SELECTMEN’S MEETING  MINUTES FOR APRIL 9, 2012
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, Craig Keeney and Marsh Morgan.  Selectman Davis was not present due to not feeling well. The Board signed the manifest and reviewed the bills. They signed 1 Notice of Intent to Excavate, 2 Appointments to the Zoning Board, 2 Building Permits, 1 Highway Safety Grant Application, 1 Veteran’s Exemption, and 1 Disabled Exemption.
At 6:40p.m. Chair Keeney called the meeting to order and made a Motion for the Board to go into Non Public Session under RSA 91-A: 3 ll © regarding a tax matter. The Motion was seconded by Selectman Morgan and with a roll call vote: Selectman Morgan – aye, Selectman Wheeler – aye, Selectman Cheney – aye, and Selectman Keeney – aye the Board went into Non Public Session.  At 7:45 p.m. the Board came out of Non Public Session.
Chair Keeney then called on Omer Ahern, Jr., Grafton County Commissioner as their next appointment for the evening. Commissioner Ahern commenced by sharing portions of the Grafton County proposed budget figures with the Board. He indicated there is a proposed 5% increase in operating expenses. There has been a request for 6 ½ new full time employees which will result in approximately $354,831.00 in wages. The first payment on the bond for the new Correction Facility will come due in the amount of $800,000.00. The only good news he expressed was that they have a heath insurance quote from the Local Government Center which is 2% less for a one year term. Overall, he expressed that they would be looking at a 10% increase in the County tax if the proposed budget passes. Commissioner Ahern indicated that the demolition of the old Correction Facility will cost $400,000.00. His feelings were that a “study†needed be performed to see if the building was actually in need of demolishing as the sections of the building built in 1986 appear to be in better shape than the older sections of the building. Some suggestions for the old building were a technical center for students and possibly a bistro. He is encouraging “due diligence†on the study and then a decision made as to whether or not to save it or demolish it. Commissioner Ahern was also enthusiastic about the possibility of a biomass heating plant for 3.2 million dollars; however, with this plant heating all the buildings, the County would be looking at a positive cash flow the first year of $23,000.00.  Selectman Morgan suggested that the County look at the Forestry Service’s system as they are pleased with the system. Other accomplishments were the farm is doing well with egg and milk sales and 98% of the food will come from the farm for feeding inmates. Commissioner Ahern also stated that he wanted to share one more cost figure of “unfunded liabilities†which total approximately $1,295,000.00 which is comprised of earned time, bonus for 100% attendance, and vacation time for employees. He then thanked the Board and encouraged all to attend the Open House of the new Correction Facility on May 6, 2012.
Chair Keeney then distributed to the Board the bids for the Bond Proposals for the Municipal Building received from Northway Bank, Woodsville Guaranty Saving Bank, Laconia Savings Bank, Community Guaranty Savings Bank and Meredith Village Savings Bank. After the Board reviewed the proposals and rates, and the fact that Selectman Davis expressed a desire to review the proposals before a decision was made, it was decided by the Board to narrow the bids down to Northway Bank and Meredith Village Savings Bank (Northway Bank proposing an interest rate of 2.06% and Meredith Village Bank proposing 2.07% on a 10 year term). The Board concurred to now request Northway Bank and Meredith Village Savings Bank to resubmit their proposals for the interest rate on a term of 15 years so the Board can compare a 10 year term with a 15 year term.
Chair Keeney then continued the meeting by calling for a Motion to approve the Minutes and Non Public Minutes of the previous meeting. After one revision made by Selectman Cheney, to the regular Minutes, Selectman Morgan made a Motion to approve the revised Minutes and to approve the Non Public Minutes as presented. The Motion was seconded by Selectman Wheeler and the revised Minutes and Non Public Minutes as presented were unanimously approved.
Chair Keeney then called on Ann Marie to review correspondence. Ann Marie reminded Selectman Wheeler to get sworn in by the Town Clerk/Tax Collector.
