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Minutes of 4/19/2010

April 21st, 2010

Carroll Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes
April 19, 2010

"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

Board members present: Christopher Hancock, Bonnie Moroney, Mark Catalano.

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM by Chairman Hancock

Members of the public present: Ken Mills, Roberta McGee, Bill Dowling, Linda Dowling, Frank Maturo, Dave Ikasalo, Mike Gooden, Carmine Fabrizio, Ann Fabrizio, John Foster, Tom Gately, Sue Kraabel, Bill Rines, Andy Martel, Scott Sonia, Jeff Duncan, Tadd Bailey, Leslie Bergum, Bill Smalley, Kelly Trammell

Pledge of Allegiance

Linda Dowling was in attendance with video equipment and Chairman Hancock read the following statement: “This meeting is being taped by a private citizen. It is not done under the auspices of the town and is not an official record of the town.”

The board announced the approval of bills and signing of checks.

Chairman Hancock made a motion to accept the minutes from April 5, 2010, as written. Selectman Moroney seconded the motion and it passed. Selectman Catalano abstained as he was not at the meeting.

Stan Borkowski’s report was received and posted.

The following items were approved and signed.

Abatements – Messina; Peckham; Remick Lane, LLC
Abatement Denials – Bogan; Birchwood Commons, LLC; Lanier ECE Property, LLC; Waite
Family Fund; Alphas; JABEZ, LLC
Water Warrant, 1st Issue, 2010 – $29,332.06 – It was noted that water bills will be sent twice a
year, but this is for three months only to allow the Department to get the billing on-line. The
next reading will be in October.
Water Warrant – Wright
Town Hall Use Permit Applications – Kraabel; A surprise party so the name is withheld
Sign Permit – Andrew Martel/North Country Motel

The next item was the lease agreement for the Police Department. There had been discussion at a previous meeting regarding the legality of the Warrant Article that passed in March authorizing the Selectmen to enter into a four-year agreement because it did not contain an amount of money. Chairman Hancock read an email from Town Counsel which advised it was a legal Article and that the money had been approved in the Town Budget part of the Warrant. Sue Kraabel asked the Chairman to read the lease, which he did (attached). Questions regarding insurance were asked and the portion of the lease pertaining to it was re-read. The lease specifies that the owner is responsible for the structure and the tenant is responsible for everything else, including returning it to the same condition when they leave as it was when the department took it over. Selectman Catalano asked if lightening should strike the electric panel and burn it out, who would be responsible. It seemed to be consensus among those in attendance that anything permanent, that which would not be removed when the department leaves, such as the leech field, septic, electric panel, etc., would be considered part of the structure and thus the owner’s responsibility. Because the Board did not have a specific answer to this, they requested that the landlord, Lori Hogan, be asked to come to the next meeting to clarify this matter and any others as may arise. Chairman Hancock made a Motion to: Table signing the lease until clarification may be received from the landlord. Selectman Moroney seconded and the Motion passed.

Discussion turned to fuel for the town vehicles while the state pumps are down having work done. Letters were sent to Fosters’ Crossroads, Twin Mountain Country Store and Garneaus’ Garage. Chairman Hancock said Mark Catalano had also been on the list for his store in Bretton Woods, but Selectman Catalano requested he be removed as it could possibly be considered a conflict of interest. Responses came back from the vendors showing their hours of operation and discounts they would give: Fosters’ Crossroads has both gasoline and diesel and will give $.05 per gallon off the pump price for both; Twin Mountain Country Store has just gasoline and will give $.06 per gallon off the pump price; and Garneaus’ Garage has both fuels but did not offer a discount. Selectman Moroney made a Motion to: Set up with Fosters’ for diesel fuel and the Twin Mountain Country Store for gasoline. Chairman Hancock seconded and discussion ensued. Chairman Hancock said that he had actually been leaning toward Fosters for all fuel to lessen the burden of tracking and paperwork; because of their previous commitment to the town, as they had made a special arrangement one other time, and because Mr. Foster has offered to make the fuel available at any time of the day or night in the case of an emergency. The town already has billing in the necessary format there, as well. Selectman Catalano said with the ease of access, the ease of use and the billing process in place, this would also be his preference. He also said he felt the $.01 difference in discount would be negligible. Selectman Moroney withdrew her Motion. Chairman Hancock made a Motion to: Utilize Fosters’ for town use while the state pumps are out of service. Selectman Moroney seconded and the Motion passed unanimously. Mrs. Kraabel made a request, since there were representatives in attendance of all the departments which use fuel – Highway, Police and Fire – that all slips showing number of gallons pumped be turned in as the Office will need these for our reimbursement of taxes from the State. Mr. Foster explained his billing process and said he had already spoken to the state on this subject and we should be well set up for submitting our paperwork once a month.

