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

MEETING MINUTES OF TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2014

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

None.

AGENDA REVIEW

(GL) Budget; (AD) Aqueduct Purchase Committee; and (PS) Non-Public Union Negotiations.

NEW BUSINESS
ACTION ITEMS

1. Tax Deeded Property/Repurchase Request

(PS) To date, we have not had a response from the family of the Foss Avenue property. They are still within the deadline date of January 27th. This will be on the Agenda for January 28th.

2. Resignation of Deputy Building Inspector Al Douglas

(LS) Motion to approve resignation of Deputy Building Inspector Al Douglas. (GL) Second. Carried 4-0. (AD) Abstain.

(AD) Motion to appoint Eric Nilsson as Deputy Building Inspector.
(GL) Second. After Discussion: Carried 4-0. (EN) Abstain.

Discussion:

(LK) In the future, I would like to see the Deputy Building Inspector be someone from out of Town. Perhaps, in March when we do the appointments, we can utilize an individual from out of Town. Eric makes a good Deputy Building Inspector but I think it should be someone else. I would like to see that the Board members do not have to be appointed to so many other positions such as we do with the Welfare Department.

(EN) I thoroughly understand that, but right now, we are working very well together. We ride to work together and have an opportunity to discuss the issues pertaining to the Building Inspection Department. Every town is different and we would need someone who knows the Town. This year alone we have about 500 permits issues and have had few complaints. If you do not want me to be Deputy Building Inspector, that is fine. (LK) I think it will be fine for you to fill out the term till March and then discuss it further. (AD) Do you feel you want to continue in this position? (EN) Yes, I would like to. (LK) As I said, I will support this until March, and then might offer a change. (LS) This way, Board members would not have to be on so many boards and in so many positions.

3. Selectmen to consider Action Fire Chief Agreement

(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. (LS) Second. Carried 5-0. Individual members of the Board were polled and all agreed.

Board went into Non-Public Session at 6:10 P.M.

Board returned to Public Session at 6:25 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.
Carried 5-0. Individual members of the Board were polled and all agreed.

(LK) Chief Martin, you have a copy of the Contract, are you agreeable with the contents? Fire Chief Martin: He reviewed contract. “Yes.”

(LK) Is there any public input regarding the Fire Chief Contract for Robert Martin? (None.)

(AD) Motion to approve and sign contract for Fire Chief Robert Martin for employment with the Town of Pittsfield. (GL) Second. Carried 5-0.

Board and Fire Chief Martin signed contract.

(LK) Welcome Chief Martin to the Town of Pittsfield.

Board went into Non-Public Session at 6:31 P.M.

Board returned to Public Session at 6:40 P.M.

Shall the Minutes be publicly disclosed? No.

4. Memorandum of Understanding with DRA Re: Municipal Data Sharing

(PS) This is an agreement Memorandum between Department of Revenue Administration and Town of Pittsfield. I have discussed this with Cara in great detail and Cara feels it would be beneficial to the Town and if approved, you would need to authorize Cara to sign document. This is an “infrastructure to enable inter-municipality data sharing through an internet based GIS platform called the Municipal Sharing Pool.”

(LS) Motion to approve the Memorandum of Understanding with DRA regarding the Municipal Sharing Pool. (AD) Second. After Discussion: Carried 3-1 (LS). (EN) Abstain.

Discussion: (LS) I have some reservations about this and will not be supporting it. (AD) In the past, has this been of value to us? (PS) There was a system in place previously, but this one would provide more in-depth information. (AD) Would there be any cost to the Town? (PS) Not at this time.

5. Transfer from the Ambulance Fund to the General Fund
in the amount of $226,800.87

(PS) The transfer represents the new ambulance purchase.

(EN) Motion to approve the transfer of $226,800.87 from the Ambulance Fund to the General Fund. (AD) Second. Carried 5-0.

6. Selectmen to Discuss Offer of Services with Barnstead

(LK) I requested this be added to the Agenda tonight. I think this would be an appropriate discussion for the Visions Committee Meeting scheduled for Tuesday, January 28, 2014 at 6:00 P.M. I do not think that we would need to have George Bachelder or Ron Vien present at this meeting. (LS) I disagree. There may be objectives they would like to address. (LK) I am thinking of “visions” that would occur down the road, maybe even twenty years from now such as the Safety Complex in Hampton. We can start gathering our thoughts and discuss the sharing of municipal services with Barnstead at that time including maybe a Building Inspector. We can have the Visions Meeting first, and then schedule a date to meet with Barnstead. (LS) It is good to have objectives and be well prepared. (LK) I would like to give Barnstead at least six weeks’ notice. (PS) suggested
February 25th. Board agreed. (PS) to contact Barnstead to make the appointment if this would be an available date for them.

(LK) Department Heads are going to be the key. I would like to see Barnstead individual as Deputy Building Inspector and maybe Pittsfield as Deputy Building Inspector for Barnstead. It is going to take some time to get this accomplished.

Board agreed if Barnstead unavailable on February 25th that they could suggest other dates. Board will try to accommodate their availability.

7. Review of Draft Town Meeting Warrants

(PS) The Board needs to vote on recommending the Warrant Articles.
Articles 1-7 are Planning Board Articles pertaining to Zoning Ordinance amendments. Article 8 and 9 are not yet complete and need dollar amounts.

