|
|
Town of AmherstBoard of SelectmenMarch 10, 2008
|
Chairman Bruce Bowler called the meeting to order at 7:06 p.m. Selectmen present: Reed Panasiti, George Infanti, Thomas Grella and Brad Galinson.
Moment of Silence
The Board and members of the audience held a moment of silence for the passing of Amherst’s first Town Administrator Barbara Landry – she had served the Town for over thirty years.
Citizens’ Forum
There were no comments or concerns from the audience.
Approve Recommendations & Sign
Mr. Infanti reported that a Veterans Tax Credit had been approved, but the credit had not been applied. He moved to grant the Veterans Exemption to Emanuel Cardinale, M/L 8-53-3, second by Mr. Grella. Vote: Unanimous.
Mr. Infanti, after reading the recommendation, moved to grant an abatement for 241 Boston Post Road M/L 3-48 in the amount of $1,123.42, second by Mr. Grella. Vote: Unanimous.
Mr. Infanti, after reading the recommendation, moved to grant an abatement of $558.79 for 464 Boston Post Road, Unit 3 M/L 2-166-3, second by Mr. Grella. Vote: Unanimous.
Mr. Infanti, after reading the recommendation, moved to grant an abatement of $517.90 for 40 Lyndeborough Road M/L 5-64-2, second by Mr. Grella. Vote: Unanimous.
Mr. Infanti, after reading the recommendation, moved to grant an abatement of $54.52 for 35 Fells Drive M/L 6-28-48, second by Mr. Grella. Vote: Unanimous.
Mr. Infanti, after reading the recommendation, moved to grant an abatement of $216.12 for 7 Tarleton Lane M/L 6-28-27, second by Mr. Grella. Vote: Unanimous.
Mr. Infanti, after reading the recommendation, moved to grant an abatement of $220.01 for 2 Hobbs Way, M/L 6-28-16, second by Mr. Grella. Vote: Unanimous.
Mr. Panasiti asked if the last three abatements were in the same vicinity and if so, should they be looking to see if there were any more. Mr. Bowler asked Mr. MacGuire to look into the matter and check with Joe Lessard of MRI.
Mr. Infanti, after reading the recommendation, moved to grant an abatement of $839.16 for 108 Mack Hill Road, M/L 7-68, second by Mr. Grella. Vote: Unanimous.
Mr. Infanti, after reading the recommendation, moved to grant an abatement of $1,164.31 for 1 Whiting Farm Road M/L 6-79, second by Mr. Grella. Vote: Unanimous.
Mr. Infanti, after reading the recommendation, moved to grant an abatement of $206.38 for 13 Hubbard Road M/L 9-11-7, second by Mr. Grella. Vote: Unanimous.
Greater Nashua Continuum of Care
A representative from Southern NH HIV and Marguerite’s Place gave a power point presentation as part of their commitment to the Greater Nashua Continuum of Care and Community Outreach. They spoke of their mission and vision and the group’s variety of organizations that are working together to help meet the needs of homelessness. They spoke of the geographic area which included Amherst. They talked about the general purpose being a network plan among the various agencies and HUD’s requirements for the communities to end homelessness. They assured the Board that they were not asking for financial support only that they join in the efforts of what they were doing for the citizens of Greater Nashua. A count for homelessness in a 24 hour period is taken at the end of January and has proven that Amherst didn’t have any homeless folks, however, there are approximately 400 people in need in the area..
The representatives spoke briefly about the plan to end homelessness, the progress made during the past three years and about a one day event in December called Project Homeless. They asked that the Selectmen consider signing their Good Neighbor Agreement and mentioned that some towns had tweaked the language. In response to Mr. Bowler’s comment on funding, they told him that there were not seeking funding nor do they intend to ask for money, however, she was sure that some of the agencies were seeking town funds. Mr. Infanti felt it a wonderful plan to end homelessness and while they may not see the homeless in Amherst, it does happen in towns throughout the country. The other Selectmen thought this was a worthwhile endeavor, a good resource and thanked them for what they do as it was well needed.
