TOWN OF PITTSFIELD
BOARD OF SELECTMAN
TOWN HALL, 85 MAIN STREET
PITTSFIELD, NH 03263
_____________________________________________________________

MEETING MINUTES OF TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2008

CALL TO ORDER

Call to order at 6:00 P.M., by Larry Konopka, Chairman.

MEMBERS PRESENT

Larry Konopka (LK), Chairman, Linda Small (LS), Vice-Chairman,
Ed Vien (EV), Denise Morin (DM), Paul Skowron (PS), Town Administrator, and Delores Fritz, Recording Secretary.

MEMBERS ABSENT

None.

PUBLIC INPUT

None.

AGENDA REVIEW

(PS) Town Hall Sign,

APPOINTMENTS

Employee of the Month – September: Cara Marston

As Employee of the Month for September, Cara Marston was presented a framed certification citing her conscientious attributes as Administrative Assistant, which was read into the Minutes by (DM). Pictures were taken as a historical reference for services “above and beyond the call of duty.”

Employee of the Month – October: Brian Eldredge

As Employee of the Month for October, Brian Eldredge was presented a framed certification citing his conscientious efforts as a Public Works employee, which was read into the Minutes by (DM). Pictures were taken as a historical reference for exemplary service to the Town.

(EV) assured these employees as well as past recipients that these are not just words. “We truly believe in what we are saying. The employees of Pittsfield do a heck of a job and we truly appreciate it.”

NEW BUSINESS
ACTION ITEMS

1. State Inspection License/DMV Request for Approval

(PS) It is common practice for the State Department Motor Vehicles to send to communities a form requesting when an individual/company is applying for a State Inspection license to make sure they are in compliance with State Ordinances and Town codes, etc. I have given a copy to the Building Inspector and he has found nothing outstanding on this individual. I did hear at the Department Head meeting that there is an outstanding matter with life safety issues. (LK) Has the Fire Chief seen this? (PS) “No.” (LK) I would hold off and give to Fire Chief regarding his evaluation. Let him check it over. (EV) We have had issues for the past two years regarding this building.

2. Board of Selectmen Meeting Schedule

(PS) This was on the last Agenda and was deferred to this meeting to allow
(EV) to discuss and make a decision.

(LK) It is up to Board members, but I am suggesting Board meet the second and fourth Tuesday of each month with additional meetings on opposite weeks for any work sessions or timely matters that require addressing. We can try it. It may or may not work. This will offer (PS) a chance to facilitate needed matters. It is up to the Board what they choose to do. (EV) “I have no problem trying it.” It will give us a couple open dates. (LK) For instance, during Budget season, it would give us an opportunity to work just on the budget rather than have a complete Agenda additionally. When we changed the Public Input times, people did not care for it, but now they appreciate it at the beginning and end of meetings.
(LS) “I am confident in the current administration to try this. Paul, if it becomes an issue, let us know.” Board members agreed that this process would begin in January 2009. All necessary documents requiring signatures will be done on a regular basis.

(EV) December has five weeks. Board agreed they would not meet on
December 23rd.

(LK) reminded Board members that meeting will commence at 5:00 P.M. next week (December 2nd) with a work session reviewing Goals and Objectives. At 6:00 P.M., interviews have been scheduled for position of Building Inspector.

(PS) Amenico has requested an opportunity to address the Board as well as Nick Abell concerning the gazebo at Dustin Park.

Meeting will consist of:

5:00 P.M. Goals and Objectives
5:30 P.M. Amenico
5:45 P.M. Nick Abell

5. Parks and Recreation Committee/Forest B. Argue Recreation Area

(PS) related that he was unfamiliar with this matter. (EV) noted that he remembers this coming before him previously. (LS) questioned whether Gene Marcotte is a member of the Parks and Recreation Committee noting that more information would be required. (PS) to request he come in on December 16th to give a little more information regarding this matter. (EV) I am not quite sure what this is all about.

6. Parking Space Renewal Request – Metcalf

(PS) As you will note in your Agenda packets, I was able to access four letters, which does not include a letter to Mr. Metcalf relative to increase in costs effective 2010. Since Mr. Metcalf was not notified that the cost of rental spaces will be reviewed and might possibly change at the end of the calendar year, Board decided that they would offer him the parking space at the past rental charge.

(LS) Motion to approve four rental spaces in Oak Street Parking Lot for Paul Metcalf at the cost of $700 for 2009 with notification that effective 2010 costs may change. (DM) Second. Carried 4-0.

(PS) to send letter to Mr. Metcalf advising him accordingly.

7. Capital Improvement Program

(PS) Board has requested information on the CIP program. I have included a spreadsheet of the CIP by departments including School District, which is separate. I have been unable to track down the CIP from other departments. (LS) Is this updated information? (PS) Only from the School. (Dee noted that she has the original copies of the CIP’s as submitted to the Planning Board and will provide (PS) with a copy of these tomorrow.) (EV) This will give us a future plan.

8. SDS Contract

(PS) I have received the contract back from Bill Gosse and it is now ready for Chairman signature. It should be noted that this will create a loss of $40-50,000 in revenue. (EV) This is for a one-year contract? (DM) Yes. (EV) Was there any discussion about further work in the location? (DM) Not really, this was mainly just for the contract.

