DATE:   January 11, 2010
TIME:   6:30 PM
PLACE:  Town Office
PRESENT: Selectmen Daniel Donovan, III, William Condra and Richard Rockwood and Recording Secretary Peggy Arn

Ambulance Chief Gary Zirpolo attended the meeting to inform the Board that he had met with the Chiefs of the Fire Departments of Lyndeborough and Temple to discuss the dispatching from MACC Base.  He stated that they are all in agreement and that now Gary will meet with the Selectmen from Lyndeborough and Temple to get their approval.  Gary prepared an agreement for radio operations and 911 calls routing for ambulances in the towns of Wilton, Lyndeborough and Temple.  The agreement also establishes how 911 calls will be routed and how radio frequencies are to be used by the Wilton Ambulance Personnel.  A copy of the completed agreement will be on file at the town office.

James Tuttle, Charles McGettigan and Forester Patrick Kenney attended the meeting.  Jim stated that he was there to finalize the contract to cut the trees at the old and new reservoir.  The wetland permit would be used if they had to cross a stream.  Mr. Kenney stated that he would use good forest management harvest.  There is also a lot timber damage caused by the ice storm last year that will be cleaned up.  He offered to walk through the area with anyone who is interested and anyone from the Conservation Commission.  He will go through the area and mark the trees that he feels should be cut.  The Board signed the contracts for the cutting of the trees.

Discussion ensued as to who would receive the money from the sale of the timber. Selectman Rockwood feels that the revenue realized from the sale of the trees should be used to offset the cost of hiring an engineer to make recommendations of what to do with the dam at the old reservoir.  Mr. McGettigan stated that he feels that it should be revenue for the Water Department because he thinks that the Water Department brought the land years ago.  No decision was made at this time.

Chairman Donovan called for the regular meeting to be adjourned, which did adjourn on a motion with all in favor.  At 8:05, he then called a non public session per RSA 91-A3; IIc

At 8:20, Chairman Donovan called the regular meeting to order, adjourned the regular meeting and call another non public session per RSA 91-A3;IIc.

Chairman Donovan called the regular meeting to order at 8:55.

Steve Elliott attended the meeting to discuss two issues.  He presented the Board invoices that he had created for departments that he had plowed this past year.  The Board agreed that the departments could not be billed for 2009 because they didn’t have a line item for this expense.  The Board stated that each department would have to be told to add a line item for this expense.  This issue will have to be approved by the Budget Committee for each department.  His invoices created for this year could be used as a basis for an estimate for next year.  The Board agreed that charging each department would give a better idea of the cost of running each department in town.

He then presented petitions to reclassify some Class V roads to Class V- Highway to Cottages.  The issue was discussed and the Board reviewed State Statutes covering this issue.  It was not clear if the Board has the authority to do this, so Town Attorney Little will be contacted to get his opinion on the change.

Mr. Elliott also gave the Board two estimates they had requested.  One was for the sidewalk on Park Street for $7,000.00.  The second was the Town Hall fence replacement which came in at $875 for materials.  The Board agreed that the money for the fence replacement should be added to the Highway Department Budget and that Steve submit a warrant article for the sidewalk work.

Peggy informed the Board that the Recycling Center Bond would be paid off this year.  The original plans for the Recycling Center stated that $30,500.00 would be budgeted every year.  Half would be used to pay the bond payment and the remaining would go into a “Sinking Fund” or as it is now called a “Cash Reserve Account”.  The question was what amount does the Board think appropriate this year when the Bond payment is much less and what amount should be put in Cash Reserves when the bond issue is paid off.  No decision was made at this time.

Peggy informed the Board that Chief Hautanen had asked if the Board felt that the Police Department personnel should continue to be required to have drug testing.  He feels that the testing is not necessary and does not have a line item in his budget to cover the expense.  The Board discussed the issue and feel that the testing should continue.

Peggy asked the Board if they felt we should put money in reserves for the partial revaluation that will be required by DRA in 2011.  The issue was discussed, with no decision being made at this time.

Chairman Donovan reviewed a proposed letter to answer Michael St Clair’s request for support of his using and maintaining Bennington Battle Trail.  The Board approved the letter and Chairman Donovan agreed to sign the letter.

Discussion ensued as to the present system of locks and keys in the town office.  The discussion was initiated due to people having access to the Town Clerk’s when the town office is not open.  It is becoming a concern of both the Board of Selectmen and the Town Clerk that her office could be compromised.  The Board agreed that the lock on that door will be changed and that new keys will be issued to the employees.  Committee members will have keys that allow access to the Court Room and the main lobby only.

The bills and payroll for the week ending January 9, 2010 were reviewed and approved.  Correspondence and informational material was reviewed.

The meeting was adjourned on a motion at 9:25, with all in favor.

Respectfully submitted;

Peggy Arn, Recording Secretary