SELECTMEN’S MEETING  MINUTES For  NOVEMBER 7, 2011
The Board of Selectmen met for their weekly meeting at 6:30 p. m. at the Campton Town Office. Present were, Selectmen, Charles Wheeler, Sharon Davis, Craig Keeney, and Marsh Morgan. Selectman Cheney was not present due to a conflict in schedule. The Board signed the manifest and reviewed the bills. They signed 1 Building Permit, 1 Tax Agreement and 3 tax exemption applications.
Members of the public who were present at the meeting, who were not on the agenda were:Â Juliet Bolia and Kelly Bolger.
At 6:45 p.m. Chair Davis called the meeting to order and made a Motion to go into Non Public Session under RSA 91:A,ll© regarding a tax matter. (This matter was an addition to the agenda). The Motion was seconded by Selectman Morgan and with a roll call vote: Selectman Morgan – aye, Selectman Davis – aye, Selectman Wheeler – aye, and Selectman Kenney – aye, the Board went into Non Public Session at 6:45 p.m. The Board came out of Non Public Session at 7:05 p.m.
Chair Davis continued the regular meeting and there was discussion regarding tax deeding under RSA 80:89. It was determined that at any time during the three-year period, any former owner can repurchase tax deeded property by paying “back taxes, interest, costs and penalty.†A Motion was made by Chair Davis that the Board waive imposing the additional penalty of 15% of the property’s equalized assessed value seconded by Selectman Wheeler and with a roll call vote: Selectman Morgan – aye, Selectman Davis – aye, Selectman Wheeler – aye and Selectman Keeney – aye, the vote was unanimous.
Chair Davis then called on Kathy LeBlanc, President of Voices against Violence (VAV) and Peter Pettengill, who is Vice President. Ms. LeBlanc stated that the organization has provided 220 hours of service to Campton residents this past year, which equals out to approximately $6,000 in costs and it was hoped that the Town of Campton could increase funding support to $3,000 this year. It was also confirmed that VAV’s funding has drastically been cut and the organization is feeling this crunch. Chair Davis explained that the Board is sensitive to VAV’s needs; however she explained that the Town also has areas to address that need attention in the budget such as building issues and raises to employees as there has not been an increase in compensation for the past two years. With that in mind, the Board confirmed that they could not increase funding beyond the $2,000 (as previously contributed). Selectman Wheeler, at this point volunteered his services to arrange a fund raising golf tournament through Owl’s Nest Golf course to help support VAV. Ms. LeBlanc and Mr. Pettengill were enthusiastic about this idea and will be contacting Selectman Wheeler to arrange it. There was also discussion about the process of reporting of residency of individuals getting support from VAV, and Ms. LeBlanc will check further into this and notify Ann Marie of her findings. Ann Marie indicated there have been problems in the past regarding this issue. Ms. LeBlanc and Mr. Pettengill thanked the Board for their support, time, honesty and Selectman Wheeler’s assistance.
Chair Davis called 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 two sets of Non Public Minutes as written.  Selectman Wheeler seconded the Motion and the Minutes and two sets of Non Public Minutes were unanimously approved.
Chair Davis then called on Ann Marie to review correspondence. Ann Marie indicated that Robert Durfee sent an e-mail giving an update of the progress of repair work from storm Irene on the Blair Bridge. Mr. Durfee stated that he approved one new work item regarding sistering of two roof rafters and as of November 1, 2011 (in the afternoon) the Blair Bridge has been reopened to traffic. Mr. Durfee inquired if a final bridge inspection would be required by the Town, and if so, he suggested the meeting be held at the bridge site.
Ann Marie indicated that Beverly Chappell has provided the statistics on the Town web site for the month of September and October, which reflected an increase in use by viewer. Also, Beverly indicated that Hannah Joyce, Town Clerk/ Tax Collector has indicated that she would like to post things on her own “blog†page; however, Beverly indicated this could be done but she would need approval from the Board of Selectmen to make that available to Hannah. The Board agreed that they would like Hannah Joyce to come in to discuss this issue further.
Ann Marie indicated that Hannah Joyce, Town Clerk/Tax Collector provided notice to the Board of 4 properties that have been deeded to the Town and refunds that were made to two homeowners as partial payments are not accepted after a property is tax deeded.
NH DOT has sent notification of two “wrap up meeting dates†to finalized the adoption of the draft of the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Intermodal Transporation 2013-2022 Ten Year Plan. The dates are: November 15, 2011 at 2:00 p.m., at the JO Morton Building at NH DOT and November 30, 2011, at 2:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at the State House.
Nancy Mayville of NH DOT provided a notice of a workshop on Historic Bridge Preservation, which is scheduled for December 8, 2011, from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., in the NH DOT large conference room at 7 Hazen Drive, Concord. Selectman Davis expressed an interest in attending the meeting.