Ann Marie informed the Board that the NH DOT has approved the Final Design for the Blair Bridge Project. Ann Marie stated that Sean James indicated that the Shoreland Permit will have to be resubmitted with only one means of access to the river. At this point, Selectman Cheney reviewed with the Board his conversation with Mr. Jorgenson pertaining to the possibility of an easement to access the river from his property. Mr. Jorgenson addressed concern regarding terrain issues and mentioned the fact that he would like to be compensated $500.00 a month for loss of business due to the closing of the bridge while it is being repaired. There will be a value placed on the easement itself for compensation to be paid; however, Mr. Jorgenson was inquiring about the possibility of additional compensation for loss of business. Selectman Cheney will be meeting with Mr. Jorgenson on Thursday for further discussion. It was suggested that Mr. Jorgenson come in to speak with the Board of Selectmen.
Sean James also forwarded the Notice of Pre-qualification revisions that were discussed at the previous Selectmen’s Meeting and Ann Marie distributed the revisions to the Board.
Ann Marie indicated that the Road Agent would like to take the road bans off. Â The Board agreed.
A complaint letter was received from Rosario Beninati, who resides at 264 Lower Beech Hill Road concerning the conditions of the road and he mentioned that he was told back in 2004 that Lower Beech Hill Road was on the list to be paved. He also mentioned his recent surgery issues and how difficult it was to travel on the road. The Board acknowledged that the Road Agent has arrangements to rent a sheep’s foot/pad foot roller which will be available on Wednesday. Selectman Cheney also suggested that the gravel be pulled out of the ditches to be an addition to the top dressing material. It was also suggested that the Road Agent get a price quotes from Leigh Johnston and Dirt Design for top dressing after the sheep’s foot/pad foot roller is used.
Ann Marie distributed to the Board the draft Petition for Dissolution of the Village District prepared by Laura Spector, Town Attorney. After review of the Petition, the Board agreed to go forward with the submission to the Court.
A note was received from Rita Mitchell’s daughter thanking the Board for the sympathy card signed by so many friends that were present at the Annual Town Meeting. She also invited Town employees to a memorial celebration for Lester Mitchell that will be held at the Common Man in Plymouth on June 10th from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
A letter was received from the Forestry Service informing the Board of their decision to only allow day camping and not overnight camping in the Campton Group Campground. Their decision is based on significant damage to the area by Tropical Storm Irene and the possibility of recurring flooding and concerns of public safety and long term infrastructure costs.   Selectmen Keeney expressed his opposition to the decision and felt that the Town should express their concerns to the Forestry Service. One particular concern is that local businesses would suffer from this decision.
Ann Marie informed the Board that Paul Blondin has expressed an interest in filling the Fire Commissioner position that is now available. Kelly Bolger also expressed that there is another individual that is interested and she will be sending a letter to that affect.
A sealed letter was received that was delivered to the Board from Karl Kelly which Ann Marie distributed to the Board for review. The Board acknowledged that the issues presented in the letter have already been addressed.
Also, Hannah Joyce indicated that the postage funds need to be updated in the postage meter and is requesting the Selectmen’s Office do this. Ann Marie indicated that Karen Rienzo volunteered to do this task and has been doing this task for two and one-half years (out of courtesy) since, if handled by the Selectmen’s Office; it involves carrying the cumbersome and rather heavy postage meter over to the trailer and then returning. The Board suggested that the postage meter be permanently moved to the Selectmen’s Office if the Town Clerk’s Office feels it necessary to stop performing this task.
Chair Keeney then called on Kelly Bolger regarding Other Business – Selectmen’s Input. Kelly informed the Board that the rough draft of the contract from Conneston Construction, Inc. (CCI) has been completed and will be submitted to the Board shortly. Also, in approximately two weeks he should have a full set of engineering plans to submit to the Board.
Kelly requested an additional letter be drafted designating him as the “owner’s representative†for the Municipal Building project. The Clerk of the Works for the Municipal Building project letter is for Kelly’s and the Board’s use for clarifying his responsibilities.
Chair Keeney then moved for a Motion to go into Non public Session under RSA 91-A: 3: ll© regarding a personnel matter. The Motion was seconded by Selectman Morgan and with a roll call vote: Selectman Morgan – aye, Selectman Wheeler – aye, Selectman Cheney – aye, and Selectmen Keeney – aye, the Board went into Non Public Session at 8:18 p.m. The Board came out of Non Public Session at 8:28 p.m. and the Minutes were sealed.
There being no further business, Chair Keeney declared the meeting adjourned at 8:28 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Eleanor M. Dewey,
Office Assistant to Ann Marie Foote, Town Administrator