BOS Meeting Minutes 10.01.2012

SELECTMEN’S MEETING MINUTES for OCTOBER 1, 2012

The Board of Selectmen met for their weekly meeting at 6:30 p. m. at the Campton Town Office.  Present were, Selectmen, Craig Keeney, Charles Cheney, Sharon Davis, Charles Wheeler and Marsh Morgan. The Board signed the manifest and reviewed the bills.  They signed 1 Appointment to Parks and Rec., 8 Abatements, 1 Supplemental Warrant for collection of taxes, 1 Notice of Intent to Cut and 1 Building Permit.

Members of the public who were present at the meeting but not on the agenda were:  Sandy Morgan and Michael Wilson.

At 6:45 p.m. Chair Keeney called the meeting to order indicating the additions to the agenda are:  Hannah Joyce, Town Clerk Tax Collector at 7:45 p.m. and Butch Bain, Road Agent would follow right after the Town Clerk Tax Collector. Chair Keeney then called on Kelly Bolger as the first appointment regarding updates on the new Town Office.  Kelly indicated the roof shingles have been completed and commended the contractor for a great job.  Kelly stated that Fire Chief Tobine had viewed the catwalk in the new Town Office, and (for safety reasons), Chief Tobine recommended the open space of 18 inches on both sides of the catwalk be enclosed.  Kelly suggested to the Board that they wait and see as to what materials will be left available to do this project, or possibly a kick plate could be installed to remedy the problem.  The Board concurred.  Kelly also presented the color schemes that the Interior Designer at the Architect’s office had recommended for the walls, floors, carpet and ceramic tile for the restrooms together with grout colors.  The Board concurred with the color schemes.  The Board then thanked Kelly for coming.

At 7:00 p.m. Chair Keeney called on Tom Mullen as the next appointment for the evening.  Kelly Weiser also arrived at the meeting later to accompany Tom Mullen.  Chair Keeney made a Motion to go into Non Public Session under RSA 91-A: 3 ll(c) regarding a tax 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 7:00 p.m.  The Board came out of Non Public Session at 7:25 p.m.

Chair Keeney then continued the meeting by calling on Police Chief Warn who requested that the Board go into Non Public Session under RSA 91-A: 3 ll(c).  The Motion was made to go into Non Public Session by Chair Keeney and was seconded by Selectman Morgan, 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 7:30 p.m.  The Board came out of Non Public Session at 8:00 pm. and the Minutes were sealed.

Police Chief Warn again requested that the Board go into Non Public Session under RSA 91-A: 3 ll(b).  Selectman Wheeler made the Motion to go into Non Public Session and the Motion was seconded by Selectman Morgan, 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 8:05 p.m.  The Board came out of Non Public Session at 8:08 p.m.

Chair Keeney then continued the meeting by calling on Hannah Joyce, Town Clerk/Tax Collector as the next appointment for the evening.  Hannah expressed to the Board that the reason she was here this evening was that the Department of Motor Vehicle posed the question as to whether or not the Board was going to pursue changing the vault combination or if “all is good” and it was going to be left as is.  Hannah also informed the Board that she needed to report the Board’s decision to the Department of Motor Vehicle in the morning.  Hannah stated to the Board that the contract with the Town and the Department of Motor Vehicle could be in jeopardy. The Board stated that they have not made a decision as yet and they would like to speak with the State.  The Board requested the names of the individuals at the Department of Motor Vehicle that Hannah spoke with so that the Board could contact them.  Hannah stated a few names that were Heads of Department, but she added that she would have these individuals call to speak to the Selectmen’s Office.  There was discussion concerning secured items of supplies (provided by the Department of Motor Vehicle) and also Vital Records that needed to be secure by the Town Clerk/Tax Collector, as agent for the State.  Attorney Spector-Morgan posed the question to Hannah, “What is the extent of items that need to be secured?”  Hannah expressed that she will need to do an inventory of items to answer the question.  The Board expressed the need to have clarification as to what extent needs to be secured so that they can resolve the vault issue.  Hannah reiterated the fact that she needs to report back to the Department of Motor Vehicle in the morning.  The Board again stated that more information was needed before they could make a decision and the discussion ended.

Chair Keeney then called on Butch Bain, Road Agent.  Butch indicated that Rines Paving contacted him and stated that their reclaiming equipment needed to be repaired and they could not start the road paving tomorrow.  Butch indicated to Rines that if they could not start on time, another proposal would have to be considered.  Rines then informed Butch that they would have to back out of the proposal.  Butch stated that GMI (one of the contractors who also submitted a proposal) has now matched the price that Rines presented and they would be able to start within Butch’s schedule.  It was recommended by the Board and Attorney Spector-Morgan, that Butch contact Bryant Paving to also give them the opportunity to submit another proposal. The Board would then review and make a decision between GMI and Bryant paving.   The Board then thanked Butch for coming this evening.

