Board of Selectmen’s
Meeting Minutes
December 29, 2004
Present: Selectmen Robert Buker, Chairman and Laura Simoes with Business Administrator James Coffey and Selectmen’s Secretary Iris Campbell.
Meeting was called to order at 6:45 p.m. by Chairman Buker.
Selectmen signed the following items:
a. Payroll Voucher #s [53]
b. Expense Voucher [30]
c. Minutes of December 22, 2004
d. Land Use Change Tax, Map 5, Lot 77
e. Building Permits:
Permit # Name Location Description Est. value Recommendation
04159BP Granatek, Ben 1022 E. Washington Road Shed $ 5,000 Approval.
04160BP San-Ken Homes 133 Stowe Mountain. Road Residence $220,000 Approval.
04161BP San-Ken Homes 141 Stowe Mountain. Road Residence $230,000 Approval.
APPOINTMENTS:
6:45 p.m. William Goss introduced Jesse Kelley, the new highway department employee, to the Board. The Board welcomed Mr. Kelley to the employ of the Town.
Mr. Goss discussed the following budget items with the Board: 1. Adding $8,000 to miscellaneous projects in order to create a new parking lot on the Town’s vacant lot at the corner of Myrtle and Central Streets. 2. Adding $60,000 to equipment rental to hire a line painter to line Henniker and W. Main Streets.
Mr. Goss also requested a highway department representative on the Dispatch Review Committee and stated that he would be willing to serve.
Mr. Buker said that he would pass on the request to Mr. Elliott and informed Mr. Goss that there is a meeting scheduled for January 6, but no public input would be taken at that meeting.
Information regarding 5 W. Mill Street: Mr. Coffey informed the Board that he had spoken to the attorney representing the mortgage company. He feels that they can work together to tear the building down and that the insurance company has a liability to the mortgage company.
Information regarding 23 W. Mill Street: Mr. Coffey has spoken to Rob Raybuck, Assistant U.S. Attorney. Uusually they seize the property of persons involved in drug arrests, however, after Mr. Coffey explained the background on the property he agreed that the Town’s taking might be the best as long as Mr. Griffin would not benefit from any future sale of the property. Mr. Coffey informed him that the Town’s interest was in cleaning up the property and the possibility of making it a park, because it is at the head of a State trail system. Mr. Coffey will be meeting with Mr. Raybuck in late January to work together to handle any issues they need resolved, and the cleanup we need to do. Mr. Coffey is in the process of getting the water turned off.
7:12 p.m. Mr. Morris came in to discuss the Solid Waste budget with the Board. He reported that the 2005 budget is $75,000 more than 2004's for the following reasons: 1. A new roof to cover the hazardous waste area - $3,000. 2. Hot top for the area behind the transfer station to the demolition area to the scale area, this will make plowing and maintenance easier - $16,000. 3. An increase in our Guaranteed Annual Tonnage has caused an increase in our tipping fee to Penacook, the increase is due to the private haulers taking more to the facility. We are recouping that increase by billing the private haulers for the privilege of going to Penacook. In 2004 we paid $161,891 in tipping fees and billed the haulers $159,606. 4.
The health insurance has increased. 5. Mowing the capped landfill - $5,000. 6. Hauling the recyclables, which is a new request this year - $20,000.
Mr. Coffey mentioned that having the recyclables privately hauled will allow for our employees to stay on site. He also reported that recycling revenue was up to $47,778 from $22,148 in 2003 and general receipts were down to $71,355 from $91,477 in 2003.
7:37 p.m. Ray Barker came in to discuss the Community Building budget with the Board. He reported the following: 1. The replacement of the copper gutters around the round tower roof due to rot - has a bid of $23,000.
2. Repair the rotted curved wood trim on the same tower roof and rent a lift - $17,000. 3. Continue repairing stain glass windows - $4,200. 4. Replace all the smoke detectors which are suppose to be done every ten years and it has now been twelve on the existing ones - $2,000.
The Board reviewed the following correspondence and new business:
a. Lions Club’s Las Vegas Night permit was supported by the Board.
b. A letter from Irene Wells requesting expanded veterans’ tax credits be place on the 2005 warrant. The Board agreed to place articles on the warrant to increase the veterans’ exemption to $500.00 and the disabled veterans’ exemption to $2,000.00.
The Board reviewed the following minutes of other boards and reports:
a. Wetland Permit for Robert & Tammy Buker
b. Planning Board Notices (2)
c. A copy of a letter sent to welfare clients
d. An Influenza Notice
e. Senator Sununu notice
f. December 15 Planning Board Agenda
g. Conservation Commission minutes of December 8
h. A copy of a DES letter to Hillsboro Ford
I. The Court Order: Motion to Release Protective Order - Granted
j. Robert Stafford v. Town of Hillsborough
Mr. Coffey asked for a motion from the Board it discontinue Article 19 of the 2003 Town Meeting which appropriated $30,941.00 for a communications repeater because the project has been completed.
Mr. Buker made the motion that Article 19 for a communications repeater approved at the 2003 Town Meeting has been satisfied. Mr. Simoes seconded the motion. The Board voted all in favor.
Mr. Coffey reported that Article 13 of the 2004 Town Meeting relative to the transportation enhancement grant will be carried forward in the 2005 budget.
Mr. Coffey discussed the following budget with the Board: Reassessment in down because the sales analysis was done last year; Tax Collector/Town Clerk has budgeted for new upgraded workstations; Debt Payments are down because of lower interest rates and Election/Registrations will be done because of fewer elections this year.
Mr. Buker asked that the Animal Control Officer come in with the Police Department so we can discuss their budget together.
Mr. Coffey will have a spreadsheet ready for the next meeting showing the expenditures and revenue.
Meeting adjourned at 9:13 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Iris Campbell
Selectmen’s Secretary
| 
