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

MEETING MINUTES OF TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2013

CALL TO ORDER

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

MEMBERS PRESENT

Larry Konopka (LK), Chairman, Eric Nilsson (EN), Vice-Chairman,
Linda Small (LS), Gerard LeDuc (GL), Albert Douglas (AD), Paul Skowron (PS),
Town Administrator, Delores Fritz, Recording Secretary.

MEMBERS ABSENT

None.

PUBLIC INPUT

Jim Pritchard: I would like to comment on the Zoning Board meeting. Last Thursday the Town Attorney offered an unreasonable interpretation enabling the Zoning Board to act as the Building Codes Board of Appeal. Carole Dodge could not find any authority on this. RSA 673:1 V could be read as acting without Town Meeting authority. The Zoning Board denied the Board of Selectmen’s request to reconsider the Administrative Appeal of Paul Rogers. The attorney could offer no case law in this regard.

AGENDA REVIEW

(GL) 83 Main Street; (EN) HSA Inspection; (LS) Non-Public Employee; (LK) Emergency Back-Up Downstairs Town Hall, Update on Fire Chief Hiring Panel; (PS) Food Pantry/Fred Hast, Union Negotiations – Non-Public, Draft Recruiting & Employment Policy.

NEW BUSINESS
ACTION ITEMS

1. Board of Selectmen to Consider Action on Tax Deeded Properties

(PS) Erica and I have met with all but one of the Board members regarding the tax deeded properties. I think we should table this until all Board members have reviewed them with Erica and me and next week letters can be sent out. Board agreed.

2. E-Mail from Town Attorney re: ZBA Membership

(PS) There is an E-Mail from the Town Attorney speaking to the appointment of Larry Konopka to the Zoning Board. It appears there is a conflict with State Statutes in that two Planning Board members cannot be on the Zoning Board. (LK) noted that he would step down from either Board. We can approve Chris Smith from Alternate to Member.

(EN) Motion to accept resignation of Larry Konopka as full member of the Zoning Board. (GL) Second. Carried 4-0. (LK) Abstain.

(LK) Motion to appoint Christopher Smith as full member of the Zoning Board. (EN) Second. Carried 5-0.

(EN) Motion to appoint Albert Douglas as Alternate to Zoning Board.
(LS) Second. Carried 5-0.

(LK) We are still missing an Alternate to the Zoning Board.

(LK) I would like to thank Jim Pritchard for bringing this conflict to my attention.

3. Consideration of Adoption of Vehicle Registration Fee/Municipal Revenue

(PS) I have received an E-Mail from Erica and this regards the possible addition of up to $5.00 to the motor vehicle registration fees to go toward a Municipal and Transportation Improvement Fund.

(LS) Motion to adopt vehicle registration fee for Municipal and Transportation Improvement Fund. (EN) Second. After Discussion: Vote 0-5. Motion dies.

Discussion: (LS) The taxpayers are paying enough as it is and it does not represent the entire community. I will not support it. (EN) My thoughts are the same.
(GL) Chichester is the only local town that has adopted it. I will not support this.

4. Consideration of Increasing Municipal Motor Vehicle Permit Fee

(PS) The Town now charges $2.50 and has noted that most surrounding towns have increased their fees to $3.00. It would bring an increase of $2,458 per year.

(GL) Motion to approve increase in motor vehicle permit fees to $3.00.
(AD) Second. Carried 3-2 (EN) and (GL).

5. Consideration of Authorizing Town Clerk to be Agent to Register Boats

(PS) Again, another E-Mail from Erica requesting Board authorize Town Clerk to register boats. There is an initial one-time fee to license the boat module in the system of $300 and the yearly support fee is $50-55. (GL) Will the $300 come out of her budget? (PS) Yes.

(EN) Motion to authorize Town Clerk to be agent to register boats.
(LS) Second. Carried 5-0.

