SELECTMEN’S MEETING MINUTES For NOVEMBER 21, 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, Charles Cheney, Sharon Davis, Craig Keeney, and Marsh Morgan. The Board signed the manifest and reviewed the bills. They signed 3 Notices of Intent to Cut, and 1 Purchase and Sale Agreement regarding tax deeded property.
Members of the public who were present at the meeting, but not on the agenda were Savannah Arnold, B.J. Foster-Zelm and Kelly Bolger
At 6:45 p.m. Chair Davis called the meeting to order and called for a Motion to approve the Minutes of the last meeting. After revisions made by Selectman Morgan and Chair Davis, Selectman Wheeler made a Motion to approve the Minutes as revised, the Motion was seconded by Selectman Morgan and the Minutes were unanimously approved.
Chair Davis then called on George Wright and Heather McLean regarding Northern Pass. Mr. Wright distributed to the Board an Ordinance that has been drafted and distributed to Towns throughout New Hampshire in order to protect citizen’s rights under the U.S. Declaration of Independence with reference to the disapproval of the general public to the Northern Pass Project. Mr. Wright explained that it is hoped that the Board would support the ordinance presented.  Selectman Morgan explained that the Campton Zoning Board approved a zoning ordinance to require that all high voltage direct current transmission lines must be buried. Mr. Wright and Ms. McLean explained that the Zoning Board ordinance would not be enough to protect our citizens’ rights and gave a contact person’s name to come to discuss (with the Board, in more depth) the proposed ordinance which was distributed to the Board this evening. The Board did acknowledge their interest and would definitely like to have further discussion after the holiday. Mr. Wright and Ms. McLean thanked the Board for their time.
Chair Davis then called on Ann Marie for further discussion regarding the tax rate for 2011. Ann Marie presented three scenarios as to the possible proposed amount to retain in the fund balance. She explained that NH DRA recommends that at least 5% be retained and if the Board determines that they will agree to less than the 5%, the NH DRA will note that it was not recommended by NH DRA. Ann Marie explained that it was her obligation to point out to the Board some facts, which would substantiate at least a 5% retainage. Some facts pointed out were: more and more State funds which were previously provided to the Town are being cut; constant additional financial burdens are being added to the Town by the State; the economy (jobs being lost, foreclosures, etc.) and the fact that because of these issues it could affect the tax rate next year at possibly a considerably higher rate; hence, her reasoning for a gradual increase each year rather than the possibility of a large increase all in one year. Selectman Cheney stated that over the years the average retainage figure has been between $420,000.00 to $500,000.00. The Board thanked Ann Marie for her excellent presentation. After careful consideration by the Board in trying to keep the tax rate down  (and in light of future projects that Board has agreed to go forward with in 2012) it was unanimously agreed to have a retainage figure of $456,248.00 as compared to $551,259.00 if 5% was retained. This figure will keep the tax rate below $19.00.
Chair Davis then called on Ann Marie to review correspondence. Ann Marie indicated that Stan Graton received the second payment from the insurance company regarding repairs to the Blair Bridge resulting from storm Irene. Ann Marie also stated that Stan Graton acquired some additional costs, above what he quoted; however, Mr. Graton waived those additional costs.
Ann Marie indicated that Hoyle, Tanner & Associates forwarded a Contract Amendment and Bond and Insurance Coverage information regarding the Blair Bridge Project. The Board agreed to discuss after Matt Moore reviews the documents.
Ann Marie indicated that a meeting has been scheduled with Police Chief Warn to meet with department heads regarding training for Performance Evaluations. Chief Warn graciously agreed to provide training since he has experience using the evaluation process in his department for a long time. The meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, November 30, 2011, at 4 p.m. Ann Marie indicated that Hannah Joyce, Town Clerk/Tax Collector requested (through an e-mail that was read to the Board) that she would like to utilize her training that she received from Primex in the evaluation process rather than attend the meeting schedule on November 30, 2011. Hannah indicated her work schedule is extremely busy this time of year together with the additional task of training her new hire. The Board acknowledged Hannah’s position and suggested that Hannah schedule a meeting with Chief Warn, solely, at a mutual agreeable time. There was some discussion pertaining to the procedures that will be in place for evaluating heads of departments and who will actually perform the evaluating.
North Country Council (NCC) sent notification of a Solid Waste Technical Assistance Grant that they are applying for and requested the Town’s support. Ann Marie pointed out that the Town is no longer a member of NCC. The Board agreed that since they are no longer a member, they would not send a letter.
Ann Marie reviewed the Equalization Summary that May Brosseau prepared. The Summary revealed that Single-family homes are now at 100% ratio; however the manufactured housing came out at 166.0%.
Ann Marie indicated that the NH Department of Environmental Services suggested that a complaint form be submitted to DES regarding Kevin Rogers’s property and a form is being completed.
Ann Marie indicated that the hepatitis shots that Butch Bain requested for his staff would be covered by insurance. The Town will only have to reimburse the employees their co-payment of $25.00.  The Board agreed. Ann Marie will inform Chairman Patrick Payer of the Loss Safety Committee.
Ann Marie inquired (for the Road Agent) about the potential construction of the overhang roof system over the power vent at the Highway Department garage. Selectman Keeney stated he would contact Butch Bain regarding this issue.
Ann Marie indicated that a citizen (again) expressed concern about a vehicle that appears to be hanging over the edge of private property and the fear that the vehicle may fall into the road. The Board agreed, as they did previously when it was discussed, that the vehicle was on private property and they could not do anything about it. The Board suggested the citizen contact the state regarding their concerns since it is off a State road.
Ann Marie distributed additional documents to be placed in the Board members’ Budget Notebook regarding Advertising and Regional. The Board again agreed that all non-profits organizations appropriations would remain the same with no additional organizations added.
Ann Marie distributed information regarding unleaded fuel pricing for filing in the Budget Notebooks which came from the State of NH for their pumps which the P.D. uses.
Ann Marie stated that Mary Durgin turned in her final Campton Historical Society Treasurer’s Report as she has served the maximum allowed term as Treasurer for the Campton Historical Society.
Chair Davis then moved for a Motion to go into Non Public Session under RSA 91-A:3II© regarding a personnel matter. The Motion was seconded by Selectman Wheeler and with a roll call vote: Selectman Morgan – aye, Selectman Davis – aye, Selectman Wheeler – aye, Selectman Cheney – aye and Selectman Keeney – aye, the Board went into Non Public Session at 7:28 p.m. At 7:33 p.m. the Board came out of Non Public Session and the Minutes were sealed.
There being no further correspondence, Chair Davis inquired as to the Board’s decision as to when the next Selectmen’s Meeting would be held. The Board agreed the next meeting would be on December 5, 2011.
There being no further business, Chair Davis declared the meeting adjourned at 7:34 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Eleanor M. Dewey,
Office Assistant to Ann Marie Foote, Town Administrator