Amherst Farmer’s Market
Eileen Cavallaro told the Board she would like to renew her permit for the fifth year on the Green for the Farmer’s Market. She would like to open May 1st rather then in June – weather permitting. She submitted a list of 18 vendors to the Board.
Mr. MacGuire felt there could still be snow on the ground and one issue may be the condition of the Green. The DPW Director is asking for two weeks notice and depending on how the spring goes, damage could be done to the Common. From the EOC standpoint, they were hoping for a very dry April. Mr. Infanti saw no problems, had no concerns and felt the Market went well last year. The only issue he had would be based on what the Green looks like at the end of April. Mr. Grella asked if the other 17 vendors would start at the beginning of May. Mrs. Cavallaro remarked they would also have to wait and see since the Board’s concerns would also affect the farms. Mr. Panasiti asked about music, with Mr. Bowler advising they had voted against it last year. Mr. Bowler talked about signage indicating there were several complaints about the amount and that the Planning Director regulates them and the Selectmen can’t allow the number of signs. Mr. MacGuire advised that Eileen had handed out her request for two of the five the Market had previously – one on the Green and the other on the unofficial posting spot on Amherst Street. He reminded the Board that the Town allows contractors to put signs up while they were working on a project.
Mr. Infanti moved to approve the permit for the Farmer’s Market for 2008, weather permitting, would begin on May 1st through to October 30t hand following the guidelines that they approved last year, second by Mr. Grella. Discussion: Mr. Panasiti asked if Mrs. Cavallaro had any growth projections. She reported that it didn’t seem to grow from last year to the year before. Vote: Unanimous.
Public Hearing
Accept Unanticipated Revenue
Mr. Grella moved to open the public hearing at 7:49 p.m., second by Mr. Infanti.
Chairman Bowler read the notice pursuant to RSA 31-95-B. The Town Administrator read from a list that included the department, the purpose of the funds, budgeted amount if applicable and the revenue received. Most of the funds received by PMEC included grants from the Bean Foundation and Milford Rotary, along with donations. DPW received funds for the May 2006 and April 2007 floods, the FEMA April 2007 disaster and the balance of the New Boston Road Bridge repair to name a few. The Heritage Commission received a Bean Grant for the preservation of the Brick School porch. The Police Department received funds for DWI Saturday patrols in September and October, sale of three cruisers and funding for corridor enforcement patrols. The Fire Department received a little over $200 for a court payment and the sale of equipment. Administration received funds for the sale of Town property at 31 Greenwood Road and the unbudgeted amount of $397.59 for the Cable Franchise Fee budgeted at $130,000. Recycling & Waste Reduction Task Force received funds from Wal-Mart for a Recyclamobile. Emergency Management received funding for a drill. The total amount received amounted to $154,808.77. Several Departments received reimbursement for accidents to vehicles or property.
Mr. MacGuire asked the Board to recognize these funds as part of their process and requested that they approve the items on a form that he will prepare indicating what funds will be recognized as revenue and those funds that will be recognized as reimbursements to the Department’s line item where the funding originally came from, i.e. FEMA reimbursement and highway patrols.
Mr. Infanti moved to close the public hearing at 7:54 p.m.
Regarding the Wal-Mart grant, Mr. Infanti knew the Committee had been working for a number of months to come up with this. Mr. Bowler acknowledged Ted Krantz for his hard work on this particular grant and the recyclamobile will be offered to any organization in the Town.
Mr. Infanti moved to accept the unanticipated revenue of $154,808.77, second by Mr. Grella. Discussion: In response to Mr. Panasiti’s question, Mr. MacGuire advised that any overage in EMS would be recognized at the end of the year. Vote: Unanimous.
