December 3, 2013 Minutes

These minutes were posted by the Selectmen.

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

MEETING MINUTES OF TUESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 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,
Gerard LeDuc (GL), Albert Douglas (AD), Paul Skowron (PS), Town Administrator, Delores Fritz, Recording Secretary.

MEMBERS ABSENT

Linda Small (LS)

PUBLIC INPUT

Dan Schroth: The committee for the Library, we hired an Architect and we should have a meeting before the designs are done so we can do some planning.

Fred Hast: On the Agenda you have an item about parking. Shouldn’t those roads be posted already because of the winter ban? (PS) This is to deal with Watson Street and the parking on that street as was noted by a resident. (LK) There are a couple of streets that are having issues with parking. The Traffic Control Ordinance will be scheduled for a Public Hearing. He also questioned several other items noted on the Agenda which will be addressed during the course of the meeting.

Close Public Input

AGENDA REVIEW

(GL) Exit Interview with Clint Cassavaugh; (EN) Library Committee, Status of Warrant Articles for 2014; (PS) Appointment with Building Inspector, Memo from Police Chief Re: Parking Ordinance Revisions.

NEW BUSINESS
ACTION ITEMS

1. Intention of Visions Meeting

(LK) This was on the Agenda to address with Linda; if we could add this to next week’s Agenda. (PS) to do.

2. Estimate for Survey Work/Shaw Road Project

(PS) The Board had requested information from George to obtain an estimate to survey the section of Shaw Road/Route 107 that needs repair. The survey estimate is $3,120 which excludes any markings. (LK) This will be added to the Warrant Article for Shaw Road repair ($45,000 plus $3,120.)

(EN) Motion to approve Warrant Article for Shaw Road/Route 107 repair for $48,120. (GL) Second. Carried 4-0.

(EN) This will be going to bid if approved? (PS) Yes.

3. Jitters Sign ) To be addressed later in Non-Public
4. Fire Chief Contract ) Session

5. Appointment of Health Officer

(EN) Motion to appoint Fire Chief Robert Martin as Health Officer.
(AD) Second. After Discussion: (EN) Withdraw Motion and (AD) Withdraw Second.

(GL) Motion to approve Board of Selectmen resignation as Health Officer.
(AD) Second. Carried 4-0.

EN) Motion to appoint Fire Chief Robert Martin as Health Officer.
(AD) Second. Carried 4-0.
(LK) Jesse is the Deputy Health Officer and Building Inspector and if you need any help, let us know. Paul, could you please notify Beverly, the State Health Officer for Town of Pittsfield. (PS) to do.

6. Request for Health Inspection for Adoption Process

(LK) presented Chief Robert Martin with the paperwork pertaining to this.

7. Discussion of Pay Date

(PS) As you will note from the E-Mails provided to you, the State Department of Labor indicated if Town pays weekly, we do not have to notify them should the payday change, only the employees. To offer you a history of what has occurred, was that the payday is noted as Thursday but because of bank processing and transfers to other banks, it would require a different day of initial processing by Town. I would recommend that the simple action would be to change payday to Fridays. We have corresponded with both Unions and have had no response.
(LK) We can change the payday without a response from the Unions? (PS) Yes.

(EN) Motion to approve scheduled payday for the Town of Pittsfield as Fridays. (AD) Second. After Discussion: Carried 4-0.

Discussion: (AD) Is there a timeframe for the effective date? (PS) related that some employees receive Direct Deposit on Fridays because of their personal bank. We will advise the employees that the payday will be Fridays. It is necessary that we have a legal payday. A memo will be presented to all employees that the official payday is now Friday.

8. Board of Selectmen to Schedule Public Hearing for Revision to
Traffic Control Ordinance

(PS) Now that we have received the revisions from the Police Chief, this will be on the Agenda with the revisions for next week.

(EN) What about the speed limit signs? (PS) I have talked to George about posting the roads with the speed limit signs. (EN) So the speed limits are okay? (PS) I have heard nothing to the contrary.

9. Exit Interview

(GL) In the past, we have tried to do exit interviews when employees leave. I would like to be consistent. (AD) I think he expressed his reasons in his resignation letter. (PS) to schedule.

10. Library Committee

(EN) I would like to have a preliminary meeting of the committee before meeting with the Architect. I realize this may be short notice but I would like to schedule it on December 19, 2013 at 6:00 P.M. (PS) to notify committee members. Meeting notice will be posted tomorrow.

11. Zoning Violation Re: Parking on Town Property

(PS) The Code Enforcement Officer will view property.

