Meeting Minutes

Town of Pittsfield
Board of Selectmen
Town Hall, 85 Main Street
Pittsfield, New Hampshire
September 12, 2006
Present – Arthur Morse, Chairman, Lawrence Konopka, Vice-Chairman, Donna Keeley, Linda Small, Edward Vien, Selectboard, Jeremy Lamson, Town Administrator, Lenny Deane, Acting Fire Chief, Jen Tedcastle, Judith MacLellan, Ron Vien, Pat Heffernan, Michael McLaughlin, Robert Wharem, Police Chief, and Pam St. Laurent.

A meeting of the Board of Selectman was called to order on Tuesday, September 12, 2006 at 6:00PM in the Town Hall by Chairman Arthur Morse.

Public Input

None
Agenda Review

The Board members discussed items to add to the agenda.

Public Hearing On Sewer ordinance

Chairman Morse opened the Public Hearing at 6:03PM.

Chairman Morse explained that the proposed ordinance was a consolidation of three sewer ordinances into one ordinance.

Chairman Morse closed the Public Hearing at 6:05PM.

A motion was made to adopt the “Sanitary Sewer System and Waste Water Treatment Facility Ordinance” by Selectwoman Keeley, seconded by Selectwoman Small. Motion passed 4 to 0.

Appointment – Lenny Deane

Selectman Konopka asked Lenny how the Ambulance Department was currently set up. Lenny stated that the Town Administrator was now the contact person for Medicaid and Medicare if there were any issues since Jim Dodge had retired and the Assistant Ambulance Director was overseeing the billing now.

Selectman Konopka asked about the Secret Santa collection and removing the fire station carpet. Lenny stated that they were looking to store the gifts at the Town Hall for the Secret Santa program and that the carpet removal was more than the Fire Department could handle because of the glue that was used. The Board discussed tearing up the carpet.

Jen asked about filling the vacant position on the Ambulance Department. Chairman Morse stated that the Board would address it later in the meeting.

Appointment – Peter Witham
He did not show.

New Business – Action Items

Bat Removal – The Building Inspector stated that he wanted to table the quote because of concerns about the wording and to allow him to get a second quote. Selectwoman Keeley suggested checking with Fish and Game for their opinion.
Fuel Bids – The Town Administrator presented the fuel bids that he had received. Rymes had offered $2.479 for #2 Fuel, Irving had offered $2.543, and Lavallee had offered $2.359. The Board discussed what to do about boiler maintenance if they went away from Irving. The Board discussed whether or not to accept the price or wait another week. A motion was made to accept the fuel price $2.359 offered by Lavallee Oil by Selectman Konopka, seconded by Selectwoman Keeley. Motion passed 3 to 2 with Selectwoman Small and Selectman Vien opposed. The Town Administrator was instructed to look into pries on service contracts.
Planning Board Resignations – A motion was made to accept letters of resignation from Mike Cyr and Jim Vogt by Selectwoman Keeley, seconded by Selectman Konopka. Motion passed 4 to 0. The Board discussed their intention to use the performance bond format as a guideline instead of as a mandated form for new subdivisions. The Board also discussed posting the vacancies and the criteria for promoting alternates on boards.
DOT Letter – The Town Administrator stated that the State had done the repair work that had been requested by the Town so the letter was now moot. The Board agreed.
Magliozzi Letter – The Board reviewed the letter and decided that the issue was dead. Selectwoman Keeley volunteered to send a response letter. The Board discussed the fine schedule that the Housing Standards Board set.
Police Department – Selectman Konopka requested a report on where incidents were occurring in town. The Board discussed the idea with Chief Wharem. Chief Wharem stated that he would present a sample report next week for the Board to review.
Economic Development Committee – Selectwoman Small stated that she wanted to restart the clock on the contract with Central New Hampshire Regional Planning Commission once the new person is found to deal with the contract. The Board discussed suspending the contract until a replacement for Colleen Lynch is found by CNHRPC. The Town Administrator was directed to send them a letter asking CNHRPC to suspend EDC work until the replacement is found.
New Business – Informational Items

