SELECTMEN’S MEETING MINUTES FOR JUNE 4, 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, Sharon Davis and Marsh Morgan. The Board signed the manifest and reviewed the bills. They signed 9 Timber Tax Warrants, 2 authorization letters to NH State Liquor Commission regarding Waterville Estates Village District and 1 Building Permit.
At 6:45 p.m. Chair Keeney called the meeting to order, and it was agreed that the Board would handle their Non Public Session – Personnel matter first rather than at 7:15 p.m. Chair Keeney called on Selectman Davis who made the Motion to go into Non Public Session under RSA 91-A: 3, ll (a) regarding a personnel matter. The Motion was seconded by Selectman Morgan and with a roll call vote: Selectman Davis – aye, Selectman Morgan – aye, Selectman Wheeler – aye, Selectman Cheney – aye and Selectman Keeney – aye, the Board went into Non Public Session at 6:50 p.m. At 7:15 p.m. the Board came out of Non Public Session.
Chair Keeney continued the meeting by calling on Kelly Bolger and Bryant Lehr of Conneston Construction, Inc., the Contract Manager for the new Town Office Building. Kelly called on Bryant to review certain items on the Budget Spreadsheet, which needed to be addressed. Some of these items being: well system site work allowance was added; (after discussion) the Board eliminated the landscaping water sprinkler system; the Board also agreed to change the ceramic tile in the bathrooms to a 4 foot height rather than an 8 foot height. Bryant will make all the necessary changes on the Spreadsheet and also on the contract. The Board agreed to have Laura Spector-Morgan review the contact before signing. A Motion was then made by Selectman Davis for the Board to authorize Chairman Craig Keeney to sign the contract after Bryant makes the revisions to the spread sheet and revising the contract to reflect the changes discussed this evening. The Motion was seconded by Selectman Wheeler and the Motion was then unanimously approved.
There was also some discussion regarding a possible simple cartridge water filtering system to eliminate any possible mineral deposit problems. The Board also agreed, after reviewing comparisons of oil, propane and heat pump systems, that the best choice was to go with a propane heating and air conditioning system rather than the suggested air source heat pump.
The Board also discussed the possibility of the “repurpose†of the current Police Department and the new Town Office Building presenting the practicality and economic pros for such repurposing.  After the Board’s discussion, Selectman Davis made a Motion to approve the “repurpose†of the current Police Department and the new Town Office Building. The Motion was seconded by Selectman Morgan, and the Motion was unanimously approved.
Chair Keeney then called on Ann Marie regarding a tax matter that was originally scheduled on the agenda for a Non Public Session. Ann Marie stated that it was not necessary to go into Non Public Session. Ann Marie informed the Board that a property in Waterville Estates was tax deeded to the Town last fall; however, after the out of state owners were in contact with Ann Marie, she was able to work with them to buy back the property and the Town received in return $37,808.50 (in back taxes and costs) and the Town issued a Quit Claim Deed back to the original owners.   The Board was pleased with the results.
Chair Keeney then called for approval of the Minutes of the previous meeting. After revisions were made by Selectman Morgan, Selectman Wheeler made a Motion to approve the Minutes as revised. The Motion was seconded by Selectman Morgan, and the revised Minutes were unanimously approved.
Chair Keeney then called on Ann Marie to review correspondence. Ann Marie previously indicated that the School Administrative assessment schedule had increased and she inquired as to the reason for the increase. She found there was a $198,000 increase in the operating budget for health insurance and retirement. Also the revenue is down by $200,000.00.  Also, there was a $76,000 increase for a new teachers’ agreement. Last year $112,000 was taken from Capital Reserves for special education and building needs.
An e-mail was received from Attorney Spector-Morgan regarding the Sexual Predators’ Ordinance. It is Attorney Spector-Morgan’s advice to wait on adopting this ordinance as there is an appeal before the Supreme Court regarding these issues and she indicated that RSA 31:39 allows towns, which means town meetings, to adopt ordinances. Attorney Spector-Morgan confirmed that the Selectmen have very limited authority to adopt any ordinances or bylaws.
Ann Marie indicated that she received a call from Pauline of NH Public Services regarding Broomstick Lane. Pauline wanted confirmation as to the road classification. After discussion with Selectman Cheney and confirmation of a Quit Claim Deed it was determined that Broomstick Lane is a privately maintained road with a 20-foot width right of way. Ann Marie will provide a copy of the Quit Claim Deed to NH Public Services.
Ann Marie reminded the Board that a memorial celebration is scheduled for Lester Mitchell on June 10, 2012, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m., at the Common Man Inn in Plymouth.