Chair Keeney then called for approval of the Minutes of the previous meeting.  After revisions made by Selectman Wheeler and Selectman Davis, a Motion was made by Selectman Morgan to approve the revised Minutes.  Selectman Wheeler seconded the Motion, and the revised Minutes were then unanimously approved.

Chair Keeney then called on Ann Marie to review correspondence.  Ann Marie stated that a copy of the Notice of Decision was received from Attorney Spector-Morgan (from the Superior Court) regarding the Town of Campton vs. Beebe River Village District stating that the Motion to Stay filed by the Partnership (which is not a party to this proceeding) was denied by the Grafton Superior Court.

Alisa Clary from the Local Government Center e-mailed a copy of the suggested communities to be used for comparables for the Town’s Pay Study.  After discussion the Board agreed to the following communities:  Ashland, Bristol, Canaan, Gilmanton, Warner, Holderness, New Hampton, Thornton and added Sanbornton.

Ann Marie indicated to the Board that a letter was forwarded to taxpayers regarding properties that owed back taxes and urged the individuals to contact the Town Administrator to discuss a possible tax agreement.  Ann Marie indicated that as a result of this letter, one person, so far, has contacted her and discussed a tax agreement.   The Board was pleased with the present results.

Ann Marie was also happy to report that the Note in the amount of $75,017 for the betterment for Kati Lane, Millie’s Circle and Vivid Lane has been paid in full.

Ann Marie reported that Hannah Joyce provided a copy of a letter that she forwarded to Kofile Preservation commending them on such a spectacular job the company did on the preservation of Town records for the years 1862-1868 and 1869-1875 Inventory and 1995-1999 Marriage, Births and Deaths books.

There being no further correspondence, Chair Keeney proceeded with Other Business – Selectmen’s Input. Chair Keeney called on Selectman Wheeler who indicated that a letter was sent to the Record Enterprise by Joel Freeman concerning the dissolution of the Beebe River Village District and expressed her dismay with the Town and erroneous facts were presented as to how the Town of Campton proceeded with the action concerning the dissolution.  Selectman Wheeler informed the Board that he felt compelled to respond to Mrs. Freeman’s letter published in the Record Enterprise.  Selectman Wheeler explained that he forwarded a response to Mrs. Freeman (by e-mail) and he provided a copy of the response to the Board this evening.  Selectman Wheeler assured the Board (as witnessed in the copy of the response) that he responded to Mrs. Freeman as an individual, not in the capacity as a Selectman.  Selectman Wheeler expressed his disappointment with the way Mrs. Freeman  “painted the Board as doing this behind the backs of the people of Beebe.”  Selectman Wheeler proceeded to express that the Board followed the advice of Town Counsel.   Selectman Wheeler also discussed with Ann Marie questions that arose in Mrs. Freeman’s correspondence concerning a conversation that Ann Marie had with Mr. Freeman regarding a letter being forwarded to Beebe River property owners (from the Selectmen) explaining that a meeting would be scheduled (comprised of the Selectmen, Town Council, MRI and the property owners) to discuss how the dissolution of the District would take place to assure an easy transition for Beebe River property owners. Mrs. Freeman indicated that the letter sent to property owners did not have a scheduled meeting set; in fact, she expressed (as her interpretation of the letter) that the letter clearly says: “The Town has abandoned us.”  Selectman Wheeler discussed this matter with Ann Marie this evening to get clarification on this issue.  Because of the discrepancies, it was suggested by Selectman Cheney that a letter be forwarded to the editor of the Record Enterprise addressing the facts and that Selectman Wheeler invite Mrs. Freeman to a Selectmen’s Meeting to further discuss.  Selectman Wheeler will arrange to invite Mrs. Freeman to a Selectmen’s Meeting.

Chair Keeney then called on Charles Cheney who expressed that there are two companies (that he is aware of) offering electrical rates and he suggested that the Board research the companies for comparison purposes for the new Town Office Building. The Board concurred.

The Board also agreed that the Town Assessor be made aware that abatements would be coming forth from Owl’s Nest Associates.

There being no further business, Chair Keeney declared the meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Eleanor M. Dewey,

Office Assistant to Ann Marie Foote, Town Administrator