John Foster spoke on behalf of the Trustees of the Trust Funds. He said the Board had determined since interest rates are currently only .2% at NH PDIP that the money needs to be reinvested, particularly in light of the fact that adding money to the accounts had been voted down for the second year in a row. Mr. Foster said they have spoken with Laconia Savings Bank and their rate is 2.25% on 18 months and 2.5% on the full 24 months. They will also be asking other banks for their rates. Since the funds are under the auspices of the Selectmen, the Trustees need to know if there is an amount of money the Selectmen need to keep immediately available and their recommendations for the investment period. Mr. Foster assured the Board that these monies will be moved to places that are federally insured and guaranteed. He also noted that if money were needed before the actual maturity date, the penalties are not greater than the interest currently being made – so the town will still come out ahead. Mrs. Kraabel, Town Treasurer, asked the total amount the three separate CD’s would equal. When she was told it would be in excess of $312,000, she advised even though they are separate, it’s the total that must be considered as they have the same custodian. The maximum amount to be covered by the FDIC, she believes, is at $250,000, so it may be necessary to put them in different banks. Mr. Foster said they still have research to do regarding rates and banks, and they will also get the FDIC rules that will explain how it works with municipalities. The Selectmen thought the New Land and Building Reserve Fund might be done for 24 months while the Highway Fund and the Road Improvement Fund could be done for 18 months each. However, they will make their decision at a later time, when the Trustees are ready to make the investments in the new location(s).

Bill Rines said he had seen an ad in the paper that Whitefield is looking for town residents who may be interested in “fill material” from street sweeping and road ditching. Anyone interested must pick up an agreement form, a copy of which Mr. Rines has been able to get. He said he will be looking to dispose of fill and would like to be able to do something similar as he believes it will save him time and work. He was wondering if the Board would agree to the process. Bill Dowling said if they agree, he’ll be in to get the first form as he had spoken with Billy last fall and needs fill to finish the last bunker at the Transfer Station. Mr. Rines assured the Selectmen that the town’s needs will be taken care of first. “Ike” Ikasalo said the sweepings would be contaminated and wondered what that would mean to the town. It was stated the contaminants would be low as minimal salt is used. When Mr. Ikasalo asked when they were planning to start sweeping, he was told hopefully next week. Selectman Moroney made a Motion to: Put the ad in the paper for the disposal of fill. Chairman Hancock seconded and the Motion passed unanimously. Discussion returned to anything being contaminated or hazardous and Mr. Rines assured they don’t haul hazardous materials – so there would be no hazardous contamination. Bill Dowling said the state has guidelines for dealing with winter sand, ditching, etc., and he will be glad to bring a copy to the office the next day. He went on to tell about a man in another part of the state who got paid to remove used oil and he got caught dumping it on land where it shouldn’t have been dumped and it turned out that the people who paid him were ultimately responsible for it. Chairman Hancock made a Motion to: Review the state’s guidelines before putting an ad in the paper. Selectman Moroney seconded and it passed unanimously. Copies will be given to the Selectmen as soon as possible.

In Other Business:

Selectman Moroney said she had been approached by Lee Hallquist who asked if the Highway Department could pick up a large piece of trash that had blown over the guardrails off Route 3, across from St. Patrick’s Church, as well as a big TV that had been dumped on the property of Naturally New Hampshire. Bill Rines was asked to please do this and take them to the Transfer Station. She said Mr. Dowling could bill the town if necessary.

Selectman Moroney requested that Mr. Dowling put an ad in the paper for the glass crusher that was approved for purchase in March, since that’s what has been asked for from other town departments. He said he would.

Ken Mills wondered, getting back to the police department lease, if insurance would cover structural damage and thus answer the question regarding a damaged electrical panel. After brief discussion, it was determined that insurance doesn’t cover anything considered an “act of God” (such as a lightning strike) regardless of whether it is commercial or residential It was also noted. when questioned, that the town has insurance on the contents of the building.

Leslie Bergum brought a letter from the chairman of the Ammonoosuc River Local Advisory Committee requesting the town’s support for the group – they monitor the river corridor and advise DES of concerns and opportunities, test water quality, and make several mailings a year, among other things. The amount they request from each town is $50 and it was ascertained that the town Conservation Commission has this item in their budget. Mrs. Bergum also brought the group’s annual report for 2009 (attached). Selectman Moroney made a Motion to: Approve the donation for the Ammonoosuc River LAC. Chairman Hancock seconded and the Motion passed. Mrs. Bergum will take the check to North Country Council.

Sue Kraabel advised that friends of Brendan Quigley are holding a benefit for him on May 1st at the Town Hall – a corn hole/bean bag toss tournament and barbecue from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. and a dance from 7:00 to midnight. Mrs. Kraabel said that many people had asked how they could help when they heard about Brendan’s accident – and she said the organizers have asked for salads i.e. potato, macaroni, etc., for the barbecue and “munchies” for the dance. Mrs. Kraabel said if anybody is able to help out, she’d greatly appreciate if they could please let her know by calling or emailing her.

As there was no further business, Chairman Hancock moved to go into Non-Public Session for Personnel matters at 8:20 p.m. The Board was polled and went into Non-Public Session.

At the close of Non-Public Session, Chairman Hancock moved to return to Public Session and seal the minutes from Non-Public Session. Selectman Moroney seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.

There being no further business, Chairman Hancock made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Selectman Moroney seconded and the motion passed unanimously. Chairman Hancock declared the meeting ended at 8:48 p.m. The next meeting will be Monday, April 26, 2010.

Town of Carroll, New Hampshire ®2024