12. Warrant Articles

(EN) What is the status on Warrant Articles? (PS) We are in the process of developing them and will present a draft copy when ready.

13. Planning Board/Zoning Board Joint Meeting

Due to other commitments, (LK), (EN), and (PS) will not be in attendance (December 5, 2013).

14. NH Fire Standards & Training Commission Employee Status
Notification Re: Fire Chief Robert Martin

(EN) Motion to approve Chairman signing New Hampshire Fire Standards & Training Commission Employee Status Notification for Fire Chief Robert Martin. (AD) Second. Carried 4-0.

(LK) Welcome to Pittsfield.

INFORMATION ITEMS

1. Memorandum from Police Chief Re: Parking Ordinance Revisions

Please see No. 8 above.

APPLICATIONS and WARRANTS

1. Sewer Charge Abatement in the Amount of $782.80

(EN) Motion to approve sewer abatement for Tax Map R16, Lot 6. ($782.80). (GL) Second. Carried 4-0.

2. Intent to Cut, Tax Map R16, Lot 6

(EN) Motion to approve Intent to Cut, Tax Map R16, Lot 6.
(GL) Second. Carried 4-0.

3. Application for Veterans’ Credit, Tax Map R46, Lot 11-1

(EN) Motion to approve Veteran’s Credit, Tax Map R46, Lot 11-1.
(GL) Second. Carried 4-0.

CHECKS and MANIFESTS

(EN) Motion to approve Accounts Payable and Checks Register.
(GL) Second. Carried 4-0.

(GL) Motion to approve Payroll and Direct Deposit. (EN) Second. Carried 4-0.

MINUTES

1. Public Session Minutes of November 26, 2013

(EN) Motion to approve Public Session Minutes of November 26, 2013 with Corrections. (GL) Second. Carried 5-0.

Corrections:

Page 3, No. 1, Paragraph II add to last line: ……and DPT – $3,600 and GSA – $2,700. It was noted that JJP & Son will be doing this at cost to save the taxpayers money.

Page 5, Paragraph III should read: (EN) Motion to approve Board of Selectmen producing a Warrant Article for $25,000 to evaluate the cost of purchasing Pennichuck Aqueduct. (GL) Second. Carried 4-0.

2. Non-Public Session November 26, 2013

(EN) Motion to approve Non-Public Session Minutes of November 26, 2013. (GL) Second. Carried 4-0.

PUBLIC INPUT

Bill Elkins: The Inspector and I attended a seminar last week regarding the new Bedbug Law effective January 14, 2014. There were about 250 people in attendance – HSA, health care, etc. The law indicates that tenants are libel provided the “apartment was clean six months prior to their renting.” The owner of Elm Grove was in attendance and he related that he is happy with HSA. I would like to have a seminar for the landlords and one for the tenants to go over this new law so they would know what is expected of them.

We also have two applications for the Housing Standards Inspector position. We will be meeting next Monday to review these applications.

(LK) As you will note, we have a new Health Officer – Fire Chief Robert Martin. Bill Elkins: By Statute, he is also a new member of the HSA Board.

(LK) I attended the monthly Fire Fighters meeting which I felt was a very positive meeting. For anyone who would like to attend, it starts at 7:00 P.M. with equipment review and the meeting at 8:00 P.M.

PUBLIC INPUT

(LK) We will be going into Non-Public Session after Public Input after which he may be addressing additional action items.

Fred Hast: Board approved producing a Warrant Article for an additional $25,000 for the evaluation of the Pennichuck Aqueduct purchase. Who do you have to inform Board? There was $15,000 – did you spend that already? (AD) explained the proposed bids will require an additional $25,000 so that determination can be made as to whether the Town should purchase the Aqueduct. Mr. Hast indicated that this was attempted several years ago, but because of other issues it was put on a “back burner.” We should have acted on it then and now it would not be costing us the additional funds. (GL) It will be three to four years until the final results can be presented to the people.

Fred Hast: Board is going into Non-Public Session to discuss Fire Chief Contract. Will I be able to see a copy of that? (LK) That is dependent upon whether the Board elects to disclose the Non-Public Session Minutes.

Fire Chief Robert Martin: I would like to thank Eric and Jesse for a job well done at the Fire Station.
Bill Elkins: I would like to thank Cara for all the help she has been giving me. I appreciate all the help the people in the office have offered.

Close Public Input

Break: 6:50 P.M. Resume: 6:48 P.M.

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 and RSA 91-A:3 II (c) – Matters which, if discussed in public would likely affect adversely the reputation of any person other than a member of the Board itself, unless such person requests an open meeting. (AD) Second. Carried 4-0. Individual members of the Board were polled and all agreed.

