Date:  March 15, 2010
Time:  6:30 pm
Place:  Town Office
Present: Selectmen William Condra, Richard Rockwood and Steven McDonough and Recording Secretary Pam Atwood

Steven J. McDonough attended the meeting to be sworn in as new Selectman by Town Clerk Jane Farrell.  Ms. Farrell swore Mr. McDonough in at 6:35 P.M. and then they signed the necessary documents.

Selectman Rockwood suggested that they take care of selecting a new chairman for the Board of Selectmen.
MOTION:  A motion was made by Selectman Rockwood and seconded by Selectman McDonough to appoint Mr. Condra as Chairman of the Board of Selectmen for 2010.  The vote was unanimous.

Gary Zirpolo attended the meeting to discuss the EMT class and the need for practical instructors.  He would like to hire these instructors at a rate of $15.00 per hour.  Mr. Zirpolo stated that he would need 3-4 instructors for an 8 hour class.  Discussion ensued regarding the cost of the class and similar questions.
MOTION: Selectman Rockwood moved to allow the 3 positions at $15 per hour with these positions to be under the town umbrella policy like other town employees. Selectman McDonough seconded the motion, with a vote by all in favor.

Jim Tuttle attended the meeting.  Mr. Rockwood explained that Charlie would not be attending the meeting tonight.  Jim introduced himself to Steve McDonough and gave him a copy of the charter for the Water Commission. Jim explained the need for a replacement Sewer Commissioner.  Mr. Rockwood suggested Carl LaChance as possibly a good candidate for Sewer Commissioner.  Jim noted that the Selectmen have the authority to appoint a Sewer Commissioner.   Dick suggests putting Mr. LaChance on the Sewer Commission but not to bring him onto the Water Commission because then both boards would have the same three commissioners.  Plus there are other people interested in serving on the Water Commission.
MOTION: Selectman Rockwood made a motion to appoint Carl LaChance as the third Sewer Commissioner to fill Stan Schultz’s uncompleted term.   Steve McDonough seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous.

Chairman Condra asked when the Water Commissioners slot would be filled.  Jim referenced a letter he sent to the Selectmen.  As stated in the letter he hopes to fill the position at the next water meeting which will be held on March 31.  Mr. Tuttle informed the Board that if the Water Dept. can’t fill the position it will go before Superior Court per Jim’s conversation with the Town Attorney.  Mr. Rockwood suggested that Mr. Tuttle should not be calling the Town Attorney without first getting permission from the Selectmen’s Office.   Mr. Tuttle stated that he did not know he had to do this but will do so in the future.

The next item of discussion was the Wilton Reservoir Dam issue. Selectman Rockwood noted that he has a letter into the Dam Bureau asking for a list of engineers who could evaluate the Dam.  Mr. Tuttle is welcome to come in and look at the list from the State when we have it.   There was continued discussion about the Dam.

Mr. McDonough asked how the dams are holding up with all this rain. Jim responded that they are holding up pretty well and that Brian Adams has been keeping an eye on them.

Chairman Condra presented a letter from the Dam Bureau regarding another dam in town. It was decided that the letter was just informational.

There was discussion about the old stone culvert and Mr. Elliott explained that the Highway Dept. has to heavily monitor this culvert during heavy rainstorms.  Mr. Elliott informed Mr. Tuttle that this is the project Homeland Security is going to look at and possibly help with.

John Shepardson attended the meeting to discuss a building permit submitted by a resident to re-habilitate a kitchen in a second apartment of a house that is only a single family house per Town records.  After some discussion, John was directed to deny the building permit and inform the owner that she must go before the Zoning Board for a variance.

John’s other issue to discuss involved a resident who is incorrectly renovating a property. After discussion on the details of the project, the Board suggested that John needs to get “certified” plans from the owner to make sure the project will be done correctly.

Steve Elliott and Brian Adams from the Highway Dept. were at the meeting, so Selectman Rockwood suggested talking about the Cemetery Custodian issue.  Mr. Elliott has decided to resign as Custodian of the Cemeteries. Selectman Rockwood insisted that the Highway Dept. would ultimately be responsible for maintaining the cemeteries even though Steve wouldn’t be the Custodian.  Steve then requested a job description of his responsibilities regarding the cemeteries, for example, would the Cemetery budget be Steve’s responsibility? After much discussion on the effect that Steve’s resignation would have on the cemeteries and the Trustees of the cemeteries, Chairman Condra suggested that Steve compile a list of the summary of expectations from the Highway Dept. regarding the cemeteries. Chairman Condra suggested that the Board of Trustees also compile a list.  Brian agreed that the Trustees would do this at their next meeting.

Mr. Elliott briefed the Board about his frustration with the way the Elections were held. Selectman Rockwood informed Steve that he would need to go to the Ballot Commission which is part of the Secretary of State’s Office in Concord. It was mentioned that there is a time limit that must be met.

The next item of discussion was the Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Selectman Rockwood explained the history of the cemetery including the billing and trust fund history to Selectman McDonough. A list of questions from the Attorney for the Catholic Cemetery was submitted by the Cemetery Trustees.  All questions were answered by the Board and a copy will be sent to the Attorney.

Two property tax abatement requests were signed

One veteran’s exemption was approved.

Payroll and bills for the week were approved.

The correspondence and informational material was read.

The new truck that was approved at the Town Meeting for the Highway Dept. was discussed. Steve Elliott brought in one estimate.  Mr. Rockwood suggested that he get a total of two or three estimates.  A utility body was discussed. Mr. Elliott explained to Mr. McDonough that Ford is the State vehicle; therefore, we will get a better price on a Ford because we’re a municipality.

The Emergency Services Committee membership was discussed. Chairman Condra suggested that a meeting be planned for a Thursday in April.

Joe Torre submitted his resignation as representative to NRPC.  Dan Donovan was suggested as a replacement. Selectman Rockwood explained NRPC’s function to Selectman McDonough.
MOTION:   A motion was made by Dick Rockwood and seconded by Bill Condra to accept Joe’s resignation.  The vote was unanimous.

There was lengthy discussion regarding the Water Commission and the Recycling Center.  These discussions were to bring Mr. McDonough up to speed on the status of these departments.

The next item of discussion was a welfare request. The Lion’s Club is willing to help this client with ½ of the requested amount if the Town will help with the other half.
MOTION: Selectman McDonough made a motion to help with the remaining ½ of the requested amount.  Selectman Rockwood seconded the motion which passed with all in favor.

The next item discussed was the new appointments to committees.  Bill Condra is chairman of the Fire Station committee, Dick Rockwood would like to work with the Budget Committee and Steve McDonough will represent the Selectmen on the Planning Board.  Also Bill Condra will be the representative for the Heritage Commission.  Dick offered to fill in when Bill or Steve could not make a meeting on their committees.

The Board gave an explanation of how the Conservation Commission works and their most recent anticipated land purchase to Mr. McDonough.

MOTION: Chairman Condra made a motion seconded by Mr. McDonough to have fun this year. A voice vote passed the motion.

The meeting was adjourned by a unanimous vote at 9:35 P.M.
 

Respectfully submitted,

Pamela L. Atwood
Selectmen’s Assistant