Budgets – The Town Administrator stated that he was just waiting for the Library budget. Chairman Morse asked him to start setting up appointments with departments to meet with the Board.
Welfare Department – The Board discussed several issues relating to the welfare office including getting a printer/copier for the office, the lock on one of the office doors, and changing the hours.
Pittsfield Medical Center – The Board discussed petitioning Concord Hospital to keep the Pittsfield Medical Center in Pittsfield. Selectwoman Keeley volunteered to draft the letter. The Board also discussed getting a list of businesses in Town.
Old Business

1. Town Hall Furnace – The Board reviewed the Building Inspector’s recommendation to go with P & M Heating Services. Selectwoman Keeley suggested installing electronic thermostats. The Board directed the Town Administrator to present the Board with money in the budget for the project and to check the references on P & M Heating Services for next week.

2. Revaluation – The Town Administrator gave an update on the revaluation schedule. The Board discussed the update.

3. Winsunvale Dam – The Board signed a letter to the Winsunvale Shores Homeowners Association.

4. Building Inspector Vehicle – The Town Administrator presented his memo showing the costs of converting the vehicle and where the funds could come from. The Board discussed how much should be spent on repainting the cruiser. A motion was made to approve spending up to $3,400 to convert one of the old cruisers for use by the Building Inspector by Selectman Konopka, seconded by Selectwoman Keeley. Motion failed 3 to 2 with Chairman Morse, Selectman Vien, and Selectwoman Small opposed. A motion was made to approve spending up to $3,000 to convert one of the old cruisers for use by the Building Inspector by Selectman Konopka, seconded by Selectwoman Keeley. Motion passed 4 to 0.

Applications and Warrants

1. None

Check Manifests
A motion was made to approve the Accounts Payable and Payroll Manifests for checks dated 9-12-06 by Selectwoman Keeley, seconded by Selectwoman Small. Motion passed 4 to 0.

Minutes

Public Session Minutes of September 5th – A motion was made by Selectman Konopka to approve the public session minutes of September 5th, seconded by Selectwoman Small. Chairman Morse stated that John Topouzoglou was Public Input, not an appointment. Selectwoman Keeley stated that she felt more information should be in the minutes regarding the appointment with Michelle Bahr and about Kim Bryant’s fundraiser. The Board discussed those items and decided to add information on what the fundraiser was, but not change the minutes regarding the Bahr appointment. Selectman Konopka stated that he had voted no on the Local Health Committee appointments. The Board then discussed sending the minutes to the paper only after they were approved. Motion passed 4 to 0.

Nonpublic Session Minutes of September 5th – A motion was made by Selectman Vien to approve the nonpublic session minutes of September 5th, seconded by Selectwoman Keeley. Motion passed 4 to 0.

Public Input

1. Judith MacLellan thanked the Board for looking into the Winsunvale Dam issue.

2. Pat Heffernan asked to have extra copies of the Master Plan made. The Board discussed making extra copies and decided to find out how much extra copies would cost.

3. Ron Vien stated that alternates on Boards should not be passed over more than once. He then asked if the assessing cards could be flagged if they are commercial to create a list.

A motion was made to enter nonpublic session at 8:35PM under RSA 91-A:3 II(a) by Selectwoman Keeley, seconded by Selectwoman Small. Roll call vote. All in favor. Motion passed 5-0. The Board returned to public session at 9:50PM.

Selectwoman Keeley made a motion to approve hiring Michael Enright as a WWTP Operator/Laborer, seconded by Selectman Konopka. Motion passed 4 to 0.

Selectwoman Small motioned to approve taking Sherry Miller off of probation and granting her a 3% increase retroactive to July 2nd, seconded by Selectwoman Keeley. Motion passed 4 to 0.

A motion was made by Selectwoman Small to seal the nonpublic minutes of the September 12, 2006 Board Meeting on the grounds the minutes could render a proposed action ineffective, seconded by Selectwoman Keeley. Motion passed 4 to 0.

The Board approved searching for a full-time EMT to fill the vacancy on the Ambulance Corps.

A motion was made to adjourn at 9:55PM by Selectwoman Keeley, seconded by Selectman Konopka. Motion passed 4 to 0. The Board adjourned at 9:55PM.