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

MEETING MINUTES OF TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 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.

(LK) related to audience that Board had several appointments and if anyone has a quick Public Input they would like to address, we can hear that and then after the appointments go back to Public Input.

PUBLIC INPUT

Dan Schroth: First, I would like to thank you for hanging up my picture as Citizen of the Year. Secondly, I wanted to let the Board know that I finished my job at the cemetery; it looks beautiful. He noted his concerns about the Community Center wall and expressed interest in repairing it. I have met with Fire Chief concerning several issues in Town. He also noted several concerns about Food Stamps and individuals use of Food Pantry.

AGENDA REVIEW

(EN) 36 Loudon Road, Library Update; (LS) 14 Depot Road, BCEP Info, Non-Public – Employee.

APPOINTMENTS

1. 6:10 P.M.: Clayton Wood/Broadband Verification Map (6:07 P.M.)

Clayton Wood: On July 15th, Town Administrator requested I work with CNHRPC regarding the Broadband Verification Map. There is a consortium of about ten agencies working on this in New Hampshire and they wanted an individual from the community working on this. The maps are being done in conjunction with the providers. They will be finalized and will be on the computer. Their concern is broadband outside of the cable contract.

(PS) How is the coverage looking? Clayton Wood: There were no surprises; the whole Town is on cable. Out of 769 addresses (which is how they calculate this) about 724 are covered. There are some areas that have no coverage.

2. 6:15 P.M.: John Freeman (6:10 P.M.)

John Freeman: I just wanted to shore up some information about the school and give you a general update. He related information about the 2013 Budget, PES Project, finances and Budget concerns, upgrades on the buildings, Vision and Values Statement (see attached), high school utilizing competency program (see attached example), and changes in school leadership. He referred to the article in the Concord Monitor (see attached) addressing the high school redesign efforts.

(AD) Are you doing common core standards? John Freeman: No, it was voted not to adopt this. (AD) Is common core going to be a requirement? John Freeman: This is not known yet. (AD) Do you see a trend in school population for the next five years? John Freeman: The current kindergarten is the smallest we have ever had. (EN) The guidance change, does the child with a problem have someone to address this. John Freeman: Yes, we still have a Guidance Counselor but not a Guidance Director. (AD) With the PES being identified as a priority school, is there any effect on accreditation? John Freeman: No, this is not affected. (LK) How does Pittsfield stand against surrounding towns on teacher salaries? John Freeman: Our salaries are low and there are no real benefits. Our teachers are mostly those that have been teaching five years or less.

John Freeman left at 6:40 P.M.

PUBLIC INPUT – Continued

Fred Hast: Questions concerning the auction of 36 Loudon Road and the advertising of sale, the processing of Deeds, following up on things as well as the potential sale of other Town owned properties. He also related that he would like to see items under Old Business taken care of. He explained the process of use of Food Pantry and the requirements thereof.

Dan Schroth: Fred answered my questions on this.

NEW BUSINESS
ACTION ITEMS

1. Clarification on Ambulance Per Diems

In your packet of information, you have an E-Mail from Fire Chief Nick Abell and he and I are concerned as to what I noted in the Minutes (August 6, 2013) concerning the hiring of Per Diem FF/EMT.

Fire Chief Nick Abell: I do not remember the date, but we decided to hire four Per Diem FF/EMTs. The Minutes reflect six individuals and I am looking for clarification.

(AD) I would like to clarify what we should do and that is to rescind the Motion and the Second and then remake the motion with the appropriate individuals.

(AD) Motion to rescind the Motion of August 6, 2013 hiring the Per Diem FF/EMT. (EN) Second. Carried 5-0.

(AD) Motion to approve hiring Robyn Cushing, Andrew Perkins, Michael Dow, and Eliot Brown and based on qualifications to start at pay scale Step 0.
(EN) Second. Carried 5-0. August 6, 2013 Minutes will be revised accordingly.

2. Appointment of Public Member to the Fire Chief Recruitment Committee

(PS) We have three individuals who have expressed interest in serving on this committee: Pat Heffernan, Fred Hast and Dan Schroth.

(EN) Motion to approve Daniel Schroth as public member to the Fire Chief Recruitment Committee. (GL) Second. After Discussion: Carried 4-1 (AD).

Discussion: (AD) Dan can jeopardize the efforts as to what we are putting forth. He has or will be filing a Petition to hire a part-time Fire Chief for Town Meeting. (GL) I seconded the Motion for discussion purposes but would like to note that Dan is a past selectman. (AD) I also feel that the other two gentlemen are the best persons we can get. (GL) I rejected Pat Heffernan for one reason and that is because he is a member of the Fire Department. Fire Chief Nick Abell: Pat has recently resigned and is no longer a member of the department.

(LK) Looking at the panel it will include:

Peter Pszonowsky Officer of Fire Department
Chris Ward Member of the Fire Department
Steward Yeaton Epsom Fire Chief
Sgt. Jeffrey Cain Police Department
Bob Freese Emergency Management Director
Larry Konopka Board of Selectmen
Daniel Schroth Member of the Public

Lenny Deane will organize committee members and schedule the interviews.

