GILFORD BOARD OF SELECTMEN’S MEETING
January 23, 2008
Town Hall
The Board of Selectmen convened in a regular session on Wednesday, January 23, 2008, at 3:15 p.m., at the Gilford Town Hall, 47 Cherry Valley Road, Gilford, NH. Selectmen present were Chairman Alice H. Boucher, Connie Grant and Gus Benavides. Also present were Town Administrator Evans Juris, Assistant Town Administrator Debra Shackett and Administrative Secretary Sandra Bailey.
1. Pledge of Allegiance – The Selectmen recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
Chairman Boucher announced that this meeting is being recorded for public access television.
2. Review/Approval of Minutes – The Board of Selectmen approved the regular and non-public minutes of the Selectmen’s meeting of January 9, 2008.
3. Public Hearing
3.1. Right-of-Way Adjustment – Alpine Drive – Georgie Johnson of Johnson Surveying was in attendance again to briefly explain the proposed transfer of Town owned land to Janet Elkin of 42 Alpine Drive, for a right-of-way adjustment. She explained that this is the second public hearing required by the Gilford Board of Selectmen.
Chairman Boucher opened the hearing for public input. Being none, she closed the public hearing at 3:18 p.m. Town Administrator Juris advised the Board that the Board will need to hold a special meeting between seven (7) and fourteen (14) days to vote on the transfer. This meeting date will need to be scheduled between January 30, 2008 and February 6, 2008.
4. Appointments
4.1. Patrick McKenna – Gilford Energy Committee – Patrick McKenna, Chairman of the Gilford Energy Committee, was in attendance to review a Powerpoint presentation of the Committee’s Strategic Plan. He stressed that the Committee is non-political and would like to open up the membership to all Gilford residents. He would also like the Committee to be able to join various energy organizations on a state and national level.
Selectman Benavides suggested that a work session be scheduled to review the materials submitted by the Energy Committee. All three Selectmen commended Mr. McKenna for the Committee’s accomplishments in a short period of time.
Town Administrator Juris pointed out two concerns regarding grant applications. All grant applications must be authorized by the Board of Selectmen and any provisions for matching grant amounts have not been budgeted.
Chairman Boucher stated that the Board will now review the proposed warrant article on a wood heating property tax exemption. Appraiser Wil Corcoran provided background information on how this type of exemption has been handled since he began working for the Town in 1992. Since these items are not assessed, it is not appropriate to offer an exemption on their cost. Assistant Town Administrator Shackett also pointed out that the Department of Revenue Administration has stated that a dollar amount must accompany the warrant article.
Following lengthy discussion, the Board determined that the proposed warrant article for a wood heating exemption would not appear on the 2008 warrant and time is needed for additional research.
5. New Business
5.1. Minimum Road Standards Waiver – John Wakefield was in attendance seeking a waiver of the Minimum Road Standards for Don Brown of 218 Edgewater Drive. Mr. Wakefield stated that because of the steepness of the lot, the Browns would like to have a “pullover” spot for parking off of Edgewater Drive, to be used during winter months. Mr. Wakefield also provided photographs of the property in question and pointed out that several other residences on Governor’s Island have these parking areas.
Chairman Boucher asked DPW Director Sheldon Morgan to provide input on the waiver request. Director Morgan stated that in addition to concerns with the Minimum Road Standards, there are concerns with the Town’s Zoning Ordinance, as it pertains to off-street parking. For these reasons, he is recommending that the Board not grant the waiver.
Selectman Benavides asked Director Morgan if any of the information presented today has changed his mind regarding his recommendation. Director Morgan replied no, and the other parking areas on Governor’s Island pre-date zoning. Mr. Wakefield then asked if the Browns would be permitted to construct a grassy area by the side of the road. John Ayer, Director of Planning and Land Use, stated that since the Off-Street Parking Regulation does not permit parking within fifteen (15) feet of a property line, a variance would be required.
Selectman Benavides moved to deny the Browns’ request for a waiver of the Minimum Road Standards at 218 Edgewater Drive, to allow a parking area at the side of Edgewater Drive. Selectman Grant seconded. Motion carried.