(LS) read the following Articles (Please see Draft Warrant Articles dated
January 21, 2014 – attached):

Article10:
(LS) Motion to RECOMMEND Article 10 as read. (GL) Second. Carried 5-0.

Please see Information Items below for a detailed explanation by (AD) concerning the Aqueduct Purchase Committee.

Article 11:
It was noted that Article 11 contains a printing error – Line 4 should read:
“Withdrawal of Six Two Thousand Eight Hundred Thirteen Dollars….”

(LS) Motion to RECOMMEND Article 11 with correction. (EN) Second. Carried 5-0.

Article 12:
(LS) Motion to RECOMMEND Article 12 as read. (EN) Second. Carried 5-0.

Article 13:
(LS) Motion to RECOMMEND Article 13 as read. (EN) Second. Carried 5-0.

Article 14:
(LS) Motion to RECOMMEND Article 14 as read. (AD) Second. Carried 5-0.

Article 15:
(LS) Motion to RECOMMEND Article 15 as read. (EN) Second. Carried 5-0.

Article 16:
(LS) Motion to RECOMMEND Article 16 as read. (AD) Second. Carried 5-0.

Article 17:
(LS) Motion to RECOMMEND Article 17 as read. (EN) Second. Carried 5-0.

Article 18:
(LS) Motion to RECOMMEND Article 18 as read. (AD) Second. Carried 5-0.

Article 19:
(LS) Motion to RECOMMEND Article 19 as read. (EN) Second. Carried 5-0.

Article 20:
(LS) Motion to RECOMMEND Article 20 as read. (AD) Second. Carried 5-0.

Article 21:
(LS) Motion to RECOMMEND Article 21 as read. (EN) Second.
Carried 4-1 (LS).

Article 22:
To be recommended by Budget Committee.

Article 23:
(LS) Motion to RECOMMEND Article 23 as read. (EN) Second. Carried 5-0.

Article 25:
(PS) explained the initial article which was passed at Town Meeting in 1974 for the construction of the memorial with a remaining balance of $1,494 and now establishing an expendable fund for maintenance and upkeep. This is the alternative to discontinuing the fund. This was originally accomplished at a Town Meeting and Town Meeting will now have to agree.

(LS) Motion to RECOMMEND Article 25 as read. (LK) Second. Carried 5-0.

INFORMATION ITEMS

1. Budget – Fund Balances

(GL) The only major discussion Budget Committee is having is regarding fund balances. Paul, could you basically explain where the money is in a fund balance?

(PS) explained to Board how Fund Balances are created from one year to the next. He noted he would be attending the next Budget Committee Meeting and would also explain this to that committee. (GL) noted that he understood what fund balances were but others on the Budget Committee did not understand them.

2. Aqueduct Purchase Committee

(AD) explained the purpose of the Aqueduct Purchase Committee which will be to attempt to determine whether to purchase/not purchase the Pennichuck Aqueduct for Pittsfield. We have had various meetings since July through November, 2013 to determine a course of action. Pennichuck is an established firm and there is much information that we will have to have available such as condition, status and other issues about the Aqueduct before a qualified decision can be made. We have petitioned for individuals, of which there are only three, to submit RFQ’s (Request for Qualifications) as to a proposed course of action – one response, one conflict of interest, and one lack of interest. Therefore, we are requesting the additional funds to continue this evaluation.

3. Board of Selectmen Meeting and Visions Committee Meeting

(LK) noted the Board of Selectmen will meet next Tuesday, January 28th at 5:30 P.M. for a short business meeting.

The Visions Committee Meeting will commence at 6:00 P.M. right after this Board meeting.

They both will be Public Meetings.

OLD BUSINESS

None.

APPLICATIONS and WARRANTS

1. Intent to Cut – Tax Map R50, Lot 7-10

(PS) Intent to Cut is all in order.

(EN) Motion to approve Intent to Cut Tax Map R50, Lot 7-10.
(LS) Second. Carried 5-0.

2. Warrant for Timber Tax Levy, Tax Map R1, Lot 11

(PS) Timber Tax Levy is all in order.

(EN) Motion to approve Timber Tax Levy, Tax Map R1, Lot 11.
(AD) Second. Carried 5-0.

CHECKS and MANIFESTS

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

(LS) had several questions pertaining to the accounts payable, which (PS) provided satisfied answers to.

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

MINUTES

(EN) Motion to approve Public Session Minutes of January 14, 2014.
(LS) Second. Carried 3-0. (AD) & (GL) Abstain.

(EN) Motion to approve Non-Public Session Minutes of January 14, 2014.
(LS) Second. Carried 4-0. (GL) Abstain.

PUBLIC INPUT

None.

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 5-0. Individual members of the Board were polled and all agreed.

Board went into Non-Public Session at 7:20 P.M.

Board returned to Public Session at 7:50 P.M.

Shall the Minutes be publicly disclosed? No.

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

ADJOURNMENT

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

Meeting adjourned at 7:53 P.M.

Approved: February 4, 2014

_____________________________ _________________________
Lawrence Konopka, Chairman Date

I hereby certify that these Minutes were recorded by me on January 21, 2014, transcribed and publicly posted on
January 23, 2014.

______________________________________________
Delores A. Fritz, Recording Secretary

Attachment
Olympus: 54:03