
Recycling Report Update
Steve Morgan, Recycling & Waste Reduction Task Force, presented the attached spreadsheet containing 2006 vs. 2005 comparative information pertaining to weight in tons and costs. The same comparison was given for the 4th Quarter of both years. He summarized two initiatives that resulted in changes to recycling thereby saving the Town thousands of dollars. They were separating glass from commingles and recycling mixed paper. He noted that cardboard recycling reached 32 tons in the 4th Quarter and that the increased in recycling has required an additional part time attendant on Saturdays. The Committee has established a new email address for residents to send questions, comments, or suggestions about the Transfer Station – talk_trash@amherstnh.gov.
Board members spoke of the enthusiasm of the Committee and their commitment. They were also were encouraged that the recycling rate was up 22%. Mr. Morgan remarked they had one more hurdle to go through which was Article 4 - the Transfer Station Renovation. The Board thanked Mr. Morgan for the update.
Final Vote on Warrant Articles
The Selectmen voted as follows on the Warrant Articles:
Article 2: Baboosic Lake Community Septic Bond – Vote: 5-0 in favor. Article 3: Operating Budget – Mr. Bowler advised this article will now be in conjunction with Article 6: Police Union Contract. The $65,965.00 article will be withdrawn and incorporated into the operating budget. This has been approved as a contractual vote last year by both Town Counsel and the Town’s Labor Attorney – Vote: 5-0 in favor. Article 4: Transfer Station Renovation – Vote: 5-0 in favor.
Article 5: Town Road Repairs – LUCT Funding – Mr. Dinkel asked if the methodology of funding could be changed at the Deliberative Session, was one of the most critical articles they faced and wanted to make sure it was approved. Deirdre Rogusky explained the Committee had not discussed anything further since their previous meeting. Robin Warren, W&M, indicated that the statement was made that this “needs to pass”. George has mentioned that most of the growling he has heard has been done from people about the roads. He said, if this was with taxes alone it might pass and if it didn’t people, would be telling them something and maybe this was something they wanted to hear. It seemed to him that if they put some of the LUCT funds to the Transfer Station rather than on the roads, the roads would pass either way. Mr. Dinkel did not see the LUCT connection with PMEC as it did with the roads. He wanted to see this pass – ultimately this will be in the budget or part of a bond payment, but they had to start here and whatever it took, he was willing to go with it. Mr. Warren remarked they needed to get $400,000 put into roads. Mr. Dinkel felt this was what the Town will be paying for in whatever option and that it may be bond payments. He acknowledged that he was responsible for this change in funding. Mr. Infanti felt the majority feels they have a problem with the roads and had mixed feelings about how to fund it. If it was coming from taxation, he felt less would happen. He also agreed with the correlation of roads deterioration because of development and believed this would be a “one shot deal or it will have to be a bond”. He still had a sense of it passing with LUCT funds.
Mr. Dinkel questioned not having all the money available to fund all three articles at this time. Mr. Infanti indicated they should have over the amount from what he has seen coming in from the Planning Board. Mr. Panasiti agreed, the funding for the roads was a priority and the Board agreed this was the way it should be spent. The definition of LUCT was that this would be a reasonable way it should be spent. He commented that he did not actually agree that it was because of construction, but felt that LUCT funds could be spent. In principal it was something they should put in the budget because it was a Town-wide problem. The next time, he felt it should be a bond or put into the budget one time, but would agree with it the way it was written. Mr. Dinkel asked that Town Counsel be consulted to see if they can vote for more funds than what is now available. Greg King asked if the Deliberative Session could change the funding mechanism. He knew they could change the amount. Mr. Infanti suggested they check with DRA and Town Counsel, but it was his assumption that they could. The Deliberative Session is attended by a small amount of people and those who want to support the warrant article should be there. Vote: 5-0 in favor.
Article 6: Police Union Contract – Mr. Bowler advised this will be withdrawn. Article 7: DPW Replacement Trucks $252,492 – Vote: 5-0 in favor. Article 8: DPW Loader Replacement – 5 Year Municipal Lease Agreement – Vote: 5-0 in favor.
Article 9: Replacement Generator – Emergency Operations Center – Mr. Panasiti asked if Bruce Berry had gotten back to them with the information they wanted. Mr. MacGuire advised the only update was from Boisvert Electric and he did not know if they were expecting something beyond the two page email. From what he has heard there seems to be electrical issues. Mr. Infanti spoke of his personal experience with his generator – he indicated that all the clocks in his house were running at least 20 minutes fast and he would hate to think something could happen to the Communications Center. Tedd Landon, W&M, talked about the quality of the electricity generated, the information needed to come from an engineer from PSNH and the Committee was still waiting for this report. Mr. Panasiti indicated that if things have not yet been determined at this time, he would vote no. Mr. MacGuire advised nothing had been received from PSNH – Vote: 4-1, Mr. Panasiti opposed.
Article 10: Fire Department Command Vehicle – Vote: 5-0 in favor. Article 11: Recreation Fields Acquisition and Construction Capital Reserve Fund – Vote: 5-0 in favor. Article 12: Peabody Mill Environmental Center Building Phase III LUCT Funding - Vote: 5-0 in favor. Article 13: Town Computer System Capital Reserve Fund – Vote: 5-0 in favor.
Article 14: Public Access Television Equipment Capital Reserve Fund – Mr. Panasiti remarked on the new bills there is a line item that says franchise fee 5% to the Town. This is to access Town roads and putting in the cable system. It looks like it is going back to the customer who pays taxes and pays a 5% fee. Mr. Dinkel commented the franchise fee has a cost to the town and a 5% payment. Comcast now chooses to separate it out and the PUC allows them to do this. The franchise fee is not targeted to this Article and it goes into the general fund. This Article is coming from taxation. There were some towns that target a percentage or their entire franchise fee towards cable related items. The Town didn’t have cable related items until recently. Vote: 5-0 in favor.