Ann Marie indicated that Fire Chief, David Tobine provided the Pay and Classification Study by the Local Government Center. Ann Marie explained that Chief Tobine indicated that the Thornton Board had already received their copies and he felt the Campton Board also needed to be provided a copy of the study. Ann Marie distributed copies to each Board member. Fire Chief Tobine also indicated that the Board of Fire Commissioners has not yet reviewed the study. Kelly Bolger confirmed that the Fire Commissioners will be reviewing this document at their next meeting and will report their recommendations to the Board.
At this point, Selectman Keeney indicated that he had an aerial view of property owned by Kevin Rogers pertaining to previous discussion regarding a silt issue resulting from disturbance of soil on Mr. Rogers’s property. Butch Bain, Road Agent and Charlie Brosseau, Compliance Officer viewed the property with Mr. Rogers recently. After discussion, the Board agreed to consult with Town Attorney, Laura Spector regarding the RSA pertaining to more than 100,000 square feet of soil disturbance. The Board would like clarification as to whether or not a permit is needed if soil disturbance exceeds 100,000 square feet.
Chair Davis then called on Juliet Bolia, of Channel 3, cable TV. Ms. Bolia inquired if the Board would give permission to the taping of the Board of Selectmen’s meeting and to place the tapings on Channel 3 cable TV. She also expressed the public’s interest in this procedure and mentioned other Towns that already participate and some that are checking into participation. Ms. Bolia expressed that it would not have to be every meeting; perhaps the Budget Hearing or just a few Board of Selectmen’s Meetings.   The Board agreed to discuss this further before making a decision.
Chair Davis then called on Ann Marie to discuss the update of the Town Budget. Ann Marie reviewed the updated budget with the Board and explained for the most part, the Town was in good shape. Some items Ann Marie pointed out that needed increasing were Consortium/Misc., and Property Liability Insurance. There was also discussion about a figure allocated for Unemployment Compensation; however it was decided it was not necessary as the issue presented this year, (the Board felt) was an isolated incident. There was also discussion pertaining to acquiring mileage calculations from the Road Agent for use of the Board in deciphering whether or not the purchase of a used vehicle would be appropriate for the Highway Department. The used vehicle could accommodate the Department rather than using the heavy equipment trucks for certain trips back and forth, therefore reducing fuel consumption. Also, Ann Marie stated that Police Chief Chris Warn would provide her with a sample evaluation form that he uses to evaluate his secretary. (Chief Warn uses a separate evaluation form for the Police Officers.)  Ann Marie also mentioned that Fire Chief Tobine mentioned a stipend allowance of $1,000 to be added to the Emergency Management line for labor for processing documentation. Kelly Bolger suggested that the Fire Commissioners review this item first. The Board agreed.
Chair Davis then proceeded with Other Business – Selectmen’s Input and called on
Selectman Keeney who inquired about the policy regarding dogs in the cemetery. It was confirmed that there is a leash law in Town and Ann Marie will confer with the cemetery Sexton regarding this matter.
Chair Davis called on Selectman Wheeler who indicated the first Cable Committee meeting was held today and there will be another meeting on November 28, 2011. Chair Wheeler inquired if Ann Marie could arrange for a cable representative to meet with the Committee. Ann Marie will arrange the scheduling.
Selectman Wheeler also stated that he had received complaints from upset parents regarding the short notice of the closure of the school in connection with the work being performed for the Campton Village Precinct. Also, parents were concerned about the water not being tested before the school was reopened.
Chair Davis indicated that the Building Committee met last Thursday with the architect in order to cut costs, yet still maintain the integrity of the new building. Chair Davis called on Kelly Bolger, (who was present at that meeting) to comment this evening. Kelly informed the Board that 5 contractors will be chosen to establish a guaranteed maximum price. Kelly stated that once the 5 contractors names are selected, and prices are agreed upon by the Board, it is the hope of the Committee that the process will then go before the Town for vote.
Chair Davis then expressed to the Board that in order for this project to move forward it is important for the Board to be in agreement with the project and she needed to hear from the Board whether to go forward with the project, or if they were not in favor, then what their alternative would be. Selectman Keeney questioned whether or not there was any possibility of keeping the figure down below one million dollars. Kelly and Selectman Davis emphasized again that the committee was looking at all ways to cut corners without putting the integrity of the building at risk. Kelly expressed that obviously once the contractors are selected and quotes are in, they will have a better idea of the bottom line. Selectman Keeney also questioned the rafter situation that Dan Bergeron previously discussed with the Building Committee.   Selectman Morgan expressed that he felt it is time to do this project and it would be a savings to get out of the present building because of high-energy costs and repairs.  Selectman Wheeler was in favor; however he expressed that some comments made by taxpayers is that the present situation “is workingâ€. Chair Davis indicated that more discussion would continue regarding pros and cons of the new building. Chair Davis also distributed to the Board a sheet listing pros (which out weighted the cons) favoring a new building.
There being no further business, Chair Davis declared the meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Eleanor M. Dewey,
Office Assistant to Ann Marie Foote, Town Administrator