Date:   January 18, 2010
Time:  6:30 PM
Place:  Town Office
Present:  Selectmen Daniel Donovan, III, William Condra and Richard Rockwood and Recording Secretary Peggy Arn

John Shepardson attended the meeting to ask the Board about issuing building permits to people that he suspects could be building two structures on one lot.  John is concerned that there could also be a road or driveway problem and he was told that his concerns should be taken to the Planning Board.  He had a question about putting a structure on a grandfathered lot which the Board believed would need a variance because of them the setback requirements.   Discussion ensued as to how to change the number of apartments one lot could have and the need to be approved on a site plan by the Planning Board.

John reported that a person in town has started demolition on an apartment building and had not applied for any permits.  He was informed that a “cease & desist” order should be issued and the owner informed that no work could be done until such time that the permits were issued.

John asked the Board how he should proceed if asked to do work for other departments and was informed that he works for the Selectmen and that when another department asks him to do work, it should be cleared through the Board of Selectmen.

Chief Hautanen and Ambulance Chief Zirpolo attended the meeting to discuss a budget issue.  Brent stated that he heard that each Department was going to be charged for plowing by the Highway Department.  He was told that this is under consideration because he felt that there is some plowing expense that should be billed.  These would be the High School and the Ambulance Bay.  Dick stated that it if all departments were charged, there would be a better picture of what it actually costs per department.  Brent questioned if he were going to pay for plowing, would he then be able to go to bid and also ask for better service.  He also stated that part of the police department parking lot is a municipal parking lot.  Discussion ensued as to the cost of plowing by the Highway Department.

Chief Zirpolo stated that he also felt that if he had to add a line item in his budget for plowing, he would consider asking that the Highway Department to do more plowing.  He would also consider going to bid.  He stated that he though all Departments should work together and this would include helping each other and not bill for everything that they do for each other.  Selectman Rockwood stated that he would discuss the issue further with the Budget Committee and get back them.

Brent’s next item of concern was the requirement of random drug testing required by the Selectmen of his officers.  He stated that his Officers have never had a positive result.  He wonders why other departments are not required to do drug tests and that no other towns in the area are required to do testing.  Dick stated that the drug testing started 6 years ago.  Brent stated that he would like to think that things have been improved since the testing was initiated.

Dan stated that he would amend the drug testing policy and made the following motion:

MOTION:  Chairman Donovan made a motion that the Drug Testing policy requiring Police Officers to be tested be amended to state that the Police Department members would no longer be required to have random drug testing.  Testing will only be required if there is a suspicion of drug use.   Selectman Condra seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

Discussion ensued as to the status of salary range study.  A merit raise system was discussed.   No decisions were made at this time but Brent will check with LGC to see if they have a system in place that the town could use.

Brent asked for direction in ordering phones.  He asked if the Board could set a policy that would have approval before ordering phones.  The Board agreed that approval of ordering cell phones be approved by the Board of Selectmen before going to Brent.
The Board reviewed the yearend report for Recycling and the proposed budget.  They will present the reports to the member towns at the meeting on Thursday, January 21, 2010.

The Board reviewed the year end income reports and made budget forecasts for 2010.

A request from Welfare Director to include a monthly internet expense when calculating a Welfare Recipient’s budget.  The Board agreed to this request.

The Board signed one Intent to Cut, the bills and payroll for the week ending January 9, 2010.

The correspondence and informational material was reviewed.

Peggy asked the Board if they would consider presenting a Warrant Article to withdraw and spend Capital Reserve funds that are for repairing the Town Office.  The work would consist of mold abatement, new ceiling and light fixtures in the court room and remodeling the old building inspector’s office and the storage room off the court room.  John Shepardson will be asked to get some figures together for a warrant article.

As a result of the new key policy, the Board discussed the option of moving the department’s mail boxes to the old building inspector’s office.  A lock would be put on the door and the department heads will be given keys.  This would allow them to access their mail before or after working hours.

The meeting was adjourned on a motion at 9:35 PM with all in favor.

Respectfully submitted;

Peggy Arn, Recording Secretary