Mr. MacGuire reported that the EM Services Department Heads were beginning to meet once a week at the conclusion of the Department Heads’ regular staff meetings. Currently they were at an unknown of where they may be and were put on notice this past weekend. As part of their discussion, they talked about taking out the “Interim” title and making it “Emergency Management Director”. Fire Chief Rick Todd brings much expertise to this Department because of his contacts. They were all in agreement and found that Rick was also willing to do it. He recommended to the Board that they appoint Chief Todd as the Town of Amherst’s Emergency Management Director. Mr. Infanti moved to accept Fire Chief Rick Todd as their new Emergency Management Director effective that day [March 10, 2008], second by Mr. Grella. Discussion: Mr. Bowler spoke about his proactive direction regarding sand bags during this weekend’s warnings, as did Milford’s Fire Chief. Vote: Unanimous.
Mr. MacGuire reported on the Fire Department’s intensive weekend of training with what the Milford Fire Department provided and approximately 24-25 firefighters attended. Mr. Bowler reported he had stopped in on Saturday and thanked Milford Fire Chief Fraitzl. Mr. Infanti suggested a letter of thanks be sent to Milford’s Fire Department as well as to the Milford Selectmen in this regard.
Mr. Grella moved to accept the minutes of February 4, 2008, seconded by Mr. Grella amended as follows: Line 100 – Change “be” to “been”; Line 182 – Strike “explained this he” replace with “yes”. Vote: Unanimous.
Mr. Infanti moved to accept the minutes of February 6, 2008 with revisions by the Chair as amended, second by Mr. Grella as follows: Approximate lines 33-35 beginning with “this did not impact” ….. ending with “just the first payment”, replace with “ first year payment the $300,000 comes from the bond, but the first year’s payment would come from the Lowe’s money, not from taxes. The following years will come from taxation. They cannot spend more than the $5.5 million dollars”. Vote: Unanimous.
Mr. Grella moved to approve the minutes of February 25, 2008 be accepted as amended, seconded by Mr. Panasiti: Line 52 – Strike “with” and “the same, but,” ; Line 53 – Capitalize “The”, strike “would get”, Replace with “wants”, strike “on the” replace with “frontage”; Line 117 – Strike “the amount of $2,395”; Line 160 – Strike “grant a settlement of” and replace wtih “reduce the assessment by $566,552.00”. Vote: 3-2, with Mr. Infanti and Mr. Galinson abstaining.
Chairman Bowler announced before going into non-public session that Steve Ellis and his son Steve who had been active in transmitting ACTV20 to the citizens that night may be Steve’s last time to run the broadcast. He wanted to extend the Town’s thanks and the Board’s thanks for everything he had done for them.
Mr. Ellis remarked that the organization has reacted to emergencies and felt the Board should all be proud of what has been accomplished by the CIC and by the Chairman Doug McAllister - he would be nearby. He congratulated them on the huge accomplishments and the Board’s abilities to reach out and extend their valuable contributions.
Mr. Infanti remarked that for the people who don’t know, there is a citizen’s group in Town who have been analyzing the Selectmen’s budgets and different decisions they have made over the past year or two. This is a great thing, however, they have not attended any of the Board’s meetings or spoke to them personally about their concerns. He had a concern about a note that has been sent out over the internet and because they are not happy with this Board and not happy with the Moderator, they have asked citizens to vote for two deceased citizens. There will be volunteers working 10-15 hours at the polls and the people who work will be asked to stay later and hand count these ballots – this is every citizen’s right, but it will be helpful if these people would come and help do the counting. Mr. Bowler added that he felt it a disgrace that they have asked people to write these names in.
Non-Public Session
Upon a unanimous roll call vote, the Board entered non-public session under RSA 91-A:3 II (b) and (d) at 8:25 p.m.
While in non-public session, the Board discussed a pending land acquisition. They also discussed the added responsibilities for a current Town employee.
The Board exited non-public session at 8:35 p.m. Upon a motion made and duly seconded, the Board adjourned the meeting at 8:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sharon L. Frydlo
Executive Assistant