6. Quotes for Interior Ceiling Rehab at Fire Department

(PS) A while back we had several quotes for the Fire Department interior ceiling rehab. The Board felt that the proposals were “aged” and asked Nick
Abell to obtain current proposals. Two have responded: DPI – $3,200 and GSA – $1,540. Board agreed to wait and discuss with Nick Abell later tonight.

7. Parade Permit

(PS) This is the Elementary School Holiday parade.

(EN) Motion to approve Parade Permit for Pittsfield Elementary School Parade on October 31, 2013. (LS) Second. Carried 5-0.

8. Transfer from General Fund to Ambulance Fund in the amount of $1,060.96

(LS) Motion to transfer $1,060.96 from General Fund to Ambulance Fund.
(EN) Second. Carried 5-0.

9. Board of Selectmen to Review 2014 Proposed Town Budget

(LK) We will address later in meeting.

10. Draft Ordinance Re: Bicycles and Skateboards

(PS) This has been sent to Atty. Mayer and I am awaiting a response.

11. Food Pantry – Fred Hast

(LK) noted that an E-Mail was sent last week that Food Pantry would like to put up a wall. Fred Hast: We have decided not to. (LK) So you would not like to propose a door; perhaps, a driveway alarm button? Fred Hast noted that they had discussed that. (LK) Also, you have a new appliance down there; has any electrical work been done? Fred Hast: Only plug replacement, nothing on the building structure. (LK) Board wanted to make sure that everything was alright.

Fred Hast wanted to address Board on public input regarding tax deeded properties.. (EN) Point of Order: This is not public input time. This will be on the Agenda later. (LK) Fred, if you would like to come in and discuss with Paul; he will go over it with you.

Break: 6:30 P.M. Resume 6:37 P.M.

12. Union Negotiations

(PS) This will be addressed in Non-Public.

13. Emergency Back-Up Unit Downstairs

Jesse Pacheco, Building Inspector: The EB Units downstairs are not working and probably need new batteries. (PS) to check on these. Jesse Pacheco: Pat looked into it. Once the signs are in place it should be ready for start-up. (LK) What about the deadbolt at the bottom of the stairs? Jesse Pacheco: While Town Hall is open, it will be unlocked, otherwise cannot go up/down. Someone will need to lock it at the end of the day. Nick Abell: It is pretty much all set, just waiting for EXIT signs. Jesse Pacheco: The batteries are a probably bad in the EBU’s. As I said, Pat Heffernan is looking into it. (PS) It will be back on the Agenda later.

14. 83 Main Street

(GL) There is a dead tree there and George has suggested we take it down.
(GL) Motion George authorized to cut down tree at 83 Main Street as soon as possible. (EN) Second. After Discussion: 4-1 (EN).

Discussion: (EN) Is it on someone else’s property? (PS) Probably before we go on someone else’s property we should get permission. George Bachelder: He noted that if there is eminent danger involved, he can take down the tree. He will check with bank and make arrangements accordingly.

15. HSA Inspection

(EN) Hank Fitzgerald inspected and charged for two units at 9 Elm Street, but there are not two units there. Why is he charging for two units? (PS) to check.

Jesse Pacheco: I spoke to the homeowner; Hank Fitzgerald went out and then found in file that it was still a single family. Bill Elkins retracted one though bill was sent out as two. Hank was aware that it is a one family. (PS) to figure out with HSA.

16. Fire Chief Hiring Panel

(LK) We had a good meeting and have some interviews scheduled the end of the month. I would like to get some refreshments for the panel at the next meeting when we narrow down the applicants.

INFORMATION ITEMS

1. Draft Recruiting and Employment Policy

(PS) I have distributed this DRAFT for your review and if you would like to make any changes for next week and will then send to Town Attorney.

OLD BUSINESS

1. Policy for Recruitment & Employment Revised See Above
2. Policy for Employee Total Compensation (Action: 10/22/13)

APPLICATIONS and WARRANTS

1. Current Use Land Change Tax Warrant, Tax Map R51, Lot 5

(PS) The property owner has taken part of land out of Current Use and tax for that piece of the property is $2,000.
(LS) Motion to approve Current Use Land Change Tax Warrant, Tax Map R51, Lot 5 – taxes $2,000. (EN) Second. Carried 5-0.