9. Warrant to the Tax Collector to Abate Land Use Change Tax Map R20, Lots 7-5

(LS) Motion to approve Warrant Article to abate $5,747.54, Tax Map R20,
Lots 7-5. (DM) Second. Carried 3-0. (EV) Abstain.

(PS) This is at the recommendation of Cross Country Appraisals with three parcels
involved.

10. Amenico

This has been addressed previously in the meeting.

11. Town Hall Sign

(PS) At the staff meeting, it is noted that Liz Hast was told that a citizen of Pittsfield could not locate the Town Hall because of no sign. Do we know when the sign is coming back? (LK) I will call the school to find out about the timeframe.

NON PUBLIC SESSION I

(LS) Motion to go into Non-Public Session per 91-A:3, II (a) and (c).
(DM) Second. Carried 4-0. Individual members of the Board were polled, and all agreed.

Board went into Non-Public Session at 6:35 P.M.

Board returned to Public Session at 8:40 P.M.

Break 8:41 P.M. Resume at 8:44 P.M.

(DM) Motion to seal the Non-Public Session Minutes of November 25, 2008. (EV) Second. Carried 4-0.

INFORMATION ITEMS

1. Memo to Department Heads Re: 2008 Encumbrances

(PS) Board has requested this Memo be sent to Department Heads and that has been accomplished.

2. Memo from Fire Chief Re: Town Hall Life Safety Code Compliance

(PS) You each have a copy of the November 18th and July 9th letters regarding Life Safety Code Compliance by Chief Johnson. According to Chief Johnson, very little has been addressed. I believe this would be a great platform for the Safety Committee. These are the kind of things that fall within their charge.
(LK) Regarding the sign on the second floor, I will take care of that sign. (PS) A letter has been sent to the Safety Committee regarding this matter. (DM) has been appointed to this Committee.

(DM) Ed, you also were appointed to a Committee last week in your absence regarding the Lakes Region Route 28 Corridor. (EV) Just for Board’s information, the Suncook Valley Regional Committee has police training facility on their next agenda.

3. Progress Report dated November 15, 2008 Re: Fire/EMS Cross Training Committee

(PS) This Committee has been set up and attached is the progress report from that committee.

4. CRDC 2009 Proposal

(PS) We have been waiting for (EV) to return from vacation regarding this.

(LS) Motion to accept CRDC contract for 2009 for ten hours per month. (If hours not used, these will be rolled over to 2010.) (DM) Second. Carried 4-0.

OLD BUSINESS

1. Town Hall Improvements, Life Safety Codes

Addressed previously.

2. Management Analysis for GASB 34

(PS) Still waiting for Auditor to approve. (LS) noted she would give him a call.

3. Space Needs Study

Pending.

4. Sidewalk Improvement Plan

(EV) suggested contacting Matt Monahan regarding grant.

5. Library Attic Insulation

Memo has been sent to BI to acquire several bids/quotes.

6. Loitering Ordinance

Public Hearing has been scheduled. Copies will be made for citizens who attend meeting or anyone who would like to review.

7. Cost of Broadcasting Selectmen, Planning and Zoning Board Meetings

Pending.

8. Tax Liens on Properties

(EV) questioned status of tax liens on properties. (PS) noted that the BOS has decided not to take any of these Deeds. I have written about 6-7 letters to the various individuals and have had only one response. I have met with this individual and discussed with him the payment process. All the others have not responded.

APPLICATIONS AND WARRANTS

1. Application for Veterans’ Tax Credit, Map R35, Lot 35.

(PS) This individual qualifies.

(LS) Motion to approve Veterans’ Tax Credit Tax Map R35, Lot 35 in the amount of $300. (EV) Second. Carried 4-0.

CHECKS AND MANIFESTS

(LS) Motion to approve Accounts Payable and Checks Manifest. (DM) Second. Carried 3-0. (EV) Abstain.

(LS) Motion to approve Payroll and Direct Deposit. (DM) Second. After Discussion: Carried 3-0. (EV) Abstain.

Discussion:

(LS) An employee has put in for 40 hours sick pay under FMLA. We granted unpaid FMLA leave in September. Why is he filing for sick pay under FMLA now? (PS) agreed he would discuss with Cara. It was agreed that (PS) would review and results would be up to his discretion.

MINUTES

1. Public Session Minutes of November 18, 2008.

(LS) Motion to approve Public Session Minutes of November 18, 2008. (DM) Second. After brief discussion: Carried 3-0. (EV) Abstain.

Several spelling errors were noted and will be corrected.

2. Non-Public Session Minutes of November 18, 2008

(LS) Motion to approve Non-Public Session Minutes of November 18, 2008. (DM) Second. Carried 3-0. (EV) Abstain.

PUBLIC INPUT

None.

(LS) I have one other matter, the Job Descriptions from LGC. (PS) These have been received and I have not yet had an opportunity to review them.

NON-PUBLIC SESSION II

None.

ADJOURNMENT

(LS) Motion to adjourn. (DM) Second. Carried 4-0.

Meeting adjourned at 8:05 P.M.

APPROVED: December 2, 2008

____________________________ _________________________
Larry Knonopka, Chairman Date