5.2. Town Employee Salaries – Chairman Boucher stated that the Board has received a request from the Budget Committee to publish Town employees’ salaries and benefits in the Town Report. Starting with Selectman Benavides, she asked for his input on the matter. Selectman Benavides stated that he feels that this decision should be one that is made by the Board of Selectmen, not the Budget Committee. He further stated that it is difficult to make dramatic changes and is aware that Town Administrator Juris and Assistant Town Administrator Shackett have taken steps to improve employee morale. Publishing the salaries and
benefits in the Town Report would have a negative impact on employee morale and can result in an incorrect interpretation of published data.
Selectman Benavides continued and feels that public perception is very important and the Right-to-Know law should enable the public to have information, such as salaries and benefits, at their fingertips. For this reason, he feels the salaries and benefits should be published.
Selectman Grant stated that she also struggled with this issue. She acknowledged that there have been numerous changes for employees and this may not need to be done this year. She feels that this is an important decision that should not be made by the Board of Selectmen. Instead, she suggested a warrant article in 2009 for the voters of Gilford to be able to decide.
Chairman Boucher stated that she agreed with both Selectmen to a certain extent. She acknowledged that employee morale has been down and publishing this information in the Town Report would be harmful. She pointed out that members of the Budget Committee are always referring to employees being treated like others are in the “real world” and in that world, employee salaries are not published.
Selectman Grant moved to not publish employees’ salaries and benefits in the Town Report. Chairman Boucher seconded. Brief discussion ensued and Selectman Benavides asked Selectman Grant to further clarify her position on including this issue in the warrant. Selectman Grant reiterated that she did not feel that this had to be done this year. The motion carried 2-1. Chairman Boucher and Selectman Grant voted yes and Selectman Benavides voted no.
5.3. Belknap County Economic Development Council Appointment – Town Administrator Juris recommended that John Ayer be re-appointed to represent Gilford on this Council.
Selectman Grant moved to re-appoint John Ayer as Gilford’s representative to the Belknap County Economic Development Council. Selectman Benavides seconded. Motion carried.
5.4. Authorization to Hire – This item has been placed on hold.
5.5. Daily Deposit Procedure – Town Clerk/Tax Collector Denise Morrissette advised the Board that under RSA 41:29 VI, as of August 2007, the treasurer may delegate bank deposits to other town officials or employees. She further advised the Board that deposits are currently made by the Gilford Police Department and this RSA states that the Town Clerk/Tax Collector and Town Treasurer should have a written agreement on bank deposits. TC/TC Morrissette provided the Board with a draft copy of that agreement, which requires the signatures of the Board of Selectmen, upon Town Counsel review.
5.6. Tax Abatement Request – Town Administrator Juris briefed the Board on an abatement request from Gary and Michele Sedler.
Selectman Benavides moved to deny the abatement request from Gary and Michele Sedler. Selectman Grant seconded. Motion carried.
5.7. Gilford Outing Club – Police Captain Kevin Keenan apprised the Board of a parking problem that has resulted at the Gilford Outing Club, an area on Route 11-A, that is very popular for sledding. Several complaints have been received regarding cars being either partially or completely in the travel lane.
Although temporary “No Parking” signs have alleviated the situation, Captain Keenan has asked the Board to request that the State post the area with no parking signs 200 feet east and west of the entrance and adopt this area as a no parking zone so that enforcement action can be taken. Town Administrator Juris stated that a public hearing would be required before the Town adopts this as a no parking zone.
5.8. 2008 Warrant Review (4:00 p.m.) – Moderator Peter Millham and Town Clerk/Tax Collector Denise Morrissette were in attendance to review the 2008 Warrant with the Board of Selectmen. Each item was briefly reviewed and a determination made on who would be moving and seconding each article.
6. Old Business
6.1. Transfer Station Agreement – Town Administrator Juris briefed the Board on the latest update. He stated that a tentative agreement has been reached regarding the issue of hazardous materials. The Town’s liability would be limited to $50,000. He also asked for the Board to grant him the authority to move forward with the issue of how fees would be collected with the cost sharing agreement. The Board had previously authorized him to sign the agreement.
Selectman Grant moved to authorize Town Administrator Juris to move forward with the cost sharing agreement. Selectman Benavides seconded. Motion carried.
