Presen Gary Allen Chairman, Gino Funicella, Beatrice Davis Selectmen
Visitors: Town Administrator Tracey Mosston, Jackson Police Chief Karl Meyers, Jackson Fire Chief Ed Dubie, Dr. Gerald Carrier, Dick Bennett, Susan Methot
1. The minutes of January 28, 2008 were reviewed and approved as written.
2. The Summary of Payments was reviewed and checks were signed in the amount of $34,811.74.
3. Deposits in the amount of $38,801.67 were transferred to the treasurer tonight
4. The Financial Resume indicated an amount of $775,312.89 in the general fund after tonight’s vouchers.
5. Jackson Police Chief Karl Meyers attended the meeting and advised the selectmen of the following police department activities: arrest for DWI, theft of a laptop computer, a report of a person who paid a contractor a deposit of $5,500 for a roof repair last May and the contractor has not performed any repairs as of this date, a report by an individual that felt that someone hacked into his computer, arrest for public intoxication, took mentally ill individual into protective custody and transported to hospital, assisted the school with transporting children to school during recent snow storms, and answered numerous alarms. Selectman Funicella questioned Chief Meyers about recent correspondence from an individual regarding a report her daughter made to the Jackson Police Department.
Chief Meyers stated that Officer Cowland is unavailable but the following information is from his daily log: Officer Cowland started his day at 6:23 a.m. went off duty at 7:40 p.m., and a report was taken regarding the theft. There was a complaint that the police did not respond in person. Chief Meyers stated that Officer Cowland is a very reliable and conscientious officer and will speak to him regarding this matter when he returns. It is not possible to comply with the request from the victim’s mother for a copy of the police report because the victim is an adult and the information cannot be released unless she gives her permission.
6. The selectmen reviewed a letter submitted from Curtis Finney regarding damage to Vista Way. The selectmen discussed this and will evaluate the road in the spring.
7. Fire Chief Ed Dubie mentioned that due to the recent fire at the Wentworth Condominiums there was some damage to property from a loader. The fire department had to clear a path through the snow to fight the fire. Invoices for this damage will be submitted to the town. There was discussion regarding damage and repair to property. Selectman Allen mentioned this was part of putting out the fire and advised the town office to contact the town’s insurance company when the invoices are submitted to find out if these invoices are the town’s responsibility or should be submitted to the Wentworth Association insurance company as part of the fire claim.
8. Dr. Carrier attended the meeting to request consideration for road repairs to Vista Way. He advised the selectmen that since the recent upgrades to the road by the town the plowing is going well and the drainage is fine. The 10 residents of the road feel they have done everything to upgrade the area by burying the wires, helped with the swales and tried to prevent existing erosion. The town repaired and graded the cul-de-sac so the water now drains into the ditches. They are requesting that the portion of gravel road on Vista Way be graded and hot topped. Dr. Carrier requested a quote from contractors and he received quotes of approximately $28,000. He is asking for consideration to add this amount to the budget. Selectman Allen stated the town has made repairs to Vista Way. The town
will evaluate all the roads in the spring and prioritize the repairs. At this point in time the board does not have any plans to place an additional $28,000 in the budget for Vista Way. Dr. Carrier advised the selectmen that he feels the road does not meet safety requirements. Selectman Allen stated that the town has spent a great deal of time repairing Vista Way and making improvements. There are plans to do further improvements in the spring. There are many roads in Jackson that are in worse shape than Vista Way. The Road Agent will evaluate all the roads in the spring. Rob Hatch, Road Agent, agrees that Vista Way is in disrepair but there is a great deal of work that needs to be completed to other roads due to the 2007 storm. The reimbursement of FEMA funds must be spent on the specific roads that were damaged by this storm. Rob advised Dr. Carrier the highway department made repairs to correct drainage and the intention is to accomplish further repairs in the spring. Dr.
Carrier feels a capital reserve fund for the replacement of roads. Selectman Funicella assured Dr. Carrier the road agent will make sure Vista Way is safe.
9. At 6:15 p.m. Selectman Allen opened the discussion of the budget for the proposed expenditures for 2008. There was a discussion regarding a warrant article for the purchase of a 2 acre parcel at the transfer station for $50,000 as a possible site of the highway garage and salt and sand shed. This land is currently owned jointly by the towns of Bartlett and Jackson. The selectmen requested that Bartlett place an article on their warrant for the purchase. This article is on the Town of Jackson Warrant to be voted on at Town Meeting. Robert Hatch, Road Agent, had questions regarding the Highway Department Expendable Trust Fund. The amount has been reduced to $8,000. Selectman Allen explained the original amount was for $28,000. This included a $15,000-$18,000 for a sidewalk machine,
$3,000 for an equipment trailer with the balance for equipment repairs. The selectmen decided against the purchase of the sidewalk machine and feel since there is approximately $12,000 in the expendable trust fund for repairs and equipments that an additional $8.000 is sufficient for the budget this year. Dick Bennett had questions regarding the increase in the solid waste budget. Selectman Allen stated there is an increase in salary due to required additional hours by the part-time person. Fire Chief Edward Dubie stated he requested $50,000 to be placed in the Fire Truck Capital Reserve Fund for the new truck. This has been reduced to $25,000. Ed advised the selectmen the lower bid truck did not include a better warranty and the specifications are not as good. This is an equipment truck and used as a support vehicle. There was discussion regarding the truck and the necessity of the town spending the additional funds. Selectman Davis stated she received complaints regarding the
recent fire at the Wentworth Condominiums. She wanted to make everyone aware that we have mutual aid, the people on the fire department are dedicated volunteers and most of these fire fighters are working full time.
