Board of
Selectmen’s Meeting
Minutes
of
Selectmen:
Peter N. Miller, Chairman
Peter F. Brothers
Miller C. Lovett
Frank S. Michel
Colette Worsman
Town Manager:
(Absent with Notice) Carol
M. Granfield
Recording Clerk: Karin
Landry
Call to Order: Chairman Miller called the meeting to
order at
The Selectmen opened the meeting with a
brief observation of the 5th anniversary of the
Chair Miller introduced the Board and
Recording Clerk.
ACCEPTANCE AND/OR CORRECTION OF
MINUTES:
06-51Acceptance of Minutes of Board of
Selectmen Meeting of
Miller Lovett moved to adopt the minutes
of the August 28, 2006 Board of Selectmen Meeting as presented. Seconded by Colette Worsman. Vote 4-1. (Selectman Michel absent from
meeting). Motion
passed.
VISITOR’S AND RESIDENT’S
COMMENTS:
High Street
resident Suzan Light complained to the Board about the quality of her
municipally supplied water.
Although the public water supply is not suitable for drinking, it was
possible to use it to bathe and wash clothes in the past. The amount of sediment in the water has
increased and she asked the Board when the water lines will be replaced, as
promised.
Frank Michel
told Light that the project was scheduled for 2005 but the single bid that came
in was twice what had been budgeted. Chair Miller said the Town
is hoping to get a more reasonable bid by bundling the water main replacement in
her neighborhood with others to attract more contractors. The work is now scheduled for 2007. The Board encouraged Ms. Light to
contact Town Manager Carol Granfield to see what can be done to reduce or
mitigate the circumstances in the interim.
Jim Hughes
commented on the quality of the audio portion of the televised meetings. He continues to hear many complaints
from the public and would like to see the Board take steps to make improvements
to the system. Chair Miller agreed
that there is problem that needs to be addressed and instructed Town Manager
Carol Granfield to look into resolving the problem within 30 days. Attention should also be given to
various items at the Community Center in need of repair while they are still
under warranty.
Mr. Hughes
commented on the wisdom of having an alternative plan in the event capital
improvements to the water system are voted down.
SELECTMEN
COMMENTS:
Carol Granfield
requests that the last two meetings in September be dedicated as guidance for
the budget process. The cap or
ceiling that the Board wishes to recommend as a bottom line increase in the
first draft budget will be discussed at the meeting on September 18 at
Frank Michel
commended Bob Kennelly and all those involved with the event honoring the 5-year
anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks for a job well done. He apologized for the weak turn out of
Board members at the event and thanked the Post and others for their
efforts.
Colette Worsman
clarified that the Ducharmes’ request for a cluster subdivision was not turned
down by the Planning Board, but withdrawn by the Ducharmes.
NEW BUSINESS:
06-52Adoption of USGS Board on Geographic
Names’ “Principles, Policies, and Procedures Manual”
Chair Miller motioned that with regard to
names proposed for geographical features that are being proposed for federal
approval, that the Board adopt the USGS Board on Geographic Names’ “Principles,
Policies, and Procedures Manual” as a guideline to assist in acting on those
requests. Seconded by Colette
Worsman.
Chair Miller
informed that The USGS Board has jurisdiction on the federal naming process of
land features. When a proposed name
is submitted to the Board, they seek input at the Town, County and State
levels. Miller Lovett expressed a
desire to become more familiar with the Manual in the context of a workshop
before adopting it as a guideline.
Colette Worsman pointed out that the USGS put considerable work into the
Manual and suggested adopting it as a guideline. Peter Brother’s questioned the Board’s
ability to make an informed, intelligent decision based on the scope of the
Manual. Questions were raised as to
the best time for the Town to become involved in the naming of a land feature in
order to mitigate the amount of time spent on the process.
Chair Miller motioned that with regard to names proposed for
geographical features that are being proposed for federal approval, that the
Board adopt the USGS Board on Geographic Names’ “Principles, Policies, and
Procedures Manual” as a guideline to assist in acting on those requests. Seconded by Colette Worsman. 3(Brothers, Michel, Lovett)-2(Miller
& Worsman). Motion
denied.