NEW BUSINESS – ACTION ITEMS – Continued

9. BOS Review 2014 Proposed Town Budget

Highway Department: George Bachelder was present. He explained his proposed budget including costs of a new dump truck, (2014 International cost approximately $194,590.) increases in diesel fuel, seasonal workers, truck line items, sidewalk plow, and municipal lot plowing. He will be out on FMLA leave come the end of December which will probably require an additional amount for coverage. He noted that the Capital Reserve is probably about $30,000 shy of covering the costs of new dump truck.

(LS) suggested that Cara could prepare a spreadsheet to aid Board in determining what items are coming up for replacement.

Fire Department: Nick Abell was present. He explained the various line items and noted that there are some additional lines that have been added to the Budget because of the fact of the new procedures such as insurance property/liability.

(LS) Now that the Fire Department and EMS have been combined, is it more efficient? Nick Abell: There are some savings and some new expenses.

Emergency Management and Forest Fire Suppression: Nick Abell and Ron Freese were both present for review of this proposed Budget. There were several new lines within the Budget that caused increases.

8. Quotes for Interior Ceiling Rehab at Fire Department

Fire Chief noted he would check with both companies as to what the actual job description would be.

Break: 8:20 P.M. Resume: 8:27 P.M.

CHECKS and MANIFESTS

(LS) Motion to approve Accounts Payable and Checks Register.
(EN) Second. Carried 5-0.

(LS) Motion to approve Payroll and Direct Deposit. (EN) Second. Carried 5-0.

MINUTES

1. Public Session Minutes of October 8, 2013

(EN) Motion to approve Public Session Minutes of October 8, 2013 with correction. (LS) Second. Carried 5-0.

Correction:

(LS) Page 5, No. 15, 1st Paragraph, Second line should read: Something needs to be done to straighten out this Board.

2. Non-Public Session Minutes of October 8, 2013
None.

PUBLIC INPUT

Fred Hast: He noted that Board should re-consider some of the action it has taken on setting payment plans for delinquent taxpayers. The Town needs to get these taxes collected and get the money. Soon there will be a new year of taxes coming into the picture.

More money should being put into the Capital Reserves. George was conservative over the past years and now it is catching up with him. The Department Heads are not doing their jobs.

Close Public Input

NON-PUBLIC SESSION

(EN) Motion to go into Non-Public Session per RSA 91-A:3 II (a) – The dismissal, promotion or compensation of any public employee or the disciplining of such employee or the investigation of any charges against him unless the employee
affected: (1) Has a right to a meeting, and (2) request that the meeting be open, which case the request shall be granted. (GL) Second. Carried 5-0. Individual members of the Board were polled and all agreed.

Board went into Non-Public Session at 8:46 P.M.

Motion made by Eric Nilsson and Seconded by Linda Small to not publicly disclose the Minutes because it is determined that divulgence of the information likely would affect adversely the reputation of any person other than a member of the Board. Carried 5-0. Individual members of the Board were polled and all agreed.

OTHER

Board agreed that a THANK YOU note should be sent to Jesse Pacheco for doing a great job.

ADJOURNMENT

(EN) Motion to adjourn. (LS) Second. Carried 5-0.

Meeting adjourned at 9:40 P.M.

Approved: October 22, 2013

___________________________ ________________________
Lawrence Konopka, Chairman Date

I hereby certify that these Minutes were recorded by me on October 15, 2013, transcribed and public posted on October 22, 2013.

________________________________________
Delores A. Fritz, Recording Secretary

/daf

NOTE: During the Board of Selectmen Meeting of October 22, 2013, Board released the Non-Public Session Minutes of October 15, 2013.

____________________________
Lawrence Konopka, Chairman