Article 15: Recreation Bean Field LUCT Funding – Mr. Bowler advised he received an email from the School District saying the money used to develop the fields will not be eligible for State aid reimbursement unless it was raised by taxation. The money used for purchasing the property back in 1999 would be eligible. Vote: 4-1, Mr. Bowler opposed.
Article 16: Veteran’s Tax Credit - Vote: 4-0-1, Mr. Panasiti abstained. Article 17: Disabled Exemption – Vote: 5-0 in favor. Article 18: Town 250th Anniversary Celebration Capital Reserve Fund - Vote: 5-0 in favor. Article 19: Authority to Lease – Mr. Bowler advised that this was the same article as last year, with the change being it will be non-lapsing. Vote: 5-0 in favor. Article 20: Discontinue Jones Road Section – Mr. Dinkel commented that the Logan’s concerns were well founded and if it didn’t work, they could take down the barriers. Vote: 4-1, Mr. Panasiti opposed.
Article 21: Discontinue Thornton Ferry Road II Section - Mr. Panasiti spoke about his concerns. Mr. Infanti explained that a traffic study was done for the Planning Board and during high traffic periods the number was low. Mr. Panasiti felt the issue has to do with the turning radius. Mr. Infanti indicated they could ask to see the engineering plans before it is approved. Mr. Bowler added that the engineers who have done the study for the developers have recommended this intersection be changed, but it doesn’t mean it was going to happen. Mr. Panasiti indicated he would then agree. Vote: 5-0 in favor.
Article 22: Child Advocacy Center Funding Request – Vote: 5-0 in favor. Article 23: NH Association for the Blind Funding Request - Vote: 5-0 in favor. Article 24: Reconstruction of Main Street at Town Hall Capital Reserve Fund - Vote: 5-0 in favor.
Petition Warrant Articles: The Board took no position on these articles, but briefly discussed Article 26 Discontinuation of a Portion of North Street.
The Selectmen signed the 2008 Warrant Articles and Budget.
Sign & Approve Recommendations
2006 Tax Warrant Levy
The Board signed the 2006 Tax Warrant Levy in the amount of $17,261,859.00.
Elderly Tax Deferral
Mr. Infanti moved, second by Mr. Grella to approve an Elderly Tax Deferral for Arthur Lewis in the amount of $2023.00. Vote: Unanimous.
Denied
Mr. Infanti moved to deny the abatement request on M/L 6-6-2, second by Mr. Grella. Vote: Unanimous.
Mr. Infanti moved to deny the abatement request on M/L 6-6-1, second by Mr. Grella. Vote: Unanimous.
The abatement request on M/L 12-2 was tabled for further information the Board requested.
Abatements
Mr. Infanti moved to approve an abatement on M/L 6-28-7 10 Parker Farm Road of $8200 with a refund of $154.41, second by Mr. Grella. Vote: Unanimous.
Mr. Infanti moved to approve an abatement on M/L 8-48-3 320 Route 101of $57,400 with a refund of $1,080.84, second by Mr. Grella. Vote: Unanimous.
Mr. Infanti moved to approve an abatement on M/L 1-10-3 3 Farmington Road of $156,800 with a refund of $2,952.54, second by Mr. Grella. Vote: Unanimous.
Mr. Infanti moved to approve an abatement on M/L 2-8 168 Hollis Road of $44,400 with a refund of $836.05, second by Mr. Grella. Vote: Unanimous.
Mr. Infanti moved to approve an abatement on M/L 2-10 146 Hollis Road of $62,300 with a refund of $1,173.11, second by Mr. Grella. Vote: Unanimous.
Mr. Infanti moved to approve an abatement on M/L 5-108-1 47 Lyndeborough Road of $55,200 with a refund of $1,039.42, second by Mr. Grella. Vote: Unanimous.
Mr. Infanti moved to approve an abatement on M/L 3-61 250 Boston Post Road of $100,900 with a refund of $1,899.95, second by Mr. Grella. Vote: Unanimous.
Mr. Infanti moved to approve an abatement on M/L 1-10-10 4 Thoreau Lane of $300 with a refund of $5.65, second by Mr. Grella. Vote: Unanimous.
Mr. Infanti moved to approve an abatement on M/L 1-10-5 7 Farmington Road of $68,100 with a refund of $1,282.32, second by Mr. Grella. Vote: Unanimous.
Regarding the abatement on 7 Farmington Road, the Board briefly discussed how they made sure corrections were updated because this particular home received an abatement in 2005 as well as 2006. Mr. MacGuire will check with MRI on this matter.
Minutes
Mr. Infanti moved to table the minutes of January 16, 2007, second by Mr. Grella. Vote: Unanimous.
Other Business
Board members had nothing to report. Liz Overholt suggested that Department Heads and their Liaisons work to put something together to explain their warrant articles for the Amherst Quarterly as it is a vehicle that goes into every house. Sharon reminded the Board that last year they put the Voters’ Guide into the Quarterly. Mrs. Overholt said she was suggesting something over and above that.
Non-Public Session
Upon a roll call vote the Board entered non-public session under RSA 91-A:3 II (d) Legal at 8:43 p.m. While in non-public session, the Board reviewed a proposed contract drawn up by Town Counsel William Drescher. The Board exited non-public session at 9:07 p.m. and voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting.
Respectfully submitted,
Sharon L. Frydlo
Executive Assistant