· Fire Truck Capital Reserve $47,000 this was changed to include the additional funds needed for the truck purchase.
· Fire Department Renovation $84,500 this amount is the total amount that will be required to finish this renovation. Selectman Allen feels the selectmen should have an itemized invoice. The following items will be completed upstairs two new offices with the balance as open space, new stairs, new ceiling downstairs throughout all the bays and completely wired. Selectman Allen provided a quote he received from a contractor for electrical improvements. He requested that Dick Bennett also provide a quote for this work. Selectman Allen stated in the future the board should see a quote for renovations or trucks that are purchased by the town.
· Bartlett/Jackson Ambulance $0. There will not be a purchase this year.
· Bartlett/Jackson Ambulance Service $6,000.this is a $2,000 decrease.
10. The following building permit applications were approved by the building inspector and signed by the selectmen, Andrew Kling Map R13 Lot 17B, Jeff & Melissa Bauer Map V10 and Lot 17, Marc Holmes MapV10 and Lot 234.
11. Susan Methot attended the meeting to ask about the snow pile on the north side of the driveway. She requested the snow be dumped in the field because it is blocking the driveway. Rob Hatch, Road Agent stated the highway department realizes it is very high and they will try to bucket the snow into the field with as little damage as possible. They are in the habit of removing it the day after a storm but due the frequency of the storms this year, it has been a bit more difficult.
12. Rob Hatch, Road Agent advised the selectmen the snow plow failed on the new truck. It seems to be a design flaw and will be repaired. He feels it might be under warranty. The Town of Bartlett leant the town a snow plow which should get us through the next storm. Rob advised the selectmen salt was delivered today.
13. The selectmen reviewed the articles for the 2008 warrant. Selectman Funicella questioned Article 11 which would vote to change the purpose of the existing Town Hall Improvement Capital Reserve Fund to the new purpose of the Sand and Salt Shed Capital Reserve Fund. This requires a 2/3 vote of the town. The article could also be written so that the Town Hall Capital Reserve Fund is dissolved. The funds go back to the general fund and in a second article the new capital fund would be established and the money from the previous capital reserve fund be placed in this fund. This requires a majority vote. Selectman Funicella feels it is appropriate to have a separate article to eliminate the Town Hall Capital Reserve Fund and then to establish the new fund and raise $50,000 for this purpose of
the sand and salt shed. He feels since the Town Hall Capital Reserve Fund was established with a majority vote, it should be dissolved the same way. There was discussion regarding this article. Selectman Allen felt that since the town overwhelming approved the Town Hall Capital Reserve Fund that a 2/3 vote is appropriate. Selectman Davis agreed. The selectmen favor this article as written. Article 29 to see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $50,000 to purchase approximately 2 acres of land currently held jointly by the towns of Bartlett and Jackson. The selectmen favor. Article 24 was removed from the warrant. Petitioned Article 35 to vote to raise and appropriate $500 to help fund Project Prom. The selectmen favor.
14. The March Selectmen’s Meetings will be held on March 17, and March 31 at 4 p.m. The meeting time will be 4 p.m. starting on the March 17 meeting.
15. The selectmen signed Intent to Cut for Alex Burgess, Map R12 Lot 18.
16. The selectmen signed an appointment for Lisa MacAllister for Supervisor of the Checklist.
17. The selectmen signed appointment forms for Deputy Warden for the following: Robert Davis, Ben English Jr., Edward Dubie and Gordon Lang.
18. The selectmen approved and signed a veteran tax credit for William Lockard.
19. The selectmen signed a letter to New Hampshire Liquor Commission stating it was agreeable to the town that The Wentworth serves alcohol for wedding receptions outside their licensed area May 3- November 1, 2008.
20. The selectmen reviewed a letter from the Local Government Center requesting financial support of litigation regarding a new funding methodology which will increase employer normal contribution rates. The selectmen agreed they will not financially support the litigation.
21. Barry Keith, Wetland Scientist, assessed the land for wetlands that is being considered for the highway garage at the transfer station. He advised the selectmen he might offer to waive the bill. He would require that the town send him a letter stating he did this service on a pro bono basis. He would use this for continued education credits toward a certification renewal. The selectmen decided they are not interested in this at this time and will request an invoice from Mr. Keith.
22. The selectmen agreed to the request from the Friends of the Jackson Public Library requesting use of the Town Hall May 22-Monday May 26, 2008. The school will be contacted to make sure there are no conflicts with these dates.
23. The selectmen agreed to the request from Lorraine Tilney to use the fire department for registration for the Jackson Covered Bridge 10K foot race on Saturday, June 7, 2008 and the ball field for a picnic after the race. They will inform Mrs. Tilney that the fire department might still be under renovation and if this is case the Jackson Town Hall is available for registration of the race.
24. The selectmen agreed to the request from the Bartlett Selectmen to accept the copper contract from Robert Labbe to collect and pay for copper at the transfer station. The Jackson Selectmen will request a contract for signature from the Bartlett Selectmen.
25. The meeting started at 5:30 p.m. and ended at 7:55 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Julie A. Maiorano
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