Present: Chuck Graybill
J.R. Swindlehurst, III
Mert Mann
Janice Van de Bogart, Town Administrator

7:00 p.m.Other Business:
Janice gave the Board references for the mowing bidders.

Chuck reviewed the legal bids and recommended going with option #2, with insisting that an attorney attend six meetings per year.

Chuck motioned to hire Ransmeier and Spellman for legal services for the term 2004-2006, proposal #2 or B, as outlined in a letter dated 6/2/04. Mert seconded the motion. The motion carried.

Janice received a call from Jacques Belanger, concerning hauling gravel on Old Hopkinton Rd. The hauler would like to meet with a Selectman at 8 a.m. on Monday to look at the road. Chuck volunteered to go. Janice will call Jacques and let him know.

Mert informed Lori Davis that she is on the agenda. Lori indicated that she is not ready. Mert indicated that he would like to get a dialogue started. A discussion took place regarding what it is that Lori and her group have learned from scrutinizing the Town’s records. Lori said the items in question are overtime, and her report of “double dipping”. Chuck said that that issue has been taken care of. Lori wants to see the funds replaced. She also discussed their doing a performance audit. She discussed her contacting the Attorney General’s office. Chuck said there were no issues of substance here. Mert brought up her negative letter to the editor of the newspaper and Chuck said it was highly inappropriate. Lori pursued the need to replace the funds and Chuck said they have ensured that it won’t happen again, and is not sure that the funds need to be replaced. Lori said the Attorney General says the funds should be reimbursed. Chuck feels that the State will not step in because the amount is less than $200. Lori said she has been reviewing Town records for two years, in response to a question from Mert. Mert stressed that he is interested in the facts. He said the letter to the editor was slanderous and he hoped that she wouldn’t do that again. He indicated that the Board doesn’t operate that way and would prefer that she bring the issues out in the open. He read part of the letter aloud and said that it did not describe him and he didn’t appreciate the insinuation. Chuck confirmed that all the Board members are unhappy.

Ron Slocum discussed what he was doing and noted that he was asked to look at Town records. He has questions, but he is not ready to discuss it because he doesn’t have all the facts. He would like to have his “ducks in a row” first, and expects that will be the case by the end of the summer. Mert asked him not to give the Board hints; they will wait until he is done with his research. Ron noted that he had nothing to do with the letter to the editor and he has not contacted the State. Mert asked if there will be any other records they will need to pull for them and Lori responded that it depends on what they find. Lori noted that this has nothing to do with any one person – it is regarding policies and responsibilities and no names will be mentioned. Ron indicated that he is doing an FT analysis, specifically relating to the overtime at the Transfer Station. He said it is not a witch hunt. Mert said he will look forward to seeing them in the next 6-8 weeks and reminded them of the Board’s summer hours.

Lori asked where the information is posted concerning the dates of the Selectmen’s meetings. Mert said it is on the website (under the calendar). Chuck said it is also posted in the newspaper and on the bulletin board.

Other Business:
A discussion about the lawn mowing bids took place. Chuck mentioned that he has never heard of Advantage, T&T or All About Lawncare He noted that Mike Underwood works for the New Boston Schools and does snowplowing at DES. Chuck’s wife is a teacher in New Boston and they are very happy with Mike. He sees Don Gravel’s work for the Town.

Mert recommended putting off the decision until next week to give them time to check references. Janice will check the references.

Janice discussed the salt bids:
• Eastern Minerals at $45.60/ton
• Easter Salt at $46/ton

Jan recommends Eastern Salt, who has been providing this service all along.

Chuck motioned, per the recommendation of the Road Agent, to approve Eastern Salt at $46/ton for the salt contract for the fiscal years 2004-2006. Mert seconded the motion. The motion carried.

J.R. suggested throwing out the lawn care bids and rebid. Mert suggested that next July they go with a 1 ½ year bid, rather than a one year bid.

Janice mentioned a legal case for the Board to look at and the need for a sick leave policy.

Mert made a motion to not pay accrued sick leave upon voluntary termination or firing. J.R. seconded the motion. The motion carried.

J.R. discussed a walk at the gravel pit on Ray Road with himself, Karl Woodbury, the Dept. of Environmental Services (DES), and Army Corps. Of Engineers, Ken Swayze, Chris Connelly, Kevin McDevitt and Arnie Martel. Six test pits were dug and DES indicated that it is legal to bring in and bury stumps and old asphalt, bricks and concrete. They found stumps and huge rocks. He questions whether RSA 155E supercedes the zoning in the Town. Janice will check on this. There is still a concern about dust control and the road itself. J.R. mentioned that Bob Salley is aware of these findings. The State is not concerned at all. J.R. will talk to Bob and make sure the whole group is brought up to date.

Chuck complimented Janice and the office staff on the tremendous job they are doing with the GASB report.

8:20 p.m. J.R. opened the meeting to public comment
Lori asked about the paving guarantee from Pike, now that Brox has been awarded this year’s bid. J.R. said they will still stand behind their work. Lori asked about the gravel at the Town forest.

8:22 p.m. Mert motioned to adjourn the meeting. Chuck seconded the motion. The motion carried.

_______________________________________________________________
J.R. Swindlehurst, III, Chairman

________________________________________________________________
Chuck Graybill, Selectman

Mert Mann, Selectman

Respectfully Submitted,

Joanne Johnson