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Minutes of 1/9/2017

January 20th, 2017

Carroll Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes
January 9, 2017


“These minutes of the Town of Carroll Select board have been recorded by its Secretary. Though believed to be accurate and correct they are subject to additions, deletions and corrections by the Select Board at its next meeting when the Board votes its final approval of the minutes. They are being made available at this time to conform to the requirements of New Hampshire RSA 91-A:2.”

Minutes recorded by Maryclare H. Quigley, Secretary

Board members present: Paul Bussiere, David Scalley, Brian Mycko

The meeting was called to order at 7:14 p.m. by Chairman Bussiere.

Members of the public present: Michael Hogan, Dianne Hogan, Debbie Szauter, Imre Szauter, Jeremy Oleson, Greg Hogan

Pledge of Allegiance

The Board announced the approval of bills and signing of manifests.

Selectman Scalley made a Motion to: Approve the minutes of 1/4//2017 as written. Selectman Mycko seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.

The Secretary said they had requested details on the General Buildings labor line and repairs and maintenance town buildings, which they reviewed. The Secretary explained that without going through individual timesheets, they would not be able to determine who did the work at what hourly rate. She advised at their request, she had set up separate lines for each employee, so they will have this information immediately available in the future. The Board looked at the detail for repairs line to find out why it was overspent by so much and were satisfied when they saw it was basically for the new garage doors for the Fire Station.

The Board went on to review budgets with the changed wages as well as the new wage lines they requested at the last meeting. Chairman Bussiere explained they had requested the department heads to do surveys to compare town salaries to those in surrounding areas. He reiterated that he had spoken with New Hampshire Municipal Association (NHMA) who said not to consider pay increases until after the voting so they are not locked in to giving them if the budget doesn’t pass. Several said this is how it has always been and the employees are always aware of this.

Moving on with the budget for Town Officers, it was noted that the Town Clerk’s software line included an amount to do a complete re-numbering of lots for GIS and the Selectmen were still less than satisfied with the information they received. However, in order to allow time to meet with the cartographers and understand this, Selectman Scalley made a Motion to: Carry the $4,950 ($2,475 in the Town Clerk’s budget as well as the same amount in the Financial Administration budget) and Selectman Mycko seconded. They noted it would not be necessary to spend this money if they felt it would not be a substantial benefit to the town. The Chairman called for a vote which was unanimous.

Discussion returned to salaries and Greg Hogan said he understood the goal was to get to at least the minimum amount what other towns are paying. He said he wasn’t asked to look at insurance, days off, etc. When it was pointed out that Whitefield pays ten holidays, not 11 as we do, Mr. Hogan said Whitefield gives a Christmas bonus and Carroll does not, and said that was his point that one town may do one thing and another town does something else, so making comparisons that way is not necessarily correct or fair.

Michael Hogan said salaries and wages have been discussed every year, including the years he was on the Budget Committee and said he still doesn’t understand why there is no guidance, i.e. pay scale. He said they need a system in place that could be based on job requirements, years of service, etc. and employees as well as Selectmen would know their earnings for any given year. He reiterated the pay scale can be changed as needed to reflect area salaries, COLA, etc. The Chairman explained again the reason for the request for the surveys as being a small town most employees do many different jobs and don’t fit in one category for pay scale. He gave as example, certifications required for those in Public Safety and Mr. Hogan said these can be related to steps or levels of a pay scale. Chairman Bussiere said he will try this year to work on a pay scale. Greg Hogan said he believes that all employees should at least be at the minimum of what the surrounding area is paying.

Chairman Bussiere said they should leave the salaries in the budget though he doesn’t agree with some of the pay increases and feels they need to be discussed. He pointed out that it is the position, not the person, about which he is talking. It was noted if the rates are approved it’s possible that Overtime lines should perhaps be increased. Selectman Scalley said he believes the Fire Chief and Police Chief should be closer i.e. the Police Chief $64,000 to $65,000 and the Fire Chief $62,000 to $63,000, and believes these are more what the comparisons are showing. The Board felt the Fire Chief may have shortchanged himself. He said he was trying to be realistic and feels while it should be sustainable it should also reflect what one actually does. Selectman Scalley made a Motion to: Put the Police Chief proposed pay at $64,000 and the Fire Chief proposed pay at $62,000. Selectman Mycko seconded and it passed unanimously.

After brief discussion, Selectman Mycko made a Motion to: Accept the proposed 2017 budget. Selectman Scalley seconded and it passed unanimously.

The following was approved and signed:

Northern Mutual Aid Agreement -- Chief Oleson

Imre Szauter presented a warrant article for property with solar energy alternatives, written to update one which the Town approved many years ago. “To see if the town will vote to adopt the provisions of RSA 72:61 through RSA 72:64 inclusively, which provide for an optional property tax exemption from the property's assessed value, for property tax purposes, for persons owning real property, which is equipped with solar energy systems, as defined in RSA 72:61, intended for use at the immediate site. Such property tax exemption shall be in the amount equal to 100% of the assessed value of qualifying equipment under these statutes.” It was explained this is what most municipalities have and that those properties with solar energy systems carry a separate appraisal for the system and this is what the exemption will reflect. After brief discussion, Selectman Scalley made a Motion to: Approve and recommend this article. Selectman Mycko seconded and it passed unanimously. Therefore, the Selectmen recommend it 3 to 0.

Other:

The Secretary asked the Selectmen if they would set the date for their 2018 Deliberative Session at this meeting as per RSA there is a specific period during which these must be held. Historically, the School District has had theirs on the Monday and the Town of Carroll has had theirs on the Tuesday of the specified week. As traditional, the School District set this year’s date for the Monday, but for some unknown reason, set their snow date for the next day, Tuesday, thus forcing ours to be Wednesday this year to avoid the possibility of a conflict. Though it may seem insignificant, there have already been several people questioning Wednesday as being the correct day. The Board agreed to set the 2018 Deliberative Session for Tuesday, February 6, 2018, and to notify the Superintendent’s Office.

Imre Szauter, Chairman of the Building Committee told the Board he was hoping to place ads for the informational meeting on January 31, 2017, and asked for their approval of the one he brought. In addition to the Democrat, it was suggested that it be placed in The Record, a free news magazine that is made public on Fridays. Discussion of costs took place and it was stated this is important and it’s important to get the word out to as many people as possible. Thus Chairman Bussiere made a Motion to: Place ads at a cost not to exceed $350. Selectman Mycko seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.

Chief Oleson informed the Board that the Fire Department has been getting calls for inspections for installations of wood stoves, pellet stoves, etc. by homeowners. He said they have no capacity for doing so. Though they can verify, he said they cannot sign off unless it’s been done professionally. When asked, he said they will do an inspection after a professional installation if requested.

Referring to the Building Committee which does not have any money, Selectman Scalley spoke about creating a budget for them for advertising, printing, etc. After discussion, he made a Motion to: add a line for $2,500 for the Building Committee to the Financial Administrative Budget. Selectman Mycko seconded and it passed unanimously.

Chairman Bussiere reminded everyone about the Public Budget Hearing the next night, Tuesday, January 10, 2017, at 6 p.m.

The next Selectmen’s meeting will be Monday, January 23, 2017, at 7 p.m.

There being no further discussion, Selectman Scalley made a Motion to adjourn the meeting. Selectman Mycko seconded and the Motion passed unanimously. Chairman Bussiere declared the meeting ended at 9:45 p.m. The next meeting will be Monday, January 23, 2017.