Selectmen's Minutes
January 7, 2008
Present: Steve Moscicki, Jim Trudell, Elaine Sherry, Donna Clark, Celine Presby
6:00 pm Chairman Moscicki called the meeting to order.
The Selectmen helped the Moderator and Town Clerk set up the Town Hall for voting for Tuesday's primary.
Manifests & Invoices:
Manifests for Dec 31st, Jan 1st and Jan 7th were authorized and new invoices for future payment were reviewed and initialed.
Treasurer's Report:
The Treasurer's Report was read showing a balance of $42,317.12 in the checking account, $159,744.04 in the NHDIP fund, and $46,141.32 in the Laconia Bank savings account.
Committee Reports & Needs:
- The Selectmen reviewed a list of unpaid taxes as of 12/31/07 prepared by Tax Collector Carol Messner.
- A highway purchase order for Barrett Trucking for $2,282 for salt was signed, and a prior purchase order to Northern Safety was revised to $1,616 to cover increased freight charges.
- The Board reviewed and approved the 2008 welfare payment guidelines prepared by Welfare Officer Donna Clark.
Permits and Applications:
The following was approved:
- Driveway Permit for Scott & Lori Peterson on Map 172 Lot 137
Meeting Minutes:
Minutes for Dec 17th were reviewed. Trudell motioned to approve the minutes as written, 2nd by Moscicki, so voted all.
Correspondence:
- The Dec 2007 Emergency Management News, Dec 2007 Points North Report, Winter 2008 DRA Newsletter, and three 2008 Legislative Bulletins were distributed to the Board.
- A Grants Conference will be held at the State House on Jan 28th. This item will be discussed again next week after people check their schedules.
- The 2008 LGC Moderators Workshop is scheduled for Jan 26th in Concord. Town Moderator Phil Clark will attend.
- LGC is offering a Land Use Clerks session on Jan 12th. A Planning Board member may attend.
- Thank you notes for Christmas gift cards were received from employees.
- The Selectmen reviewed an e-mail from John Simpson suggesting news of a personal nature be added to the Town website to create a sense of community. The Selectmen prefer to keep the website's content as is with contact information, board minutes, official postings and notices.
- Sherry discussed e-mails she has recently exchanged with Representative Rusty Bulis regarding the Grafton County jail project, the work done by NH Dept of Transportation on Clough Hill Road, and upcoming legislation regarding outdoor wood boilers. A letter of thanks to the NH DOT was drafted and will be ready for signatures next week. Sherry will advise Mr. Bulis that the Board was split on whether wood boilers should be regulated by the State and potentially by municipalities and more information is required before further discussion on this matter takes place.
- Clark read the DRA Community Action Report from Ron Cote's Dec 5th visit, and advised the Board that Commerford Neider Perkins quoted $23,000 for a 2008 Valuation Update if required by the State. As noted in the Dec 10th minutes, the Selectmen hope any type of revaluation can be put off until 2010 as planned.
Old Business:
- Sheryl Pratt of Plodzik & Sanderson confirmed the Town will be audited in early Feb and estimated the cost to be $7,000-$8,300 as changes in accounting standards have created much more work for municipal auditors. She will also forward information that will guide the Town in adopting a policy to create and implement an inventory of all fixed assets including land, buildings, vehicles and equipment.
- Todd Rainville acknowledged receipt of the Selectmen's Dec 17th letter advising him that Town records indicate that his property is to be accessed via the Brook Road. His attorney has advised him to continue using the Pettyboro Road access and that a letter will be sent to the Town.
- The 2007 completed budget was reviewed and shows over $70,000 that will be rolled back into fund balance and used to fund capital reserves and/or reduce taxes in 2008.
- The Selectmen all agree the money in the Highway Improvement Fund should be moved to the Highway Equipment Fund as that is where the greatest need to build up funds is at this time.
- Moscicki noted that the Planning Board is still working to finalize their Rules of Procedure.
New Business:
- NH Dept of Transportation's 2008 estimated Highway Block Grant amount is $89,222.58.
- Trudell will obtain a roster of Lyman students attending Lisbon Regional School from the SAU.
- Work has started on the 2007 Annual Report. The Selectmen will prepare their report as well as a dedication to Art Wessels.
- The Board will meet with Lisbon Selectmen on Jan 21st to discuss 2008's recycling and fire support contracts.
- Rebecca Fenoff's request to use the Town Hall on Jan 12th for a family party was approved.
- The 2008 Budget Hearing will be scheduled for the week of Feb 4th.
- Trudell volunteered to be available at the end of Tuesday's election for the sealing of the ballots.
- Stan Borkowski will be doing a site visit of the Ogontz Hall project on Jan 11th with several engineers involved in the project and will prepare a report for the Selectmen.
Non-Public:
At Clark's request, Trudell made a motion to enter non-public session per RSA 91-A:3, II(c) to discuss a welfare decision taking Clark with them, 2nd by Sherry, all in favor by roll call vote. Resumed public session. Trudell made a motion to seal the minutes of the non-public session, 2nd by Moscicki, so voted all.
Trudell motioned to adjourn the meeting at 8:40 pm, 2nd by Moscicki, so voted all.
The next regular meeting is scheduled for Monday, Jan 14th, at 6:00 pm.
