Selectmen's Minutes
September 22, 2008
Present: Jim Trudell, Elaine Sherry, Steve Moscicki, Donna Clark, Celine Presby, Tom Smith
6:05pm Chairman Trudell called the meeting to order.
Manifests & Invoices:
The manifest for Sept 22nd was authorized and new invoices for future payment were reviewed and initialed.
Treasurer's Report:
- The Treasurer's Report was read showing a balance of $51,815.65 in the WGSB checking account, $48,805.37 in the NHDIP fund and $6,277.51 in the Laconia Bank savings account.
- After discussing upcoming expenses, including Oct and Nov school payments, the Board authorized Presby to set up an additional tax anticipation note with WGSB for $100,000 to be used as needed until property tax money is received in November.
Committee Reports & Needs:
Road agent Tom Smith updated the Board on highway department matters. Gravel work is complete on Dodge Pond Road so temporary highway truck driver Jim Aldrich is done for the season. Six to eight tons of cold patch will be needed to repair places on Pettyboro Road where culverts were replaced. Smith suggested the Town look into the cost of purchasing a small compactor next year, rather than renting one when culverts are replaced. Moscicki will keep it mind when he attends equipment auctions. Over the next few weeks, some roads will be graded and sprayed, culvert ends will be cleaned out, and equipment will be serviced in preparation for winter use. Smith and Scott Stuart will both be taking vacation time this fall.
Audience Participation:
Selectmen Trudell interrupted the highway department report to allow Attorney Mark Russell, representing John N. Marshall, to speak. He hand-delivered letters for the Board of Selectmen and Planning Board and indicated he would like to have closure on Mr. Marshall's access and building issues and hopes for a response to their proposal within a week. Trudell advised him that the Board would read and digest the information and respond accordingly.
Resumed Committee Reports and Needs:
The highway budget to date and anticipated expenses were reviewed in detail. The cost of diesel fuel still remains a concern but it was determined that enough money remains in the budget to sign additional purchase orders to Byron & Robert Aldrich for $3,250 for 1,000 yds of gravel and to Beattie Crushing for $3,450 to crush 1,000 yds of gravel. This extra material will be stockpiled to make approximately 2,700 yds of 3/4" gravel available for next year's needs. The letter "P" will be added to private road signs when convenient. Smith turned the No Trespassing/Private Property signs posted at the entrance to Gold Mine Road sideways as it is a Town road.
Meeting Minutes:
Minutes for Sept 15th were reviewed. Moscicki motioned to approve the minutes as written, 2nd by Sherry, so voted all.
Correspondence:
- Booklets outlining the sessions to be held at LGC's 67th Annual Conference Nov 12-14 were distributed to the Board.
- Grafton County Conservation District's Fall 2008 Newsletter and the NH Coalition Against Domestic Violence & Sexual Violence 2007 Annual Report were received.
- The NH Office of Energy and Planning sent brochures and a poster that provide important information about their Fuel Assistance and Weatherization Programs. They are available to residents at the Town Offices.
Old Business:
- Sherry reported on the Sept 17th Major Disaster Declaration Applicant Briefing Meeting she attended regarding eligibility for funds to cover a portion of August's storm-related road repairs. Clark filled out the forms Sherry acquired and submitted them to the State.
- Clark reminded the Board the Selectmen's Office would be closed Sept 25th as she is attending LGC's 2008 Budget & Finance Workshop in Lincoln.
New Business:
- Trudell signed new certificates of exemption for FairPoint Communications.
- The Selectmen read the letter delivered by Attorney Mark Russell earlier in the evening and agreed that it should be forwarded to Town Counsel for advice. Since Planning Board members Al Gombas and Bruce Beane have had previous conversations with LGC attorneys about this matter, Clark was asked to set up a joint Board meeting for Friday afternoon to discuss this new letter and all other information and documentation both Boards have regarding the situation.
Trudell motioned to adjourn the meeting at 7:45 pm, 2nd by Sherry, so voted all.
The next regular meeting is scheduled for Monday, Sept 29th, at 6:00 pm.
