SELECTMEN’S MEETING  MINUTES For AUGUST 6, 2012
The Board of Selectmen met for their weekly meeting 6:30 p.m. at the Campton Town Office. Present were Selectmen, Charles Cheney, Craig Keeney, and Marsh Morgan. Selectman Wheeler and Selectman Davis were absent due to conflicts in schedules. The Board signed the manifest and reviewed the bills. They signed 1 Appointment for full time Police Officer, 1 Application for Reimbursement regarding Forest land, 1 Sign Permit, 1 Driveway Permit, 2 Building Permits and 1 Tax Agreement.
At 6:45 p.m. Chair Keeney called the meeting to order and asked Ann Marie if there were any agenda changes. Ann Marie indicated that Police Chief Warn and the new Police Officer Carole Ann Lee would not be present this evening.
Chair Keeney then called on Martha Richards and Bob Lamb, candidates for State Office. Mary explained that she would like “to get back in as a Grafton County Commissioner and explained some of her achievements while previously in office; one being approval of the alternative woodchip bio mass energy for the new County Correction facility. When elected, she stated she would like to get involved in the needs for aging citizens and a good county wide mental health program. She did discuss certain issues facing the County regarding the old jail and what to do with the building (she being in favor of demolition); lack of staffing for rehabilitation services; (she feels the need for this service to get inmates successfully back into society).  She also addressed concerns of the Board and the public regarding the Sheriff’s Department. There were concerns addressed by the Board regarding the County’s employees’ compensation package; namely, incentive payments for “coming to work†and longevity payments. Martha asked for the Board’s vote of support and then turned to Bob Lamb, who is running for NH Senate District 2, expressing that Bob will be an asset to working on the State Budget. Bob introduced himself as discovering Campton on a week’s vacation trip many years ago, and of course, now lives in NH. He explained his military background and 29 years as a financial and management executive. He explained that he is interested in “moving this State forwardâ€, lessening the financial burdens on municipalities and he is willing to  listen to new ideas, cooperate with others and vote only in the best interests of the people of New Hampshire. Martha and Bob then thanked the Board for their time.
At 7:05 p.m. Chair Keeney called on Kelly Bolger for an update on the new Town Office Building. Kelly proceeded to explain to the Board that he denied the second pay out due to the lack of submission of Lien releases. He also indicated that the steel is here, the concrete will soon be back filled and the wall units have been approved. By the end of the month he feels the walls will be up. He also indicated that he received the revised plumbing plans for the Police Department’s area. Kelly wanted the Board to know that Leigh Johnston, who is doing the site work, is doing a “great jobâ€. Kelly stated that Leigh Johnston was even at the site on Saturday getting work completed. Kelly informed the Board that on the 20th he will have available the exterior color chart for the Board to review to make some decisions on.
Kelly went on to explain that he and Butch Bain looked at salt sheds in Sanbornton and Plymouth. They are now going to research a canvas construction as it is the most economical and has a 25-year warranty. There was discussion about installation of the canvas structure and Chair Keeney mentioned that the Beckett School is looking for community projects and might be a source for assisting with the installation and Selectman Wheeler should be contacted for further information.
Kelly explained that he needed to commence the calculation of the costs for the present Police Department building office space for the Town Clerk/Tax Collector. It was suggested by Chair Keeney that the sample plan that Kelly has available be forwarded to Hannah Joyce, Town Clerk/Tax Collector and for Hannah and Karen Rienzo, Deputy Town Clerk/Tax Collector to review and make changes. It was then suggested that a meeting be scheduled to meet with Hannah, Karen, Kelly and Selectman Morgan to go over the plans and make revisions as needed.
Chair Keeney continued the meeting by calling on Fire Chief Tobine. Appearing with Chief Tobine were Kelly Bolger and  B.G. King, Fire Commissioners and Deputy Fire Chief Ian Halm. Chief Tobine explained that he needs to have some communication with both Boards regarding the Capital Improvement Project. He explained that Thornton currently does have a plan; however Ann Marie expressed some concerns with the Town of Thornton’s plan and Chief Tobine explained that he will try to get some answers at his meeting with the Thornton Board on August 8th. Chief Tobine did present a suggested plan (for the Board to discuss further), and he felt would allow room for escalating prices.  There was discussion concerning a new ambulance and to use the present ambulance as a backup. Chief Tobine did express that he applied for a grant for the new ambulance, but would not hear if it was approved or denied until late 2012 or January or February of 2013. Chief Tobine did explain that he was not asking for additional staffing and the grant was strictly for adding to the fleet and if the grant was approved, it would only be approved for an additional ambulance, not replacing the present ambulance for a new ambulance. Chief Tobine also explained that the utility truck that the Fire Department now owns is a 2003 and has 100,000 miles on it. He wanted to discuss replacement of this vehicle, and he received a quote of $30,000.00 making a contribution from Campton in the amount of $18,000.00 and Thornton in the amount of $12,000.00. Chief Tobine explained that the information he presented this evening was all up for discussion; however, he did want to address the Board first. The Board thanked Chief Tobine for a “heads up†discussion.