Board went into Non-Public Session at 7:00 P.M.

Board returned to Public Session at 7:30 P.M.

NOTE: RSA 91-A (III) – Minutes of proceeding in non-public session shall be kept and the record of all actions shall be promptly made available for public inspection, except as provided in this section. Minutes and decision reached in non-public session shall be publicly disclosed within seventy-two (72) hours of the meeting, unless, by recorded vote of 2/3 of the members present, it is determined that divulgence of the information likely would affect adversely the reputation of any person other than the members of the Board, or render the proposed action ineffective. In the event of such circumstances, information may be withheld until, in the opinion of a majority of members, the aforesaid circumstances no longer apply.

Shall the Minutes be publicly disclosed? No.

Motion made by (GL) and Seconded by (GL) 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 and render the proposed action ineffective.

(GL) Motion to accept Eric Nilsson resignation as Deputy Building Inspector. (AD) Second. Carried 3-0 (EN) Abstain.

(LK) Motion to approve Albert Douglas as Deputy Building Inspector.
(EN) Second. Carried 3-0 (AD) Abstains.

(LK) Congratulations to Al Douglas.

(LK) Motion to authorize Albert Douglas, Deputy Building Inspector to sign Jitters Permit for Signage. (GL) Second. Carried 3-0. (EN) Abstain.

(LK) 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 and RSA 91-A:3 II (b) – The hiring of any person as a public employee. (GL) Second. Carried 4-0. Individual members of the Board were polled and all agreed.

Board went into Non-Public Session at 7:43 P.M.

Board returned to Public Session at 8:10 P.M.

NOTE: RSA 91-A (III) – Minutes of proceeding in non-public session shall be kept and the record of all actions shall be promptly made available for public inspection, except as provided in this section. Minutes and decision reached in non-public session shall be publicly disclosed within seventy-two (72) hours of the meeting, unless, by recorded vote of 2/3 of the members present, it is determined that divulgence of the information likely would affect adversely the reputation of any person other than the members of the Board, or render the proposed action ineffective. In the event of such circumstances, information may be withheld until, in the opinion of a majority of members, the aforesaid circumstances no longer apply.

Shall the Minutes be publicly disclosed? No.

Motion made by (EN) and Seconded by (AD) 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, and
render the proposed action ineffective.

(EN) Motion to Adjourn. (AD) Second.
(EN) Withdraw Motion. (AD) Withdraw Second.

NON-PUBLIC SESSION – Continued

(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 4-0. Individual members of the Board were polled and all agreed.

Board went into Non-Public Session at 8:15 P.M.

Recording Secretary was not present for the discussion of this portion of the Non-Public Session.

Board returned to Public Session at 8:21 P.M.

NOTE: RSA 91-A (III) – Minutes of proceeding in non-public session shall be kept and the record of all actions shall be promptly made available for public inspection, except as provided in this section. Minutes and decision reached in non-public session shall be publicly disclosed within seventy-two (72) hours of the meeting, unless, by recorded vote of 2/3 of the members present, it is determined that divulgence of the information likely would affect adversely the reputation of any person other than the members of the Board, or render the proposed action ineffective. In the event of such circumstances, information may be withheld until, in the opinion of a majority of members, the aforesaid circumstances no longer apply.

Shall the Minutes be publicly disclosed? No.

Motion made by (GL) and Seconded by (AD) 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.

OTHER

(EN) The Board of Selectmen announces that it has declined to extend the contract of the Town Administrator, Paul J. Skowron. Mr. Skowron has been with the Town of Pittsfield since 2008. His current agreement with the Town will expire on March 29, 2014. The members of the Board of Selectmen wish to make it known that Mr. Skowron has conducted himself in a professional manner throughout his term in Pittsfield. The Board of Selectmen want to consider pursuing revisions to the current Town Administrator job description. The process to modify the current job description, and initiate a recruitment process will commence in January 2014.

(LK) Thank you, Paul, for your services to the Town of Pittsfield

ADJOURNMENT

(EN) Motion to adjourn. (GL) Second. Carried 4-0.

Meeting adjourned at 8:25 P.M

Approved: December 17, 2013

_____________________________ ___________________
Lawrence Konopka, Chairman Date

I hereby certify that these Minutes were recorded by me on December 3, 2013, transcribed and publicly posted on
December 4, 2013.

_______________________________________________
Delores A. Fritz, Recording Secretary

No Attachments
Olympus: 57.19