DUNBARTON BOARD OF SELECTMEN

MINUTES OF MEETING

THURSDAY, JANUARY 20, 2005

TOWN OFFICES – 6:30 P.M.

The regularly scheduled weekly meeting of the Dunbarton Board of Selectmen was held at the above time, date and place with Chairman J. R. Swindlehurst presiding. It was noted that the meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. The following were present:

J. R. Swindlehurst, Chairman

Charles (Chuck) Graybill

Mert Mann (arrived at 7:03 p.m.)

Janice VandeBogart, Town Administrator

The Selectmen signed checks prior to the Public Meeting was called to order.

MOTION:

Charles (Chuck) Graybill made a motion that the Dunbarton Board of Selectmen go into non-public session in accordance with RSA 91-A:3 at 6:30 p.m. to discuss welfare issues. The motion was seconded by J. R. Swindlehurst . The motion passed with a roll call vote as follows:

Graybill – Yes

Swindlehurst – Yes

No decisions or motions were made at the non-public session.

Charles (Chuck) Graybill made a motion that the Dunbarton Board of Selectmen adjourn the non-public session at to discuss welfare issues in accordance with RSA 91-A:3 at 7:03 p.m. J. R. Swindlehurst seconded the motion. The motion passed with a roll call vote as follows:

Swindlehurst – Yes

Graybill – Yes

7:04 p.m. – Budget Review: Jan VandeBogart, Highway Department

Jan VandeBogart, Road Agent, appeared before the Board to review his proposed budget. He noted the following changes from last year.

1. Full-time employee – up because of a 4.7% increase in pay

2. Gasoline – down from previous year because less vehicles that burn gasoline but Selectmen recommended leaving gasoline at $1,000

3. Diesel Fuel – Bring back up to $5,000

4. Equipment Maintenance – Substantial drop from previous year

5. Patching – Gorham Pond should have a second coat and the Transfer Station. Not doing a lot of patching jobs this year. Increase to $1,000. Possibility of paving the Town Garage. The cost per Ton should be ½ what it was this last year.

6. Still have a good supply of culverts.

7. Gravel - $2,000 for the year

8. Tree Cutting – Have done considerable this year.

At this point, JR Swindlehurst asked if you don’t have any projects planned, we need something for the new Road Agent to do. What would you suggest? Are there projects you would do if you were staying on as Road Agent?

Jan V. stated that Twist Hill Road is on the list. Tree needs to be ground up. There is a lot to be done. We have still got the money. Paving could be increased. Twist Hill road is terrible. We have put in the guard rails. Road by the Simon Audet/Burchell subdivision is in need of repairs. Should be repaved. The tree on the corner is now cut down. We can grind the stump.

Ordway Road by Arthur Beaudet’s home. We should put a culvert but it is on ledge. We need to blast but there is problems because Beaudet home’s chimney is being held up by an elaborate system in the cellar. Water comes from his property. We can’t get the culvert deep enough. May have to chip the ledge. Water needs to be drained.

Black Brook Road and Long Pond Road has some real bad places.

Jan VandeBogart stated he would be planning to be doing all of the above this coming year if the weather permits.

JR Swindlehurst stated his only concern is that we get someone new coming in and you did cut the budget back by $40,000, he wouldn’t be able to do the projects needed. Jan assured JR that if the new Road Agent sticks with the program, he would be able to work with this budget.

Chuck Graybill stated he would like to see the Training line increased. We should be encouraging training. Jan VandeBogart stated that Allan has taken almost all of the training available. The new Road Agent should go to the training. The Training line was recommended to be increased to $1,000.

Chuck Graybill stated he agrees with the 4.7% increase in salary for the Town Employees.

JR Swindlehurst asked about the $8,500 Woody spoke about for crushing the gravel pile at the Transfer Station. Jan stated we should just push the pile back and not worry about crushing it. There is enough crushed gravel now and this is a small amount. That is why the cost is so high to crush it because it is a small job.

Salt Shed – Town received quotes for the 60’ x 40’ salt shed in the amount of $126,960.

Jan VandeBogart suggested obtaining a building similar to the one he has. The Town could up concrete sides to contain the salt. The cost for the building was $17,000 plus cost of putting up, etc. In addition, there is a Dome type Salt Shed available for $57,000.

The Selectmen will review the situation.

Budget Review – Jeff Nelson, Police Chief

Police Chief Nelson appeared before the Board of Selectmen to discuss his budget as follows: He stated there was a $11,435 increase from the previous year.

1. Special Police – Increased by $3,500. This is for special details and goes back into the account.

2. Part-Time – Increased by $2,000. Planning for three shifts a week.

3. Master Patrolman – Increased by 4%

4. Police Chief – Increased by 3%

5. $.50/hour increase for part-time officers. Finally getting them up to $15/$16 hour.

6. Dispatch – No change

7. Radios – No change

8. Pagers – No longer needed

9. Telephone – Increased by $500. More daytime calls to the station. Provided for a possible DSL increase for $100

10. Hardware – No change

11. Software – No change

12. Imagining – $1,000 agreement in place

13. Office Supplies – Was cut last year. Asking for an increase to $4,700. We are doing more printing and copying.

14. Gasoline - $1,300. Not sure about the cost of gas in the future so increased.

15. Vehicle maintenance – Increased by $300

16. Physical plant – Decrease by $200

17. Prosecutor – No increase

18. Training – Increased by $1,000. Want to do the “skid car” training. Safety is most important.

19. Kimball Pond Pit – Don’t want to step on anyone’s toes, but would like to have the back portion for shooting practice. Presently, we do it at the back of Clough Park by the Town Pit.

20. Education – No change

21. Accreditation – New line

22. Crime Prevention – Increased by $200

23. Uniforms – Decreased by $3,228

24. Crime Labs – Increased by $200. Need new finger printing items.

25. Department Equipment – No change. Need Vest replacements (cost about $500-600 each)

JR Swindlehurst asked if he had to turn away any requests for Special Police. Chief Nelson stated starting in May or June we had to stop.

OTHER BUSINESS:

Janice VandeBogart noted that Patrick (Woody) Bowne had to work emergency overtime this past week and was requesting how he should handle it. Should he put it in as compensatory time or get paid overtime hours for it? The time worked was necessary because of equipment repairs.

The Board of Selectmen agreed to ask Woody how he would like to handle it.

BUDGET REVIEW: Recreation Commission:

There was no one present for the Recreation Commission Budget.

The Selectmen asked what the cost of taking care of the gym floor was. A telephone call was made to Karen Lessard, and she confirmed the cost was $1,500.

BUDGET REVIEW: Board of Assessors:

Tim Terragni appeared before the Selectmen to discuss the Board of Assessors budget as follows:

1. Secretary – $ 600 (the same as previous year)

2. Administration - $1,500 (the same)

3. Appraisal - $18,500

4. Utility Assessor - $4,000 (up from previous year)

5. General Supplies - $141.97 (down slightly)

6. Training – 0 (down from last year)

It was noted that the Appraisal Contract will have to go out to bid. In addition, the appraisal services for Current Use will also have to go out to bid.

Comments from the General Public:

NONE

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Alison R. Vallieres

Recording Secretary

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J. R. Swindlehurst, Chairman, Board of Selectmen

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Charles (Chuck) Graybill, Selectman

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Mert Mann, Selectman