Present: Gary Allen Chairman, Gino Funicella, Beatrice Davis Selectmen
Visitors: Jackson Police Chief Karl Meyers, Jackson Road Agent Robert Hatch, Jackson Fire Chief Edward Dubie, Library Trustees Joan Palubniak Allen Brooks, Betty Graves, Donna Urey Sam Harding, Town Administrator Tracey Mosston
1. The minutes of January 7, 2008 were reviewed approved as written.
2. The Summary of Payments was reviewed and checks were signed in the amount of $31,885.85.
3. Deposits in the amount of $815.00 were transferred to the treasurer tonight.
4. The Financial Resume indicated an amount of $584,132.73 in the general fund after tonight’s vouchers.
5. Rob Hatch, Jackson Road Agent attended the meeting to discuss the 2008 highway budget. He reviewed each of the line items with the selectmen. There was discussion regarding a new truck for the highway department and a sidewalk machine to remove snow. It was decided to combine some of the highway department line items. Rob advised the selectmen he would like to purchase a small truck for the highway department. He feels a 4th truck would allow the highway department to work in a more efficient manner. He requested the smaller truck be purchased from funds that are currently
in the Highway Truck Capital Reserve Fund. Recently, the 1999 International Truck had some repairs and he feels it might be advisable to keep this truck for another year. There was discussion regarding adding another highway truck to the highway department. No decision was made at this time. There was discussion regarding the highway road maintenance. There was discussion regarding State Aid Reconstruction Fund which is a matching fund from the State of New Hampshire for state roads. The New Hampshire Department of Transportation Supervisor advised Rob there are some state roads that require some work and the town should consider putting funds away for some of the road repair. Rob mentioned that things are going well for the highway department and it has been a busy season so far. 15 of 31 days in December the highway department was plowing or cleaning up from snow.
6. The Library Trustees attended the meeting to discuss the 2008 library budget. The Trustees requested a motion to build on Gray’s Inn property. Selectman Funicella motioned the new library be built to the west side of the town office on the Gray’s Inn property. It was seconded. So moved. The next item requested was capital reserve fund for the new library building. The design committee is close to a new design and the trustees are in the process of fund raising. The trustees feel the town should commit to some of the funding. It is important to put money into a capital reserve and this
fund would be a new capital reserve. Selectman Funicella asked how long the trustees feel it will take to have funds collected for the new building. Allen Brooks stated at this point there is not a specific time line but hopefully within the next 3 years. Selectman Funicella requested an expected cost for the new library. Phil Davies mentioned $1,250,000 - $1,450,000 for the cost of the new library. Sam Harding advised the selectmen the trustees are trying to raise 60% of the cost before public fund raising begins. Selectman Davis had questions about using the Eddie March Fund for the maintenance of the new building. Mr. Harding stated that since those funds are directed toward maintenance the trustees will contact the attorney general to legally have the monies available for the maintenance of the new building. Selectman Funicella motioned the town create and capital reserve fund for the building of the library and to furthermore raise and appropriate $100,000 for construction of
a new library building. It was seconded. So moved. Mr. Brooks advised the selectmen the new budget for the library is $53,895.00 with a town appropriation of $26,000. The increase in this appropriation is for salary. Selectman Allen motioned to raise $26,000 through the tax base for the library budget. It was seconded. So moved.
7. Jackson Police Chief Karl Meyers attended the meeting to discuss the police budget. He advised the selectmen there was an increase in his budget for overtime and gasoline. There were no other increases in the police budget. There was discussion regarding a possible new part-time employee. Chief Meyers mentioned through an oversight the 2007 on-call time was not paid last year. The selectmen agreed that the 2007 on-call time for the police department will be paid in 2008.
8. Jackson Fire Chief Ed Dubie attended the meeting to discuss fire department equipment and department budget. Chief Dubie mentioned there will be increases to the fire department budget because of state mandated special equipment purchases. There was discussion regarding the purchases. There was discussion regarding the cost and purchase for a small vehicle for the fire department. Ed requested funds for the Dry Hydrants Expendable Trust. There was discussion regarding the fire station improvement. The fire department renovation cost went over and Ed is requesting additional funds to
finish the renovation. The entire amount needed is $84,500. The selectmen discussed the renovation. Ed mentioned batteries must be purchased for Emergency Communication Tower. This expenditure will be a 50% split with the Town of Bartlett.
9. The selectmen reviewed the balance of the budget. Further discussion on all budget items is required before the January 28, 2008 Budget Hearing.
10. The selectmen discussed a letter from David Urey requesting a position as a regular member of the Board of Adjustment to fill the position left vacant by the passing of Kurt Kramp. Mr. Urey is currently an alternate member of the Board of Adjustment and a regular member of the Jackson Planning Board. A decision was not made at this time.
11. Walter Yaceshyn contacted the town office to request a road sign for Mirror Lake Road. Mirror Lake Road is a private road. The selectmen discussed the purchase of the sign. It was decided since the residents at Mirror Lake originally purchased their road signs; the town will purchase and install a new sign for Mirror Lake Road. Mr. Yaceshyn will be contacted to advise him of the selectmen’s decision. A letter will be required by the association for their request of the road sign.
12. The selectmen discussed the location of the polling place for town meeting. The business portion of Town meeting will be held on Thursday March 13, 2008 . The vote will take place on Tuesday, March 11, 2008. A decision was not made at this time.
13. The selectmen agreed to the request of Ane Coughlin for her wedding ceremony to be held in the town park near the pond. A letter will be sent to Ms. Coughlin advising her of this decision.
14. The selectmen will review a report submitted by Congresswoman Carol Shea –Porter before a decision is made to place it in the town report.
15. Selectman Davis mentioned there was a complaint about trees falling on Tin Mine Road. She stated that any group or board that uses the meeting room at the town office should clean the room and return it to its original state. Selectman Allen stated the meeting room at the town office was left in disarray on Primary Voting day and the office staff had to clean up trash and put the room back to its original state. It is the responsibility of the people using the room to make sure the room is left the way it was found.
16. The meeting started at 5:30 p.m. and ended at 9:05 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Julie A. Maiorano
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