06-53
Selectman Michel
opened the discussion by informing that the USGS Board of Geographic Names
prefers imaginative, relatively distinctive names that are not incompatible with
existing names. Questions arose as
to who brought the anonymous Agenda item before the Board, noting that it was
not signed by the Town Manager or the applicant. Dialogue ensued regarding procedures in
bringing matters before the Board as well as supporting
documentation.
Pauli Novicki
stepped forward to inform the Board that the Conservation Commission joined her
in submitting the Agenda item.
Selectmen Michel apologized for any inference as to who brought the
Agenda item before the Board. Chair
Miller urged the Commission representatives to consult with Carol Granfield upon
her return for guidance on moving forward on this item.
Chair Miller motioned to table the item
until more thorough documentation is presented. Seconded by Frank Michel. All in favor. 5-0. Motion passed.
OLD BUSINESS:
W 06-23
Health and Dental Insurance Committee Request
Colette Worsman
reported that the Health and Dental Insurance Committee has met weekly since mid
July. They have interviewed
brokers, a number of insurance companies and the three major providers:
Colette Worsman proposed that the
deadline be extended from September 26 to November 6. Seconded by Frank Michel. All in favor. 5-0. Motion passed.
06-50
The Board has
reviewed the NHMA Committees’ recommendations on legislative policy vote. Town Manager Carol Granfield is the
voting delegate and her recommendation is to approve the Committees’
recommendations.
Chair Miller moved that the Board approve
the NHMA Committees’ recommendations attached to agenda item 06-50 dated
Chair Miller
clarified that by approving the document, the Board will be approving the many
recommendations made by the Committees.
Miller Lovett recommended thoroughly reviewing the recommendations in a
workshop format. In lieu of
discussing each recommendation, the Board allowed for discussion of a few
objectionable items.
Colette Worsman
objected to recommendation #10 of the General Government Revenue and
Intergovernmental Relations Legislative Policy Committee. Dialogue ensued regarding interpretation
of the language and loss of control of school funding at the local level, as
well as the concept of donor towns.
Chair Miller motioned that the Board is
not in favor of supporting recommendation #10 for a number of reasons. Seconded by Colette Worsman. All in favor. 5-0. Motion passed.
Frank Michel
objected to supporting recommendation #5 of the General Government Revenue and
Intergovernmental Relations Legislative Policy Committee regarding the exemption
from the right to know law for list of registered dog
owners.
Peter Miller moved that the Board
instruct Carol not to support item #5, exemption from right to know law for list
of registered dog owners of the first Committee’s report. Seconded by Frank Michel. All in favor. 5-0. Motion passed.
Colette Worsman
withdrew her objection to #13 on page 5 when the Board clarified that Meredith
is not an official ballot community.
Colette Worsman
objected to recommendation #1 of the Committee on Governmental Affairs Assessing
Practices regarding submission of income and expense statements. Dialogue ensued regarding the
complexities of the language and the need for clarification in order for the
Board to make a recommendation on voting. Colette withdrew her
objection.
Chair Miller moved to authorize Carol
Granfield to support all of the action recommendations of the three Committees
except items #5 and #10 of the General Government Revenue and Intergovernmental
Relations Legislative Policy Committee.
Seconded by Frank Michel.
4-1. Miller Lovett
abstained. Motion
passed.
Colette Worsman made a motion to enter a
non-public session to discuss personnel issues under RSA-91-A:3-11 a. The Selectmen entered non-public session
at 7:35 pm seconded by Chairman Miller with an affirmative 5-0 vote by Chairman
Miller, Colette Worsman, Miller Lovett, Frank Michel and Peter Brothers. The Board was polled by Chair
Miller
No actions were taken.
Peter Brothers motioned
to move out of non-public at 8:50 pm. Peter moved to adjourn the Board of
Selectmen meeting. Colette Worsman seconded. Roll call made unanimous 5-0.
Respectfully
submitted,
Karin Landry, Recording Clerk
Peter N. Miller, Chairman
Peter F. Brothers
Miller C. Lovett
Frank S. Michel
Colette Worsman