Selectmen's Minutes
January 23, 2012
Present: Jim Trudell, Steve Moscicki, Bruce Beane, Donna Clark-AA, Celine Presby-Treasurer
6:00 pm Chairman Trudell called the meeting to order.
Manifests & Invoices:
The manifest for Jan 23rd 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 $148,361.88 in the WGSB checking account, $129,463.12 in the NHPDIP fund and $6,306.21 in the Laconia Bank savings account. Moscicki motioned to approve the Treasurer's report as given, 2nd by Beane, all voted in favor.
Committee/Department Reports & Needs:
- The Board briefly reviewed the Jan 17th public hearing on the proposed acquisition of land on Dodge Pond Rd for future gravel needs. Engineer Jenn McCourt and crusher Mark Champagne were on hand to address technical questions. The meeting requirements of RSA 41:14-a Acquisition of Land are now complete and the Board will vote to purchase the land at the Jan 30th Selectmen's meeting, barring any unforeseen matters. A letter authorizing the Trustees of the Trust Funds to transfer money from the Land Acquisition Capital Reserve Fund to the General Fund will be prepared. Beane will contact the Realtor to arrange for the closing. Moscicki motioned to move forward with having the property surveyed as suggested by the title search company, 2nd by Beane, all voted in favor. Town counsel clarified the timeline of steps to be taken regarding RSA 674:54 Governmental Land Uses and RSA 36:57 Developments of Regional Impact, which will take place after the Selectmen are confident all due diligence has been done and they have voted to move forward with opening a gravel pit at this location.
- The Board reviewed and signed a timber tax certification and warrant.
Permits and Applications:
The following was approved:
- Intent to Cut for David Aldrich for Map 216 Lot 118
Meeting Minutes:
Minutes for Jan 16th and Jan 17th were reviewed. Moscicki motioned to approve both sets of minutes as written, 2nd by Beane, all voted in favor.
Correspondence:
The following were received:
- NHMA Legislative Bulletin #05 including information on bills to prohibit all municipal lobbying and limit entry onto property
- Email from Frada Kaplan regarding town office candidates. She would like to hear from people running for positions about how they feel on various issues. Other towns are sometimes featured in the newspaper. The Selectmen agree this is a good idea, but more people need to run. The number of applicants is very limited and most incumbents run unopposed.
- Congressman Charles Bass & Councilor Raymond Burton will hold a town hall meeting Jan 26th at 6:00 pm in Bath
- Winter 2011 Primex PrimeTimes newsletter
- NH Highway Safety Agency memo on highway safety grants
- LGC Member Update covering various topics
Old Business:
- Trudell will attend a meeting on rights-based governance on Jan 27th at 9:30 am in Sugar Hill.
- The Board compared assessing quotes from Commerford Nieder Perkins and Trumbull & Associates. Annual assessing and cyclical revaluation prices vary only slightly so the Town will stay with CNP at this time as they are very happy with the service provided over the last several years.
- The Town was informed that it has preliminary approval for a NH Dept of Environmental Services Clean Air Diesel grant for 25% of the cost of a new truck to replace the old Ford. The Selectmen will investigate the terms and conditions further before making a decision. The balance of the cost would come from the Highway Equipment Capital Reserve Fund.
- 2011 property tax rates for surrounding towns were reviewed.
- Clark advised the Board that the generator grant should be approved this week pending the results of a review by the State Historic Preservation Office. The signed agreement for the emergency radio grant has arrived so the radios can be ordered.
- The Selectmen discussed a non-fire related bill from the Lisbon Fire Dept. The assisted homeowner will be contacted to determine the circumstances of the call and whether the cost should be passed along.
- The Board agreed to purchase a new Dell laptop through New England Wire Technologies to replace the single user computer used for mapping, Planning Board, Zonning Board and election purposes.
- A complete review of the 2012 proposed revenues and expenses was conducted. Only a few items are still unconfirmed at this time. A warrant article requesting an appropriation towards construction of a new swimming pool on the Lions Club Community Field will be included. The old pool was over 60 years old and was becoming unsafe to use. Thousands of children have taken swimming lessons over the years, and the new pool will also be open for more public use.
New Business:
The matter of offering health insurance to other elected and appointed officials at their own expense was again discussed. Clark will contact LGC to inquire what positions are eligible as certain criteria must be met, and whether it could be implemented for 2012.
Moscicki motioned to adjourn the meeting at 7:55 pm, 2nd by Beane, all voted in favor.
The next regular meeting is scheduled for Monday, Jan 30th, at 6:00 pm.