(AD) I still feel that that he can jeopardize this recruitment process. (LS) The members of the committee seem well rounded and I will support Dan for this. He is active in the community.

Dan Schroth: If you guys find a Fire Chief, are you going to sign him up for a three year contract? (EN) There will be no gray areas in this process.

3. Auditor’s Recommendation for Account Activity

(PS) It is noted that there are six different funds that Town carries as special funds which now need to be reclassified.

PD Asset Forfeiture $543.50: This will be moved to the general fund with balance recorded as assigned.
Animal Control $2,324.02: This will be moved to the general fund with an assigned fund balance.
War Memorial Fund $1,494.07 & Bridge Repair $3,219.58: Suggestion is to transform these accounts into expendable trusts.

PB/ZBA Account $291.66: (EN) The Planning Board is anticipating doing more on the Zoning Ordinances. (LK) This can be left there for now and Planning Board advised of balance, if necessary to spend on Zoning Ordinances revisions. (PS) to advise Planning Board.

Skate Park Account $276.66: (EN) George will probably have to do additional repairs next Spring.

(PS) Board does not have to address tonight. (LS) We should do what Cara suggests.

4. Columbus Day Holiday – Town Hall Open

(PS) As we do every year, the staff desires to remain open and not use as a floating holiday. The Town Hall will be open on October 14, 2013.

5. Pittsfield American Legion

(GL) After reading The Sun today, it is noted that Merrill Vaughan has resigned as Commander of the American Legion and we will have to find out who the contact person will now be. (PS) to send letter of Thank You for services.
6. 36 Loudon Road

(PS) I have contacted the Auctioneer and I am waiting for a date to be scheduled. Right now, no other properties are ready.

7. Library Architects

(EN) Do you have an update on this? (PS) Proposal submittal date is
September 19th. I will get these to the Fire Chief, Building Inspector and (EN) as soon as possible after that date.

8. 14 Depot Street

(LS) Are the assessors still waiting for information or has it been rectified.
(PS) Yes, it is all taken care of.

9. BCEP

(LS) We have a Waiver from PYW requesting to dump free of charge the clean-up from the Masonic Lodge basement. (AD) Are they tax exempt? (PS) Yes, they are non-profit. (AD) I would think that non-profit organizations would be. (EN) The PYW is doing the clean-up and they are helping the kids so I have no problem with that.

(EN) Motion to allow PYW to dump trash from the Masonic Lodge clean up at no charge. (AD) Second. Carried 5-0.

(LS) Also, there is a letter to DES regarding the permit and the monitoring of the site for the past twenty years with a stable situation and negligible impact on surface/subsurface ground water. Earl Weir is addressing this with DES concerning the Permit ($8,000 a year) and they are asking that the BOS be supportive of their efforts.

OLD BUSINESS

1. Policy for Recruitment & Employment: (PS) & (EN) working on this.
2. Policy for Employee Total Compensation : Pending
3. Draft Ordinance Re: Bicycles and Skateboards: (PS) noted that he had located a very simple ordinance to send for review. Rather than getting too complex, this particular ordinance is only eight sentences. This will be on the Agenda soon.

APPLICATIONS and WARRANTS

None.

CHECKS and MANIFESTS

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

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

MINUTES

1. Public Session Minutes of September 3, 2013

(EN) Motion to approve Public Session Minutes of September 3, 2013 with corrections. (GL) Second. Carried 5-0.

Corrections:

Page 3, No. 2 under Discussion, Line 2 should read: (LS) Last year we discussed having the assessors assess utilities.

Page 5, No. 10 under Discussion, Line 4 should read: (LS) Having five days to contact this officer but not have everything rectified is not bad.
Page 5, No. 10 under Discussion, Line 6 should read: (AD)….. After five days they are fined if they do not contact Town?

Page 7, Minutes under Corrections, next to last line should read: Discussion: A Board member notes that legal counsel fees…….

2. Non-Public Session Minutes of September 3, 2013

(LS) Motion to approve Non-Public Session Minutes of September 3, 2013.
(GL) Second. Carried 5-0.

PUBLIC INPUT

Dan Schroth: He reiterated his request to fix the wall at the Community Center and explained what he thought was the cause of the damage.
(GL) It is getting to be a hazard.

Close Public Input

NON-PUBLIC SESSION

(EN) Motion to go into Non-Public Session per RSA 91-A:3 II (a) :
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.
(LS) Second. Carried 5-0. Individual members of the Board were polled and all agreed.

Break 7:25 P.M. Resume in Non-Public Session at 7:28 P.M.

Board returned to Public Session at 7:45 P.M.

Motion made by (EN) 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. (GL) Second. Carried 5-0. Individual members of the Board were polled and all agreed.

ADJOURNMENT

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

Meeting adjourned at 7:48 P.M.

Approved: September 24, 2013

_________________________ ______________________
Lawrence Konopka, Chairman Date

I hereby certify that these Minutes were recorded by me on September 10, 2013, transcribed and publicly posted on September 12, 2013.

__________________________________________
Delores A. Fritz, Recording Secretary

II Tapes/Attachments