Date: December 8, 2008
Time: 7:00 PM
Place: Town Office
Present: Selectmen Richard Rockwood, Daniel Donovan, III and William
F. Condra and Recording Secretary Peggy Arn
1) Maurice and Rich Phelm attended the meeting to inform the Board of the status of the application to DES for the incinerator permit. Rich stated that the application was almost complete and he was in touch with DES and they are aware that it is being worked on. He will have the completed application completed and submitted to the Board for their approval and signatures.
2) Former Selectmen Charles McGettigan and Jerry Greene then attended
the meeting to review the bids for Town Assessor. The request for
bids for the Town Assessor had been answered by three people. The
three bids received were submitted by Todd Hayward, Granite Hill Municipal
Services, Jeremy Glines, Summit Appraisal & Assessing Services and
Joseph Lessard, Municipal Resources. Selectmen Rockwood and Donovan
had recused themselves from voting on the bids because of their association
with Mr. Glines. The Board then agreed that two former Selectmen
would be asked to review the bids and vote with Selectman Condra.
The two former Selectmen reviewed the bids and then voiced their opinions.
Mr. Greene stated that he would not vote for Municipal Resources and he
objected to Mr. Glines’s bid because he works for Mr. Rockwood. He
also believes that Mr. Hayward is more qualified and has done a very good
job for the town over the past three years. Mr. McGettigan stated
that he would support Mr. Glines. He feels the fact that Mr. Glines
works for Mr. Rockwood should not be an issue. He feels that Mr.
Glines should be given a chance because he had given a quote of less than
Mr. Hayward and that Mr. Hayward may not have had the experience before
he became the Town Assessor. Mr. McGettigan stated that the Board
needs to start be more concerned with the money that the town is spending.
Former Selectman Greene made a motion to award the bid for Town Assessor
to Todd Hayward. Mr. McGettigan stated that he wanted more discussion
before voting. Discussion ensued. Selectman Condra then stated
that he agreed with Mr. Greene’s opinion. He also feels that there
is a problem or a perception of a problem having Mr. Glines because of
his association to Selectman Rockwood. He also stated that he has
been impressed with Todd’s performance over the past three years.
Selectman Condra then seconded Mr. Greene’s motion and called for a
vote. The vote was two in favor of Mr. Hayward and one not in favor.
The motion carried and the bid was awarded to Mr. Hayward.
3) Mr. Greene then informed the Board that he would like to make a couple of comments. He stated that he did not feel that a building permit fee should include the square footage of a basement. Mr. Condra responded by stating that because of the inspections that are necessary when a basement is put in, he had approached the Planning Board for their approval. This issue had been discussed and agreed upon, but the minutes had not reflected their decision. Bill stated that the Planning Board has plans to revise the Zoning Books. He then addressed an issue of a necessity of obtaining a building permit. The issue was discussed and the Board stated that he did not need a building permit in this instance.
4) Highway Agent Steve Elliott then presented his proposed budgets for next year. The budgets for the Highway Department, Resurfacing, Cemeteries and Parks were reviewed by the Board.
5) Chairman Rockwood informed the Board that the Milford Selectmen had asked that the Selectmen of Mont Vernon, Milford and Wilton meet Thursday, December 10, 2008 at Mont Vernon Fire Station to discuss the issue of MACC Base. Mr. Rockwood stated that he had prior commitments and could not attend. Mr. Condra stated that he also had a commitment. Mr. Donovan stated that he could attend. The Board then discussed the future of MACC Base. It was decided that a letter should be send to MACC Base stating that Wilton will resign from MACC Base as of December 31, 2009. The letter should also state that Wilton would be willing to reconsider their decision based on a competitive cost of their dispatching services.
6) The Board considered the request from town staff to close the town office the day after Christmas. The Board approved with the request on the condition that the office be open on Wednesday, the day before Christmas and Friday will be considered one of the floating holidays.
7) Selectman Donovan then asked that the Board consider how the closing of the incinerator and what alternatives have to be considered. After a discussion it was agreed that the 2009 budget should include $7,500 for engineering services and guidance regarding the decommission and removal of the incinerator. Then a Warrant Article should be presented to provide for the study of options in early 2009 for solid waste handling prior to full decommissioning. The Warrant Article should be for $20,000 and as a non-lapsing article.
8) The Board discussed the possibility of starting Board meetings at 6:30 PM. It was agreed that they would try and commence next week, 12/15/08.
9) The bills and payroll for the week ending December 6, 2008 were reviewed and approved.
10) The Board reviewed letters from the Ambulance Director and her Deputy that were written because of the re-scheduling of on-call hours. The Board decided that the schedule as prepared by the Director should be adhered to.
11) The meeting was adjourned on a motion at 10:00 PM, with all in favor.
Respectfully submitted;
Peggy Arn, Recording Secretary