A price quote was received from R.J. Dragon for health insurance. After discussion, the Board agreed to the same health insurance plan. Even with a 9% price increase in premium, with no change in the deductible or co-pays Ann Marie stated the increase was still within the budget amount and if the Board went with any other plans the deductible and co-pays would increase.
An e-mail was received from Sean James regarding the Blair Bridge Project and items requiring Town attention. One item of attention was the easement to the river. Ann Marie indicated she would be in contact with Jim Quinn tomorrow regarding the easement. The other item of attention concerned prequalification direction. Chair Keeney suggested the Board think about the prequalification scoring system so that it can be determined at the next Selectmen’s Meeting.
Alain Bennett provided a letter directed to the Board stating that March 31, 2012 was the last day of his term as Commissioner of the Beebe River Village District. Mr. Bennett also stated in the letter that he was relinquishing possession of all known District files, property, keys, maps, financial records and instruments and placing these documents in the District well-pump house as, the Town of Campton, under advice of counsel, refused custody of the items and the District does not have a physical office. Mr. Bennett also mentioned that the plow-truck and mounted equipment will be parked on common District property off Tie Street and the keys will be included with the other keys.
A response letter was drafted by Attorney Spector-Morgan to Stanley and Joel Freeman regarding Beebe River Village District which Ann Marie distributed to the Board. The Board agreed to forward the draft letter to Stanley and Joel Freeman.
Hannah Joyce, Town Clerk sent a memo regarding property owners that have not kept up their tax agreement with the Board. Ann Marie indicated that follow-up letters have been sent out to the applicable individuals.
A thank you letter was received from Anne and Rick Formalarie commending the Road Agent and the Highway Department regarding fixing the culvert at the intersection of Parker Road and Donovan Farm Road. They also commented on the positive remarks heard about the paved section of Winterbrook Road and the extensive work done on Hodgman Hill Road and the ability of the Town being able to find the funds knowing that budgets are tight and resources are stretched.
A notification was received from the Local Government Center of a two-part Certification Program for Administrators, Manager and Supervisors. The Board suggested passing this information on to Butch Bain to review for his possible interest in attending.
Lisa Ash of Parks and Rec. sent an e-mail to share with the Board that the Arts Alliance of Northern NH has been selected to receive a grant from the Kennedy Center’s VSA MetLife Foundation Arts Connect 2012 program. The award will fund A+ with artists attending the after-school programs in Plymouth, Campton and Rumney. The art sessions will focus on creative movement, puppetry and visual arts and will include training in Universal Design for Learning for A+ staff.
Jane Kellogg of the Campton Conservation Commission (CCC) wanted the Board to know that the CCC has forwarded letters to Campton Bog area landowners informing them that the Campton Bog was identified as one of the highest ranked habitats in New Hampshire. The CCC is reaching out to landowners to begin conversation about learning more regarding the Wildlife Action Plan, sharing Bog Pond wildlife sightings, attending workshops to learn about land protection measures such as conservation easements and meeting neighbors to discuss common interests.
A notice was received from North Country Environmental Services indicating that there will be a 2.531% increase in the transportation rates only, (not disposal) for the Campton Thornton Transfer Station.
Ann Marie distributed an updated 2012 Expense spreadsheet to the Board. She indicated that the allowance for legal and highway contractors is over budget and also routine random drug testing. Ann Marie also indicated that she has recently become aware that any remaining library funds are suppose to be returned to the Town; however, based on advice from our auditor, last year’s balance can remain with them and will be applied to unemployment compensation expenses incurred by the library.
A copy of the Risk Pool Groups revision to the Local Government Center (LGC) Property Liability Trust Coverage and Coverage Limits Agreement has been received for review and notice of a June 12, 2012 hearing before the Board of Directors of LGC, at 25 Triangle Park Dr., Concord.
There being no further correspondence, Chair Keeney then called on Selectman Davis regarding Other Business – Selectmen’s Input. Selectman Davis distributed an invitation from Communities for Alcohol and Drug-free Youth (CADY) regarding their Regional Prevention Summit for anyone who is interested in attending on June 6, 2012, starting at 8:00 a.m. at Prospect Hall, Plymouth State University Campus.
The Board discussed their summer schedule for meetings and it was agreed the Board would meet again on June 11, 2012, and skip June 18, 2012, have a meeting on June 25th and then continue every other week thereafter through Labor Day and then return to regular meetings once a week.
Chair Keeney called on Selectman Morgan who suggested that the Board consider going with “Resident Power†concerning the electrical power for the new Town Office Building. Selectman Davis indicated that this would save on energy charges; however it will increase other charges. The Board (however) did agree to research this suggestion.
There being no further business, Chair Keeney declared the meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Eleanor M. Dewey,
Office Assistant to Ann Marie Foote, Town Administrat