DUNBARTON BOARD OF SELECTMEN

MINUTES OF MEETING

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1,  2005

TOWN OFFICES – 7:00 P.M.

 

The regularly scheduled weekly meeting of the Dunbarton Board of Selectmen was held at the above time, date and place with Chairman Charles Graybill  presiding.  It was noted that the meeting was called to order at 7:03 p.m.  The following were present:

               

                Charles (Chuck) Graybill, Chairman

                Mert Mann

                Les Hammond

                Janice VandeBogart, Town Administrator

               

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

 

The Selectmen signed and approved the minutes of the previous Selectmen’s Meeting of November 17, 2005. 

 

GENERAL BUSINESS:

 

                Transfer Station:

 

1.        Charles (Chuck) Graybill stated that he had spoken with Patrick (Woody) Bowne last Friday, and they went over the list of items that Woody wanted to have done.  Possibly will do the doors.  All items are cosmetic.  Suggested to Woody that it would be better to do this type of repairs in the summertime.  Items need to be painted.  In addition, we don’t have funds available in the Town Budget.  Chuck stated that he suggested to Woody that if he could cover the funds in the Transfer Station Budget, he may be able to do it.  Will look for the opinion of the Board.  We can’t paint now anyway.

 

Charles (Chuck) Graybill stated he also went over with Woody what the Board of Selectmen had decided on the truck purchase. 

 

Board of Selectmen reached a consensus that they will plan on putting the items into the next budget.

 

It was also noted that at the Joint Loss Meeting the Transfer Station has to put in exhaust fans. 

 

Joint Loss Committee:

 

2.        Les Hammond reported on the Joint Loss Committee Meeting.   Les stated that the Joint Loss Committee has recommended that we get all the trash out of the cellar in the Town Hall.  We should notify all departments to come get their items or we will get rid of them.  There are copies of old Town Reports that are moldy.  There is an Old Town Hall Sign that Eric Hodgman plans on restoring at some point.  There is some sort of pump, etc.  All things need to go. 

 

We should then hire a Mold  Company to assess the situation. 

 

MOTION:

 

Les Hammond made a motion that the Dunbarton Board of Selectmen advise all groups within the Town who have items stored in the basement of the Town Hall that they must be removed by January 31, 2006.  After that date, the Town will remove what is left.  The Board of Selectmen will contact a Mold Abatement Company and have an assessment done of the situation. 

 

Charles Graybill seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously. 

 

Les Hammond noted that when it gets cold, Allan Sheldon will replace some of the fluorescent lights in the Town Hall and the Town Offices. 

 

JANICE VANDEBOGART, TOWN ADMINISTRATOR:

 

                Town Hall Roof Repairs: 

 

1.        Melanson Roof Company, Bow, NH couldn’t give an estimate for repairing the Town Hall Roof because they couldn’t get up the roof.  It costs $1,000 to rent the snorkel lift.  The Highway Department will be renting a snorkel lift for the salt shed construction.  Janice will call the company the Highway Department is renting the snorkel lift from to make sure we have their okay to use it for looking at the Town Hall roof.   Will then call Melanson Roof Company.

 

Town Bounds Perambulation:

 

1.        Janice reported that Fred Mullen had completed the Town Bound Perambulation with the town of Weare.  There is a missing bound by Alexander Road. 

 

Les Hammond wrote a letter to the Army Corps of Engineers in 1977 asking them to replace the bound and Fred Mullen is pursuing the matter. 

 

Fred Mullen will represent the Town in following this matter up.

 

MOTION:

 

Les Hammond made a motion that the Dunbarton Board of Selectmen assign Fred Mullen to pursue all lost bounds on behalf of the Board of Selectmen. 

 

Charles Graybill seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously. 

 

The Selectmen wished to thank Fred Mullen again for his working with the Town of Weare officials in the perambulation of the Town of Weare/Dunbarton bounds. 

 

Library Request:

 

1.         Les Hammond reported that he had received a request from the Town Library to take out the old set of stairs in the front to the stage.  They would like to make a room in the space where the stairs are now located.  Les Hammond stated he has checked with the Fire Chief and he has said the stairs would never have to be used as a Fire Access. 

 

Both Charles (Chuck) Graybill and Mert Mann agreed they would have no objection to the Library taking out the stairs and finishing the floor, etc.  The Library paid for the renovations of the inside of the Library so would think it would be their responsibility to pay for the changes. 

 

Planning and Zoning Meetings in Church Hall:

 

1.        Les Hammond reported he had spoken with Reverend Kelley, St. John’s Episcopal Church, regarding the possibility of using the Church Hall for Planning and Zoning Meetings.  Reverend Kelley feels this could possibly work. 

 

Bathroom Renovations – Town Office:

 

1.        Janice VandeBogart, Town Administrator, reported that the final bills for the Bathroom Renovations for the Town Office had come in.  Mike Poirier had estimated $11,800 and the final bills came to $11,316. 