Chair Keeney explained that since George Wright was not present as their next appointment, he called on Butch Bain, Road Agent. Butch explained that he was recently “pulling ditches†on Pulsifer Road with the grader. He explained that he does not close down the roads while ditching; however, he has appropriate flagging indicating work is in progress. He indicated that an individual called him and sent him an estimate on work that had to be performed on her son’s vehicle after he drove on Pulsifer Road during the ditching process and claims this work was caused by conditions on Pulsifer Road. Butch explained that he was the grader operator at the time; however, no investigation was made at the time of the alleged incident. The Board unanimously agreed that without an investigation at the time of the alleged incident there seemed to be no way to prove liability; and unfortunately, the Town could not assist in the payment of the repairs to the automobile. Butch will explain the situation to the individual.
Butch also stated that paving bids are out.
Chair Keeney then continued the meeting by calling for a Motion to approve the Minutes and Non Public Minutes of the previous meeting. Selectman Morgan made a Motion to approve the Minutes and the Non Public Minutes as presented. The Motion was seconded by Selectman Cheney and the Minutes and Non Public Minutes were unanimously approved as presented.
Chair Keeney then called on Ann Marie to review correspondence. Ann Marie stated that another letter was received from Stanley Freeman in response to Attorney Spector-Morgan’s letter on behalf of the Town. The Board agreed that Ann Marie forward the recent letter to Attorney Spector-Morgan.
A thank you note was received from the Cheney family for the Town’s memorial donation to Pemi-Baker Hospice in memory of Sidney Cheney.
An e-mail was received from, Jennifer Leonzi, the owner of the Country Cow expressing concern with the anticipated closing of the Blair Bridge and how it will affect her business. She inquired if signage could be placed on Route 93 and Route 3 indicating the restaurant is open. After discussion, Chair Keeney indicated he would speak with Jennifer and it was also agreed by the Board that a meeting would be scheduled for the public to be updated on the progress of the Blair Bridge Project and the new Town Office Building. At present, there is no commencement date even scheduled for the Blair Bridge Project.
A Petition for Declaratory Judgment, Injunctive Relief, Fees, Costs and Sanctions has been filed on behalf of Beebe River Family Limited Partnership v. Beebe River Village District (BRVD). The following was granted to the Petitioner, Beebe River Family Limited Partnership: $2,040.00 in attorney’s fees, (to be paid from District funds), access to all documents abandoned by the Beebe River Village District, and granted the request to enjoin taxation by the BRVD, in part, until the BRVD has reorganized or dissolved.
A letter was received from Primex regarding their working with the State on an agreement and forming a Board of Trustees; in turn a “Premium Holiday†(through Primex) will be acknowledged offering the Town a $10,000.00 reduction on worker compensation insurance.
An informative letter was received from NH Department of Environmental Services noting a field inspection of the Campton Pond Hydro Dam owned by White Mountain National Forest.
Notification was received from Attorney Spector-Morgan that she filed the Town of Campton’s Motion for Entry of Final Judgment concerning the Town and Beebe River Village District.
A check in the amount of $8,639.70 was received from Time Warner for the franchise fee payment to the Town.
A notice was received regarding a State Election Law Training workshop scheduled in Concord on August 30, 2012, between 1:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. at the State House. Ann Marie will attend this workshop.
Police Chief Warn forwarded information regarding the Dog Warrant indicating 88 dogs were listed on the Warrant. Ann Marie indicated that after Janet called all the owners on the list, only one person’s dog was not registered.
An e-mail was received from Selectman Wheeler (which all Board members received) concerning an event at the Owl’s Nest Clubhouse on August 17, 2012, hosting State Senator, Jeanie Forrester, from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. Jeanie has been very instrumental in the passage of HB648 which took the power of eminent domain away from Northern Pass and attending countless meetings and gatherings.
Ann Marie indicated that Local Government Center will be meeting with the Board on August 20, 2012 regarding the scope of the wage study, arrive at an overall agreement as to desired results, develop a calendar of events leading to completion of the study, and agree upon the final details relative to the communities to be surveyed and coordinate the steps of the study.
Resident Power information was distributed to the Board and the Board will discuss and vote (when a full Board is present) on whether the Town Office will transfer to Resident Power or whether they will remain with the same utility service.
There being no further correspondence, Chair Keeney continued the meeting with Other  Business – Selectmen’s Input. Chair Keeney indicated that Karen Rienzo, Deputy Town Clerk/Tax Collector inquired as to whether or not the Board heard from the Attorney General’s Office concerning the Petition recently submitted to the Board regarding the new Town Office Building and a request for a Special Town Meeting to be held. Chair Keeney indicated that the Board did hear from the Attorney General’s Office and “they were not going to pursue any furtherâ€. Karen then inquired as to whether the Petition was “going to happen without a court orderâ€. Chair Keeney confirmed that under the present circumstances, it was not going to happen.
Chair Keeney declared the meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Eleanor M. Dewey, Office Assistant to Ann Marie Foote, Tow