7. Public Input - none was provided.
8. Signatures
DATE SIGNED |
DOCUMENT |
MAP/LOT # |
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12/07/07 |
Change of Status - Campbell |
|
12/28/07 |
Change of Status - O'Neill |
|
12/31/07 |
Payroll Register (2) |
|
01/02/08 |
Accounts Payable Manifest |
|
01/03/08 |
Accounts Payable Manifest |
|
01/04/08 |
Accounts Payable Manifest |
|
01/07/08 |
Accounts Payable Manifest |
|
01/07/08 |
Payroll Register |
|
01/08/08 |
GAVWD Abatement - O'Bara |
267-255.000 |
01/08/08 |
Accounts Payable Manifest (2) |
|
01/09/08 |
Sewer Abatement - Belknap County (Gunstock) |
254-139.000 |
01/09/08 |
Accounts Payable Manifest |
|
01/13/08 |
Change of Status - Morrissette |
|
01/14/08 |
Payroll Register |
|
01/14/08 |
Accounts Payable Manifest |
|
01/14/08 |
Abatement - Beauregard |
242-198.004 |
01/15/08 |
Sewer Abatement - Graf |
252-016.005 |
01/15/08 |
Sewer Abatement - Sevigny |
252-016.709 |
01/15/08 |
Accounts Payable Manifest (2) |
|
01/21/08 |
Veteran's Tax Credit - Taylor |
223-402.000 |
01/21/08 |
Veteran's Tax Credit - Jones |
224-074.018 |
01/21/08 |
Deed to Rand |
267-002.000 |
01/21/08 |
Thank you letters to election workders |
|
01/21/08 |
Accounts Payable Manifest (2) |
|
01/21/08 |
Payroll Register |
|
01/21/08 |
Abatement - Kilgus |
224-075.001 |
01/21/08 |
Abatement - Carew |
224-075.003 |
01/22/08 |
Accounts Payable Manifest |
|
01/22/08 |
Abatement - Jaynes |
201-013.005 |
01/22/08 |
Abatement - Maiorano |
204-072.926 |
01/23/08 |
Change of Status - Willett |
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9. Selectmen Issues – none.
10. Administrator’s Report
10.1 Video Update – Town Administrator Juris informed the Board that DVD’s of their meetings have been delivered to LRPA for broadcast. He also informed him that he had an outside vendor in to adjust the sound system and the final camera will be installed on Thursday or Friday of this week.
10.2 Important Dates –Town Administrator Juris reviewed upcoming dates for the Board: Filing period for town offices – January 23 – February 1, 2008
Deliberative Session – February 4, 2008 – 7:00 p.m.
10.3 Other Matters
Town Administrator Juris updated the Board on HB 653, regarding the New Hampshire Retirement System. He stated that correspondence has been received requesting financial support from the Town to the Local Government Center, in the amount of $1,592.73, to be grouped with other municipalities to move forward with litigation on this matter.
Selectman Grant moved to authorize payment to LGC, in the amount of $1,592.73, to move forward with litigation against NHRS. Selectman Benavides seconded. Motion carried.
Assistant Town Administrator Shackett stated that she is seeking authorization from the Board to hire Elaine Willett for the position of Accountant, at $19.00 per hour, subject to a criminal background check and successful completion of six months probation. She further stated that she received 85 resumes and conducted interviews with 5 or 6 candidates, some more than once.
Selectman Benavides moved to hire Elaine Willett for the position of Accountant, at $19.00 per hour, subject to a criminal background check and successful completion of six months probation. Selectman Grant seconded. Motion carried.
10.4 Non-Public Session – RSA 91-A:3 II (c)
The Board of Selectmen on a roll call vote entered Non-Public Session at 4:44 p.m. Present were Selectmen Alice Boucher, Connie Grant and Gus Benavides, Town Administrator Evans Juris, Assistant Town Administrator and Administrative Secretary Sandra Bailey.
While in Non-Public Session, the Board discussed matters which, if discussed in public, would likely affect adversely the reputation of another person, other than the Board. While in Non-Public Session, no action was taken.
The Board exited Non-Public Session at 6:30 p.m.
11.0 Next Meeting – Wednesday, February 13, 2008 at 3:00 p.m.
12.0 Adjournment – With no further business before the Board, the Board of Selectmen’s January 23, 2008 meeting was adjourned at 6:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sandra J. Bailey
Administrative Secretary
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