Selectmen's Minutes
January 26, 2009
Present: Jim Trudell, Elaine Sherry (arrived at 6:15 pm), Steve Moscicki, Donna Clark, Celine Presby
5:45 pm Chairman Trudell called the meeting to order.
Manifests & Invoices:
The manifest for Jan 26th 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 $67,383.75 in the WGSB checking account, $129,003.04 in the NHDIP fund, $6,281.42 in the Laconia Bank savings account, $470.11 in the Dodge Pond Preservation Fund and $16,754.34 in the Lyman Housing Improvement Program.
Meeting Minutes:
Minutes for Jan 12th were reviewed. Moscicki motioned to approve the minutes as written, 2nd by Trudell, so voted all.
Recess and Reconvene:
- The Board recessed the meeting at 6:00 pm and reconvened at the Lisbon Town Hall with the Lisbon and Landaff Selectmen to discuss the 2009 recycling and fire support agreements and budgets. Clark was also in attendance to take minutes.
- The current recycling agreement is valid through 2010. Lyman's 21% portion of the expense budget will be $42,940 for 2009. Lyman will receive a check for $20,530 for its share of the transfer station's 2008 income. The three towns voted to increase the price of trash bags effective April 1 to help offset increased MSW disposal costs and decreased income from recyclables. Large (30 gal) bags will increase to $2.00 and small (20 gal) bags to $1.00. Current prices for recyclables, ways to promote more recycling, and the purchase of scales to weigh C&D (anything that goes in the container that is not household trash) were also discussed.
- The fire support agreement for 2009 will remain the same at $11,000 for the annual retainer and $4,000 for actual fire costs. False alarms will be billed at $400 each, forest fires will be billed at standard rates (and are usually reimbursed by the state), and other inspections will be billed at $25/hour. Fees for inspections will be passed along to the individuals requesting them.
The Selectmen and Clark returned to the Lyman Town Hall at 8:15 pm to conclude their regular business.
Correspondence:
- The Jan 2009 Town & City Magazine and Legislative Bulletins #3 and #4 were distributed to the Board.
- An e-mail from John Simpson regarding employee benefits, a letter from Congressman Paul Hodes about the potential economic stimulus package, a report from Executive Councilor Raymond Burton, and a Community Action Report from Ron Cote were read and discussed.
- The CDFA is holding a Feb 20th workshop in Concord on Funding for Historic Building Redevelopment. Sherry and/or Trudell may attend to learn what help may be available for maintenance and improvements to the Grange Hall.
- UNH Roads Scholar spring classes were announced.
- Florence Corey sent a letter requesting that the Town consider increasing the income limits for elderly exemptions. The Selectmen discussed this matter earlier in the year and plan to include a warrant article to raise the limits based on amounts used by similar Grafton County towns.
Old Business:
- The Board reviewed Northland Electrical's quote for outdoor lighting and Charles Hochmuth's quote on Grange Hall carpentry which were requested for budgeting purposes.
- Emergency Management Director Sherry reported that she met with Paul Hatch Jan 14th and completed the NIMSCAST survey. Mr. Hatch is working on a $5,000 grant that would cover half the cost of updating Lyman's Emergency Operations Plan and writing a Hazard Mitigation Plan as required by the State. The Town's $5,000 match will be included in the proposed budget.
- The 2009 proposed budget and warrant articles were reviewed again and further cuts were made.
- Notices for the Feb 10th budget hearing have been placed in three newspapers and on the website.
New Business:
- The 2007 audit was reviewed and the Client Responsibility Acceptance form was signed by Selectman Jim Trudell and Administrative Assistant/Bookkeeper Donna Clark. Auditor Mike Campo of Plodzik & Sanderson promises a more timely turn-around for the 2008 audit which starts the week of Feb 16th.
- As Executive Director of Alumni Hall, Lyman resident Mark Chain sent an appropriation request for $250 to support the cultural and interpretive center. The Board agreed to include a warrant article for the request and suggested that Mr. Chain attend the Feb 10th budget hearing to speak on his request.
Moscicki motioned to adjourn the meeting at 9:40 pm, 2nd by Sherry, so voted all.
The next regular meeting is scheduled for Monday, Feb 2nd, at 6:00 pm.