 

2.        There are two windows that need to be replaced on the back wall.  The Selectmen noted there is no money left over from the project.   Selectmen will put these in the next year’s budget. 

 

Town Forest Payment for Gravel:

 

1.        It was noted that the Town should pay the Town Forest for the sand and gravel for the year. 

 

Selectmen asked how the reclamation plan on the Town Forest was progressing.  Les Hammond stated the next meeting will be with Jacques Belanger regarding the plan.

 

Budget 2006:

 

1.         It was noted for the record that Janice VandeBogart, Town Administrator, is sending out letters to all Department Heads for scheduling budget meetings in January 2006. 

 

LORIE DAVIS AND ALAN ROCKENBACH, RIGHT TO KNOW LAW:

 

Lorie Davis and Alan Rockenbach appeared before the Board of Selectmen to discuss the Right to Know Law.  Alan Rockenbach noted that the meeting was being recorded.  (The tape recorder was placed on the Selectmen’s table at 7:00 p.m. but the Selectmen were not aware or informed that it was running at that time, therefore the recording will be as of 7:30 p.m.) 

 

Lorie Davis asked the following questions:

 

1.        Is the Town Web Site a legal posting for Public Notices?

 

Selectmen stated that when we had the Town Meeting , things could be posted but it was not considered a valid point to postings.  It was going to become an instrument for the Town, in addition to the other  avenues for postings.  We still use the bulletin Board and the Stores. 

 

2.        The legislature is considering updating the state’s Right to Know Law to cover the use of computers in the conduct of municipal business.  The Selectmen stated they do not currently utilize e-mil or Instant Messaging to conduct town business.   

 

3.        When do we put a notice of an agenda up?  When is that done?  It should show and generally address the topic of each visit of the meeting. 

 

The Board of Selectmen have taken the responsibility of setting the guidelines.  The Selectmen put people on the agenda as requested.

 

4.        With regard to disbursement of funds, when the Board of Selectmen sign checks, there usually is a manifest that lists what is signed.  Lori Davis stated the Town creates a list where the public can actually look at the checks and that actually is in the Right to Know Law. 

 

The Board of Selectmen stated there is a manifest that the public can look at and not the checks.  You can request anything during the regular business hours and the manifest is part of the checks that the Selectmen sign. 

 

5.        Regarding requesting information under the Right to Know Law.  We first did it in 2003.  We were requested to put it in writing in 2003.  We were told the Town needed more time, etc.  What I am confused about is when I give the request to the Town Office, is it  five days from the time I requested the information? 

 

Lori stated she was confused, when it comes into the Town Office, are you requesting that it go to the Board of Selectmen? 

 

Mert Mann, Selectman, stated it goes to the Town Office during normal Town Business hours.  We don’t have to respond immediately.  If you are looking for ten years of time sheets, you are not going to get them within five days probably.  The standard procedure is to go to Janice VandeBogart, Town Administrator.  The request will be date stamped. Yes, the Board of Selectmen is told about it at some point.  If time is needed to prepare the information, you will be informed.   There is no need to bring a lawyer in like last year.  Standard procedure is the request goes to the Town Administrator.  If the information is readily available, it is provided.  If the request submitted is detailed and very specific, it will take longer to compile.  The request can’t interfere with our normal work schedule of operations. 

 

TIM TERRANGI, BOARD OF ASSESSORS:

 

                Ethics Board:

 

Tim Terrangi, Board of Assessors, reported that he had been before the Ethics Committee on October 27, 2005, November 8, 2005 and November 17, 2005.  The November 17th meeting was for 3 ½ hours.  He stated he was found innocent of the charges. 

 

1.        T. Terrangi stated at the first meeting, there was a telephone call made to the complaintant and there  was a reference that I had said something to that person, and he was releasing that to them.  Someone else told him.  It was okay with him that it was brought into the charges.  It was put on after the three charges were made.  At the third meeting, those things completely changed.  People weren’t going to come to the meeting. 

 

2.        T. Terrangi asked to speak to Town Counsel about the situation.  It is something I could be looking into.  There was an accusation made and brought into the first meeting and by the third meeting, there was a complete flip-flop. 

 

Charles (Chuck) Graybill suggested that Tim Terrangi discuss this with the Chairman of the Ethics Committee.  Mert Mann agreed with Chuck.

 

3.        Mert Mann stated that Randy Bullis was complaining about his tax bill.  It went up 28%.  Referenced Town Meeting, etc.  What about other residents?  Tim Terrangi stated that nine residents have filed Tax Appeals. 

 

COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC:

 

                NONE

 

 

MOTION:

 

Mert Mann made a motion that the Dunbarton Board of Selectmen adjourn at 8:06 p.m.  Charles (Chuck) Graybill seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

                                                                                                                                Alison R. Vallieres

Recording Secretary

 

 

____________________________________

Charles (Chuck) Graybill, Chairman

 

_______________________________________

Mert Mann, Selectman

 

_______________________________________

Les Hammond, Selectman